"Don't trip, he ain't through with me yet"

Yes, I quoted Steve Harvey in this title lol, but it seemed so fitting.

This may sound so very strange but I love realizing that God's work in me isn't complete...that I don't have it all together. There are still areas of me that have not quite grasped the light of Christ. Odd? yes. But somehow it puts me in a place of confidence. Not within myself but in Christ and the finished work of the cross to be manifested in my life. Wait...sounding kinda complex.

BREAKDOWN: I know there's still more to be done in me and its done through the power of Christ....I can't do it myself so when He shows me that there's things in me that need adjusting or correcting I get excited! He's still with me, loving me and working on me.

How did all this come about you say? Well, I find that I learn a lot about myself from God through circumstances that come my way. You know, sometimes when you're wronged in some way you feel justified in being angry and doing whatever so that you're emotions and feelings are heard. But I realized after this week that I don't have that right. I'm not to sin in my anger just because someone wronged me. I am still responsible for how I respond. So I had to go to God and repent for my way of handling things and He just began to show me that I don't have it all together. (and I had to apologize to those who got some earfuls)

I was reflecting on all of this as I was getting ready this morning. Then as I sat down to pray and read there Daddy goes bringing it up in our time via the Word. Gotta love Him! Wisdom has been His constant topic and it was no surprise that there it was again this morning. *smiles* He's so concerned with me *heart warming*

Be mindful that God isn't through with any of us until Christ's return. "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Phil 1:6)

SO with all this, a childhood song came to mind...and I just discovered the verses which made me cry :')

HE'S STILL WORKING ON ME
By: Joel Hemphill


CHORUS:
He's still working on me to make me what I ought to be.
It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars,
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars.
How loving and patient He must be, He's still working on me.

1. There really ought to be a sign upon the heart,
Don't judge her yet, there's an unfinished part.
But I'll be perfect just according to His plan
Fashioned by the Master's loving hands.

2. In the mirror of His Word reflections that I see
Make me wonder why He never gave up on me.
He loves me as I am and helps me when I pray
Remember He's the Potter, I'm the clay.

Blessings til next time!

Discussing Religion - Response to a friend

Hey all! A friend asked me to share my thoughts on religion based on some things that were happening in his life. I decided to share what I told him with you all. So below is my response...add your comments if you like.


When it comes to religion it can get messy. I try not to debate too much between differing religions and beliefs but I will share my belief.

My belief is simple. I believe that there is one true God who made sure I could have a relationship with Him by sending Jesus to pay my sin debt. I get to talk and fellowship with THE CREATOR of the universe all the time; that rocks! Reading the Bible is a great way to learn about Him; what relationship develops without learning about the person? And I don't limit Him to those 66 books. He's SO MUCH BIGGER than a book! But it does give me the beginnings to knowing Him. The different aspects of His character. And that's what He really wants from us. And Jesus came to make sure we knew the greatest part of His character which is as a Father and so that we could find our way to God through Himself.

With regards to what you said about reading scripture and having your own interpretation: When I read I ask Him to show me what He wants me to learn about Him in that moment. I've found out different things about Him from one section of scripture. I believe He reveals to each person certain things about Him at different times according to where they are. Look at it this way: there are certain things I may not tell you about myself initially just because of the nature of our relationship or how I feel you may relate to what I share. Similar to us and God. If I can't relate to Him in the capacity of provider or am not even willing to hear that part about Him then why should He show me that right away? (make sense?)

It's hard at times to wrap my mind around the whole people not knowing God and going to hell aspect. But I have found just within my own journey in life that God shows Himself in so many ways and because I know He loves me and everyone else, He will ensure that everyone has the opportunity to get to know Him. Look at Abraham! He lived in the Mesopotamia region and out of nowhere here comes God showing Himself and giving instruction. Gideon was out in the fields when God showed up to Him and Gideon said, "I've heard of you before but who are you?" (my paraphrase). There's a part within each person, I believe, that identifies with God. And at some point when that part isn't linked to Him, it will cry out and search for Him. Kinda like when a plant is lacking in water (which they are made to need) the roots reach and stretch through the soil in search of what it needs. I think the same goes for people. We begin to search and I believe if you search in sincerity you'll find God, the way He intended for us to find Him and enjoy the best of life which He has for each of us.

Heaven: the eternal pleasure of God's presence
Hell: eternity without Him

I've tried this life thus far with and without Him and I really do prefer life with Him. So I'll go the heaven route because I enjoy Him and His presence so much!

I make no apologies for what I believe. And I don't force it on anyone. I simply live out my beliefs as best as I can each and every day. I love God and all of who He is even though I'm still learning about Him. The getting to know Him is surely fun though!!

That One

I want to be that one.

who feels the warmth of your love;
wrapped in the arms of your heart, when we're close and far apart;
embraced by your speech that lifts me above tribulations reach,
held captive to your ways that tell me I am yours.

I want to be that one.

valued as a pearl, being displayed in your world
as your
one. and only.
never hidden from the crowd because you vowed,
to cherish me.

I want to be that one.
THAT one. Right there.
The one you see with vision clear
who always makes you stop and stare, blatantly aware
that I
am your beauty
your smile, not just a trophy.
An ear that hears your faith even through your fears;
cries with every tear
says the words you, don't want to but, need to hear.

THAT. One.
Brightening your day as the noon day sun
the last face you see when the day is done;
a safe place to who you run.

Let me be that one.

(written by Shivonne Johnson, 01/26/12 at 12 noon)

Work...tools

I work a lot now lol. I like to check my fb and twitter, see what my peeps are up to but I only do that now after 5pm....well fb sometimes before 5 ;-)

I like working full-time though. My first full-time job was in high school for Caribbean Gospel Inc. I LOVED that job!! I got to work around one of my favourite things...MUSIC!! Sure I had the office portion that sometimes wasn't so great but I got to go out to shows and be in the studio and around the artistes. I developed my work skills as well as relationships with different people. After that my only other FT job (other than this one) was working a tutoring camp at my church for two consecutive summers.

I'll say this: it is a bit taxing on the body to work FT. Especially when you depend on public transit to get around and you live in a different county from where you work. But I do feel productive most days. (Some might be wondering if we're having a slow day because I'm typing this blog lol). Nope. Just felt like typing real quick.

I try my best in whatever work environment I'm in to learn as many things as I can; whether they be work related or a means for me to develop in my character. I don't know what the future holds so I want to grab as many helpful tools along the way. Years from now I just might be using something I learned when I was 15.

So my encouragement today is to be aware of your environment and soak in what you can as you give your best.

Blessing til next time!

My hair

Long hair has been the signature of my life. I was always known as the girl with long hair down in her back. Went natural when I was 16 & never looked back.

Eventually decided that I would loc my hair. That was major fun :)
Did all sorts of styles with my hair and enjoyed watching it as it grew and evolved.

But then I got to the point where I missed all the fun stuff I could do with my hair un-locked. So I thought about combing it out.....but I didn't have time like that. Sooooo......thanksgiving day 2011 I BC-ed! (for you non-hair folks that means "big chop")

For the first time IN MY LIFE! I. have.short. hair. It was quite liberating and cool! (I did it myself). But then came the "what the hey will I do with it now?!"

This is when a younger sibling who is a hair nerd and has done the BC before you comes in handy :) My phenomenal sister I blogged about...yeah her......she's my muse lol.

With her encouragement and store of hair knowledge, I am embarking on this new hair journey :)

Blessings til next time!

My PHENOMENAL sister :-)

I just wanted to share how AWESOME my sister is! Always been an inspiration to me. She's so darn quirky lol! She says things that make you look at her like "really chick?!" but yet they are so profound....but 30% its just randomness that makes you go "hmmmm."

Anywhos, I enjoy checking out her blog and I thnk many others need to enjoy it too. So! Here is the link

http://candidcinni.blogspot.com



Also follow her on twitter: @cinnirox. You'll see what I'm talking about with the things she says :-)

Be Still

It's a beautiful experience when you wake in the morning, KNOWING and FEELING the presence of God around you. I had one of the most restful and peaceful sleeps I've had in a long time. I'm convinced I was sleeping nestled in His arms. Normally I switch positions during the night. I didn't move last night and it has done my body and mind well.

As I opened my eyes I heard the song "be still" which was icing on the cake. This is why I love my Daddy; He does these "just because" type things that make me feel all kinds of wonderful! Take delight in those kinds of moments. They are priceless and remain with you for a long time. And take a page from His book and do a "just because" for someone in your life. I'm sure they'll value it :)

"When the oceans rise and thunders roll
I will soar with you above the storm.
Father you are King over the flood
I will be still and know you are God."

Blessings til next time!