When God Surprises You…

Hello World,

11Alive Education Reporter Donna Lowry (far left) and Fox 5 Anchor Lisa Rayam (far right) presenting me (center) and the editors of “Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine” Kamille D. Whittaker (left) and Katrice L. Mines (right) with the award… Just a candid shot…

I haven’t written an introspective post in exactly a month so I thought it would be good to kick off Aug. 1 with some inner reflection instead of reacting to the news of the day…

On Sunday morning, I had simply prayed for encouragement, and I went to church and was encouraged…I was reminded of these verses…

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith…Hebrews 12:1-3 (A good verse for Olympians by the way…)

I don’t know about you but one of my character defects is comparing my accomplishments to the accomplishments of other people…So Saturday, I was thinking about the accomplishments of other authors I know or have heard of and lamenting the fact that I got started late in the game…And my mind started whirring with all of the tasks that I needed to do to catch up…It was exhausting just thinking about it…By Sunday morning, I realized I needed an intervention so I prayed…And when I heard this verse in church, I was reminded that God has a “race marked out” for each of us, and that I need to keep my eyes on Him not other people…My chief aim is to please God – not anyone else…What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? (from the Bible) Not that we shouldn’t have goals or aspirations, but we have to keep them in line with His will for us…

Later Sunday, I went to the 30th Pioneer Black Journalists Awards which was sponsored by the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists at the Georgia Freight Depot. (Malcolm- Jamal Warner hosted the event! Theo! So yummy 🙂 ) I went there after church just to fellowship with my fellow black journalists and enjoy the jazz brunch. I munched as I heard the different journalists being called to the stage to receive their awards. And then I heard my name called…I had been nominated for a piece I wrote about the first black women to attend Georgia Tech about 50 years ago…I didn’t win that award, but I stopped focusing on the food and really started listening…Could I be winning an award today, I wondered…And then my name was called again for my contribution to several articles that were written for “Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine”  in which we offered a forecast of business trends for 2011…I didn’t even know I was nominated…

It was the confirmation that I needed to know that I am on a path that God has already charted for me, and basically, I just need to stay in my lane…not that I expect to receive an award every time I need some encouragement…I was already feeling fine after I left church, but it was a wonderful surprise…thanks God!

Any thoughts?

P.S. Had I known I was going to win an award, I would have had “hair and makeup” going on… 🙂

7 Reasons Why Killing Trayvon Martin was NOT “God’s Plan”

Hello World,

As I write this post this morning, I am very saddened by man’s inhumanity to man from the obviously troubled young man who massacred moviegoers as they attended a screening of the new Batman movie last week to teen murderer George Zimmerman who invoked the name of God as he attempted to justify shooting down an unarmed boy.

Since the movie massacre occurred just days ago, all of the details that led to this tragedy are still unfolding so I’m certain there will be more analysis to come as that happens…But as far as Zimmerman is concerned, since he murdered Trayvon Martin on Feb. 26, the public has had numerous opportunities to get to know Zimmerman (who somehow has still managed to elude being imprisoned though Trayvon was buried in his grave nearly half a year ago) and learn exactly what transpired that dark night.

The latest opportunity to learn about Zimmerman was Sean Hannity’s interview with him on Fox News last Wednesday. Instead of expressing remorse for his horrific crime, he said had did not regret what happened and that he believed it was “God’s plan.” Later in the interview (his lawyer likely prompted him to mollify his startling statements during a commercial break), Zimmerman said, “I do wish that there was something, anything, I could have done that wouldn’t have put me in the situation where I had to take (Martin’s) life,” according to USNews.com. And then he offered a weak apology to Trayvon’s parents: “I am sorry that they buried their child, I can’t imagine what it must feel like,” he said. “I pray for them daily.”

His statements are contradictory at best and deceitful at worst…He either feels remorse about murdering that boy or he has no regret for what did, but he cannot feel both. And furthermore, Zimmerman libeled God because annihilating an unarmed teenage boy is NOT God’s plan…And to restore God’s name in the public domain, I have 7 reasons why Zimmerman should keep God’s name out of his mouth unless he is asking for forgiveness…

1. In the 10 Commandments, we are commanded to NOT murder in Exodus 20:13.  Please commit this scripture to memory Mr. Zimmerman…

2. While our government at the state and nationwide level is not perfect, God has instructed us to adhere to our government’s laws in Romans 13: 1-5.  Zimmerman was told to NOT pursue Trayvon on Feb. 26 by a 911 dispatcher. In spite of this directive, Zimmerman followed Trayvon to disastrous consequences…

3. It has been reported that Zimmerman pursued Trayvon out of fear and was particularly fearful once he encountered the boy which is why he is claiming self-defense. In 2 Timothy 1:7, we are told it is not God who bestows fear rather He bestows power, love and a sound mind. If Zimmerman had a sound mind and truly felt fearful, he would have stayed in his car if he felt someone dangerous was in his neighborhood.

4. We cannot forget the Golden Rule in Matthew 7:12. Only do to others what you would want done to you. I’m reasonably sure that if Zimmerman had a teenage son, he would not want some arbitrary man to shoot his son first and ask questions later.

5. Now, let’s imagine that killing Trayvon was truly in God’s plan, then providing for Zimmerman’s defense would be in God’s plan too, right?. And by setting up his website, Zimmerman collected thousands of dollars from his supporters presumably for his defense. But that has proven to NOT be the case. Not only did Zimmerman lie to a judge about his passport and his financial status (which was bolstered through his website), he used very little of the money he received for his defense for his defense. In Proverbs 6:17, we are told that God hates a “lying tongue”…

6. Also, we are told in that very same verse (Provers 6:17) that God hates “hands that shed innocent blood.” Trayvon was armed with a hoodie, skittles and iced tea while Zimmerman was packing a gun. Enough said.

7. And why did Zimmerman think that Trayvon looked “real suspicious” that dark night? Was it because Trayvon was black? I truly do believe that if Trayvon had been a white teenager, he would not responded the same way, which is particularly disturbing as Zimmerman is partly Hispanic. (Hispanic people are also victimized due to racial profiling.) The woman featured in Song of Solomon, the romance book in the Bible, is a black woman. Black is beautiful and is not to be feared…I find it crazy that for years and years black people were enslaved, beaten, disenfranchised, dehumanized and on and on and black people are feared? C’mon son…

God’s plan is for all of his creation to get along as the recently deceased Rodney King so eloquently put it 20 years ago. Yes, murders, tragedies, sicknesses, wars and sins of all kinds occur in a fallen world, but that was not God’s original plan according to Genesis. But He has created a way for us  to be redeemed in spite of it all, and I hope we judge ourselves accordingly so we will not be judged…1 Corinthians 11:31…You would do well to reflect on this verse before claiming God’s plan again George Zimmerman…

Any thoughts?

 

 

 

Seven Scriptures To Ward Off Worry…

Hello World, 

Last week, I posted about revisiting the goals that we made at the beginning of 2012…As we all know, it is easy to drift away from our goals if we don’t pay attention. And now that we officially have six months left in 2012, we must get back on track!

HOWEVER, with all of our planning, it is impossible to predict what the results of our actions will be. In essence, we plant the seeds, but only God gives the increase…If you are anything like me, I love to plan and then I worry about the results….But God has told us over and over again that worrying is wrong and not characteristic of believers…So to minister to  me and you, let me share my favorite seven scriptures to ward off worry…

1. Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.   Psalm 55:22   In this scripture, God says turn over all of your troubles to me, and I will see you through. We are neglecting some of the benefits of being a believer if we don’t realize that He wants to bear our burdens!

 2. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.   2 Timothy 1:7   I don’t know about you, but sometimes, I will be thinking of a situation and all of a sudden, I feel overwhelmed by fear and worry…That’s not God! God does not give us fear! Instead, He gives us power, love and a sound mind! When I feel overwhelmed by fear and worry, I see this as a sign that I need to pray and connect with God because the devil is trying to get at me…

3. Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?   Luke 12:25   Can this scripture be any more direct? I don’t think so! This reminds me of a saying I recently heard…Worrying is like rocking in a rocking chair…It will give you something to do, but it won’t get you anywhere…

4. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.   Philippians 4:6-7   This verse has kept me from losing my mind for real! When I begin to worry, this verse reminds to talk to God about my present concerns AND thank Him for all that He has seen me through in the past…And supernaturally, my worrying is replaced by peace…Try it!

5. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid.   Luke 12:7   I LOVE this verse…We are so important to God that He has even counted the hairs on our head! Wow! That’s why we can pray about anything – no matter how big or small! I even pray about what to wear sometimes…

6. So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.   Matthew 6:31-33   In these times, it is tempting to worry about our finances and resources, but God says if we put Him first, then He will provide for our needs…Take Him at His word…

7. I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—He who watches over you will not slumber.   Psalm 121:1-3   I have claimed this whole Psalm for this year because I have embarked on a journey that I have never been on before….the journey of a published author…Although I am tempted to stay up nights planning marketing & promotion strategies, this verse reminds that I can sleep knowing my God in Heaven is always awake – and taking care of me on Earth below…

I hope these verses help you to realize that God simply does not want us to worry…We plan, but we must leave the results up to Him. Think about it. We cannot even control our next breath so why even worry about it…I know, it’s easier said than done 🙂 .

Below is a BEAUTIFUL song that I heard for the first time yesterday that reminded me not to worry and to turn over my concerns to God…Here is a sample of the lyrics…

WHEN WILL I EVER LEARN
ALL MY WORRY IS A WASTE OF TIME
WHEN WILL I EVER LEARN
LETTING GO BRINGS PEACE OF MIND

“When Will I” by Candi Staton…