Beside Grandma's Rocking Chair...

~ Adoration~

2012-01-12T14:57:00.005-05:00

Lord, your works are awesome.

How did you place sight in my eyes?
Enabling me to see the sunrise.

I can see the trees sway in the wind, their branches bend.

Oh,incredible for me to see
the cumulus, stratus and cirrus,
float lazily
over the trees.
I behold the breeze.
I notice the bees
that pollinate
the aubergine.
How great it is for my eyes to see.

Prince of peace, your opus is awesome!

I praise you for the sight you placed in my eyes.
Enabling me to see the sunrise/
how divine
this sight of mine
everytime
I rise and shine.

I want it

2011-07-06T10:30:00.005-04:00

Sometimes I think I know what I need and what's best for me. Only God knows what I really really need. I don't want to want what I want just because I want it. I want to want it because God knows I need it.

Need-anything necessary but lacking
Want- to feel or have a desire for

You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. Phil 4:19 (The Message Bible)

I want it, do you?

What do you want?

2011-06-09T13:46:00.003-04:00

"And my God will meet all your need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

Do you want to want what God know you need?

What Are Your Measurements?

2011-01-20T14:42:00.004-05:00

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 2 Corinthians 10:12

Sometimes I think we get a little lost or perhaps even discouraged. We tear ourselves down trying to compare ourselves to other women. We know everything about ourselves and we only know what "sista girl" chooses to reveal to us. Fortunately or unfortunately it's usually "made-up" to look really pretty. Let's face it we all try to only put the "good stuff" on front street. We want to put our best foot forward instead our real one. Well, that's alright and also another "story". The problem arises when we compare ourselves with ourselves instead of trying to measure up to what God wants us to be.
Let's try these measurements:
*are we where God assigned us?
*is God getting glory?
*can God approve our work?
The bottom line is this. When the good Lawd comes checking for us He's gonna wanna see that we did what He commanded of us and not the same thing "Jane Jones" did!
<"measurements" taken from The Bible Exposition Commentary: New testament>

Ready To Die?

2010-12-09T14:57:00.006-05:00

In order to be a disciple for Jesus Christ and to glorify Him we must be ready and willing to die.
Die to "self". Daily. It's a must. If not we get wrapped up in selfishness and "I-itis", self centered-ness, whining, bickering, moaning, complaining and did I mention WHINING! All sorts of childish behavior.
It can be a vicious cycle. Reminiscent of a dog chasing it's tail. (how silly does that look)
On the other hand, when we humble ourselves under God's mighty hand, fall to the ground and die, (germinate) be hidden, lost to ourselves but found in Christ. We can be used mightily by God. We can fulfil purpose.
Jesus died so that we might live. We must die to self so that Jesus can effectively live in us and through us.
So Suga' go on and BLESS God and die. Die to self. Let God live through you. Bring forth MUCH fruit!

Scripture Reference: John 12:20-27

That Settles It!

2010-11-07T12:38:00.002-05:00

Can you say "hallelujahanyhow"!
Translation: anyway you bless me Lord, I'll be satisfied.

Just Because

2010-10-28T11:40:00.003-04:00

Because He lives I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives all fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future
and life is worth the living because he lives.

No matter how hard life "seems" know that you can... because He lives.
Tomorrow will come and whatever it holds you can face becuse He lives.
Yes Lawd, you can because He lives.

Baby, no matter how "hard" it seems, let nothing separate you from His love.
Pain and suffering will come and they come in many forms. While you're in it, it feels horrible and pointless. You can endure!!!
Yes Lawd, you can because He lives.

Because, because, because...you can, you can, you can.
Yes Lawd, you can because He lives waaaaaaay down in your soul in mine too.
Halleluah!

An Inside Job

2010-09-20T08:47:00.006-04:00

Worry is the greatest thief of Joy. However, when your Joy has been stolen, you can get it back. You can get back your piece of peace. These are the conditions upon which you can have your Joy back: Right praying (Philippians 4:6-7), right thinking (Philippians 4:8), right living (Philippians 4:9).

Alright Baby, let's do some word study; in the Greek "worry" can be translated as "anxious" and it means to be pulled in different directions. Lawd have mercy. How many things get on a daily basis get us pulled in different directions. Wooo, Honey. That sounds like a bunch of chaos to me. Our hope is pulling us one way and our fears are pulling us in another direction.

Now, the Old English form of "worry" can be translated "to strangle". Lawd help me. Strangle? Suffocate? Choke? No air? Sounds like a slow death to me.
Child, don't worry yo'self sick. Headaches? Um, um, um. I can tell you 'bout some migraines.

Now listen here, this is the modern day definition of "worry"; "to torment oneself with disturbing thoughts". My, my, my. Who is doing the tormentin'? Yes you. Worry is an inside job.

This is another definition; " to seize, especially by the throat, with the teeth and shake or mangle, as one animal does another" I ain't gotta say no mo'. Well, yes I do. Why would you worry yo'self?

Take custody of yo' mind. LET God's peace in. Turn dem worries into prayers. We will have trials and tribulations. The key to making it through has already been given to us. We just gotta use it. Work the word.

scripture reference: Philippians 4:6-9 (The Bible Exposition Commentary: New testament)

Eeny Meeny Miney Mo!

2010-09-17T11:27:00.007-04:00

Be "choicey" about who you' hangin' 'roun wit'.

What Time Is It Honey?

2010-09-15T11:21:00.043-04:00

Now don't get me wrong Suga'. Ain't nothing wrong with time for yo'self. But I'mma tell ya somthin', it should be just that. Time by yo'self. You and Jesus. Even Jesus had to come away. He did so to fast and pray. This time alone prepared and strengthened Him for his purpose. So our "me time" should do the same. Recharge, refuel. reinvigorate, re motivate, refresh and fill us up so can can pour out to our families again. We should come away from "me time" feeling better equipped to run the race that's set before us.

Um hum. You say, What about "girl time" and time away by MYSELF? Yeah, what about it? Please choose friends wisely. It's good to have good friends. Spend time with women that will positively support and encourage you. That will have your back and pray with you. However, I ask, do return home refreshed and ready to jump into Wife and Momma mode? Hmm... or do you walk in the door and get mad and wanna fuss 'cause the floor fulla toys? Do you wanna ask your husband what's wrong with his hands 'cause he wanna know whatyougone cook for dinnuh? Do you wanna scream 'cause the kids got a million and one questions before you can get in the door good? No, I got it. You just wanna turn back around for a little more "me-time"! If this is what's happening after your "me time", then you just wasted your time. Time is a precious commodity. Make wise use of it.

Me, Me, Me!

2010-08-30T10:13:00.014-04:00

Me time. What is a "me time"?
That sounds like something akin to selfishness! Calling it "me time" can be misleading. It can set you up for undue frustration.

As long as "me time" is always on your mind (when is it gonna be "my time") you will never enjoy the present moments you have with your husband and babies. You'll always be trying to sneak a little "me time". You'll start to think that being a wife and mother is some type of oppression you need solace from. Humph! The devil is a liar and so is a "me time"!

There is refuge in being a wife. You CAN be rejuvenated by the company of your children.

Your "me time" is right in front of you, baby. Enjoy motherhood. Delight in being a wife. Be wife and mommy wholeheartedly as to the Lord.

Steal away with Jesus. That's "me time" Suga'.

Scripture reference: Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men...

What You Studyin' 'Bout?

2010-08-23T08:22:00.004-04:00

Aw, don't worry 'bout "that"! Turn those worries into prayers.
Set your mind on things worthy of praise and thanksgiving. Even if it ain't but one thang, hold on to it honey, and praise Him with all your heart. Shake ya'self loose.
Choose to be joyful!

Scripture Reference: Philippians 4:4-8

It's Not About Being Happy

2010-08-19T09:28:00.009-04:00

Make a decision to not be content with only being happy.
Happiness is being satisfied only when things are going "good". What about when things are not going so good?

Seek God's inner peace. Let his peace control you and transform you.
Allow it to help you keep the peace within despite of what's going on without.
Like any other good thing in life, inner peace takes a conscious effort.
Bring it. Keep it. Make it...peace.

Scripture Reference: Col. 3:15

It's Just that Simple

2010-08-16T08:18:00.003-04:00

Don't be so simple as to let envy and jealousy eat you up from the inside out.
Let Love and Wisdom nourish your soul, child.

Scripture reference: Job 5:2 The Message Bible

Intercessory. Necessary.

2010-07-27T09:51:00.000-04:00

~Tennessee~

Today I cried. Yes, I cried. "Different" tears.
As a matter of fact they weren't even for me.

I cried for a sister. I cried for a girl.
I cried for a mother with dreams deferred.

I cried for a girl who's trying to understand.
I cried for a mother who's holding her hand.

Did I mention that I cried? Yes Lord, but not for me.
As a matter of fact I cried. I cried for Tennessee.

~Tennessee~

I must mention that I didn't stop at crying. My tears turned into prayers. Prayers of intercession on behalf of a sister. Intercessory. Necessary. ~Lady Galloway

Time is a Wastin'

2010-07-27T08:01:00.000-04:00

Girl, shut down that computer.
Honey, turn off that t.v..
Suga' put down that broom... that mop too.
LEAVE THEM DISHES RIGHT THERE!
Your family is calling you.

Your husband needs your support.
Your daughter wants your approval.
Your son needs your encouragement.
Your baby wants your kisses.
Girl, I said your family is calling you.

You wash dem dishes everyday.
You' swept that flo' a million times.
The t.v. is mindless. Humph, that computer too.
Your house maybe spotless, but your family is calling you.

Scripture Reference: Ephesians 5:15 -20; key verse: Ephesians 5:16

Yes, we're to be "keepers of the home" but not at our family's expense.

Spiritual Beauty (try these accessories)

2010-07-27T07:58:00.000-04:00

A meek and quiet spirit.

Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 3:4

! lufituaeB

2010-07-12T22:14:00.000-04:00

He hath made everything beautiful in his time...

Take a second look... everything isn't always as it seems. Look again and again.
Be content with it. There is beauty in it. It's fitting for it's time. It's just as God intended. Nothing needs to be added or subtracted. It's done well!

Yes, you are...beautiful.

Scripture Reference: Ecclesiastes 3:11

Submission? Who are you talkin' to?

2010-07-08T10:49:00.000-04:00

Hey you wives!! Are yawl submitting to your OWN husbands? Not for play-play, but for real? Are you submitting with a "happy heart"? In everything, big or small? Everything?! Do you nag, cry and manipulate to get your way? Tisk, tisk, tisk. Let's submit from the heart and cease to be self seeking. ~Shalom in the home~
Ephesians 5:22,24 ~ 1 Corinthians 13

Who are You?

2010-06-10T19:08:00.000-04:00

Who are you? Really. Not the face you put on for different people. Who are YOU? Are you kind and genuine? Are you honest? How is your integrity? Are you a social butterfly or a wall flower? Who 'is' the real YOU? Do you know? Whoever you are, be you. Get real and be real with Jesus and allow him to transform you from the inside out. A makeover from the Maker...~priceless~

You are all of That!

2010-06-10T13:13:00.000-04:00

What do you see when you look in the mirror? Is it bug eyes, "bubba lips", kinky hair, chicken legs, thunder thighs... the list goes on and on. Do you pin point everything that you think is "wrong"? If so , what do think you are telling God? That he somehow made a mistake? That how he made you ain't good enough for your standards. Contraire mes amis. Wonderful are his works...act like you know it.

God thought about you before he delicately "knitted" you together in the womb. He thought about what he wanted you to look like. After he knitted you he put that pattern on the shelf never to be used again. You are unique. You are special to God, His masterpiece.

Scripture reference: Psalms 139:13-14
Practical application: Ask God to allow you to see your inner and outer beauty the way he does. Pray expecting.

You Can't Change Yourself!!

2010-05-23T19:36:00.000-04:00

Take your everyday walking around, eating, sleeping, going-to-work life, and place if before the Lord as a sacrifice. This gives him permission to come in and change whatever it is he want to change about your life. In this manner you surrender total control over to the Lord Jesus Christ. It's like saying, "Lord. here I am. This is all of me. Take my life and use if for Your glory and the upbuilding of Your Kingdom.

From this point, or before this point, you must be have a receptive heart. A heart waiting to receive whatever it is he is going to ask you to do. A heart willing to obey. A heart that will ALLOW God to change you from the inside out.

Will your heart say yes...will your soul say yes...

Scripture Reference: Romans 12:1-2 The Message Bible

Obedience? I don't feel like it.

2010-04-12T08:09:00.000-04:00

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to obey God's word. We try to find all kinds of nifty ways to get around it. We may sometimes even look for loop-holes subconsciously. Usually what leads us to try to circumvent God's word is our feelings.

If we feel a certain way about certain things we will sometimes allow feelings to dictate how we govern ourselves. Just think for a moment God never told us to feel, he told us to obey. Furthermore, when he gives us commands he probably doesn't take our feelings into account.

My challenge is to check my feelings. Feelings will sometimes govern how or if I do a certain thing. If I "feel" good about something I will do it diligently and with my whole heart. However if I am not "feeling" too good about then I do it half hearted or maybe even not at all.

Check your feelings. They are an easy open door for Satan to come in and tempt us. Yes, if the ol' sneaky sly serpent can get us to "feel" uh let's say negatively about something, then it's high probability he can tempt us into NOT doing it.

Obedience often times IS sacrifice. Obedience requires selflessness. ( a trait I have yet to master, but I will go to my grave trying).

When Jesus looked into that cup I am quite sure whatever he saw did not make him feel too good. But thank God for obedience of His Son.

Whatever is in my cup is not nearly as bad as going to the cross. So what's in your cup. I challenge you to put self on the back burner and OBEY! In spite of 'feelings'...OBEY!

Key words: obedience, sacrifice, emotions, defraud
Scripture ref: Romans 6:16, 2Cor. 10:5, Hebrews 5:8
Application: 1Cor. 7:3-5 :)

Quietness

2010-03-23T11:18:00.000-04:00

What does it mean to be quiet? I doesn't just mean to not say anything. Its an attitude. To go inward by quieting all the worldly noise and daily distractions to hear from the Holy Spirit. To find rest in the confidence of God. The confidence of knowing he will fulfil his promises to us.
The attitude of quietness is also exemplified by chaste pure behavior. Quiet holiness and submission to God and his order. ( yes that means submitting to your own husband).

My challenge is to embody a quiet attitude and spirit especially when those around me are not in a good mood. My role at this point is to bring sunshine to them with my actions and not to LET their mood transfer onto me.

So I challenge you to Be Quiet and Confident Pure and Moral( translation; don't get a sour attitude b/c other around you have one.

Try to bring their mood or level of thinking up to Gods standard by RESPECTFUL and PURE conduct.)

Wives, a good place to put this into practice is when your hubby has just come home from work and he is in "wind-down mode". Have a meek and quiet spirit as you attend to him. You never know, he could have had a bad day and your smile and gentleness may be the panacea for his soul.

scripture ref: 1 Peter 3:1-4; Isaiah 30:15
key words: chaste, pure, moral, quiet, meek and gentle

Shhh! God is Speaking.

2010-03-11T19:43:00.000-05:00

Have you ever wondered how God speaks? Is it a big boom? Is it a "sign"? Maybe you wonder why God doesn't seem to speak to you.

This was my thought process. However; I am learning the problem is not that God isn't speaking. The problem is that I am not listening.

Am I reading "The Word" daily and not only that... am I making God's Word practical in my life. Have I aligned myself in such a way that I CAN hear from Him?

Sometimes we are so consumed with the physical world that we tune out all things spiritual.

Shhhhhhhhh!

Valentine!

2010-02-12T13:20:00.001-05:00

Well it's approaching the sweet day for lovers. Awww... I want to do something sweet for my sweetie. My first thought was a gift basket full of my baked goodies. However; I am honestly all baked out! So I am doing something simple but sweet. BASKIN ROBBINS ice cream cake. Voila! One call does it all.
Maybe I'll complete the package with something handmade by the kids and I am all done.

Something sweet for the stomach and the heart.

Who is your employer?

2010-02-02T08:38:00.000-05:00

Colossiasn 3:23(the message bible) reads "whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for men."

I realise God is my employer. All I do must be pleasing in his sight. Mopping the floors, cooking and especially home schooling the next generation.

My challenge is to keep this passage of scripture ever before me as I go about being a keeper of the home, at home.

I want to hug my hubby and babies with my whole heart I want to do what I do for them diligently and responsibly which is the way Jesus would want me to do it.

So let's make motherhood and wife hood a pleasant task at all times!!

God is my employer.

2010-02-02T08:18:00.000-05:00

Colossians 3:23 tells us "whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for men."

My take-away from this very brief passage is this: I am employed by God. All I do should be pleasing in his sight. When I clean the bathrooms I should do it responsibly and diligently with my whole heart. The same with cooking, home school and all that comes with keeping the home.

My challenge is to keep this passage of scripture ever before me as I go about my ADL's(activities of daily living) as a SAHM.

I challenge moms to hug those hubs and babes with all your heart. To really tune in to what you are doing at the moment, with heart and soul!!

Admire the Ant

2010-01-28T09:01:00.000-05:00

Proverbs 6:4-5 tells us that if we are in a snare to get out asap.(according to Adam Clarke's commentary) Yesterday I had the blahs. But once I put on some good Gospel and started to do the next thing and the next and the next... I felt better.

I challenge you to read all of Proverbs 6 especially about the ant. It will inspire you to get out of the rut of being a sluggard.

I got inspired to read this passage again from Ms. Sarah Mae