HAPPY GIRLS are THE PRETTIEST GIRLS

We are told that there will be sadness, hurt, disappointments, pain and missed opportunities on this side of glory.  We are admonished that trials and tribulations abound. Yet, God promises that we unlike non-believers will (over time) be given the mind of GOD so that we cannot only withstand these blows but that we can also smile and dance.  

HOW?  It seems unfathomable that we can be transformed in such a way as to rejoice in the face of defeat.  But, my darling- this is a promise from GOD. It is TRUTH.  

When you are confronted with a sleepless night- fraught with images of past failures - you do have a defense.  You can comfort yourself with this promise.  You can remind yourself and God of this promise.  You can ask GOD for the thoughts to dissipate, for the pain to go away.  

Step 1:

Let Go of your will.  Recognize that your desires, wants and longings must align with God’s will for you.  When your will aligns with God’s will, you are living in the SPIRIT (able to access all of God’s perfect gifts).  You are thriving.  You are HAPPY.  It is imperative to remember that GOD is Perfect.  His Will is Perfect.  His Plans for you are Perfect.  You can ABSOLUTELY trust GOD’s will.  God is protecting you and ALL IS WELL.

Step 2:

Be Sure of God’s POWER.  God, the only living God is POWERFUL.  He cannot fail. He can only do the impossible.  Remember His past miracles in your life and the lives of those around you.  Remind yourself and then TELL God!  Let GOD know that you know that HE is POWERFUL. 

Step 3:

Leave all with GOD.  Leave the pain, confusion, disappointment, hurt feelings, anger, betrayal with GOD.  Leave the big decisions, your desires, wants and longings for the future with GOD.  Leave your projects, work, home, etc. with GOD.  Recognize that you cannot see the future- so how would you know which way is best without GOD’s help?  GOD alone has the best vantage point to chart a course.  He knows all the angles.

HAPPINESS COMES FROM TOTAL RELIANCE ON GOD.  YOU CAN BE HAPPY KNOWING THAT GOD IS WORKING IT ALL OUT.

Now go forward, butterfly- boldy, joyfully, lovingly.  

God is Good.  He only does good things.  

God is Love.  He is kind and performs acts of kindness for his children.

God is Perfect.  His ways are perfect and you can absolutely trust HIS plan for you.

EMPIRE BUILDING

Fox knows a hit when they see one.  Turns out that after the second episode of EMPIRE, the Fox network has renewed their contract for an additional 2 seasons.  WOAH.  

EMPIRE is a glossy tale of a black hip hop family whose empire, though immense, was initially funded by $400,000 in drug money.  The production is cinematic.  The music by Timbaland is exceptional. The sets are opulent featuring Picasso art work and a myriad of hip hop, jazz and blues iconography.  Plus, the women featured are beautiful, styled to perfection and far from cookie cutter stereotypes. Still the story line to me reads like a cautionary tale.  Each one of the main characters has an agenda and spends a great deal of time scheming and manipulating facts and individuals in order to gain an advantage.  In one key scene in episode 4, Naomi Campbell (who plays, Camilla, a designer and (cougar) girlfriend of youngest son, Hakeem) advises her boyfriend that he can sharpen his skillset by studying the 48 Laws of Power written by Robert Greene.

There are many ways to get ahead in this world.  Empire showcases a tried and true methodology that may work for a season (or even 3 seasons on Fox).  But there is another approach.   The word of God also proscribes a set of rules that will likewise bring success.  I have found that simply asking God for guidance and direction, waiting for His answer and then acting when directed is not only viable but guarantees peace and success; health and prosperity.  

Man’s manipulations are no match for God’s omnipotence.  If you, like the character, Hakeem, want to 1) develop a spirit of discernment, 2) know what step to take and when it's best to take it; 3) gain courage to stay on your path despite naysayers; and 4) increase your capacity to keep moving despite setbacks DO NOT automatically reach for one of the world’s elixirs.  I find that they never produce lasting results.  

Build your Empire with Truth, darling.  It will last longer.

GOD ENERGY!

Back in 2013, I was in a car accident that rendered me speechless and motionless for a while.  The accident itself was traumatic and painful and scary.  The recover was slow.  But through the 123 days of my convalescence, I learned some wonderful things about the power of the Holy Spirit to revive, renew, recharge and heal.

We already know that GOD is GOOD (there is only goodness in HIM); GOD is GREAT (HE only does great things); GOD is PERFECT (there is no imperfection in HIM).

God is also LOVE.  This means HE takes a special interest in each of his children.  God delights in giving us presents.  At creation, we were each given a series of perfect gifts: perfect love, perfect understanding perfect peace, perfect health.  But, in order to actually access these gifts, to be able to actually open them up, we have to access the Holy Spirit.

This is the most fascinating party.  We recall the words of Jesus found in John 14:6.

And I will pray the Father, and he wall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

The Comforter that Jesus speaks of is the Holy Spirit sent to dwell in us to provide us with all we need to be our most perfect / healthy / happy / beautiful selves.

The Holy Spirit is really the light of God...it is GOD ENERGY that is in each of us.  WOAH!

What do I mean by GOD ENERGY??

Remember back in science class, we learned that all matter, even human beings are manx of spinning atoms of energy.  This energy is really light energy.  When a person's light is at it peak or at its best, the person radiates perfect health, perfect joy...

The world is beginning to develop its own ways to jump start and revive the Spirit energy in all of use.  Consider the newest acne remedies by Illumask that actually treats and prevents blackheads with daily 20 minute doses of red and blue light.

Isn't it terrific that as Chriatians, we can recharge our energy levels through contact with the Holy Spirit?  We don't need light acupuncture or a mask.  Instead, we need only draw down on the Power of the Holy Spirit that God freely gave to us at birth,

The Holy Spirit enables us to access all the gifts that God has given us.  When we are living in the Sprit, our internal light shines very bright and our aura is a magnificent BLUE color.  When we are in the Spirit, we, like Jesus have supernatural powers, e.g.,

1. Discernment: A perfect vision for our lives
2. Capacity: Perfect courage, no fear or timidity in the face of difficulties
3. Reception: Perfect heart to heart communication with the Father
4. Judgement: Craving only those things that are sanctioned by God
5. Love: An ability to be extend kindness even when it is not deserved
6. Intuition: Knowing right from wrong and conceding to the "right'
7. Telepathy: An ability to transmit our thoughts, desires, prayers, and praise directly to our God
8. Health: Perfect health that we can access anytime we want by living in the Spirit

Basicaly, when we live in the Spirit we can access the Upper Room, we become more like Jesus and we can do all things.

So how do we build up our Spirit energy?  How do we access the Holy Spirit?

Simply & Consistently:

• study the word
• reflect on God's goodness
• pray constantly
• carve out quiet time to commune with God
• be loving and extend random acts of kindness to others

We must cultivate a practice of BEING STILL to revive, renew and recharge our GOD ENERGY.  This is essential.

When we are calm and living in the SPIRIT.  We are operating in the image of GOD.  We radiate light from within.  Over time, we become like Jesus, BLESSED, BEAUTIFUL, FLY.

Lollipops and Roses

This life is full of lollipops and roses; love and laughter. Experiences come. Some are good, some are bad, some are dull and some are fabulous. Some experiences hurt. But regardless, we must march steadily through each one of life’s happenings with joy. WHY? Its all a learning process, really.

Our pathways even the most uncomfortable ones are sanctioned by God. “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). If we belong to God, our pathways and our decisions are sanctioned by God. It doesn’t really matter if you don’t excel as you go through each trial so long as you go through with faith, with a smile, with a desire to learn. NO FEAR.

This week, I will endeavor to skip through my day with more lollipops and more roses. I promise, darlings!

Now Which Way?

Major decisions require specific prayers. Every now and again each us of will come across game changers: those people, places and things that shift our focus for better or for worse. Our challenge, as Christians, is to encounter obstacles, triumphs, loss, pain and to respond wisely with temperance and joy.

HOW?

We are aware that living in this world can dull our spiritual senses. We are not yet with Jesus so we do not see ALL. Instead, we see through a glass darkly. We do not have all the facts. It is imperative, therefore, that we lean on our spiritual guide, the Holy Spirit to enable us to make good decisions.

James believes that we can triumph here on Earth. But, we must pray for God’s WISDOM. Wisdom for me means knowledge of God’s will and the courage and fortitude to follow God’s directives- come what may.

"...If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting)..." - James 1: 5-6a

The path is clear, darlings. We have nothing to fear. We can make good decisions and we can stick to them, with God’s help! HOORAY.

Rose Colored Glasses Are Essential

I believe Rose Colored Glasses are ESSENTIAL for survival here on earth. They can enable you to roar with laughter despite being surrounded by chaos, malice and discomfort. Your mood does not have to alter everytime your environment shifts.

I choose to see the world differently, with God's help.

I wrote this song some months ago. It's called, "Rose Colored Glasses."

Let me know what you think....

ROSE COLORED GLASSES

Lyrics by Mariessa Terrell

Music (Guitar) by James Terrell

copyright June 2009

All Rights Reserved

Sometimes its OK to be a Jackass!

Have you ever tried and tried and tried to make something work to no avail?

There are many times when despite our strategizing and multiple attempts, we can not transition out of a situation into a new one.

Instead of becoming hysterical, somber or resigned, try to remember that GOD has a plan for you. Now, let God's plan unfold.

Jeremiah: 29:11

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

God knows what HE is doing. Let HIM do it.

Do you remember the story of Balaam? Balaam asked God what do about the Moabites. God instructed him NOT to go with them.

Balaam asked God a second time. God is angry now and says, okay GO.

Balamm then rides his donkey to reach the Moabites. During the journey, the donkey begins to act peculiar. Despite being prodded and beaten by Balaam, the donkey refuses to budge. Balaam is furious. Then all at once the donkey speaks..... It turns out that the donkey saw an angel of God (sword in hand) standing in the roadway. The donkey actually saved Balaam's life.

The lesson: Sometimes it is a good idea to be a donkey and to STOP and WAIT right where you are.

If you are unable to transcend out of your situation, perhaps it is because GOD is blocking your progress.... In this instance, the roadblock is actually a blessing! Curious. And fabulous.

NUMBERS 22: 21-35

21 Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the Moabite officials. 22 But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, it turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat it to get it back on the road.

24 Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path through the vineyards, with walls on both sides. 25 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, it pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. So he beat the donkey again.

26 Then the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. 27 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, it lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat it with his staff. 28 Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?”

29 Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.”

30 The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?”

“No,” he said.

31 Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.

32 The angel of the LORD asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me.[a] 33 The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it.”

34 Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back.”

35 The angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with Balak’s officials.