I Was Just Thinking About...: Encouragement

Thinking of You...

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 00:12:57 GMT

Christ has no body now on earth but ours;

Ours are the only hands with which he can do his

work,

Ours are the only feet with which he can go about

the world.

Ours are the only eyes through which his

compassion

can shine forth upon a troubled world.

Christ has no body on earth now but ours.

- Adapted from a prayer of St. Teresa of Avila

(from a book I'm reading now..."A String & A Prayer, How to Make and Use Prayer Beads"

by Elanor Wiley and Maggie Oman Shannon)

This is Good!!

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 17:45:17 GMT

Cherokee Legend

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of passage?

His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves him

alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove

the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot

cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night, he is a MAN.

He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must

come into manhood on his own. The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all

kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him.

Maybe even some human might do him harm. The wind blew the grass and earth,

and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold.

It would be the only way he could become a man!

Finally, after a horrific night the sun

appeared and he removed his blindfold. It was then that he discovered

his father sitting on the stump next to him. He had been at watch the entire night,

protecting his son from harm.

We, too, are never alone. Even when we don't know it, our Heavenly

Father is watching over us, sitting on the stump beside us.

When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him.

If you liked this story, tell someone.

If not, you took off your

Blindfold before dawn...

Everyone Can’t Be in Your Front Row

Life is a theater-invite your audience carefully.

Not everyone is spiritually healthy and mature enough to have a front row seat in our lives. There are some people in your life that need to be loved from a distance.

It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you let go, or at least minimize your time with draining, negative, incompatible, not-going-anywhere relationships/friendships/fellowships!

When you leave certain people, do you feel better or worse?

Which ones always have drama or don’t really understand, know and appreciate you and the gift that lies within you?

When you seek growth, peace of mind, love and truth, the easier it will become for you to decide who gets to sit in the FRONT ROW and who should be moved to the balcony of your life.

You cannot change people around you…. but you can change the people you are around! Ask God for godly wisdom and discernment and choose wisely the people who sit in the front row of your life.

“Just because no one has shown up who can love you on your level, doesn’t mean you sink to theirs!!

I know for sure that God has someone waiting for me to meet in His own time.

That is what I like about my awesome God.!

Another Week

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 15:18:09 GMT

Thanks for the Princey-Poo graphic Lori...you're THE BEST!

Thanks SO MUCH for my beautiful rotating fish and this lovely graphic Geri!

***************************************************************

I hope you all had a great weekend. The weather here on the East Coast was fantastic!! My youngest son and I went into the city - Washington, DC - and visited the historic Adams Morgan District.

The pictures you see in my photo album of the building murals are pics we took there.

Adams Morgan is best known for it's ethnic restaurants and shops

and also for its fantastic street fair held at the end of the summer.

The cherry blossom trees are fortunately right outside my door!

We are blessed to live in such a beautiful area.

Make this a good one ya'll!

A Brand Spankin' New Year!

Wed, 03 Jan 2007 12:55:03 GMT

Hey Family,

It's been a l-o-n-g time since I wrote something in my space but I really wanted to thank all of you for staying in touch with me last year. I pray you will continue to visit me in 2007 as well.

Well...this is our chance to right the wrongs of last year and start over again with a clean slate.

I pray that 2007 will be a good year for all of you. I have been seriously contemplating leaving Spaces. It's so hard trying to keep up with all of the contests and trying to visit all of you. If I don't stop by please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I always ask God to bless all of you so don't ever say no one is praying for you, ok? ;-)

I have taken on some new responsibilities at work, which I am not happy about, but I just became a homeowner so I am going to give this my best try. When you reach a certain age you really don't have a choice. Somebody's gotta make the donuts! ;-) I just hope things get better.

I am very proud of my children and it is such a joy watching them grow up and mature. They have grown into very kind, loving and generous adults which is what I raised them to be. They stumble sometimes, as we all do, but for the most part I know that they will be fine without me which is how we should raise our children.

Many of you left wonderful comments about my family pictures. The one of my daughter fussing at her little brother is priceless. But that is her personality and it shows in this picture ;-) She was so mad when I snapped this shot which made it even better ;-) I must keep this to show to her future husband ;-)

Oh and the young men you see in suits...that is my oldest son and his little music group. They performed some of their new songs at a party during the holidays. One of their songs was played on the radio last week! He is really enjoying his life. I am proud of him.

I am desperately trying to get my greeting card/invitation business off the ground. I really need a good marketing strategy! I know I need a website but they are so-o-o expensive - $3,500 for a good one with eCommerce. If any of you have any ideas please share them with me! Thanks!

My man Prince is performing at the half time show of the Super Bowl this year. I can hardly wait!! You can see some really bad pictures I took of him and Tamar when I went to a concert of his last year in DC. I stood on my feet for 5 hours to see him! I could barely feel my feet when I tried to drive home ;-) but it was worth it! I just love him to pieces!! I'm still mad at him for taking down his site though. My oldest son told me that his new album will be released a few days after his Super Bowl appearance...be still my heart!!!!

Anyhoo...I just wanted to share some of my thoughts with you all today. I really can't believe how some of you have updated your spaces! I didn't think they could get any better! You should be proud of yourselves. They are all a work of art!!

Love you all,

Theresa

Just Lovin' Me!

Mon, 13 Nov 2006 13:15:13 GMT

I'm Just Loving Me for a Moment...

Pardon Me...I'm just lovin' me for a moment this morning.

I woke up this morning to the smell of my conditioned hair.

As I lay in my satin sheets, I noticed the beautiful outline of my Vessel.

It came to me...

I am a resurrected vessel...Beautiful

Moving into another level of wholeness.

I think I ought to love me this morning.

Pardon me... I'm just lovin' me for a

moment this morning. I woke up this morning

to the pattern of my own shadow.

No matter where I turn, I cannot separate what I reflect in my shadow.

Someone else cannot see the intricate details that God has put into my shadow, I cannot only see it, but I appreciate it.

If a perfect God can take that much time in molding me, loving me, cherishing me, reshaping me...then surely I Am worth loving me.

Pardon me... I'm just lovin' me for a moment this morning.

I woke up this morning alone but not lonely.

I got tired of waiting for someone to put ice in my soda, milk in my tea, jam on my biscuits, peas in my rice, and soap on my back.

I am not alone. I have me... I have me...I have me... and then

I have an omnipresent God who has me...

When I put the ice in my soda...

He stands there silently observing me...ready to suggest creative ways to set my table.

Pardon me... I'm just lovin' me for a moment this morning.

I woke up this morning and beheld the beautiful reflection of a 5ft

something frame, a soft smile, a shiny nose, medium length hair, brown skinned complexion, and a Biblically perfect shape.

I leaned forward and kissed the mirror...I love you girl!!!

Not because of your external beauty...

Not because mama said you were beautiful...

Not because a man told you that you were beautiful...No!

Because God values you...

Because God loves you...

When I look at all your attributes, and I think about what God has predestined you to become... I can only say that I love you.

For all the battles you've conquered...

For the tears you've shed...

For the negative words that shot you down...

For the pain you've overcome...

For the growth you've sustained... I love you Girl!

Pardon me... I'm just lovin' me for a moment this morning

Have a Good Weekend!!

Fri, 20 Oct 2006 12:08:19 GMT

Here's Wishing You A Good One!!

Mon, 25 Sep 2006 12:24:13 GMT

Gracias Maria!

You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone

who wil never be able to repay you.

- John Wooden

You are listening to a very dear friend of mine - Patricia King. She and her husband Orlando have a fantastic group called "Minas". If the hosting site behaves this week I will be playing their music all week.

Have a fantabulous week!!

Thank you Geri! You're such a sweetie ;-)

Thank you Gaylene! I'm going to share this angel with everybody!

Have a Good Week!!

Fri, 25 Aug 2006 12:39:20 GMT

Thank you Carol *kisses*

Thank you Whispering Storm ;-)

Here's wishing all of you a wonderful week!! I am officially moving into my condo on Thursday!! WOO HOO!! I am not going to believe it until I get those keys in my hand, then I know that my dream has really come true! God is good - ALL THE TIME - and all the time - GOD IS GOOD!!

Love you all!!

My Redskins aren't getting off to a very good start...but I love them still!

Go Redskins!!!!!!!!!

This is for my sister, neice, nephew and now great-neice in Southern Louisiana. My thoughts and prayers are with you all as you still struggle through your recovery period after Katrina.

NEVER FORGET!!!

This is for my son who is in Germany right now living his dream...Mama misses you!!

These boots are dedicated to my "sister" Nike in Gainesville, TX.

I love and miss you honey!!

This is for my beautiful daughter Sefra - Mama misses you honey!!

Have a Good Week!

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 11:41:30 GMT

Hey Family!

I just wanted to take a moment to thank all of you for your prayers for my mother and for my son who left for Germany yesterday to pursue a career in professional basketball. It is so comforting to know that others care when you are going through a difficult time.

I will be out of touch this week because we are moving out of our condo. As of now we still don't have a permanent residence yet but I know God is in control. I am trusting Him to see us through because He always does! God is good all the time, even during the bad times because this is His way of teaching us to trust Him and to become stronger and better.

So I hope all of you have a good week. Keep praying for us. My mother's diagnosis has changed for the worse I'm afraid. She began her chemotherapy treatments last week. She will need six weeks of therapy. My mother is a strong person which I am thankful for.

God bless you all!!

Continue to pray for peace!!

Love,

Theresa

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed

to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken

probably more than once and it's harder every time. You’ll break

hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll

fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old

one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll

eventually lose someone you love. So take too many pictures, laugh

too much, and love like you’ve never been hurt because every sixty

seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get

back.

Send Them Up!

Tue, 11 Jul 2006 11:55:32 GMT

Hello Everyone!

First I want to thank all of you who remembered my mother in your prayers. I am happy to report that she made it through the surgery OK which is a blessing because she has a heart condition as well. She will be coming home today. They kept her overnight to regulate her blood pressure. I will find out the prognosis today. I hope you all have a great rest of the week !

Why Don't You Dance??

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 11:21:05 GMT

~Dancing with God~
When I meditated on the word GUIDANCE,
I was drawn to"dance" at the end of the word.
I reflected upon how doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn't flow with the music,
and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes this and lets the other lead,
both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back
or by pressing lightly in one direction or another.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness,
and attentiveness from one person
and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word GUIDANCE.
When I saw "G," I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i."
"God, "u" and "i" dance." !
God, you, and I dance.
This statement is what guidance means to me.
As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust
that I would get guidance about my life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God's blessings
and mercies be upon you and your family
on this day and everyday.
May you abide in Him as He abides in you.
Dance together with God, trusting Him to lead
and to guide you through each season of your life.
This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached.
If God has done anything for you in your life,
please share this message with someone else,
for prayer is one of the best gifts we can receive.
There is no cost but a lot of rewards;
so lets continue to pray for one another, and
I Hope You Dance !!!!!!!!!!!!

50 and Fabulous!!

Mon, 15 May 2006 11:44:25 GMT

Hey Family!!

This will be my last birthday entry for a while. I am in the process of moving. I'm sure you all have been there, done that a time or two or three ;-) I hope you will continue to come back to check for new entries as I find new birthday ideas to blog about. I appreciate all of you who have been faithfully reading the stories.

Here are few more good 50th birthday celebration ideas...

Have a slumber party. Work around the theme of "comfort" or "chocolate" as it turns out for many women.

Instead of asking for gifts ask for: something made by the giver, a memento of the past or a reading or a poem.

Reconnect. Create a year-long project in which you reconnect with friends, mentors, and family. For example: write letters to those who mattered to you most, locate and call friends from grade school, high school, and college; revisit places in which you have lived, revisit those with whom you have lost the thread or revisit older relatives and friends.

Recognize mother. Send flowers to the one person who regards your birth and the date as the central celebration of her life. Begin a tradition of sending flowers to your mother on your birthday.

Every day The Lord gives us is special but I always believed that birthdays should be celebrated in a BIG WAY. Also, please purchase the book by Olivia Wu "Turning 50" which is at the end of my book list for anyone you know who might be celebrating too!

Where should I go to celebrate?

VOTE HERE

My friend Patricia and her husband Orlando have a new CD out right now - Minas. Please go to their site and be sure to click on the "concerts" link so you can see them perform. I'm very proud of her! If you like Brazilian music, please be sure to pick up their new CD! The two previous ones are great too!

Thanks so much!!

Se você gostar da música Brazilian, verificar por favor para fora o CD novo da música do meu amigo. Ir a este local http://www.minasmusic.com. Obrigado!

Please go to Giselle's Site to sign up for her Fourth of July Guestbook Signing Day. It's a terrific idea! Get there quick! There will be 50 people representing our 50 States.

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!!!

Please check out this site! This guy has sent a camera around the world and the blog entries are great! What an awesome idea!!

Thanks so much Ron!

Thanks so much for the beautiful angel Carol!

LINK ME BABY!!

Thank you Giselle ;-)

This is Priceless Information!!

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 11:51:32 GMT

This is pretty nifty.

Just enter your zip code in the site below,

and it tells you which gas stations have the cheapest prices (and the highest) on gasoline in your zip code area.

It's updated every evening.

pPASS THIS WEB SITE ON!!!

Hey Blog Family!

It's been a while since I've brought you any goodies. I found 3 that I thought were great. I also want to remind you about the great CD Trading Club. I received 2 CDs so far and I was very pleased. The shipping is like NetFlix - they send you a postage-paid envelope to send the CDs AND they even supply you with a case for the CD if you don't have one! I paid $1.49 ea for 2 CDs I've always wanted! Check it out!!

Now on to the goodies...

I found 2 groovy mugs at The Unemployed Philosopher's Guild website that were just too cool -

Ever wonder what the world would look like after the Polar Icecaps melt? Now see it over a cup of coffee. Or...

Pour in a hot beverage and watch your civil liberties disappear. Also see what remains thanks to the Patriot Act.

These mugs are $12.95. They have some other mugs that are really cool as well.

Nellie's Dryer Balls are designed to reduce drying time and soften fabrics naturally without the use of chemical fabric softeners. You can get a box of 2 for $19.99. A bargain!

OK, now for my last goodie...

These colorful handbags are made entirely from candy wrappers, food packaging and soft drink labels that manufacturers discarded because of misprints or discontinued lines. So it's Earth-friendly-not to mention cute, unique and just big enough to hold all of your essentials. To top it off, the company plants one tree for every bag sold! $32.00 and up.

HAPPY THURSDAY!!

My Favorite Prayer

Wed, 01 Mar 2006 11:03:32 GMT

A New Day
~ Taken from Illuminata by Marianne Williamson ~

Dear God,
Thank you for this new day, its beauty and its light.
Thank you for my chance to begin again.
Free me from the limitations of yesterday.
Today may I be reborn.
May I become more fully a reflection of your radiance.
Give me strength and compassion and courage and wisdom.
Show me the light in myself and others.
May I recognize the good that is available everywhere.
May I be, this day, an instrument of love and healing.
Lead me into gentle pastures.
Give me deep peace that I might serve you most deeply.
Amen.
,

My New Orleans

Mon, 27 Feb 2006 13:24:19 GMT

Give me a King Cake smear.
Give me a Beignet kiss.
Give me a French Quarter morning

that looks just like this.

Give me the Endymion Krewe.
Give me the Times-Picayune.
Give me a drunk and lazy crawfish boil
in muggy sticky June.

Give me a six pack of Dixie.
Give me some assorted Abita Beers.
Give me a city where it only snows
once every 10 years.

Give me a green neutral ground.
Give me a Mardi Gras ball.
Give me a medium rare burger

at my grand old Port of Call.

Give me a glittery drag show.
Give me the streetcar line.
Give me the House of the Rising Sun.
Give me a Tchoupitoulas sign.

Give me a shrimp and oyster poboy.
Give me lovebug season in May.
Give me my New Orleans.
I will definitely stay.

Thanks Lynnette!

Katrina

Thu, 16 Feb 2006 12:08:59 GMT

When Hurricane Katrina struck, individuals and organizations gave from their hearts and their pocketbooks to help those in need. But, of course, rebuilding lives and communities can't be done in a day, a month, or even a year.

I'm sure all of you by now know that the churches and community organizations were on the front lines in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Below is a list of those organizations who are still helping families get back on their feet and on to a normal way of living. If you can, please contact these organizations to see what you can do to help. Thanks so much!!

Urban League of Greater New Orleans
Urban League of Greater Dallas and North Central Texas
Houston Area Urban League
NAACP - Houston Chapter
21st Century Foundation
Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority (Alexandria, LA)
Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church (Houston, TX)
Household of Faith Family Worship Church (New Orleans)
Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church (Houston, TX)
Mount Hebron Missionary Baptist Church (Garland, TX)
New Deliverance Church (Houston, TX)
Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church (Houston, TX)
Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church (Houston, TX)

List found in Essence Magazine, Feb 2006 edition

The Front Row

Fri, 27 Jan 2006 12:56:31 GMT

Thank you Roz!