Be Still

There is just something really AMAZING about God's Grace in my life. Some people may wonder why I choose to do some of things I do in my life. Some people may choose to wonder why I choose to dream the big dreams that I dream in my life. Some people may even wonder why and how I survived the things of my past. It was Grace that bought me safe thus far and Grace will lead me home... you know the rest of the song.

There have been times in my life when I have wanted to run away, but something KEPT me still. There have been times in my life when I have been given impossible odds of survival, but something KEPT me still. There have been times in my life when emotionally life was becoming to much for me and I have wanted to end it all, give up and "go home," but something KEPT me still.

Yes, it was His GRACE, FAVOR, and MERCY over my life that KEPT me still. When I was ready to run away at my Grandmother and my Sister's funeral, "Be still." When the doctors told my parents I was not going to survive the night, "Be still." When I thought that the only way out, the only to peace was to lay down and die, "Be still." When I wanted to give up on my own dreams to live out someone else's dream for my life, "Be still."

Be still, because God's got a greater purpose and plan for my life than I could ever imagine. Be still, because he's in control. He unyielding, unwavering, AMAZING GRACE is gonna "lead me home."

HALLEUJAH!! PRAISE GOD!! I can't thank him enough for his GRACE and MERCY in my life. And I don't really need comments to this blog, because PRAISE IS WHAT I DO! I have my HALLEUJAHs and AMENs in order.

Just do me a favar and watch the video at the end this link. >>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMF_24cQqT0


Amazing Grace
Words by John Newton 1779
Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now I see.
'Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear,
And Grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come.
'Tis Grace hath brought me safe thus far
And Grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me.
His Word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we'd first begun.

SONG OF THE WEEK ~ Vickie Winans - The Rainbow

IF YOU WANT THE RAINBOW, sometimes YOU HAVE TO LEARN TO DANCE IN THE RAIN! (Tiffany-ism)

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[Verse 1:]This is a forecast of a storm, for some it seems the storm just won't pass. For you it seems so dark, that day will never ever come into your life, sunny and bright.

[Chorus:]So when the rain falls down on me,Lord, take me high up so I can seethe rainbow, I wanna see Your rainbow.Though the rain causes many complications,Lord, I'm still looking for Your decoration called the rainbow, I wanna see Your rainbow.(The rainbow tells me this storm has passed).(The rainbow tells me this storm has passed).

[Verse 2:]My word, it just won't fade,and My glory, it will prevail,just like the rainbow in the sky,it's so powerful and it's so bright,the rainbow, I wanna see Your rainbow.

[Chorus][Vamp 1:]He'll take your winter, turn it spring,summer will fall, fall into place.

[Vamp 2:]The storm has passed.The storm, this storm has passed.

[Ending:]The rainbow tells me this storm has passed.

Are You the Jordan River or the Dead Sea?

The Jordan River has sources that feed into it, but it also has outlets to distribute what has been collected.

The Dead Sea just collects the water from the Jordan River, never releasing anything out of it, causing the salt levels in the water to become deadly to marine life. Which is why there is no life on the inside of the 'Dead' sea. Hence the name, Dead Sea.

It is dangerous to your health to just collect, collect, collect, and never release. It's spiritually healthy when you are blessed to be a blessing to others...

The giving/blessing doesn't have to financial. Sometimes all it takes is a phone call, an email, a text message, an IM, a MySpace comment, a Facebook message, a 'Just thinking about you card', a short hello and a hug... Smile and wink at me when we make eye contact in public

;-).

I was flipping through my notebook and I found these notes from a sermon that my pastor taught earlier this year and then I thought about some of the people in my inner circle. And I thought about myself... And my family back in FL and here in GA. When I go home there is always at least 3 households that wanna holla: "Hey Stranger! Long time no hear from you!" Guess what, the communication line works both ways, just like the Jordan... It takes at least two. Holding a conversation with yourself gets boring and makes you look a bit unstable... You grow weary of always being the one who makes the phone calls or sends the cards at holidays, or writing letters with no return response... ahhhhh... Moving on!

I remember growing up there was a lady that only came to visit my mom when she wanted something, (it wasn't really a visit, it was like a knock on the door, do you have thanks and goodbye) we didn't have much to share but my mom always gave... My issue this situation was she only came around when she wanted something. I don't recall seeing her when my father got sick, when my mom was sick, when my sister passed... Can't recall her coming around when she didn't need to be poured into. She was 'Dead Sea' material. Since I my mom was 'Jordan River' material she always had a little to give her.

Do you have friends or family like that?

Only call or come around when they want or 'need' something, when they need to be poured into?!?!?! Of course you do, we all have those types in our lives, at least 1 person anyway.

See the thing about 'Dead Sea' material is that they will always need to be poured into.

***My Challenge to you today is this: Go through your phone's contact list, your email list, your address book... Who do you hold dear enough to reach out TODAY ~ right now?!?! Reach out to them. Even if it's just a quick, :"Hey!" Whose is your 'Dead Sea' material?!?! DELETE THEM! RIGHT NOW!

Lessons I learned from Madea

1. Half the time, the very thing you think that’s going to destroy you or ruin you is the very thing that nobody cares about.
a। REFLECTIONS: Walking around pretending to be someone you’re not. Just be honest with yourself and open the closet door and let some of those skeletons out. There are some things I just don’t want nobody to know about but me and God!

2. Everything that happens to you works together for the good, because everything you deal with in this life is for a reason and is supposed to make you a better person. If you’re sitting in a chair and you get uncomfortable, you’re going to move somewhere else.
a। REFLECTIONS: “If you want the rainbow, you gotta learn to dance in the rain!! Or better yet, always carry an umbrella. I wasn’t comfortable living at home with my parents ~ hate it~ So I left for ATL, once again I’m uncomfortable, I can’t wait til I can move again… once again ~ hate it ~

3. God can fix it but it’s got to be fixed through you. God ain’t gonna do nothing ‘til you do something. So get off your “do-nothing” and get to work. Everything starts with you.
a। REFLECTIONS: In the words of my anointed Spiritual Father, “ GET OFF YOUR DO NOTHING AND DO SOMETHING!”

4. The worst thing you can do is hold stuff in. If something is bothering don’t just sit there and hold it in. Say it. Yell it. Let it go!! It’s better you get it all out than holding on to all that stuff yourself. Deal with that emotion, on that day, at that minute at that time. That way, things don’t have a chance to build up and crazy in you.
a। REFLECTIONS: The cause of a lot of health problems is stress… I used to hold stuff in but that didn’t work out too well… Change me into whole another unhappy person. Now my philosophy is: Don’t ask me the question if you don’t wanna know the answer.

5. “Every good-bye ain’t gone, and every shut eye ain’t asleep.” You always have to pay attention to people. Don’t let them fool you. If you think they’re gone, they might still be there. And when you think they are asleep, they might still be awake, watching everything you are doing.
a। REFLECTIONS: Yeah I have trust issues with people. I trust every few people. It don’t take much for someone to betray you. My feelings have been hurt too many times because I gave the wrong my trust.

6. IF SOMEONE WANTS TO WALK OUT OF YOUR LIFE ~ LET THEM GO!! When you learn to love yourself, you will give standards to everyone around you. And if they don’t meet the standards, let ‘em go! Holding on to them could cause major damaged.
a। REFLECTIONS: OH YES!! And boy will people tell you without speaking that they want to walk out. I have experience in attempting to making them stay. Until finally I had to kicked them to the streets. Once they are gone, that’s just that, they are gone. Like Lot and his family, I refused to turn back!

7. Learn to forgive and forgive with all your might.
a. REFLECTIONS: Things are just so much betta when you aren’t carrying around unnecessary weight on your shoulders. Forgiveness doesn’t just help the other person, it helps you too!

SONG OF THE WEEK - Jennifer Hudson - Invisible

I'm sure we all have those moments when we feel invisible... like the world is looking right through us... I've been having those moments pop-up more often than not lately, mostly when I'm at home. Feeling like I have no control of the next step in my life, like someone else is pulling the strings for me.

Anyway... I love JHud and this song is beautiful! And it's about life, love, and the pursue and maintainence of a relationship. Yeah, this song is deep! (my opinion)

(Lyrics) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Seems like I’m not here
It’s like I don’t mean nothing
Like glass unclear
Almost like you can see straight through me
I got questions but no answers
So tired of being confused and I
Don’t wanna stay right here and I
Gotta find my wings and fly

Chorus
I gotta find me another way
Cause I don’t wanna stay another day
Time for a change in my mind
I’v opened my eyes I’m changing my life
And now I’m gonna live my life for me
Cause this aint how it’s supposed to be
No more standing in the back of the line
Cause I’m Invisible for the last time

Why can’t you see me
Do I really even matter
You changed me completely
And I remember how it used to be
I got question what’s the lesson
I’m tired of being confused and I’m
I’m gonna take my chance and fly
I’m taking back my life

Chorus

This can’t be it for me
This can’t be all I’m made for
And all my time wasted in this life
It’s my time to shine
No more feeling insufficient
I’m gonna make my own decisions
It don’t matter what you can or cannot see
I’m doing this for me

Chorus

Can you see me
I know you see me
No more stand in the back of the line
Cause I’m invisible for the last time

SONG OF THE WEEK: There Is A King In You

Donald Lawrence songs have a divine way of speaking to the spirit of the person listening to them. This song is off of his latest project, "The Law of Confession pt.1" If you don't have it I highly suggest getting it! The whole project speaks about your rights as a Citizen of the Kindgom of God. We are at war with the prince of the world and we all need to know and understand that the King that resides inside of all of us is more powerful than any force working against on this earth.
The Word says no weapon formed against us shall prosper,, it doesn't say that the weapon will not be formed against us... (Isaiah 54:17)
Speak greatness over your life, over your children, over your career, over church and your ministry! THERE IS A KING IN YOU!!
WE ARE ALL APART OF THE ROYAL FAMILY!
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(lyrics to the song)
You come from Royalty,
An aristocratic dynasty.
The goal of the enemy,
Is that you don't know who you are.
There's power when you speak.
Be mindful of words you release.
I know that life has challenged you,
But the King in me speaks to the King in you.
You were born to rule.
There is a King in you.
Is there no King in you,
Then why do you speak, speak with such defeat.

Is there no King in you,
Then why do you speak, speak with such low esteem.
I know life has challenged you,
But the King in me speaks to the King in you.
You were born to rule.
There is a King in you.

Butterflies on the Subway....

A butterfly on the subway... "why-come" I can never see a butterfly on the subway... flies, roaches, ants, bums, crying babies, flirting scrubs, sleeping homeless men, "The Sockman!" but no butterflies... just once I would like to see some butterflies on the subway. Just one butterfly, happily fluttering about on his merry way trying to avoid traffic like the corporate-heads that work downtown, saving money on gas and parking like the rest, or maybe riding because it's the only way he could get to his final destination.

A butterfly on the subway that would just be unreal almost straight out of a movie (You've Got Mail). Could you imagine what expressions on everyone's faces would be like if they saw a butterfly fluttering around on the subway on a day when the world was working against them... That would be one of those moments when you just be like, "WTH! LOL! There's a butterfly on the subway!"

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS - Song of the week

I'm sure that you all can agree that his faithfulness is GREAT!!
And IHEARTCECE!


Lamentations 3:21-23
21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

Song of the week - "Matthew 28"

It should be a apparent why this is the song of the week... Sunday should not have been the only day you spend this week reflecting upon the Resurrection of Christ....
And I really love this song!!

SO LONG - Song of the Week

I know it's been a while... But I'm back! I have been doing a lot of "blog-storming" and well, the winner is...
Well, this one, duh! I got a great idea while sitting here listening to my iPod. I'm going to do at least one blog a week and it will be what I am calling "The Song of the Week." Songs comin' straight from my iPod... This week's winner for the song of the week is... SO LONG by David Walker and High Praise. (If you don't have the CD, inquire by me and I will get you connected.)
I fell in love with this song the first time I heard in on his mySpace profile about 3 years ago. The message is real and relevent to us all!
Before I get into the message she gave, I have to give you my favorite part of the song:
"I told the storm SOO LOOONG and the hurt SOO LOOONG; Understand that the road may get rough; and the hills are hard to climb when the going gets tough; in time you'll find God still cares when it seems more than you can bear~; now you can say SOO LOOONG to the storm and rain; SOO LOOONG to hurt, harm and pain..."
Tell the storm SOOO LOOONNGG!
And if you doesn't look like it's moving fast enough, then learn to dance in the rain! DANCE LIKE DAVID!! DANCE MAN! (hummm... that maybe next week's song... maybe) I'm cabbage patching all through my storm - ya'll. (This is another blog... maybe later on in the week...)
There quite few songs floating in the airwaves with similar messages, but this one to me is different because of the Word that was spoken before the choir began to minister. She was speaking of the man at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-16)*...
Amongst all of the people at the pool of Bethesda... "A great multitude of folks... there was one man who stood out from the rest... The Bible says that when Jesus saw him, He knew he had been sick a long time..." Some of you, just like me, have been traveling in through your storms a long time. Pastor Juandolyn ministers to you who are in your storm, who are feeling the heaviness of your burdens, whose pain has become overwhelming, and you are at the point of quitting. What this story gives us is " when Jesus, He takes away all the hurt, all the sorrow, He gives you hope for tomorrow. For the Bible says weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. And when Jesus shows up He is your very present help in the time of trouble... You can say SOO LOOONGG to the pain, SOO LOONGG to the burdens, SOO LOOONGG to the challenges! Why? BECAUSE JESUS IS HERE!!"
I often get my inspiration from the music I have heard and the lyrics that lay on top of that music and this song and songs like it are great songs to pull inspiration from... This is part of the reason why I stop many years ago from listening to certain genres of music... Music that is empty will leave you feeling empty once the song is over... But songs filled with empowering messages fill you up and when the song is over, they don't leave you... They are there with you to rise up in you when you need them too!
Think about that the next you in riding in your car and you reach for your CD collection or you are flipping through you iPod song library or you are roaming through the 3 radio stations we have left in Atlanta (kidding)... Before you stop and settle on anything, choose wisely what you allow to enter into your spirit, because you don't want hungry again once the song goes off...
Anyway, be filled!
Tiffany

*John 5: The Healing at the pool of Bethesda (American Standard Version)
1 After these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porches.
3 In these lay a multitude of them that were sick, blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
4 for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the waters stepped in was made whole, with whatsoever disease he was holden.
5 And a certain man was there, who had been thirty and eight years in his infirmity.
6 When Jesus saw him lying, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wouldest thou be made whole?
7 The sick man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
8 Jesus saith unto him, Arise, take up thy bed, and walk.
9 And straightway the man was made whole, and took up his bed and walked. Now it was the sabbath on that day.
10 So the Jews said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath, and it is not lawful for thee to take up thy bed.
11 But he answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
12 They asked him, Who is the man that said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?
13 But he that was healed knew not who it was; for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in the place.
14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing befall thee.
15 The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him whole.
16 And for this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did these things on the sabbath.