music

Sometimes the thing you fear the most

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is the thing that blesses you the most. I learned many years ago that when that thing you fear the most comes upon you, let it. It is in those moments you meet God in a whole new way.

Let me explain. I had been praying over some things waiting on God’s answer. Writing in my journal and waiting. Some of the strangest struggles I have ever experienced came upon me. Imagine all of the things you feared happening all together at one time. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is where your bible memory verses come in.

When your situation starts to deteriorated, you have to remind yourself of who God is.  You won’t always have access to your bible or the app when Satan starts reminding you how dire your situation is.  You got to know God’s word. Remind yourself of God’s character. He said he would never leave you or forsake you. (Heb 13:5)  He said He knows how to give good gifts (Matt 7:9-11) You must trust what He is giving you is good even though the world and people around you will tell you it is bad.

Because of my struggles this week, I got to spend time meditating on Lecrae’s new album, All Things Work Together. Wow. What an incredible young man and powerful prophet! I love how God speaks to us through vernaculars we understand. I could relate to his need to be “Black Black” and a “prophet who visits the chicken shack.”

God knows me well. He knows what gets my juices pumping and what inspires me. He knows my heart and how to reach it.  As I listen to the words of this album and hear this young man’s story I can’t help but say “God, you are so awesome!”  I can’t do nothing but praise Him.

More than anything, I found this young man’s journey compelling.  He shared his pain and his triumph. His rhymes draw a picture of a real life poured out to Christ.  He is not a fake smile who only wants to talk about Jesus, but a real person who dealt with depression, anger and doubt. And he took it all and ministered to us.  But God told us our sons and daughters would prophesy (Joel 2:28)

What I prayed over for months, He answered in a moment. He taught me through the words of a rap album.  A song said “Crooked sticks draw straight lines.” Sit on that, cause we the stick. We ain’t doing the drawing.

Sit down and let the Lord of the Universe draw. He gives us the grace to take it.

Featured Book of the Week

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The featured book this week is Dancing During The Storm vol 2. I have added three new stories, I can’t wait to hear what you think of it. Printed version will be ready by Oct 1.

It is available on Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075SQZQTX
Books2Read:https://www.books2read.com/u/31MY0v

dancing

Christmas Moments

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Life is full of great moments and I had one today. Some friends and I were talking about buying Christmas presents for our children and how overwhelming it could be.  Then T said “Remember when all you really wanted for Christmas was a bike?”

“Yes!”

Remember when everyone in the neighborhood had to have a bike.  And if you didn’t have one, you were riding on the back or sitting on the handlebar.  I remember getting my bike for Christmas. (and the hell of having my father try to teach me to ride it.)

But I learned and rode with my friends who had bikes. We would ride fast with the wind in our hair. We would pretend to be bus drivers or race car drivers.  There was a hill where I lived so it was always a challenge to get down the hill and still be upright on your bike.

And then T said “Then everyone wanted roller-skates.”

And so did we. This was before helmets, knees pads and etc. I remember my sister and I in our bright new white skates with the cousins skated to the store. When we was almost at the store, this big dog jumped out barking.  Baby we was like those Fred Flintstones feet. (Running as fast as we can but going nowhere.) (Although my sister did fall on broken glass and hurt herself) But we made it through.

T reminded us of the Walkman and that Boombox with a record button. You could put your cassette tape in and record yourself singing. Beautiful memories.4

My pastor said we should give our kids memories, not more stuff.  He was right.  I have great memories, as jacked up as some of them are. I wouldn’t trade them.  Go make memories.

This song reminds me of my roots, my Christian roots

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One of the things I love about music is that it can take you places you have been before. It stirs up memories and feelings. I am on the cusp of taking my daughter to university, and am reminded of my own college days.  When this song came out, most Christian artists didn’t sound like this.

This month marks the 25th anniversary that this song went number 1. I love Amy Grant. It reminds me of my Christian roots. This week we celebrate with her.

 

This week’s video

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For the month of April I am just posting videos. I love music. It inspires and encourages me. This is some music THE TEENAGER introduced me to. We were cooking one evening and listening to her playlist. I like it.

 

This month is just music

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I love music. Everyday I wake up with a song in my head. It usually sets the pace for the day.  (And some days I do try to change the sound track)

When I write, I usually have a sound track for each novel. Sometimes it is obvious because the music will be mentioned in the text, while other times not. I like music that is full of emotion.

This month, we are just going to jam. Here are two of my favorites.

 

You are going through these struggles now

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because it is building up your faith. Like a caterpillar struggles to get out of the cocoon, you are building up your faith muscles. If the caterpillar didn’t struggle to get out, its wings would not be strong enough to fly. Change the perspective on how you face the struggle. Whatever you are going through is helping you get to where God wants you to be. Instead of “Lord, why me?” ask “Lord, what do you want me to do here?”

Today as I found myself in a situation I did not like, I had to keep telling myself, that there is something God wants me to get from this.  There is something He wants me to do. Change my perspective.

There was this man who a few days ago caused me a great deal of struggle. It was not his intention, he was just doing his job, but it interfered with mine. Needless to say, he did not fare very well in my book.

So today, here he was again. Oh brother. He had no clue of the trouble he had caused or so I thought. I had a choice to make. I could light him up and let him know how much trouble he caused me. I could let him know that he was not wanted near me today. or I could greet him as if we were old friends.

Yeah, I chose the latter. Let me tell you, he was the most helpful person on the floor the rest of the day. He went out of his way to be helpful and did things I had not ever seen him do. By the end of the day, I was like “Wow.” I changed my mind about this person.

Whatever type of situation God has placed you in, look around you. What is He trying to tell you?  He has already told us that His ways are not our ways (which means He is not going to make everything easy). He will do things to strengthen our faith. He is going to get some glory from your situation.