You shall never have any greater acclaim than that afforded you by means of your adoption into the family of Christ. Jesus is who and whose you are.

                      Be Blessed!                                                                                                               

Self-Portrait in Thirty Seconds
I look at her with a half smile,
swiftly, making a quick assessment:

Admiration

The tilt of her head, only slightly upward,
marks a perfect blend of humility and pride.

Her form, indicative of a Southern heritage,
(and her civil attempt to control it),
is detailed by a smart suit in natural shades
that complements the rebellious black curls
that snuggle around her ears and
lap at the cappuccino coolness of her neck.

I smile again . . . widely, admirably,
As I meet her earthen eyes--
bright, focused, steely
in their concentration of my silent interrogation.
"You got a problem?" they ask:
Eyebrows arched dramatically,
lips pursed for an instant response.

I frown, avert my eyes quickly,
and turn away from the mirror.

Copyright ©2006 Loris Nadene Adams

The Bible says ask and ye shall receive.
The Bible also says you have not because you ask not.

Perhaps it is something to this asking. But, as an African-American female I have realized that I am raised to be independent and self-controlled, master of all situations. As a Christian, I have learned that this individuality is not always an issue of gender or ethnicity, though I do find an exaggeration of such ideal from within oppressed people's attempt to reconcile who they are over and against what they have been villainized as.

Irregardless, individuality is a myth. We are not called to be individuals. We are not called to be self-sufficient. We are not called to be independent- we are called to be co-dependents. No, this is not advocating the mythological "welfare queen" (which, by the way, is a LIE, just as is the thought that only blacks get welfare). What I am advocating is personal accountability and culpability to the whole of creation. From the air of the breeze, to the bees in the trees, to the homeless woman or man on the street - we are accountable to each other. There should be no want in this world- not to the extreme our poverty exists- but God has given enough for all. He has also given us the means and the Spirit to steward the goods of the earth. We have not because we ask not. What is it that we do not ask- we do not ask the right question. It is not how can I get more, but rather how can I give more.

Please Lord, help me to learn to ask the right questions, to seek your face daily, to teach my son your ways, to model your ways in my life, to receive blessings and give that in return. Bless me in order that I may bless. I am asking Lord, and by your Word of faith I know that you will answer. I love you. Thank you. Amen.

It is not about the human spirit. We have all heard about the strength of the human will- the tenacity of the human spirit. There is no such thing as the human spirit - this is an oxymoron- if it is human, it is not a spirit.

You know how sometimes you just know what to do and what not to do - not because Mama, Daddy, best friend or other says so...but because SOMETHING tells you, directs, assures you that it is the right thing to do. That "thing" is the Holy Spirit- the one who intercedes on our behalf. The one residing here for us, the third "person" of the trinity, the comforting Holy Spirit of God that speaks in, through, and to us! There are no coincidences and no lucky breaks - there is only the grace and mercy of God-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit...Redeemer, Reconciler, and Sanctifier.

Do you know Him? Don't you want to?
There will never be a better love!

Man may judge all day long; however, man cannot condemn. Do not be overly concerned with other's expectations and rash judgments. Take sincere judgments as grace. Remember, however, that irregardless of the judgment, there can be no condemnation from man despite how our circumstances may appear. To God is all glory and power. There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus! The only one with the authority to condemn frees us from condemnation, offering hope, life, love - His joy and peace.

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr