ZippityDooDah Day!

(Images courtesy of google.)

My, oh my, what a wonderful day!   

Plenty of SONshine heading my way! 

He's the TRUTH--it's factual, hence, everything is satisfactual! 

Zippitydoodah, ZippityPraise, 

Wonderful feeling - Wonderful day!

(...Blueberry Blessings version of the lyrics.) 

BLESSINGS: "The flowers appear on the earth: the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;" Song of Solomon 2:12

True Valentine Love!

Chocolates, flowers, and candles, oh my! 

Romance fills the air on this most amorous day of the year. You wake up, imagining the smell of fresh roses soon to be delivered, salivate at the thought of savoring every choco bite of your Godiva truffle, and prepare to gleefully distribute the pastel-colored hearts to your dearest Valentine's, declaring a variety of messages: Be Mine, I LOVE You, You're Cute, TRUE LOVE, Let's Kiss, Hug Me, Sweet Lips, (insert your favorite here.) 

LOVE is grand and can be delivered in many ways, expressed in many languages, and demonstrated by a variety of actions. LOVE Gives! LOVE Heals! LOVE is simple (and complicated.) LOVE IS TRUE!

What is TRUE LOVE? Patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, does not delight in evil, rejoices in truth, protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres!  And, most importantly and undeniably....

GOD IS LOVE!

Happy Valentine's Day!

BLESSINGS: "And now abideth faith, hope, and love, these three; but the greatest of these is LOVE." I Corinthians 13:13

Winter's Glory

What a beautiful scene! What a beautiful sight! The "Painter" came to us in the middle of the night.

In silence He came, we heard not a sound, But when we looked out of the window, Behold! Our world was snow bound! The trees were laden with snow so heavy, that the limbs were touching the ground. 

The pines stood tall in their pure white "cloaks", 

It was "Winter's Glory", everywhere you looked.  

The world was transformed to just black and white, 

What a beautiful scene! What a beautiful sight!

God gave us a "painting" that could not be framed, 

How wonderful to behold, and be a part of 

"HIS HANDIWORK PROCLAIMED!!!!"

Composed and beautifully written by my mama, Rev. E.A.D.

Thank you for the inspiration, Mama! I love you!

BLESSINGS: "Thou has set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and WINTER!"

Psalms 74:17

The Christmas Secret

Auntie Claus is a book about a grand diva (hmmm, could this be me?) who resides in an ominous, big-city penthouse. (uh, no, not me.) She holds the candy-cane key that will unlock all the secrets to the glories and splendor of Christmas. Mind you, it's not just any ol' candy-cane key; it has a mysertious connection to something that must resonate within your inner-most being...your core.

That certain something, the magical feeling, the key to the essence of Christmas, the ability that lies within all of us, is to simply.....BELIEVE. That's the secret. And, really, it is no secret at all. 

For when we believe, we unlock the bondage of (spiritual, emotional, and political) war, for PEACE ON EARTH; we free the guilt of harboring ill-will, for the power of GOODWILL TO ALL MEN (women and children, too)! 

So, how does one promote peace and goodwill toward all men? It's simple....BELIEVE in the remarkable reason for this spectacular CHRISTmas season! 

The KEY to the CHRISTmas secret?

BLESSINGS: "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

From a Manger to the Throne!

 Nativity Simplicity

Once upon a time, in a far away land...

...Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem to bring forth the Son, wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in the manger, for there was no room in the Inn.

Shepherds were abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

The angel of the Lord came upon them and brought good tidings of great joy and the glory of the Lord shone around about them. It was declared, "Unto you is born this day a Savior which is Christ the Lord." 

The multitude of heavenly hosts praised God and shouted, "Glory to God in the Highest, Peace on Earth, Good will toward all men. "

The wise men saw the star in the East; rejoiced with exceeding great joy; fell down and worshipped Him; and presented Him with gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Luke 2: 1-20 & Matthew 2: 9, 10

Mary Pondered!

Joseph Beamed!

Angels Harkened!

Shepherds Quaked!

Kings Worshipped!

We're Redeemed!

BLESSINGS: Now, He sits on the right hand of God, pondering His return for His beloved, beaming with anticipation; when he harkens, we will quake, fall and worship Him. For His redemption draweth nigh! 

It's not the end of the story, but...

The Beginning

A National Treasure

People are in panic-mode with all the economic, bears-versus-bulls turmoil. Furthermore, we are in a state of uncertainty due to the impending presidential election, which will begin our new National chapter. I especially sense it as I stroll past our Nation's Capitol, while Congress is in session debating our future.

As I looked in the opposite direction, toward the National Monument, I saw a treasure; a promise!

My sense of uncertainty turned into a sense of security.

On one end of the National Mall, I saw the illuminated dome of our Nation's Capitol, where men were fighting for control of our Nation's future. On the other end of the Mall, I saw the National Monument reaching toward the sky and basking under the rays of the widest, prism-colored rainbow stretching across our Nation's Capital City, that I had ever witnessed. This was a gi-normous rainbow, my dear peeps, and a message of confirmation that our Nation is in God's hands! That was a "WOW!" moment.

Pray for our Nation!

God's Word and His promises will prevail. Now, that's quite a treasure!

Blessings: "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and PRECIOUS PROMISES: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature..." II Peter 1:4

REMEMBERING...

"The Lord is my ROCK, and my FORTRESS, and my DELIVERER; my GOD, my STRENGTH, in whom I will TRUST; my BUCKLER, and the HORN of my salvation, and my HIGH TOWER." Psalms 18:2.

In July of 1999, I was invited to interview for a position with Morgan Stanley. I jumped on the elevator which catapulted me to the *ear-popping* 76th floor of the World Trade Center. I made it! I was living my potential dream!!! A great job in NYC (if all went well), an employee of a world-renowned investment firm, and living life in the BIG CITY! (Then I met the rest of my family on the observation deck for lunch - soaking it all in!)

"Hello, is this Ms. D...? We would like to offer you the position. You will be assigned to the offices in the World Trade Center. Welcome to Morgan Stanley." I accepted.

I was estatic. God answered my prayer and honored my time of fasting. Conversely, I was unsettled. WHERE IS THIS FEELING COMING FROM??? I've been wanting to make this NYC move, like, forever...here's my chance...and now I feel UNSETTLED? What?

I continued to pray and ask God for confirmation. The more I prayed, the more unsettled I became. God wrapped me in his arms and whispered in my ear that it was not His timing. I didn't want to listen. I reasoned that these thoughts were just testing my decision-making abilities. I decided that I was not going to waver in this decision.

During that same month, I had my one and only "God" vision of the end-times. May I admit? It SCARED the willies outta me! Truly! ***That's another blog***My focus was no longer on NYC, but on the Lord's coming and His will in my life. I was now asking, "What am I going to do to ensure that I can make a difference for Christ (and stay in His will)?" vs "What can I do to ensure that I am successful in this world?" (I'm feeling blessed!)

On September 11, 2001, I knew why He wrapped me in His arms; the place where I was changed, and where I belonged. There is a God who loves me.

Blessings: "My Dear, Heavenly Father, I ask that you take those who lost their loved ones in the 911 tragedy, to the place, Lord, to the secret place where they can be with you; where you can make them, like you. Wrap them in your arms and let them be reassured that there is a God who loves them."

We don't have the answers to the many questions, but we have a God who wants to wrap us in his arms! Let him!

Click here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkWiZJe8Xxs

A Maze of Grace

That's Life! A maze of twists-n-turns: decisions, questions, affirmation, confirmation, confusion, victories, accomplishment, disappointments - all trumped by GRACE!!!

What is Grace? "The free and unmerited FAVOR of God, as manifested the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings." (Webster's def.)

PHASE 1: I speedily journey through this maze that we call life. UNTIL I HIT A WALL!!! I can't go any further. I'm stuck under this waterfall of disappointment, strife, pain, hurt, harm, confusion, sickness, bitterness, and rejection. I'm weak and I collapse gasping for breath, mustering strength to whisper, "Lord, where are you???" He gently and lovingly reminds me, "My child, I bring you to your knees so that the only place you can look, is upward. For in your weakness, I am strong." I surrender. And, at that moment, he floods me with His GRACE and strength and orders my footsteps.

PHASE 2: I confidently march on my journey - carefree and feeling blessed! I feel like I can run through this wall that I have now tried to dent with my human strength. "GET OUTTA MY WAY, WALL!" It doesn't move. I am over-confident, possessing stamina because, afterall, I have been told how blessed I am; God's anointing is on my life; I'm going to be successful; I have a rich heritage; etc.

PRIDE?????

I shout to the Lord with confidence (or would that be arrogance?) "LORD, WHERE ARE YOU???" He authoritatively informs me, "My child, if you have not love, you are nothing. You are as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal. You are puffed up. You may prophesy, understand mysteries, and have knowledge. You may feed the poor, but unless you have love, it profits me nothing." OUCH! I cry in humility and repent - I am nothing! But, through redemption I am sprinkled with His love and glazed with HIS GRACE. I am a child of the King and He removes the mountains (and walls) for me.

PHASE 3: I have now learned to cautiously stroll through this journey. I rely on people to affirm my existence and rely on life's experiences to guide my decisions. I've learned much and have come a long way. ANOTHER WALL!!! I'm not surprised. It happens - I deal! So, I stand here and wait on the Lord. "Um, Lord? Ya there? It's been a while." In the meantime, people have passed by sharing their stories and giving advice. Relationships have come-n-gone for a particular season and reason. Situations have changed to allow for growth (with lots of bumps-n bruises along the way.) Yep. I've been stuck at this wall for quite some time. So, I remain complacent relying on God to see me through. "Hey Lord, I'll just be waiting for you, so when you're ready, just let me know."

***still waiting***

A blast of lightening and rumbles of thunder crack and shake the wall. It quickens my being. And the Lord exhorts, "My child, the harvest is great; I give you power to tread upon the enemy; Love the Lord your God; Keep my commandments; I will make thee as a signet for I have chosen thee; Go out with joy; Be led forth with peace; My redemption draweth nigh." I have a time of refreshing with my Lord, for by His GRACE, this I am able and commissioned to do. Gotta get going! Let go and let God!

It's true. I wouldn't take nothing for my journey now (remember that song?) because His AMAZING GRACE has brought me this far and I can't turn back. Hallelujah! He looked beyond my faults and saw my need. Because of that, Amazing Grace will always be my song of praise; for it was Grace that brought my liberty!!!

FINAL PHASE: His Amazing Grace saved a wretch like me, and now I continue on my journey and mission, navigating the maze of life with the Word as my compass and His exhortation as my fuel-n-fire, until that day when I enter into His gates - wall free - and he says, "My good and faithful child, well done...Enter thou into the joy of the Lord."

PS Lord, um, I ain't quite ready for the pearly gates, yet. So I'll just keep traveling the maze toward the illuminating beam from above and make the most of this journey. But, it's really about the destination!

BLESSING: "And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace." John 1:16

Side Bar: Click on the Amazing Grace link to the right and share this sentiment with me, to my Heavenly Father!

Blessed-n-Favored!

There is an Elder in our church back home - Bro. B - who walks in God's victory. Whenever you ask him, "How are ya doing?", his response is, "I am blessed and highly favored of God!"

PRAISE GOD!!! I've adopted that mantra! How 'bout you?

Strut in your destiny today. Rejoice that you are the child of a Noble King; you were chosen! His crucifixion was your investiture! There is a proclamation for your inheritance in Christ. Kneel before His throne and revel in His presence. Win souls for His Kingdom. Give the Sovereign One the highest praise! We are joint-heirs with Jesus! We're The King's Kid! 

All Hail King Jesus!

Royal Blessings:  "The King's favor is toward a wise servant..." Proverbs 14:35 

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9

"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:8

Bow before Him, "Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth." Pslams 148:11

You're a Jesus-Jewel; blessed and HIGHLY favored!

Operator? Information!

"Prayer is the number...Faith is the exchange...Heaven is the city...Jesus is His name...Hurry, I need to speak to this friend of mine!"

Hello? Is this Mr. J? Can we talk? I have a few questions for you...

Who?

          What?

                    Where?

                               When?

                                         WHY?

I'm searching for answers. Everyone tells me what I want to hear to make me feel good - or, au contraire - sometimes the doomsayers try to bring me down. Yet, I feel the need to discover life's answers on my own and to wrap my brain around the logic as to why things are happening in my life; the good, the bad, and the ugly!

***WHAT IS THE PURPOSE?***

I'm on a mission to dig deep. I am determined to understand. I want to know. I'm all ears.

The Almighty Answered!!!

Hold one moment, please...(bow head - say "thank you!")

Wanna know what He said?

Are you ready? ya sure?

Here we go! Listen up!

"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. (DECLARES WHO? The Lord!) plans to prosper you (I like that) and not to harm you (THANK YOU my Dear Sweet Lord, b-cause-Lord knows-I have been THISCLOSE to harm), plans to give you hope (I got it!) and a future! (Thank you, Lord!)" Jeremiah 29:11 (This is my "New Year's" annual scripture...repeated daily for a whole year!)

Blessing: What is God's purpose? It's not complicated. It's simple. God is preparing you. Remember, He has a PLAN. That is our HOPE (and our answer to life's questions!) Simple! And, the best thing about ringing God, He'll NEVER hang up!

Sidebar: Click "Operator" on the right to hear the conversation...

Rustling in the "Monday-Morning" Mulberry Trees

It's Monday morning and traffic is crazy. The Starbuck's line just grew by 10 people right when I entered my fav Java-bistro. The office is buzzing from the drama that unfolded last week, and Ms. "depleted all her sick time" just called in sick again. Phones are ring'n, emails are ding'n, meetings are scheduled, and the Boss needs me to handle an urgent matter.....NOW!!!! OH NO! And, I didn't make time for God this morning. (Well, I blessed my bagel. Does that count?) Spiritual warfare!

Fasten your seat belt. It's a typical MONDAY MORNING! Grrrr. I'm not feeling too victorious today.

So, I settle in, close the door and look up to the heavens to get my spirit in check.

***SHHHHH!***

Didja hear it? Listen. There it is again. I'm stirred. Listen.

***SHHHHH!***

Let's go back to the "bible" times for a moment. Remember King David; the 30-year old "new" king of Israel? Imagine what his Monday mornings must have been like...Chariots, armies , and giants, OH MY! I'm sure King D experienced tremendous challenges, pain, and doubt, BUT, he and his men persisted over difficult situations and were victorious. From that pain, came persistence to overcome, and from persistence, came prosperity. God honored him and King D became GREAT, as in "living-in-palaces" great!

During the battles, King D waited on God. Even though he won battles and could probably strategize how to defeat the enemy on his own, he CHOSE to wait on God. Now, that is GREATNESS!

King D and his army are armored-up for their "Monday Morning" battle. They march up to the Valley of Rephaim. But, GOD has them wait. God instructs, "you shall NOT go up; circle around behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. And it shall be, WHEN YOU HEAR THE SOUND OF MARCHING IN THE TOPS OF THE MULBERRY TREES, then you shall ADVANCE QUICKLY. For then the Lord will go out before you..." King D and his troops were VICTORIOUS!

I remember when I was growing up, my father would oftentimes lead the congregation in a little chorus before he'd preach, "The move is on, I know; the move is on. \ I can hear the rustling in the mulberry trees, \ And I know, I know, I know the move is on. So move on, Brothers; move on, Sisters; \ This is the moving day. \ Move a little closer to where the stream is flowing; \ Move on, Brother; move on."

Shhhhhhh! Take time out. Is God at work? Do you hear rustling in the Mulberry trees? God is moving! He is ready to lead you. Drape yourself in armor, claim the victory that the enemy tried to take from you, and wait for God........

Blessing: "And...when you hear the sound of the marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly." 2 Samuel 5:24 (....for He has ordered your footsteps!)

Oh, Happy Day!

Have you ever journeyed through "Egypt" in your life; the wilderness?

Oh, I'm not talking about the trials and tribs that occur every now-n-then. I'm talking about the l-o-o-o-ng, exhausting walk through the desert; the valley of dry bones; spiritual parchedness; a tired, expired spirit. It's a time when praise, worship, and singing is a sacrifice. It's sedentary spirituality. You cr-a-a-a-a-a-ve the exodus of oppression from your life, but you keep experiencing the equivalent of those Old Testament "egyptian" plagues. There ain't nothing "Happy" about your "Days", right now!

God allows us to experience dry spells, and He may even take a step back for a time. He is trying us. He wants to know our hearts. Is this called "character-building?"

***Be strong***

These may be the times of your greatest temptations; modern-day plagues will tease you. In II Chronicles 32:31, God tried the heart of King Hezekiah. You see, God left him to try him so that He could know all that was in his heart. 

Checkpoint: Happy Days are ahead! 

Don't worry. God, in His timing, will deliver you from your misery. He has heard your cries. He knows your sorrows. He will come to deliver you and to bring you out of the land of your "Egypt", into a land flowing with milk and honey! You will have a quenchless thirst for the Living Waters. He will deliver you from the pit and promote you to the palace! And, then you will be shouting, "Oh, Happy Day!

Blueberry Blessings (sweet things from God): "...Praise the Lord, for HIS MERCY (even during the dry times) endureth forever!" II Chronicles 20:21 

Sidebar: Join me for a hand-clapping, foot-stomping, pew-jumping time of praise! Jumping pews??? I dare ya! Oh, Happy Day Praise! Click link to the right. (I can sing like this...um...in my hairbrush.)

Blueberry Blessings?

There they were - the biggest, juiciest BLUEBERRIES staring me in the face. I salivated and succumbed to my stomach's urging and frugal pocketbook to purchase my berry special $7.00 "small" batch of blueberry treats that would, in a few short minutes on my way home, satisfy my selfish and gluttonous craving! I strolled out to the parking lot and loaded the car with my new groceries, dropping them in one-by-one!

So, here I am in the kitchen, putting my groceries away in their respective place, cheerily humming, "I Found My Thrill on Blueberry Hill", and anticipating the savory taste of those sweet-n-succulent, summer-time, blueberries.....But, um, WHERE ARE THE BLUEBERRIES? I checked every empty grocery bag, as if they would magically appear....NO BLUEBERRIES! I ran out to the car convinced that they had hopped out of the grocery bag and under the floor mat....NO BLUEBERRIES!

I realized that I failed to double-check the cart, ***but, I always do*** to make sure that I got all of the groceries out of the cart and into the trunk. One very special, little grocery bag was left behind. I was BLUE! (Insert BIG sad face.)

Instead of getting mad and feeling like I had wasted $7.00, I stopped what I was doing. I bowed my little red, head and closed my big, contact-colored (I cheat a little bitz), blue eyes and prayed that someone - who may not have had the discretionary income to buy expensive blueberries - would find them and tickle their tastebuds with blueberries! I prayed that God would give them a SWEET moment of blessing in their life.

There are times in our lives when we are blessed with God's SWEET blessings, and there are times when God allows us to bestow sweet BLESSINGS. I pray that this was one of those serendipitous moments when someone received a BLUEBERRY BLESSING; a sweet memento from God! Hence, the title of my Blog....Blueberry Blessings!

Blueberry Blessing: "O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him." Psalms 34:8

Sidebar: Click the "Blueberry Hill Jazz" link to your right. Okay, not too spiritual, but God gets it - he's a hep cat! At least they're waving Holy Ghost hankies. :-O Check out the swingin' video and roller-skate back to the 50's with me. Crank up your volume and click it....Crank-n-Click.....You'll be diggin' it, baby!