A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24
A couple of months back a friend took over her daughter’s broken relationship. It became [to me] a Facebook tell all shame a thon. It was done to shame the cheating boyfriend and restore the jilted daughter’s honor. Unfortunately, mom and child became victims of bad advice; mainly, because those that care for them wanted the best for them. Sadly, we live in a time where we avoid pain in an effort to feel wanted. And we rob the soul of searching and seeking greater understanding of our existence.
PRAYER
Father God, thank you for another day, please bless all who read this simple prayer with at least one friend that is faithful to their relationship and be a beacon of your truth. Amen
“Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.”
Psalm 112:4
PRAYER
Father God, thank you for your grace and mercy. Today we ask that you allow your people to see the hope you’ve promised for dark days. Amen
Prayer Request:
Lord, I’m praying for Gina and her family. Yesterday her uncle died from COVID. His death has impacted the family with grief and bewilderment. Bring the light of hope, understanding and comfort to this family. Amen
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
Psalm 139:14
Prayer:
Father God, creator of the Universe, let us praise you for the life we live. Let your works give wings to our dreams and make them reality. Bless us with your favor as we celebrate daily with thanksgiving for being fearfully and wonderfully made. Amen
Sometimes people must learn to ride the waves of life when it comes to destressing, especially those that are born with successful instincts.
PRAYER
Father God my hope is truly in you. Light the path I must follow brightly and let me stay on it when all seems lost. For you and you alone know the plans you have for me. Jeremiah 29:11 says, your plans are to make me prosperous as you promise never to hurt me, as you give me hope and a future. Amen
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2 KJV
Ancestral prayers can last for generations. My grandmother was the prayer warrior for her family. She was a petite Black woman from Louisiana that prayed day and night. Her prayers seemed more amplified during cold months. You could hear her praying from that cold kitchen as the wood stove in the livingroom began to burn the newly made fire. She would sing songs that asked God for protection. As a recipient of one of her butt whooping, I believe sometimes those prayers even kept her from killing disobedient children. She always had a house full of kids even after most of her kids were grown and gone. She raised a few grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Her children had the opportunity to have uncles and aunts as playmates. Sadly, she only lived a few years of her life without children in tow; yet, her prayers continue to impact those she loved. Today I’m going to pray one of her favorite songs.
PRAYER:
I need Thee, O I need Thee Every hour I need Thee O bless me now, my Savior I come to Thee
Pass me not O my gentle Savior for I come to Thee.
3 But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.
Jonah 1:3
This is Throwback Thursday! So! I’m reposting one of my favorite posts. I first shared this video on June 15, 2014, at 6:45 am. It appears 7 years later I will be reposting this wonderful video around the same time.
So much has happened within those seven years of living life. I’ve lost my mom. I’ve become a great grandmother! I’m told my oldest grandson’s girlfriend is having twins. My children are doing great, making wonderful lives for themselves. Two wonderful women have been added to my family, along with a host of new friends and family members. And all of that good stuff can’t compare to my spiritual growth. I’m over the moon concerning my spiritual journey. It has been tough and often I’ve felt like throwing in the towel but . . . OMG! My life is on fire because of my spiritual awakening! And this repost can’t be more appropriate when it comes to sharing what I learned from my latest lesson.
LESSON LEARNED: God loves everyone, including our enemies and people that come across as unlovable. He expects us to show those that are lost or have lost their way compassion. Our actions will light the path for His love and mercy to become healing ointments. Bottom line! God wants all of us to be saved despite our differences. Let’s pray!
PRAYER
Lord, my recent private prayer request was that you cover my enemies with your blood. I wanted the blood of Jesus to open their understanding. Allowing them to see they were their greatest obstacle when it came to not getting money bequeath to them. But how can they see when everyone spiritually in their life is superficial. Show me how to pray for them. There is nothing worse than being lost in the maze of life. Amen
PARAGRAPH FROM 2014
I have been in church for nearly 53 years. And I have never heard the story of Jonah with so much feeling. Mary Margaret is full of passion for telling this great story. Her passion causes her to be very (and I do mean very) animated. Enjoy this cute little girl telling the story of Jonah.
This is my second cousin, Felicia Hayes, and my grandmother, Queen Hayes.
I wonder how many people have heard the phrase “do not wear out your welcome.” Hum . . . I first heard the expression from my grandmother when I was young.
Back when I was once a kid, and a know-it-all, it seemed my late maternal grandmother would always say those words to my cousins, my siblings and me. I’m not sure how my family members took her wisdom; but back when I was a child I thought my grandmother was old, uncaring, uneducated, mean-spirited, and truly out of touch with the mental and emotional needs of the young. [chuckle]
I can remember as if it was yesterday sassing her for this or that. But nothing stands out more than the time she would not let me go over to my cousin’s house as often as I wanted. And, sadly, it was late into my adult years before I understood the meaning ‘do not wear out your welcome.’
As I’m looking back on things and reflecting upon how I dismissed her words of caution, I now understand why my life was filled with heartaches.
I hate to admit to myself but I deserved all the bumps I got from being hardheaded; and my self enlightenment really makes me feel foolish about things I had blame on others.
Well, any-who-how . . . It was by divine revelation I found the phrase in the Bible one day. I was shocked! It was amazing to read that God gives his children the same warning!
Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house– too much of you, and they will hate you. Proverbs 25:17
The message I get from this passage is: don’t be so darn clingy! Get a life! Explore parts of your life without others. Enjoy family when can. And remember a bit of you goes a long ways.
I’m coming to terms with my granny’s wisdom. My grandmother has passed but her words live on. And each day that I live I think about her abrasive and unharness wisdom. I’m learning she was indeed the smartest woman I will ever know and most of all she loved me.
¹²While Jesus was in one of the town, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” ¹³Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing.” he said. “Be Clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. 14Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.“
Lord, some people talk too much because they want other’s to hear their “know it all” speeches; then again some people talk too much because of nerves chatter; and, then, Lord, some people talk too much because of self-absorption. But this prayer is for those that talk to much because of emotional and mental pain that overflows into their daily conversations.
Lord, help the person that is in emotional or mental pain to see that you enter into their lives everyday. Lord help them to understand you know their spirits are filled with worries. Let them know Lord they are no different from the man with leprosy when it comes to your unyielding love for your creation. Lord, allow them to feel your presence; and gently convey to their spirits that you stand waiting to heal their brokenness. Lord, give them the words to ask in prayer for guidance and healing as they create a dialogue between you and them.
I am asking for you to do these things Lord because: I have found those that unwittingly share life experiences have been greatly wounded. And because of their sorrows I come humbly before your Throne of Grace. So, once again, Lord, I am asking for divine healing for those that talk too much as they try to ease their emotional and mental pains. Lord, I ask that they find a true friend in you. Lord, I pray that you begin to peel the layers of untold anguish from their unconscious minds. Exposing their raw emotions for what they are as you help them to deal with each heartache privately. For in lessening their spiritual suffering they can find hope. And in finding hope they will find wisdom in who to share your blessings among and their tribulations with.
Black Women Have It Going On 