DON'T SHOO THE CATS

My Mom told me a story tonight about when I was a young girl. It amused me so much that I thought I would share it. One day, my youngest uncle, who is only 5 yrs older than I, was outside chasing stray cats out of the yard. My Grandmother came outside and told him to stop chasing the cats away. When he asked why, she told him that for all he knew he was chasing Jesus away. (That wonderful African American Ancestrial Wisdom -smile). Well, my sister and I were standing near by and not hearing the "you don't know" or the "might be", began to sob uncontrollably. My Mom asked us what was wrong and we told her that we were upset and mad because our uncle was chasing Jesus away. I am so glad that Jesus said that he would never leave me or forsake me. I just pray that the next time that I am faced with something that may distance me from his presence, that I am filled with the sorrow we felt that day when we thought that Jesus was being sent away. Then, I know that making the right choice will be child's play!

FUN FRIDAY!!!!!!

If you were a toy, what would you be? I think I'm like a Rubik's Cube. My personality has many colorful facets. I seem complex at first,but once you spend time with me, you find that while I can be a challenge, I am lots of fun to figure out!

Here are a few things you might not know about me (interesting or otherwise) to get you started:

1. I adore musicals, plays and classic black & white movies.
• Some of my favorites are: Imitation of Life (both versions), A Raisin In The Sun, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner and Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (original)
2. Sections of the newspaper must be in alphabetical order before I read them. (I sometimes categorize my circulars, also. -- Yeah, I know....that's deep.)
3. I secretly wish that I were a trained dancer
• Somewhere in an alternate universe, in the galaxy far,far away known as the recesses of my imagination, I have skills that put Alvin Ailey to shame (LOL)
4. Black & White photography and charcoal are my favorite mediums of art.
5. I often mix beverages (non-alcoholic, please) to see what new and exciting flavor sensations I can concoct.
• Fascination from my childhood. Sometimes it "ain't" pretty ...or tasty.
6. After all of these years, I still can't discern when a man is subtly flirting with or interested in me --- Swoosh! I straight miss it every time, until someone brings it to my attention. Sad, i know.
7. Books and Music are at the top of my list of life's little pleasures!
8. I collect smooth writing and interesting pens.
9. I will one day have a private Comprehensive Christian counseling & crisis center and a youth program.
10. Je parle le français. J'ai étudié le français pendant quatre ans. C'est une belle langue mais, maintenant, je souhaite que j'étudie espagnol plutôt. Ce serait plus utile. Je veux prendre une classe espagnole bientôt.

TURN BY TURN NAVIGATION

Last night, I had a conversation with a friend about making crucial life decisions. As we talked, I began to think about my decision making track record. We won't get into numbers, but I will say thank God for his mercy and grace! I praise Him for growth. As I began to pray about things and allow God to minister to me, one of my favorite commercials came to mind. It's one of those "life comes at you fast commercials". The one where the guy is driving along following the turn-by-turn directions that were being given by his car service and then instead of listening to the complete instruction at the end, he turns immediately and straight into the side of a building. I admit...I started laughing just from the thought but, after I composed myself the Lord used that commercial to lead me to a revelation. Jeremiah 6:16 states

This is what the Lord says: "Stand at the crossroads and look, ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." But you said, "We will not walk in it."

As I meditated on this scripture the process was crystal

1. Stand & Look- be still in the situation and allow God to show it to you through his eyes. Be real with God and yourself. Take any "blinders" off. "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckeled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace. ~ Ephesians 6:15,14
2. Pray - first for clarity on God's predestined plan for your life and the situation, then for the path of provision that God has prepared for you. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not to your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path" ~Proverbs 3:4-6 "For he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair-every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. ~Proverbs 2:8-10
3. Walk -- in obedience! "And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed. ~Hebrews3:18 "But I say, walk and live[habitually]in the Holy Spirit[responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh(of human nature without God.) ~Galatians 5:16(AMP)

...the fog of complication and drama, lifted and I wondered why it had taken me so long to get this simple concept to take root in my spirit. I realize that in alot of instances I was being led, in varying degrees, by my emotions instead of The Spirit. We face many crossroads in life. Which way do we turn? There is a path that will take you directly to God's intended goal. The path of obedience where he smooths the potholes and makes our way straight. Then there is the other road. Full of twists, turns, complications. Yeah, in the end, if we are God's children and change our misguided direction, we can still end up where He wants us to be but, the trip will be longer and a lot less enjoyable. So, let's make it easy on ourselves. Let's vow to us our GPS....God's Positioning System!

JUST JUMP

My aunt has a trampoline in her backyard. Jumping on it has become the activity of choice for my cousins and the neighborhood kids. Last night I was thinking about how much fun the kids have being fearless. They jump hard knowing that the more contact that they have with the trampoline, the higher they will be sent. I hear them being filled with such joy as they jump without reservation or fear..higher and higher. They even throw special tricks in (LOL). They don't fear falling and being tossed around. They seem to laugh harder when they do. I think it's because they know the trampoline WILL break the fall. When they do misstep and tumble, they don't stay down and give up. They keep bouncing in that place..in the safety of the trampoline until they are able to get, first to their knees, then to their feet and back into the air. As I thought about it, I decided, that I want to live my life like that....reaching for the sky. Putting no limits on how high God can take me in my spiritual walk and in my life. Allowing Christ to fill me with joy and freedom in knowing that he is my springboard and my safety net...my trampoline.