Featured Blogger #2: "Will We Know Each Other in Heaven?" by Dr. RayPritchard

I'm sharing this article because I've always wondered. Always had this question.
Because people around me are facing loss and I want to be of sure and sound heart when I open my mouth to comfort them..

When my Nana passed, my great grandmother, and even one of my schoolmates at age 9...
I needed to know... Do we really get to see them again? Will we even recognize them? How would I cope with the devastation of even thinking that the last time I saw this person was indeed, the LAST time? ... I loved them too much. That would hurt most.

"Love Me For My Holy"

If there's anything in life about which we typically love to lament, it's when we find that someone loves us, but not for the entirety of who we are ---our strengths and weaknesses, our quirks, and our flaws. It's when the idea of you, or me, stirs interest, excites, and draws someone close for a moment, but as the relationship grows in intimacy, "who you turned out to be," isn't exactly who they had in mind. That maybe, who you are - or have been all along - is now a bit off-putting.

The relationship stalls. It ceases to grow... or maybe it ends. 

I see posts about it all the time.

Like. Like. Like...

And I agree sometimes, I do..
But I can't help but liken this to our relationship with God.

What My Birthday Did for Me..

I had plans .. and they were changed. The first thing I asked my sister when I woke up yesterday morning was if she was trying to RUIN my birthday.

VIDEO clips from:
..My 29th 

My Eyes Are Watching God

There are battles that belong to the Lord... future victories, and then blessings that add NO sorrow, more victories.. There are seasons of ease and effortless flow -- and then, seasons where nothing comes easy.

 Absolutely Nothing.

 But my eyes are watching God..

Divine Valentine

Valentine's Day is experienced in so many ways. There are couples who go out of their way to celebrate and others who do not. There are singles who make the day about self-pampering, singles who take heart and love on their relatives, singles who insist the day bares no significance, and singles that go into hiding, admitting it brings pain. Some people are new to the grief that the day could bring because of death, divorce, or breakup. Some others find it to be a joyous occasion because they've recently embarked upon a new season of love, engagement, or marriage.

Whatever the situation,  I spoke to a friend who spoke to an ex-boyfriend.. . She said he still loved her & he missed her -- but he's newly engaged, to someone else.

2014

Hmm... 2014:)

I'm going to be honest. I had  mixed feelings on New Year's Eve.  I LOVE even numbers and the year was one of my favorites. Not that I hadn't had my brush with bad news, blood, sweat, or tears... it's just that I had a hard time letting it go | It's hard to let go of a year that you always felt would come.. But you have to settle on knowing there's more...
You live and you learn that it doesn't stop here. It doesn't stop wherever you are..

I may not have passed every test, but for the ones that I have, and for the moments that have stretched me,  it's been worth the journey.

And the journey is what we live for. The journey makes the destination worth our arrival.

Last Song...

Rehearsing with my grumpy cats before ALFWC's Christmas Spectacular ..

Merry Christmas!!

When We Lose One of Our Favorites...

It was just 2 weeks ago when our church and first family experienced this huge blow to our hearts. We lost one of the most passionate, quick witted, fast-talking, hilarious, resourceful, wise, inspiring, hardworking, genuine, down to earth, LOVING, inclusive, unselfish persons that you'd ever want to meet. He was life, charisma, laughter and joy all packed into one man. I can assure you that wherever he was, there were smiles... often, a result of his antics or - encouraging words.

I called him Uncle Swann Swann... We weren't related.

Feature Blogger #1: "Your Failures Are Not Final" by Shana Schutte

This one's good : ) .. Reminds me of why I wrote "Try."

Give yourself permission to obey God! And do your best...He'll do the rest.

Seasons, Change - Happy Fall!

Fall is Here!!

I love this season.. never liked it too hot or too cold so FALL and SPRING have always been my first loves. Yesterday, marked the start of warm apple cider and hot chocolate with whipped cream,  baked ham, sweet potatoes, greens and cornbread, layers of warm clothing, scarves and high boots.. this is my kind of life, anything that suggests cozy living..

What relief is it to us that seasons change on their own.. no human effort required; that every 3 months or so the sky knows what to do with its rain, the wind, determines either to settle down or throw itself around, the air, is either packed with hot moisture or chill, and we... deal with it : ).. Whether you're a summer person or winter lover, it seems like we're all waiting for our preferred living conditions to arrive... we're all waiting for change to come...

Ray Rice and Other Thoughts on the Golden Rule: A Response

I have to be honest -- I was a little bothered after reading responses to the Ray Rice scandal on Facebook.

As soon as Janay indicated she would stand by Rice in the light of what really happened on that elevator (which, in my opinion, was obvious without the new video leak).. FB blew up again - NOT withholding unfiltered ridicule and name-calling. I don't know what the commentary was to accomplish, but it seemed as though the general public was unconcerned, and maybe even hoping that the Rices would stumble across their taunts.

I must preface this writing by admitting that perhaps because I've seen this guy a few times on campus, held a conversation or 2, went to football games and threw rice on the field.. he's not just a face on the TV screen. I preface this by saying, I DO NOT, in any way agree with or intend to minimize what he did, BUT, I do consider him human, and so is Janay. I do consider them to have hearts, and wills, and emotions. I can't imagine what it would be like to be in the public eye at your darkest moment, but it was a lot for me -- to wake up to a newsfeed full of  popular consensus to throw them away.

I resolved to pray for them, but meanwhile on FB...

Because You Have To...

The wholeee summer flew by.
I literally don't know where it went.

One minute I'm sleeping over a friend's house, then maybe I was singing somewhere, then there was church, a few family get togethers, cookouts,  a wedding, and what happens...?

I'm driving to work one day and it occurs to me --
"I haven't stepped foot near one, large, body of water.."

(...and my tub, doesn't count)

"Life Was So Different This Time Last Year"

Because it was different, and it still can be, twice over,  this time, next year..

Because I  saw this quote on Instagram years ago and quickly assumed it would only apply to me if I experienced some major life change like getting married or having my first child.

...Because I was wrong.
 And life can be so different 365 days from now all because you took a step... you said yes - you went out on a limb..

These are a few of my favorite songs...

I LOVE Kierra! Ever since "The Safest Place" duet with her mom in '96 KiKi has been singgging...!! And not just singing -- ministering, worshipping... and introducing Jesus in a way that is so unique and tangible to young people.  My absolute favorite song on this project is "In YOU." It takes me somewhere else!! But I couldn't find it on YOUTube, so ... here's my 2nd favorite : ) #MOVINGFORWARD

Honorable Mentions: "Flaws," "Kill the Dragon," "2nd Win," "Reppin' My God," "No Graceland,"and every interlude that reminds us of her family's legacy of singers. That spin on The Clark Sisters' "Balm??" I LOVE. Basically the whole album is amazing, but she's from Detroit ya'll... so you kinda have to be cool to blast this in your car ; )

"Dear Church Baby..." Part 4

My pastor has been teaching recently on the Word of God as a seed, ready to produce -  that God is a purposeful Sower.. sowing Himself into His children and His word into our hearts. We learned that our hearts are like soil, only capable of  producing if tilled well and ready for receiving. 

Are our hearts fertile? Are they good ground?  
Are we open for growth? Are we surrendered to the planting? 

"Dear Church Baby..." Part 3

Dear Church Baby, 

Where are you going?

It was because I knew I needed to stay, in life's hardest trials, that I did.
...Not in my own strength - just relying on His.

These Girls...

I like them -- #mysisters
; )

For Every Time..

... for every time You didn't give me what I asked for..
... for every prayer you "didn't answer.."
... for every replacement, every removal -
... for every clear path, out of the rubble...


... for every time You called me closer when loved ones pushed me away.
... Your hand, Your leading...Your peace and unmatched comfort...
... for every time I didn't hear You, and You spoke a bit louder..
... for every time I didn't fit in, and it was because I wasn't meant to...

... for every time I had to walk away; You put the want-to in my feet.
... for every time I needed to stay and Your strength kept me rooted - more than planted, I was grounded.

... For being an "every time" God  - never leaving me without..

I'd just like to say THANK YOU, every time, I have a chance...

And this is what happens when you try to write a psalm..

#Gratitude

#SheaWrites

Embrace

I wrote this song one night as I considered how effective we could be in the kingdom of God if we truly grasped early on that we were called to be God's agents, his earthly angels, maybe?  ...If we were steady witnesses and distributors of His love, His goodness, and His heart towards all men.. If maybe...we weren't so focused on ourselves...

Writer Quotes..

 "A writer never has a vacation.
For a writer, life consists of either writing or thinking about writing."
- Eugene Ionesco

"Most of the basic material a writer works with is acquired before the age of fifteen."

- Willa Cather