Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Stop it!
Ladies, please don't overdo it with the cheap perfumes and body sprays from Bath & Body Works/Victoria's Secret/Walgreens/etc. I know we can't all afford to get the real stuff, but why you'd want to make yourself and your surroundings smell like old candy and Kool-Aid is beyond me. I can't breathe.
Finals Week Faith (Day 2)
Today was my Japanese final exam and it went superbly well! One down, two to go! The theme of light has been sticking with me, so I think I'll talk about that again today.
Psalm 34:5 and "More"
They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed (KJV)/
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame (NIV)
"I see something in you."
"There's something about you, I just can't put my finger on it..."
You've had people say this to you before, right? I know it's a bad habit, but I tend to dismiss compliments, especially those. Pssshh. Last time I checked, you couldn't see the future, nor do you have x-ray vision. I look at myself everyday, and I have yet to see whatever it is you think you see in me. But these days I'm realizing that there really could be something there. People of God, who keep their hopes in Him and look to Him in times of trouble, have something in them. Light, love, anointing, whatever you want to call it... it's something. And that something radiates outward, so that people can't help but see it and be drawn to you. That is so awesome, isn't it? God is the continual source of this radiance, so remember to keep your head up and look to him.
However, sometimes we stifle this radiance even though we don't mean to. "More" by Lawrence Flowers & Intercession is a reminder of this.This song always helps me focus. Near the end of last semester I was spending 6-12 hours a week in the library, I had that much to do. While I worked I just played this song over and over, and it would put me at such great ease. Oh the worshipper in me wants to break free from the intellectual mentality. That line gets me every time.
Now, I know it's ironic that the idea of breaking free from intellectuality encourages me to do well on final exams and projects. The only way I can explain it is that it reminds me that there is so much more to life than exams. Furthermore there's so much more to me than my ability to pass an exam, so there is no need to stress over it. Instead, I should channel that energy into figuring what I can do more for God. This song's message is that there is so much inside of us that wants to be released, if only we could be free of all the many "things" that are distracting us. That message makes this my favorite study song.
Now that I think about it the songs and verses would probably have matched better if I'd switched the songs, doing "More" yesterday and "Shine" today. But this is the order in which they came to me, so here you have it.
Psalm 34:5 and "More"
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame (NIV)
"I see something in you."
"There's something about you, I just can't put my finger on it..."
You've had people say this to you before, right? I know it's a bad habit, but I tend to dismiss compliments, especially those. Pssshh. Last time I checked, you couldn't see the future, nor do you have x-ray vision. I look at myself everyday, and I have yet to see whatever it is you think you see in me. But these days I'm realizing that there really could be something there. People of God, who keep their hopes in Him and look to Him in times of trouble, have something in them. Light, love, anointing, whatever you want to call it... it's something. And that something radiates outward, so that people can't help but see it and be drawn to you. That is so awesome, isn't it? God is the continual source of this radiance, so remember to keep your head up and look to him.
However, sometimes we stifle this radiance even though we don't mean to. "More" by Lawrence Flowers & Intercession is a reminder of this.This song always helps me focus. Near the end of last semester I was spending 6-12 hours a week in the library, I had that much to do. While I worked I just played this song over and over, and it would put me at such great ease. Oh the worshipper in me wants to break free from the intellectual mentality. That line gets me every time.
Now, I know it's ironic that the idea of breaking free from intellectuality encourages me to do well on final exams and projects. The only way I can explain it is that it reminds me that there is so much more to life than exams. Furthermore there's so much more to me than my ability to pass an exam, so there is no need to stress over it. Instead, I should channel that energy into figuring what I can do more for God. This song's message is that there is so much inside of us that wants to be released, if only we could be free of all the many "things" that are distracting us. That message makes this my favorite study song.
Now that I think about it the songs and verses would probably have matched better if I'd switched the songs, doing "More" yesterday and "Shine" today. But this is the order in which they came to me, so here you have it.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Finals Week Faith (Day 1)
Today is the first day of finals week, and I am so excited! Why? Because the daily tedium of going to class has ended, and I'm this close to breaking free of this place and going home!
However, finals week is still finals week. I have a couple measly tests in my way that need to be taken before I can leave. This means that I have to get my mind right! So from today until Thursday I thought I'd share a gospel song that helps get me prepared for upcoming challenges. I'll just keep it to the 4 that have been in my head and speaking to my spirit lately. Though I read the Bible everyday, I don't make daily Bible posts. But this week I'll make an exception and share a verse from my daily reading as well. What a coincidence that I'm reading through the book of Psalms right now!
First up: Psalm 33:3 and "Shine"
Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise (KJV) /
Sing to him a new song; play skillfully and shout for joy (NIV)
God has given you a new day, so you need to give him a new song. Whatever you have to say about God and your life today should be more than what you were saying yesterday. Whatever you do to praise him and show his glory today must go further than what you were doing yesterday. It is not possible to run out of reasons to praise him, so be mindful and strive to continuously enhancing your praise.
Another way you can enhance your praise is by showing the world who you are just as He made you to be, also known as letting your light shine. This brings me to today's song, which is"Shine" by Sheri Jones-Moffett. This song is just so empowering. It's a rendition of "This Little Light of Mine", but it speaks more to the daily struggle. It's easy to be fazed by circumstances or the way people treat you. It's easy to feel like you have nothing to offer. It's easy to feel like you must hide what makes you special in order to fit in or not draw attention to yourself. But don't do that! My favorite line in this song is, What you have inside of you is already great. It's true! So go ahead and do what God has called you to do, using the gift He's already given you to do it.
I actually didn't have any exams today, my first one is tomorrow. But I already know that that exam will be no match for me. I'm going to praise Him in advance for success and keep it moving!
This is all more for my sake than yours, but I hope that you will be blessed through this series as well.
However, finals week is still finals week. I have a couple measly tests in my way that need to be taken before I can leave. This means that I have to get my mind right! So from today until Thursday I thought I'd share a gospel song that helps get me prepared for upcoming challenges. I'll just keep it to the 4 that have been in my head and speaking to my spirit lately. Though I read the Bible everyday, I don't make daily Bible posts. But this week I'll make an exception and share a verse from my daily reading as well. What a coincidence that I'm reading through the book of Psalms right now!
First up: Psalm 33:3 and "Shine"
Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise (KJV) /Sing to him a new song; play skillfully and shout for joy (NIV)
God has given you a new day, so you need to give him a new song. Whatever you have to say about God and your life today should be more than what you were saying yesterday. Whatever you do to praise him and show his glory today must go further than what you were doing yesterday. It is not possible to run out of reasons to praise him, so be mindful and strive to continuously enhancing your praise.
Another way you can enhance your praise is by showing the world who you are just as He made you to be, also known as letting your light shine. This brings me to today's song, which is"Shine" by Sheri Jones-Moffett. This song is just so empowering. It's a rendition of "This Little Light of Mine", but it speaks more to the daily struggle. It's easy to be fazed by circumstances or the way people treat you. It's easy to feel like you have nothing to offer. It's easy to feel like you must hide what makes you special in order to fit in or not draw attention to yourself. But don't do that! My favorite line in this song is, What you have inside of you is already great. It's true! So go ahead and do what God has called you to do, using the gift He's already given you to do it.
I actually didn't have any exams today, my first one is tomorrow. But I already know that that exam will be no match for me. I'm going to praise Him in advance for success and keep it moving!
This is all more for my sake than yours, but I hope that you will be blessed through this series as well.
A self pep talk after seeing a full body picture of myself today
It may not look like it, but...
You are losing weight. You are making process. Most likely, you will feel better than you look (or how you think you look) during the majority of this process. So focus on how you feel. Because fixating on how you look is exactly what discouraged you and got you back to square one for the zillionth time.
You are losing weight. You are making process. Most likely, you will feel better than you look (or how you think you look) during the majority of this process. So focus on how you feel. Because fixating on how you look is exactly what discouraged you and got you back to square one for the zillionth time.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Thoughts that Came to Me this Morning
It's okay to recognize that someone isn't on your level.
It doesn't mean that you are better than that person or have the right to look down on her. But if:
1) That person has habits, goals, or ways of thinking that aren't in line with the direction you're trying to go in
2) That person doesn't challenge you (in a good way) or help you to become a better person yourself
3) You genuinely don't enjoy that person's company anyway
Then there's really no need to keep them around.
You have absolutely no reason, nor obligation, to feel bad about severing all connections with unnecessary people.
Precisely because they are unnecessary.
It's okay to change your mind.
I tried, but it still didn't work. I still don't have nearly as much ill will for you as I did in the beginning. But I'm going back to my original intentions and I will erase you from my life. I was right the first time. You are dead weight. And as I said the first time...
...after this is over I hope I never see your face again. God bless.
It doesn't mean that you are better than that person or have the right to look down on her. But if:
1) That person has habits, goals, or ways of thinking that aren't in line with the direction you're trying to go in
2) That person doesn't challenge you (in a good way) or help you to become a better person yourself
3) You genuinely don't enjoy that person's company anyway
Then there's really no need to keep them around.
You have absolutely no reason, nor obligation, to feel bad about severing all connections with unnecessary people.
Precisely because they are unnecessary.
It's okay to change your mind.
I tried, but it still didn't work. I still don't have nearly as much ill will for you as I did in the beginning. But I'm going back to my original intentions and I will erase you from my life. I was right the first time. You are dead weight. And as I said the first time...
...after this is over I hope I never see your face again. God bless.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
On Repeat: Jackie Hill
I found this by way of Willie Moore Jr., a gospel radio DJ/rapper/singer who also makes funny yet inspiring YouTube videos. Jackie Hill is a spoken word poet who uses her gift to minister the Word to people. She's based in Chicago, but is originally from St. Louis. Other than that I don't know much about her yet, but I can tell you already that she is phenomenal!This particular poem of hers "Dangerously in Love" is especially for the ladies. Why be so desperate for a man's love and relationship? Please, don't get caught up! In the words of Jackie Hill, don't be drunk on denial. And don't let your impatience with being alone make you sacrifice your reverence for God.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
.jpg/220px-Tokyo_Godfathers_(Movie_Poster).jpg)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)