Are You Ready for the new year?

"Its a new season its a new day". Wow, I cant believe that in less than 6 hours we will be ringing in the new year, and its a time for celebration! I can already hear the fireworks popping outside my window. God has really blessed me this year; beyond my wildest imaginations. I finished an entire year of college, and my relationship with Him is stronger than ever. With a new year comes new experiences and greater trials and tests lie ahead of us. Many will make resolutions that will not be kept. To exercise more and eat healthier, the list goes on and on. I think that what many people fail to realize is that we don't have to wait for the turning of the calendar to do something new and different with our lives. The first step to a new and better you is simply surrendering your life to Jesus and allowing him to be your Lord and Savior. Forget about your past mistakes and regrets. God does not care about the many skeletons that are hanging in your closet. All he wants is you! "Therefore if any man be in Christ He is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold all things are become new" 2 Corinthians 5: 17. It doesn't matter to God whether you give your life to Him on January 1 or on May 22. Just don't wait until its too late!The point is to seek Him while he may be found, and to take each day that we are blessed to wake up, as another opportunity to get it right with Him. Once you accept Christ, the transformation has begun, and it will last a lifetime.

Happy New Year!

AJ

Not My Will Lord, But thy Will be Done

..........Its easy to say that where ever the Lord leads us to go that we will follow Him there; but what if that means doing something that we might not want to do. The reason I bring up the topic is because I have been seeking God for guidance in my major and career. I am currently a biology major studying to become a doctor. I thought I wanted to become a doctor since I was in grade school. He has blessed me with the intelligence, and I just always thought that this is what He wanted me to do. I was sure of it until this last semester, when it became really difficult for me to study and I lost the passion that I thought I once had. So I decided that during this winter break that I would take the time to really seek God about my career. It made me strongly question whether or not a doctor was what I was going to be. I have been wrestling with my purpose on this earth for quite a while. It was literally tearing me apart. During my meditation I thought that I heard God say that I was supposed to be an English major. A what?! Yes that's exactly what I thought. Its funny how I kept asking him what he wanted me to be in life; but I really don't think that I wanted to hear his answer. I wanted him to tell me that I was going to become a surgeon. The best cardio-thoracic surgeon to ever grace the world's stage. But he didn't and he still hasn't. Being an English major was the last thing that I wanted to hear. I keep thinking about being a disappointment to by family. I know that they are all rooting for me to become their doctor. I want to run away from it, but in my head and heart I know that I have to keep saying "not my will Lord but thy will be done." I Keep thinking about Jesus and how we asked that the cup of crucifixion be passed from him, but then he quickly snapped out of it and said not my will father but thy will be done. He knew that He had greater purpose to fulfill, and that that purpose could not be limited by his own discomfort. Not my will Lord but thy will be done.

Sincerely,

AJ

cAn U unscramble this Word???

So, me and my sisters just spent around 30 minutes trying to unscramble this word AMSWNNO; the hint was corn cob pipe. Can you figure it out? It was rather simple, but we complicated it much more than it needed to be. In the end we finally used a word unscrambler to figure it out. I know we cheated! But after 30 minutes of trying to find the Indian name for a traditional corn cob pipe we simply had to give up. In the end the answer was rather simple. I'm talking about one of those things where it makes you want to smack yourself because of how remedial it was. What life lesson can we learn from this? I think one thing that we can take out of this self-imposed complicated situation is that, sometimes life's puzzles are much less complicated than we make them seem. The answers to our dilemmas and the solutions to the problems that we face are often right in front of our faces, but we fail to see them because we think that it should be some gigantic intricately designed contrivance. We were soo busy digging deep and trying to think outside the box, that we failed to see the grand scheme of things. It was a holiday themed puzzle. Surely all of the words had to deal with the Christmas season. Life is only as complicated was we choose to make it.

Think about It.
AJ

I Never Can Say GoodBye..

Never Can Say Goodbye - Jackson 5
Good day readers you are probably wondering why I have this classic hit up here. I never can say goodbye by the Jackson 5 its because my best friend is getting married! I know I know I should be happy for her and trust me I am. I want her to experience all the joys of marriage and the fulfillment that comes with it. But it just feels kinda weird, and yes I admit that it hurts, to know that once she says I do that's a wrap. OK, here's the history. I have known this girl since we have been in kindergarten! NOw how many people can say that?! But we have really been friends since the seventh grade and I was old enough to want to talk on the phone. So we have a long history. And now all of a sudden my best friend in the whole wide world, except for Jesus of course is about to take the plunge; in one weeks time she will no longer have the same last name. It seems that I am enduring some separation anxiety. It seems as though they are always together. When I call on weekends he is always there, like he is the other man lol jk. But seriously though I have definitely had to realize that I cannot depend on human beings for my comfort. You know how when something really terrible happens to you like your boyfriend dumps you , or for my fellow college students if you fail a test, your best friend is the one you can't wait to call when you get good and bad news. But now she won't always be available. Maybe I'm looking at this the wrong way. One thing that I have learned is that Jesus should be the first person we run to when getting both good and bad news. I have learned to kneel and pray to tell him everything, and if there's anyone that needs to complete us its him. So the lesson learned is to put God first in everything and to let him fill the voids that are in our lives because only He can. Human beings may come and go but God is ever present!
Be Blessed!
AJ

I want to donate an Organ!

So, I just saw the movie seven pounds and it was..inspiring! They call it a love story, which isn't exactly the characterization that I would use, however when you think about it there is no greater love than for a man to lay down his life for a friend. Now I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it but it definitely showed me that I could be a more giving person. I mean this man, Ben Thomas, was giving out organs for goodness sake! I could at least give something to help a stranger in need. And then I thought if there was an organ that I could donate if would be a kidney! I mean come on, we really only need one to survive. Plus, I think that saving someone from the pain of dialysis is worth the trade-off of a little pain. Bone marrow wouldn't be too bad either. I think we, as Americans, are a bit too selfish. We all should take the time to not only give to others but also to ourselves by spending time a with God each day. I promise the reward is priceless.

Think About It!

AJ

Could You Really Say Yes..to God?

After years of hearing this song over and over again. We finally get to see the face behind the music. This woman's voice is completely and utterly anointed! Praise God. But more importantly than the voice or melody is the message she is belting out! Will your heart and soul say yes to the Lord when he tells you what following Him will really cost you. It's going to cost friends, family members and strangers looking at you like you might be crazy. You will have to give up sleep, and TV, and just the generally comforts that you normally would take for granted. I have to admit that truly following God is not easy. I absolutely love to watch movies. I pretty much hate to watch television because commercials bite and the programming is horrible. But give me a good movie and I am straight. Well lately I have been reading about how important it is to regulate what we pour into our spirits via TV and music. This cut me deep because it meant that I was going to have to strictly regulate what I watch. Right now I am single and I don't need to watch things that have sex sense, and kissing in them. That really reduces what I can watch because romantic scenes are everywhere. Because I seeking to hear his voice right now, I can't watch any TV at all! And don't even get me started on fasting. I really enjoy food and I know that turning down my plate is apart of crucifying my flesh. But I'm working on it, and in the end I know it will be worth it to hear well done! Well what about right now, you might ask. My right now will severely be enriched because one day I will be lucky enough to hear the voice of God himself! I think that what turns people off from following Christ and truly surrendering to Him is that they are constantly thinking about what they are going to lose. But look at what you have to gain. I hope to get to the place where I am completely and totally living from my heart, and I'm not talking about spontaneity. I'm talking about hearing from God on a day to day minute to minute basis. Walking in health and peace, love and prosperity.


Watch and be moved!

Using Common Sense while interpreting the Bible

Could someone please tell me where in my God's holy Word, does it say use common sense? It has been my experience that the Word of God is not meant to be taken in a literal sense. His word is not meant for the brain, but for the heart. Andrew Womack, author and pastor, wrote "God's word touches your heart. Some people struggle with the Word because they're trying to understand it with their brain. But God's word is written to your heart. If you'll read it with your heart, you'll have understanding. If you just try to pick it apart with your brain, you'll mess up and miss things". His words are so profound. So that brings me back to the common sense part. Why do people say you must have common sense when reading the bible? I mean the man just said that God's word is written to the heart and not the brain so why would someone try to apply earthly knowledge to his Word. You simply can't. Habakkuk 2:4 says that "the righteous shall live by faith." Period. It does not say that only live some days by faith but in difficult situations you have to turn to earthly means of getting you out of trouble. Or when God's Word says that "All things are possible to him that believeth." When you read it are we only supposed to think that this applies to certain situations but not all. Surely, it doesn't apply to raising the dead or walking on water. ALL THINGS! That is what I believe. I have learned to take God at his Word; if he says it in this word then he means it. His Word will not return unto Him void, Isaiah 55:11.
Today, one of my family members informed me that you need humans to help you with IRS problems! WHAT?! You mean to tell me that Almighty God is not big enough to help you with your tax evasion issues? No! God can do all things. Sure he may use a human being to deliver the relief that He sent. But he doesn't need them to fix our problems. That's his job. His strength is made perfect in our weakness!

Living Like I'm Heaven Bound

So I'm a Christian. I don't like to say that (not because I'm embarrassed of my Jesus because I'm not). It's because so many people make claims to know Jesus but they don't actually have a walk with Christ, they sort of have this idea that he MAYBE exists. What I mean to say is when people talk about Christianity and organized religion, I think there is a very big misconception. My Bishop calls it lip-service and no action. My biggest fear is that I will not represent Christ in the right way. This goes beyond my outward actions. What I am talking about is my thoughts, you know, the way I judge people who aren't quite reaching the bar, or the way I watch this hot guy whose walking down the street. Do I lust after him. I don't know what I trying to say, really. I want my heart be right. My bishop, and other established Christians, always talk about Heaven. They dream about it, fantasize, try to fathom what it would will look like when they go and meet the Lord. But I don't, I guess that's because I know that you won't be able to enter the kingdom unless you are without spot or wrinkle. Jesus help me to be without spot or wrinkle! Please clean me up on the inside and wash me on the outside. Deliver me from my thoughts and give me a humble spirit!

Weed..THe gateway drug

I recently watched the documentary called CRACKHEADS GONE WILD. The documentary aired about two years ago, while I was still in high school and the buzz on it was bananas. I had friends imitate some of the shenanigans and antics depicted by the fiends in the movie. However humours it might be it watch a perturbed man run nude through the streets of Atlanta the movie has a greater message than to that of the humor of its viewers. Daryl Smith wants to shed light on the seriousness of the drug use. Many of the interviewees in the film share stories of how they first became addicted to crack. A key similarity of many of the stories was marijuana use prior to trying crack. They said that as heavy marijuana smokers they wanted to try something new, so they laced to blunt with cocaine and it took them to the mountain top (figuratively speaking). A have a lot of family members that smoke weed recreationaly, and they always tell me that weed is harmless. I hope that in five years they can still say the same thing.

Crackheads Gone WILD!!!

A few years ago a man named Daryl "mastermind" Smith, created a documentary called crackheads gone wild. That depicted the lives of many individuals who were addicted to crack cocaine. In the video there were many personal interviews where the crack feinds would tell their stories of how they became addicted to crack, and how it had destroyed their lives. Sadly enough most of the people in the documentary where black. A certain man named Tony stuck out to me as he told his story of his rise and demise. Once a college student scouted by the Atlanta Braves, now nothing more than a crack fiend. Watch and see

Im Finally NOT Sad

While listening to slow R&B songs and catching up on the latest episode of "A Different World". Something came to me; I realized that, not only am I sick and tired of thinking about my EX, but I can not even entertain the idea of fanticizing about him during a segment of Tamia's "Officially Missing YOu". Not even "Boy I need you bad as a heart beat, Bad as the food I eat baby I need you bad". And I don't want him bad!!! LOL. I hope he's happy with who he's with, and who he is. That didnt even make me weak. Im usually not one to dwell on a song that makes my heart weak for someone I cant obtain.

I'm Not Scared of Lions and Tigers and Bears

This is a poem that I found on someone's Myspace page. It really inspired me, in the background was jasmine sullivans song Lions and Tigers. This song was the perfect complement to the mental pictures that the poem dipicted. Think about it and most of all..ENjoy it!!

Let me drop some knowledge..Like many other women I know I was in a bad relationship. The man I was dating was not for me; not only were our personalities a terrible mix, but I brought my insecurities into the pictures. You see I was struggling with my appearance; I had acne blemishes on my face and they really took away from the beauty I had inside. My Ex was very handsome but having acne made me feel like I wasn't good enough to be with him. Confidence is an extremely important element of a happy life and relationship. My insecurities brought our relationship down. I was afraid to look into the mirrow or even look him in the eye. I felt like he could see right through me; and he could. Years after the relationship ended, I still have a few blemishes but Jesus is the one who makes me feel good about myself and not my apperance. Don't get me wrong, I like to look good just like anyone else, but I don't allow the american set of values dictate how I feel about myself. " Cast your cares on Him, because He cares for you"




IF A MAN WANTS YOU
If a man wants you, nothing can keep him away.
If he doesn't want you, nothing can make him stay.
Stop making excuses for a man and his behavior.
Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you from heartache.
Stop trying to change yourselves for a relationship that's not meant to be.
Slower is better.
Never live your life for a man before you find what makes you truly happy.
If a relationship ends because the man was not treating you as you deserve
then heck no, you can't "be friends." A friend wouldn't mistreat a friend.
Don't settle. If you feel like he is stringing you along, then he probably is.
Don't stay because you think "it will get better." You'll be mad at yourself
a year later for staying when things are not better.
The only person you can control in a relationship is you.
Avoid men who've got a bunch of children by a bunch of different women.
He didn't marry them when he got them pregnant,
Why would he treat you any differently?
Always have your own set of friends separate from his.
Maintain boundaries in how a guy treats you.
If something bothers you, speak up.
Never let a man know everything. He will use it against you later.
You cannot change a man's behavior. Change comes from within.
Don't EVER make him feel he is more important than you are...even if he has
more education or in a better job. Do not make him into a quasi-god.
! He is a man, nothing more nothing less.
Never let a man define who you are.
Never borrow someone else's man.
Oh Lord! If he cheated with you, he'll cheat on you.
A man will only treat you the way you ALLOW him to treat you.
All men are NOT dogs.
You should not be the one doing all the bending...compromise is a two-way street.
You need time to heal between relationships...there is nothing cute about
baggage... deal with your issues before pursuing a new relationship
You should never look for someone to COMPLETE you...a relationship consists
of two WHOLE individuals...look for someone complimentary...not supplementary.
Dating is fun...even if he doesn't turn out to be Mr. Right.
Make him miss you sometimes...when a man always know where you are, and your
always readily available to him- he takes it for granted.
Don't fully commit to a man who doesn't give you everything that you need.
Keep him in your radar but get to know others.
Share this with other ladies..... You'll make someone SMILE, another
RETHINK her choices, and another woman PREPARE.
They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate
them, a day to love them and an entire lifetime to forget them

I ToOK My LUVe For Granted

I took my love for granted. I took my God for granted; I did not appreciate my Jesus. This summer has been interesting..I had the most awesome semester at school. Upon arrive God blessed me to be surrounded by wonderful young christian men and women. Accountability was soo key!!! Its hard to slack on God at school because there are so many people rooting for you and supporting your walk with Christ. But once the semester ends..YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN!! And truthfully; I haven't been taking care of my responsibilities. I haven't been reading my word as faithfully, or praying. I know that's a recipe for disaster!!! But tonight at bible study my bishop taught us about taking responsibility for our lives and our walks. So today-tonight I made a vow, to myself that I have to make a serious effort to better my relationship with Jesus. Because the reality of it is that he gave his life for me, and I have to give my life for Him. I think that we as Christians just assume that we are going to wake up in the morning, or be around in five years. Human beings make plans but in the end God has the final say. We EXPECT God to protect us, keep us sane, and keep us healthy. What would happen if he suddenly snatched His grace from us??? In hell would we lift our eyes???

Be Blessed

Lookin 4 Gud Musizk..

Its late, and i want something good to play in my eardrums and mellow me off to sleep.
Tamia is what i'm feelin'
I kind of have the urge to visit his page, but thats a habit i've been strong enough to kick. To seemingly scroll along his FB looking for something new isnt exactly what I would call a HOT DATE,ya know new pics or something. Pathetic I know!!! Anything for a glimpse into the world I used to know...
This is an email that evolved into a poem

I am writing you this because i am almost certain that you will never ever read it. I really dont want you to because you might think im some kind of stalker, which im not. Even though you dont know the real me, and I'd like to keep it that way. I dnt know wat to say...some times i miss you, and other times I hate you... well not really hate I just wish i would have never met you. Sometimes I wonder if your happy..are you happy? With who you are and who you are with? Are you with anybody, Have you changed or are you still the same. I see you as this older more mature guy but the truth is your still a little boy, twenty isnt that old. I wonder why I still think of you, maybe its because you were my first real one, but was it real or just some imagination. Some daydream that I suddenly faded out of...slowly. You always said they'd come back... Who are you? Thats something I never found out. I never really knew who you were as person, was your heart ever anyone elses to have besides tyeste?? did i spell it rite. I know we were only supposed to know each other for a season in and out right????

What my dreams are made of ...

My first thoughts waking up..thank you Jesus for waking me up..second thought..writing????
Hmm interesting hehe..
So this is what I dreamt last night..I was mainly about my father. You see there are some unresolved issues in our relationship and the tension has been escalating for quite a while now. Don't get me wrong now, I love my daddy; he's been a great provider. I have never wanted fore any reasonable thing that he has denied me. By reasonable I mean clothing, a home, and food, not to mention the braces that have straightened my teeth!!
But the truth is our relationship goes little beyond the financial aspect of life. I cant ever remember him telling me that I was beautiful, and I can count the times that I have felt his warm embrace (which have been few and far in between). Alcohol and nicotine have been his wife and children. He recently had heart surgery so his "family" has been forcibly taken from him (if he wants to live).
Substance abuse can really make a person angry. Throughout his adult life this sixty year old man has spent the majority of his time cooped up in his bedroom, letting the television suck his mind away. He never took me to the park, or played catch with me, or encouraged me to play sports. These are all the things I desired growing up.
Now I'm 19 and although I did struggle as much as others might have, there is still something missing within me..a place that I am trying to fill with Christ. I think I might be angry at my dad for all of the things that our relationship lacked. I mentioned before that he can be a rather unhappy man, and sometimes he goes off on rants of anger, he yells and often uses profane words. I'm not sure if he even realizes how much what he says affects me. He may quickly forget his hurtful words but they live on in my mind forever. I digress..back to the dream!!
In the dream I believe I was telling him everything that I ever wanted to say to him. Things that might hurt and things that should help. Have you ever bottled up your emotions for the sake of saving another person pain and heartache?? Only to leave yourself in need of some tenderlovingcare. I told him off and it felt good:)! I cried(in the dream).

TalkToMe SamC

So this is my first blog...hmm its about time that I utilize my time for good instead of evil...(facebooking and myspace)...all ways to dwindle the mind down to a big hunk of nothing.
However I can't take all the credit for this sudden enlightenment...it was another young black sister who inspired me to put my thoughts down on the cyber page.
Anyways I was watching the movie TALK To Me with Don Cheadle..
Very good movie...excuse me if my verbage doesnt capture the essense of my reality of the film (im trying to improve the vocab now)
As they depicted what it was like to live in DC during the time Dr. King was assassinated they played "A change Gonna come" by SAm CookE. I dnt know what it is about soul music...it simply chills me to the core...im not down with all the hiphop and rap...you know the kind of music where the beat speaks more to you than the words to and if you simply read the lyrics you'd wonder how this highly paid rapper even makes a living....hmmm
That song tempted my to cry...(i do it at the drop of a dime)..you could hear the pain in this voice ...this man who died at only 33 years..just like my Jesus
Thanks for Reading
MoretoCome