10.22.07

I decided to keep this site. I’m not sure why yet.

Thanks for your prayers.

3.29.07

Sorry to have been out for so long. I will post an update about the homeless man very soon. But I have to take care of some very important health care issues for now.

For those of you who are having health issues, try this on:

It’s by Charles Capps and it’s excellent. It is founded on the fact that God’s Word is life and health to our bodies. We can take the Word just like medicine by speaking it out of our mouths in faith and it will produce health and wholeness in our bodies. I read these confession at least two times a day and I have added my own more personal confessions inside of the front and back covers. Since I work full time, I’m trying to up it to three but it’s been difficult…Still, my faith soars on this and I’m certain I will see the physical manifestation of my healing speedily!

I’m also trying to get some work together to get back into school hopefully next year. I believe that is the next step for my life. But right now, it’s exercising faith in my God to restore my health.

God bless.

2.5.07

One more to go…

As you can see, I didn’t find a more masculine shade of wool. So I added white. But this orange doesn’t seem quite as melony as the one for that hat. I really wanted it all to match. I’ll have to think about that…Right now though, these mittens are reminding me of orange cream popsicles though. Mmmmmm…..

What would be a good theme for this gift though? How about Isaiah’s Gift? Isaiah spoke much about the homeless.

“The poor and homeless are desperate for water, their tongues parched and no water to be found. But I’m there to be found, I’m there for them, and I, God of Israel, will not leave them thirsty. I’ll open up rivers for them on the barren hills, spout fountains in the valleys. I’ll turn the baked-clay badlands into a cool pond, the waterless waste into splashing creeks. I’ll plant the red cedar in that treeless wasteland, also acacia, myrtle, and olive. I’ll place the cypress in the desert, with plenty of oaks and pines. Everyone will see this. No one can miss it— unavoidable, indisputable evidence That I, God, personally did this. It’s created and signed by The Holy of Israel.”
Isaiah 41:17 The Message

“Quit your worship charades. I can’t stand your trivial religious games: Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings— meetings, meetings, meetings—I can’t stand one more! Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You’ve worn me out! I’m sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning. When you put on your next prayer-performance, I’ll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I’ll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you’ve been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody. Go home and wash up. Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don’t have to look at them any longer. Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless.”
Isaiah 1:13 The Message

“This is the kind of fast day I’m after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts. What I’m interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families. Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once. Your righteousness will pave your way. The God of glory will secure your passage. Then when you pray, God will answer. You’ll call out for help and I’ll say, ‘Here I am.’”
Isaiah 58:6 The Message

This I got from another passage of scripture, but I thought it was still appropriate.

“The accumulated sorrows of your exile will dissipate. I, your God, will get rid of them for you. You’ve carried those burdens long enough. At the same time, I’ll get rid of all those who’ve made your life miserable. I’ll heal the maimed; I’ll bring home the homeless. In the very countries where they were hated they will be venerated. On Judgment Day I’ll bring you back home—a great family gathering! You’ll be famous and honored all over the world. You’ll see it with your own eyes— all those painful partings turned into reunions! God’s Promise.”
Zephaniah 3:18 The Message

I’ll be thinking on that while I’m finishing up this gift. I still have to see if I can get through socks. I will have to knit double time at night. I can already see the laundry piling up for me.

At any rate, I have been listening to a few new songs that I got on my ipod recently. Just a Prayer Away by Yolanda Adams (the Live In Washington album) is really touching my heart right now. You’ve got to hear it. I believe that if God could speak to each and everyone of us one-on-one, that’s what He would say. That’s the best way I can explain it. I nearly cry every time I hear it.

Now this is a twist. For everyone who grew up in the urban r&b/pop/hip-hop culture…remember when you prayed that God would have someone make some music for us? Well, He is answering!

Don’t get me wrong. I’ve been going to church since I was nine. But church wasn’t always in me (I’m just keeping it real). It kind of slipped in and out…But thank God, I’m in for good now. Anyway, during the years I was out, I developed a strong love for r&b. And I always wished there was some gospel music that had that flavor, but with all the talent, nobody ever made any music like that. Seriously, I love the Winans (all of them and all of the various groups-and I mean, really, who can sang We Shall Behold Him like Vickie Winans?-and yes, I meant to spell sang that way), New Jersey Mass Choir, Kirk, Fred Hammond,Hezekiah, Full Gospel Baptist, and all the others that are of that traditional gospel genre (or the ones that walk the line between traditional and contemporary). Some of the newer faces like Micah Stampley I like too. But sometimes….I believe God throws in a little fresh oil every now and again and if He didn’t, where would we be?

Now, to be entirely real, contemporary urban gospel is not everyone’s cup of tea. Some things can be too “new” to some people. However, I believe Jesus explained it best to John when John saw a man who wasn’t in the same company as they:

“John said to Him, Teacher, we saw a man who does not follow along with us driving out demons in Your name, and we forbade him to do it, because he is not one of our band [of Your disciples].
But Jesus said, Do not restrain or hinder or forbid him; for no one who does a mighty work in My name will soon afterward be able to speak evil of Me.
For he who is not against us is for us.”
Mark 9:38-40 AMP

Band. Get it? Okay, just kidding.

The point is, it might not come in the same package everyone is used to seeing or hearing, but if it’s glorifying the same savior, then it’s carrying the same power.

That said, I have plenty of gospel on my ipod. I have some oldies and some newer ones. But for now, I am particularly in love with the song Grateful by Coko. When I was younger, she was part of a very popular trio. I loved them then. I love this song now. I haven’t had a chance to listen to the rest of the album much because along with Yolanda’s track, I keep pressing the back button on this one too. The message is a simple one: When we get a little something, there’s always something more we want. But we really need to be grateful for what He gives us everyday-life. My pastor preaches this message all the time. This song puts it to some nice vocals.

Then, the newest sister and brother team, Charles & Taylor’s, Still Gonna Pray, has a really nice beat to it and also a great message. “When things are good and when things don’t go my way, I’m still gonna pray…” My nine-year old even likes it.

Sweetest Thing (Dutch Mix) by Kierra “KiKi” Sheard, is a favorite as well. She has a few other songs on her albums that I like too. She seems to be changing the face of contemporary gospel for the younger generation. Another my son seems to like. Whenever it comes on in the car, he’s ready to sing!

This one itunes hasn’t picked up yet, but I’ve requested it, He’s Here by Niyoki. I love that song!

I put these songs on (well, all except for He’s Here) and bounce all the way to work. I’m not much of a morning person. But it’s really hard to be in a bad mood when you’re singing, bouncing, snapping your fingers, and nodding your head…especially to music that glorifies God.

2.2.07

This might actually make me a stalker.

This is the man I was talking to you about. That’s usually where I see him. He sits at the point where I-95 meets Maryland Avenue. I don’t even know his name. Looks like he has a friend with him today. Makes me wonder just how many are out there at this time of year. We just had the coldest day of the year not that long ago…Where will they go after they leave this corner and how will they keep warm?

I recently heard a message that said that we are the hands of God. If that is so, if we don’t do what we can for the homeless, how will God reach them?

I heard another message today by Joyce Meyer about learning to live for others. Give it a listen.

1.30.07

I decided to devote the month of February to the man on the corner. He’s back. I have gone by his corner at various times this month and I have seen him. I guess he didn’t get that place to stay for good? Well, God is still good and I’m sure that since He feeds the sparrow, He’s got His eye on this man as well. But at least now I will have some time to get what I want to get finished…finished.

I got distracted this month though with, well…everything. I feel like the enemy seriously tried to knock me down. I had been meditating on some healing scriptures for a healing that I am still believing God for now. It’s just an itchy and irritated scalp. It’s right at the crown of my head. It’s annoying as all get out though and I have been putting up with it for too long when healing has been provided for me through the blood of Jesus.

Just when I felt like I was getting it in my heart, it seemed as though everything came all at once.

Strike one, I got a fever blister.

Okay. I was slightly irritated because I was saying my scriptures and I haven’t had one of those since I was a kid. But okay, no biggie. I’ll put the witch hazel on it and call it a day.

Strike two, my daughter was sent to the hospital for two days.

I had taken her to get an immunization and her doctor sent us straight to the hospital! He felt she was underweight. Not severely. She was just under the curve. So we went there and before I knew what was going on, they were admitting her! Huh? We stayed overnight and I saw a few different doctors. They took a couple tests and they bruised her arm all up trying to take blood. After saying that they were trying to take every precaution, I was left bewildered when they forgot to bring her her meals and when nobody took it seriously enough to write down what she did eat. They copied it out of my notebook that I had started when we hit the doors of the hospital. Hospital visits cost and I wanted to be sure that we didn’t need to stay any longer than we had to, especially when there was nothing to be worried about. True enough though, even the physicians took one look at her laughing and giggling and trying to run all through the rooms at the hospital that they didn’t believe she should be there. One doctor said, “I can’t say that this warrants a hospital visit because she’s not sick.” By the end of Friday night, still no one really looking at her as closely as they were trying to make out the doctor needed her to be looked at, they told me that she needed to see a nutritionist who wouldn’t be there until Monday! Why didn’t she see one on Thursday night? We were there doing nothing all day Friday too. So my husband and I talked it over. In the end I asked to be discharged. We had a full fridge at home where I wouldn’t have to keep buying her food (with very limited funds) and she could play with her own toys. Besides, all the babies on the wing they put us on came down with pneumonia after being there for a few days. I was not about to risk that. So, since we decided to take her home, we’ve been ordered to do the calorie count at home and she is scheduled to see the nutritionist soon. The problem is she’s just like I was at her age (and sadly, for many years after that). She picks her food and she’s such a busy bee that she burns off what does get into her tummy! Oh well. I will just have to grin and bear all the testing. But I have to admit…this was even more annoying and it was getting harder to control my tongue and my temper at the same time…

Strike three, my son got a stomach virus on Thursday. I caught a bit of it and so did their father. And, to top it all off, after the fever blister had healed, another came right behind it!

As I was driving my kids home that Thursday night though, I saw myself laying hands on my son. And I believe that I heard in my heart that if I would lay hands on him, I would see the power of God. Mark 16:18 says,

“They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

So, I did it. And you know what? When other kids caught this virus at my son’s school, they had to miss two weeks of school. But after laying hands on my son, he only missed two days. Hallelujah!

When my husband, caught it, I figured I would do it again and see what God would do. After an hour, he said he felt better. And he went to work the next day just fine.

As for myself, I just keep saying the scriptures I have been given. I feel like if I just hold on to my confession of faith, the enemy will have no choice but to give up. After all, he’s already defeated. I just have to keep reminding him.

“That evening a lot of demon-afflicted people were brought to him. He relieved the inwardly tormented. He cured the bodily ill. He fulfilled Isaiah’s well-known sermon: He took our illnesses, He carried our diseases.”
Matthew 8:16

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.”
Isaiah 53:5 AMP

Matthew 8:17 in the Amplified Bible says that he bore away our diseases. Every time I think of that, I think of the fact that the Israelites had to have one sacrifice in the camp and one scapegoat go away from them, outside of the camp. I visualize the spotless Lamb going away from me with all of the diseases that were intended for me. How wonderful is that?!

As annoying as these small afflictions have been, I believe God gave me the grace to go through it without taking back the Word that I had been confessing all along. That’s amazing for someone who normally had a negative attitude and a poor confession, or no confession at all.

At any rate, I hope this has encouraged some of you out there who may be battling some illness of your own, especially during this season. I don’t care how small an illness it seems, it was already covered under the blood and you ought not put up with it anymore. It doesn’t belong to you. Selah.

Well, I hope next time to have some more news for you concerning knitting and that man on the corner. If you see some good, economical wool, let me know. Bye for now!