The brilliance of Gods artistry.

Life gets rough, but in the midst of the storm, when I long to run away, God stands right beside me to reel me back to Him.

Last night while completing my reading assignment, I came upon the story of Jesus calling Peter a “rock”. The textbook’s author, Dr. Wilmington, notes how Jesus called Peter a “rock” at a time when Peter was anything but stable. We’re talking about a man who had a temper, was a liar and DENIED knowing Christ three times. Yet, Jesus still called him a “rock”.

I could just imagine the pain and shame she felt as the lawmen rallied to have her stoned. “What will become of me? I don’t want to die this way.” She must have thought. “He said he loved me, why is he now chanting with them.” She cried. Then the crowd grew silent.

July: Pink Casket, Steel Eyes Ada Helen Creola Sarinthia Carr waited until the half-size baby pink casket imbedded with silver angels was down the isle closely followed by a weeping mother, a confused seven year-old brother, and a slew of relatives and friends who appeared more distressed than the weeping mother. Mama Carr (that's what the neighborhood called her) took her time moving down the isle, her darkly varnished cane lending the support her eighty-seven year old joints needed. As she was passing the last row of chairs, a sudden chill ran through the left side of her body. She knew the sensation. Without missing a beat, she turned her head and locked eyes dead-on with a set as cold as steel. And a Cheshire smile. I'll take care of him. Tears stung her eyes as she silently pleaded for his soul. I have heard you. He will have just one more opportunity. Today. Because you asked. Mama Carr continued out the door of Murphy's Funeral Parlor. She would not go to the cemetery. Across the street in the vacant lot, the piles of Teddy bears and helium filled balloons stood guard over the spot where the rape and murder had taken place. No one had seen a thing. But the wild bush weed that grew there knew who did it. No one had heard a thing. A sock was found stuffed in her mouth. "Lord, time out for all these balloons and things. They don't solve the problem. Like marchin' doesn't solve anything anymore. Folks have to do something and keep on doing it over the long haul. Faithful folks who believe," her lip quivered and tears fogged the inside corners of her bifocals. "Mama Carr," a hand touched her arm, "let me give you a ride home." Aja Watkins, dressed to the nines as always, smiled into the soft brown leather of the old woman's face. Go with her.

Have you ever felt like the odd girl out...the fifth wheel...the forgotten? It's a painfully lonely place to be, but priceless lessons lie deep beneath the surface of each rejection. No one wants to be left out, but it's just part of life.

"Family" is where life happens. Where we share our lives, hearts, and stories. No one was better at "storifying" than my uncle, Norman Naas. There aren't any words for my uncle. He used them all.

Every time I look out my window, if I’m paying attention, I’m reminded of the Psalm 111:2, 3...

"But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known." Luke 12:2 Wow, it's been a long time since I'd written a post on here; I almost feel lost. While reading Scripture today I came across this one and I must say immediately when my eyes read this passage I ran to my computer! I know without a doubt God is speaking today! Have you ever done something in secret? Have you ever felt like no one was watching and that just this one time really won't matter? Have you ever said these often spoken words, "no one will ever know"? Well, unfortunately, I have and all too often! And every time, inevitably the truth became known. And every time, consequences had to be paid! Rest assured, nothing you have done in your past is unforgivable, at least not in God's eyes. He already knows you did it so why not admit it? Look to your Maker and admit your faults, ask His forgiveness, wholeheartedly; and then accept His Grace. He loves you just the way you are. His desire is that you become the person He wants you to be. But remember, it's not what you do in order to become that person, it's because of what He did that gives you that privilege! And I do mean privilege! Being all that He wants you to be and less of what you want to be is an Amazing accomplishment. Doing what He instills in you to do rather than what you desire is all the more admirable. We all fail, we all make mistakes but thank God for Jesus, because of his sacrifice we are forgiven. Let's talk!

Every day I get excited when I find yet another thing that God is working on in me. Maybe it's my temper-that needs to be lowered a degree or two, maybe it's my lack of trust in Him evidenced through worry and fear-that needs to be raised a bit, maybe it's my overall disposition of being dis-content with where I am at this stage of my life-(now that is a greater task)that needs readjusting, or any of the many other faults I bear. Two things I am certain of is this, I cannot change these things on my own, and He is faithful! I didn't acquire these misdemeanors overnight. Circumstances and time enveloped them into my being. So then why do I expect so much of myself? His word tells me that HE is ABLE to complete that which He has begun in me. He looks at me and sees the completed project, I see me in the now. What a reassurance: He's not finished with me yet! Philippians 1:6 (KJV) "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" Let's talk.