TruSelf

Rick Warren on Purpose

2010-03-29T00:34:00.000-04:00

Ted.com has this really good video with Pastor Rick Warren talking about purpose.

Give

2010-03-19T09:03:00.000-04:00

GIve, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour into [the pouch formed by] the bosom [of your robe and used as a bag]. For with the measure you deal out [with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others], it will be measured back to you.

Amplified Bible

Being Used by God

2010-01-03T09:23:00.000-05:00

It's amazing what happens when you are open to being used by God.

A few weeks back I had some food that I bought but didn't eat all of it because I didn't like the flavoring. So I put it in the refrigerator the night I purchased it. The next day I saw it and was torn because I knew I wouldn't eat it but didn't want to throw it away. So I thought (the suggestion of the holy spirit) to pack the food up with a plastic fork and keep it in my bag, and when I saw a homeless person I would give it to him or her.

A friend and I decided to catch the train to head to our destination. When we entered the train there was a really bag odor and I looked to my left to see a man stretched out on the train seat with his shoes off. For a quick second I thought to place the food near him but didn't. Minutes later, the man gets up and walks straight to me and asks me if I have any food to eat? I reach in my bag and hand him the food with a "God bless you." He thanks me and walks back to his seat and starts to open the bag to eat. I exit the train.

He didn't ask anyone else on that train for food. He came straight to me. I had the food and he had the need. Who else but God was at work here? God is simply amazing.

Demonstrating God's Love

2009-10-15T09:40:00.000-04:00

Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you.… If you love only the people who love you, what praise should you get? … [L]ove your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without hoping to get anything back. Then you will have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God, because he is kind even to people who are ungrateful and full of sin. Show mercy, just as your Father shows mercy. (Luke 6:27–28, 32, 35–36)

Walking out this scripture in my life has been difficult. However, I will reach this spiritual goal to love those who do not walk in love towards me and to bless those who curse me. To achieve this is a great demonstration of the God in me.

Tyler Perry

2009-09-09T10:39:00.007-04:00

Tayari Jones has posted on her blog some of my findings on the new movie being produced, written and directed by Tyler Perry. Take a look here.

My search came about as a reaction to an earlier blog post of Tayari's about not being happy that Tyler is taking on this Choreopoem by Ntozake Shange and developing it into a movie.

I am a Tyler Perry fan and look forward to his expression of this work.

From Picture to Flesh

2009-08-24T23:12:00.006-04:00

Tonight while out in the city enjoying the cool night, I decided to make a trip to the grocery store on the upper west side. While walking north I noticed coming towards me was a familiar face that for a time hung on my bedroom wall as a teenager. That face belonged to Gail O'Neill. When I was a teenager in the 90s it was the reign of the supermodel. I could count off the many mainstream (white) names but just as important I can tell you the women who held an extra special place in my heart for their many beautiful shades of brown, and they are: Gail O'Neill, Roshumba, Waris, Veronica Webb, Beverly Peele, Beverly Johnson, Iman, Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, and Karen Alexander just to name a few. These women had Revlon and Cover Girl endorsements. I was proud of them and to prove it, they each earned a spot on my wall.

So while I had the chance I approached her and said thank you for being present so that I as a young girl had the images of woman who looked like me filling ads, editorial pages of magazines and television screens (Saturday morning ritual of watching Videofashion). She thanked me for expressing that and mentioned her sadness for young black girls today that don't have that. She asked my name I gave it to her and we went our separate ways.

This is what gives me a second wind for NYC, the many occasions when I have seen--on the street no less, people I would not have thought I would see or meet. Within a week and a half, I have seen and/or spoken to Gail O'Neill, Leslie Uggams, Marianne Pearl and Ledisi. And that's just recently. When I tell you I meet and see the rich and/or famous it's not a stretch of the imagination. I could very easily win a contest if someone were keeping score. The thing about it is I never intentionally look. Read my earlier post to see other women I've encountered.

At the Cross

2009-08-11T23:21:00.002-04:00

It was all taken care of at The Cross.

Hillsong's song says it all.

I Just Can't Let Him Go

2009-06-29T23:59:00.004-04:00

I can't lay Jesus to the side because He is the SUBSTANCE that keeps me whole. I can't temporarily take Him out my life because He is my Life. And I certainly won't abandon Him because someone else enters the picture. He didn't abandon me on the cross at Calvary.

My response to a posting on another blog about "Losing your Religion." I am so glad that I have no religion to think about losing. However, I do have a relationship with the lover of my soul.

The Little Girl that Jesus Loves

2009-06-17T07:32:00.003-04:00

Imagine a girl of elementary school age walking into a church, a place that she had not been before, being called forth by a minister. The minister anointing her head with oil and praying for her. Can you see her? Maybe it's easier for me because I experienced it. I am that little girl.

What fascinates me is that I-- who had no reference to such things would be so willing and curious about such things. I didn't resist. I willingly went when called. When I look back I see that was one occasion of God putting His mark on my life, claiming me as His own. This is why it's true for me when I say

I love Him because He first loved me.

Years ago when I was in college and struggling in my emotions God sent a beautiful person who would speak into my life healing words. She said to me in one of our conversations, S. you are called and you are chosen. I didn't receive it at that moment. Partly because my issue of not feeling worthy and partly because I think I still had to get understanding on what that meant.

Today is the day of understanding and I am thankful that I am the little girl that Jesus loves.

I would love to read your comments of the little girl or boy that Jesus loves from you.

Pressing Through

2009-05-12T16:36:00.003-04:00

I feel that I have been watching the success of others intensify and increase while my own desire for success and fulfillment seems delayed. I know the promises of God concerning me, what I am working on is changing my thinking to match God's thinking. Increasing my faith capacity.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. -Proverbs 3: 5,6

My Fourth Broadway play

2009-04-23T13:42:00.005-04:00

Last night I had the pleasure of seeing August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone, now playing at the Belasco Theatre. This is the first revival of the play since its debut on Broadway some twenty years ago.

What I have learned about my life and what seems true of Joe Turner's Come and Gone is that When you don't have blood family to feed you love, tenderness and companionship, God steps in and creates a family for you. This is represented in the boarding house (the primary setting of the play) run by husband and wife Seth (Ernie Hudson) and Bertha (LaTanya Richardson Jackson) Holly.

The intersecting of human lives is an amazing thing. When you start out on this journey called life you never really know who and what you will encounter. Each person in the Holly home is complex and interesting, such as my favorite- Bynum Walker (Roger Robinson) a man who specializes in binding (rootworking). I don't agree with the practice of rootworking, yet my ears perked to hear the wisdom he dispensed to the other housemates.

Some other characters are: Herald Loomis, a tortured soul looking for his life in the face of his missing wife. His daughter Zonia Loomis, a child that has been lead by her father to travel what seems like a endless road for four years looking for her mother. Others are Reuben Scott, a playmate of Zonia who claims her as his with a first kiss; Mattie Campbell, a woman who just wants the "rootworker" to make her man come back; Molly Cunningham (Aunjanue Ellis), Jeremy Furlow , Rutherford Selig, "a first class people finder" who finds Zonia's mother and Martha Pentecost, Zonia's mother.

I encourage you to read up on this play and all of August Wilson's plays. Years ago I saw Fences (a Pulitzer winner), preformed by the Hampton Players at Hampton University and it was great!

"Its been a long time since I seen a full woman."-Herald Loomis to Mattie Campbell.

Shout out to L.J. & A.W. for treating me to this gem.

Harlem Heights

2009-04-20T21:33:00.003-04:00

Tonight I attended (along with my girl J.P.) a screening and reception for the season finale of Harlem Heights, BET's latest hit reality show, spotlighting young twenty-somethings in Harlem.

All the cast members were present to celebrate the finale. Looking very much like the version of them you see on TV. They spoke to the fact that the show was about their real lives, disputing rumors of the show being scripted. Although I must say, there is a suspect scene in the finale with Brianna putting on lotion and it sought of looks like a commercial for that product.

Kudos to BET for stretching themselves and trusting that we the viewers had an appetite for a show that was wholesome, profanity, sex and ignorant free. A major effort was made to show young black professionals living out their dreams for the world to see. Each cast member was striving for career best. For example: Landon is running for city council, Brooke is a producer for a major cable network, Brianna is a handbag designer, Bridget is in law school and the list really does go on. Cast member Brianna commented that she was sort of stunned to see the launch of her handbag collection shown for the world to see on a major network.

The event was co-sponsored by Essence Magazine and Ambi. Each guest left with an Ambi gift bag. I just love freebies!!!

Shout out to D.J. Kiss for spinning the music at the event.

The Harlem Heights season finale airs on BET, tonight at 10 P.M. EST.

On another note...

I am always struggling with the voice of this blog. Mainly, because I want to be responsible with what I write. I go back and forth so much in my head that I don't write enough. So I have just decided to write and allow the voice to develop as I go. For now I just got to get moving.

Declare the day

2009-04-06T13:26:00.006-04:00

I declare that this is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it. Sometimes you wake up and you don't FEEL like today is going to be a good day. Tell your feelings to get out the way and go on and declare the day a good day and be glad in it.

Here, Canton Jones sings it.

Breakthrough

2009-04-03T14:48:00.003-04:00

This morning I attended the first session of the Financial Empowerment Conference with Dr. Creflo A. Dollar, Pastor of World Changers Church International and World Changers Church New York. What an awesome move of God! I sowed a seed that will surely lead to my breakthrough.

There are so many things happening in the earth, but those who are spirit (all mankind) must take inventory of your spiritual condition (your faith in what?). Remember that there is a system that is PERFECT and that system is not of this world but of God. It is going to take more then natural means to get this global economy back right-side up.

As Dr. Dollar said this morning: "Faith cannot begin, until the will of God is known- and the will of God is His word."

God's word being the Bible. It has everything therein pertaining to life. I challenge you to pick it up and see for your self.

Destiny

2009-02-02T13:11:00.006-05:00

Recently I came across a clip of Fantasia singing "I Believe" at the 2005 NAACP Image Awards. During her performance the camera cuts away to the audience to Barack Obama viewing the star.

Do you see the connection? This man who in 2005 wasn't even thinking of becoming president, yet "I Believe" "We Can" was already conceived in the womb(Earth)and though a long pregnancy time it was, On Nov, 4th 2008 it was birthed.

Watch the video and listen to the words.

Welcome Mr. & Mrs. Barack Obama

2009-01-20T10:13:00.003-05:00

It is truly a moment to take in. Today is the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States of America. The man who will take that position is Barack H. Obama.

My expectation of him, is that he will make decisions that are wise and discerning. My hope for him and his family is safety, peace, love and patience.

I am thankful for the "new" image that Michelle Obama helps establish of the black woman.

I am thankful for the beauty and spirit of Malia and Sasha.

God Bless the Obama family.

Imagine More for 2009

2009-01-02T23:04:00.004-05:00

I had dinner with friends to celebrate the new year. My friend passed out to each person at the table little pieces of paper with something typed on it. I selected one, and on it was "Imagine more."

So that is part of my mandate for 2009. Imagine more than what you think you could ever achieve or what you think you could ever receive. I am certainly in expectation.

The Bible says "Now unto Him Who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or think (imagine) according to the power that works in us."

What's your mandate for 2009? Never mind a resolution.

Releasing Anger and Bitterness

2008-05-15T08:31:00.002-04:00

I have had some interesting responses from three friends concerning my last post. One distant friend implied that I was being selfish and had ego. That this experience was for him, to teach him something. I thought to myself, "What? To perfect lying?"

None the less, as I was reading my guidebook this morning I came across a section on bitterness.

"Suffering does not automatically make a person stronger or better. The way you respond to suffering determines whether that hurt makes you better or bitter."
- The Woman's Study Bible (Nelson)

So I have made a choice to accept that I am disappointed, acknowledge the hurt and to forgive him. Also to forgive myself. Because I am so hard on myself. Today is a new day, and I am determined to have joy and not let it be taken from me.

Blinded by Your Own Wants and Desires

2008-05-13T23:27:00.003-04:00

I have a confession-- I have been untrue to myself. The last four months I was so caught up in making a relationship happen that I neglected myself. I didn't listen to the Holy Spirit when he spoke (ever so gently, because He is a gentleman). The result of not listening has caused some pain.

I was deceived. Yet, there were warning signs that I didn't pay attention to. I feel like I have been here before, this place called hurt by a failed attempt at a relationship. Maybe I had to repeat it because I didn't learn the lesson many years ago.

If I sit still too long I begin to go over all the words he spoke, the actions he took and I get angry and sad, because the bottom line is, he lied to me. Does it make sense to say the lie hurts more than the deception? Or are they one in the same?

A man of integrity, I need to find out what that looks like. because maybe if I can see what he looks like, I'll have hope. So my heart won't get hardened and my speech won't be bitter.

This is not a diary of a mad black women, but I must admit thoughts of causing pain have crossed my mind. Then I remember God is my justifier.

Defined by thefreedictionary.com as

n. 1. One who justifies; one who vindicates, supports, defends, or absolves.
- Strype.
That he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
- Rom. iii. 26.

Tru

Patience is Love

2008-01-13T13:48:00.000-05:00

Recently I went on my first date in a long time. As I was getting to know the guy, I asked him a question about his relationship with his mother. Believing what was told to me as a young girl, that the kind of relationship a man has with his mother will tell you a lot about him. So he told me that their relationship has gotten better. He doesn't think his mom was ready for kids. I asked why he thinks this and he responded because whenever he asks her to show him how she prepared a meal or the ingredients she uses her patience is short. To him patience is an act of love.

For whatever reason this stayed with me. Having patience with someone is a sign of love. After all, the Bible says, "Love suffers long and is kind." I don't think this guy and me have a future together but he did reaffirm for me what patience is. Especially when dealing with clients, family, friends and strangers. If I love it will manifest itself as patience, kindness, gentleness, compassion and understanding.

I am in a new season of my life where I am open to having a guy in my life. The process of meeting a guy and getting to know him is a little unnerving. But patience is screaming for me to take it slowly and walk through it prayfully. Not to get ahead of the Spirit but let the Spirit be ahead of me.

New Year declaration

2008-01-01T10:55:00.000-05:00

For this 2008 year, it is my desire to love deeply and without conditions. It is my desire to do more to impact positive change. It is my desire to become more intimate with God. It is my desire to press forward without the restraints of fear. It is my desire to be true to me and you.

The fabulousness that is Tracee Ellis Ross

2007-11-28T02:07:00.000-05:00

If you asked me whose style I admire and want to sample, I'd reply Tracee Ellis Ross, no pauses. So image my surprise when I see her to my right this past Sunday at my job. I was occupied at the time and couldn't take in the moment. To make it really sad/funny she kept crossing my path and I could not get comfortable enough to give a one liner of how I love her style and character on "Girlfriends." So I missed my chance this time. Tracee, if you read this just know that I think your groovy :-).

In the presence of a legend

2007-11-15T11:37:00.000-05:00

Recently I had a most pleasant encounter. I came face to face with a legend. The we speak your name variety. In fact, she was one of the women honored at Oprah's Legends Ball. This beautiful woman was Ms. Leontyne Price. Fabulous, simply fabulous. To me this encounter, though brief, was such a gift. Believe me when I tell you, God knows exactly who to give what kinds of gifts to. Sadly most of my peers would not have known who she was and when I mentioned her to some of my African-American co-workers they could care less. I was really frustrated with them over that. I mean come on, this is a part of your history, She is a way paver. Maybe I just take the time to know those who come before me and the contributions they have made. Maybe I recognized her because sometimes my own mind tells me I could have been a beautifully trained Opera singer.

A thought just came to me. Someone right this moment as they are reading this could be asking themselves who is Leontyne Price? My first response is to shake my head sadly, my corresponding action is to educate you and ask that you click here http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=showIndividual&entitY_id=3787&source_type=A to find out.

It's a new day

2007-11-15T03:51:00.000-05:00

Finally, I've done what I thought I couldn't do (an earlier attempt to create a blog confused and frustrated me all at the same time). I'm here and my voice shall be heard and it will be my TRUTH. There are a lot of great stories ahead. I'm back in the city of possibilities and on a mission. And the most ground breaking news of all; after not dating for about three years (you heard right), I'm beginnning to be open to the idea of taking applications.