Author: Psal121

18 Days Til Christmas

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Sometimes a gift doesn’t look like a gift. One of the most fun gifts I received this year was my small small group. I lead a study of God’s word with about 6 ladies who crack me up. Do we ever stay on topic? No. Do we ever finish on time? No. Does God use us to bless each other? You better believe it.

I am surrounded by a group of social workers who deal with tragedy in other people’s lives everyday. It helps me keep things in perspective about my own life. It reminds me that there is much in life we take for granted, like a sound mind and a well body.

These ladies keep me honest (it does help that two of them are my sisters). God teaches me a lot through them.  I have been very fortunate to be born African American and female on this timeline in history. He has poured out such a gift of Himself on us. Not everyone in the group is African American, but His Spirit reigns in their lives also. There is a camaraderie with Christ that we are not ashamed of.

Small Group

19 Days Till Christmas

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One of the things I take for granted is the ability to attend church.  God blessed me with the ability to attend a church where His word is taught in spirit and truth.  It is not only a house with a great preacher, but a house filled with people who love Him. My many hours of service to the church have been spent with people who believe God is who He says He is. Iron sharpens iron.

OCBF

The Lord has used my time at OCBF to broaden who I am as a mother, daughter, sister and artist. This summer I got work with some really talented folk from my church. These folks are so special to me, I scheduled the last day of shooting my movie to be spent with actors from my church.  It was fun.

Pastor

I love sitting under the teaching of Dr. Tony Evans. My pastor is unashamed of the gospel because he understands the power it holds (salvation for the Jew and Gentile). His passion for the Lord is contagious.  He challenges my growth as Christian and strengthens my walk with the Savior.

I love this season in my life.

20 Days Til Christmas

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I appreciate the awesome gift of a road trip.  My WWCrew and I have been to many places. This year we made some short trips, but they were just as fun. There is nothing like taking off with my friends to chart uncharted territory.

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We load up on snacks and hit the road. It is too fun. The car is filled with laughter and learning. We are foodies, so the destination usually involves a restaurant.

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We stopped at KD’s in Oklahoma City. This one was fun. The menu’s lite up, the food is good, but warning the portions are huge.  We have discovered through trial and error that there are two things we need to ensure a good meal: Dr. Pepper and Bread. We enjoyed the food and realize needed to walk around after eating.

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We also believe in experiencing history and learning from the past. It was a beautiful day to visit the Oklahoma  Memorial.

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Life is too short to spend it with a bunch of haters. Cling to those who love you, let go of those who don’t.  Peace is a gift and you need to protect it. Lots of people will say that they are your friends, but how do they react when you need them? When people show you who they are, believe it. God reveals things about people to us for a reason.  He doesn’t want you to stop loving and praying for them, but He doesn’t want destructive people having influence in your life.

21 Days Til Christmas

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When I was a kid growing up in Fort Worth, it never snowed. It iced, but never the white fluffy stuff.

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For the past two year Father Winter has sent the white fluffy stuff. It throws everything off in our world, but hey, sometimes it is exactly what we need.

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Whenever we think we have everything under control, we need something to turn over the apple cart and help us focus on what is important.

Because of where the city is located and how we think, we are not prepared to deal with snow. This causes us to be still.

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Like everyone else, I get caught up in life. So I love it when nature just shuts everything down. We can send men into outer space and create bombs that can blow up half the world, but heavy rains, deep snow, mudslides and other nature events remind us of how much we really control.

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We are vulnerable to the elements. It reminds us we are created.

22 Days Til Christmas

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This might be a weird Christmas present to some, but to me, it was one of the best.  This year some friends invited us to a Passover Seder.  This is a Jewish celebration of the Passover. Jewish people celebrate the passover to commemorate the night Death passed over them, but killed the Egyptian firstborn.

My friends went through a lot of trouble to walk some Christians through this meal and the readings.  They prepared a meal and bought wine.  They borrowed dishes and made copies of readings.  They walked our Gentile minds through their Jewish experience. It was a great experience.

Seder

 

The bible I read puts the passover in a historical and spiritual perspective.  Walking through some of the steps with my Jewish friends added a physical dimension for me.  I couldn’t help but think, that this is what they did at the Last Supper.

I am grateful for the experience because it has added another dimension to my Christian walk.

23 Days Till Christmas

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It is easy to get caught up in the need for more things. We spend a lot of time thinking about the things we want and dream about, but not enough time grateful for the things we have.

God has given me some awesome friends! I have the best time with my WWC (Wrong Way Crew). We have earned this nickname because we are always going the wrong way (directionally) even with GPS.

With Me

The night this name stuck, we were in Washington DC heading for our hotel.  We had just gotten off the Metro and were walking down some dark streets with our suitcase.  We walked almost two blocks from our hotel before we realized we were going the wrong way.

What I love about these ladies is that they make me laugh. I laugh so hard I almost black out for lack of oxygen. We have learned to enjoy life whether it is travelling across the country or hanging out in our home city.

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24 Days Til Christmas

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Some days God will give you a work environment that is like family. Cherish those moments. I remember being a young woman running around the editorial floor, dodging Shankman, giggling with Lois and wonder “what the world?” about Bob. I was inspired by Serena’s art and got the biggest kick out of Annette.  They encourage me in a way, no one has since. We talked, laughed and supported one another.

Even though the company is gone and regular contact doesn’t happen, it is so sweet to gather together with these folks. This year I went to the reunion. It was a blessing. I loved having all of my sisters together.

Friends

It was a good reminder that sometimes coworkers can be lifelong friends. It is not always true, which is what makes them special.

My work experience over the last ten years has been filled with hateful, mean spirited people that the Lord has used to sand my rough places. He taught me through these people that no weapon formed against me shall prosper. He gave me the reunions and good memories during the tough times, so that I could hold on to them and know they are coming back again. He wanted me to know that not everyone you work with is going to be your friend and encourage you.

If you are having a rough patch, hold on to the good memories. They are coming back. The Lord is very good at separating sheep and goats. Watch and wait.

25 Days Til Christmas

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In 25 days we will all meet around a tree or table or something and unwrap presents. When we buy these presents we will think of the people who we have encountered all year and their impact in our lives. The greatest gift was given more than 2000 years ago when God sent His son to earth in human form, in baby Jesus.

God has given me gifts all year. Over the next 25 days, I will share my bountiful year.

Hope

One of the best things that we had this year was a Sweet Sixteen party for Hope.  It was more fun than any of us imagined it would be.

The food was outstanding thanks for First Family Catering. Woo Hoo!

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the costumes were hilarious

Siblings

 

and the people were amazing.

Friends

 

I have some of the best memories from this party.

Sisters

Thanks God for the 16 year old, the great party, funny costumes, great food and wonderful people to share the moment with.

Karen

Music

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Anchoring my seven days of Thankfulness is Music. Today I am thankful for music. I am hoping our new glorified bodies that we will receive in heaven will come with a pitch perfect voice. Whatever voice I get, you will hear me sing Holy, Holy, Holy forever (so you might want to pray for pitch perfect).

Almost every day, the Lord wakes me with a song in my heart. Most days it is a Christian song, some days it is secular (Yes, God is a TLC fan). Occasionally, it is a song I have never heard before. More than anything, I love the connection to Him. I love the communication with Him.

I love all types of music, but there are two groups that influence my worship. Israel & New Breed and Third Day. I have only seen one group perform live, but it was a life changing experience. Music helps me focus on what is really important. I work and play according to a beat. I am inspired by it. It allows me to hear the rhythms of life. Train cars going down the tracks late at night. Traffic whizzing down the highway on a busy afternoon. The wind whipping through the trees. The silence.

Music is one of His greatest creations and I am grateful.

Fort Worth

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Today I am thankful for Fort Worth. It ain’t perfect, but its home. It is the place where I was born and raised. I have been fortunate enough to travel to other cities so I do have something to compare it to.

I love the beach, not too fond of the mountains. I am amazed by the tall trees in the Carolinas, and love the vibes in Harlem. I have ridden the “L” in Chicago, but DC’s Metro is my favorite.

I have walked the streets of New Haven and driven the freeways in LA. I have gotten a kick out of Beale Street, but the food in New Orleans will always be my favorite.

I have stood at the High School in Little Rock, the motel in Memphis and the Holocaust Museum in DC. I can’t wait to walk across the bridge in Selma on its 50th anniversary.

In Fort Worth, there is no Atlantic or Pacific Oceans. We are landlocked. The trees are not as impressive as the Carolinas and there are no subways connecting us to other communities. We are notoriously lacking in Civil Rights History, but when I think of home: Mama’s Pizza, Robinson’s Barbecue and Good Luck. The South Side, Stop Six and Meadowbrook. Remember Seminary South or when Stage West was in the TCU Theater? My Paschal and TCU purple blood runs deeper than the Barnett Shale.

Does Fort Worth ever cross your mind?