How to Effectively Lead

To Serve or Not to Serve, now that is a great question.

Over the years I have dreamed about being much more involved in my community; feeding the hungry and helping young people connect the dots to their future.  Sadly, this remained a desire without much action to bring it to fruition.  I've watched and admired people being passionate about serving and it seemed to just be in their DNA.  How irritating to be too darn lazy to serve others; which can help heal you of loneliness, depression and give you a better quality of life.  However, the other day I had an AHA MOMENT!

I attended a great panel discussion at Eastern Michigan University, "Redefining Our Identity: I Am A Black Man".  This forum was a free event and open to the public hosted by some very bright future leaders and community changers.  I came in a little late, rushing there straight from work.  I took a seat near the back, just in case it did not hold my attention and I wanted to duck out real quiet like (I mean one must be prepared..right?).  As I settled in and listened, I was somewhat surprised at the overwhelming amount of EMU students(young ladies and young men) who felt this was important enough to attend.  They actually had to bring in more chairs a few times because it was standing room only.  The energy was positive, the speaker was engaging, the questions and comments were thought provoking and funny.  I felt such a sense of pride in these young people!!  All the negative comments and imagery  that is portrayed in the media can be very disheartening.  If only the world could be healed of the racial viruses that have plagued us for far too long; perhaps then they could see, truly hear and appreciate THIS wonderful dialogue and we could collectively be the CHANGE WE WISH TO SEE.  

As i greeted them after it was over, shook hands and such, I was spiritually full and so very glad I had decided to come.  Driving home is when that AHA MOMENT occurred.  As I reflected on those students discussing a range of topics from Michael Brown and Trayvon Martin (both young men far too close in age to those sitting all around me) to the fear of not wanting to die and being harrassed by law enforcement.  And in spite of the fear, pain and even anger...they still hope and with extreme clarity, spoke of wanting harmony, a better understanding between the diverse people in our country, more love displayed and support given among each other.  It was a powerful discussion and it made me realize that this is truly what it means TO SERVE.   

Many want to be large and in charge

yet don't have a heart to serve

We Serve to help

We Serve to heal

We Serve to give hope

We Serve to learn

We Serve to strengthen, encourage and uplift others

We Serve to enhance and pour much needed love into our communities

We Serve, so that we may one day know how to Effectively Lead!

Watch your step...

It is said that when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.  


There are things that will happen to us that seem peculiar and often downright crazy.  Have you ever been going back and forth and back again about a job offer or a move?  You turn on one of your favorite t.v shows and they mention not only 1 of the places you were thinking of moving but also the position you were unsure was right for you.  You stare at the screen, mouth open and think nooooooo, did they really just say that?  Coincidence or heavenly guidance?

God's word is a lamp unto our feet and the Holy Spirit is a comforter and guidance counselor (so very grateful for that).  We are often shown what school to attend, person to marry, job opportunities to pursue and much more by subtle conversations and situations.  Ponder this: A total stranger strikes up a conversation with you and before it's over, everything you've prayed about has been spoken about and you've barely said a word.  They speak directly into your personal circumstances leaving you thinking, who in the world is this person and have they been reading my emails (just all in my business)? 

Be still and know that He is God, He knows and sees all.  He knows how to get you where you need to be just in time and not a minute sooner.  He will use who and what He wants to bring about his divine plan for your life (and YES there is a Divine Purpose and plan for little old you).  The bible is a living breathing thing and as you align yourself with God's heart, with a little help from the one who loves you with an everlasting love, He will grant you the desires of your heart.  

You are like clay on the potter's wheel, being formed everyday by the potter himself.  He is creating a masterpiece.  So, be teachable, take in the lessons being taught, let Him love you as you stumble and sometimes fall.  Be patient with the process,  watch your step and remember He has you in the palm of his hand.

Preserve your Treasures

Preserve your Treasures
Your Hopes
Your Dreams
Your Faith
Your Joy
Your Peace
***For they are Invaluable***

  
                           Preserve your Treasures
                                                         Your Knowledge
                                                Your Womanhood/Manhood
                                               Your Desire to Learn and Grow
                                               Your Willingness to Give Back
                                            ***For they are Immeasurable***

Loving Yourself so You can Show your Neighbor Love ♥

Be Kind to Yourself, Forgive Yourself and Encourage Yourself..for when you are Kind to Yourself, You can then show Kindness to others.

When You forgive your small imperfections, you are better able to forgive those of others.

When you encourage Yourself, you can then Passionately Encourage others.

#LovingYourselfSoYouCanShowYourNeighborLove♥

God shouldn't JUST be our weekend lover...

Some truths are too uncomfortable to think, let alone admit.  Our on again off again relationship with God tends to be one of those areas, am I the only one?  As I sat thinking and writing, God shared this with me and I definately needed to hear it....

When you are silent and distant from me Monday-Saturday, come Sunday morning you will not be spending time with a treasured friend.  You will sadly be sitting in the midst of a stranger, pining for a spiritual embrace, feeling none and not understanding why.  It won't be the Usher's fault, nor the Sunday School Teacher.  You can't blame the Praise Dancers or the Choir, not even the Pastor!  Your faith walk is a journey of a spiritual nature, not an emotional one.  It requires One on One time with God in order to grow deeper and more fulfilling.  God does not want to be nor should He be, just our weekend lover.  His deepest desire is to have a divinely passionate on-going love affair with each of us because He cares for us!  Discover how wonderfully different life can be when our routine Sunday Services become lovely continuations of precious moments spent in His presence Monday-Saturday.  God is inviting you and me to spend quality time with Him and establish real intimacy (our hearts yearn for it).  Then our coming together on Sunday Mornings will be far more than two strangers trying to force a love affair.

Get and Do more of what you Really Really Want!

It's the most wonderful time of the year, loved ones are near, homes all aglow with festive lights, holiday decor and music are everywhere and the hearts of others are filled with giving and good cheer. You would think with all this warm and fuzzy stuff abounding, crime and sadness would be at an all time low, right?  But even with all that we see, hear and do this time of year, many of us are still not at peace and where there is no peace you will (too often) find people more prone to chaos and carrying pieces (if you get my meaning).

Perhaps, just maybe if in the midst of this magical season, we could get a glimpse of what we are (at our core) really yearning for we could then truly work for and grasp peace.  Most (perhaps not all) of us really really want a few basic things: Joy, to be heard, to be understood, to be really loved for who WE ARE, recognition for our talents, to matter, to be relevant, to be proud of the people that we are on a daily basis and have those who matter to us be proud of us and our accomplishments and to have GOOD CREDIT (lol lol had to throw that in).  We also want to be at peace with our thoughts and our choices, therein lies true bliss like joy.  That being said, we often strive to have and do stuff that fills in the gaps of these things, we spend money without much thought on a variety of people and things, we put on airs, we do all sorts of things that we THINK will make us feel and be Successful.  There is nothing wrong with trying daily to improve on you and be a better you than you were yesterday but life was meant to be more and when we slow down and ask ourselves (and listen to the answer) what am I really really yearning for and in response to your soul's answer begin to Get and Do more of what we really really yearn for we will find ourselves right in the middle of a much more enriched, truly successful and God pleasing life.  

Happy and Joyous Holidays to You all....therefore go forth, each and every one of you, Get and Do more of what you Really Really Want!

Experience Joy

Experience Joy

In the brightly shining sun

          And in winter’s rain      

  There is beauty to be experienced in every season