How To Raise a God Wise Kid in a Satan Rich World is available June 1.
hope
When You Pray Over Something
You don’t get to decide how God answers. Today God sent me a message that He has my back. Many folks today like to paint a portrait of God as love, peace, kindness…you get me. They seldom like to think of the God who strikes terror in the hearts of those who wrong the ones He loves.
I have learned to let Christ fight my battles. I know He is just and will dish out what the other side rightly deserves. I don’t question Him. If you ever come against me, you don’t have to worry about me trying to get you back. You might want to read Psalm 18 and see who is coming for you though.
I love that the Lord has seen fit to destroy one of my enemies on the same day the Republican house voted to destroy healthcare for millions of Americans. It was not a day of celebration, but one where we felt sorry for the person who had done so much wrong to others. Some had forgotten all of the wrong done to them. Not me. God assures me He will deal with all of the wrongdoers according to the measure that they dish out. Again, I pity them., but for the most part they earned it.
For the month of April, I camped out on Psalm 18. I fell in love with the fact that “He” is the one who defends me. The image is absolutely terrifying and I am glad I am on His side. And what keeps me there? Repentance. Regular and often.
When God places someone in a leadership role, responsibility comes with it. He promises to show Himself shrewd to the crooked, those who take advantage of the ones they are supposed to lead. He will take your job, home, all your assets and leave you flat on your back so that there is no place to look but up.
As I watch elected officials take advantage of Americans and make themselves rich, I pity what is coming for them. As I have prayed over my circumstances, He has been faithful. He has shown me He won’t allow corruption to stand, not in our government and not in our church.
This past year God has revealed Christian leadership that does not know Jesus. I am dumbfounded by some of the things folks claiming to be Christians have said and done. I am secure in saying there is no way any of these folks could stand before the Lord and say those same things or act the same way. Only evil can do that.
I will continue to pray and lift up these situations, but God has assured me He is going to handle it.
What’s Your End Game?
I saw this tree all day, but it wasn’t until the end of the day that I actually looked at it. Then I saw the one leaf hanging on for dear life. It is funny how you can see something all day and not really see it. How you can work at a job for many years and wonder what the heck you are doing there? How many of you are hanging on to something that is not for you? Like this leaf, you think you are going to make this work.
Many of you are in places you were not supposed to be. Maybe God had you there for a little while and you got comfortable and stayed. You figure the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t. But it is slowly killing you, physically, mentally and spiritually. You have lost hope because you have your hope in the wrong things, like a job, a child, a marriage, location, a president.
The Creator of the universe created you for something special. When He called you into being, He specially designed you with a purpose and a plan. He knew He could bring something beautiful out of darkness.
And like the sun that sets everyday, He has a purpose and plan for you. It is time for you to start operating in your purpose. I remember seeing this sunset and thinking wow. I need a picture of it, but sun was setting faster than I could get my camera ready. If you don’t start operating in the purpose He has for you, you are going to miss those amazing moments God has planned for your life. It is possible to miss the blessing.
But it is never to late to catch a glimpse of His glory as long as you are on this side (in the land of the living). It is not as spectacular as the original blessing, but still worth it. In 2017, ask God what is your end game? What are you working towards? What were you created to do?
New Short Story
Hey folks,
Here is the link to a new short story. Read it and give me some feed back.
Karen
https://uppcreative.com/sneak-peek/
Prayer for my People
Lord Jesus,
You created us different for a reason. You darkened our skin and curled our hair. It was according to your magnificent purpose and your Everlasting plan. You operate in the spiritual and physical realms so you know better than us what is going on. But you have taught me, that if I cry out, you will hear and answer.
My heart is heavy and my soul cries out.
Lord, the devil is trying to annihilate my people. He has used many things in his arsenal including destroying our family units, but we are strong and have been able to push past that. Now he has taken to killing us defenseless in the streets.
Lord, like you defended Israel in Egypt and Babylon, defend us.
You birthed us from the bottom of a ship,so I know there is a mighty plan at work. We are your people Lord, you have seen to that. You taught us who you were before we could even read your word. You put a song in our spirit that connects us to you. Some have strayed, but we are your people.
My prayer Lord is this. For every one of us that they kill, give us 10 more. Let us multiple to the point where this continent is so full of dark skinned people it makes the African continent jealous. Let our oppressors see that every time they kill one of us, 10 more will spring up.
Not only am I asking you to multiple my people Lord, I am asking to you bless whatever they put their hands to in your name. Make us many and bless our work in your name. Show our oppressors that you are a mighty God who decides what this continent looks like and who will run it.
Lord, I pray you will look upon our oppressors and change their hearts. Take the scales from their eyes and allow them to see that they are persecuting you.
Work out your plan and protect my people. I know you will do exceeding, abundantly above all I can ask or imagine.
Amen.
Enjoying the Journey Like It Is Meant To Be
This week’s journey has been amusing. I got to spend time with some older women from a Baptist Church. Remember the story of those sisters getting put off the wine train because they were too loud? I met some sisters who make them look like children playing. These sisters were rowdy and fun. They wore beautiful outfits to be photographed in. They sat and shared their lives and testimonies with each other. I appreciate being able to eavesdrop into their world.
One of my favorites was a little woman who had had several bouts with cancer. I had never heard of sinus cancer until this woman began to testify to God’s goodness in her life. She said it was nothing short of a miracle that she was still alive. Not only did I listen to her testimony but I watched her live her life. She volunteered and lived the life she had fought cancer for. (Sometimes we get so defeated by the battle, we stop living)
It reminded me of the testimony of a man from another Baptist church who told me of his heart transplant and how God kept him going through those trials. At one point, he said he had a pigs heart to keep him alive. Afterwards he was determined to live his life.
It is hard to fight your way through when you don’t have something major coming at you like cancer or heart disease. We tend to discount the little discouragements and disappointments. We like putting a big name to our struggles. But what I learned from these folks is keep on living. Keep moving forward. The life you live is your real testimony.
These people weren’t just living their lives. They were enjoying their lives which was evident by the laughter. When times are hard you have to find a way to enjoy what God has given you. It may not be what you want, but it is what He has given. Live.
Still Celebrating Fifty
For February, I was going to do a 10K, but snow deleted that. (not mad)
This month’s celebration of 50 years of life was with good friends in Selma, Alabama. I have the craziest group of friends. Someone will come up with a stupid idea and four other grown people will “Amen” it. But it does make for the best adventures.
It was a once in a lifetime experience. But getting there, not so much. And that is life. Our everyday experiences may leave something to be desired, but we should not sacrifice the incredible moments we have the chance to be a part of. God puts all of these people in our lives and creates beautiful moments. Don’t miss them because you are focused on the wrong thing. Be where you are and love it.
I know April is going to be off the chain. God is making 50 the best year yet.
Revelation
There are those who would steal your dreams and hope. There are those who want nothing more than to see you fail. Sunday, I had a revelation that I shared with my Facebook Friends.
“I have to share this because I know some of you are waiting on the Lord to act in your life.
This morning I was on my way to church and I was singing with the radio. I don’t remember what song it was. But the Lord and I were having a conversation. He told me that sometimes we are waiting because He has to take the teeth out of the serpent that is waiting to bite you. He didn’t say He was gonna stop it, but He said it wasn’t going to harm you. You see He has to show you and the serpent who is in charge.
So whatever you are waiting on, know that God is de-fanging something that was trying to hurt you. Be still and know.”
I am in a time of waiting. It is hard, but God sends hope. You just have to look for it.
You have to learn to appreciate the times of waiting. It reminds me of the last full day of my mom’s life. She was having a surgical procedure and we were waiting with her for her turn. My mom, my sister and I had some of the best laughter we have ever had together. This procedure was just one of the tasks of the day. We were in a hurry to get home and get ready for Christmas. We had started talking about Christmas and ended up talking about her childhood. She had us rolling in laughter.
We were a little irritated that the procedure had not started. They originally gave us a 10am start time. Well, 10 am came and went. We were still having a good laugh, but by 12 we were looking for explanations. Closer to 1 they came and got her.
By 5 or 6 we were up in her room, laughing and talking again. We had been joined by my youngest sister and my Mom’s youngest brother and his wife. For hours we talked and laughter. Sometimes my Mom laughed so hard, it hurt her incision. The final story of the evening was how my little sister tried to run away. We hollered. It was so funny. I could not wait for Mom to get home and hear more.
She never came home. That day of fun was all the fun I would have with her. Sometimes we are so anticipating the coming thing, we miss the moments we are living in. But I serve an awesome God. He knew what was coming. He gave us precious hours I will always remember, but they came in the form of a delay.
If things are not happening the way you want, if there is a delay in your plans, ask God for a revelation. He is taking the sting out of the bite.
4 Days Til Christmas
Peace.
In the midst of my storm, the Lord has given me peace. This year He has taught me to be where I am. Whether I am up or down, be there. Often, He has a reason for placing us in the situations we are in. I can’t say I understand, but I trust the one who made it.
Even though my heart and head conflict, being where I am helps me to appreciate the moments in life. I am appreciating spending time with my family. I have had moments with them I will remember the rest of my life.
Christmas has taken on a new meaning for me. I still love the Christmas story. It will still be my favorite time of the year. This song has been running through my head everyday.
11 Days Til Christmas
I have been fortunate enough this year to have moments of clarity. Moments where the Creator of the universe spoke to me through a situation and I learned something I was able to apply to my everyday life. Here is one from April:
Had a revelation as I was walking out of Target. A mother and her young son, about 3 or 4, were walking toward the door. She said “We are going to Target.” He was crying and yelling “No.” Even though he did not want to go, he was walking right beside her. He was steady crying, but stayed at her side.
Some days that is how my Christian walk is. God is taking me places and like the little kid, I am screaming and crying, but steady walking with Him. He promised He would never leave us or forsake us. He didn’t promise we would like everywhere He took us.
No matter how out of hand that child got at the Target, his mother didn’t leave him there. No matter how crazy my life gets, God doesn’t leave me there.
I am a visual learner, so I like it when He gives me visual lessons. He had drug me through some situations this year, but I could feel him tugging at me. He kept telling me, we are not going to stay here. (Amen!)
So wherever He is leading you, go. He is going with you.
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