What Are We Thinking?

Ok, I just had to blog about this and I am so fired up I can guarantee this will be a 2 part-er maybe more.

So there I was in the nail salon, getting a little T.L.C to me before I am locked in the house with the kids and the husband for many, many, many (x's infinity) days, when a commercial comes on the Tele. At first I didn't really pay much attention to it  but then I noticed the melody the jingle was based on and I was completely appalled. Mouth open and everything!

It was JcPenny and they had a bunch of actors on a movable fireplace complete with all of the trimmings of the season. I was like gaudy but ok whatever, but the song they were singing to was Do you Hear What I Hear..look it up on youTube. That is what got me; we have completely lost our minds folks. Instead of thanking GOD for making it thus far in the year and blessing His Holy and Righteous name we settle for singing, praising and worshiping the gods of greed, self and materialism.

How can you have CHRISTMAS without Christ? Regardless of what you choose to believe JESUS CHRIST is the reason we have a Christmas Season so stop allowing Him to be deleted out of it. I was so disgusted by JcP and Kmart I have decided to not spend any more of my money at either place during this sacred time of year. Retail, television and the whole entertainment industry has made a mockery of CHRIST and we are letting them get a way with it. I thought we were supposed to defend the Gospel, to stand firm and proud for what we believe, to encourage others to accept the gift of Christ. Instead are we standing idly by completely lost in the feeding frenzy?

Jesus Christ the Son of GOD came to the lowest, most helpless and poorest of society to show them the way of truth and life. He didn't come with a light show or on anyone's sleigh. He came peacefully and humbly. Not only do we have an obligation to teach our kids the reason why the season was established but we also need to teach by example how Christ would want us to act. We are one of the richest countries in the world...so why do we have such a high poverty rate for working families? Why do we have any homeless citizens? Why do our food banks hit crisis mode in peak seasons?

Because we are all about the Me-Phi-Me cause. Listen folks, 90% of what you purchase is going to end up in a second hand shop, 5% is going to be lost or stolen or broken and the other 5% the receivers are just not going to like and return it for something they do. Now before you say..she has went off on the deep in let me defend myself by saying I like nice things. But I no longer let the pursuit of those things keep me from focusing or sharing why we celebrate. I don't care that the Roman calender and our modern one doesn't coincide or the fact that Christ wasn't born in December! For you skeptics and Haters ain't no such thing as Santa Clause either and you still keep that lie alive. So whatever. The point is that GOD sent His Son, Jesus Christ the Word Incarnate to enter into such a lowly state that all the angles marveled at the sight; That GOD sent His Son as the only sacrifice perfect enough to atone for the sins of man so we would have an opportunity to have RELATIONSHIP with our Heavenly Father.

Having Christmas without Christ is like you setting out the best spread you possibly could muster. Inviting your children to sit and sup with you, as much as they could hold in their bellies, to be comfortable and to enjoy your company as you enjoy theirs. But they all sit down don't even bother to say thank you or even acknowledge you for that matter, eat their fill, profane your name and act like you don't exist. How would you feel? Would you be angry? Would you be hurt? Would you be disappointed? Or maybe a little bit of all three. I would be. Our Father has emotions, feelings and the Word says back in the days of Noah that He grieved..He was sad. (Genesis 6) Because His love for His creation (man) was not accepted and His ordinances were not followed.

How long do you think we can go on offending GOD and not reap the punishment our actions deserve? I know we are living in the age of Grace but don't kid yourself. I don't know about you but I am making it a point to keep, maintain and strive for a thankful heart. I am making a conscious effort to serve my wonderful GOD in all that I do. I am making a commitment to teach my children as much as I can about The Lord. I also remind them that as cool as they are Rudolph and Frosty are make believe. I have also informed them that Santa Claus more appropriately St. Nicholas was an actual man who made it a point to do good because of what he had in side him; and that was the love of JESUS CHRIST. Oh yeah St. Nick was a believer.

In summary, make it a point to share the truth! Buy less and give more. Express your dislike in a professional, Christian manner to our folks in retail and entertainment. And above all else pray for a revival of the Gospel in our nation!

Lastly, if you are not a believer then I am confused as to why you even participate in the Christmas season? You can't partake of the benefits of GOD without having GOD.

Souljourner

Many Thanks - January 09

Many Thanks

Freedom has materialized

Justice has form

Hope is solid

Many gathered...one led

Many kept going .... a few remained faithful

We all have benefited from their struggle

Another rises

Time to continue

Unity has a name

Bigotry, hate and prejudice are

Outside looking in

We must be ever vigilent

They don't idily wait

If given the chance they will dictate again

But for now the horizon boasts of a new dawn

Full of hope, determination and promise

Thankyou

From the boat to the fields to the plantations

To the streets, to the offices, to the schools and the lunch counters

and finally to me.

We will not forget your work, your sacrifices, your struggle

We celebrate!!!

Your time of harvest is come

One world indivisible

defined by liberty

And the same justice for All

Souljourner Howard

Coffee - January 09

Coffee

Bitter, acidic
warm, inviting
swirling, majestic
colorful and unruly

Memories past
Hopes...I dare to dream
envelope me 
like a jerzee sheet
on a winters morn

By itself it is just that..coffee
but dressed with warm flavors of the earth
it is defined into something distinguished,
exotic, cherished

Coffee equals comfort
for you it may be tea or maybe chocolate
but for me Coffee is velvet and time well spent

Souljourner

I Want To Fly - March 2009

Hello Family! I hope all is well in your world but even if it isn't please remember that GOD is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Re familiarize yourself with some of His promises to you. I pray this will strengthen you as you go thru this day's journey.

I am so excited to have found some of my old journals! I am even more excited to share some of my earlier works with you. This particular piece was written back in 09 and it serves as a reminder to me that sometimes the very thing you are looking for is right in front of you! 

Enjoy

Fly

I want to fly

taste the wind

play with the eagles

what is stopping me

what is stopping you

I want to dance

be light as air

I want to flow like the wind

I want to be mighty like a river

strong in its season

I want to be faithful like the sun

as refreshing as a summer rain

as fragrant as new lilies in the spring

I want to fly

What is stopping me 

What is stopping you

I want to laugh 

I want the joy of life

I want the hero to always win

I want the underdog to triumph

I want to love me for me

Not cringe at my mistakes but learn and be better for it

I want to fly

I want to trust like a new babe

no hang-ups

no fears

I want to fly

Perspective.....

One of the projects I am working on centers around these two little rascals. They are my sons; the are amazing, handsome, intelligent, extremely observant and Autistic. 
That last one was a sucker punch to both my husband and I. No one prepares you for having a child with mental differntabilities, (new word, I totally made that up). It has been a journey filled with every piece of emotion ranging from: disbelief, fear, denial anger,overwhelming sadness, fierce love, acknowledgement and finally acceptance. 
As expecting parents we are filled with the joy of the unknown! We wonder who the child will look like, what will their personality develop into and approximately when will they get here. No where in the prenatal visits or books are we told that there is a possibility that our future bundle may have autism or any other ism; but sometimes they are and then what? What exactly are you supposed to do with this child who: will never live up to your preconceived notions, whose diagnosis has changed the schematics of your idea of a  'perfect' family, who is now a permanent part of your life and who does not fit into your culture?
Simple, you love them! You love them you learn about them and you love them some more. You get over what ever you need to get over and you adapt and move on! Be aware that somethings that come along with becoming a parent do not change and are not based on the 'normality', I use this term loosely, of the child. Let's take stock of what we have by using a SWOT analysis, which stands for strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats.
STRENGTHS:
1. You have been entrusted with one of the greatest forms of stewardship!
2. GOD is with you, He promised never to leave you or forsake you (Deut 31:6) - Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
3.It's a baby...I mean really, how cute is that?
4. It's your baby...man up
WEAKNESS
1. NONE for the child! They are perfect made just the way GOD allowed them to be. They don't have any issues and come with the same needs as any other child. The need to be loved, accepted, nurtured and protected.
2. You, your pride and ability to stay rigid to your notions. Your child won't be anything more than what GOD made them to be. 
Side note - I am only discussing children with challenges be it physical or mental nothing more, nothing less.
OPPORTUNITY
1. This is an awesome opportunity for you to expand your boundaries by learning about the uniqueness of your child and others like him or her.
2. This is a great opportunity for GOD to raise you up into another level of Him because this challenge will draw you closer to Him. Trust me you will pray alot.
3. This is an awesome walk of faith - so many times we take our blessings for granted and having a child being a part of the miracle of life is fantastic its is a one of a kind experience! There is no ending to the lessons to learn or the simple amazement to be felt. Sure it is a challenge but it is also equally rewarding. 
4. This experience will make you into a different person. Things that were important will no longer be and things that should have been important but weren't will take their rightful place in your heart. 
-side note: After you go through the 5 stages of grieving, if that is necessary for some people it isn't...for me it was, I encourage you to embrace your present and all of the little nuggets of wisdom GOD offers you through this experience. Then after a little seasoning you will be ready to share what GOD has done for you and your family. How He miraculously transformed your life and gave your family this awesome testimony to be shared for the strengthening of others. 
THREATS:
1. YOU
2. Bitternes
3. Resentment
4. Lost opportunity for growth, amazement and the power of Love

Summary: the choice is yours only you can choose what to do with the challenges allowed in your life. You can either be in denial, bitter or resist growth in the form that GOD choose. Or you can embrace it tearfully, afraid and powerless with the promise that He has not nor will ever leave you; and that HE is Sovereign and there was no mistake bringing you to this place. Trust that He has amazing things planned for you but must be brought forth through this wonderfully and fearfully made creation..your son or your daughter. Embrace it. I did and you are reading some of the fruit of my journey.

-Souljourner Howard 

Just A Thought

Fall is so beautiful. It's almost as if we get permission to wonder at all of nature's glory that GOD created. The leaves are turning, delicious seasonal foods and beverages are being offered; it's the calm before the storm called the winter holidays. This year I have purposed to get closer to the meanings of the holidays by deleting some of our family traditions that don't add to the experience. By adding I mean creating lasting memories. For instance our kids, yours probably too, don't remember what they got last Christmas or the Christmas before that. They do, however, remember the tree and decorations, yummy food and new stuff. 

And there it is! It comes down to stuff. All the time I spent in the store, carefully going over their lists and trying to match them to my budget. Substituting this for that, waiting for that to go on sale, following the ads to see who had the cheaper 'stuff'. REALLY??? Is that what Christ died for us to have? No - He said He came so that we could have life in the abundance and overflowing. Not stuff. Now don't get me wrong I LOVE the winter and the festivities but I have gotten lost in the shuffle and forgotten the true meaning of the holidays. I can admit it. So this year instead of lay-awaying that item that will only be 20$ cheaper on black Friday, (you do know retailers only have limited amounts of the good stuff so grabbing it now will save you the grief and aggravation of not being able to find it later..just fyi), or charging my credit card with the intent to pay it off during the coming refund season (soon to be extinct? don't tell me you don't wonder to), or emptying my Christmas account, (if I had one); I thought we would limit our stuff to just a few items and give the majority of our spending to local charities. They do good work and I know that if I was on the receiving in I would be so grateful! Again it wouldn't be the stuff that I got for my family, although cool, it would be the fact that someone thought enough about me to care to share! 

And by the way I have been on the receiving in when I knew I could do nothing, GOD used a bunch of somebodies to bless me abundantly! By performing these little nuggets of service we say GOD care's for you and so do I! You are valuable and not a defined by your circumstances! How much better our worlds, (the sphere of your influence), would be. Just a thought. 

With all of the uncertainty of finances, politics, natural disasters and the attitude of entitlement we need more GOD in the world. And one of the most effective ways of spreading the message of the Gospel is by adding more GOOD. 

Purpose to do GOOD one person or family at a time, let your children see you do it, let them get involved in the work. Show them how rewarding servant hood is while making them more conscience of practicing good stewardship. These are valuable seeds that you will be planting and the harvest will give over and over and over!

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’^[a] 38 This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ - Matthew 22:37-39

Reference: "Bible Gateway." BibleGateway.com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 100 Versions and 50 Languages. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Nov. 2013.