Love Is More Powerful Than Death

Death has not won.  Love is more powerful than death.  Love will last forever, for God is love.

These words were spoken by T.D. Jakes at Whitney Houston's funeral.  I love how God spoke such powerful words through T.D. Jakes.  He stated that he knows "it seems like death has won.  How Cain killed Abel and how Noah died even though he survived the flood.  Isaiah and many more from the bible eventually passed away, and death seemed to win.  But 2000 years ago, Jesus came and said hold on death.  I have overcome the world and I have overcome death.  Death will not win and it will not  be the end ."

I grew up listening to every single one of Whitney's songs.  For me and my friends, her voice was the one that we aspired to have.  I remember we used to practice singing "I Believe The Children Are The Future" in my friend Kashae's bedroom, using a brush or a pencil as our microphone.  I never even got close to Whitney's gifted voice but I will always love every song she ever sang.

I know that Whitney struggled with drugs in the past but I also believe that she knew the Lord.  Was it enough to make it to heaven?  I don't know.  I hope so but only God can say for sure.  I think we would be surprised who we might see in heaven.  One thing I do know is I will be there.  When I die, I am confident that I will take my seat at His feet and be blessed.  Yes Lord.

For more about salvation and heaven, see "Salvation Is A Free Gift" and "Every Man For Himself (Woman Too)"

Fellowship At Famous Daves

What an amazing day of fellowship with some very special women in my life.  My Mom planned this day a few months ago.  She wanted as many of our sisters in Christ as possible to meet in Reno for a day of shopping and lunch in Reno, NV.  Saturday started in Hawthorne, where my Mom lives, the small town that I grew up in.  Ten wonderful women packed up the Bethel Baptist 15 passenger church van early that morning, and headed 2 hours East to Reno.  I live in Reno/Sparks, NV so I wasn't with them but I know that van was just as loud and lively as can be.  You see, that's how we act when we know that our day will be spent with Jesus in our midst.  Add shopping and food to the mix and you have an exciting group of women.

I met up with them once they made it to the mall.  It was so good to see every one's faces once again.  From there the plan was to meet up with women that represent several of the local churches in Reno, Sparks and Black Springs, NV.  Perfect Peace, Greater Light Christian Center, Second Baptist and Pilgrim Rest.  We have quite a history.  We meet up with most of these women every August in Lake Tahoe for a weekend retreat.  We have a great relationship with each other.  So after a little shopping (not everyone joined the shopping) we headed to our main destination, Famous Dave's.

Mom, Me, Grandma

That's where the true party got started.  Oh my goodness, believe me when I tell you that we turned Famous Dave's inside out.  That means we got loud, we laughed, we reminisced, we prayed of course and just enjoyed each other's company.  I have to give a shout out to Famous Dave's.  Their service and patience with our group was wonderful and greatly appreciated.  We had such a great time that there was even talk about having a slumber party the next time we meet.  Yes, grown women having a slumber party.  See you don't understand.  The teens ain't got nothin on us cause we grown and we know how to have a party (with Jesus).  We talk so much, I told them we would probably never even sleep.  Actually, the next 3 months are a very busy time of the year so it looks like the slumber party will most likely take place at our next Tahoe retreat.  I'm looking forward to hanging out with everyone again.  Love you all.

Stop, Drop, and Pray!

Sometimes it doesn't seem to take much to make me mad.  People who can't drive, (or drive worse than I do).  When things don't go my way, (am I spoiled?).  Having to repeat myself, (by the 3rd time that is).  Etc.....and the list goes on.  Thankfully, the Holy Spirit always intervenes within seconds, (yeah it may take me a minute or 2 (hours that is), to actually listen).  When life throws darts at me, it's time I put up my shield of faith and take some of my own "godly" advice.

STOP, (time out, blow the whistle) and ask myself, "Self, what is really going on?  Is it really that serious?  Will it matter in the next 10 years?"  That question is a great way to put things in perspective.  I should also put on my helmet of salvation (guard my mind and my hard head) and my breastplate of righteousness (basically act like I have some sense).  

DROP it and give it to God ASAP.  I say that I trust Him with every second of my life (at least that's what I tell people).  And I really do trust Him so why do I feel the need to be a back seat driver?  He has already proven time and time again that He can drive much, much better than me.  And please whatever I do, don't speak while I'm upset, (nothing good ever comes out then).  Keep my mouth shut.  I must let it go and keep it movin!

PRAY, and then pray again, then pray some more til I get it right.  If I can't seem to utter anything at the time, I could always ask someone to pray for me.  Now Starla that does NOT mean call someone and start complaining about someone else, (girlfriend you know that is gossip).

Oh, oh I know, one more thing.  PRAISE!  Give God glory for giving me the grace to be able to do anything and all things through Him.

I am a strong woman with thin skin a.k.a. sensitive.  Is that an oxymoron?  I don't know but it could be a dangerous combination.  I act like I don't care what people think about me but honestly, what person doesn't care what people think?   I mean we have to care a little if we want to keep our job, and our friends, and--well you get the drift.

Wow.  Have I really told people to do all these things at one time or another?  It was most likely God telling me what to say. It's great advice so I think I'm going to give it a try.

Ya'll pray for me cause life is not always a box of chocolates and a bowl of cherries.  But that does sound good doesn't it?