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.

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!

Last night the BuildUP! Prison Ministry Team wrapped up another awesome year of service with our annual Christmas Celebration to remind a gymnasium full of ladies that JESUS is the reason for the season! With the belief and support of Hunter Hill Cafe, Walmart, Target, The Cheesecake Factory, Sara Lee and Sheryl Brady Ministries, we put not a ring, but a bow on the Celebration for Jesus! We allowed the anointed festivities to remind them that God has not forgotten them that their every confessed sin is forgiven and their true repentance is received for the blood still washes. 

When asked by the RIGHTEOUS, "Lord when did we come to You in the prison?" Jesus answers without reservation, "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me (Matt 25:35-46).” So many people care absolutely NOTHING for people who are incarcerated. Truthfully they see all incarcerated people as the dregs of society not worthy of anything. They give no consideration of what MIGHT have been the incarceration precursors such as environmental shaping, childhood tragedy, mental illness, or even generational curses. They cannot see past their personal "conviction" that if the courts found them guilty and locked them up they must be guilty.  Many have deemed incarcerated persons not deserving to ever reenter society.  I am aware that there are millions who are indeed guilty and should be serving their time. I am aware that many will never change even if they are given a second chance. I am also aware that statistically "More than 2,000 people have been exonerated of serious crimes since 1989 in the United States, according to a report by college researchers who have established the first national registry of exonerations." I'm also aware that I've watched that Holy Spirit usher in salvation/deliverance in the prison system for 16 consecutive years. 

We understand that there are far more guilty than innocent however, we don't have a hell or a heaven to put prisoners in... that's an assignment for God. All we know is that JESUS SAID... "Somebody needs to go see about them." Since He has chosen and "anointed us to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound(Isa 61:1)"  we respond to our monthly mandate to call them forth out of the caves and teach them HOW TO dig their way out of the dungeons.  

Thankfully there are those who understand that everybody's not looking for a hand out ... some  just need a hand UP in life. Thankfully there are those who never forget that quicker than you can blink - if not for the grace of God through Jesus Christ - a person could easily find themselves exchanging that expensive Sunday go-to-meeting church suit for state issued scrubs that ain't nowhere near new! Thankfully there are some who realize that just one wrong alphabet or social security number miscalculated can cause that Pandora bracelet to be replaced by a shiny pair of silver bracelets that I promise... cannot be traced to Jared's!