Playing with my "paints"

I love to play with make-up. Always have.  BTW, this post may not have anything to do with my Christian walk or anyone elses, it's just what I was feeling at the time.

Anyway, back to the makeup, right now I am loving Smashbox, Too Faced, Stila and the classic Maybelline mascara in waterproof of course.   I don't know what it is, but I cannot pass a make-up counter without looking at every eyeshadow and every lipstick on display.  And like most  black women, I am always on the lookout for the perfect foundation.  Right now, I am wearing Too Faced St. Baarts Bronze and Smashbox Halo as a setting powder.  When I'm out on the weekend, I just go with the Halo, blush, mascara and lip gloss.

I just love being a girl!

Jill Scott

 

Beyonce

What's love got to do with it?

Hello again,

My husband sent me the picture you see below.  Yes, it is a BBQ grill sitting on top of walker.  The person who the walker belongs to was waiting for a bus to take him to the Labor Day BBQ at a friend's/relative's home.   When I first saw the picture, I asked my husband, "Wasn't there anyone at his destination with a car that could bring the man and the BBQ grill to the event?"   My husband's response was, "that's what I want to know."

I know this story could be considered here say.  I don't have all the facts and I'm sure there is much more going on that the small bit that I've been privileged to know, but...... and there is almost always a "but" in these situations,  when people look out for one another, someone isn't left trying to catch a but with a walker and carrying a BBQ grill.

Now it is true that, perhaps none of his friends nor family could have access to the use of a car.  But, where we live, it is highly unlikely.  The gentleman should be commended for working things out on his own.  He wasn't going to let a lack of personal transportation slow him down.  But, I still say a little love from friends and/or family would have gone a long way.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 5:22 NIV-   But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.   We should all remember to show, love, kindness and goodness, just as Jesus Christ taught.   Only good things are gained by showing one another the love God equips all human beings with.

The end of Summer?

Hello,


It's been a while since I've written, but today I'm in a writing kind of mood.

My son has started middle school and it's Fall.  This is the time of year when a lot of families start new projects.   Kind of "back to school" for adults.  Get things going around the house, integrate them into our lives.  My brother's family has made the transition into our Mom's home.  Their kids have started new schools.  He and his wife are taking on projects around the house.  Life is moving right along.

I have to say that I have been looking forward to the Fall season.  A friend of mine is having her first child and my husband and I will be the Godparents.  Huge responsibility and huge honor.  I am praying that the Lord will order our steps. Buying baby stuff is fun, personally, I prefer toddlers.   The so called "terrible twos" just aren't terrible to me.  Little ones really start to develop their own personalities and the family has a part in that development.  I'm looking forward to our Godchild. Play dates with a two year old! Bliss!



Well, it's time to sharpen the pencils, get out the blue ink pens and load up the back pack.  Fall is here and it's time to  go "back to school".  I'm sure The Lord has many lessons to teach us. 

The Great Recovery

 

Are you having a season of "financial messiness" ? If you answered yes.... then check out The Great Recovery from Dave Ramsey..... handling your finances God's way. I promise, your situation will only get better if you follow the Financial Peace plan. My husband and I are on the plan and things are going very well.

There are always adjustments to be made, but it has been well worth it. We know where our money goes and we make it behave.

http://www.thegreatrecovery.com/home/

BYE BYE WHITE - HELLO DARK KITCHEN CABINETS!

BYE BYE WHITE - HELLO DARK KITCHEN CABINETS! Love the dark kitchens and yes they could actually make me change my white kitchen cabinet ways. It's hard to choose though.... each one is fabulous. Hooray for the grey!

Independence Day Sermon

Hello Everyone,

I hope you're having a wonderful Holiday weekend!  For those of you that attended Service and for those that didn't,  Please click the link to Dr. Charles Stanley's InTouch Ministries.  This Sunday, the guest was Rear Admiral Barry C. Black (Ret.), Chaplain to the U.S. Senate.   Such a wonderful message!

http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/video-archives/content/topic/free_indeed_chaplain_black

Summertime and the livin' is easy

Well, I've been on vacation this past week.   I took the time off not to go anywhere, but to make sure Isaiah could get to his basketball day camp.   The camp ran Monday thru Friday from 9am - 1pm, and since he doesn't drive, that leaves me as mom (step-mom) to do the actual driving. 

I can tell you that Isaiah really enjoyed b-ball camp.  He learned a lot, improved his game and is looking forward to Middle School and hopefully playing on a team if they have one.

Patrick (my husband) and I really enjoyed the time we spent with Isaiah, until it was time for him to go to work.  Still, it was a great week.  No real agenda except camp.

I'll let you know what happens next week.

A little bit emotional.....

On Saturday, my husband and I went to purchase a robe for his ordination in October.  They store only had the white robe in stock and I suggested that he try it on.  No sense in just looking when he could actually see which one fit the best.   The salesperson was so nice and helpful.... she encouraged us to look at all the robes on the back wall and right side of the store.  Pat proceeded to take off his jacket and hang it on the stand in the middle of the section.  A crisp white robe hung directly to his right and seemed to be the exact size he needed.

Pat asked for some help and as I was zipping the robe and fastening the hook....... my emotions began to well up.   Pat didn't know this because I am shorter than him and my face was hidden as I looked down.  But he asked me how it looked....... my response? "you have to give me a moment here, I'm getting emotional".    

I can count  the number of times something like that has happened.   Even on our wedding day, I didn't well up like that.  I mean I was extremely happy, but not the crying kind of happy.

Anyway, that one little response tickled us both so much....It was just so unlike me and yet..... exactly like me.

Overheard on the commuter bus

Today I overheard a young lady talking about her own attitude and how bad it is. Her point of view struck me as odd since it is rare to hear a person brag about their own negativity. I asked myself "where does that come from ?". Immediately I knew; the devil. She was not speaking loveliness, joy, kindness, peace, humility, forgiveness, or anything of God. She reminded me of a saying: grouchy old people don't start out old. They let the devil take control of their thoughts and their speech when they are young. From there he cultivates sin through speech.I'm praying for her and others like her. Shake the devil off. Change your ways. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God.Pray for her, pray for each other .

Oprah and God..... artcle from CNN

Hello everyone,

I found this article on CNN.... check it out if you are a fan or if you are not.  Share your thoughts.

Good Morning! Thank God today for another opportunity to praise Him!

GM Fam! You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and his hair must never be cut. For he will be dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. He will begin to rescue Israel from the Philistines." Judges 13:5 NLT. God has plans for us even before we are born. It is up to us to live in His will.

Judgement Day prediction? ? ?

Well, this week, I've really started to notice dozens of billboards, and advertisements on the sides of buses proclaiming that Judgement day is coming.

This kind of advertising is dangerous to new believers and to non-believers.   The scripture taken from the book of Jonah is a proclamation by the King and his nobles to the citizens.   The advert also says that "The bible guarantees is"..... what the Bible says in Matthew 24: 36  But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

 We as believers should live our lives as if Jesus will come for His church at any time because in fact He will.  We don't know when, but He will. 

If you see these billboards in your area, be sure to follow the teachings of the Apostle Paul in his letter to Timothy Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth . 2Timothy 2:15.

 We don't know when this world will end. God does.   Be careful to listen to and follow the word of the Lord. To do that, we need to read His word. 

Your thoughts???

I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 2 Timothy 1:5 NLT Parents, aunts, uncles, elders, take the faith of Jesus Christ & pay it forward. Happy Mother's Day!

GM Fam! that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; Col 1:10 NKJV. We are God's children; as we go about our day, remember Who we represent. Don't bring ruin to the family name.

Your giving pattern to God is not likely to change until:
Your FAITH
Your LOVE
Your APPRECIATION
& Your OBEDIENCE
To the Will of God changes.

At today's Stewardship Seminar held at Brookins AME Church, Rev. Dr. J. Edgar Boyd recommended the book: No more tipping God & tithing Satan, by Rev. Don Dotson.
A progression of faith actions:
1-Obedience.
2-Tithes.
3-Offerings (beyond tithes).
4-Seed sowing (leads to).
5-Prosperity.

Attending a wonderful seminar at my church Brookins AME on Stewardship. Putting God first!

GM! One of the first people I talk to in the morning is the bus driver . He's always smiling and so cheerful. I certainly appreciate his pleasantness. It adds one more good thing to my day. Thank you God for putting happy faces in my path today.

Family talk about Tithing

Hello again,


My husband and I, along with our son have taken a short weekend trip to visit some friends in Southern California.  The drive took about 7 hours due to two traffic jams.... I must say that I have never been in a traffic jam on Highway 5 and hope never to be in one again.  The road was just one long endless ribbon of cars, trucks and red break-lights flashing intermittently. But we did arrive safe and sound.

Along the way our conversation took many turns, but one of the more interesting ones was about tithing.  You know, the ten percent of one's increase that is given to God in the local church to further the spreading of the Gospel. 

For some Believers, tithing is automatic, for others it is a struggle. And for still others it leads to debate.  Our family tithes in obedience to God.  Are you a tither? Why or why not?  Please share your thoughts. . .

It's getting close to Easter; this coming Sunday is PalmSunday and there will be a mad rush in the malls starting Friday evening, getting kids ready.
Of course all under the age of 12 will show up in outfits made in the colors of spun sugar. Hair ribbons, clip on ties, speeches learned in two days to two weeks. Some little ones will be so shy they won't even stand in front of the congregation without Mama.
Ahhh rehearsal for what life will bring! What are your favorite Easter Program memories?

Easter Edibles

Hello ,
While shopping in Wal-Mart this evening.  I came across  the following "Easter" edibles.

I've seen the Serenity Prayer printed on many items; plaques, t-shirts, bookmarks, stained glass etc.  But I have never seen it printed on a milk chocolate egg for Easter.   Hmmmmmmm.  Your thoughts?

Now I don't know about you, but I don't remember the story of Noah's Ark and the Easter story taking place at the same time.  But you do have to admit, the eggs are cute.


It's just amazing what you find when you just stroll down the isle and really take a look at what is being marketed.    What new "Easter" items have you seen?

GM Fam! Then Samuel said to the people, "Don't be afraid. You have indeed sinned. However, don't turn aside from the LORD. Serve the LORD with all your heart. 1 Samuel 12:20 NET. Don't keep doing wrong. Live for the Lord God!

Today I am attending the rehearsal for my church's Easter program. My son has a part. He is reciting a poem. My husband is serving as a stand-in for Barabbas & one of the thieves.

Even though we have a program every year, everyone needs practice .

It has been a somber 2 months since my Mom passed away. I know her soul is with the Lord, but I miss her. My joy is that I know I will see her when God the father calls me home.

What are your thoughts on loved ones' passing?

GM ! "Now stand here and see the great thing the Lord is about to do. 1 Sam 12:16 NLT. Observe God's work in everyday life. He is always there.

What can cause one's faith to "waver"?

My husband and I were talking about our Sunday School lesson in 2 Timothy 2:8-15.  The lesson is about remembering who Jesus is and what His crucifixion and resurrection did for us.  Through this letter to Timothy, Paul warned us about worry and letting it take over our lives.  What is your take on this passage and how we should live out our faith in the face of difficulties?

GM Fam! And you must show mercy to those Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.whose faith is wavering. Jude 1:22-23 NLT. Lead others to Christ with care.

Why do some people make the distinction between the terms "kids" and "step-kids"?

When I met my husband, he told me up front that he had a child; one son who was 6 years old at the time. Once we married, I knew that our lives would change.  All of us. My life, my husband's and my new son's.  I was going to be a Mom and I really looked forward to it.  So far, I can say, hand on heart,  it has been great.  My son and I have a lot in common; we share a birthday, each if us is the oldest of our siblings, we like many of the same foods, enjoy computer games, Star Wars re-runs and many other things. He knows I love him and that is important to me.

One thing that I have noticed is that when people meet us and find out he is not my biological son,  they make that distinction.   Of course I am aware that I did not give birth to him, but I love him, am responsible for him, and want to make sure that he grows up to be an outstanding young man.   Why the distinction?  I'm curious.

GM Fam ! A lazy life is an empty life, but "early to rise" gets the job done. Proverbs 12:27 MSG.

GM Fam ! The sacrificed Jesus made us fit for God, set us right with God. Romans 4:25 MSG

GM Fam! And so the promise was based on faith, in order that the promise should be guaranteed as God's free gift to all of Abraham's descendants—not just to those who obey the Law, but also to those who believe as Abraham did. For Abraham is the spiritual father of us all; Romans 4:16 GNT

GM Fam! Don't just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ's servants doing what God wants you to do. Ephesians 6:6 MSG