“Holiday Hope”

I was saying to my husband that it seems there is a tragedy more and more frequently. Thus leaving a lot of the survivors decimated by the challenging aftermath.  Help and healing on many levels is needed, perhaps, now more than ever. 

With this level of regularity, there are more and more survivors being decimated by the challenging aftermath tragedies and difficult times everywhere. Help and healing is needed on many levels. People everywhere are hurting. Even you, the one who is reading this blog right now are probably dealing with an overwhelming circumstance. The Bible says that, “man is born to trouble as the sparks fly up.“ That means we all face a whole lot of troubling issues (from physical, psychological, the emotional, spiritual, etc…) and the challenge is not to wait everything is good in your life to help someone else. 

Many people today feel hopeless.  But, we don’t have to live hopeless lives. We can turn what’s happening to us into something positive that can happen in us as we channel our energy to something positive that can happen through us.  As we approach this holiday season let’s take up our crosses and follow Christ’s example of showing love to our neighbors. Let’s even take it a step further and not just look for opportunities to extend ourselves, but let’s create them. Let’s be the hand that provides hope for those in need. Doing so in what could be a dark time in your own life, can, In many ways, bring light and optimism to you as well. Let’s give hope for the holidays and you’ll be amazed at the amount you will receive in return.

Christmas Lemonade

   It’s not what happens to you that matters most, but, rather, what happens in you.  

My children’s book, “Christmas Lemonade,” is the new holiday classic that punctuates this idea.  It is a story of how I traversed one of my biggest challenges with a community performing arts program.                   During the holiday season one year we were tested on a, seemingly, insurmountable level.  But we persevered and allowed something amazing to be developed in us that made the trial worth every anxious moment.  

   When you face your challenges in life remember that what is developed in you is greater.    Your life is way bigger than any one aspect or moment of it.  Find a way to look beyond yourself/your problem and see the bigger picture.  There is a contribution to be made with your life and each trial can provide fuel for your purpose. 

   Sometimes when you're in need, find a way to give of yourself to someone else who is in need.  It will help take your mind off your problems and focus on someone else.  Helping others not only provides for them, but it also helps you to feel better knowing that you've provided aid.  Also, remember that, "This too shall pass."  What you are going through won't last forever.  You will smile again.

   "Christmas Lemonade," punctuates this theme and is the new holiday classic that I'm sure you will want to read each holiday season to keep you encouraged.

Get your copy on Amazon or at Christmaslemonade.com     

If you happen to know Beyoncé.  Let her know that I’d love her help promoting this book.

Treat Yourself to a Healthy Serving of Forgiveness

Here's a great opportunity to be selfish. Treat yourself to a hefty helping of forgiveness...that is, forgive someone who has hurt you.  We often don't consider that granting forgiveness is for our sake.  Nobody ever truly deserves forgiveness.  But, neither do we.  Granting forgiveness is a great opportunity to be selfish because it is just as beneficial for the person who has been offended.  Don't harbor bitterness it will eat you alive.  

Someone once said that harboring un-forgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the person who offended us to die.  

We treat ourselves to our favorite ice cream, or pair of shoes, or day at the spa, or the newest gadget.  How about we treat ourselves to a huge helping of forgiveness for others.  Go ahead be selfish, you deserve it!

Crockpot Miracles:

   I was in a church service recently when I heard a lady say very emphatically,  "It don't take God long to do nothing!"  I thought about that on my way home and allowed myself to resonate with the fact that that's not necessarily true. Sometimes it takes a longer time to get the miracles that we want in our lives.    I've seen God work in my life very slowly and very, perhaps, methodically.   Because it took more time, I was allowed to marinade and learn lessons along The way that I would not have learned if my "miracle" came over night.  I was able to  glean from the wonderful opportunities that  that season allowed. So I'm not throwing shade on the notion of quick miracles. But, You may be praying for something or looking for something in your life that expect  to happen immediately. Know that God, at times, allows some miracles to come more slowly.  So don't give up buy into the process and along the way keep your eyes open for the things that he is doing as you're waiting for that over-arcing miracle to take place. God is a God of right now;but he is also a God of low and slow.

                But How?

   We are often encouraged not to FEAR, and to TRUST God in all situations. But it's easy to say, "DON'T WORRY" and "TRUST GOD," and "DON'T DOUBT."  Just saying these things doesn't suddenly make us be able to live them out.  We are rarely told how to go about achieving these declarations. 

   Here a few tips that I've learned to help me in this area:

1. when I wake up, and before I go to bed, I inundate myself with Scriptures such as these:

"I have it all planned out-plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for" (Jeremiah 29:10c-MSG)

"Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure everything out on your own" (Proverbs 3:5 MSG)

"...that trusting me, you will be unshakeable and assured, deeply at peace..." (John 16:31c MSG)

"God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves"

(1John 3:18c MSG).  Filling mind with scriptures such as these and more help me to recalibrate and adjust my focus.

2. I journal and  constantly remind myself of the times in my past when I was going through a challenging situation;and looking back on it, I saw how God worked things out, and got me through it.  Taking time to remember, gives me hope for my present and future. 

3. I write at least 3 things I'm thankful for each day.  Taking time to notice the positive things that are happening in my life helps me to stay optimistic and encouraged.

   I try to start and end my day with these daily reminders.  As I inundate myself with this information

 it helps me to "NOT DOUBT" God's presence and help and to "TRUST" that I will get through challenging times and situations.  As I exercise these practices I see myself being better able to "WORRY NOT."

Give Us A Try!

   I apologize on behalf of ALL the churches who have gotten it wrong.  Who have forgotten the purpose for which what we were designed, for all the ways we have pushed away all the people whom we should have been pulling in.  For all the ways we've been insular in how we have catered to each other (church people).  Forgive us for, in some cases, being down right mean and self-righteous.  Please forgive us for doing too much as we've added a whole bunch of "extraness" on top of what it takes to follow Jesus.

   If I am ridiculed by my fellow Christian brothers and sisters for being relevant and touchable so that I might win some, oh well.  May the love I give and grace I extend to all those who have been turned off by the church, show that it's PEOPLE who have gotten it wrong not the institution that is the church.  Jesus never intended for us to add all the "stuff" that we have on top of what it takes to have a relationship with him.  He never wanted us to make it difficult for those who want to follow him.  God's plan is simple (but not necessarily easy):  He wants us to Love him, and love each other.  

   So, if you never went to church, or stopped going, don't give up. Give us a try. Just find a church that is welcoming to ALL people.  Where the only agenda is to love you unconditionally and  to share the truths of God's word in culturally relevant way that makes going to church irresistible.

An Imperfect Christian

   Since I became a follower of Christ I have not been perfect.  I have talked about someone behind their back, I have been jealous, I have struggled with pride, I have lied...(just to name a few sins).  Yet, Jesus never gave up on me and I never stopped trying to be more like Him, and he continues to love me.  Just because you didn't know my struggles doesn't mean they don't exist. I hope you won't throw me away for sharing this...and please let's not mistreat those whose struggles are more obvious than mine.  I've had these struggles AS a Christ follower.  So why are our expectations so warped towards those who are not (Christ followers)?  They should be treated with the same amount of grace that you might extend to me.  Everyone has issues (yes, Bishops and even the Pope), whether you're a Christian or not. 
  Let's make ourselves approachable in such a way as not to come across as some sort of super saint (like we're better than those with struggles).  Let's run toward the messes not away from them.  I love Jesus with all my heart and just as I am forgiven, I'm determined to extend grace and show love to others.  #graceforall