100% Transparent - The Maturation of KB BY: KB 2.28.15

Man oh man, what can I say....it was a very interesting week and I thank God for the days and the lessons. When I say lessons...I mean lessons...I've had some hard ones this week.

I made a conscious decision to no longer live like "a cat in a litter box" working hard at scratching to cover up my "business." During my Spiritual  awakening process, I made a vow to be total transparent, totally honest and to confess on a regular basis and today is no different. I've had  a situation early in the week that had me swearing like a drunken NY Longshoreman; I prefer to think of it as my Apostle Peter temperament but I was swearing none the less. The hardest lesson I had this week was a result of my own doings.  I'm not assigning blame to anyone or anything because there was no malice intended the situation just created a really funky dynamic.

You ever get into something and although there was no malice or no wrongdoing it just vexes the spirit? I'm asking myself "what just happened?"

Y'all know what happens when I get something stirring around in my head. I go to God and I write about it. I found this little itty bitty book that I bought years ago; it's by Max Lucado. I'm going to take a little poetic license to help it illustrate my lesson:

I have something against the seductive voice and actions that the world uses. You've heard the voice and you have had a visceral and physiological response to the actions. The voice tells you to trade in your integrity for a new sale. The voice wants you to negotiate your boundaries for something quick, easy and sleazy. The voice tells you that it's OK to exchange your time in devotion to some time in the streets or sheets.

The voice whispers no stop. The voice knows how to seduce you  by exploiting your vulnerability. It taunts and tantalizes, flirts and flatters. A virtual flood of moral dopamine; a constant green light.

The world uses a battering ram at your door; Jesus taps at the door. There are voices and causes that scream for your allegiance; Jesus asks softly and tenderly. The world promises you anything and everything that you ever hoped and dreamed, flashy and fleeting pleasures. Jesus' promises are quiet and personal....

Which voice do you hear?

I can tell you that this past week I heard my own voice and I need to be more mindful of what is "said"

Ephesians 4:21- 24     21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Father,

remind me that I am an heir to a divine inheritance as a result of my faithfulness and obedience to you. Help me to continue to keep the faithfulness a priority as I go throughout my day.

Nowhere to run to -never too far from God's grace - BY: KB © 2.28.14

 

Are you attempting to run from God?  Do you think you're effectively hiding something from God? I find humor in the fact that many people believe they can run and hide, but you can't run from an omnipresent God. What makes people run from God; what drives people to attempt the impossible? John 3:20 gives us the answer in simplest of terms... "Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed." Sin (self-will) is the culprit. The reason why most people run from God is because of their passion for hedonism, selfish pursuits and self-will.  Another reason why people run from God is because they harbor bitterness towards God because of a tragic event in their life, such as the death of a loved one, bad experiences, et cetera; when in actuality it is life and our "sin nature" to blame.

It's tragic that so many people are running from  or turning their backs on a loving God  and a caring father that only wants the best for us (1st Peter 5:7     Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.). The problem with most people is that they judge God based on their  present circumstances, failing to realize that we were placed upon this earth to be tested by life and all its circumstances. God could have just created a bunch of clones to worship Him, but He chose to create mankind, and give him a free will. If we get saved, it is ONLY because we choose to get saved, of our own free will. This act of faith pleases God (Hebrews 11:6). 

I wish that every believer would take 1st Peter 1:7  into consideration and recite it until it sinks in... " These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." It's a hard Scripture to embrace. God tells me that all my problems in life, burdens, struggles, heartaches and bodily pains, are more valuable than the purest 24 k gold?  That is exactly what the Word of God teaches!

This Biblical teaching is in direct contradiction to everything that we embrace in this greedy and covetous world! So many people are running from God because of the very trials and difficulties which God states are worth more than gold. Please notice the Bible says that the gold shall "perish," but ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord (1st Corinthians 15:58     Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.). There is no reason to run from God.

One of the Bible’s greatest truths is that God is always willing to forgive us, no matter how far we've strayed or how much we've rebelled against Him. All we need to do is sincerely repent of our sins and turn in faith to Christ for the forgiveness we need. The Bible says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

I am pressed to think of a story Jesus once told about a man and his two sons (usually called ‘the parable of the prodigal son’ — Luke 15:11-32). One son rebelled against his father and left home, ignoring everything he’d been taught and living instead a wild and immoral life. In time his money gave out, however, and so did his so-called friends. He was reduced to eating the same food the pigs were given.

Finally. he came to his senses and decided to return home. He knew his father might disown him, or at most would treat him as a slave. But instead his father welcomed him and forgave him and restored him as his son. He declared, “This son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found” (Luke 15:24).

God loves you; He loves you far more than that father loved his son. Don’t reject Him any longer, but by faith confess your sins and receive His forgiveness — and begin a new life with Christ today.

Pleasing God BY: KB 2.27.15

 

1 Thessalonians 2:4 ESV      But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.

Proverbs 29:25 ESV      The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

John 12:43 ESV      For they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

Jeremiah 17:5 ESV      Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.

I recently had a W.W.J.D moment (what would Jesus Do?)...I felt myself going to the familiar place of anger and resentment. The enemy was whispering in my ear at a fast and furious pace and I had to strain to hear the voice of God. I praise Him that I was able to lock in and hear it because I know what a destructive force that anger can be and can have in my life.  God was questioning me by asking, “Are you doing this for them or for Me?”  The Bible says in I Corinthians 10:31, “So whether your eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of the Lord.” If we are doing things for the glory and praise of others, we will be left feeling drained and unappreciated every single time.  God wants us to do everything for Him.  You see, when our loved ones fail to see or even care what we do, God sees.  God sees the effort we put into things.  God sees when we do something with a caring and pure heart.  When no one else sees or cares, God sees and cares.

REAL TALK it's always easier to find a scapegoat and point a finger because examining ourselves is too painful we'd rather project;  but, I've learned that it all begins and ends with me....it's not about me but it is about why my emotions have been triggered and why I am responding to the trigger.  It's about asking the hard questions like: why did I feel so under appreciate today?   Because I was being selfish and wanted my people to notice and to validate me; I wanted people to notice all I did and say thanks. When you are wounded to the point where you begin to seek constant validation you're in dire need of prayer, help and self-reflection because no thank you or ego stroke is ever going to be enough; trust me I know this situation because at times I'm that little kid needing someone to notice all I've done. I have learned that I should have been doing these things as I was doing them for God and it wouldn't have mattered what anyone else said or did.  Now don’t get me wrong, it is not wrong to want a thank you once in a while.  And we, of course, should always appreciate and thank others.  But if we are only doing things for others approval, we will never be fully satisfied.

Everything you do, do it for God.  Do it with a joyful heart. As much as we love our family’s approval and appreciation, we should desire God’s more.

Intentions: SEARCH ME LORD BY: KB 2.27.15

Ephesians 1:9     He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him

Hebrews 4:12     For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Joshua 24:15     "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

I recently had an experience where I had to do a “SELF CHECK” and had to ask myself some tough questions. I know I am not 100% obedient to the will and unction of God; yet, I also can sleep at night because I do approach situations where I can stand tall and bare before God because I've asked Him to search me and my heart prior to entering into whatever

We can't sin to accomplish good intentions; Herod harassed the church. In doing so, he killed the apostle James. Since Herod saw this pleased the Jews, he imprisoned Peter with the intent of putting him to death to gain favor with the Jews (Acts 12:1-4).

The intent to please the Jews was not necessarily wrong. In fact, one may argue that it was politically necessary from Herod's view. But the problem arises in the manner Herod sought to please the Jews --- namely murder.

As a sinful man, Herod was willing to murder a person to accomplish his good intentions. But as children of God, we must seek to accomplish good intentions through righteous means rather than sinful acts.

Good intentions do Not Justify Sin; Paul, speaking before the Sanhedrin, professed to have lived with a "perfectly good conscience before God up to this day" (Acts 23:1). While doing so, he locked up saints in prison, cast his vote to put them to death, punished them in the synagogues, tried to force them to blaspheme, and pursued them to foreign cities (Acts 26:11-12).

Before becoming a Christian, Paul had good intentions while persecuting Christians. Yet he was lost in sin. He had to be baptized, washing away his sin, and calling on the name of the Lord (Acts 22:16).

From Paul we learn that good intentions do not justify sin!

The road to hell is paved with good intentions!; One day I was listening to G. Gordon Liddy as he discussed the Great Depression with an economist. They were united in their view that congress worsened the depression by government involvement, rather than allowing our free market economy to make the correction. When making this point, the economist said he wasn't questioning congress' intentions, but their good intentions didn't change the devastating result of their actions.

Mr. Liddy agreed, commenting that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

I began to think about Mr. Liddy's profound and thought-provoking statement. It's true, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. A person may have good intentions, but the method of achieving the intention may result in disaster.

God honors obedience not intentions; "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness'" (Matt. 7:21-23).

Some people who have good intentions, able to perform magnificent works upon the earth, will be surprised at the judgment. They won't enter heaven because they didn't obeyed God. They will be surprised to learn that obedience counts, not intentions.

Just like a young person who intends to do her homework after school, but falls asleep; she goes to school the next day and gets an F. It doesn't matter whether we intend to obey God or not, all that matters is whether we obey.

Peace Be Still Moments BY:KB

Man oh man!!!! I am so excited….have you ever just been “pregnant” with anticipation?!!! The “saints” might be the only people who understand this  but I am in high praise and spirits because God just spoke to my spirit about a crazy life complexity… when I say crazy complexity I mean CRAZY COMPLEXITY…but where I would usually come unglued with anxiety…God whispered in my ear.

I have to say I love Him for the “peace be still” moments in my life….He’s always on time!!!

TV the true opiate of the masses

Where is my representation on TV?  We want to talk about diversity and claim that prejudice and bigotry are relics of a bygone era and antiquated thinking....so, I am forced to ask...where the hell is my representation on the tube?

Let's keep it real and raw...shall we...I am not part of the Huxtables and I ain't part of the Evans (Good Times) family either. Just where do I fit in? What show had an abusive drunk father that lived in the house and beat on the wife and kids? I missed that show while I was buying into the Brady Bunch- six kids with one bathroom.   I mentioned before that my mom was Julia (Diane Carroll) a nurse and an extremely attractive Black woman; behind the scenes was the man stealing the rent,pitting his kids against one another like some sick gladiator competition and beating the hell out of everyone just because he felt like it. That created some interesting situations...maybe my TV representation is rooted in every therapy show or newscast of war torn countries.

Where's my TV representation?  I'm more like the "militant midget"Michael Evans - Good Times than the kids of A Different World.  For me, academics and social justice are necessities and very real part of who I am. I'm not Mary Tyler Moore"making it after all..." Where do I see myself on TV? I didn't see myself sitting on the couch with the gang at Central Perk (Friends) - How do you film a show about NYC with one Black person -short lived mind you, in the cast? I don't see myself in any show on the LOGO network although it was allegedly set up to represent the LBGTQ community. I'm not one of the folks on the L Word, Noah's Arc or Queer as Folk...the shows a fraught with cliché characters and stereotypes. I was extremely let down by the L word and its pseudo-Black characters. I say pseudo because the show clearly showed that a character of color could not stand on their own. The characters had to either be validated by or in conflict with a Caucasian character.

Which leads me to my present day dilemma....Scandal, How to get away with murder and Blackish....I love the shows but absolutely hate the underlying Hollywood BS that once again...tries to pass as Black representation....SCANDAL and How To Get Away with Murder both do the same things that the L word did...try to pass of a Black character as strong yet the character can't be without the support or conflict with the with counterparts.Blackish does what the Huxtable's did , two Black "Yuppie" parents trying to cope with their privileged kids....um, excuse me...didn't the parents create the situation? I'm not knocking status and achievement what I'm saying is don't try to pass it off as the norm...what? Black people are only palatable for TV when they are of a certain socioeconomic position?  Gays can only be seen when they're embroiled in drama, bed hopping  or over the top flamboyant?  Where are the garbage men,steel workers, unemployed, the struggling to keep their head above water single moms, The people trying to hold it together as best they can?

Where the hell is my REAL representation on TV?

RACE and my ROOTS BY: KB 2.25.15

Do y’all mind if I preach a bit?.....I've been “on one” for a couple of days and today is no different. My friend Bobbie is telling me that I am bound for a pulpit. I’m a preacher of the gospel and I’m screaming social justice!

Every so often I get my dander up and I have to write about a specific topic…this is more than just a “dander experience” it’s a “I’m as mad as hell”, “all my life I had to fight” anger.

I’m sick of the people who subscribe to the “ignore it and it will go away!”  passivity.  I’m not saying ignore the passive resistance movement but I am saying to call the “sh-tuff” out!

Race and color are issues in this country P-E-R-I-O-D! I don’t exclude myself from the forum…I am not racist about it; I am not bigoted about it….I just know that there are some cultural experiences and things that do not translate and I don’t feel the need to be the spokesperson for the entire African American population so I choose to date and primarily socialize within my race, culture. I do have very dear friends from other nationalities and cultures but they all just celebrate the diversity and experiences of life as collective beings. I’m not always asked to explain. I can have the “difficult” times with my friends. I can share my rage about Trayvon, Oscar and other race atrocities and injustices: I can rant about Ward Connerly and Clarence Thomas and they get my anger………..

I have officially had it with the BS….from within and without. My sister’s comment on “I try to choose my battles”  I get the fact that you can’t fight every fight but I choose my battles is a very safe position to keep what you've got. I respect and appreciate the strategy behind remaining in a position of “power” to effect changes on a certain level. My argument is that the position can also make an individual a token and/or a puppet. My sister is neither but she often stands alone and thus is rendered impotent.

My mother’s self-loathing and “superiority” complex among the huddled Black masses; my mother is the person that embodies the “Julia” complex of the 60’s. We were always the first “Negroes” in our neighborhood. I've heard thing about dark skin, education and classism about other brothers and sisters in the struggle. I heard militant talk and was taught to be a radical yet I witnessed a severe case of “switch tripping” when in the presence of Whites.  The conversation about the academy awards when she referred to Lupita Nyong'o as “the little Black African” helped to show me that she has shifted in her world. My mom didn’t even know or care that the Voter’s Rights laws are systematically being dismantled by a school of oppressive thoughts and oppressive greed!!!

I watched my uncle deny he was Black…telling people he was Polynesian or Puerto Rican….I questioned this because my grandparents were proud Black folks who knew from whence they came! My uncle often told horrible stories about my grandparents saying that they were crazy because he could not deal with the fact that they were Black and somewhat uncultured ( I often call them Hillbillies) but I’m proud of them because they knew enough to want better for their kids and to buy and own property outright. They knew enough to save and to pay cash for things. They knew the importance of family.

To my family – where the hell did we go wrong?!!! I’m making it a point to learn about my family because they are who I am. They make me!!! My mom allowed the history of DV and her own “superiority” to isolate her from the commonality and the common blood…but I’m getting back to the basics….MY ROOTS!!!! Where we were a proud BLACK FAMILY!!!

Now, the things that really sparked my furor….the idiot newscaster that used the term Jigaboo and then offered and apology that was even more offensive than the term… the talking head Giuliana Rancic derogatory comment about an 18 year old child’s dreadlocks, Former Mayor Giuliani’s comments about President Obama…..then the classic disclaimer “IT’S NOT ABOUT RACE”….save the BS for someone who is naive enough to believe your madness. 

I’M NOT THE ONE!!! I WILL CALL THE MADNESS OUT OVER AND GO TOE TO TOE UNTIL I AM NO LONGER!

Now, I have a post script to this piece and it’s for all my good Christian fundamentalist friends….I’m calling you out on your record for Civil Rights….while you’re praying for the country…make sure you include your leader…it’s Biblical! Make sure you include the gays….it’s Biblical! Make sure you include people of color and the oppression and injustice….it’s Biblical!

Sunday’s between 10 – 12 have to stop looking like exclusive country clubs!!!!

Because I’m Happy………….. BY: KB © 2.20.15

So, I’m sitting here writing blog posts for my daily blog when something hit me like a bolt of lightning. I was writing about hope and I flashed on something that a friend said a few weeks back…

I was sharing with her that I had experienced a spiritual awakening and that I was more focused and determined to live my dream of writing. I told her how the inspiration and the dedication came about and how the situation just reminded me of God’s word and promises…..

I’ll never forget these words she spoke to me; she said “you sound different, you sound happy…” I've been friends with this person for over 20 years so she’s seen and heard a lot during my adult life – I have to say adult life because many of the folks who read what I write have grown up with me and know me and remember me as a kid; a nerdy mean kid…Now, here I am sounding happy

Real talk…I am !   I learned that happiness is a choice!!! I learned that God wants me to be happy. I learned that I do have the word hidden in my heart and that I can draw from it the very moment the enemy attempts to tell me what I can and cannot have or do.  I am truly born again!!!

Just Stop BY: KB © 2.18.15

I’m not going to share God’s entire message to me this morning but I will share a bit just to pass on the message and the gift.

God revealed to me that I had become so busy in studying and writing His words and lessons that I forgot to enjoy the communion. I wrapped myself in the work but missed a few of my own message. I’d nod in acknowledgement because it struck a nerve but failed to act on it because it struck a nerve…

Today I’m just going to be still and quiet and wait on God…He spoke loud and clear this morning. I’m going to “marinate” on the message. I’m going to divorce myself from 1) the noise of my own mind and 2) the grumblings and negativity of others….the weight is crushing my joy!

Today I am going to pick up the broken bits of what was…and wait for God to resurrect what should be. I’m not going to say “if you had been here….” I’m going to embrace that “you were here all along …”

Today I’m going to BE STILL and QUIET!!!!

When the enemy attacks - and he will BY: KB © 2.16.15

I like to share that "my faith is unshakable!" I share these very words without pause or hesitation. They sound so strong and emphatic. I just need to clarify something in sharing those words...my faith is truly unshakable but it doesn't mean that the "enemy" ceases to attack. The enemy comes to me and attacks just like anyone else. I am NOT excluded from his incessant punches and gnawing at my spirit and resolve.

Satan hits hard at ALL of my insecurities and tries to convince me that the Lord is not hearing me or tries to attack me through my desires. I am not totally immune to the attacks. I do pause. I do sometimes entertain thoughts contrary to my proclamation...NOTE I said I entertain the thoughts...I do not give in to them; I have trained myself to pray when I feel myself being drawn to my own thinking. I pray when I start to hear and feel alternative plans brewing in my head and heart.

The enemy attacks on many fronts maybe some of these things have happened to you:

He may slander God to you in order to cast doubt on God’s goodness and shipwreck your faith (Gen 3:4-5).

He may corrupt your mind and steer you away from the simplicity of Christ and His gospel (2 Cor 11:3).

He may wrestle against you, fighting against your progress in Christ (Eph 6:12).

He may lead you toward theological compromise by causing you to be friendly to false doctrine and its teachers (1 Tim 4:1-3).

He may persecute you for your godliness (Rev 2:10).

He may tempt you to do evil (Matt 4:1; 1 Thess 3:5).

He may ask God for permission to sift you out for concentrated attack and temptation (Luke 22:31).

He may use the power of suggestion to move you away from the will of God (Matt 16:21-23).

He may try to cripple your effectiveness through confusion, discouragement, and despair (2 Cor 4:8-9).

He is—at this moment—prowling about seeking to capture and destroy you, chiefly through pride (1 Pet 5:6-8).

 I say my faith is unshakable for this very fact....I KNOW GOD'S PLAN IS FAR GREATER.

Ephesians 3: 19- 21     …19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Loving Unconditionally BY: KB © 2.15.15

http://youtu.be/DXx_8Il5SFk

Being loved is an amazing thing, but sometimes the world forgets what it's like and what it feels like to love and be loved. Even worse, you can be a part of the group that neglects the importance of what it means to love or you could be expecting that feeling to be enhanced by your spouse, your helpmate... Whether that love is void or lacking, it doesn't give you a pass to stop loving them. Marriage is about loving unconditionally. Don't ever make you love for someone dependent upon theirs for you....if you do it isn't love at all. 

Lost Item BY: KB © 2.13.15

Luke 15:8-10 (NIV)        8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn't she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

It’s Friday the 13^th…big whoop….I don’t buy into the madness unless I watching one of the Jason Voorhees, Friday the 13^th flick. However, I do have to say that today started off sort of on a downer. I have a bracelet that has TREMENDOUS sentimental value to me and I looked down at my wrist to find it missing. I tore my bed apart thinking it may have slipped off during my rather rough night of sleeping (that’s a different story.)  I checked everything that I thought could have unhooked the clasp. I was emotionally torn about the loss but I sat still for a minute and asked God to make me ok with the loss and to help me to embrace the memory of the bracelet: I felt a sense of peace with the prayer. I knew I had to check my car before I wrote it off as a complete loss. I go to my car and reach around the passage seat where I rest my arm while driving and lo and behold….

I’m praising God because I was immediately reminded of this parable and I had to share that we must  leave God to do what God does best – restore!!!! Oh, we can move to make some things happen but wouldn't you rather have God do it?

OMG!!!! T.D. Jakes!!!!!

Don’t Give Up! BY: KB © 2.12.15

Seriously what’s the reward in giving up? What’s left? Quitting is the easy part, what’s the fruit of that labor? Is nothing considered a reward ? Somebody help me out with this one!!! I would never have anything that I find rewarding if I had taken up the habit of quitting. You wouldn't be reading this if I had embraced the word of others.

I have to be honest, I do get discouraged and I did stop writing for a period of time because I chose to  (NOTE I said I CHOSE TO) listen to someone else’s negativity….the thing I learned in my hiatus is that I was living out their hurt. Their message to me was a projection of their owning a message given to them. The enemy works just that way….if you have ever seen the Denzel Washington movie Fallen you’ll know what I’m talking about…the enemy often attacks you by the touch of others.

HOLD ON TO YOUR DREAM, VISION AND PURPOSE …..it is a gift from God created for and given to you!!!!

I get by with a little help BY: KB © 2.10.15

REAL TALK from KB: A while back I discussed the life lessons that cancer had taught me about being "spiritual" and what it takes to have unfailing faith. All I could do is just laugh about my feeble explanation...I fail God daily...my faith is unfailing because I KNOW...I don't run anything but my mouth!

Seriously, I KNOW that His plan for me is far greater than anything I could ever imagine for myself. I didn't talk about the spiritual aspects of my life because I was always around "church folks" then it dawned on me that we had/have a tendency to keep our struggle a secret because we were considered "church folks"......

This led me to create both my blogs. I use one to stress spiritual as well as social justice  and the second is a subscription only - daily motivational blog. We ALL need encouragement.

How ya livin' ?

Boundaries (food for thought) 2.9.15

Do you remember the time? BY: KB © 2.8.15

Whoa!!!! I just read something that gave me cause to pause. The writer posed the question: What were you like before you came to Christ? His point was to illustrate how God uses the people on the fringe, the broken and the rejected to His glory.

I started thinking about that question and how it applied to my own life. There have been several religious milestones in my life; I was one of those people who was raised in church. I usually tell people that I worshiped the God of my grandparents and my mother until one day I heard Him speak my name. When I heard His voice my journey began and it has taken several paths since then, but I digress a bit, allow me to share my "Spiritual Curriculum vitae" if you will.

I initially started my worship experience at the tender age of 5 or 6 at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church -my grandparents church. I remember several years there, then to an A.M.E, a Lutheran, a couple more Baptist experiences...all of which led me to the U.C.C. (Baptomethocathocostal) experience. I learned about Liberation Theology and what it means to be radically inclusive. I heard God's voice come through loud and clear. I attended seminary and was appointed to a ministerial position.

Now, for the hard part, after all the teaching and instruction. I was still very much struggling with anger from my childhood. I carried that package around until recently.

What's your struggle? Can you leave it at the altar?

This leads me back to the initial question what were you like before you came to Christ? I had to be this very angry bitter person....somebody that I try to minister to these days.

Is your all on the altar of sacrifice? BY: KB © 2.6.15

Man oh man!!! I keep telling you folks just how much I love reading Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest.

Every day I am amazed at some of the things revealed to me as a believer. Each day I look forward to wrestling with some of the words and instructions. Today’s reading just floored me!

“Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar” (Psalm 118:27). You must be willing to be placed on the altar and go through the fire; willing to experience what the altar represents— burning, purification, and separation for only one purpose— the elimination of every desire and affection not grounded in or directed toward God. But you don’t eliminate it, God does. You “bind the sacrifice…to the horns of the altar” and see to it that you don’t wallow in self-pity once the fire begins. After you have gone through the fire, there will be nothing that will be able to trouble or depress you. When another crisis arises, you will realize that things cannot touch you as they used to do. 

I've read this several times today and I keep coming to the lyrics of the hymn What A Friend We Have In Jesus:

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

Wow - Amazing Discovery!!!!

Good Morning readers,
I can say I that I am truly blessed by the fact that their is an international readership to both my blogs
France, India, Kenya, Germany, Hungary, Canada, United Kingdom and Malaysia

thank you to all who read
KB   : )

I Am BY: KB © 2.5.15

REAL TALK from KB: I used the term "I AM" to describe God, well I didn't the Bible did...but I want to clarify just what it means in a Biblical context.

Biblically the term speaks to the omnipresence of God.

the best way to describe it is in a basic English lesson

 when you speak of yourself in the past you say "Yesterday I was_________" now say in that same context God was keeping you from hurt and harm He was present in that moment "I AM"

Today, when you speak of yourself you would say "I am ___________" God is right there with you present every step of the way "I AM"

Tomorrow, when you speak of yourself you would say " I will be_____________" God is in that moment preparing the way "I AM" or I go to prepare a place............

are you allowing Him to be in the moments?!!!!!

Hope is built on what?!! BY: KB © 2.5.15

Ok people once again I woke up just full of the spirit and as I read my devotionals…one thought led into another. Question and comments flew at a fast and furious pace. After I read my devotional…I hit up a bit of Facing Your Giants by Max Lucado. I had even more thoughts and comments… so here’s today’s share;

Psalms 1:1-2  1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.…

Who do you listen to? What is your hope rooted in?

I know people who go above and beyond to conjure and curry luck. Consult “fortune tellers, dream books and the stars.”

Well folks, I got news for you…. [grabbing pin to burst bubble] Fate, like the tides, shifts; Stars can explode or burn out and the majority of the people you are trusting for lifesaving advice, are just as raggedy as you! What do you do when all of the aforementioned fail to regulate and soothe your heart and mind?

People tend to lose faith and hope because they have placed their hopes in something temporal and transient…. Trust the “I AM”  (Exodus 3:14)  He doesn't change

How ya livin"?!!!

He saw the best in me BY: KB © 2.4.15

REAL TALK from KB: Excuse me y’all, I have a lot to say and share today…I just woke up “pregnant” with praise and gratitude….some of y’all know what I’m talking about.

First I want to take the opportunity to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for His unending grace and mercy. 

I praise Him for my gift and ability to string words together, if you spent any time with me, you would say that girl is a fool who is really writing this stuff….I can tell you it’s God and it’s by the grace that I can share the word.

I need to say I am not preaching my life….so stop looking at me,  what I’m doing and how I’m doing it….none of that matters. I’m preaching the word using my life as an example as to what God can do and who HE can and will use when we walk in obedience to His word. My way may not be the only way…and I am not going to shame and condemn anyone for their beliefs….

Philippians 2:  12-13   12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

(READ ALL OF PHILIPPIANS 2)

I am who I am and do what I do because of the Christ in me…..

Like the song says “ He is mine and I am His, it doesn't matter what I did….He saw the best in me!”

O! Taste and see that the Lord is good!!!

How ya’ livin’?!!!

Truth and Liberty….. BY:KB © 2.4.15

We’re so used to being lied to or lying to ourselves that we now get angry when we hear the truth.

True story from my life: I was supposed to do something BIG this past weekend. I had been in on the planning and development stages up until Friday night. One of the people, new to my circle, was very excited and looking forward to finally meeting in person, as was I. Come Saturday morning…in the wee hours…I’m wide awake, up and sick as a dog. I’m trying to push past whatever it was that was holding my body hostage. I’m up and ironing my outfit at 5 am when out of nowhere I’m hit by volcanic stomach eruptions from the pit of hell; I’m throwing up while on the pot (sorry for the graphic imagery but it lends to the story). I call and text everyone involved in the meet and greet to tell them I can’t be there….the one person that was most eager has not spoken to me since!

I learned two things from the situation 1) The individual had an agenda 2) the person had been lied to and hurt in the past and my inability to follow through triggered something and I became suspect.

I have since spoken to a nurse practitioner that explained that I most likely had a mild case of food poisoning. I thought it was something else because of the time frame involved…but she clarified a few things for me.

At any rate I had to look at the situation for what it was…..I’m sorry for the disappointment but I am not the person responsible….time to look back and do some work.

Proverbs 2:20-21 - So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will inhabit the land, and those with integrity will remain in it …

2 Corinthians 4:2    but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

Saul or Jonathan – you choose BY: KB © 2.3.15

I left for work extra early this morning…I had a lot on my mind and driving in the still of the morning seems to ground my thoughts. I had a revelation about my readings while I was driving….some of you may get it right away and some of you may have to take to your Bibles or the book Facing Your Giants by Max Lucado in order to get this message; all I know is that the passage that I read is the perfect summation of my spiritual awakening.

Max Lucado posed the question…Do you focus on your Saul’s (persecution, trials, tests, negative influences) or do you see and feel you Jonathan’s (comfort, covering, protection and care)?

I spent so much of my life trudging through my “woe is me’s.”  I was accomplished but I never stopped to sit in the moment. I was driven and constantly throwing myself into the next drama looking at the problems and never the praise…..

Funny thing is that I never got the fact that the purpose of the problem was to extract the praise. I was trying to avoid the situation; priding myself in preemptive strikes. The question is  (My Utmost for His Highest)

 “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you…” (1 Peter 4:12). If we do think the things we encounter are strange, it is because we are fearful and cowardly. We pay such close attention to our own interests and desires that we stay out of the mire and say, “I won’t submit; I won’t bow or bend.” And you don’t have to— you can be saved by the “skin of your teeth” if you like. You can refuse to let God count you as one who is “separated to the gospel….” Or you can say, “I don’t care if I am treated like ‘the filth of the world’ as long as the gospel is proclaimed.” A true servant of Jesus Christ is one who is willing to experience martyrdom for the reality of the gospel of God. When a moral person is confronted with contempt, immorality, disloyalty, or dishonesty, he is so repulsed by the offense that he turns away and in despair closes his heart to the offender. But the miracle of the redemptive reality of God is that the worst and the vilest offender can never exhaust the depths of His love. Paul did not say that God separated him to show what a wonderful man He could make of him, but “to reveal His Son in me…” (Galatians 1:16).

How was I living this out?

How ya livin”?

ASK and it shall be given BY: KB © 2.2.15

You have not because you ask not….or the thing that you ask for is outside of the will of God for your life or an impure desire (James 4:2-4). 

Do you ever listen to what you’re asking of God?

How ya livin’?!!!

Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. 

Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

John 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Philippians 4:6 Be careful [NKJV: anxious] for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Philippians 4:19 But [NKJV: And] my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

1 John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

1 John 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

No "Mo- nies" By: KB © 2.1.15

REAL TALK from KB: Man!!!! every morning during my devotions I get to see and hear some amazing things. I just heard Joyce Meyers say  (I'm paraphrasing) God wants us to grow and mature in trials and tests. Testimonies are supposed to be edifying. Some of us go through something and the only thing we get out of it is the "moanies" .....whining and crying about the difficulty but never learning the lesson or understanding the purpose of the test.

I am not that far removed from living the life of the "moanies." I have been guilty of trying to convince people that I got the lesson and on some levels I had but I was still whining about how hard it was. I was trying to incorporate my old with my new....then one day it dawned on me ....you never see a butterfly dragging around its cocoon. A worm crawled in and a beautiful, colorful creature broke free....it's here for a short period of time and people enjoy the beauty. How can people enjoy my beauty if I'm 1) If I'm dragging a dusty cocoon around 2) If I am constantly complaining

How ya livin'?!!!!

Changes BY: KB © 2.1.15

If you were to leave today, God forbid, how would your eulogy go? How will you be remembered? We spend a great deal of our lives trying to convince people that we're OK based on what we need from them or what they want from us.. We create many tenuous and fragile relationships based on our disingenuous presentations.

Romans 15: 1 - 2    We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.

Psalm 1:1-6      Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; ...

Matthew 7:1-29    “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. ...

What am I saying? Many of us are far too comfortable "preaching" but not leading by example...yes, we're human; yes, we all make mistakes but we need to stop measuring people and situations based on what WE would and would not do.........

THE WORLD IS CHANGED BY OUR EXAMPLE....NOT OUR OPINION!!!!!