" Love Letter to Paris"

2 Thessalonians 3:3, "But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one."

We are living in perilous times where the people's hearts towards God has shifted to despair and destruction. When acts of terror and everyday discretion towards humanity takes place, we ponder the question, "What would make a person do such a thing?" The lack of God on the inside shows the manifestation of Satan on the outside. In times such as these, it's quite easy to want to dismiss the destruction as a hopeless situation that we have no power to control or prevent in future occurrences, but let us hold fast to the Word of the Living God. God has and will always be faithful and the beauty in the ugliness of destruction is He will establish us and guard us even in the midst of trouble from the evil one. Although the events that have taken place locally and globally throughout the nations have been tragic and disheartening, there is still some GOD to be found in the BAD. Events such as Paris, gives us insight on how we can refortify our walls from the enemy, how to restrategize security measures and strengthen  high traffic locations of vulnerability throughout the nations. Many lives were sacrificed, but ultimately more lives will be saved from the ashes of this disheartening event. May our hearts be softened towards each other and ultimately towards humanity after the residue of this heartless event has ceased. Apostle Paul said it best, "Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ" (2 Thessalonians 3:5).

THANKS-GIVING

2 Corinthians 10:12, "For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."

Blessings!! The holiday seasons are approaching us once again and the anxiety and pressure of trying to keep up with our perception of those who are ahead is contaminating our perspectives of what the season is truly all about. I challenge you in your thinking, spending habits and in your personal life to redefine what Thanksgiving means to you and how you display your personal beliefs to the world. In 2 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul challenges us to not class ourselves or compare ourselves with others because the aftermath leads to us not walking in wisdom. The danger in comparing your seed to someone else's harvest is you don't know if what you perceive as a harvest as being an actual harvest or the fruits of someone behind the scene labor. Everyone who appears to be rich are indeed not wealthy. A person who appreciates every blessing is indeed a wealthy individual. As Thanksgiving approaches, let us be mindful to not only be thankful, but to give liberally. A person who has an attitude of thankfulness often have giving at the core of their service. Re-establish tradition this year to ensure you are not only speaking thankfulness. but are living in a spirit of thanksgiving not just seasonally, but daily. As a child, we song a song in the youth choir called "Count your blessings." The lyrics stated, "Count your blessings, name them one by one, count your blessings to see what the Lord has done!" I admonish you to count your blessings on today, you too would be amazed to see what the Lord has done not only in you, but with you. Have a blessed harvest season and remember that God doesn't run low in resources, He has enough supplies available to fulfill each of our needs.

#Charleston

Psalm 122:1 "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord."

From the age of 5 years old, going to worship in the House of The Lord has been one of my most sacred experiences. I found great joy on Saturday evenings getting my attire out for my grandmother to "press" for Sunday morning worship. The Church has historically been the hallmark not only for African-Americans, but for most Americans. The tragic events that transpired at Mother Emanuel in Charleston, SC, was the culmination of hatred and pure ignorance. With all that has happened, as followers in faith, let us not allow the act of one person to define our relationship with God. He is still all knowing and encompassing. He is not responsible for what happened, but He will hold those who did it accountable.  Stay grounded in your faith and in the author and finisher of your faith. 

"Pieces to Peace"

May 2015 has forever changed my perspective on life and living. I said farewell to my 20s without knowledge of knowing that I would not experience my 30's without the woman who I have loved with every fiber of my being my entire life-my GRAND-MOTHER Emma. The greatest gift I received on Mother's Day-30th birthday was her singing Happy Birthday to me. 3 days later I was left in pieces seeking peace. As you go through life, if you're not willing to grow through living it can be difficult to understand God's peace that surpasses all of your understanding. I've learned through this season, that nobody is immuned to pain and suffering and weeping may only endure for a night-God has ordained joy for every person who loves Him. No matter what you've experienced in this season of your life know that your best days are your ahead days. Go in peace and grow through the pieces!

#Selma50

Today our nation commemorated the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama. 50 years seems so long ago, but in retrospect it is still freshly painted on the hearts and minds of those who fought for us to be treated as full fledged citizens in contrast to a portion of what the Constitution deemed African-Americans. As we progress forward, it is my fervent prayer that we redeem ourselves and the upcoming generations by renewing our covenant with God, our households and communities in terms of walking in our integrity and being fully involved in our homes. I often try to calculate the depth of pain and embarrassment our elders endured and suffered for us to just be counted as present in a nation that didn't desire to recognize our presence. I find it absolutely amazing to fathom that the same omnipotent God the elders, leaders, and protestors called on is the same God who answers us-isn't that beautiful?! We owe it to them and to ourselves to march on daily in our personal journey of greatness. I leave you with the words of the leader of the movement, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” 

Black Her-Hi(STORY)

February has been a month of reflection and revelation for me in more ways than one. I had the honor to honor ordinary people doing extraordinary things in their communities and some globally. The common fabric that I discovered interwoven amongst all the honorees was God. Like our ancestors, God continues to be a very present help. I encourage each of you to continue to strive for excellency everyday of your life and be the change you desire to see and be. When you get the opportunity, write your own bio and give yourself a high five for how far you've truly come! There still remains progression to be made, but we are on a really good path. May the words of James Weldon Johnson leave you with a renewed strength:

"God of our weary years,

God of our silent tears,

Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way;

Thou who hast by Thy might,

Led us into the light,

Keep us forever in the path, we pray.

Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,

Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;

Shadowed beneath Thy hand,

May we forever stand,

True to our God,

True to our native land."

Beauty of Blessings

Psalm 37:4

" In the same manner delight thyself in the LORD, and he shall give thee the desires of thy heart."

As the month of January culminates, I pray you take some time to really get to the core of what you want and why you need it. We often get so caught up into the future that we forget to relish in our present. There's beauty and blessings all around us if we take the time to make time for what truly matters. Devote some time each day to glean from the Word, listen to the birds, or savor your sip of coffee. Delighting yourself in The Lord produces not only true peace , but aids in God guiding you to the things that your soul truly desires.  Take some time to enjoy the view and see your heart the way God sees you. Be blessed and be a blessing!