Endurance builds muscle memory. It reveals what we can live through. It shows us our resilience.
It is not fun. It is not glamorous.
It just is.
Affirmations
karen anderson
Chris Rock Started Singing Circus Afro
in the middle of worship this morning and I couldn’t stop to answer the phone. Yes, Chris Rock is still my ringtone. It is normally my habit to turn the ringer off before I enter the church. I did the same thing today, but it came back on in the middle of church service, but fortunately I was up in the sound booth, and only the folks up there with me heard it.
Another habit I have been practicing a little longer is sacrificing something for Lent. I am not Catholic or any type of Orthodox religion. I just appreciate the season. I was thoroughly amused when a friend asked me what I gave up for Lent. I have been doing this long enough that folks who know me know.
One of the things I chose was to praise God everyday in a very physical way. So on FB, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google +, Instagram and here I posted my praise in the form of His Word. It was interesting to see which scriptures resonated with my friends.
I also believe that it is not a sacrifice unless it cost you something. How can I offer to God something that is free to me? How can I offer something that means nothing to me? So I sacrificed things that I valued.
As I approach this last week before Easter, this Holy Week, I am reminded that He is a Holy Uncreated God. Everything I see is created, He is not created. Even though I cannot wrap my finite mind around this, it is true.
I am also reminded as I make my way to the cross this week with millions of other Christ followers, that the way to the cross is not paved in gold bricks and lavished meals.
It was on a dirt road, with a heavy cross and lots of onlookers who were not willing to help. He endured the pain of the cross for me. Praise God.
Clanging Cymbals
You want to know why American Christianity is ineffective in this country? Because when millions of women around the world march to make a statement, the Christian establishment is silent. I have watched them carry on as if nothing happened. They had a world wide audience and chose to say nothing. It speaks volumes about their love.
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.
A Little New and a Little Old: Novels
I am almost through with my latest novel. It has been so much fun to write and I know you are going to love it. Destiny’s Dilemma is a historical novel, which means I am using some real circumstances and fake people. It takes place in 1912 Fort Worth, Texas when the city was on the cusp of becoming a really good city or a hell hole. Young Colored woman comes home after traveling round the world to get in touch with her roots and what she finds more than she bargained for. In a few weeks, I will put up a sample chapter.
As part of the celebration, I am giving away free copies of Connections on Amazon Kindle today.
Connections is the story of a private investigator who with her best friend found missing relatives, spied on cheating spouses and caught a few bail jumpers. This private investigator never imagined the bad guys would chase her.
Running for her life, Sandy Herrick discovered that God was the only one with her who wasn’t talking smack, trying to kill her or get into her pants. As she and her friends try to figure out who framed them, they all discover that there was more to each other than they thought they knew.
As evil forces closed in on them, they have to determine who they trust and what they believe about each other. Would this be enough to save them?
Check it out:
Happy Valentine’s Day
The love of my life is Jesus. He has taught me what love is. For the next two days, you can get a free Amazon Kindle version of When You Forget Your Phone.
Changing
I left the house in a rush this morning, and there is not a lot of light in my room. I was at my fourth stop of running errands. I was walking across a parking lot to a public building when something didn’t feel right. I looked down and saw that I had on 2 left flip flops. (my toes were cute and freshly painted) But I had on a brown flip flop for the left foot and a navy flip flop for the left. I knew I could not walk into the building like that.
Fortunately for me, I keep a pair of sneakers in my car. It was back to the car for a quick change. This cracked me up. I can’t believe I had not felt anything before that. You know sometimes that was my prayer life.
This week things have changed.
I watched the video I am sharing with you. Francis Chan blows my mind. He makes me think about things I have never thought about before. God gives us all these great examples of how to love Him and what faith looks like. Francis Chan says things that draw me closer to God.
One of my walk aways from this video is Revelation 4. He challenged me to think about who I am praying to. When I pray now this image is before me on the throne. He is no longer a better me in human form, but He is the image described in Revelation. Let me tell you, that changes your approach completely as you imagine Him in the appearance of jasper and flashing lightning and pearls of thunder sitting above you on a throne.
Since I have changed my praying habits, things have changed in my life. My prayers have been very effective this week, as have been my study time. I love the idea of asking God to create new experiences in my life. If you ask, He really does it. (remember, I walked around in two left flip flops) He has a great sense of humor.
Peace
Mourning is a process. Some days are good, some days are not. Today I got to comfort a friend who joined the mourning process, and help another as she works through grieving. Yesterday, I spent time with an older relative who shared with me stories of her youth. I heard the sadness in her voice as she talked about people who were all gone. I was inspired by her spirit cause she keeps on living. She is involved in life.
Through all of this, I find peace. It puts me to sleep every night. It guides my day. It reminds me of its origin. I am blessed.
Reflection
Some people observed, while others celebrated the memory and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr this week in the United States. I decided to listen to his speech “I Have Been to the Mountain Top.” This was the last speech he gave.
This speech reminded me of what a great preacher he was. He talked about how there was trouble in the land and the world was messed up. Funny how we think the same thing about today. He reminded his crowd that “only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.” This is a good reminder for us city dwellers who seldom see the stars at night.
But it is only in those times of trouble do we appreciate those moments of peace. The Lord has promised to never forsake us, even though we go through challenges. As long as He is with us, there will be stars in a dark night. Look for the stars.
This is a great speech. I hope you find many treasures there.
Family Tree Movie Poster
Here is one of the first movie posters for the movie Family Tree
Movie Poster
UPP Creative Media 