In case you were wondering...

A man's gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men."
Proverbs 18:6

Ode To You.

What a great weekend. You know, God has given me a plethora of brilliant, amazing, heart-warming friends. I find myself in awe sometimes when I stop to think about the individuals who've left an imprint on my heart. Here's one:
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We could not stop talking. As soon as her flight landed, she and I talked until after midnight the next day. I love moments like that; moments when you're so comfortable with a friend, that time passes you by, unaware... In this particular case, it means a lot to me because I met this friend less than a year ago, and I feel like I've known her my whole life. Amazing. It behooves me to believe that this is less than God, when you can meet someone and instantly feel commonality. And, more often than not, the breath of God that my friend carries is arresting and attractive. The way she wears Christ makes me question my position in my relationship with Jesus - what I know and why I know it. Her example challenges me to work out my own salvation with greater pursuit and anticipation of the Holy. Iron sharpening iron. Can you tell I'm inspired?

My prayer is that I can leave an emphatic seed of benevolence, inspiration and encouragement in her life. Even, to have the opportunity to deposit the God-given wisdom I carry within me. I've learned that God doesn't do anything by mistake. The people in your life are for a reason, a season or a lifetime, and it's important to recognize the time. This friend, however, is definitely for a lifetime.

To that friend, I say, thank you :)

Favorite Kid Quote of The Day

My friend's daughter said this to him:

"Since God is my Dad, why do I have to ask you for stuff?"

Favorite Kid Quote of The Day

-a friend's son said this to me.

"I paid attention in school today and I listened to the teacher because I want Jesus to be pleased with my actions..."

Whom Love Pursued

I was cleaning around the house this afternoon and came across an old spoken word piece I shared at a women's retreat on the beach about a year ago. At this retreat, I was asked to speak and share my testimony, and this is what I shared before I spoke to the women about the God in me. I totally forgot about this and am glad I found it. Enjoy...
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"Whom Love Pursued"

she, sits in distress, concerned and under arrest
she, sits in her pretty pink dress
afraid to tell her mom because she'd make a mess
of things
she's six and he, he cornered her
she's not even old enough to write legible
his, decibels rang in her ears - "touch it!"
she sits in distress, concerned and under arrest
her heart beats out of her chest
she's too young to be shaken from the nest
but satan's jest was to destroy her

her shackles grew stronger with age, she's enraged at the world
every night, curled, into the fetal position
her life transitions inexplicably
see, she be that girl with the absentee father and abused mother
satan's plan - to scorn her identity
"you're nothing!" he says. "you're worthless!" he clouts.
"people will think your crazy!" he laughs. "there's no God." he shouts

she loses herself sometimes - with pen and paper and words
because her journal was the only thing that understood
her adjectives, her nouns, her verbs

she posts a do-not-disturb sign on her heart
but, love knocks anyway
it pursued her without fail
it even showed her the blood on the nail it endured
this pursuit made her blush
her, deep cocoa skin turning pale
she received a letter from this love in the mail
addressed to: intimacy

what is this love? she thought
don't you know she's on the run?
do you really want one raped and abused?
confused and holding a loaded gun?

this loves pursuit grew stronger and stronger
she, could not resist it any longer
and when her spirit was limp from wailing and crying
she gave in to this love and committed to dying
every day, even... and now
her testimony is a testament
of this love she found years ago

no more bondage and no more chains
no more denying that Jesus Christ reigns
no more sexual abuse, no more addiction
no more mental handicap, no more affliction
no more negative words, no more trilogy
of generation after generation after generation
of not being what God called to be
more faith, more anointing, more fire
more passion, more pursuit of His desire
more prayer, more intercession, a deeper level of more
more Holy Spirit power from head to the floor
taking territory for His glory in war

that girl who was abused and raped
is walking in power, free.
that girl whom love pursued
was me.

by

Burn

My deep thought for the day...

Ever see something burn? If it burns long enough, the things around it will also catch fire. And, when more than one thing burns, the fire becomes more intense and spreads faster. When fire spreads, it's harder to prohibit, interrupt...breakup. We should represent Christ in the manner of wild fire. We should burn for Him, His desires, His heart and ignite others. Be encouraged to get up every morning and put on Christ just like you take the time to put on your best outfit. †

In remembering to represent Christ with all I am, I read this quote earlier today...

"Catch on fire with enthusiasm for Christ and people will come from miles to watch you burn." ~John Wesley