The ENTIRE football team from NC A & T visited my church yesterday. I was completely unaware of their attendance until the coach was thanked for choosing to worship at Mt. Zion and asked them to please stand for acknowledgement. Imagine my surprise when DIRECTLY behind me for at least four or five long rows back the whole football team silently stood in unity. My spirit leaped as I looked behind me and swept a glance across all of those tall, hulking players. (Man, they were enormous!) I promise you that in the spirit I didn't see a football team at all. I saw twelve legions of angels looming over and providing for me (Matthew 26:53); a great cloud of witnesses watching out for me. In that instance I was immensely humbled for I "saw" God's confirmation that He is Jehovah- Shammah. Moments later I warmly embraced several of the players during the meet and greet. With evident strength they embraced me back and it was if I were briefly visiting with archangels. Returning to my seat, I felt sure the Spirit whispered to me, "I've  got your back." If you took the time to read this, that whisper is also for your life today. No matter what you may be going through even in this very moment... GOD'S GOT YOUR BACK. Period.

Yesterday Pastor Brian Pierce stated: "You've got to see it before you see it if you're ever going to see it!" Man, what a confirmation to me to narrow my focus on exactly what God has placed in my spirit. Life has a way of changing seasons on us & if we're not careful we can be like the children of Israel who couldn't appreciate the present glory because it didn't look like the former glory! Change is just ahead & we must remember that movement inspires movement. Your seed's been growing under the ground but you've gotta see it in FULL BLOSSOM/MOTION today. With that simply said, get positioned for the change that's soon to overtake you in the God sort of way. Shondo! 

Have you ever felt like you were literally swirling and twirling in a whirlwind of change? Well I have sure have and I'm certain that I'm not the only one because change is an integral part of LIVING this life! The good news is that whirlwinds are preordained agents of change that have an attached promise that cannot be broken by our God who is constantly making all things new.

If you don't believe it just take a look at an expectant mother's sonogram at eight weeks and then again at twenty-six weeks. What can be seen is undeniable growth and development necessary for healthy life. Next, check out the lowly, underestimated caterpillar that crawls on the ground in the beginning. Now, fast forward to the end of the metamorphosis cycle and marvel at the beautiful creature that has evolved and emerged. Wow, talk about an example for change. This reminds me that I actually have a poster of a beautiful butterfly who has come into its own after a process of time. The quote by Trina Paulus says: “How does one become a butterfly?" she asked.  "You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar.”

The revelatory thing about the butterfly however that is often overlooked is that the only possible way it can become its finished product is that it first has to die. Oh my. It is impossible for me to comprehend this, to write this without recalling the precious words our Saviour, Jesus Christ spoke so long ago in John 10 that still live today: Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.  No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

A little further on John 12 reads: Most Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.  He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

No matter where we are on our chosen routes we always have the prerogative to CHANGE our minds. As a matter of fact God has been waiting on many to do just that so He can show up and show out in our lives. We must not be insistent on staying a course, remaining in a relationship or continuing to mourn what God has rejected. The moment that we are willing to relinquish our wills... will be the moment that long awaited manifestation appears. Selah.

Got Need?" Well, I've got Good News... no begging necessary or required. We only need to 1st believe then open up our mouths and simply ask in faith. Just today while driving to an appointment in the pouring down rain, I found myself challenged by my own need. For a moment I actually felt like bawling and blamin' it on the doggone rain. 

Suddenly I TURNED A CURVE and right in front of my car was a humongous, vertical rainbow that appeared to reach from the sky all the way down to the earth and made me think of the veil that was torn from top to bottom! Oh man, this spoke volumes to me as I simultaneously recalled to mind Genesis 9:12-15: "And God said: “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.  It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud;  and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you..."

Instantly I was reminded to TRUST GOD! He's got this! I am so glad that God who formed all of my inward parts looks at both the desires of my heart and my needs and has no problem splendidly attending to both (Psalm 139:14). I encourage you to stand on His promises for no matter what, His promises are sure. 

Just about everyone who watches just a few minutes of TV has seen the AT&T commercial where the kids share their wisdom on needed "turtle-speed." Kid #1 has a good point but kid #2 presents an even better point! If a vehicle is coming and I have no idea if it will crush me or swerve to preserve my life a little longer... I'll take being a fast turtle for 300 please, Alex. 

Recently some friends and I laughed about this very commercial but those kids were really onto something that got me thinking. To a turtle's credit it's not made to travel greater than a certain speed on average; it's just not built for acceleration. We humans on the other hand really do need to know when to put some fire under our feet and pick up the pace to cross over to the other side to a safe place of rest. Truth be told though, just like the turtle, everyone is not built to travel at the same speed despite the same level of desire to get out of the road. 

Whether we're a fast turtle or a slower turtle we can still get to the needed destination because thankfully we serve a gracious God who understands. Just take a look at Ecc 9:11 which says, "I returned and saw under the sun that, "The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all." 

Whether you're a slow turtle or fast turtle, as long as you're in the will of God and covered under His ark of safety... you'll be okay. Selah.

Fred Hammond really knocked the ball out of the park with this old school vibe. I was just thinking on how much it has been raining ALL DAY LONG and this song came to my spirit. The children of God have to constantly press on this walk that definately is "not sunshine every day." 

Truth be told, there are inescapable days when it not only rains, but pours and a mighty bitter cup at that. The Good News is that we have a Saviour whose name is Jesus, the name above all names who is able to help in times of conflict, chaos, confusion and calamity. At the preordained sound of the timer, He lovingly leads us to a safe place of refuge that allows us to be renewed, rejuvinated, replenished and recalibrated for the next leg of the journey. 

Therefore, Beloved, rest along the journey if you must, but even when tempted, don't quit! Pull out your umbrellas, slip on your rain boots, button your raincoats and PRESS on through the storm! Press inspite of, press because of, press anyhow, press anyway, press regardless of, PRESS until either "IT" or  "YOU" changes. Selah.

Kickball, Jump Rope, Hopscotch, Freeze Tag, One-Two-Three-Red Light, Rockin' Robin and Mother May I?! Wow... can anybody remember the innocent days in our youth when we went outside during morning recess? We gathered on the playground to run and laugh as we played these type of pre-tech games.  What an experience of being carefree and enjoying life to the fullest those days were to a kid during the school day.  As I reflect upon those times on this first exquisite day of May, I realize that we can still be that carefree right now no matter our numerical age because of a one word formula called "JOY." Not "HAPPINESS" but real, sincere and unadulterated "JOY" that is not dependent upon a happening but simply upon the grace of God.

The JOY of the Lord is my strength and I am expecting God to continue to pour strength in that my joy will be made complete. Throughout the years, many of the absolute best things have happened to me in the month of May. Is it because May is my birth month? Could it be because "5" is God's number of grace? Lol! I don't really think so because soem May days have been far from "sunny" but the one thing I know for sure is that whatever month I'm in, I have a direct line of communication and all I have to say is "Father May I?" If my request (that may not even be tangible) is in the perfect will of God concerning me, it's a done deal. Can you really ask "that" of the Father in this very moment no matter who you are or where you might be? Yes, you may.

I witnessed something worderful today: WOMEN WORKING TOGETHER to make it happen for themselves and others! I listened to the empowering stories of phenominal women... MOVERS & SHAKERS, TRAILBLAZERS & FIRESTARTERS who are "just doing the dang thang" and doing it well! These women were dressed to the nines, hair fierce and stilettos that make you say, "ouch!" by just looking at them. And did I mention that the music was off the hook.  Lol! Well, I guess you know that I know I was in the right place at the right time on today. 

The male and female keynote speakers addressed diverse areas concerning entrepreneurship, transformation, understanding the wisdom in accepting the change of seasons, seizing ministry opportunities, rising above adversity, the value of collaborations and partnerships and the power of believing in God and the power that is within to be blessed to be a blessing.

Thanks Chisa Pennix-Brown, better known as "LadyBizness," for giving me the heads up and being so willing to share connections.

The Women In Bloom Extravaganz was hosted by Focused Sistas Outreach founded by Majik Thequeenthatcares Pennix. Today women from all walks of life met at Greensboro's Dynacon Event Center for 2013's Celebration. Thequeenthatcares is a woman with a vision who has heard from God and a stranger's voice she will not follow. 

Word of Wisdom: Go ahead & plan to catch Women In Bloom 2014!

3 Questions Concerning Christian Curb Appeal: 

1. What does your Christian curb look like from "a street drive -by?"
   
2. Does the outside appear so loved/cared for that it makes a buyer think, "Good God A'mighty?!"
   
3. Is there a sweet, fragrant drawing that makes someone want to see/know more?
   

Whenever I've been on a search for a property to purchase, curb appeal has been a big draw for me due to my extremely visual nature. While watching an earlier episode of HGTV, I heard a lot about the importance of curb appeal. It's so crucial because it can either make or break a deal before a potential buyer ever even enters the home. I don't know about you but when house hunting I immediately know when I want to get out of the car to see more OR when I want to keep right on driving because the advertisement has been deceptive! 

No matter if it involves ushering new souls into the kingdom, building new relationships, buying new homes or connecting with new business associates, the winning draws are the same. We must make very sure that we are attractive, approachable and accessible in our presentations. Human nature demands it as sight is such a powerful tool so let's be ready to deliver and seal the deal!