You Are What You Say

We have all heard cliche's like: “you are what you eat” and/or “garbage in, garbage out”.  These short sentences speak volumes if you listen.  I'm not a health food fanatic (not that I'm opposed to them), I have paid more attention to what I eat especially over the past few years.  My maternal family’s medical history is a huge indicator that if I am not proactive with my health, what I eat, exercising, etc. I could end up like many of them with some of the common diseases that plague many people of color.  You matter to the people in your life; so I encourage you to evaluate what you’re eating and make small healthy changes so that you don’t feel overwhelmed and quit.  If you eat fast food every day for lunch, try cutting back to three times per week and gradually reduce the trips.  If you have a sweet tooth like me, try cutting back the number of sweet things you eat in a day and gradually reduce consumption.  Take a walk on your lunch break or take the stairs instead of the elevator (assuming you are healthy enough to do so).  Cut back on sugary drinks.

So, we are clear that you are what we eat, but did you know “you are what we say”?  For example:

·       Janay woke up feeling great.  She sneezed a couple of times while speaking with Betty who immediately told Janay she must be coming down with a bug.  Karen overheard the conversation, looked at Janay and said, “yeah, your eyes look a little pink”.  My husband had the same thing last month and he was out for two full weeks.”  Janay responded that her throat did have a little tickle this morning and agreed she must be coming down with something.  By the afternoon Janay had successfully "talked herself" into being sick and she left work early. By the next day she had spoken sickness into her home.

·       Thomas decided to change his lifestyle.  He stopped smoking, started an exercise plan and lost 20 of the 40 pounds he plans to lose by summer.  Losing weight was a real challenge for him initially, but his loved ones placed positive affirmations on the fridge, front door, in his car, etc. and he recites them out loud every time he passes by them.

In these two examples both parties said something.  The difference is that Janay’s affirmations were negative and Thomas’ were positive, but what’s key is that they came from the heart.

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.  Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you. Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)

The latter part of the text above “his heart is not with you” is describing an evil person who is tolerating you long enough to get something from you.  An evil stingy manipulative crooked thieving liar is going to have the same characteristics no matter their ethnicity: African-American, Latino, Caucasian, etc.   How do I know?  Just as it is the nature of a snake to bite, it is the nature of a manipulator to manip.  Yes, people change, however, this would not be a good time to exercise “blind” faith.  Instead you might want to wait and SEE the Salvation of the Lord and their good works.  I’m just sayin’.  There is something about the heart of a man/woman, their soul, who they are at the core.  They can only hide their true selves (good or bad) for so long before the real person begins to emerge. 

We can also use our words to customize our world.  Jesus gives the “how to move a mountain” lesson in the book of Mark, 11:22-24:

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11:22-24 (NKJV)

Right, I’m gonna tell a mountain to move out of my way and throw itself in the sea; really, c’mon?  Yes, check this out:

1.     You must have faith (hoping/believing your request will materialize) even though you don’t know when or how.

Yeah, but a real mountain?  Just keep reading …

2.     Stop thinking linearly and think spiritually.  Jesus uses the mountain as a metaphor to represent the challenges, problems, trials, tribulations we face.  Just as you tell a dog to go or get out of here as you point your finger to the door (with authority), you can do the same with your drama.  _______________ (you fill in the blank) get out of my life, you are not God’s best for me, I command you to go!  

3.     When you give the command you must believe that you will receive, there is no room for doubt, not even ½ percentage.  When the doubt tries to creep in your mind speak to it: “I command you to go in the name of Jesus”; “I believe God, I believe God, I believe God….” “I will have it, I will have it,” etc.  Do not under any circumstance allow the doubt to plant its seed.  Find scriptures in the bible on faith so that you can use them as a weapon against the doubt when it comes.  Remember the Word of God is our Sword

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.  James 1:6-8 (NKJV)

4.     The last part of verse 24 above says: “you can have whatever you say.”  Let’s be clear, our every wish is not God’s command, however, he will give us the desires of our heart as long as they line up with his Word of God.  It is not enough to have the desire alone, Jesus specifically says “you shall have what you say.”  I don’t know how to make it any plainer than that.

I do know that it is human nature to want what we want yesterday and sometimes those prayers are hindered for what we fail to do.  We have not because we ask not, and/or we give up too soon For example:

·       You asked God for your desires yesterday, told the mountain to jump in the lake and it’s still there, wassup with that?  Could your motive be a little off?  You do realize we are talking about God. The same God who knows your thoughts before you think them.  Is it possible He took into consideration you were going to doubt after the first day and He is teaching you a lesson of patience?  You probably have genie syndrome.

·       I asked God for a car and I’m still riding the bus.  What kind of car did you as for? Used, new, Hyundai, Honda, fully loaded, bare basics, you want car notes or no notes?  God is like, you ain’t setting me up to make the choice for you and then you not like it. What do you want????  Come on, what is your desire?

Do your part, and God will do His.

In His Humble Excellence

Tan

Replacement Player(s)

In professional sports, a replacement player is an athlete who is not a member of the league's players association and plays during a labor dispute: (e.g. a strike or lockout):  For example:

·       The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) went on strike in 1987, and the owners brought in replacement players to continue the season

·       In 1994, the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) went on strike. Spring training in 1995 started with replacement players.

Seanma Willingstone is a manager for the local energy plant near his home.  With no college degree, a man of color who worked his way up the ladder, he credits God with his success.  He is dependable, punctual, and thorough, but he complains about everything (opening/closing the plant, mandatory overtime, the large sum he pays in taxes, his wife, his kids, his toe, the weather, the news, etc.)  One of his employees jokes that he is so negative that he develops in a dark room.  His employees and peers are at their wits end and complain to management.  Though they have grounds to fire him, the Executive Team decides to replace him with someone who is more suited for the position.   He is devastated when he gets the news but he knows it’s his own fault because the Holy Spirit convicts him.

Lulia Mae Jones is the Choir President and proudly informs anyone who will listen that she is a fifth generation member of the Ship of the Seas on the Eastside Church of the Living and Breathing Missionary Saints of the Most High Church for All People, Inc.  There have been lots of changes since the new young Minister replaced Pastor Judge Smith after his demise three months ago.  Sis. Lulia Mae was recently informed that the president position she holds has been replaced with a Pastor of Music and Arts but they would love for her to remain active in some capacity.  She assures the new “young” Minister that she will give him an answer after she “prays on it.”  She walks away thinking to herself “how could they replace me after all the years I’ve devoted to this ministry.  Hmmph, I wish I would help them. Imma sit myself right own down in the audience every Sunday.  They’ll be sorry”.

I know that many God-fearing church folk would like to believe it, but honey-child, you are not invincible.  Serving in a position does not mean you “own it.”  If you have the wrong attitude – “they better be glad I come to church,” “look at me and how well I do this, that and the third”; If you usurp your authority (throw your weight around), You have the wrong motives; You drank your own Kool-Aid and/or You’re mean as homemade sin.  You’re mean, mad and miserable and subconsciously or subconsciously pass that negativity onto everybody that will bite, don’t you know God can replace you?   I don’t just mean by replacing you, I you’re your new home is six feet under.  Folks are having a sho’ ‘nuff party instead of a re-pass ‘cause you were an absolute gnat. There are also times when we are “replaced” so we can be “released” to do other things in ministry or to get a break.  It’s not the end of the world if you’re not in a specific position anymore. Put yo' big girl panties "own" and get over it! 

Let’s look at some replacement players from the bible.

Abigail was a beautiful bright and intelligent woman but she was married to an authentic fool, Nabal.  I hear you, if she was so intelligent why did she married such a jerk.  Women didn’t marry men they fell in love during that time because marriages were pre-arranged.  At any rate, God killed Nabal for his foolishness and replaced him with King David.  (I Samuel 25 entire chapter)

Queen Vashti was a very beautiful woman who I like to say was born before her time.  She was bold enough to disobey a direct order of the King, her husband, which could have led to her immediate death, however, he banished her from his site forever instead.  She was replaced with Queen Esther, who was stunningly beautiful inside and out.  God used her to save an entire nation.  (Esther 1 entire chapter)

Finally there is Saul.  He was tall, handsome and fearless (1 Samuel 9).  God hand selected him to be the first king of the Israelites.  However, after two years in office, he was disobedient and God punished him (1 Samuel 13 entire chapter).  He disobeyed God a second time, God rejected him and then replaced him with David, the shepherd boy who killed Goliath (1 Samuel 15 entire chapter).   King Saul knew that David had been chosen as his replacement, though he (David) didn’t take the office until several years afterwards.  During his reign he became jealous of David and hunted him down like an animal for years, but God protected David from Saul’s wrath until Saul died in battle.

The next time you take for granted a position that you hold or you start complaining about your ministry; who doesn’t appreciate you; blah blah blah blah blah, do yourself a favor.  STOP.  Take a breath.  Remind yourself why you’re serving.  If your motives are wrong you are wasting your time.  The only reward you’re going to get is the one people give you.  Don’t get me wrong, we all like to be appreciated.  Thank you goes a long way, but if your goal is to please God, like for real, you can serve without anyone ever saying thank you, giving you a plaque, or taking you to dinner because you are giving your service for God and to offer your gift(s). 

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.  Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.  Philippians 2:12-15 (NKJV)

Salvation is a free gift, but we have to work it out.  Diligently do all that we can to preserve, protect, and cherish this most precious gift!

Your work in this case is to serve means to minister.  Fear and trembling in this context means to reverence God, not to be afraid of Him.  He is not a tyrant, He loves us.

In His Humble Excellence

Short Cuts

There are all kinds of advertisements that guarantee this or that to a quick, fast, easy way for ________ (you fill in the blank).  You can even find "advertisements" that guarantee _______ (you fill in the blank) if you give _________ (you fill in the blank).  In essence "SHORTCUTS" are advertised.  What is a shortcut anyway?
  

Wikipedia:

·                  ·       File shortcut, a file that contains only the location of another file in the computer

o   To save time and keystrokes you can create a shortcut for programs used often.

o   The icon will be placed on your desktop for quick access

·       Keyboard shortcuts, a combination of keystrokes that provides easier access to a command or operation

o   Your cursor is in the middle of a sentence on your laptop; you want to get to the far left.  You can hold the LEFT arrow key down until the cursor gets there; OR

o   You can press the HOME key once. 

·       Shortcut (road), a minor-road alternative to a signposted route

Webster:

·       Shortcut: a shorter or quicker way; a method, procedure, policy, etc., that reduces the time or energy needed to accomplish something.

o   I traveled one of the nation’s busiest highways since we purchased our home in the “burbs” over two decades ago. 

o   I have figured out some shortcuts which allow me to bypass certain extremely busy sections of the highway, however, other motorists have discovered those them as well.  There are times when they are just as busy as the highway.

o   Imagine how frustrating it is to take my “shortcut” which has a sight line of the busy highway, only to see vehicles that were caught in the maze of traffic I exited, now zipping past me on the highway with no stop lights or signs.

The Bible (Word):

·       Shortcut to healthy lifestyle, victory, success: It does not exist.  1 Tania 2:24 (MYO -- My Own Words)

And you know what, it’s not entirely your fault.  We live in microwave society which demands everything quick, fast, in a hurry, yesterday.  It’s amazing how we run around like everything is an emergency (yes, sometimes I do to). 

• How many times have you rushed your children to get up, get dressed, and eat (if they get any food at all), so you can rush them off at school or day care in order for you to hurry up and wait -- in traffic? 
•  How many times have you been irritated with a senior citizen ahead of you that is taking forever (like three minutes) to unload their cart and then they pull out a check for payment!!! 
• How many times have you prayed for God to do XY and Z and if after waiting a full two days get no answer. You then “help” God since He’s probably busy?

o   Now you have a huge mess on your hands and you’re too shame to repent and ask for help so you try to fix it yourself and make an even bigger mess? 

o   Your solution is to call everyone you know and complain about how the devil is attacking you.  Seriously?

o   You can’t sleep.  You’re up attacking the Fridge and surfing channels.  You ask God for a sign and you “happen” to turn to channel 77.  The televangelist yells at you, I mean prophecies that if “you” send him $144.00 for the next SEVEN (7) months God will perform SEVEN (7) miracles, but if you make the “pledge” within SEVEN (7) minutes he will send you SEVEN (7) anointed paper towels to expedite the miracles.

·       Ma’am, Sir, really.  Let me break it to you gently.  You have been duped, bamboozled, hoodwinked, tricked, punked, played – I’m just saying?

God will allow things to happen that literally stop us in our tracks to get our attention and redirect our poor thinking.  Understand this, your priorities are not God’s emergencies (or anybody else’s for that matter).  You can cry, snot, scream, pout and/or give all your money away to the people that tell you to jump up and down SEVEN (7) times, touch the ceiling, sit down and roll over, or send this text message to SEVEN people and back to me and watch God work.  That is not supported by the word of God. 

OK Tania, I get it, but what about me?   I didn’t get fired, I got laid off; or I have never smoked but I have a spot on my lung; or I have done everything that I knew for my children and their lives are completely opposite of what they were taught.  I have been dealing with these challenges for several years now with seemingly no end in sight. 

In order to fully capitalize on the Process, Preparation and Promise we have to learn the art of Patience (waiting).  Does that mean you just sit around and watch grass grow?  No, you wait while you wait.  But what does that mean?  It means that you continue.  Continue what?  Whatever you doing before you began to wait for the manifestation of your prayers.  If you were studying the Word; continue.  If you were serving in some capacity; continue.  If you were an attentive mom; continue; If you were teaching a group; continue.  If you were on the 6:00 am Victory call; continue.  Yes, you may start off uncomfortable, but it won’t stay that way because God will give you the grace to endure. 

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. (1 Peter 5:10 NKJV)

 The opposite of shortcut is patience:

 In your patience possess ye your souls. Luke 21:19 (NKJV)

 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.  Hebrews 6:10-12 (NKJV)

 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].  1 Corinthians 15:58 (AMP)

In His Humble Excellence

Tan

Misdiagnosed Moments

It was a busy weekday morning as usual, Karen was up an hour earlier than everyone else so she could meditate, exercise and start breakfast.  She woke the children up and went on to the next task.  She called for little Jessi so she could comb her hair, but there was no response.  Realizing five minutes later that Jessi still had not responded, she called out to her again, but with a little irritation in her voice, muttering under her breath “if that girl is still in bed, she’ll be sorry.  We just discussed this yesterday”.  The children know that if mom has to come and get you, it is not going to be pretty.  Karen placed the bacon in the oven, took the grits off the burner, placed the top over the pot, wiped her hands and went marching up the stairs.  When she got to Jessi’s room, she stood silently outside the door listening for movement but couldn’t hear any.  She put her ear closer to the door and heard muffled laughter.  Her first thought was to burst into the room, but instead she decided to open the door quietly, and to her surprise, her husband was in the room with Jessi.  He had just finished combing her hair.  Perception is not always reality.

Taylor woke up in the middle of the night short of breath.  He tried to speak but couldn’t because it felt like an elephant was sitting on his chest.  His wife, Sami, woke up to see him putting his sweats on in the dark.  While turning the light on she asked him what he was doing but when his eyes met hers she saw panic.  His usual calm demeanor was screaming for help though no sound left his mouth.  She was dressed and they were out the door within 47 seconds headed to the hospital.  To their disbelief, the ER was empty.  She re-counted the events to the nurse and they quickly took Taylor to a room.  Sami prayed while they assessed him.  A few hours later the doctor said it was a bad case of heart burn.  That didn’t make sense to Sami and it didn’t feel right especially when she learned they didn’t run an EKG on Taylor.  She didn’t get irate, but she insisted that they run an EKG.  When the doctor returned with the results, Taylor started to experience extreme discomfort and he had a heart attack right on the table in front of the red-faced doctor.  Sami’s refusal to leave and insistence that they run tests saved her husband’s life. 

We can all identify with misdiagnosed moments at one point in our lives or another, some of them as innocent as Karen’s husband surprising her by combing his daughter’s hair to the devastation of being medically misdiagnosed.  Those moments of uncertainty can cause us to react in ways that can be courageous or make us look like absolute basket cases.  But what do you do when you are faced with a misdiagnosed moment:

You know God has more for you, because he revealed to you, but nothing seems to be working in your favor.  The more you pray the worse it “appears” to get.  The trials seem to come one on top of another like a woman when she is in the last stages of labor whose contractions are so close together there is no relief.  God, where are you?  I can’t breathe; I can’t take “this”; I’m drowning.  But the Lord gently whispers down in your spirit:

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)

Paula spent her last $500 to get her car repaired for the fifth time in five months.  She drove off the lot and some idiot in a commercial truck runs a light; hits her broadside completely totaling the car.  Strangers run to her rescue while other rubber necks literally stop their vehicles in disbelief as they see her emerge from the car: no scratches, cuts or broken bones.  Some think she’s having a nervous breakdown because she is crying uncontrollably and shouting at her father, but she was the only one in the car.  “FATHER, THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME”; FATHER THANK YOU FOR PROTECTING ME”; “HALLELUJAH”; 

“BLESS YOU FATHER”; “THANK YOU FATHER”. 

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.  (Psalm 34:1)

The insurance company arranges for a rental while they sort things out.  Seven days later Paula is shopping for a brand new car that she can pay for in full, pay off ALL her debt, take a much needed vacation with her family, tithe five figures and not miss a beat.

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.  Genesis 50:20 (NKJV)

Maceo graduated from the school of the arts.  He got called to shoot a few small rolls which led to a big part in a movie, playing the role of a stereotypical Latino brother compromise his values and he respectfully declines.  His friends criticize him but he is trusting God regardless of what anyone thinks.  He has exhausted his savings and takes a job at local Starbucks.  Though it’s not what he wants, every day he leaves for work, he declares that God is placing the right people in his life with the power, influence and ability to help him.  A customer arrives that he has never seen before (which is not unusual).  He stops his cell phone conversation just long enough to rudely bark out his unique coffee drink: skinny this, extra shot of that, with extra whip at 165 degrees, double cupped with a sleeve and a straw.  Maceo has an intoxicating smile which is infectious.  He rings the gentlemen up who finally makes eye contact with Maceo and he is quickly infected by that big broad smile which is oddly soothing.  Maceo greets the next customer, a familiar face, who asks about his acting, etc.  The rude “skinny” customer quickly ends his phone conversation and ear hustles.  Turns out this guy is a screen writer on assignment to find a replacement for the guy they just fired.  He quickly tells Maceo about the role in a film they are about to shoot.  They both click, exchange information and agree to meet later that day to discuss details. Ultimately Maceo auditions for the part under the anointing and it’s a wrap.   

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

We are so quick to take life experiences at face value which very often cause us to misdiagnose moments that have been set up, planned out and orchestrated by God.  I would like to call them “God-Moments”. 

We are faith walkers (For we walk by faith, not by sight 1 Corinthians 5:7) on the Journey that will lead to our destiny.  God won’t give us all of the details up front.  He will only give you information on a need to know basis, and that’s real talk right there.  So try this:   relax, when it feels like you are getting overwhelmed, take a step back, breathe and ask God for direction.  When He leads you, just follow and walk it out...

In His Humble Excellence

Tan