A Divine Perspective 18: Pride & Retaliation

No longer do we continue to think with our heart or with understanding, but we end up making emotional decisions that can have us walking around looking like a jackass.

Quietly and anonymously I sit, in one of my favorite places. Surrounded by thousands of words, silently expressed and shared through the medium of literature. I’m in the process of brainstorming a post for my newly Sunday posting called A Divine Perspective, but all I can focus on is this man walking very closely to me, and a sudden foul odor. I know this man didn’t just do what I think…did he just walk pass me and fart? In this type of situation, what do I do? Should I confront this older gentleman, or nah? What would this solve? All that would do is get me kicked out, although it would allow this very small population of people to know that I didn’t cause the Funk that is now hovering in the air.

Since I am one to never want to add to the stereotype of the so called “ghetto, loud, aggressive, angry, black person, I chose to not make a fool of myself. However, as I find a new seat, I will allow him to hear my disgust as I use my inside voice to utter my displeasure and rebuke him for allowing Satan’s minions to exit his boom-boom room. That’ll teach him! Now he knows how I feel. Hmph!

This made me think about retaliation and how far some people will go to get back at someone who wronged them. Is it really necessary? Why do we as a human race feel the need to get back at the one who we feel has wronged us? Why is this so important and why do we feel “getting back” would bring us satisfaction?

The world is all about the Get Back, Getting Even, the I’mma Show You. It’s like we have this need for Retaliating. You see this especially on the reality television shows. On these shows whenever someone feels insulted, a fight is sure to happen. Drinks, fists, shoes, and wigs start flying all over the place, because someone’s pride has been damaged and they must retaliate. In other words, the ONLY way to let you know what you not gon’ do and how you not gon’ talk to me or how you not gon’ treat me, is by introducing these hands to your face along with having a nice session of C.Y.O (Cuss You Out) therapy. In the end, no one is satisfied, everyone involved is hurt, and sometimes laws are broken. Friendships and reputations are challenged and ended because someone had to retaliate.

People!!! Here me now! We’ve got to do better. I don’t want to say be the bigger person, but like the Five Heartbeats said, “Two wrongs don’t make a right”. We become so upset and frustrated because our pride has been chipped, cracked, and shattered. Then retaliation rears its angry head. No longer do we continue to think with our heart or with understanding, but we end up making emotional decisions that can lead to biting us in our boom-boom room and have us walking around looking like a jackass. All of this because of our pride being hurt. Proverbs 16:18 in the Bible says, “Pride goeth before destruction”.

Don’t allow your pride and your desire to get back at the person that hurt you, bring you to a place that destroys you. Don’t allow your pride to get the better of you and cause you to end up in a regrettable moment that now has you shaking your head in disbelief, and embarrassment, all the while asking yourself, “What have I done”? Don’t be that person. Think about your family and what this decision could do to them. Is the situation really worth it?

Someone once said, “He who angers you, conquers you”. Don’t allow anyone to conquer you. Whether it be yourself or someone attacking your pride. Don’t allow your hurt to cause you to make an emotional attack because your pride has been conquered, and you just had to retaliate. Be smart in all of your choices no matter how angry you feel. Think, will this choice have a positive impact or a negative impact? Be the bigger, better, and smarter person and walk away. You’ve got too much in life to look forward to, than to allow 30 seconds of anger get the best of you. Now, go out and live your best Life!

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A Divine Perspective 17: Be Humble…

Some of us like to walk around like our “mmph don’t stink”. As if everything in our life is perfect and worthy of envy.

Some of us like to walk around like our “mmph don’t stink”. As if everything in our life is perfect and worthy of envy. In 2 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul talks about how he prayed for God to remove the “thorn in his flesh”. To remove this thing about him that he struggles with. To paraphrase, he said that God told him that he wouldn’t remove it because He gave him grace to endure it. What ever Paul’s thorn was, it was something that kept him on his knees and from being conceited. Something that kept him near the cross. It was a reminder that he didn’t get to the place he was without God and that he couldn’t get through it without the grace of God.

No matter how far we’ve come in life with our many accomplishments; with our numerous titles and degrees, there is something in our lives that makes those achievements irrelevant. I’m not trying to say that God wants you to remember your failures or your struggles, but he wants you to remember that it was Him that brought you from where you came from and His Grace is keeping you from where you could be. What is the thorn in your life that keeps you humble?

This scripture also discusses how God encouraged Paul by saying “my power is made perfect in weakness”. In other words, you may be weak in this area, but when you are weak God is strong. This is a beautiful reminder that in those times of weakness, calling on God will give you strength because He is made strong in our times of weakness. He is our Father and He has our best interest at heart.

We should never get too proud and forget where we come from. We should never forget that it was God’s grace that brought us through those difficult times or is currently bringing us through the difficult time. Be humble and remember that God is the reason you are where you are. Continue to call on him for your strength.

2 Corinthians 12 New International Version (NIV)

Paul’s Vision and His Thorn

12 7 Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. ⁸Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

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A Divine Perspective, formerly called Soul Food Sundays, are posted every Sunday.

A Divine Perspective 16:Walking in Expectation

As children of God we should have the same expectations for the promises of God, that my pups have for the food from my plate. You’ve got to have the faith to believe that God will do it and then walk with Expectation.

A Divine Perspective 16: Walking in Expectation

My puppies, have such a great life! They have their toys, snacks, and as much playtime with mommy and daddy as we possibly can manage. Every blanket we have for tv watching somehow becomes theirs, and they then become snuggle blankets. These pups know they are loved. Friends and family say they are spoiled. My response, “They aren’t spoiled, they’re just well taken cared of.”

They do have a tendency to be barkers towards strangers and anything out of order, and they get excited when it’s time to eat. Let me clarify, They get excited when it’s time for my husband and myself to eat. They seem to believe that the Huz-band and I are supposed to share our food with them. Meaning, they beg. When it is time for us to eat, all of their focus is turned to us. Kody uses his eyes for intense staring, Kasey holds his front paws together while moving them up and down as if he were praying, and they both sometimes become vocal with low growling, since obviously we aren’t noticing their attention-grabbing ways of begging. They have such high expectations, and faith that we will eventually give in to them and sometimes we do.

As children of God we should have the same expectations for the promises of God, that my pups have for the food from my plate. They’re so used to getting blessed that even when we bring shopping bags in the house they try to look and see if anything is for them. Like them, we need to be looking for and seeking out our blessings.

Our heavenly father is the creator of the universe and the giver of marvelous ideas. He has everything you need. Just ask, in his name. Have the faith that he will provide and then walk in the expectation that God wants the best for you.

That idea that you know could have only come from God: Do It, Stay Focused, & Follow Through with it! If He gave you the idea, why wouldn’t He help you to see it through? He’s blessed you before. He’s shown himself to answer your prayers and to give you the desires of your heart before, so why wouldn’t he do it again? You’ve got to have the faith to believe that God will do it and then walk with Expectation. Once He’s provided, share your testimony with others, so that they may know of the goodness of the Lord.

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My Puppy Boys: Kasey (Polar Bear) & Kody (Panda Bear) begging while I’m eating.

Read my Previous blog post : Divorce is NOT an Option

Read my Previous Soul Food Sunday post: A Divine Perspective 15: Looking Back

A Divine Perspective 14: Safe In His Arms

If there was one thing I have always known is that my dad loves me. I was always able to trust him even at times that I should have been afraid. This is a picture of how God the Father wants to be with us. In every situation, he wants us to feel safe with Him.

A Divine Perspective 14: Safe In His Arms

If there was one thing I have always known is that my dad loves me. I was always able to trust him even at times that I should have been afraid. I used to love jumping from high places, into his arms because if he said he was going to catch me I believed he would. I never doubted that he wouldn’t catch me. I felt safe in his arms. I was confident that my daddy wouldn’t ever do anything to harm me or bring harm my way.

Whenever I fell out of a tree or off a slide, he would pick me up and hold me. As gently as he could, he wiped the grass and dirt off my face and clothing. This was his way of comforting me and it worked. I was accepting of this love because I knew that’s exactly what it was. He would speak in a sweet voice telling me “It’s okay, it’s okay”. Continuing with “baby, baby, baby” as he tried to assess the damage. He would then ask me if I was ready to go, and look with happy surprise when I would say, “No”. Shocked that I wanted to re-climb from where I had just fallen, but proud that I wasn’t giving in to fear. During this second chance, he would remind me to be careful and watch me as I succeeded on this second round. He would then capture the moment with a photo.

This is a picture of how God the Father wants to be with us. He’s always there for us when we fall. He wants to wipe away our tears and smile when we learn lessons from life’s many tests. He wants to bring us comfort in the times we need His gentle touch. When you are in a place that seems like there’s nothing else to do but jump, Can You Trust God to Be There with His Arms Wide Open? Just as I felt safe in the arms of my father, Our Heavenly Father wants us to feel Safe in His Arms.

The only way you will know God desires this for you, is by getting to know his heart and his love for you. To do this find a church that will encourage you to build a relationship with God for yourself. Get to know him by praying and reading The Bible. Your prayers don’t have to be formal, just speak to Him often about whatever is on your heart. The more you do this, the more you will begin to recognize His voice. You will hear it as He comforts you and discourages you from making unwise choices. Whether it’s your second, third, or eighth time. When you finally get to that high ledge, you will know then that you are free to feel Safe in His Arms.

Thank you for reading. Please comment and tell me about the situations in your life when you felt Safe in God’s Arms.

Read my previous Soul Food Sunday Article: Soul Food Sundays 13—Year of Me: It’s Not Too Late

Year of Me: Making PLAIN & REALISTIC Goals

Make sure your vision is plain and realistic. Make the vision plain, so that you know your expectations. Make the vision realistic so you can attain success!

Year of Me: …Make it Plain

What goals do you want to reach in your life time? What do you want to accomplish this year? Are you making the necessary steps in that direction? You can start working towards these goals now! Just because it’s no longer January doesn’t mean that you can’t walk in the direction of your heart’s desires. Start as soon as possible. Whatever goals you are setting for this year, should be a step in the direction you have for whatever your main goal is. Your monthly goals should lead to your yearly goals, which lead to your life time goals.

Make sure that the goals you set are plain and realistic.

Make sure you know what you want. For example: weight loss goals are nothing new, but having a weight loss goal to lose 50 pounds in a month is not realistic. I don’t care if you are Keto dieting or had a surgery…no ma’am, no sir. Losing that much weight in a month isn’t healthy. Strive to lose about 5-10 pounds a month. This is healthier and realistic.

Make the vision plain, so that you know your expectations.

Wanting to have a better job, but quitting the one you have when you still have bills is not smart. Continue to work that job you loathe, but also work towards the change you want. When the right time comes, you’ll be able to leave that job and still be financially stable. Another way to look at this is don’t leave a job until you have another job. When making goals and desiring change, you’ve got to be smart.

Make the vision realistic so you can attain success!

As stated before, your monthly goals should be made to approach your yearly goals, and your yearly goals should be striving to reach your main goal. Ever heard of the saying, “Make the Main Thing, your Main thing”? Everyday, be sure to take the necessary steps so that your main goal is your focus. Make your vision plain so that you are clear on what you are working towards, but don’t forger to make them realistic too.

Write the Vision and Make It Plain –Habakkuk 2:2

(Part 1) Year of Me

(Part 2) Year of Me: Write the Vision…

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Year of Me: Write the Vision…

Words have Power. Speak positively over your life. How will you use your words?

Year of Me: Write the Vision…

I have many things I want to accomplish, and even though Aaliyah said, “Age Ain’t Nuthin but a Number”, I feel like my time is getting away from me. No, I don’t feel as if death is knocking at my door or even walking in my direction, praise God, but there is a lot that I want to do and I feel like I’m gettin’ too old and won’t be able to do everything. I’ve been complacent for far too long. Each new year I find myself in the same place of wanting a change and wanting to do me, yet I am doing nothing to make that happen. I have allowed not only myself, but also people to halt my progress to achieve what I want out of life. Fears have stopped me.

The Fear of the words from others are included. Whether it’s from family or Facebook “friends”. As much as I strive to not care for the thoughts of others, this outlook can still be challenging. Maybe it’s because I am truly not confident in myself, so having someone else speak out what I am trying to suppress, stirs up the doubt. WHOAAAAA!!!!!!! Why didn’t I study Psychology???? Dang it!!! I know that was some looking inside your insides to discover who you is kinda stuff (yes, I meant to say, “Who you is”).

In this year of me, I have decided that I am going to write the vision and make it plain (Habakukk 2:2). I hear about people creating vision boards. I’ve always thought they were artistic and unique, but I’ve never completed or attempted to create one. I never made a vision board, but I used words to write what I wanted. I did this to “plan out my life” and to list the characteristics I wanted in a husband. I was consistent in the latter and that most definitely worked in my favor. I have THE BEST HUZ-BAND!!! If my consistence worked for my Husband, why not use this for my other dreams and goals.

A personal word wall? Displaying words that encourage me to believe in my dreams can be helpful. Not only am I “writing” the vision, but also calling my dreams and goals into existence. It’s the “calling those things that be not as though they were” and “speaking life into my situation”. All of this are principles found in the Bible. *(Isaiah 55:11; Matthew 4:4; Mark 11:23)* Meditating on these positive and focused words can help me with being successful in my ambitions. I have the ability to speak life into my well being and these desires that I believe God has given me. Words have Power. How will you use yours?

For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.-1 Peter 3:10

Previous Post: Year of Me

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Harry Potter & the Symphony

There is more to the Harry Potter books than just wands and magic. The messages of Friendship, Love, Bravery, Courage, Fairness, Loyalty, Family, and Compassion are taught…NOT how to become a Wizard.

Last night was my second experience enjoying the Wizarding World of Harry Potter with a Symphony. What an enjoyable way to watch the movies with other fans. These fans come dressed as different characters from the Harry Potter movies, as students at Harry’s school (Hogwarts), or they wear clothing that expresses their fandom. My lil’ sissy and I enjoyed Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban with these fans, all while the orchestra played along. Together we cheered for the hero, booed when any injustice was being had, and cried when a favorite character had died fighting for their cause. We all have seen these movies and have consumed the novels. We attempt to patiently teach a muggle or new found “wizard” all about this wonderful wizarding world.

The orchestra only plays during the scenes where the music come in, and that alone seems to make the movies become even more magical. The music was composed by John Williams. I grew up with this man’s music; we all did. He composed the memorable music of Indiana Jones, E.T., Superman, Jurassic Park, Home Alone, and so many other movies that helped frame my child hood. After my first experience in December, I soon realized that this was the only way to enjoy these memorable movies.

If you are a fan of the Harry Potter movies and are able to experience them with your cities’ symphony, do it! You will not be disappointed.

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A Game of Thrones…Yes, YEs, YES!!!!

In 2015, I finally bit the bug and decided to binge watch a marathon of all the seasons before season 5, I think, was to start. I had heard all the rage about the show, but had no clue what it was about. The first time I saw a preview, I was hooked! I knew this series would be one of my favorite to watch. The Dragons is what done it! Oh, and so did Khal Drogo (Thank you Lord); and the feminine power of Daenerys Targaryen-First of Her Name- Mother of Dragons-Khaleesi-Queen of the Andals- etc.etc.; Cersei’s Lannister’s Craziness, and her younger brother, Tyrion Lannister (the clever).

Being a J.R.R. Tolkien admirer, I quickly noticed how similar the show was to the Lord of the Rings Trilogy being that they are both of the Fantasy genre and include Knights and Dragons. However, I was hesitant to read the books. Watching the show and seeing how “racy” it is, I wasn’t comfortable reading a novel that would be equally graphic in their depictions of sex and the naked human body. I decided I could be a big girl and read through it. I had come to the realization that many of “those” scenes were apart of character development. Those scenes helped add to the personality of the character and showed where their priorities were.

Due to my having some discomfort to scenes of this nature because I am who I am, this analyzing helped me to understand the reasoning behind the nudes and sex scenes. I had also begun to notice that in the later seasons, there was a decrease in the amount of nudity and sex scenes. The characters had begun to show maturity and realize there were more important things at stake, because “Winter was Coming” and a lot sooner than the South (King’s Landing) would like.

The Game of Thrones television series of Season 1 is very accurate to the novel, of the same name. Thoroughly impressed and pleased I was, considering how disappointed I was in Peter Jackson’s version of Tolkien’s, The Hobbit. I understand creative license, but WOW (So many changes)!! Anyway, this first novel does not disappoint. I do understand some creative differences between the novel and the show, because I love Tyrion and do not want to see him look as he is described in the book. It would also be most inappropriate for the show to have the characters be as young as they are in the novel. Inappropriate indeed, I dare say!

If you are a fan of the show, but have not read the novels, what are you waiting for? If you are a fan of the Fantasy genre and have yet to descended into the world of Ice and Fire where summers and winters can last for years, and red comets mark the birth of dragons, and giants fight along side men and “crows”, what are you waiting for? You will definitely appreciate what producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have done with George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Fire and Ice Series. They have truly brought these books to life!

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A Divine Perspective 08: Give IT a Try

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you & not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope & a future.-Jeremiah 29:11

Trust and Believe that God has everything lined up for your good. It’s hard to see what he has for us with these human eyes. We must walk by faith and not by sight. If we seek after him and keep our minds on him it will become easier to believe that He truly is doing something for your good.

What does all of this mean?

It means to Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6

Easier said than done, you say? Well, give it a try? What have you got to lose? You’ve tried everything else. Why not try these instructional guide lines from the Bible?

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Whom shall I fear?

It’s been a little rough lately. So much has been going on. The world is scarier today than it was yesterday. It seems like with each growing second, there is more chaos and devastation being announced by the news. Technology makes us all aware of what is going on in the world. No more is technology simply an escape tool. So much corruption and manipulation is being accelerated, that it’s hard to keep up with everything.

That’s just talking about the world. This isn’t even including what is happening on your own home front. There used to be a show that came on about 10 years ago, that showed how homes in the nicest looking neighborhoods had “that craziness” going on. It was like a CSI show, but with a closer to home approach. I appreciated that show so much because the local news always seems surprised when the white-collar neighbor is a serial killer, but speaks with an expected tone when a killer is found living in the “hood”.

The world is a scary place, but my God said that He has not given me a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, a spirit of love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). So, I will live my life professing this even when fear attempts to frighten me and bring discomfort when I turn on the 6:00 news. I will live by this scripture as I go through my daily routines and continue to believe that He still has control even when it looks like the world is out of control.

The Lord is my light and salvation; whom shall I fear? Psalm 27:1

A Divine Perspective 07: Be YOU

You have had certain life experiences that allows you to reach others that no one else can. You were made this way on purpose.

You were made to be an original. There is no one else like you. God, our Father, is an original. As the song says, ” There is none like [him]”. Why would he want his children to not reflect him in that way? He stood out from the crowd. He was not the norm. He was not bound to the man made religious rules of his time. Jesus stood out so much from what was “expected”, that the religious teachers wanted him killed. Jesus did things that no one else would be able to duplicate. He called Lazarus back from the grave, turned water into wine, walked on water, multiplied 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread to feed 5,000 men (not including women and children), and continues to love & forgive you and me. He was himself and not like anyone the world had ever known. He stood out while sharing his fathers love and message for all. He reached people in a way that no one else could.

Many earthly fathers desire for their children to walk in their footsteps. They love for their children to follow in the family business and God is the same way. One way that we can be like our heavenly father is to be who he made us to be, while sharing his message of love and the Good News. He has placed in you something only you possess that can reach others to Him. He made you to be an original! You don’t have to be the norm or be bound to traditional religious rules. You have had certain life experiences that allows you to reach others that no one else can. You are the light of the world, and you have a light no one else has.

Continue to make your father proud by being led by him, but do so in realizing that like him, YOU were made different for a reason. You might make some people uncomfortable, but remember that Jesus did too. He was himself and not like anyone the world had ever known. His light shined bright for all to see. Be like him and show your light to the world! Be comfortable with yourself, be proud of who you are, understand that there is no one like you, and continue to be You!

A Divine Perspective 06: Trust in Him

There you go stressing! You can’t even sleep at night because of all that you have going on in your head. I’ve been there before. I know what that is all about. However, I do believe that I have a solution that can help you to Let it Go! Take it easy, breathe, and relax. Allow the weight of the world to fall OFF your shoulders.

Even when you feel like you are at your lowest point in life, because it seems that all of the cares of the world are upon you, find your strength in the Lord. Give your cares to HIM.

Of course you may not understand why life goes the way it does sometimes, but that my friend, is life. We aren’t always going to understand everything that happens. We have to believe in Him enough to trust and know that everything will work out in our lives for our good. We will be victorious through Him.

Come to God with your concerns. He would love to hear from you. Let Him know what is worrying you. It doesn’t have to be formal and you don’t have to sound like a preacher. Just be yourself. Come to Christ as you are. He knows you and where you are in life, but he would still love to hear from His baby boy or baby girl. Why? Because He Loves You. Don’t rely on other people to pray for you, because no one can pray for you like YOU CAN.

Relax in the Lord…Talk to Him, and do your best to Trust in Him.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

A Divine Perspective 04: Father’s Day 2017

The Father is Love

I thank God for my Father. He has been my Father and my Daddy. I have admired him since I was a little girl. Like God, he has always shown me love. I have always been confident in his love for me. I knew that if he didn’t love anybody else He loved me.

The bible states that God is love (1 John 4:8). He is our heavenly father and he loves his children dearly. I am thankful that I was able to experience firsthand what a father’s love was from my earthly father.

“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ” (1 John 4:9-10)

Our father in heaven loves us. Even those that feel they are not worthy. You are worthy of His love because he already loved you before you were formed in your mother’s womb. You may not have known a love from your earthly father but be confident in knowing that our heavenly father loves us because he sent love to the world to save us all.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

A Divine Perspective 01: For God so Loved the World…

A Divine Perspective—Looking at Life through a Heavenly View

Jesus was not sent to the world to judge you, but to love you. His love is what is needed to help fulfill your emptiness. His love is what is needed to Save the world. Even when you believe no one does or can love you, He does and ALWAYS will.

“For God so loved, the WORLD, that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in HIM shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send HIS son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through HIM.” John 3:16-17 NIV

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2 Corinthians 12 New International Version (NIV)

Paul’s Vision and His Thorn

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The Father is Love

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

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