Yes, every day we're more and more Blessed.
One of my co-workers was at a meeting last week. There's an event coming up quickly, and one of the organizers said that they wanted someone to sing the Black National Anthem to open the event.
Now, my co-worker has heard my girl sing. She sang the National Anthem at our 9/11 Observance back in September. So he mentioned to the lady that he might know someone.
The funny thing is, neither of these people had any idea that my daughter is already practicing Lift Every Voice And Sing for the concert in San Francisco on February 16th!
So she's going to go and sing for them next week.
They are thrilled. So am I!
More and more, the Lord is putting opportunities in my child's Path. He has a Plan. I'm not sure what it is or where He's taking us, but I'm doing my best to fulfill His expectations of what I, Mom, should do to help my child.
(Don't think she and I don't argue. OMGoodness, there are days we fight like cats and dogs. Nobody said our lives are perfect. LOL, not hardly! But my Brothers and Sisters, God and Love will carry us through these difficult times. More and more, we are Blessed. Hallelujah!)
Celebrating Black History Month
Bethel Temple
San Francisco, CA
February 16th, 6pm
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Do Unto Others...
...as you would have them do unto you.
This should be our mantra, day in and day out.
But, you know, my girlfriend and I were talking about my daughter going to the teen retreat, and then we moved on to talking about kids and how we do our best, but at some point, they start making their own decisions. No matter how we raise them, no matter if we're a good or bad examples, kids take their own path. With luck and the Good Lord guiding them, they'll find their way back Home.
Then she mentioned that even the Pastor's son had some issues.
That brought to mind, how hard we are on the preachers' kids.
Poor kids, we as the congregation really have some unrealistic expectations of our pastors' kids.
Our kids can be mess-ups and we pray over them and forgive them for all the crazy things they do.
But let the pastors' kids act up and oh my goodness, you'd think satan himself had entered the church doors!
We are so dang judgemental and unfair to the pastors' kids. No wonder some do bust loose and do some wild things along the way. We pile our hopes and dreams and expectations on the pastors' kids.
They're held to a higher standard. A higher standard than we hold our own kids.
It's not fair to our young people.
We, as the congregation, need to remember those important words:
"Judge not, lest ye be judged"
and
"Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you."
This should be our mantra, day in and day out.
But, you know, my girlfriend and I were talking about my daughter going to the teen retreat, and then we moved on to talking about kids and how we do our best, but at some point, they start making their own decisions. No matter how we raise them, no matter if we're a good or bad examples, kids take their own path. With luck and the Good Lord guiding them, they'll find their way back Home.
Then she mentioned that even the Pastor's son had some issues.
That brought to mind, how hard we are on the preachers' kids.
Poor kids, we as the congregation really have some unrealistic expectations of our pastors' kids.
Our kids can be mess-ups and we pray over them and forgive them for all the crazy things they do.
But let the pastors' kids act up and oh my goodness, you'd think satan himself had entered the church doors!
We are so dang judgemental and unfair to the pastors' kids. No wonder some do bust loose and do some wild things along the way. We pile our hopes and dreams and expectations on the pastors' kids.
They're held to a higher standard. A higher standard than we hold our own kids.
It's not fair to our young people.
We, as the congregation, need to remember those important words:
"Judge not, lest ye be judged"
and
"Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you."
Sunday, January 20, 2008
God Is Working Mightily
My dear child is off to a Christian teen retreat this weekend.
Now, she is a diva, I have to admit that. She's a strong-willed child -- a good child with a temper.
And I'm a strong-willed woman -- a good mom with a temper. No wonder we clash.
Anyway, she called me last night. She called to tell me that she loved me and she's going to do better. That God is working on her. God is working on her mightily.
I told her I love her always. Always. Always. Always.
We'll both try to do better.
God is working mightily. On both of us.
Now, she is a diva, I have to admit that. She's a strong-willed child -- a good child with a temper.
And I'm a strong-willed woman -- a good mom with a temper. No wonder we clash.
Anyway, she called me last night. She called to tell me that she loved me and she's going to do better. That God is working on her. God is working on her mightily.
I told her I love her always. Always. Always. Always.
We'll both try to do better.
God is working mightily. On both of us.
Friday, January 11, 2008
The Road To Hell
Yes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Good intentions, coated by inaction and the lies of the evil one.
But you know what? I have a Word for you today.
Yes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions, but so is the road to Heaven! The difference is that you can start following through with those good intentions and make them a reality.
You are known by your fruits. So choose to stop procrastinating, stop listening to lies, stop doubting. Stop listening to the lies of this world. Focus. Focus on the Blessings you already have. Pick yourself up and start taking inspiration from Jesus' example. Start listening to the positive whisper in your mind, heart, spirit. He is with you. He is always with you.
So start picking up those good intentions along that winding road we call life. Don't step over that good intention you had. Stop, look at it, let the Spirit tell you if it's a load the Lord would have you carry, and then pick it up, pick up the Work, and make it a part of your reality, your Path, your road to Heaven.
And not to worry, I'll be there with you, working my way along my Path. Maybe our Paths will cross somewhere and we'll know each other by the fruits of our lives. And if not, well then, our roads lead to Heaven, I'll plan on seeing you there.
I'll do my best, like I know you will too. And at the end of that Road, I pray that Jesus will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant".
"Well done."
Good intentions, coated by inaction and the lies of the evil one.
But you know what? I have a Word for you today.
Yes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions, but so is the road to Heaven! The difference is that you can start following through with those good intentions and make them a reality.
You are known by your fruits. So choose to stop procrastinating, stop listening to lies, stop doubting. Stop listening to the lies of this world. Focus. Focus on the Blessings you already have. Pick yourself up and start taking inspiration from Jesus' example. Start listening to the positive whisper in your mind, heart, spirit. He is with you. He is always with you.
So start picking up those good intentions along that winding road we call life. Don't step over that good intention you had. Stop, look at it, let the Spirit tell you if it's a load the Lord would have you carry, and then pick it up, pick up the Work, and make it a part of your reality, your Path, your road to Heaven.
And not to worry, I'll be there with you, working my way along my Path. Maybe our Paths will cross somewhere and we'll know each other by the fruits of our lives. And if not, well then, our roads lead to Heaven, I'll plan on seeing you there.
I'll do my best, like I know you will too. And at the end of that Road, I pray that Jesus will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant".
"Well done."
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
A Word Of Hope For 2008
The last day of 2007 -- what a day!
I'd driven back from Oregon on Sunday. It was the usual 7 or so hours so I was tired. Even though I was tired, we had plans for New Year's Eve so I had to get us all home.
Yes, New Year's Eve was a beautiful night. My church has a great New Year's Eve party that we call "Showtime At Liberty". It's a great show, featuring singers, dancers, musicians, lip-syncing, with lots of fun and worship.
My daughter has been practicing for weeks. She's a singer and she has truly been Blessed with a big voice. I'm Mom and yes, I know, all moms think their kids can sing. But my daughter can't just sing, God blessed her with a VOICE and she can BLOW!
Anyway, we spent some time with her vocal coach, Jonathon, then her best friend flat-ironed her hair and they got ready to go. We arrived at the church on time and many friends were there. It's always good to go in the doors, I feel the worries of the world drain out of me when I get to church.
Anyway, my girl was fifth in the lineup. I enjoyed the other young people, a pianist, another singer, a flutist, a hip-hop dance group. But I was waiting for my girl.
I was so proud.
I am so proud of my child.
She got up there and was so beautiful, quietly waiting for her introduction. Then, the music started and she opened her mouth and her spirit and her soul and she sang. OMG she SANG! She sang a Word of Hope for 2008 for me and my Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
Be Blessed, sung by Yolanda Adams is an awesome song. Sung by my girl, it moved the church.
"Cause I spoke to God, I called out your name
And on your behalf, I just asked if He would be there for you"
I could feel the power of His Spirit moving her and moving across the church with her voice, soaring above us. He was there. The angels were moving through the crowded pews, touching hearts, minds, souls, spirits.
Her best friend was crying.
When the last note faded, my Brothers and Sisters were on their feet, clapping and cheering and praising God.
The Spirit moved. He moved.
------------------------------------------------------
I am such the proud mom.
But that's not all.
In Blessing us with her singing, she was also Blessed. She was so focused on singing, she forgot that this was also a talent show.
Yes, it was a tight competition, because there was other wonderful Talent. But my girl WON!
And not only did she win that gift certificate, but she's been invited to sing at another church in San Francisco in February, at a Black History Celebration.
AND we have two people at church who have recording studios and she's been invited to record FOR FREE!
Hallelujah!
------------------------------------------------------
AND that's not all!
Part of "Showtime At Liberty" is a fundraiser so our teens and young adults can go to Encounter in January. The young people were selling water, candy, pizza and had a raffle for two bicycles.
Now, my youngest son had his bicycle stolen a couple of weeks ago. He took half of what was left of his birthday and Christmas money and bought 7 tickets. Sure, he wanted to win a bike, but he also wanted to support the fund-raiser. Being the sweet kid that he is, and knowing that with about 1100 people in the audience, his odds weren't good, he still bought the tickets, knowing that he was blessing the teens (including his big sister).
Yes, I know you know where I'm going with this.
Yes, he WON!
And I won too, because I also have had a Word of Hope for 2008. All that we've went through this past year, and at the very end of the year, I've been blessed with that bright light shining Hope into my life.
All will be well.
Storms will come. Storms will come and they will pass. And when the Light shines through the dark clouds, I'll again be reminded of how 2007 ended, with joy and hope and the Spirit moving in our lives.
And I will praise Him. Through the good, through the bad, I will praise the Lord God Almighty, because despite how things may look at the moment, it's going to be all right...
(And I can hardly wait for the video. Her dad made it to the church and taped her singing, so I'll be able to share with family and friends. I'm so excited!)
I'd driven back from Oregon on Sunday. It was the usual 7 or so hours so I was tired. Even though I was tired, we had plans for New Year's Eve so I had to get us all home.
Yes, New Year's Eve was a beautiful night. My church has a great New Year's Eve party that we call "Showtime At Liberty". It's a great show, featuring singers, dancers, musicians, lip-syncing, with lots of fun and worship.
My daughter has been practicing for weeks. She's a singer and she has truly been Blessed with a big voice. I'm Mom and yes, I know, all moms think their kids can sing. But my daughter can't just sing, God blessed her with a VOICE and she can BLOW!
Anyway, we spent some time with her vocal coach, Jonathon, then her best friend flat-ironed her hair and they got ready to go. We arrived at the church on time and many friends were there. It's always good to go in the doors, I feel the worries of the world drain out of me when I get to church.
Anyway, my girl was fifth in the lineup. I enjoyed the other young people, a pianist, another singer, a flutist, a hip-hop dance group. But I was waiting for my girl.
I was so proud.
I am so proud of my child.
She got up there and was so beautiful, quietly waiting for her introduction. Then, the music started and she opened her mouth and her spirit and her soul and she sang. OMG she SANG! She sang a Word of Hope for 2008 for me and my Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
Be Blessed, sung by Yolanda Adams is an awesome song. Sung by my girl, it moved the church.
"Cause I spoke to God, I called out your name
And on your behalf, I just asked if He would be there for you"
I could feel the power of His Spirit moving her and moving across the church with her voice, soaring above us. He was there. The angels were moving through the crowded pews, touching hearts, minds, souls, spirits.
Her best friend was crying.
When the last note faded, my Brothers and Sisters were on their feet, clapping and cheering and praising God.
The Spirit moved. He moved.
------------------------------------------------------
I am such the proud mom.
But that's not all.
In Blessing us with her singing, she was also Blessed. She was so focused on singing, she forgot that this was also a talent show.
Yes, it was a tight competition, because there was other wonderful Talent. But my girl WON!
And not only did she win that gift certificate, but she's been invited to sing at another church in San Francisco in February, at a Black History Celebration.
AND we have two people at church who have recording studios and she's been invited to record FOR FREE!
Hallelujah!
------------------------------------------------------
AND that's not all!
Part of "Showtime At Liberty" is a fundraiser so our teens and young adults can go to Encounter in January. The young people were selling water, candy, pizza and had a raffle for two bicycles.
Now, my youngest son had his bicycle stolen a couple of weeks ago. He took half of what was left of his birthday and Christmas money and bought 7 tickets. Sure, he wanted to win a bike, but he also wanted to support the fund-raiser. Being the sweet kid that he is, and knowing that with about 1100 people in the audience, his odds weren't good, he still bought the tickets, knowing that he was blessing the teens (including his big sister).
Yes, I know you know where I'm going with this.
Yes, he WON!
And I won too, because I also have had a Word of Hope for 2008. All that we've went through this past year, and at the very end of the year, I've been blessed with that bright light shining Hope into my life.
All will be well.
Storms will come. Storms will come and they will pass. And when the Light shines through the dark clouds, I'll again be reminded of how 2007 ended, with joy and hope and the Spirit moving in our lives.
And I will praise Him. Through the good, through the bad, I will praise the Lord God Almighty, because despite how things may look at the moment, it's going to be all right...
(And I can hardly wait for the video. Her dad made it to the church and taped her singing, so I'll be able to share with family and friends. I'm so excited!)
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