The holiday season is upon us.  For many of us that means that we get to participate in fun family traditions.  My family has several traditions that have passed on through the years. I come from a family of givers.  Giving to everyone at Christmas time has become more difficult because our family has steadily increased in number (and size…LOL).  So, some years ago, we placed everyone’s name in a container on Thanksgiving.  You were only responsible for getting a gift for the person’s whose name you pulled.  Fun idea, right? Bible Study Cousin and I also started a tradition where we get a Christmas gift for the whole family. …

Ya’ll probably get sick of me saying this, but my Pastor has been dropping the unadulterated Word of God.  Sunday’s sermon was no exception.  He preached from the book of Acts, chapter 20.  Acts chapter 20 begins with the story of Paul teaching and preaching to the disciples and others that have gathered.  They fellowshipped and ate and then Paul gets to work.  The teaching is so good that Paul is still going at midnight.  (I’m sure many of us in the black church can relate to loooong services…LOL.) Eutychus is a young man who is there to hear Paul’s teaching.  Unfortunately, this brother is tired.  He seems to have…

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. I Chronicles 16:34 Happy Thanksgiving! 2019 started off horribly and but has become the best year ever. Why is it so great for me? Because I’m starting to step into the woman that God created me to be. Of course, I’m a work in progress just like everyone else. So with that introduction out of the way, I’m going to tell you just some of the things that make my heart smile. God’s grace. I don’t deserve it. Couldn’t earn it. But He gives it over and over again. Tacos. The kind with the homemade…

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 This year has flown by so quickly.  It seems like just yesterday that we were gathered at my mom’s house for her annual New Year’s Day Fish Fry.  Now Thanksgiving is knocking on our front doors. I don’t ever want to get beside myself and think this blog is about me.  It’s not.  It’s all about God, and my journey to be in closer relationship with Him.  It’s about you and your love for Him.  And your acceptance of His love for you. With that in…

We lived on Cross Street for most of my life.  The picture that accompanies this post was taken on the porch of our house on the day that I got baptized.  So many of my memories from my childhood are attached to the house on Cross Street. I learned to drive on that street.  I fought the neighborhood tough girl on my brother’s behalf on that street.  I got ready for prom on that street.  I walked to meet my friend on that street.  I watched my brother relieve himself in the front yard on that street. After my mom and stepfather got divorced, my mom and brother moved into…

FEAR=False Evidence Appearing Real.  This acronym came to me last night, and I knew I needed to write about it.  I was up late loading tables and baby shower supplies into my car, so I didn’t get around to it.  Then, I heard a man use the acronym tonight while I was debating about investing in my future. To some, that’s a coincidence.  For me, that was a God moment.  He had just told me last night to let go of fear.  I’m deciding to trust Him.  With bad credit.  With limited funds.  With no idea how to get it done.  I’m trusting Him. Fear is a very real thing…

Can you hear it?  Right there!  Are you listening?  You still can’t hear it?  Settle down.  Breathe.  And listen.  There it is.  It’s not shouting.  It’s still…it’s small…it’s the voice of God. Elijah is a prophet in the Bible.  The book of I Kings, chapter 19 records Elijah’s escape from Jezebel.  Jezebel was the queen of Israel at that time.  She was angry with Elijah.  In the previous chapter, Elijah had shown the people of Israel that there was only one true God.  All of Jezebel’s prophets were executed by Elijah after their showdown.  Jezebel wanted revenge.  She wanted Elijah’s life. So, the man of God, who had just witnessed…

Over a month ago, a friend sent me picture of her kids after a Color Run. It jogged my memory (like my pun? LOL) that I had signed up for the Foam Glow 5k way back in June of this year. I was feeling so optimistic about my health journey at the time that I registered. However, I had settled back into eating and watching TV probably a week after that optimistic feeling hit. My last 5k experience at the Bubble Run almost took me out. You know they have the couch to 5k app? It helps get you from no exercise to being able to complete a 5k. Each…