Yesterday I attended an awards ceremony at a local high school for the son of a dear friend. I was proud to see him make the honor roll again in his senior year as he has so much of his school experience; in short a very bright kid. I was also proud to see over 400 students at this one institution that were also honored. It made me feel our future is secure with that many young minds already striving to excel. The thing that stood out the most to me was the names of a few as they called them to receive their certificate of achievement, Journey, Justice, Noble, Legend, Treasure, Unique, and Essence. Not that the other names had no significance but these held a message to them and whoever hears their name, Life is a journey, hopefully that we will treasure. We are here not just to take up space or work to live or worse, live to work. We are here to find the very essence of live's purpose, which I think really is LOVE! I want my life to make a difference, for it to be a noble pursuit that betters others lives and brings justice where there is injustice. Everyone's life is unique, we all have a different audience to speak to and live our lives before. I have spent most of my life helping people, but behind the scenes I also have spent too much of my life alone and longing to be loved by someone who loved me for me. The rest of my life I want to spend loving others for who they are. That would be my greatest achievement. Don't need any honors for it, I just feel that's the best way to live.

I wanted to re-post this, it was one of the last things I posted on the original blog and with all the unrest going on and the death of some notable public figures, I felt life is too short and at times happiness too fleeting to not give peace and kindness and most of all love a chance!!! 

"IMAGINE"

Imagine there's no Heaven

It's easy if you try

No hell below us

Above us only sky

Imagine all the people

Living for today



Imagine there's no countries

It isn't hard to do

Nothing to kill or die for

And no religion too

Imagine all the people

Living life in peace



You may say that I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will be as one



Imagine no possessions

I wonder if you can

No need for greed or hunger

A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people

Sharing all the world



You may say that I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will be as one



by John Lennon 

I've always loved Peter Maxx. I even had a pair of jeans when I was in school that Wrangler made with a Peter Maxx design. The departure from the norm, the psychedelic images that evoke a feeling of dreaming is wonderful. To look at a picture, be removed in your mind to somewhere else yet never leave the room, now that’s a gift. Whether in space or the sea floating in a yellow submarine, the idea was to envision yourself somewhere else. Dreams and visions can change things or at least give us the ability to by how we view it; our perception. I am learning I can not only change my present and future by the way I see it and the words I speak over it, but I can change the past by how I perceive it. That’s some powerful stuff. I give it power to change me or I take power to change it by my perception and words. We do create as we speak even as God did/does. So the word, “Abracadabra” meaning, “I create as I speak” was something divine that was borrowed and somewhat corrupted by Hollywood.

My past was a teaching tool. My present is a daily discovery of my destiny. My future is an awesome place of peace and purpose and love, living the dream God and I create with our words and perceptions.

Wow!!! I’m excited. 

James Brown may have coined this phrase meaning something totally different than the way I have also heard it used, to mean simply, get up, stop feeling sorry for yourself, you're breathing so even if things seem hard, they can change. When stuff goes wrong or at least doesn't go as we had thought or planned, the best thing we can do is recognize it maybe a blessing in disguise. It appears sometimes we are programmed to think we failed or not worthy of success or blessing or happiness, to which I say, "BULL"! If our behavior were criteria, I'm sure at some point none of us are "Worthy", but then again why not? Did God make a mistake? Is His gift of grace not valid or powerful enough to overcome your or my weakness or humanity? I think not. Remember, God treats all of us the same. If you see someone blessed don't envy them, be thankful that He is no respecter of one person over another, if He blessed them, He can bless you also.

Blessing comes when we least expect it, when we let go of the past and forgive; when we are kind, humble and thankful. If you're struggling today, do a little soul-searching, then, GET ON UP!

Opportunity comes in many forms and at unusual and most times unexpected times. One of the synonyms of opportunity is the word fortuitous which is where the ideas of fortune or chance and even destiny come from. Also, the word fortune contains the same root as the word fortitude, meaning strength or patience. It's no coincidence that destiny can find us many times when fortune has taken a turn to something that may resemble misfortune but may actually be opportunity in disguise.

Thomas Edison, one of the greatest inventors of all time, made approximately 300 attempts before he came up with a incandescent bulb that worked efficiently. When asked about all his efforts before coming up with the one that lead to today's light bulb, he said something like he'd found 299 ways not to do it.

The thing to learn here, at least for me, that opportunity may just be around the corner. We need to persevere on our journey, because the next attempt at something could be the answer to something we hoped to accomplish over there where we were before, but couldn't. Or maybe that door was closed so we could get over here where we'd try one more time and win. Be patient, you can do it, opportunity may be at the next exit.

Happy 4th of July!!!

I am a seeker of Truth, a student of Life, a learner of Love.

Not unlike Mary of Bethany who would sit for hours listening to her Lord.

But, there is that point where we need to take what we have gleaned

And take it to the streets.

When considering where my journey has brought me from and to,

And the freedom in my heart, mind and spirit

I have today that I did not have 5, 10 or definitely not 20 years ago.

Even what I thought was freedom in those days was not. 

I was living someone else's borrowed theology of what they thought I should be and do,

Not knowing or thinking for myself what path was right for me.

Call me the one who marches to the beat of a different drum 

I'm fine with that, because it is a drum of freedom, true freedom.

To think, to feel, to love, to give and forgive and no longer walk in fear 

Of a man, a devil, or a hell. 

If your belief or "ism" isn't sustaining you or making you better, making you free,

and if it cannot be imparted to someone else

Perhaps you need to re-examine what you believe and who or what you are really following.

The Truth will make you Free Indeed!

http://www.fireworkspop.com/liberty.htm 

"Who is my Mother and Brother?" Christ asked and answered, "Whoever does the will of God, they are my Mother and Brother." (Matthew 12:48-50; Mark 3:33-35) We are told repeatedly through Scripture to walk humbly and remember the poor, the widow and the orphan. If we study history we see that a huge part of the reasoning behind the judgement that came on the children of Israel throughout the Old Testament was their failing to do this. It is so important to God He included them to sit down and eat with and partake from the tithe with the Levites. (Deuteronomy 14:22-29; 26:12-13) OMG!!! He really cares about those in need. I have found out in my own times of need who my brothers and sisters were. Sadly, sometimes our own blood family doesn't get who we are or chooses to remember old junk that is not a part of who we are or what we personally are called to do with our lives.

I thought too about Joshua and Caleb who were sent with others to spy out the land God promised them. The children of Israel were already told there were some obstacles to overcome, but all the other spies saw nothing but bad, while Joshua and Caleb saw all the possibilities. They knew there were giants in the land and things that in their finite minds seemed impossible, but they knew with God, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

Today I urge you to remember that Mercy is the Message and Love is the Language! Remember those in need, and walk and keep company with Joshua and Caleb type people who focus on possibilities and good stuff not negatives. "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (Genesis 18:14) Of course not.

Religion has made people impotent instead of empowering them. Love frees! Christ told us to go do greater things than He did, yet most of the people who say they are His followers are pew warming or trying to make everyone cookie cutter copies of what they think righteousness ought to look like. We forget its the heart God looks at not the outward appearance. Religion has made people fearful and afraid they cannot police themselves because they are too evil. Instead of recognizing God has made them righteous through Christ sacrifice. Shalt nots don't make people holy, they are merely like telling a kid "no". Immediately they are looking for a way to do what they have been told not to and get away with it.

Religion also tends to tell people there are no do-overs. I disagree. God told us His mercies are new every morning. We're given countless opportunities any given day to re-think or re-consider our words, actions, thoughts and overall choices. Granted once we've acted on something, its out there with potential repercussions, but there is also that wonderful thing called GRACE that helps us to redeem, restore, repair or repent (change our mind), thus making future actions look far more favorable. Now if we can just work on that every day for every area of our lives, it really will make the journey an adventure not a chore.

This image as well as the background of the blog page remind me that daily we co-labor with God to bring to pass our hopes and dreams and His plan. We are told in Psalm 37 that if we delight ourselves in the Lord and trust in Him, He will give us the desires of our heart. Let me qualify that. I think Proverbs 16:3 in the Amplified Translation says it more clearly: "Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed."

The thing to remember is ultimately all our heartfelt dreams and desires come from God. We may push and pull and try to make God do things our way or think things could happen differently or faster than they do sometimes, but He does see the end from the beginning. If we push, we may get what we want and pay the price for Him to fix it. I have done that; jumped in with both feet in total abandon and dearly paid while He worked it all together for my good.

We think godly things are like going to the mission field. They can be, and if you are called to be a missionary, you won't be happy anywhere else but where you're called. For most of us our mission field maybe in our own neighborhood or even our home. They are not heathen! They just may not know yet they are loved and special in God's eyes. That's what we are are all truly called to do, to be a light where we are, and let ALL people know God loves them as they are; as He made them. If they have any changing to do, that's up to Him to show them and help them with.

God and I have a part to play, a piece of the puzzle, that free will that He gave us to help decide our path. We all have a part to the overall Big Picture, the part of the puzzle that is uniquely ours alone; our fingerprint.

Play your part well today. Love God today, because He always loves you, and love everyone you meet, not just the nice and easy ones. We all have hopes and dreams, and there may be someone's who have been dashed by harsh words. You can restore those dreams by reminding them they are still there. Hope goes a long way. That's what it's about, playing your part and restoring hope in someone else so they can  play theirs. The finished product is sure to be a beautiful picture we all co-created together with God.

A question we need to revisit is this? In ancient times tribes looked out for one another, hence the phrase, "It Takes a Village". This was taken from the story of two African children who were orphaned and in the commotion separated. When the older sister was able to begin searching for her sibling she found he was being cared for in another part of the village, just as she was being cared for in the part of the village where she had been taken.

This is a lovely story but in our transient and sometimes volatile times our neighbors may change overnight and even worse, we may not know or trust them. As children of the Creator, whatever you call Him, it would behoove us to think again. The people who were very present in my life 20 years ago, even 10 years and surprisingly 5 years ago has drastically changed. People I felt vitally attached to, saw often or spent countless hours laughing, talking, in one another's homes has changed. Who is my neighbor?

When I fell on hard times and didn't know where to turn, the people who helped me and took me in were my neighbor. There are many kind, moral people out there. We may not live or believe exactly as they do, but that's okay. They are our neighbor and dare I draw from an old Sly and the Family Stone song, "Everyday People", to stop looking for the things that make us different and look for the things we agree on. All people want the same basic things, those supposed "Inalienable Rights" to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

I won't stop your pursuit if you don't stop mine, and who knows someday you may need to know who is your neighbor.....and I'll be here.

I'm reminded of a statement my mother often used, I don't think it was original but it is so true: "God don't make no junk!" Whatever some may think, I tend to believe each of us as unique and diverse our appearance and gifts were created by the beautiful, creative mind of all, God. It's no mistake you are here! No matter what you've been through or are even going through,  you have made it and will continue because He has a hold of your hand. Your life has a purpose or you wouldn't be here.

If you don't know your purpose yet, hold on. Many times our purpose is made clear by the things we are passionate about, often purpose is revealed through pain. There are great examples of wonderful people with great purpose who endured much pain to find it. I can think of some dear friends, teachers and mentors that spoke to my potential in some of the darkest times of my life. If it were not for those words to keep pressing on, I can't tell you where I would be. So, I give you those same words of hope. Your greatest days are just ahead, hold on, keep your chin up and remember you are loved and valued greatly.  

I love the phoenix, an amazing mythological figure that garnered the strength, rising from the ashes when everyone thought it was dead and gone. I feel much like that. There have been more times than I care to say I have felt defeated by life, by love, by unrealized dreams, and possibly by unrealistic expectations. We tend to believe that others can and will give, do and be as we are. Not so. Truly, some are not capable, others not willing, and  ultimately we are each our own, if I may use a slight pun; our own rare birds. We don't need to be and do everything as others do, uniqueness is a lovely thing!

This symbol became prophetic for me just over 6 years ago when some major changes started in my life that I did not deal with well, and as a result started a catastrophic turn of events in my life that left me broke, broken, homeless and alone.Our actions and reactions make all the difference as to how long we stay down if life knocks us down, and if we get back up. Stop being a victim! Stop blaming others! We can be our own worst enemy by wallowing.

Life can mess you over sometimes. We have a choice to recoil, strike back become faithless, lazy, discouraged and bitter or we can rise up like the Phoenix. It is time to take inventory and responsibility for our own part in how we may have come to sit in those ashes. It is also time to stop playing the blame game, it really doesn't matter, what matters is if we stay in those ashes or rise. I myself have chosen to rise.

We are each called to greatness in our own arena, whether large or small, and we must get to it, there our people out there who need us.

I have decided today I want a second childhood; not the part of it that was hard, the gay kid, the new kid, the red haired, freckle faced kid, the chubby kid, but the dreamer, the one that forgave easy and loved hard. I'm still in here, there are just walls that most people don't see or bother to.

I don't want to be like any of the patriarchs or disciples. Like King Saul, who was so concerned about public opinion that he compromised, and lied, and disobeyed, then tried several times to kill God's anointed, David out of jealousy.

Like Thomas who ate, lived and walked with Christ for 3 1/2 of His earth-life hearing His promises to destroy the temple (of His body) and rebuild it in three days, seeing His humanity and divinity. Handling those loaves and fishes as they were handed out and literally witnessing them being multiplied before His eyes. Blind eyes opened, lame healed, people freed from torment, Lazarus raised, the Widow of Nain's son raised, Jarius' daughter raised, and yet when Christ Himself appears to the disciples after His Resurrection, albeit in a glorified body, Thomas questions. He must touch the nail pierced hands. He must put his hand in the side that was pierced with a sword.

Perhaps I don't give him enough credit, you don't just want to bow down and worship anyone in that environment, it could get you killed. I think I would have been more like Mary, who seeing Him in the garden just after he stepped from the tomb, when she knew it was Him wanted to cling to His feet.

I don't want to be like Paul, even though he started many of the early churches and wrote most of the New Testament. He was a man that  was very tied to his tradition, very tied to the teachings of Moses, even though clearly many truths were revealed to him by the Holy Spirit as he penned those books. His own training many times questioned his revelation. The conflict between the two was evident.

I want to be that gay kid, the new, awkward kid, the more grey with strands of strawberry blonde haired, freckled, still a little thick in the middle kid. The kid with the PF Flyers, that could run faster and jump higher. The dreamer, who forgives easy and loves hard, whose not afraid to trust and believe that God can use me now.

I've been in ministry for nearly 40 years. Taught Children's Church for about 15 years. Taught Summer Adventures (VBS) at Project Communities in Hammond and Gary, Indiana for 5 years. Taught Senior Citizen Bible Studies for about 10 years. Sang solos and with a choir for about 35. Worked with and ministered to Women's Ministries in churches and with Aglow International for about 17 years. Fed needy families for about 7 years in the Chicago suburbs and now over 6 years in the Atlanta suburbs.

I'm a writer, a poet, a teacher, a prophet (not saying that to blow myself up), just part of my gift passed on by God and my mother. But I've been so silent for a few years, what did Jeremiah say? "His Word was in me like a burning fire, shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay".

I am alive for this purpose. I must write, I must speak, I must love!

Light reveals Truth, it humbles & strips away falsehood, slays us on our own Damascus Road & raises us again.

If / as we behold / look for God, we will see circumstances minimize and become easier knowing He's in control & its ALL good! He sees us as we are yet daily reminds us as He peers through His Rose Colored Glasses it's Finished, He loves us & all we need do is receive & accept it.

There is a treasure hid in this day - look for it, listen for it, be prepared & thankful - Get Ready!

I have a front row seat to see what God will do on my behalf, because He is with me and has promised to never leave me or forsake me.

"Faith is a bird that loves to perch on scarecrows. All our fears are unfounded." Scarecrows are merely as advertisement. Scarecrows try to keep us from life and obedience and blessing.

When I read this anonymous quote a while back, I thought how true it is. Some many things and people will try to get us off track, and often we are our own dis-tractors, by being too concerned with how we are perceived. Ultimately, the only one we need to please is God, and the only thing we need be concerned (not fear) is making bad choices that may disappoint Him, ourselves or our loved ones. God always loves us, has paid for every sin we have or may commit, all we need do is accept and believe that fact and try to do better on our journey than the day before.

Be quick to ask forgiveness, quick to forgive others and move on.

Good News is all about LOVE, period! Anything or one who says they are followers of Christ, the Real Jesus (Messiah), who lived, loved, suffered, died, resurrected the third day and ascended into Heaven, and they are not preaching LOVE, has not met Him. LOVE is the GOSPEL. Jesus died for ALL! It is FINISHED! Meaning Judgment, because He bore it ALL for ALL!

Because He loved us first, we want to love and serve Him and mankind. Love is easier than hate but truly its the only way to live and be happy.

As long as I can remember I have love Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang. Watched all the specials: The Great Pumpkin, A Charlie Brown Christmas, you name it. I still think a little wispy evergreen is a beautiful thing. When I was in Junior High or Middle School as they call it now my close circle of friends all had Peanuts nicknames. I was Charlie Brown.

The things I recall about the Charlie Brown character were his loyalty to friends, his good heart, his love for his dog (Snoopy) and his always trying to do better, though often falling prey to inability to decide or an apparent issue with fear of failure and fear of rejection. I guess that would identify me pretty closely at least the majority of my life.

There is a freedom that comes both with age and loss. The illusions are gone. I know who I am and the good part of Charlie Brown remains intact. I am quicker now to draw boundaries and not let the Lucy Van Pelts of the world run over me or diminish me. I am not inept, I am, however, cautious and optimistic that good is on the way and it has my name written all over it. No more Good Grief! or ARH! It's a new day and I'm ready for whatever God has for me. 

I think it's finally Spring. At least we've had more warm days than cold lately and none below freezing in about a week. Things are blooming - Yea!!!

What is it about Spring and the "urge to merge" for lack of a better phrase. Something in the human psyche cries for connection with another person. I'm ready for NEW or shall I say change. The pain of the past has melted away too. Its time to live and bloom and enjoy my life all over again.

Waiting to see what and who God has in store for me. Excited in fact. Yea!!! It's Spring!

  New Year New Day Twice Blessed 2014!