I started a "30-Day Renew Me" plan for myself this month. It started off a little rocky especially with my diet. My goals for the month included:
Praying 2x day
Reading my Bible daily
Losing 5lbs
Saving $1000
Right now I am in week 3 of a 4.5 week month and I am doing a water fast. Actually, not just plain water, but chlorophyll water and coconut water daily. I do not buy the chlorophyll water, but I have bought concentrated chlorophyll that I put into my water along with lemon. I drink about 1.5 liters a day and if I'm thirsty I drink more. It was suggested that I drink about 2 liters, but I haven't. I wanted my last half liter to be bone broth, but I haven't made it yet.
I can say that after 3 days of fasting I feel GREAT. Acutally, I'm not a novice when it comes to fasting. When I was growing up, our church would do water fasting for about a week and I would try it and it became a lifestyle. Now my church doesn't do water fasting, we do partial/modified fast for 21 days at the beginning of the year and we gradually reduce our food and the last 7 days we drink juice and water if we can. For those who are new to fasting they can eat seeds and nuts (not peanuts). Also my church fast on Fridays too until 5pm. So fasting is a lifestyle for me. I will say that I was a little apprehensive about the water fast because I ate horribly the week before. I didn't gorge but I did have ice cream and sour patch worms (a whole bag) fried chicken and other fast food that I should not have eaten.
But, I'm feeling great and I'm not that tired or hungry. I have lost about 6 lbs, but I'm sure that's a lot of water weight. I do think about food a lot, but I pray and get to bed early. Today was my first BM. I was concerned at first because I usually have a BM when I eat, but because I haven't put anything in my mouth since Sunday, it's just sitting there in my gut. I do want to do some type of colon cleanser to get "moving" but I was waiting on some herbal supplements that I though would have been in the mail by now. I've read that if you do sea salt in warm water it makes you have a BM. I might try that. I am going to break my fast on Saturday because I have a baby shower to go to and then a retirement party. I'm gonna be smart...I bought watermelon that I'm going to eat for breakfast then I will eat light for the rest of the day.
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Blast From the Past
A woman is embarking on a journey of starting a business after she was forced out of her six-figure job. As she's working on her business plan, she reads documents from her great great great great grandfather and how be became a millionaire in 1882 by owning over 2000 acres of land in Tennessee. As she is working on starting this business, she's reaching back to get strength from her ancestors whom she never knew.
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Get Ur Stuff
I'm embarking on a journey....a business journey. God spoke to me in December 2011 and He said that I would be helping people with their businesses. In February 2012 the woman of God spoke the same thing...2 Corinthians 13 tells us that out of the mouths of two or three let every word be established. Let it be so.....
So, this is the year for me to do this. I was in the market for a new home, but I'm going to hold off on that so that I can get this business off the ground. It's time for me to walk in the things of God and now continue to allow fear to stifle me.
I have a great, great, great, great grandfather who was an amazing businessman. In his will he left 13 of his 15 children land. On this land there were peach trees...it was farming land that he had amassed over his lifetime. He was born in 1825 and died in 1887 and after the emancipation proclamation in 1865, he was able to become a sharecropper. From his earnings, he began buying land. It was said that he had over 2000 acres of land (that may be an exaggeration). However, in his will he left land to 13 of his 15 children. It was enough land for each of them to have their own farm.
Over the years some of the land has been lost, but we still have some in Boliver, TN. My brother and I are planning a trip to visit the land to see what's left.
When I learned this information, I was amazed. How did a black man (colored or negro was what they were called back then) manage to become such a shrewd business man. It was also said that he had a child with a white woman which was grounds for execution, but because of his favor in the community, he was only fined $300 and he was given the child to raise. Her name was Elizabeth.
Amazing...
So I have no excuse, but to succeed. He was even considered a full human and we had limited rights back then.
My uncle shared with me the realization that my generation of blacks were born with all of our rights. The voting rights that prohibited blacks was signed into law in 1965. My mother was born in 1960. She didn't have the right to vote when she was born (of course she couldn't at that age, but you know what I mean). Yes there is still racism in the land and there are still obstacles and barriers, but what my grandfather did was defy all of those barriers. So I have no excuse. I am my only excuse and I must get out of the way to do what God has anointed me to do..
So, this is the year for me to do this. I was in the market for a new home, but I'm going to hold off on that so that I can get this business off the ground. It's time for me to walk in the things of God and now continue to allow fear to stifle me.
I have a great, great, great, great grandfather who was an amazing businessman. In his will he left 13 of his 15 children land. On this land there were peach trees...it was farming land that he had amassed over his lifetime. He was born in 1825 and died in 1887 and after the emancipation proclamation in 1865, he was able to become a sharecropper. From his earnings, he began buying land. It was said that he had over 2000 acres of land (that may be an exaggeration). However, in his will he left land to 13 of his 15 children. It was enough land for each of them to have their own farm.
Over the years some of the land has been lost, but we still have some in Boliver, TN. My brother and I are planning a trip to visit the land to see what's left.
When I learned this information, I was amazed. How did a black man (colored or negro was what they were called back then) manage to become such a shrewd business man. It was also said that he had a child with a white woman which was grounds for execution, but because of his favor in the community, he was only fined $300 and he was given the child to raise. Her name was Elizabeth.
Amazing...
So I have no excuse, but to succeed. He was even considered a full human and we had limited rights back then.
My uncle shared with me the realization that my generation of blacks were born with all of our rights. The voting rights that prohibited blacks was signed into law in 1965. My mother was born in 1960. She didn't have the right to vote when she was born (of course she couldn't at that age, but you know what I mean). Yes there is still racism in the land and there are still obstacles and barriers, but what my grandfather did was defy all of those barriers. So I have no excuse. I am my only excuse and I must get out of the way to do what God has anointed me to do..
Monday, July 18, 2016
That's the Way I Feel
in·ad·e·quate
inˈadikwət/
adjective
- lacking the quality or quantity required; insufficient for a purpose."these labels prove to be wholly inadequate"
- (of a person) unable to deal with a situation or with life."a sad, solitary, inadequate man"
Yep, that's the way I feel. God help me!!
Sunday, July 17, 2016
Piecing It All Together
I have been dealing with my health issues for 6 months now and it's time to take a pulse. I know nothing happens overnight and I can't rush this, but to recap. I have been dealing with the following physical issues...
1) Hashimoto disease
2) Uterine fibroids
3) Weight gain
4) Thinning hair
5) Acne
6) Fatigue
Additionally I've been wanting to focus on my "whole person" which includes my relationship with Christ and even my financial habits. So I need to fix my...
1) Lack of prayer time
2) Lack of devotion in the word of God
3) Debt management
I can go on and on and on about my issues.
However, recently in church I was listening to a sermon and something interesting was said. The speaker was talking about the man who was healed by the pool of Bethesda. Basically every year those who were lame and disabled went to the pool because an angel would come down and stir the water. Whoever was the first to get in was healed of their diseases. The lame man was laying on his bed and Jesus came by and asked him if he wanted to be made whole. The man then said that he didn't have anyone to put him in the water when the angel came.
Jesus didn't ask him that, He asked him if wanted to be made whole? Jesus told the man to take up his bed and walk and he did. He was healed of his diseases. The man didn't even know who Jesus was because when the people saw that he was healed they asked who healed him and he couldn't tell him that it was Jesus.
Later Jesus saw him in the temple and Jesus said this to him, "See you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you." John 5:14 NKJV
When I heard that I began to think about my health problems. In 2011 I believe that God healed me of my fibroids. I would wake up in the middle of the night with excruciating pain and I prayed to God (because I didn't have any health insurance back then) and for 3 months this would happen. One evening at church the speaker was speaking and he said, "Some of you all are popping pills because you don't believe the Lord will heal you..." At that point I listed up my hands and said, "God I receive your healing." and that was that. No more pain or issues. So why am I dealing with a uterus filled with fibroids now?
A few years later the speaker was praying for us and he prayed for people with thyroid issues. I had not told anyone that I was dealing with thyroid issues. I believe that God had healed me then. So why am I dealing with autoimmune thyroid issues now?
I believe in the word of God and God's word is true. It doesn't fall to the ground.
I believe that because I haven't kept my relationship with Christ and have went back and done things contrary to what God has told me....I believe that's why I am suffering. God told the man not to sin again....and He told him what would happen if he did...."something worse would happen." I have sinned against God and have gone back on my promises to God and now my life if filled with these sicknesses. When God makes you whole, you are whole. No one can change that but you.
But, this is my prayer to God....Hezekiah asked God for one more chance. Samson asked God for one more chance....God is a God of grace and mercy. He is a fair God, but He is merciful. I pray that as I make these changes in my life He will see my heart and my desire to serve Him and give me another chance to fulfill my destiny!!
In Jesus name...Amen!
1) Hashimoto disease
2) Uterine fibroids
3) Weight gain
4) Thinning hair
5) Acne
6) Fatigue
Additionally I've been wanting to focus on my "whole person" which includes my relationship with Christ and even my financial habits. So I need to fix my...
1) Lack of prayer time
2) Lack of devotion in the word of God
3) Debt management
I can go on and on and on about my issues.
However, recently in church I was listening to a sermon and something interesting was said. The speaker was talking about the man who was healed by the pool of Bethesda. Basically every year those who were lame and disabled went to the pool because an angel would come down and stir the water. Whoever was the first to get in was healed of their diseases. The lame man was laying on his bed and Jesus came by and asked him if he wanted to be made whole. The man then said that he didn't have anyone to put him in the water when the angel came.
Jesus didn't ask him that, He asked him if wanted to be made whole? Jesus told the man to take up his bed and walk and he did. He was healed of his diseases. The man didn't even know who Jesus was because when the people saw that he was healed they asked who healed him and he couldn't tell him that it was Jesus.
Later Jesus saw him in the temple and Jesus said this to him, "See you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you." John 5:14 NKJV
When I heard that I began to think about my health problems. In 2011 I believe that God healed me of my fibroids. I would wake up in the middle of the night with excruciating pain and I prayed to God (because I didn't have any health insurance back then) and for 3 months this would happen. One evening at church the speaker was speaking and he said, "Some of you all are popping pills because you don't believe the Lord will heal you..." At that point I listed up my hands and said, "God I receive your healing." and that was that. No more pain or issues. So why am I dealing with a uterus filled with fibroids now?
A few years later the speaker was praying for us and he prayed for people with thyroid issues. I had not told anyone that I was dealing with thyroid issues. I believe that God had healed me then. So why am I dealing with autoimmune thyroid issues now?
I believe in the word of God and God's word is true. It doesn't fall to the ground.
I believe that because I haven't kept my relationship with Christ and have went back and done things contrary to what God has told me....I believe that's why I am suffering. God told the man not to sin again....and He told him what would happen if he did...."something worse would happen." I have sinned against God and have gone back on my promises to God and now my life if filled with these sicknesses. When God makes you whole, you are whole. No one can change that but you.
But, this is my prayer to God....Hezekiah asked God for one more chance. Samson asked God for one more chance....God is a God of grace and mercy. He is a fair God, but He is merciful. I pray that as I make these changes in my life He will see my heart and my desire to serve Him and give me another chance to fulfill my destiny!!
In Jesus name...Amen!
Sunday, July 10, 2016
13 Hours in the Car and My Missing Brother
I have had THE BEST 4th of July holiday....
My mother has 7 children and we all haven't been together in one place since my grand mother's Woburn, IL. I was really tired because I've been getting up at 6am to take my friend's daughter to work (she lives right across the street from me) And when I'm up most days I go work out. However, I haven't been working out lately. Anyway...I got on the road to pick my niece up in Dayton. I stopped to have dinner with Mister (I know) in Indy and then stayed the night in Dayton. We got up early on Saturday morning and headed to Chicago where we feasted on Harold's chicken and went kayaking. Kayaking was hard, but fun. We got home around midnight and I got up early to head to church Sunday.
funeral in 2002. We all touched down at my Uncle's log cabin house in
After church we headed to my uncle's where we stayed up really late. I camped in a tent for the first time and I didn't sleep a wink. I got up at 6am and was exhausted. After shooting fireworks, we all tried to sleep and I was up and at em again at 6am on Tuesday.
It was a long tiring week, but I was so happy to see all of my brother's and sisters. We decided that we wanted to recreate pics of when we were younger. We had a blast!! I got to see my Uncle Kenneth whom I haven't seen since my cousin died in 2006. He's 85 years young and looks really good. They barbecued, and popped fireworks. It was overall a great time together. There was one glitch when my brother decided to bring up a sensitive topic. He didn't know that he was hitting a nerve, but he asked my baby sis why she felt like she couldn't talk to us about anything. She got emotional and that started an argument between her and my other sister. They've had beef before, but we were able to squash it and move along with the festivities.
I got up Tuesday morning and went home at 6am to get the rental car back. My niece didn't want to get up that early so she decided to stay with my mom until Friday.
So I was going to drive her back to Dayton on Friday, but I needed to pick her up in Fairview Heights--120 miles away. Then I drove her to Dayton--320 miles and from Dayton, Oh, I drove home--300 miles. I was in the car for 13 hours on Friday. OMG!! I told my mom I needed a plane and I mean that. I'm so sick of driving in the car. Me and God gonna have to work this out!!
On my way home I got a call from my sister, She wanted to know if I had heard from my brother in San Diego. I had talked to him on the previous day...then she said that he was missing. WHAT? How does a grown 30 year old man end up missing? She tells me that his wife called her because she got a call from him around 4:30 and he was talking jibberish and then the call dropped. She called and called him back, but it went straight to vmail. And now she's home from work and he's no where to be found.
I immediately panicked because with everything that's going on in the world today, you have no idea what may happen to you. I started praying and tried not to think the worst. When I got home around midnight I called my sister in law. She said that she finally got a call from the police saying that he had been arrested. OMG!! What for? She didn't know and they didn't have any information. She I just continued to pray. I got a text around 3am saying that she found him in the hospital and that he was heavily sedated. OMG, WHAT IS GOING ON?
I was exhausted from being up trying not to worry. Finally I was able to talk to him around noon and he said he was in a car accident and he went a little crazy. The police showed up and he thought the police was attacking him and he began to take his clothes off to show the police that he was unarmed. The police just sees this belligerent man-they don't know if he's high, hurt, or what? They just were called because of the accident and he sees the police and fears for his life. What all happened in between is a mystery.
But, I was relieved to talk to him!!
This has been a long exhaustive week!!
My mother has 7 children and we all haven't been together in one place since my grand mother's Woburn, IL. I was really tired because I've been getting up at 6am to take my friend's daughter to work (she lives right across the street from me) And when I'm up most days I go work out. However, I haven't been working out lately. Anyway...I got on the road to pick my niece up in Dayton. I stopped to have dinner with Mister (I know) in Indy and then stayed the night in Dayton. We got up early on Saturday morning and headed to Chicago where we feasted on Harold's chicken and went kayaking. Kayaking was hard, but fun. We got home around midnight and I got up early to head to church Sunday.
funeral in 2002. We all touched down at my Uncle's log cabin house in
After church we headed to my uncle's where we stayed up really late. I camped in a tent for the first time and I didn't sleep a wink. I got up at 6am and was exhausted. After shooting fireworks, we all tried to sleep and I was up and at em again at 6am on Tuesday.
It was a long tiring week, but I was so happy to see all of my brother's and sisters. We decided that we wanted to recreate pics of when we were younger. We had a blast!! I got to see my Uncle Kenneth whom I haven't seen since my cousin died in 2006. He's 85 years young and looks really good. They barbecued, and popped fireworks. It was overall a great time together. There was one glitch when my brother decided to bring up a sensitive topic. He didn't know that he was hitting a nerve, but he asked my baby sis why she felt like she couldn't talk to us about anything. She got emotional and that started an argument between her and my other sister. They've had beef before, but we were able to squash it and move along with the festivities.I got up Tuesday morning and went home at 6am to get the rental car back. My niece didn't want to get up that early so she decided to stay with my mom until Friday.
So I was going to drive her back to Dayton on Friday, but I needed to pick her up in Fairview Heights--120 miles away. Then I drove her to Dayton--320 miles and from Dayton, Oh, I drove home--300 miles. I was in the car for 13 hours on Friday. OMG!! I told my mom I needed a plane and I mean that. I'm so sick of driving in the car. Me and God gonna have to work this out!!
On my way home I got a call from my sister, She wanted to know if I had heard from my brother in San Diego. I had talked to him on the previous day...then she said that he was missing. WHAT? How does a grown 30 year old man end up missing? She tells me that his wife called her because she got a call from him around 4:30 and he was talking jibberish and then the call dropped. She called and called him back, but it went straight to vmail. And now she's home from work and he's no where to be found.
I immediately panicked because with everything that's going on in the world today, you have no idea what may happen to you. I started praying and tried not to think the worst. When I got home around midnight I called my sister in law. She said that she finally got a call from the police saying that he had been arrested. OMG!! What for? She didn't know and they didn't have any information. She I just continued to pray. I got a text around 3am saying that she found him in the hospital and that he was heavily sedated. OMG, WHAT IS GOING ON?
I was exhausted from being up trying not to worry. Finally I was able to talk to him around noon and he said he was in a car accident and he went a little crazy. The police showed up and he thought the police was attacking him and he began to take his clothes off to show the police that he was unarmed. The police just sees this belligerent man-they don't know if he's high, hurt, or what? They just were called because of the accident and he sees the police and fears for his life. What all happened in between is a mystery.
But, I was relieved to talk to him!!
This has been a long exhaustive week!!
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Pretty Green Eyes
Most people have brown eyes and when we see someone who has blue eyes, hazel eyes, green eyes, we are often mystified. It is easy to stare at someone with eyes that aren't brown. As a matter of fact it seems that a person with those eyes are always pretty. The felon model got his job not just because of his beautiful face, but his eyes were the cherry on top. I'm wondering if his eyes weren't that color, would he have gotten as much attention? Can you think of an ugly person with blue eyes? Is the green eyed monster beautiful?
I DON'T THINK SO....a monster is a monster and jealous people are dangerous, no matter how beautiful.
The spirit of jealousy came to me last night and I HATE IT!! And the only thing I know to do is to pray to God. It's a spirit. I can't wish it away. Yes, I can change my mind and I can do what I can to make sure that it doesn't get into my heart, but when it comes it comes and I have to deal with it.
The think about this is that I have absolutely no reason to be jealous. I haven't been doing a good job and because of this, someone else is promoted above me. Point Blank.
This was the problem with Cain. Abel did a good job and had his heart in the right place, Cain didn't do a good job, he didn't work as hard. He just skimmed the surface. God praised Abel and Cain got jealous. God told him, if you do a good job, you don't have to be jealous. And that is the truth. But, Cain couldn't handle it. He couldn't cope. He aloud that monster to get into his heart and he killed his brother.
Dang....that's cold!!!
Jealous people are dangerous and I don't wanna be jealous. I want God to deal with me so that I can live and do a good job!!
I DON'T THINK SO....a monster is a monster and jealous people are dangerous, no matter how beautiful.
The spirit of jealousy came to me last night and I HATE IT!! And the only thing I know to do is to pray to God. It's a spirit. I can't wish it away. Yes, I can change my mind and I can do what I can to make sure that it doesn't get into my heart, but when it comes it comes and I have to deal with it.
The think about this is that I have absolutely no reason to be jealous. I haven't been doing a good job and because of this, someone else is promoted above me. Point Blank.
This was the problem with Cain. Abel did a good job and had his heart in the right place, Cain didn't do a good job, he didn't work as hard. He just skimmed the surface. God praised Abel and Cain got jealous. God told him, if you do a good job, you don't have to be jealous. And that is the truth. But, Cain couldn't handle it. He couldn't cope. He aloud that monster to get into his heart and he killed his brother.
Dang....that's cold!!!
Jealous people are dangerous and I don't wanna be jealous. I want God to deal with me so that I can live and do a good job!!
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