Something Special

I posted these shoes quite a few months ago and the other day I saw Raven Symone wearing them on The Wendy Williams Show and after cruising my favorite blogs I then see that they are offered in a more affordable price range through http://www.fevershoes.com/ for the low price of $200.

I know that you are probably think " she hasn't posted in a month now and here she is talking about some shoes", but My time is spent doing more pressing things at the time that I have been led to put my attention into. In due time you will know exactly what that is, but until then go buy these haute shoes!

I Love the Lord (feat. The Georgia Mass Choir)

Parenting Through God Part ll by Detra Allen

So one day, early in the morning, LaRoe asked if I would take him to the pool. I promised him “Yes”. He was thrilled and went on about his day!! He came back a few minutes later and asked when,  but because I was overwhelmed with billing I couldn’t give him an exact time. So I just told him “Later.” Although anxious and anticipating the big splash from his cannon ball he was still ok with my response. Later came and went, and the sun was starting to set as he asked if I was sure I was going to take him. I responded and said “Yes, don’t you believe me?” Disappointment started to kick in and I could see that he was starting to doubt me. He went back outside for awhile and I was thinking at last he has found something else to do besides keep asking me about the pool. But to my surprise, the entire time he was outside, he was knocking on every last friend of his door to see if one of their parents would take them to the pool. Not only was he unsuccessful but he was also hot, sweaty and exhausted as well.

I then became disappointed and little embarrassed that my son was depending on someone else to do what I had promised I would do for him. What were those parents thinking about me? Did they think I didn’t care about him and that I wasn’t the good mom that he and everybody else says that I am? I’m always talking about how much I love my children but I couldn’t even take him the pool. My response was “Didn’t I say, “I” was going to take you?” He said “yea but I won’t to go now”.

I obliged because I had promised him I would. There was only two hours left before the pool closed and I knew it would take him an hour to get dressed, so I told him to get ready. By then I would done taking care of business. As parents we provide food, shelter, and clothing but kids don’t see and appreciate those things even though that’s all they need to survive. But anyway, he was not prepared at all. He couldn’t find his goggles, trunks, towel, or swimming shoes. And for everything he couldn’t find not only did he ask me where they were, he asked me to get them for him too. I did not!! I explained to him that not only was he old enough and responsible enough to get them on his own but I needed him to it his self so that I could help his sister get dressed who had also pooped, so she needed me NOW. 


Finally he was dressed and ready to go.

On the way to the pool, I asked him where his goggles were and he told me that he left them outside the other day and when he went back to get them they were gone. He had the nerve to ask me if I would buy him another pair. I asked him “why would I when you didn’t even take care of the ones I gave you.” But because I love him so much I let him use mine anyway. 

We get to the pool and because he was mad at me, he wasn’t being nice to any of the other kids. He complained and wouldn’t share MY goggles with any of the kids. I was furious!!! After 15 minutes of being in the pool, being told repeatedly to obey, and discontinue his unkindly actions; it was time to go. He didn’t deserve to be at the pool and it dawned on me that he didn’t even say thank you. He had to come home take his shower and sit in his room until I felt he was he ready to come out. 

After being in his room for hours, he told me that he had learned his lesson, was tired of being punished, and apologized so remorsefully for the way he behaved and agreed to listen to me from then on and asked if I would please give him another chance at going to the pool. I lovingly accepted his apology, and let him  off of punishment, but did not respond to the pool comment. He knew that my silence meant no. He was a little disappointed but not surprised.

Later that day he cleaned up his room so well you would have thought the president was coming, and even had all his swim gear nicely packed in his summer bag. I would look outside in the days to follow to find him, being kind to others, sharing, and doing the right things. And it was so genuine. He wasn’t looking for anything in return. He just wanted to make me proud and show his appreciation for everything I had already done. He had given up all hope of ever going to the pool again and that was fine. He was just happy that at least he wasn’t on punishment or on my good side. And that’s when, when I saw him loving for me, sharing with others, respecting and obeying my rules, working hard to take care of his home and his belongings, giving his money to homeless and other random acts of kindness, basically, just caring about others more than he cared about himself. That’s when I decided to take him to the pool. He had given up all hope of ever going to the pool again but he didn’t given give up on me. He could have chosen to go another route and still be upset about not going to the pool and could have taken his anger out on others but he didn’t.

 

I use this example to show how in the beginning we trust that God is going to fulfill all the promises he made to us. While waiting we grow impatient and start to doubt God. We then turn to other people and other resources to fulfill our needs, only to be disappointed and drained mentally and physically. All the while we’re forgetting that our God is a jealous God. Imagine how that makes him feel. You were once a believer and praised HIM. Now those same people you went to when you thought God wasn’t there are now questioning your faith and theirs as well. “God is always saying how he loves his children, why is he taking her through this?” But we fail to see how God takes care of our basic needs and we should be thankful for that. There’s someone out there less fortunate than you that may need God’s attention a little more than you do right now. 

But finally God gives us what we ask for but we aren’t even ready because instead of trusting, working hard and preparing for our blessing, we keep trying to find other ways to get the “yes, right now” and can’t accept the “no, not yet”. If we’re asking God for a job, we need to be filling out applications, polishing our interview skills, and getting our wardrobe together. Waiting with expectancy!! But because we aren’t prepared we can’t even enjoy it. This could be the day! Are you ready? And instead of thanking God for our new home we’ve been asking for, we’re still complaining because we didn’t get the house with the two door garage. Therefore, taking our anger out on others and not even sharing that home which is really God’s house in the first place with others in need when the time presents itself . Or maybe 15 months after you get into your new house, you choose a vacation over paying your house note, and neglect to invest in the maintenance or upkeep of your home. Until, at last it is taken from you just as fast as you got it. From that point forward everything seems to be going wrong and you have nothing then but to feel like God is punishing you. Sometimes God has to put us where we don’t want us to be in order to get us where he needs us to be. 

Eventually, you can’t take it anymore. You repent and ask God for his forgiveness and another chance and His silence feels like a “no”. But you don’t care. He forgave you and gave you another chance at life, hence the fact you are alive and reading this post. We all have a second chance, for many it’s another chance, it’s time for us to start loving him, sharing with others, respecting and obeying his commandments, working hard to take care of the things he’s blessed us with (Good Steward), tithing and other random acts of kindness, basically, just caring about others more than we care about ourselves and not expecting anything in return. Doing good deeds to make him proud and show our appreciation for what he has already done. That is when God takes us to where we want to go. You may have given up on your dream but don’t give up on God. 

To understand more about God’s promises visit this page http://www.joelosteen.com/HopeForToday/ThoughtsOn/Finances/ClaimyourInheritance/Pages/ClaimyourInheritance.aspx

My prayer is that God used me as a vessel to bless someone else tonight as this note as truly giving me more understanding!!!

A Lesson From My Daddy Part 1

The CCb would like to welcome new addition to the family, Ms. Detra Allen. As a stay at home mother, entrepreneur and a child of God, growing and learning more about life, family, and of course above all, the Lord, Detra has many words of encouragement for mother's like ourselves, to share with the willing and listening soul. This is the 1st installment of Parenting Through God. Please stay tuned for many more.


For so long I've been trying to figure out the secret to life so that I can save my children time and teach it to them. Today I learned that I wasted a lot time a lot of years actually, and accepted, FINALLY, that I will never know the answers, and I'm ok with that. So actually, one of the best things I can do for my children is not explain to them why I make the decisions that I make. I'm reminded of a time when LaRoe asked for chocolate milk and I told him no without explanation. He couldn't understand but I knew I had plans for icecream after dinner. My ultimate goal would be that eventually he learns to trust and respect my no's and yet have faith, believe and expect the best yes even when he doesn't understand. And I should trust God that way. But until I build that kind of trust with LaRoe I do know that LaRoe trusts me in other areas. He doesn't sit his room worrying how the rent is going to be paid this month or whether its a good idea to spend money on fun friday this week, or not eating all of his food because he wants to make sure he has something to eat tomorrow. Just the thought of that saddens me. What if he did? What if he turned down his allowance because he was afraid he wouldn't be able to pay the light bill. I would tell him that's not his responsibility and to just have fun and be a child. That's how God wants us to live. It's not our responsiblity to worry but just have fun and be a child of God. He doesn't want us to live a life of worry and fear. He want us to live a life of love and praise to Him, hard work and good deeds for the weak, poor and needy. God is going to pay our bills, take care of health and all our other needs. We really have to look at him as not only our Father but our Daddy. And he feels the same way when he sees us sitting in our room worrying how the rent is going to be paid, not enjoying our lives, spreading love to others, and bringing glory to his name. If his eye is on the sparrow and he provides worms for them then I know he's watching me. There's a scripture somewhere in the bible that says he knows how many strands of hair are on our heads, now how comforting is that. I can just imagine HIM hovering on me while I'm a sleep with my head in his lap counting each and every strand of my hair (and I don't know about you but I love having my hair played with)! What a great feeling to know how much He loves, adores, and treasures me. Some people say that God doesn't always answer our prayers but I've heard that He does answer our prayers sometimes the answer is just no but now I know to trust and respect His no's yet have faith, believe and expect the best yes even when I don't understand it's only because he plans for me to eat ice-cream after my dinner.

I Won, I won!

I enter contest all the time with no expectations of winning but with my fingers still crossed behind my back. The first time I won a contest was when I was 13yrs old. I won tickets from my favorite radio station at 2:00 a.m., to see my favorite rap group at the time, Kris Kross. That was so long ago and I hadn't won a single thing since then. That was until now. In recent weeks I have entered maybe five contest, and out of those five, I have won three! That, in my book, is amazing. The amazing part about it is not that I actually won a contest, but because out of those five, the three that I did win where prizes that I actually wanted or needed for specific purposes meeting certain needs of my life. The other two, I entered on a thought of "why not, its a contest". My point here is not to brag, but I realized that while for so long when I wasn't winning contest for free cars or vacations, those where not things that I needed in my life at the time. But what I did need is what I have been given.

For the opportunities to win these great prizes I would like to give a thanks first to All Things Creative at www.nnekaseran.blogspot.com, from whom I won a beautiful basket from Tea and Honey Blends hair care product line for natural hair. The Gleam Shine Serum and Curl Definer does a great job on my daughters hair that produces more frizz than I can handle some days.

Second, I would like to thank a good friend Sherell Anderson, for the Sweet Pea body spray and lotion from Bath & Body Works, and the feel good lip gloss by E.L.F.. And Lastly, to www.chitownfashionista.com for the Misikko Hana Elite Flat Iron which was a major need for my profession as a hair stylist. I had been saving up now for months now so that I could purchase one for my birthday. With value of almost $400, I would have been saving for quite a long time.


And of course I would like to thank God for with out you none of this is possible and with you I know that all things are possible. Thank you (exit stage left).

In the Words of Satan - The Arrows

This video was shared with me from one of my favorite cousins. She was blessed with an amazing voice that she uses to praise the Lord 24/7, and spends alot of her time searching for other artist that use their talents to do the same. She posted the video on my FB page and it took me almost a week to even view and I'm so glad that I did. I'm not familiar with the band The Arrows, but this song has caught my attention. The message is deep and actually made my eyes well up with tears of joy and thankfulness for the grace and mercy that has been given to my family. I serve and amazing God and I am so glad that I know. Take time to sit through this 6 minute video. It'll be worth the time.

Donnie McClurkin feat. Karen Clark Sheard - Wait on the Lord

Mommy Day Care

The summer is still fresh and I am worn out already. I wouldn't trade my stay at home mom position for the world, but there has got to be a better way. It's not so much the kids that I keep, but my one kid that is never satisfied. Understandably, Nielah, my 7yr. old, is fed up with being my assistant and hates it when her time for attention comes upon us because the time is spent doing work books and learning activities on the computer. I wish there was more that I could do, but with my demanding and untimely schedule between the kids and hair, I am lost(im working hard to find my crafting skills at the same time, which still seem to be lost as well).

Rambunctious Nielah

In this August addition of Parenting Magazine, there is a great article named "Camp Mamawanda" that talks about creating you own summer camps with a collaboration of other stay at home parents. The idea is that each parent host camp at their home for a day. The best part about this idea is that it is practically free! And with the high prices of summer camps and day cares now, what more could you ask for.
Each parent picks a theme for the day and builds their schedule around that theme. For example: animal exploration day would consist of the morning starting off with coloring sheets with different animals while waiting for everyone to arrive for the day. Then moving on to books, songs, and circle time and different indoor and outdoor activities all based around the animal theme. Be mindful and picky without shame as to the parents and kids that you choose to include, and open communication and consideration is a big must when dealing with other peoples children.
I will definitely be working on this for next summer. It allows plenty of free time during the week for each parent and is a big save on the pockets and your nerves!
Now recruiting!

God's Pharmacy

It's been said that God first separated the salt water from fresh, made dry land, planted a garden, made animals and fish.....All before making a human. He made and provided what we'd need before we were born. These are best & more powerful when eaten raw. We're such slow learners....God left us a great clue as to what foods help what part of our body! God's Pharmacy! Amazing!

1. A slice carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye...And YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes. (should have listened to mommy)

2. A tomatoes has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.

3. Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalization food.

4. A walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We know walnuts help develop more than 3 dozen neuron- transmitters for brain function.

5. Kidney beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and YES, they look exactly like the human kidney.

6. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

7. Avocados, eggplant and pears target the health function of the womb and cervix of the female- they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly 9 months to grow avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).

8. Figs are full of seeds ad hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of sperm as well to overcome male sterility(FYI).

9.Sweet potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetes.

10.Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries.

11. Oranges, grapefruit and other citrus fruits look like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breast and the movement of lymph in and out of the breast.

12. Onions look like the body cells. Today's research shoes onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, garlic also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.

Its utterly amazing how God thought of absolutely everything before we where placed on His Earth. He vowed to take care of all of our needs, all we have to do is search for Him and ask. It's our job to allow Him to take the lead and follow the directions that were layed out for us from the beginning of time.

Casting All Your Care On Him

There's no storms that we can't weather
If we cast all... our care upon Him,
Under His wings, He will shelter you,
Trusting in Jesus..upon Him we can depend.

O Lord may I trust you more and more
More like Jesus, loving and true,
Give me the strength, as I try daily,
To give more of myself...afresh to you.

Let's be faithful to our loving Savior
Sheltered in Him, with love so strong,
He is our strength, adoration, and hope,
Someday we will hear, My Child, well done!

Through days of trials, God is there
With outstretched arms He waits,
Just trust in Him...His word believe,
If faithful, crowns of life we will recieve.

By Bernice Ward

Earnest Pugh 'Rain On Us'

Daily Devotion

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."

Roman 12:9-10

Confidence Galore

I absolutely love the Pinkett- Smith family. As a wife, mother and business woman, Jada Pinkett- Smith is a woman to consider as a role model for us all. She has a strong hand on discipline, which next to love I believe is a major key in raising children. My motto, "spare the rod, spoil the child"!

But what I love the most about Jada how she allows her children to be the person that God made them to be. She doesn't push her children to look a certain way or forces them into the entertainment world behind her and their father, Will Smith. If you have seen any interviews with the Pinkett- Smith off spring, you can notice the genuine love for what they do as a family. They are very well behaved, punctual kids and I love it when they are asked a question from a reporter and they will look at the mommy to make sure that it is okay to answer ( my daughter does the same as well).

Willow Smith, 8yrs old, has personality that I know very well through my own daughter. Below Jada talks about Willow and her sassy individual style:

"She decided, 'I want hair like my grandmother's.' I said 'Willow, grandma has not hair- you have to have some hair.' And she said, "Mom I'm really tired of the hair. I just really feel like I'd like it to get in the pool. I want to swim. I just dont want to be bothered with the hair" After discussing it with my husband Will, Willow was given permission to shave the sides of her head."

Per Willows Stylist, The mohawk, which is a favorite style of mine at the moment for the same reasons as Willow, fit her personality:

"Look, It's 2010. Cant out little girls move into the future without ruffling feathers? The look is fun, empowering, anti-relaxer and anti weave. More women need to steer their little girls in this direction. If your child is a forward-thinker, you should guide her instead of something her."

My kind of girl!

What Great Weekends Are Made Of

It's been a very long time since I had a weekend out of the house and doing exactly everything that I wanted to do. I had no heads to do, the oldest kiddie was gone and the youngest had his options ( which is mostly to hang with daddy-no complaints).The highlight of my weekend was meeting author and Episcopal priest Mpho Tutu at Richmond Hill retreat located in historical Churchill. Pastor Mpho Tutu is the daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, author of Made For Goodness and why this makes all the difference, but is known for so much more. Archbishop Desmond Tutu is a Nobel Peace Prize winner, and veteran of the moral movement that ended apartheid in South Africa. I have highlighted Made For Goodness in a previous post archived under "The Book Club". I'm still reading it which will make 2 months now ( it isnt one of those books that you read through and sit on the shelf. You must study and meditate on its words) and I had no choice but to finally buy the book and have my own autographed. The library will be very happy to have their copy back. Disappointingly, I missed the discussion but was on time for the book signing. As you can see I was able to take a picture with Pastor Tutu after I embarrassingly knocked her cup of water onto the carpet of one of the Holiest buildings of Richmond cities history. She graciously laughed it off with a joke, "it'll help the carpet to grow", and smiled big for the camera. It was a great experience and glad Im didn't miss it. I'm even glad that I knocked over her water, makes for a great story one day.

The rest of my weekend was spent enjoying the company of my family at one of my favorite cousin's house warming party. I also attended Sunday morning service joined by my 14 month old son who hasn't been to service since being a newborn. He is not much of a people person and I had reservations about him acting out, but surprisingly he did an awesome job. He loves music, as he should given our family, and when the children's choir sung he was in seventh heaven singing, dancing, and clapping. My daughter had been away for a few days visiting grandparents and seeing her face in an unfamiliar environment was the icing on the cake for his new experience.

I also attended my 2nd Cash for Gold Party of the month and made some extra cash. Cash for Gold is the party that keeps on giving! At my friends party they also did a debut of her sisters hand made line of jewelry, Lucky Charm. Each piece of jewelry was individually hand crafted and with it held an emotion, a meaning, or purpose labeled with its own special tag. Absentmindedly, I threw away the tag to the bracelet that I purchased (shown below). The designer, April Anderson, is a unique individual and all of her pieces speak of her character of being a strong confident woman. I look forward for more from this young lady.

my purchase, $7.

Last but not least, I was able to fit in the summer Gospel Festival at Dogwood Dell. It was a great crown of course with even better music. During the show we did received some very disappointing news about the death of minister in music Walter Hawkins, whom lost his fight with cancer during the show. A moment of silence was given and the praises went up for we know that he is in a better place away from the pain.

This weekend, in my opinion, was set aside just for me. I give give thanks for the most minuscule of things and this is one of them. No babies, no heads, no stress, just blessed!

Released

So, I have finally let loose the chains of slavery that held me to making post. Don't get me wrong, I love my blog, but I am not in love with it. I started this as an outlet for my growth in Christ and as an outlet for all things that excite me like God, hair, my kids, and life in general. But I found myself searching for followers and checking in how many people viewed and commented. I would also want to post eeevvverything that felt good at any moment. There is nothing wrong with that, but my time is limited and I was being selfish. I would really get down and out when I could post and almost shut it down at one time. When that time came I just stopped and asked the Lord to guide me, keep me in check and in line with His purpose. Since that prayer I have no concerns if no one ever sees this. Now this is my diary of sorts, and reference for me to look back on and remember happy days when sad ones have come and the joys that I experienced at certain moments. And I pray that for those eyes that do see this, maybe they can relate and take something away from it all. With that being said, until next time........

Fred Hammond - This Is the Day - 2006

Kelis - Weekend [Feat. Will.I.Am]

Whitney Houston & CeCe Winans Count on Me Live

Daily Devotion

A friend loves at all times. He is there to help when trouble comes.

Proverbs 17:17

KIRK FRANKLIN - HOSANA

Beauty Alert: Thinning Edges

Ladies, we have many responsibilities on a daily basis and taking care of ourselves should be at the top of it, but sadly, it isn't. One of my peeves as a hairstylist, is my women constantly damaging and drying out the front edges and the back of the hair. This usually comes from not using the proper material to wrap the hair at night, and with constant moving and rubbing against the pillow, the roots are dried and then begin to break off. This is a huge problem with a simple fix. Moisture, moisture and more moisture! On a daily basis, preferably before night time, apply grease to the edges of the scalp and rub it in thoroughly. Wrapping your hair at night with a satin or silk scarf will also allow for less breakage and drying of the entire head. It's not hard and doesn't take all day.

I recommend Doo Gro Mega Thick Medicated Hair Vitalizer. This brand specifically helps thinning edges and temples and promotes anti- thinning for thick strong and healthy hair. Doo Gro Products can be found in your local beauty supply store.

Marvin Winans- I'm over it now

Cant Hold On Hang On

My significant other has the quote Cant hold on hang on, tattooed on the back of his right hand. I never quite understood the meaning of it until it finally hit me when doing one of my many self evaluations. Every now and then, as we Christians often do, I loose focus and my mind wonders from its rightful place with the Lord. I get wrapped up in keeping house, staying on schedule with my kids, and fitting new appointments into my already short days. I know I have gotten off of track when my temper becomes shorter with my rambunctious 7 year old, or when I want to turn in early because of built up frustration and anxiety from a busy day. It was on one of these days that the meaning of that quote, Cant hold on hang on, made perfect sense. When I loose my focus and feel these moments of frustration and overwhelming anxiety begin to fill my veins, I simply need to hang on to the promises of better days. Hang on to the memories of those days when my mind was fixed on the Lord, allowing him to guide my every step from sun up to sun down. Those days where filed with absolute joy with thoughts of the Lord being my guiding light. Training me, and molding me to fit hit master plan.
We all need these days. We all loose sight and its because of these days that we are able to recognize our blessings. Recognize the mercy that we have been given over and over again that has pulled us through these days. I'm holding tight to my faith and hanging on His every word, and with that, I'm looking forward to these days that are sure to come.

No Efforts In The Flesh

"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."Matthew 26:41

Have you ever wondered why it seems to be so hard to "walk in the spirit", but so easy to "walk in the flesh"? The answer to this is no great mystery- actually, it's very simple. Walking in or living in or minding the things of the flesh takes absolutely no effort at all on our part. Giving into the flesh means that you go along with what it wants to do. There is no struggle, no battle, no discomfort. You are being led around like a puppy on a lease that is not putting up a fight. If my flesh wants to stay in bed late, how much effort does it take to turn back over? If it wants to lay on the couch for hours at a time and watch television, does that take any work on my part? If it wants to eat until it "pops", the only effort involved is to continue to pick up your fork and put it to your mouth. Yielding to the flesh is effortless and mindless- it's takes no "brains" to go along with it's desires. It requires no discipline so therefore it's easier to "walk in the flesh".

It's only when you decide to "give into the spirit" that the battle begins. Why? Because your flesh won't be getting it's way any longer. It has to make some changes. It's having to do some denying, it's losing control. It takes effort to deny your flesh. It takes a determination of will and mind. It involves having to do something, having to fight, to wage war, to engage in combat, having to get uncomfortable, having to give up something- this is "work".

Walking in the flesh may be easier because it takes no effort to do so, but the consequences in the long run are great. Making the effort to deny your flesh in order to walk in the spirit, is worth it and will bring a great reward with it. So, walk in the spirit and stop giving into the flesh.

Have a blessed day. It takes no effort to walk in the flesh, but the effort it takes to walk in the spirit is worth it.

Reference About The Master's Business Ministry.

Donnie McClurkin- We Come This Far by Faith

Special Prayer

Today I would like to make a special prayer. My prayers today are being sent up for the health of a loved one in their time of healing. Lord please place your healing hands on the body of my uncle and restore him to his natural state of health. Allow him to spend more time here with us for we have more work to do for you and I know that You are not done with him yet. Send your angels to comfort his family in there time of confusion and prayer. Lord, I ask that you also change give a speedy fix to the oil spill in the gulf that is destroying your creatures and the land that you have let us use but have not done well with preserving. Please forgive us for the lack of care to your precious gift of Earth, for the poisons we pour into your oceans and the trash that we carelessly throw on your glorious soil. Please Lord, forgive us all for we know not what we do. I also would like for you to keep a special watch over a dear friend that has been on my mind. Please take care of her and her family. I don't know where they could be today, but you do and that, is good enough for me. All these things that I ask for I pray are your will, and if they are not I trust that you have better intentions for them all and will not dare to question them. You, my Lord, are the only one that can make all things possible, and only you who knows the outcome for us all. To my all mighty God I pray for these things and find comfort and knowing that your will is already done, Amen.

Daily Devotion

We are not saved of our own good works, it is the Gift of God accomplished by Jesus Christ on the cross and assured and secured by His Resurrection.

Daily Devotion

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:40-48 NLT.

Natural Beauty

I love Beyonce and Solange Knowles not so much for their musical talents as much as I do for their effortless glow of beauty, grace, and confidence. These natural beauties don't need make up or large accessories to feel confident and beautiful. I remember my days of needing a designer bag, nothing but MAC makeup , and a new outfit every time I went out on the town. Not anymore! I feel good in the skin I'm in and sexy no matter what I throw on.

The Knowles sister both have beautiful skin that doesn't always come so natural. Consult with a dermatologist if you have trouble skin to find out the best skin care regime for you to get a natural, healthy glow.

(I clearly stole the Solange pic from another site: mediatakeout.com)

My Diva, The Artist

My daughter has been begging for a while now for me to post something about her. Now that the school year is over, I'll have plenty to post about, but today I want to share her amazing art work. Nielah is a free spirit and loves art of all types. To keep her creative juices flowing, I enrolled her into an evening clay class at The Creative Foundry located in the Fan of Richmond,VA. Nielah enjoyed the class to the fullest and I was very impressed with the work that the children did. The classes run every 6 weeks and are offered all year round with summer programs also available at very reasonable rates. (above, lady bug car)

(candles stick holder & personal ice cream bowls)

Visit www.thecreativefoundry.net for more about clay classes for children

Daily Devotion

"He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God." Proverbs 14:31

Re: Urban Views Weekly: Rep God Ministries

Our youth are doing amazing things in the name of the Lord! I wish that I had this fire inside of me at the age of 16 like Kyia Hobson is the founder of rep for God Ministries. Rep for God Ministries will be hosting their first youth conference, "Ignite Our Fire Youth" at the Soccer Center of Richmond on Overbrook Rd, on July 16. Gospel artist and speakers will be featured at the conference and Kyia will be introducing her clothing line of modest apparel designed to be beautiful but not sexually provocative. This is a huge challenge for our youth today but with leaders like Kyia Hobson, the hard work and dedication will not be in vain.
Visit www.repgodministries.com for more on Kyia and her team.

What To Wear

It's hot outside and I couldn't help but thinking, if I where to go out (but I'm not) what would I wear. So Ive put together an outfit that I feel would be great for such humid weather. Linen materials are great for this type of weather because the material does not stick to your skin when you get a little sweaty when you walk from the front door to the car. And of course light colors help deflect the heat from boiling you alive. Last, its a must to be cute!

Mommy Day Care

This summer will not go to waste with just fun in the sun. Learning will also be a big part of our agenda as well. We started yesterday with my 7yr. old reviewing what she learned this year in the 1st grade in social studies. Each day of the week we will focus on a different subject, Tuesdays obviously being for social studies.
A few months back I picked up a great activity book named Brain Quest Workbook. This book is available for all grades.
Because she is going to the 2nd grade, I purchased the 2nd grade to prepare for the coming year. Every subject from math, science, cursive writing, language arts and more are in this book. Visit www.brainquest.com for more of there products and to purchase.

Today we are starting our first lesson on remembering the 50 states in alphabetical order and the roles of our country and community leaders.

Daily Devotion

The practices of goodness- noticing, savoring, thinking, enjoying, and being thankful- are not hard disciplines to learn. But they are disciplines, and they take practice.....The habits that allows wrong to become entrenched- mindlessness or tuning out, inattentiveness, the busyness of doing to distraction, and an ungrateful heart- can take hold so easily....Doing feeds the distraction that makes us inattentive. When we carve out time to really rest and be restored, we also restore our ability to be attentive.
- Desmond Tutu

Jesus Girl- Dr. Medina Pullings

Dr. Medina Pullings is Co-founder and Pastor of United Nations Church International, located in Richmond,VA along with her husband Dr. Orris A. Pullings. Dr. Medina Pullings was recently interviewed on The Sharvette Mitchell Radio Show sharing her journey as a young girl with Christ and her motivation for the ministry. One of those motivations is her love for her women & young girls of Christ. Through her ministry she has discovered her own description for women & girls with a deep devoted passion for the Lord. Jesus Girl!

"Jesus Girl is proud and not ashamed of her connection with Jesus. Jesus is the heart of her center, her soul, and her mind. She is forever being promoted and on to the next best thing. She is after the heart of God. Her core is a lover of Christ and is overwhelmed by His love!"

How do you spot a Jesus Girl?
You can spot a Jesus Girl...." by her acts of serving Jesus and loving it...where ever she goes she is accompanied by style and grace... Praise is her most elite garment... and her love for Jesus is contagious!"

Jesus Girl is a wonderful brand that I am proud to wear! Dr. Medina Pullings has Jesus Girls products that every true Jesus Girl should own a piece of. I dont yet, but Im on my way!
Visit www.medinapullings.com for more on the wonderful things her ministry is doing.

Something Special

These lovely pair of shoes where posted by Chad Ochocinco on his twitter page. They are definitely something worth sharing.

Jesus Saves- Marvin Winans and Perfected Praise

My mother is still on her Marvin Winans kick and has put me back on it too. This song was recommended by her for The Radden Family Choir who performs every 5th Sunday at Broomfield C.M.E. Church on Jefferson Davis Hwy.

Bag Crushed

I'm so in need of a good quality, classic bag that will carry me over for years to come. I love fashion but bags are just my thing. I have rid the "bin of bags" of all the fakes and I a still very happy with everything that I have accumulated over the years both name brands and off name brands.

Now I'm in search of that special bag that is worth my investment. Here's just one that has my juices flowing, but so not in my price range. Gotta start some where.

Miu Miu, Coffer Matelesse Leather Hobo, $1,650

Daily Devotion

"The Earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein."

Psalms 24:1

The First Week of Summer

Today is officially the first day of summer for my house hold. As a stay at home mom, I have opted against sending my daughter to a costly day camp for kids. This summer, like last summer, I will be keeping my child at home and using this time to continue the lessons that where taught over the past school year and prepare her for the year to come. This will be a major challenge for me because I was horrible in school for as long as I can remember, so this will be quite a learning experience for me too.

This week we are starting off a little slow just so that we can get the house in order and begin making schedules and agendas that will be used on a daily and weekly basis. I will be doing hair in my home still which is why it is so important to be extremely organized.

Vacation Bible School started this week all around the country and I wish that it lasted through the entire summer. The theme for the year is "Going Green for Jesus", and in light of the conditions our Eco system is in, it's a great subject that will easily be carried on into our daily lives through recycling and other measures of conservation.

I'll have lost of fun activities to post over the summer so stay tuned!

Summer Time Carry All

I love this bag! It has the classic "Boston" bag style that is known primarily from Louis Vuitton but not quite as expensive. The color is a perfect summer time blend for any outfit and big enough for mom's like myself to carry any and everything required.

Marc by Marc Jacobs, Fast Bag Metallic Bowling Bag, $250.

Interview: Kelly Rowland

Kelly Rowland, like most of us, was a trained child of God, whom, like most of us, once was lost but now is found. In a recent interview with British publication, The Scotsman Newspaper, Kelly made it clear where she now stands with God:

"I can't live without it. As kids we were so on fire for God. And then you grow up, travel and experience things and stop reading the Bible every day. You don't realise that you're taking important things away from yourself.

"If all this were taken away from me right now I would still have my faith. If you don't have faith the world will eat you alive."

We all have experienced this first hand and I wish it where as easy as posting this to save so many from going through life loosing site of Him. But you have to be glad for His forgiveness and is that He is there when you are ready for Him to lead your way. Amen!

Daily Devotions: Made For Goodness

My child. I made you for myself.

I made you like myself.

I delight in you.

My heart aches with pity

When you smother joy under the onslaught of busyness.

Then there is barely a minute

To pause and listen to me.

You run everywhere looking for life,

Searching for the life of life.

All the while I am here.

I am as close as a prayer.

I am breathing in your breath.

You look for me in the pleasures of life.

Things pile upon things,

Experiences crown out experiences,

Places run together in a hazy blur,

And still you don't find that one thing that will satisfy you.

But I am here.

I am as close as a prayer.

I am breathing in your breath.

I made you for myself,

I wanted you.

I made you like myself.

I made you good and I made you free.

Listen! For I have carved in you the heart to hear.

Listen and know that I am near.

I am as close as a prayer.

I am breathing in your breath.

Before you speak the word of worry or worship I hear you.

Before you sing in your delight or moan your anguish I speak.

I am here.

I am as close as a prayer.

I am breathing in your breath.

With each breath I choose life for you.

I paint the pattern of joy in your heart and leave it there for you to

find.

I build the frame of your flourishing in the center of your being and

call you to search it out.

I kindled the spark of goodness in you.

With each breath I fan the flame.

I am here.

I am as close as a prayer.

I am breathing in your breath.

With each breath choose, my child, you are free.

Will you breathe with me the breathe of life?

Will you claim the joy i have prepared for you?

Will you seek me out and find me here?

Will you whisper the prayer?

Will you breath in my breathe?

by Desmond Tutu

The Book Club: Made For Goodness by Desmond Tutu and Mpho Tutu

After witnessing a life time of crimes against humanity and coming face to face with evil itself, Desmond Tutu still believes that everyone of us are made specifically for goodness and dares the human race to claim the goodness that we are made for. In these pages Tutu invites that willing soul to take on the disciplines of goodness, the practices that are key to finding fulfilment, meaning, and happiness that the Lord wants for our lives.

'Made For Goodness' is one book that wont just give you directions to being a good person, but instead instills in you the purposes of doing good and the effects it has on our world. I highly recommend this book not only as a check out at the library but a must have for your bookshelf.

Busily Blessed

I haven't been able to take the time out and make my usual postings because I have been, what I would like to call "busily blessed". Meaning, that like us all, I have made certain request of the Lord, and as expected he has blessed me with those request that have kept me quite busy. It was delight to see my blessings unfold before my eyes.

My daughter and I pray every night before she goes to bed and at that time she also makes her very own special request. For example: Lord please heal my Auntie Amanda and Papa and keep them healthy. She has been able to see her blessing unfold right before her eyes through the disease named cancer being removed from Auntie Amanda's body and Papa's health doing increasingly better. It amazed her like nothing I have ever seen before! She knew with out a shadow of a doubt that no doctor or Rx had anything to do with, it was nothing but the Lord!

So Mommies Daycare has officially opened for the summer and I look forward to all the fun adventures that we have planned. My clientele for hair has increased as well and it's a crazy thing that I have no feelings of being overwhelmed with 4 children under my care. I cant ask for more, and if He never blesses me another day of my life, He's already done enough!

1st Sundays Communion

This Sunday was the first communion that I have shared all year. There was a sense of relief that the ritualistic acts of communion did not change. Thankfully, like God, the prayers and dedications given to Christ for his act of self sacrifice for our sins, remained the same. Together in unison, repeating the Lords prayer with the congregation, I recieved an ultimate feeling of peace and thankfulness. This feeling of peace is what I now recognize is of the same peaceful emotion that I have seen since being a little girl in one particular sister of the church.

From a very early age I watched this one woman every Sunday praise and worship with a look of such content and stillness all over her. Being the young naive child that I was, I would think to myself 'why would a woman with a hairstyle and clothing of an 80 year old woman be smiling as if she had a secret that only she new'. This Sunday as I prayed, I realized that I too new the secret, which was much of no secret at all.

The woman, who's name I shamefully still don't know, sang with the rest of the choir:

Lord I want to be a Christian in my heart

Lord I want to be more holy

Lord I don't want to be like Judas

Lord I want to be like Jesus

I followed their lead unconsciously, saying these words over & over. They flowed not from my mind but from my heart, for I did not know this particular hyme. The emotions were pouring from my eyes so reverently and powerful with meaning that it almost felt like I was having an anxiety attack. The only difference was that I had no worries about what might happen next. It didn't matter. I could have started seeing "the white light" and would have gone willingly to be with Jesus.

It felt good to finally know what that woman knew for myself and to put that childishness aside when it came to people and the divine touchings of the Lord upon us. A touch that I shall revel in all the days of my life.The secret you ask? Is one that you have been told again, again:

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.

His mercies never come to an end.

They are new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness" Lamentations 3:22-23

Kelis

This may not mean much to anyone else but Kelis is one of my favorite song bird and I just had to share these pictures from Kelis video shoot "4th of July (Fireworks)." Her new song is set to make a world premiere on July 16th on You tube and VEVO. I don't know what to expect for this new one, but I'm positive it will be a success.

CeCe Winans--"Well Alright"

Daily Devotion

"God does not love us because we are lovable. We are lovable precisely because God loves us........Our perfection is the price we imagine we must pay for the love of God.

Our goodness is the recognition we offer and the thanks we return for the gifts and love already given to us."

-Desmond Tutu

Slim Thug: 'Black Women Need To Stand By Their Man'

I'm not going to spend to much time on this topic only because it is the topic of conversation every where else. But for those of you who are not in the know, I'll take the time to bring you up to speed. Rapper, producer Slim Thug interviewed with Vibe magazine and expressed his thoughts on black men and women.

"Most single Black women feel like they don’t want to settle for less. Their standards are too high right now. They have to understand that successful Black men are kind of extinct. We’re important. It’s hard to find us so Black women have to bow down and let it be known that they gotta start working hard; they gotta start cooking and being down for they man more. They can’t just be running around with their head up in the air and passing all of us."

Some of you may strongly disagree with his views, but I have to agree with him whole heartily. In the Bible Adam was persuaded by Eve to eat fruit from the forbidden Tree of Life. There are many stories in the Bible where the women where used a source of enlightenment and much help in hard times for the men of the Bible through their own acts of hardships and persecutions, and with much reward in the end. It's a known fact that woman are smarter than man, and with that being said we have to build our men up and have their backs just as much as we expect for them to have our backs. We are all flawed beings with much more to learn from each other and God than we could ever learn alone. If this is not the foundation for any relationship, than why would one's wedding vows include "for better or for worse". Statistics make it clear that not allot of people understand this thus the high divorce rate. I'm not saying to lower your standards because there is a standard for each on of us. But each individual on each "status level" is just as flawed as the next with not one sin being greater than the other. That's just me and that's all I can give you on that.
Read full interview at www.vibe.com

Daily Devotion: Faithful With Your Own

"My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house." Numbers 12:7

Moses was faithful with what God had given him to do. Moses wasn't required to be faithful with Aaron's calling, or even Joshua's, just his own. God requires individual faithfulness of us all. He requires us to be faithful with what He has given us to do... individually. God doesn't require you to be faithful with someone else's assignment or gifts or talents or calling; only faithful in the "house" He has given you.

As you look at the parable of the talents (Matthew 25) you will notice that the Lord of the house did not require the servant with five talents to be faithful with the talent that He had given the servant with only one, or the servant with two talents to be faithful with the five He had given another servant. Each servant was required to be faithful with what he was given (with his own talent)... not with what another servant was given. This should be a great comfort to you. Too often we feel like we have to be doing what someone else is doing or we aren't doing enough, or we are missing it somewhere. This is a trick of the enemy to burden you down with a lot of busyness in your flesh and cause you to take on more than God has called you to do.

Each of us must be faithful with what God has given us to do and not feel that we have to do what someone else is doing. God will not require anything more of you than what He has given you. If He didn't give you "five talents" He won't require you to give an account of five talents. So don't worry about what someone else is doing... just be faithful with what God has called you to do. Be faithful with the "one" if that is all He has given you.... and do it in such a way that God will be glorified.

Reference "About the Master's Business Ministry"

Re: What I Want Now: Bold Necklaces

What a coincidence! Last week I posted a What I Want Now column about bold necklaces and this week Kelly Roland walks out of my head onto the streets of London looking beautifully and effortlessly fabulous with everything imagined worn perfectly to the T!

Daily Devotion

'There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee : I will not fail thee , nor forsake thee."

"Remember the word which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, The Lord your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land."

Joshua 1:5-13