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You know what's fascinating about the Holy Spirit? Well a lot of things. But for me, it's this: He is the perfect embodiment of the answer to everything you will ever need. The Holy Spirit will lead and guide you into all truth (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit will reveal things to you about others in order for you to pray and minister. The Holy Spirit will also most effectively shut. you. down.
I love when people try to act so very deep, like he/she is the Holy Spirit's best friend. I have come to learn to test people who walk around like that. The Holy Spirit is not here to make anyone look deep or more in tune with God than others. The Holy Spirit is a shield of truth. What I'm loving about my good friend the Holy Spirit is this; He does not spare my feelings. He can be a little harsh I know. He doesn't care that I'm uncomfortable or that I don't want to deal with a present issue. His desire is for me to be in the will of God, and when I don't know how to pray the will of God, He intercedes for me!
So many people think He is here to help point out the imperfections of others so that we can be "used" to correct them. I believe that the Holy Spirit is first and foremost interested in teaching us about ourselves;
What's wrong with my life?
What areas of my heart need purification?
I don't aim to ask Him about other people. Their business is not my own. I ask the Holy Spirit about me. And He is ready and willing to tell me. This, ladies and gentlemen is how you get closer to the Lord. When you think that you life is holy, you are righteous, your actions are driven by altruistic motives, take a step back from looking at your life through rose colored glasses. Ask the Holy Spirit, what is it that you need me to work on in order for me to reach the next level in the will of God for my life? I betchu He'll show you with the quickness.
Although it can hurt and most times it requires great sacrifice, I'm learning that it's worth it to say "yes" to God, rather than wait until you're only choice is to say "yes." Why wait until you have no other options?
Ask Him now to show you what is wrong, so that you can begin to work with Him in making it right.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Leave Me Standing Alone
Lizz Wright.
SO unheard of. So AMAZING!
There are artists I come across from time to time who really speak to me. Most of these artists are worship artists. Lizz Wright however is not. She wrights and sings about life. Check it out...
You wanna go back
I'd rather not
Gave you all I had
Gave you all I got to give
You had my time
Trusted my soul
But it'd be the same thing
Til I grow old
I wanna get higher
But you made me low
You made me wonder
Which was to go
It could've been good
Instead it was wrong
All I want from you
Is leave me standing alone
She continues to talk about how she had to find her own life and get free from the influence of others. Can the church say A-MEN?!
~~~
You know what I'm learning? All of our walks are different. My walk SHOULD look different than yours right? Seeing as how our destinies are not the same. You know what else I'm learning? To appreciate the walks of others. You NEVER know where someone has come from. You NEVER know what someone is going through. It's funny because we think that we can understand even our closest friends, but there are things within all of us that we can't even articulate. Pain. Disappointment. Grief. Heartache. All of these things cause one person's walk to look different than another. My experiences will cause my exhibited behavior to be different than yours. For example, I've never had an earthly father in my life. Thus, relationships, trust, and acceptance have dominated much of my thinking. In the past if you wanted to break me, take my relationships. They defined me. They told me who I was. If I had secure friendships, I was secure. If my friendships were shaky, I was shaky. No more. I still love my relationships. I am one who thinks you can never show too much love. However, inevitably, most relationships will fail. People grow and change. Relationships fade. I love my life these days because when relationships fizzle, I don't. I am still aware of who I have been made to be and who I am working on becoming. I honor those who understand even though our journeys are different, they are both to be respected.
This takes me back to Lizz Wright. She wrote about how she wanted only one thing from some of the people in her life, and that was to be left alone. If you can't understand the choices I've made, if you're not willing to pray my strength and help me stand, if you look down your nose and judge, if you call my desire to go higher self righteousness, if you call my resistance to being average pride, leave me standing here all by myself.
~~~
I am just a servant of the Lord. Lord cleanse me of pride, self righteousness, and an unwilling spirit. We are all called..correction, the body of Christ has been called to love those who even hate you. Help those who can't help themselves. Give to those who are too prideful to ask for what you offer from your hands. Pray for those who are too good to say hello. No matter how successful I ever become, no matter how tired I am of walking a lonely walk, I will always be a servant. I will work to be empty of my own desires, and to be filled with the desires of my father. I will always smile at you. I will extend my hand. I will extend my heart. And I will forever need the forgiveness and grace of God to cover and cleanse me of my unrighteousness. I am just a servant, dedicated to put aside my feelings for the purpose of the Lord.
So today, because I am not defined by anyone other than my creator, if you don't understand my choice to take up a servant's walk, I guess it'd be okay if you let me stand right here, by myself.
~~~
Side note: Why folks gotta act nice, dress appropriately, and put on holiness cuz it's Sunday and they just got outta church? Have you forgotten that there are six other days in the week. I'm just sayin....
SO unheard of. So AMAZING!
There are artists I come across from time to time who really speak to me. Most of these artists are worship artists. Lizz Wright however is not. She wrights and sings about life. Check it out...
You wanna go back
I'd rather not
Gave you all I had
Gave you all I got to give
You had my time
Trusted my soul
But it'd be the same thing
Til I grow old
I wanna get higher
But you made me low
You made me wonder
Which was to go
It could've been good
Instead it was wrong
All I want from you
Is leave me standing alone
She continues to talk about how she had to find her own life and get free from the influence of others. Can the church say A-MEN?!
~~~
You know what I'm learning? All of our walks are different. My walk SHOULD look different than yours right? Seeing as how our destinies are not the same. You know what else I'm learning? To appreciate the walks of others. You NEVER know where someone has come from. You NEVER know what someone is going through. It's funny because we think that we can understand even our closest friends, but there are things within all of us that we can't even articulate. Pain. Disappointment. Grief. Heartache. All of these things cause one person's walk to look different than another. My experiences will cause my exhibited behavior to be different than yours. For example, I've never had an earthly father in my life. Thus, relationships, trust, and acceptance have dominated much of my thinking. In the past if you wanted to break me, take my relationships. They defined me. They told me who I was. If I had secure friendships, I was secure. If my friendships were shaky, I was shaky. No more. I still love my relationships. I am one who thinks you can never show too much love. However, inevitably, most relationships will fail. People grow and change. Relationships fade. I love my life these days because when relationships fizzle, I don't. I am still aware of who I have been made to be and who I am working on becoming. I honor those who understand even though our journeys are different, they are both to be respected.
This takes me back to Lizz Wright. She wrote about how she wanted only one thing from some of the people in her life, and that was to be left alone. If you can't understand the choices I've made, if you're not willing to pray my strength and help me stand, if you look down your nose and judge, if you call my desire to go higher self righteousness, if you call my resistance to being average pride, leave me standing here all by myself.
~~~
I am just a servant of the Lord. Lord cleanse me of pride, self righteousness, and an unwilling spirit. We are all called..correction, the body of Christ has been called to love those who even hate you. Help those who can't help themselves. Give to those who are too prideful to ask for what you offer from your hands. Pray for those who are too good to say hello. No matter how successful I ever become, no matter how tired I am of walking a lonely walk, I will always be a servant. I will work to be empty of my own desires, and to be filled with the desires of my father. I will always smile at you. I will extend my hand. I will extend my heart. And I will forever need the forgiveness and grace of God to cover and cleanse me of my unrighteousness. I am just a servant, dedicated to put aside my feelings for the purpose of the Lord.
So today, because I am not defined by anyone other than my creator, if you don't understand my choice to take up a servant's walk, I guess it'd be okay if you let me stand right here, by myself.
~~~
Side note: Why folks gotta act nice, dress appropriately, and put on holiness cuz it's Sunday and they just got outta church? Have you forgotten that there are six other days in the week. I'm just sayin....
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
I'm at work...waiting for the last client to leave *yawn* and I'm feigning for a Sonic BLT. mmmm *yawn* Well this blog is about nothing, just so you know.
I started my day with a smile on my face. I mean after all, it was a day the Lord made, so shouldn't I be glad about that? I was. I finished a shirt I've been working on (I'll put up some pics of my recent creations soon), tried on a new skirt (thanks Cece's Closet) and headed out. I went to NES (the electric co.) because I needed to get my electricity turned on in my new apartment. Oh yea, I have a new apt folks. I'm thrilled. I LOVE it. It's yellow and pretty...and huge. So I'm down at NES and look around...if you wanna see some scary people and rude "customer service agents", apparently you can just stop by that place and have a seat. I was waiting for the lady to call me so she could have a copy of my license. I was sitting across from a lady who was YELLING at another lady.
"AREN'T YOU RUTH ANN'S GRANDMOTHER. YOU REMEMBER ME? I'M WILLIE JEAN'S NIECE, SARA'S SISTER?"
The woman replied "CAN'T HEAR YOU."
And so lady number one (Yup, Willie Jean's niece and Sara's sister) thought it necessary to talk louder.
Behind the RUDE YELLING LADY sat two men who were talking equally as loud in a language I couldn't identify. Next to them was a lady who was bent on giving NES a piece of her mind.
"My bill was 392 dollars and 87 cents. I bet I ain't payin it. Who is this callin me? Don't they know I'm busy. Who is these numbers callin me?!"
The lady continued on her pointless rant about how her bill was 392.87 and some unidentified caller just had to talk to her. Apparently that caller had no idea who he or she was calling, otherwise, he or she may have wanted to try a new form of communication. So anyway this lady then randomly asks a guy sitting nearby what his name was.
"Anthony" he replied.
"Ohhh I HATE Anthony's. They don't bring nothing but bad news."
$392.87 lady went on to tell the ENTIRE building about how she has had horrible experiences with Anthony's and Walters, and how she hates all of them. At this point I wanted to tell Sara's sister to shut the front door. I wanted to tell Anthony to stop entertaining $392.87 over here. And I wanted to tell $392.87 to stop using the f-word 10 times in each sentence, sit back, and figure out how she's gonna [pay that bill so she can see at night. You know what I did? I pulled out my bible and read a Proverb that I've never read before.
Proverb 2 is about wisdom. Check it out when you can. It tells us that we should seek understanding like silver.
A few of my fav verses:
Proverbs 2:6-10
For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up success for the upright; He is a shield for those who live with integrity so that He may guard the paths of justice and protect the way of His loyal followers.
A few more of my favs
Proverbs 2:20, 21
So follow the way of good people, and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will inhabit the land, and those of integrity will remain in it
Won't the Lord put you in some situations that REQUIRE you to pull out your weapon?
I started my day with a smile on my face. I mean after all, it was a day the Lord made, so shouldn't I be glad about that? I was. I finished a shirt I've been working on (I'll put up some pics of my recent creations soon), tried on a new skirt (thanks Cece's Closet) and headed out. I went to NES (the electric co.) because I needed to get my electricity turned on in my new apartment. Oh yea, I have a new apt folks. I'm thrilled. I LOVE it. It's yellow and pretty...and huge. So I'm down at NES and look around...if you wanna see some scary people and rude "customer service agents", apparently you can just stop by that place and have a seat. I was waiting for the lady to call me so she could have a copy of my license. I was sitting across from a lady who was YELLING at another lady.
"AREN'T YOU RUTH ANN'S GRANDMOTHER. YOU REMEMBER ME? I'M WILLIE JEAN'S NIECE, SARA'S SISTER?"
The woman replied "CAN'T HEAR YOU."
And so lady number one (Yup, Willie Jean's niece and Sara's sister) thought it necessary to talk louder.
Behind the RUDE YELLING LADY sat two men who were talking equally as loud in a language I couldn't identify. Next to them was a lady who was bent on giving NES a piece of her mind.
"My bill was 392 dollars and 87 cents. I bet I ain't payin it. Who is this callin me? Don't they know I'm busy. Who is these numbers callin me?!"
The lady continued on her pointless rant about how her bill was 392.87 and some unidentified caller just had to talk to her. Apparently that caller had no idea who he or she was calling, otherwise, he or she may have wanted to try a new form of communication. So anyway this lady then randomly asks a guy sitting nearby what his name was.
"Anthony" he replied.
"Ohhh I HATE Anthony's. They don't bring nothing but bad news."
$392.87 lady went on to tell the ENTIRE building about how she has had horrible experiences with Anthony's and Walters, and how she hates all of them. At this point I wanted to tell Sara's sister to shut the front door. I wanted to tell Anthony to stop entertaining $392.87 over here. And I wanted to tell $392.87 to stop using the f-word 10 times in each sentence, sit back, and figure out how she's gonna [pay that bill so she can see at night. You know what I did? I pulled out my bible and read a Proverb that I've never read before.
Proverb 2 is about wisdom. Check it out when you can. It tells us that we should seek understanding like silver.
A few of my fav verses:
Proverbs 2:6-10
For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up success for the upright; He is a shield for those who live with integrity so that He may guard the paths of justice and protect the way of His loyal followers.
A few more of my favs
Proverbs 2:20, 21
So follow the way of good people, and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will inhabit the land, and those of integrity will remain in it
Won't the Lord put you in some situations that REQUIRE you to pull out your weapon?
Saturday, May 15, 2010
No One's Looking
May 15, 2010
Lord, create in me a clean heart
Renew within me a right spirit
My desire is not for things or adoration, popularity even. Lord my desire is to stand up right before you. Daddy, I want to make You proud. I have found that in following You, I cannot follow others. I cannot aim to please people. Help the focus of my heart be to please You. Let my heart not be offended Lord, but help me to see every moment as preparation for moments to come. I know that all things work together to them that love You and are called to Your purpose. Holy Spirit, remind me of these words the next time my course seems too hard; it is all working for the good, for the glory of God. Be it unto me Father, Your will.
I realize that Christ is the only difference between any of us. We are all unworthy, our righteousness as of filthy rags, except there is you. You have stood in our place, giving us opportunity to come before You, in search of forgiveness and purpose. You stood in our place as love itself, and I thank you.
Take up permanent residence in my heart. Permeate my every thought, so that I do nothing without thinking of you first. Strengthen my witness. Decrease every part of me so I can be a living sacrifice; completely available to your purpose for me. Remind of Your goodness every morning, and your mercy every night.
Do not forget your servant Father. Answer my prayer for a heart that desires to bless others. Give me the words to say. Give me the seed to sow. And give me ears to receive what You have said. Create in me Your heart. A desire to pray, to honour and to bless...even when no one is looking. Matthew 6:5-7
♥ Empty ♥
Lord, create in me a clean heart
Renew within me a right spirit
My desire is not for things or adoration, popularity even. Lord my desire is to stand up right before you. Daddy, I want to make You proud. I have found that in following You, I cannot follow others. I cannot aim to please people. Help the focus of my heart be to please You. Let my heart not be offended Lord, but help me to see every moment as preparation for moments to come. I know that all things work together to them that love You and are called to Your purpose. Holy Spirit, remind me of these words the next time my course seems too hard; it is all working for the good, for the glory of God. Be it unto me Father, Your will.
I realize that Christ is the only difference between any of us. We are all unworthy, our righteousness as of filthy rags, except there is you. You have stood in our place, giving us opportunity to come before You, in search of forgiveness and purpose. You stood in our place as love itself, and I thank you.
Take up permanent residence in my heart. Permeate my every thought, so that I do nothing without thinking of you first. Strengthen my witness. Decrease every part of me so I can be a living sacrifice; completely available to your purpose for me. Remind of Your goodness every morning, and your mercy every night.
Do not forget your servant Father. Answer my prayer for a heart that desires to bless others. Give me the words to say. Give me the seed to sow. And give me ears to receive what You have said. Create in me Your heart. A desire to pray, to honour and to bless...even when no one is looking. Matthew 6:5-7
♥ Empty ♥
Monday, May 10, 2010
Mercy
And who are we to judge? Who are we to decide whether or not a person is worthy of our forgiveness? Who are we?
The prophet Isaiah said it best:
All of us have become like one who is unclean
and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags
we all shrivel up like a leaf
and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
We may see ourselves as great people; holy, righteous, loving, educated, whatever. We have to remember however that no matter how great we think we are, our greatest acts and endeavors are like "filthy rags." There is good news to tack onto this however. Our Father in Heaven knows this about us. He knows those secret places in our hearts that house envy, self righteousness, jealousy, hatred, greed, etc. And even knowing all of this about us, He still chooses to offer his love and mercy. Isn't it funny then how we can know a few simple undesirable characteristics about another and throw them to the curb? What about the mercy that was shown to us? Should we not extend that to others?
I am not saying mingle and dwell among them folks that we know ain't about nothin, nor am I saying that we should hang out with people who are simply not beneficial to our walk with the Lord and encouraging our spiritual growth. But even when we decide to separate ourselves in the natural (because the Lord has separated us in the spirit), we have to extend the greatest mercy to those from which we've separated. We have got to pray for them. We have got to offer them our love, mercy, and forgiveness.
Are we so rigtheous that we can decide who is worthy of our mercy and forgiveness? The answer is simple: No, we are not (Isaiah 64).
The prophet Isaiah said it best:
All of us have become like one who is unclean
and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags
we all shrivel up like a leaf
and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
We may see ourselves as great people; holy, righteous, loving, educated, whatever. We have to remember however that no matter how great we think we are, our greatest acts and endeavors are like "filthy rags." There is good news to tack onto this however. Our Father in Heaven knows this about us. He knows those secret places in our hearts that house envy, self righteousness, jealousy, hatred, greed, etc. And even knowing all of this about us, He still chooses to offer his love and mercy. Isn't it funny then how we can know a few simple undesirable characteristics about another and throw them to the curb? What about the mercy that was shown to us? Should we not extend that to others?
I am not saying mingle and dwell among them folks that we know ain't about nothin, nor am I saying that we should hang out with people who are simply not beneficial to our walk with the Lord and encouraging our spiritual growth. But even when we decide to separate ourselves in the natural (because the Lord has separated us in the spirit), we have to extend the greatest mercy to those from which we've separated. We have got to pray for them. We have got to offer them our love, mercy, and forgiveness.
Are we so rigtheous that we can decide who is worthy of our mercy and forgiveness? The answer is simple: No, we are not (Isaiah 64).
Friday, May 7, 2010
Something to be thankful for
Jude 1:24,25
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
How amazing is the Lord that I serve. So many people think that it is unecessary to give audible and visible praise. Well God is an audible and visible God. Why not praise? Why not worship? Why not give everything that is in me to give?
~I serve Him because I love Him, that's all
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
How amazing is the Lord that I serve. So many people think that it is unecessary to give audible and visible praise. Well God is an audible and visible God. Why not praise? Why not worship? Why not give everything that is in me to give?
~I serve Him because I love Him, that's all
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