Lord, Make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt,
faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light,
and Where there is sadness, joy. O, Divine Master, Grant that I may
not so much seek To be consoled as to console; To be understood as to understand; To be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

In the Tradition of the Teachings of St. Francis of Assisi

Sleep.
Yes I said sleep. I remember being in church one day, and a young man fell asleep. My pastor had him removed and explained he's not angry when we don't attend if we're sleepy, but when we sleep when we attend. Try to balance your day so you're not sleepy when you work. Especially you stubborn ass entrepreneurs!!!

My pastor says if you don't have a pad & pen when you're hearing from G-d, he may not speak to you. He has a point. The Bible says, "lean not on your own understanding". And if you don't write your own story, who will? Stop acting like your life is not as important as Malcom's or Harriet's and get your f*cking pen out!!! You heard?

Faith is one of the most commonly mis-used words of all time. The true meaning of faith is to jump and know you'll be caught. Any, and I mean any, apprehension means a lack of faith. The willingness to see the end of a thing in a positive light regardless of the present circumstance.
There are challenges. You may be facing some of your hardest at this very moment. The outcome depends on your outlook.

This weekend in NY we had a pretty heavy snow storm, which for me meant quite a bit of reading. I'm reading this book that (God bless this guy) tries to intellectually explain the bible. There is a deep danger in trying to grasp Spirit with mind power,
1 Cor. 1:14. An easy way to recognize this is by what we label intuition, and premonition. When we know something spiritually (in our gut) , we act we don't try to explain.
I'm not saying to abandon your books, I'd never say that. Just be careful. There are tons of false teaching out there, especially now that the internet is in place. But your greatest teacher will always be what the bible calls the "Still Small Voice".

Ps46:.10,11 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

The ancients have a philosophy of "non-attachment" that at least deserves some consideration. It seems that we, in a world of fast cars and moving billboards, want to get more attached to things daily. The chant of "I want" is one of frequent use in most of our lives. Is it not strange that the same car, cell phone, or television we wanted a year or two ago now irks our very nerves? I'm not implying we don't need things, I am saying attachment to anything other than things of the spirit eventually lead to dissapointment. Pick up your bible.

I'm often heard saying the only illusion in the known universe is man (the species, not the gender) thinks he can in some way seperate from his creator, God. I describe it as a young child in a room with a closed door, thinking her parent is not in the house. How she rants, and cries, and bellows thinking of an absent parent. Only to find out by opening the closed door, her parent never left.
There is no spot that God is not. Never allow your circumstance or surroundings to trick you into thinking God is an absent parent. He will never leave you or forsake you. Open the door and stop crying.

Exactly what happens when we fall out of our "spiritual" character? I believe if we are trult striving to be Godly, we feel guilty. That, is the miracle of Godliness! The ability to re-examine, re-emotionalize, and correct. It hurts to lash out at someone and then wanna take it back. Wrong decisions hurt. However, broken hearts He can mend, shattered dreams... He'll put 'em back together again.

Amazing what God will do when we give him space to move in our lives. The gospel group I manage did a show last night in a venue that had NOTHING to do with gospel. At the shows conclusion, the audience were literally frozen. I have never seen a reaction to a performance like that in my life. It was as if God wanted it to be understood there was no king above he. This was a new meaning of Holy Ghost Power for all of us. I am so honored to be blessed by God in this way. I'm happy He chose me for a time such as this. We're all His vessel, just a matter of what incubates. And sometimes, we need a cleaning.

See the beginning from the end. Sometimes, I should say Godtimes, visualizing how you want something to turn out is the way to make sure it does. God surely sees the ending first, that's how he can make us so many promises that are all yea and amen. He knows that when he speaks, it is. Now let me ask you a question, what do you think likeness and image means? We surely don't look like God. I'll give you the answer, it means speaking. We are the only creature outside of our creator that can call things into existence. So start today. Say how you want a thing to end, and begin.

This is the Day, this is the day, that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made. I will rejoice, I will rejoice, and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
We sang that song yesterday in service, so rewarding and fitting. I'm glad God gives us new days and new mercies. It truly means that we have the uncanny ability to start anew everyday.
How wonderful.

Press on toward the mark. This thought continually rings in my head. In the context of a full life, there's so much to be done. Sometimes we become weary and drawn. It's important to remember to press, no matter what. The hardest time to press for me seems to be right after a victory. We won!!! We get lax and front. Don't!!! Press on toward the mark.

The earth is the Lord's, and all that is contained within. I thank you YHWH for your ownership over me and my common-ness. You always seem to make a way out of no way, and I'm so grateful you come through, every time. As I press toward the mark, I call into existence those things that make me live a complete and whole life. I trust you Lord, with every drop of my sweat, with every cry of my soul. You will keep me. You will deliver me. Because I know your name and have a personal relationship with you, I expect your loving-kindness. (that's good)Because I know your name and have a personal relationship with you, I expect your loving-kindness.
Take my hand Lord. Lead me in the way I should go.Jesus, I give you my life, I make you my Lord.
Amen

This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. Today, I'll probably talk about the same thing in all three of my blog posts, because as of yesterday, after over 2 years, God provided me with a job. I'm so grateful, and its crystal clear that it was Him and not me.
At the top of this year, I made a promise to myself to do what I know spiritually to be true, and rewarding. Tithes are one. Prayer, really a "prayer-life" is another one, a BIG one. I was always taught that prayer is a two-way conversation. Learning to hear God is mans greatest asset. He'll lead, but we have to follow. That, is why I'm working now and haven't been working for over two years. Prayer:
Dear God, help us to be mindful that all bounty comes from you. Let us never tarry to do what you ask of us, for our own sakes. We thank you for the shedding of blood, and the forgiveness of sins. We love you. We adore you. Thank you for delivery,
In Jesus name,
Amen.

Speaking of never leaving and foresaking, I'm still there. It takes bravery and courage to believe the promises of God with NO doubt. We know the scripture says God is not a man that he should be mocked, but I don't think we actually get it. Somehow, even us "faith" people get caught in doubt by terming it "reality", when in reality, its no more a reality than our faith. A good friend and I had a conversation last night equating satan with bad attitude. Speaking of that word, who, pretell determined to capitalize the name of the devil?

Such a liberating thought when the Apostle Paul says that "God is faithful". It means he'll stick by what he says no matter what. Today, I am believing that God will never leave me or forsake me, as is said in his Word. Amen.

Sundays are beautiful. I'm sure Fridays for Muslims ans Saturdays for Jews are as well. The mere presence of church and the re-connecrtion with Spirit is powerful, and, empowering. The trick of course (and yes, I did use that word), is to keep it going week-thru. My pastor always says to us if we cannot duplicate at home what we do in church its a moot point. Be blessed!

Faith is a funny element. Its something you have to do for yourself, or you won't believe in it fully. When people or places around you are doubtful, that is the absolute best time to see your faith in action. Don't allow circumstance of any kind to dampen your faith or its outlook.

Good morning Holy Spirit. Please order my steps on this day the Lord has made. Allow me to not slip, or be made to fall, and project my vision beyond my circumstance. You know my needs! Your word says you will be my present help in the time of trouble. Answer me Lord. I need you now, to me it seems like more than ever before, but you know what I mean.

Amen

So I decided that there's too much to the spiritual side of me not to write about it. My pastor is always on us about writing down the vision, and I intend through this blog to do some of that and more. Each day you give God the glory, you can expect something good to happen. If I were to tell you of the supposed woes on my plate right now, it would seem very close to high-level panic material. The depths of worldly concern and worry can knock you for a loop without a tried spiritual base. This is not the place where I debate religious issue, so expect that kinda phrasing from me. I have discovered that some sort of morning ritual (prayer, meditation, etc.) can truly improve what we label "bad days". In the same way the news promotes doubt (note:NO 11'oclock news before bed!) we can promote hope. Things will work out if you believe they can. If you don't, find a way to. See yall tomorrow.