Thursday, September 29, 2005

All About Lyfe

I recently came across an intriguing article about Lyfe Jennings, an R&B singer.(Sister 2 Sister 10/2005) He was sent to an adult prison at the age of 15 for 10 years and still managed to have faith and make the best out of his life.

In the interivew, he spoke about how he finished high school and college in prison and didn't give up on his life. While in the prison yard of Richland, Mansfield, he would sing with some inmates and gained attention from the warden. The warden asked him to do shows for the inmates and in turn gained attention from the NAACP. He spoke about how he prayed for guidance in his singing career and in prison. With no doubt God answered him. Lyfe continued to move up in his dream of becoming a singer when a tape of one of his performances at the prison made it to the Apollo, a well-known and historic talent show. Once paroled, He gained a music contract and produced a successful cd titled Lyfe 268-192. I have not heard his cd but, according to Sister 2 Sister magazine, he is being compared to late greats such as Sam Cooke and Al Green. He is also in the process of educating children about making good choices in life through a children's book series.

This article made me feel good that the hopeless prison stories that we often hear on the media about guys in prison who rape, shank, maime, kill and never become a productive member of society are not always true. Lyfe never tells what he did to get into prison for most of his youth but it doesn't matter because God doesn't see what he has done but what he is doing to receive His blessings.

Monday, September 26, 2005

Happy That the Quiver is Full

My regular readers should know that I am a proud mother of four. When people ask me how many children I have I proudly brag about my two boys and two girls. But I don't usually get the equal pride. I usually get the sob face and the poor you look in their eyes. " Me and my husband are waiting until we are financially ready." I would get in response or "Children are such a big responsibility." It says in the Bible, "Children are an heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of the mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed." Psalm 127:3-5. I believe that once God unites a man and a woman he expects children to follow. He doesn't want you to show your lack of faith by saying that you won't have children until you are financially ready. Money problems will always come and go, but if you follow the word of God you and your children shall be blessed. In the beginning God ordered Adam and Eve to be "fruitful and multiply." He said this without any conditions. I am not ashamed of my children, they are living, breathing blessings that I will never regret.

Friday, September 23, 2005

Christians Don't Need Coffee

That energy lift. That's what many of us desire as we begin our rat race every morning. We run to things such as coffee, or energy bars, hey anything with caffeine right? I know how it is, sometimes I find myself doing it too. But have you ever thought of trying God? We can do all things through Christ that strengthens us right? So why are we looking for strength to get through our day with other things? Try praying, reciting scripture, praising God for any and everything. You can receive a lift and you won't believe how much that will carry you successfully through the day. The wisest and healthiest way to tackle your day is picking up a cup of God.

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

bare with me

bare with me, since i started my new job I have become very busy so if there haven't been any new entries in a while please go through my archives and review something new. Thank you for visiting!

The Inevitably Insignificant Actions(poem)

I am so angry
that everyone in the world
doesn't agree with me
that I'm going to scream and scream
and point and point
until I'm lain in my coffin
red faced, finger permanently erect
while the world continues to rotate
people continue to disagree
And God continues to be in control

"The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." John 6:63


"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7

Saturday, September 17, 2005

The "Look" of a Christian

I remember the first time me and my husband were attending different churches to find a church home. One Sunday, we tried a large traditional church and stood out like eye soars. My husband with his large afro, pierced hooped ears and large tatooed arms, me in my summer dress showing off my name in quotes permanently written on my shoulder, holding an infant and two more toddlers trailing behind me. We were a typical family, we read to our children, prayed together and love God but it didn't look that way to others. We were already saved but were approached by many to receive salvation"the proper way."

Even to this day people don't assume that I am a person who has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Is it that I don't wear floor length dresses and keep a Bible in my arms at all times? Could it be that I don't quote scripture in every conversation? We as Christians need to stop adding quota to people who are trying hard to have a relationship with Christ. That's how you scare others away. I believe that doing the right things shoudn't be forced. Christ will speak to you and tell you what needs changing in your life, and if you truly love Him you will. It's not making a list of how to be the perfect Christian and then condemning yourself if you haven't done it all. (Or condemning others if you see them making mistakes.) Remember the scriptures in the Bible about the woman committing adultery? Jesus could've easily condemned her but instead he told those who wanted to punish her to check themselves first, and then he freed her.(John 8:3-11) Try this, instead of shaking your heads at someone, tell them something that will uplift them or help them. Relate to them your uphill battle as a Christian. That's what loving our brothers and sisters is all about.

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Out With the Old...

You know what's funny? Most of my friends and family don't even know my blog exists. Here I am revealing what God has done for me and helping perfect strangers and no one who knows me has the faintest clue. I think it's hard for me to reveal to them what I know, because they knew me when I was wild and clueless about life. Most of them do know that I am Christian but that's really the extent of it. Sometimes I don't like to come out and tell them what I have learned because they would see it as me "preaching" and begin their distance. I sometimes give my opinion on things they may bring up but I don't debate as much. I pray that God reveals Himself to them when it's time. 2nd Corinthians 5:17 says in Christ we are new creatures. How we were in the past shouldn't matter to you or anyone else. I should respect others and at the same time expect them to know and respect the new me.

Because of Jesus' family and the people's unbelief and relying on His the past, Jesus was dishonored."When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked. "Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, 'Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor.' (Matthew 13:53-57 ) Although Jesus never had a wild past and was perfect people still doubted in His hometown because they knew His family and possibly seen Him as a child.

I hope those out there reading this learn from my mistake and don't judge other people who you used to know as wild and crazy. Believe in their relationship with Christ and allow them to help you strengthen your own.

Monday, September 12, 2005

No Comment

As you can see, I don't receive many comments on my blog. My visitors are also few and far in between. But do that upset me, do I feel like giving up on my blog because of it? No way! I am so blessed by the little comments I do get. From a woman saying that I helped her realize a fear she needs to get over, to a more recent person who was lead to repentance, I am so blessed by it all! I see my blog as an avenue for God's use. Whoever He sends here to learn what He has taught me through the Holy Spirit is all I need. I don't care if I ever get noticed or rich because what I do is not for my glory but for His. Sometimes I would think about my poetry and stories that I write and wonder, what would I do if I my writing doesn't get noticed or published until after I die? Would that be a bad thing? God's timing is perfect. He has a use for everyone and when He is ready to use you, He will. So, to all those who feel unnoticed as they volunteer for many hours for their church, or are frustrated because they haven't received their rightful recognition for donations they have given, just remember the most important thing is giving to the kingdom of God for His glory.

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1st Corinthians 10:31

Friday, September 09, 2005

Blessed News

I have been blessed with work! I won't be working in journalism but instead will be an admissions advisor for CTU online. It pays well and I thank God for what He has given me. I see it as Him trusting me with a little before He goes on to take me to bigger things. That's why I will make sure to tithe every check first before anything else. To let Him know that I believe His word and I trust Him to bless me instead of trusting the money. When you hold on to your money saying that you need it or else you won't get this or that, then you are blatantly telling God that you don't believe He has worked in your life but the money has. That you need money instead of Him. I had to repent from that; when I was working a minimum wage job I was holding on to my money and whatever left over I would give to God. That brought me and my family constant struggles because I had no faith. Then about 9 months ago I got a job as a clerk in a store. I made sure to take that little check and tithe it no matter what. After tithing, I may have had 30.00 left in my check but I would confess that God will take care of the rest. and He did. Praise God for this job and praise God I believe in His promises that if I tithe I will be blessed beyond all that I can imagine.

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." Malachi 3:10

Thursday, September 08, 2005

Opposites Attract

Okay, Okay, I took an extended labor day vacation. I broke away from my kids and family life and spent some time out. I immensely enjoyed my break and on top of that I learned a few things and as a good blogger I'm going to share them with you.

The concept of "opposites attract" doesn't always have to mean a romantic relationship. I realized this when hanging out with my two best friends. (separately) My first friend is single, smart strong, works as an engineer, drives a large truck and against anything marriage or family at a young age. She shakes her head at the times when I am frustrated with my husband and kids. She doesn't believe that a woman should marry unless the perfect man comes along (and I mean perrrrfect!) She also doesn't believe the parts in the Bible about the woman being subject to the man. ("Those scriptures are old and outdated!" She shouts. Just after criticizing me for having a tattoo and "defiling my temple.") I love her to death and she is one of the sweetest people you could ever meet. But we obviously are opposites. My second best friend is in a common law marriage with her 3 daughter's father. She lives in the same place we lived since we were in the fourth grade together. She thinks that it is "impossible for her to move up since she doesn't have a good man like me" and she believes that is the only reason I was able to accomplish what I have so far. She loves her family and children but feels like she is trapped in her situation. She is also a sweety and I love her to death. I pray for her all the time. I pray for both of them. I used to get angry when they would disagree with me but now I've realized I have said how I feel and their life is up to them. It's not up to you to change someone it's up to God. I am sure I am a mess in many ways to them too. And as God is still teaching and leading me, I believe He will teach and lead them.

Saturday, September 03, 2005

The Impact of Repetition

I have mentioned this and blogged this many times. This is something so known and simple, yet not grasped. Love. The greatest commandment is love. We are to love God with everything and we are to love everyone else. Simply said by the apostles, by Jesus Christ, and by God. If God commanded us to love wouldn't doing the opposite be out of His commands? Why would anyone justify hate anyway? Let's say you have the option to hate someone for whatever reason, why would you do it? Would that change anything or any situation? So you say, you don't hate but you are just angry. Anger doesn't solve anything or bring about change either. It says in Proverbs 27:4 "Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger." I am not saying I don't get angry and that if someone gets angry they go to hell, but it's hard to live in happiness when you wallow in anger. When you are always angry with people, you open yourself to do and think in the way of the flesh. Galatians 5: 18-20 says "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, anger, strife, seditions, heresies." We are to stay away from the things of the flesh to have peace in our lives. It says in Galatians 5:17 "For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another." It's much better and easier to see someone who angers you, to pray for them and hope that they come to know Christ or to know Him better. Your first thought would be that that would be too hard but actually once you get started praying and loving it makes your life so much better and peaceful.

Christians, if you are struggling with anger( or anything) and someone points it out to you, don't allow it to hurt you or make you bitter, instead embrace it. You are the clay and God is the artist. Allow Him to push and pull to make changes in your life so that you can grow. Open yourself up to the truth.

Friday, September 02, 2005

In the Morning part2

I wanted to add a few more promises that God has made to all of us when in tragedy. You maybe wondering, "Okay, Telika we understand but this is a major crisis and all we should do is have faith and pray? " Yes! If you truly believe the immense power of God you should believe He is able to change things and help. Stop relying on people and rely on Him! I believe that God created the world in six days because that's what He said in His living word. If He can do that he most certainly can aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

1 Peter 5: 10, "After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you."

Romans 5: 3-5 "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

Revelation 21:4 "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

I know I am not blogging the usual things in the wake of this tragedy. I am not shouting at the government or yelling in despair. I am not doing these things because I know that this is God's way to bring more people into faith. There have been so many people who have stopped believing and started relying on other things. This is the time to change.

Thursday, September 01, 2005

In the Morning...

I pray that the victims of Hurricane Katrina see the light and the hope and faith of God and to learn to trust Him in their struggles. I pray they take the opportunity to receive the message that God has a blessing for the people afflicted with this tragedy. I see this as His way to bring these people to growth to teach them to believe and see that He has something so much better planned for them. It says in Psalm 30:5 "For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." God has joy waiting for them and these people need to see it and believe it and hold on to it. I could refer you to the red cross phone and the salvation phone and urge all to open their pockets but what's most important that you would open you hearts and minds and pray that they do the same. God will take care of the rest.

"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed."
(2nd Corinthians 4:8-9)