THERE IS NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN

Reading Ecclesiastes 1 today, it amazed me that there really is nothing new under the sun.  The earth recycles water every day.  Streams flow into rivers, rivers into oceans, ocean water evaporates, becomes rain, fills streams, rinse and repeat.  Winds flow continuously around the earth.  Seasons change.  Generations come and go.  The sun rises and sets so beautifully each day.  (Oh, what a sistah wouldn't give to watch the sun set over the ocean right now).

But, even our trends in politics and various religions have all been seen before.  It's just the same old stuff rearing its head again.  That's why I love that saying, "Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it."  Because it's all happened before.  Maybe the president has a different face, but we've seen his politics before.  Maybe it's a "New Age", but it's just a bunch of old recycled ideas from various religions before.  Maybe it's a new song, but you know how often they sample old songs?  Music has been around FOREVA!

So, anyway, sometimes when I'm going through things or wondering what my future holds, I think about the fact that there is nothing new under the sun.  Even if I screw up, God isn't surprised by it.  He's not up there biting his nails trying to figure out how He's going to get me out of this one 'cause He sure didn't see this one coming.  He knows.  And He's in control of all of this going on down here.  Sometimes I forget that.  But, since we have free will, we have to let Him have control.  That's the hard part, because we actually believe that somehow we have complete control of our lives until we hand it over to Him.  Yeah, right.  Last time I checked, no one here decided when they were going to be born, how they were going to look, what color their skin was going to be, or what day they were going to die.

BUT, God is in control.  Nothing surprises Him.  He knows exactly what's going on.  You know, we've tried to pretend that we're in control and inventing new amazing things.  Like airplanes.  Um, sorry, birds have been flying LONG before airplanes were ever invented.  Or, satellites?  Nope.  Not sure if you noticed, but the moon has been circling around the Earth for quite a while now.  Nuclear fusion and fission?  Nice try.  But, the moon and stars have been doing that since waaaay before you existed on this earth.  People try to mimic God and take the credit, but we can never outdo Him.

There truly is nothing new under the sun.  And God is still in control, no matter what's going on and how bad it looks.  He's still in control.  I find comfort in that.  I hope you do, too. 

FINDING YOUR PURPOSE

francescomarino.org

I had an awesome conversation this morning with the Lord about how hard it is for each of us to find our purpose.  Then, once we've found it, we have such a hard time believing in it.  So many times we ask other people to tell us what our purpose is.  But, after going that route, I've found that everyone has their own opinion.  It usually just leads me into more confusion.  And I end up overwhelmed with being even more lost than I was BEFORE I started asking people.

This morning, I asked the Lord about support from others.  Like, are we to walk this road alone, or are we supposed to lean on others for support to live this life?  Where is the balance?

Well, He countered with an awesome anatomy analogy (gotta love that alliteration).  Anyway, we spoke about the liver.  When the liver wakes up in the morning, it doesn't go around to all of the other body parts and ask them what his function is going to be that day.  He knows that he's going to help break down some fats, maybe filter some harmful stuff out and make some urine, make a little cholesterol, convert some glucose, ya know.....the usual stuff.  Again, he's not asking the esophagus what his purpose is.  He's taking his place and doing what he was created to do.

Now, the liver isn't acting alone either.  I mean, he does depend on the veins and capillaries to give him stuff to filter.  He depends on the digestive system to give him the fat to break down, and so on.  So, he can't just act alone.  AND, he also can't decide one day that he wants to be a heart because hearts get all the fame and attention.  See where I'm going with this?  Cause if he tries to be something he's not, the body does not function properly. 

A healthy body works together so well, it's fascinating.  But, it's because every part does what it was created to do.  So, when all parts are working together for one common purpose, in the role they were created for, magic happens.

I listened to a sermon on OasisLA.org this weekend and the leader stated, "TAKE YOUR PLACE".  So many of us have no idea what we are created for.  So we ask other "parts", fumble around based on other people's opinions and end up confused and overwhelmed.  Some of us know what our place is, yet we're still going around asking others to confirm it for us.  And some of us want to be like someone else and we refuse to take our place.  But, you cannot take someone else's place. 

YOU WERE MADE TO TAKE YOUR PLACE.

So, if you ask anyone what your purpose is, ask God.  He will make sure you take your place.  If you know what your purpose is, believe God and take your place.  You are a child of God.  You have a specific  and unique contribution to make in this world.  And NO ONE, NO ONE, could EVER take your place!

Col 3:23-24
     And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance:  for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Much love!

What Does Your Handprint Look Like?

http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=659

Question of the Day:  If today were your last day on earth, what unique contribution or legacy would you leave behind?  What does your imprint look like?

You know, just like our unique fingerprints and our unique signatures, each of us has something that only we can contribute to this world.  I may not be the best singer, pianist, guitar player or designer in the world, but I am definitely the best at being Ebony Louise Price.  And I am the only one that was specifically put on this earth to play that role.

I've found myself comparing my gifts to others more times than I can count.  I mean, Jennifer Hudson can sang!  So can Aretha and so can Yolanda Adams.  I can't sing like them.  Why?  'Cause I'm not supposed to.  I'm supposed to sing like me.  So, why waste my time trying to be like them?  I'm just going to get frustrated and disappointed.  I could even go as far as impersonating one of them.  But, really, I don't want to be known as "that girl that impersonates Aretha," even if I could sing like her.

Other examples:  Diane Von Furstenburg, Roberto Cavalli, Karl Lagerfeld, Galliano.  I love their designs.  But, what they do has already been done by them.  I'm not trying to be like them.  I'm trying to be the best me that I can be.  I'm trying to live in the Lord's will and that's it.

So, just like our fingerprints, we have something unique to contribute to this world.  We weren't made by mistake (even if our parents didn't plan us).  God has always had a plan in mind for us.  

In Jeremiah 1:5, the Lord tells Jeremiah, "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."

WHAT?!  THE LORD HAS HAD A PLAN FOR US ALL ALONG!  HOW COOL IS THAT?!

So, we work on our skills.  Millions of women can sew, and make jewelry and play music.  But, what happens when I take those skills and filter them thru His Spirit and the earthen vessel God gave me?  God only knows.  But a sistah is fo real gonna find out.

So, let's work on our unique voices, our individual hanprints that God has blessed us with.  What's yours?

Does anyone believe in dreams anymore?

What a weird few days. It seems that as my dreams get bigger and clearer and stronger, there are more people discouraging me from them. Some ask the question, "Oh my gosh, what are you doing?" Don't worry. I know what you're thinking. You think I'm crazy. Or when I present a big idea and people say something like, "Ooookay. That's cool." Then you change the subject. Um, yeah, I can tell that you think I'm crazy. And for some, it's just downright confusing to believe that someone is truly pursuing their dreams. I mean, will that person ever see their dream realized?

WHAT HAPPENED? DON'T WE BELIEVE IN DREAMS ANYMORE?

When we were kids, we all had big dreams. The sky was the limit. So, at what point did that become silly? At what point did we decide that dreams weren't a guarantee? Maybe it's when we didn't see our own dreams realized? Maybe we stopped dreaming when "reality set in" and it was time to pursue a "stable" career. Maybe we realized at some point that our dreams would take work to achieve. So many times people give up on their gifts and their creativity to do what people expected them to do. I know I did. I went into environmental science because I wanted the "stable" life. And I had plenty of money. But, I didn't take into consideration the fact that I would want to be happy. Funny how money truly doesn't buy happiness. I know that first hand. And these days, there is no "stable job", "stable career" or "stable income." People are losing their jobs like crazy.

SO WHAT CAN WE BELIEVE IN?

I had reached the end of my rope. I had a job I hated, but was too scared to do the work to pursue my dreams. I also didn't have the discipline to do it. I also didn't know where to start. So, I started guessing. That led me through teaching yoga, and massage, and pilates. I still wasn't satisfied. Finally, I asked God. Yep, that's right. Who would know better than Him why I was put here. I got down on my knees and begged Him to reveal Himself to me. And, WHOA!!! HE SURE HAS SHOWN UP AND SHOWN OUT!!!

In the last 2 years since I've given Him my life, He has shown me who I am. I am creative, a musician, a designer, a laid-back glamour girl, a chick who loves to laugh, organized, imperfect, tender-hearted, and loyal. I love old school dances like the Roger Rabbit, jazz, makeup, photography, learning, exercising, and encouraging people. Most importantly, I love God! He has transformed my heart and my mind from a girl who was too scared to speak up, love someone, or stand out to a woman who with His strength can take on the world.

So, maybe you think I'm crazy, but you don't know like I know what the Lord has done for me. Maybe you think my life should look differently, but I'm just preparing for my big dreams. Maybe you feel like I should have a more "stable" life and "settle down." But, I don't believe people and their opinions. I BELIEVE GOD. He is my comfort, my stronghold, my conqueror, my healer, my deliverer, and my peace. All things are possible through Him. With Him, I'm more than a conqueror. I BELIEVE GOD! And I owe Him my life for showing me who He created me to be.

So, if you've been dealing with people telling you that you'll never make it, or doubting you, KEEP GOING! When you hear yourself agreeing with those people, KEEP GOING! When everything that you see in front of you says that you can't do it, or it will never work, KEEP GOING! 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 says, "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; Cast down but not destroyed."

WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT. NO MATTER WHAT. KEEP GOING! (I know I am).

Introduction

Hello there! Thank you so much for checking this out.

WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD SOMEONE CREATE A BLOG?

Well, I'm sure there are tons of reasons why people write these things, but I can definitely shed some light on why I'm starting one. The Lord has laid it on my heart that it's time to put some of who He is back into the world. All over the internet you can easily find people complaining, worrying, living in fear, bragging about their possessions, degrading women, and striving after the almighty dollar. But, you'd be hard-pressed to find much light in all that darkness. So, that's why I'm writing this blog.

A SISTAH NEEDS TO SHED SOME LIGHT!

People are looking for encouragement when it seems as if things in the world are getting worse. Some people are looking to money to save them at a time when money is becoming more and more scarce. Some people are looking to substances for comfort from their increasing worry. Women, especially, are looking to relationships to solve their problems. And, if none of that works, people are just settling into awful 9 to 5 jobs that they never wanted. And they convince themselves that this is as good as it's going to get.

THAT'S NOT TRUE! DON'T BELIEVE THAT LIE!

You were made for so much more. And, yes, you were made by God. I'm even going to use the 'J' word. You ready? JESUS did not die on the cross for you to wake up everyday wishing you were on vacation, regretting past decisions and finding distractions to 'check-out' from the pit you seem to have found yourself in. At some point, we become convinced that if we have the right job, the right house, the right car, the right partner, the right amount of money, we will be happy. That's simply not true. When was the last time you received something and you were truly, completely peaceful and satisfied? Here's the problem:

NOTHING BUT GOD CAN FILL THAT SPACE IN YOUR HEART THAT IS RESERVED FOR HIM. NOTHING!

How do I know? I graduated from college with a science degree that I thought would guarantee happiness. I had the high paying corporate job. But, I hated Sunday nights because I knew the work week began again the next day. I lived for the weekends. I was that chick that was always thanking God it was Friday. I've been there. I know what it's like to HAVE to be in a relationship in order to feel worth something. I know what it's like to need validation from others in order to TRY to convince yourself that you're smart, or pretty, or a good worker, or that you just have some sort of value in this world. And I know what it's like to dream big, but settle for small because you're too dang scared to step out on faith.

AHA! WHAT AN AWESOME SEGUE!!!

So, now it's time to step out on faith. I've played small. Now, it's time to put the jersey on and get in the game. Now it's time to trust God and see where He leads me. 'Cause I've been down the other road and I was miserable. I can HONESTLY say that the last 2 years since I gave my life to Christ have been the best I've ever experienced. Definitely not easy, but sooooo worth it. I know more about who He is, and who He made me to be. I have so much more peace and joy. Believe me, a sistah is far from perfect. But, you don't know like I know what He's done for me! And maybe, just maybe, this blog will awaken something in you that you thought was long gone. Maybe you'll step out on your own faith in God and experience all the things He wants for you.

THAT IS WHY I'M WRITING THIS BLOG.

It would be selfish not to share the amazing experiences and wisdom and knowledge that I have been so blessed to receive from the Lord. I hope that you will listen to Him and find out why you're here and who He is. So, I invite you to come and take this journey with me as I, with the Lord at my side, look fear in the face and finally...


STEP OUT ON FAITH!!!!