Art to me is like a new boyfriend. I am enjoying the time getting to know it, staying up late, and learning its secrets. It is sexy, funny and surprising. It strengthens, encourages and challenges me. I like capturing an image that tells a story. Each one will speak to you.
One of the things I found as I looked around was few artists showed People of Color. As I glean from other artist, I will add my perspective as an African-American woman. One of the things my work brings to the table are People of Color. God created us to be equal, but made us so different in many ways. We have a passion for life. There is a strength in People of Color that will endure.
All of the work below started as something someone else created. I was able to look at it and see new possibilities. My work will always be a celebration of People of Color. Thus far my work has been fun and playful. It has been colorful and over the top. I love the opportunity to show the beauty in color. It represents taking life and all it has to offer.
Let me warn you now, any good you see in me is really Christ because there is no good in me except for Him.
15. I did not set out to do this, but as I looked back on it, I have to say I am impressed with God. I did stuff for others and required nothing in return. Atleast once a quarter I donated blood or platelets. It may have been more because sometimes went when they called. But atleast once a quarter I gave so someone else could benefit. This year I also reached out to my friends and we raised money for a family that adopted 4 children into their family of five.
16. I learned to do new things on social media. I started sharing my art on Instagram. It challenges me to see the world differently and use the things I learn. It makes me tell a story in a few shots.
I.love.twitter. There are some of the most wittiest and clever people I have never met. But there are also some of the most stupidiest. I have found hope and joy in the words of others. I have found laughter that almost stops my breathing. And I relish the moments I can join the fight. There is absolutely nothing like when twitter goes in on a person. ( If they ever go in on you, shut up. Do not respond you will only feed the fire.) i.love.twitter.
17. I took some great photos this year and surpassed my goal. There was a good combination of families, individuals and events. They all made me look good. Thank you.
Doing 17 things that I had not done before was not easy. Sometimes it was really hard to do things differently or step out of my comfort zone. I had to think about what I was doing because it is easy to do the same things you are comfortable with, but what does that really get you. What new thing are you learning? How are you stretching your current skill set? Since next year ends in 18, there will be 18 different things on my list. I look forward to what the year brings.
I challenge you to look for 18 new things to do next year. As you accomplish these things, take a photo and share it with us.
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.
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?
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.
I learned a lot spiritually in 2015 and I am sharing it with you. You can look back through my blog if you want the full version, but the cliff notes are below. I got to know God in a way, I have not known Him before. I look forward to what 2016 holds.
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Mourning is a process. You have good days and bad days. Own it, but don’t wallow in it. Ecclesiastes 7:2
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Sometime we wait because the Lord has to take the teeth out of the serpent that is waiting to bite you Psalm 61:4
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all of the struggles we are currently going through is God cultivating our hearts. He is taking hard dry ground and enabling it to grow something Ezekiel 11:19
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Sometimes our blessings are in the storm Ezekiel 34:26
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Remember who I am praying to. Revelation 4 tells me that I am not praying to a really good human being. He sits on the throne with flashes of lightning and peals of thunder. Four very scary creatures watch over him. He is mighty, all powerful and sovereign.
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We work better together. God put us in community to work together. I am so blessed to be among a group of women who love and serve Jesus. Hebrews 10:24-25
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He continually reveals himself to me. He tells me He loves me every day whether I hear it or not. Deuteronomy 29:29, 1 John 3:1, 1 John 4:10
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He trusts us with moments, don’t take any for granted. Some people you are never going to see again. Act like it. Isaiah 43:10
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When things I want are not in line with what God wants, Be Still. Trust Him. Psalm 46:10, Proverbs 3:5-6
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Prayer is an effective tool to communicate with Him. James 5:16
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Until you are dead, it is not too late to start anything. Remember the Sunday School class for women in their 80s.
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I think God listens to our crappy prayers and decides to teach us a lesson by teaching us we don’t know what we are talking about.
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Even though some things do not fit right now, I know that it will all come together because the one who made the plan completes everything. 1 Peter 2:7
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I need friends who will remind me of God’s faithfulness. Deuteronomy 7:9
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Fearing the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. There are lots of scary things on the planet earth, but there is none that I fear above the Lord. The study of Revelation has given me a grand picture of who it is I worship. It is not an accident that there are lots of thunderstorms and earthquakes in the area during the year we are studying Revelation. He is giving us an overview before the real thing happens. Deuteronomy 10: 12-13.
I am sad to see Christmas go. Love Christmas. I love the songs and movies. I love everyone being nice to each other. I love the stories of hope. This evening I am spending it with Call of the Midwife‘s Christmas Special.
I hope your Christmas was amazing like mine. I love my family, even the crazy ones. It was great to spend time with them throughout the holiday season. Of course, we were rowdy and loud.
These gloves are some of the fun things that came with Christmas. My favorite was an electric tea pot. All are handy and warm gifts.
Yet aside from the gifts, the best gifts have been what the Lord has taught me all year. Next week I will share 10 things the Lord taught me in 2015. In spite of all of our circumstances, He is still good and faithful. Here is one:
Sometimes we wait because the Lord has to take the teeth out of the serpent that is waiting to bite us.
So those of you in a hurry. Wait.
Until then, lets have some Christmas music. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Sometimes I kid my work partner that he is off his game when things don’t go the way we plan. It doesn’t happen often, but pointing it out helps us understand something we don’t like is happening. Usually we joke about it. He tells me if he is off his game, then I must be off mine.
Currently I am off my Christmas game. Presents still need to be bought, cards need to be mailed, and lots more. I am so behind.
Christmas is my favorite season and it is about to be over before I even prepare for it. The thing that keeps me calm is music. One of my favorites this season is the Christmas Song by Dave Matthews.
I love the words to this song and the beat. As I was listening this week, I thought about Jesus. I mean He knew when he breathed life into Adam that eventually the focus would turn to Him. (And rightly so because He came to save us.) He knew that people would write songs about his life.
I wonder if terms like “less than golden,” “daddy-o” and “jokers” gave Him a giggle. They make me giggle because of the songwriter’s method of telling the story. He uses a vernacular that I am familiar with.
I am not saying the song is biblical, but I do like the theme. I love the idea of showering Him with love while He lay in the hay. I disagree that the blood spilled is of the children all around. I know the blood spilled is of the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Yet that doesn’t limit the song for me. Because as God tries to explain to us what He does for us, we don’t always get it right.
But Jesus loves us. So much that He was willing to come be with us. We will never know the full extent of His love.
Even though I may be off my game, I love being reminded of the trip Jesus made to earth to shower me with love.
I have been so busy I forgot to blog last week. It is not the only thing suffering at the expense of my busyness. Yet, I have also been able to catch some insight.
I listened to this song last week and got caught up in it. The words enchanted me. I remember singing out loud with it. I love the story of being so caught up with someone you think your love will bore them. I think we have lost the idea that another person can be special. Although I can’t imagine a man who would be bored with my love. (Lol)
We have access to some amazing artists who tell incredible stories that capture US. And the truth is when they are gone, we will never have anything like them again. People will imitate them, but it will never be as real. These artist touch something in us that can’t be explained with words.
Songs in the Key of Life is an incredible work. It speaks to me on so many levels that I gain new insights every time I hear a song from it.
This holiday season give yourself the gift of a nice beverage and a listen to the Songs in the Key of Life. Here is one of my favorites.
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