“LAWD” WE AIN’T FREE YET?

June 19th, 1865 commemorates the end of slavery in the United States of America.

Growing up as a child in the South, namely in Ensley Alabama, during the height of the Civil Rights Movement was a very pensive time.

I saw what I thought was the dismantling of Systemic Racism.  I use to hear the elders talk about the hangings and beatings and acts of what I now recognize as domestic terrorism.

Even in my time it was said that an African American man was driving though downtown Birmingham at night with a fair skin sister sitting in the front seat of his car. He was pulled over by the police and questioned : “boy “!!!, why is this white woman sitting in the front seat of this car with you? A most uncomfortable time for both of them I am sure.

At the same time, I never been as proud to be able to go to Britling Cafeteria for dinner! My uncle lead a convoy of us to Eastwood Mall to have that dinner that night, and oh what a feast did we have! I remember the bill was somewhere around 75+ dollars. I also remember how proud my uncle was to be able to pay that money in cash! As small as it may seem now it was a great accomplishment!

But little did I know then that Systemic Racism had just changed clothes and was alive and well!

Reflecting over the recent events in our country, and I did say, our country, my heart bleeds!

It seems like I have been living in a time warp, to see that many caucasian people STILL hold on to the belief and lie  that we are 3/5 human and inferior. If that is not enough, they teach their children this lie into perpetuity!!! This group of people treat animals with more respect and dignity than they do African Americans. Legislation is in place to prevent animal abuse, and it should be. There is an oxymoron in there, can you see it?

I am just sitting here reflecting, talking to the Lord. Saying”

LAWD WE AIN’T FREE YET!!!

 

 

RACISM STAND DOWN!

May 25, 2020, was a day that I will never forget as I watched hatred, immoral behavior, racism, and demonic activity rise to a level that I thought would never rise again, but then I saw the murder of George Floyd.  I will NEVER forget the look on the police officer’s face with his hand in his pocket adding even more pressure to this handcuffed man on the ground while Mr. Floyd begged for life!

I say that, but it is really not true!  The evil of racism has been around a long time!

As a little girl growing up in Ensley Alabama during the height of the Civil Rights movement, I witnessed the schools emptied as the young people walked downtown to be bitten by German Shepherds and hosed down with water with the pressure so strong that harmed their skin and knocked them down. People we beat with Billy clubs, shot and killed. Houses were bombed all over Birmingham, even in Ensley, Dr King’s brother house was bombed. One Sunday while the City of Birmingham, was in Sunday school the 16th Street Baptist Church was bombed and four little girls lost their life. They were innocent little girls like me. I witnessed the boycott, that year. I was taught that we were sacrificing for a better day! Meaning no trip to my favorite store for my Easter Dress.

Things began to open up and yes, we didn’t have to ride in the back of the bus nor go to the back of a restaurant to get food from a side window that we paid more for…  Finally, I got to go to the State Fair on a day other than Wednesday. For you see, Wednesday was Colored Day.

But while we were busy enjoying meniscal privileges, no rights that were ours because we were American Citizens, the enemy that we thought was muted, racism simply shifted.

He diversified. He expanded his horizons, and entered the Seven Mountains of Influence/culture. The 7 Mountains are: Arts and Entertainment, Business, Education, Family, Government, Media and Religion in a very subtle and calculated way.

The experiences that I shared earlier were rooted in the spirit of racism.

Fighting the spirit of racism is a dual war, it must be fought in the natural and in the supernatural.  Now I am sure that you are wondering why I am saying this. I will share with you why. A spirit needs a body to host it. When people allow evil to enter their mindset, they participate in immoral activities. Their participation is a choice. We are in spiritual warfare, moral vs. immoral. Racism is spiritual, but it is acted out in the natural!  We must fight the spirit of racism in prayer, it is there in prayer, we obtain a supernatural strategy to fight against racism and implement the spiritual downloaded strategy in the natural. One strategy to fight against racism is love.  Love always wins! Love does not negate justice and fairness, it stands for it! But love always wins!

As believers we have been given authority to legislate and decree.

Job 22:28 NKJV reads” You will also declare a thing, And it will be established for you; So light will shine on your ways.”

Isaiah 45:11
 Thus says the Lord, The Holy One of Israel, and his Maker:
“Ask Me of things to come concerning My sons;
And concerning the work of My hands, you command Me.

So today, by the AUTHORITY GIVEN ME BY THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, I command:

RACISM to: CEASE AND DESIST!

 

STAND DOWN RACISM!

 

It’s Christmas and I Miss My Momma

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It’s Christmas and I Miss My Momma

 

So it’s December 24th Christmas Eve, and I miss my Momma. Today I was scrolling Facebook and I saw so many people who like me missed their momma. I began to think about what I do when this season comes along. Well I take a trip down memory lane. I get on the good memory and happy feeling lane.

God has given us a beautiful facet/tool in our mind called the imagination. What is the imagination?  Imagination is the act or power of forming a mental image of something not present to the senses.  I use this tool many ways, but today I begin to recall all the fun that my momma and my dad too had during Christmas. My time with them was so much fun. Mom in the kitchen cooking a delicious dinner inclusive of ALL my favorites! The music would be blasting, we had a unique stereo it was a Grundig Majestic, had shortwave radio and everything! Charles Brown would be bellowing out Please Come Home for Christmas, Christmas Comes but Once a Year, and Merry Christmas Baby! Next the Drifters White Christmas would be next!

By now things were at a place in the kitchen where things could move into the piano room where the caroling would begin. My mother, who was a musician, would play, Joy to the World the Lord IS come, not has come. Just so you know! (Laughter). Next It came upon the Midnight Clear, and finally ending with Jesus, Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child! Glory to the new born King!

I shared this portion of my Christmas past with you so that I can let you in on what I do when I miss my momma at Christmas. I take a trip down memory lane and reflect and recall all the things that brought me great joy through the vehicle of my imagination. Once again I feel a degree of comfort.

Also I am reminded of a scripture found in

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

 

I am comforted in knowing that I will see them again! So as you find yourself not in a happy place use the tool of your imagination to transport you to your happy place and take comfort IN KNOWING YOU WILL SEE THEM AGAIN!

So from me to you,

Merry Christmas!

Patricia

 

 

What’s Love Got To Do With It?

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In 1984, Tina Turner released a song entitled “What’s Love got to do with it.

As the song goes on it says’ I’ve been taking a new direction

But I have to say

I’ve been thinking about my own protection

It scares me to feel this way”.

She further sang love is nothing but a second hand emotion!

Tina Turner talked about taking a new direction. Taking a new direction takes courage.  After many frustrations with love, the light comes on and you realize that you have looked for love in all the wrong places.  So what do you do now?

Well, there is a love that is unconditional. This love is both passionate and principled.  This love goes deeper than the superficial. This love is so personal that it has your name tattooed in his hand. This love is always thinking of you.  This love has the ability to plan and cause His plans to come to pass for your life. This love knows your needs and cares for you. He loves you to the point that he died for you so that you could live he good life!

What’s love got to do with it?

Everything! Love caused

Him to willingly stay on the cross to pay the price you and me!

Love, true love has everything to do with it!

So if you are feeling lonely, and maybe you didn’t get the chocolate, flowers, or special gift from someone special. Hang in there!

Know that you are loved beyond measure!

Experience this love everyday!

 

 

 

SO IT’S 2019!

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A new year has embarked upon us!  People are busy making and breaking New Year’s Resolutions!  It’s only day 5. We have 360 days to go! How are going to spend those days?

We have a golden opportunity to start with a clean slate. However if we are to be successful this year, we must lay aside every weight that so easily besets us.  Now I know that sounds a little Elizabethan. But in today’s terms we must put away all the distractions in our life. You know the relationships that we have unsuccessfully resuscitated for the ninth time. The time has come to bury them once and for all. We must cast out the negative thinking that we have allowed to embed itself in our psyche. We have to renew our mind with the most powerful words in the universe, God’s word!  It’s time to forgive yourself and others.  This will propel you into forward thinking and strategies that will breed great success.

It’s time to build a financial plan that will impact generations.  Leaving a legacy is very important!  The key here is to develop and consistently invest in that plan.

Well, let’s talk about the elephant in the room, our health. After assessing our health status, some of us may need to consider making a seismic shift in our eating and exercise plan. Some just need to start a plan! (Lol). This plan also includes getting enough sleep and relaxation!  In all your doing, don’t forget to stop! Exhale and enjoy this new year that we have been given!  Find something that you enjoy doing and make time for it!

Life is beautiful! Live it to the fullest! Happy New Year!

 

 

WHAT DO THE LONELY DO AT CHRISTMAS PART 2

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Christmas can be a trying time when you have experienced loss. But, with a little planning you can make it through.

When we spoke last, I was sharing with you a few things I did at Christmas when I lost my husband and was four months pregnant. Here are some other things that helped me make it through this season.

4. I did something new, for me it was watch sports. I never had interest in sports before. So I scheduled various games and watched. Since I was sports literate, I studied the rules of the sport I was watching.  A little corny, I know, it gave me something else to think about. Find something you are interested in and explore.

5. As you know I was pregnant. Since it was my first pregnancy, I started researching the process. I wanted to be prepared. This was a diversion for me. Find a diversion so that you can focus on something else that will bring satisfaction to you.

6. I sought to serve through volunteering at my church.

7. I attended church regularly and was very active in the organizations within my church.

8. I visited friends and family as I normally would do. Remember, no man is an island.

9  I visited my friends and family as I normally would do.The MOST IMPORTANT thing that you can do is to develop a relationship with our Heavenly Father! 1 Samuel 30: 6, KJV, tells us when David found himself in a trying situation, he encouraged himself in the Lord! Truly, my Heavenly Father walked with me then and now! Know, He will do the same for you!

 

REMEMBER:  YOU CAN MAKE IT!

 

WHAT DO THE LONELY DO AT CHRISTMAS?

 

Christmas is a time of celebration! We celebrate Christ’s Birth, family and friends. The Holiday Season is such a festive time! But, there are many who don’t feel festive because of personal loss. This loss could be a family member, a good friend, a job, car, or home.

I have experienced loss in my life during this season. I won’t tell you that it is easy to shift your feelings from a low place to a healthy place, because it is not! However you can do all things through Christ who will give you the strength!

Here are a few things that I did after losing my husband when I was four months pregnant the month before Christmas.

  1. I gave thanks to God for His goodness to me! Now I know you are thinking, how can I be thankful after such a great loss! No matter what, the Lord is Good and His Mercy endures forever!

 

  1. I planned a personal celebration! Holidays for me meant cooking, the house smelling like what I call Christmas. So I went ahead and cooked a festive Christmas meal. Cooking on holidays is therapeutic for me. Look inside yourself and find what is therapeutic for you, and do that.

 

  1. I love music, so I played what I call comfort music. Music that reminded me of happy times and music that encouraged me to keep on keeping on.

 

As the holiday progresses, I will be sharing my journey with you.

KNOW THIS: YOU CAN MAKE IT!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Going In Circles

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Years ago, The Friends of Distinction wrote a song entitled “Going in Circles”. A portion of those lyrics say “I’m an ever rolling wheel, without a destination real. I’m an ever spinning top, whirling around until I drop. What am I to do my mind is in a whirlpool.”

As I pondered those lyrics, I thought about the millions of people that make New Year’s Resolutions and set goals, have unsuccessful relationships over and over again, but never are successful in their endeavors…  Could it be that you are doing the same thing over and over again and expecting something different?

What is the anatomy of your thinking?  Everything that manifests in your life comes from your thoughts.

Proverbs 23:7a (NKJV) “As a man thinks in his heart so is he. So it seems that in order to get different results, one has to change his thinking.

When your thinking is jammed, your life is stuck in a cycle and like the song says, “you’re like a spinning top whirling around until you drop right back in the same place.

So I challenge you today, reboot your mind!  If you are wondering how to do that, you may begin by focusing on these things. Philippians 4:8 KJV says  “8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—think on these things. “

Believe it or not, you are in control of your thoughts. The subtle reason you have not been able to reach your goals is because your thinking has been skewed. You keep meeting the same people with different names but the same character because your thoughts have magnetic power.

So make this adjustment, and think on the true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and things of good report.

Align your mind with where you want to be and your body will follow.

 

I Believe

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I Believe

I believe that the Senior Adult population better known as the Transitionalist and Baby Boomers are not finished yet!

I believe that as a group, we still have much to contribute to society!

I believe that the Younger populations, the GenX, Millennials and Gen Z have much to share with the senior generations.

I believe that when we blend the knowledge and skill-sets of these generations, will create a new and better functioning world.

Obviously, there are age and in many ways cultural differences.; but, the benefit of this newly created team can positively impact politics, family, class, and technology.

My goals are the create environments where we can begin conversations that will serve as spring boards for mutual growth.

For too long we have tried to operate separately and missed many opportunities to collaborate.

For instance, the political climate could be greatly impacted if our congress and senate were more evenly balanced with all the generations.  The blended perspectives would change the map of our politics.  The new blended legislature would represent our county in a more balanced way. True dialog and negotiation between the young and the old would bring families closer together and build stronger communities.

Building the bridge between the elite and the impoverished would provide a better understanding and respect and compassion for one another. Everyone would begin to see that poverty extends far beyond the dollar.  It affects the mindset. The realization that we need each other would become apparent.

The gap between the generations and technological savvy would be narrowed.  Bartering skills and wisdom between the generations would cause corporations and entrepreneurships to flourish by establishing a new culture.

How? Wisdoms and Skills would be exchanged. A  New World

I believe!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s Time to Run

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It’s Time to Run!

“Write the vision and make it plain, write it on tablets, that he may run with it.” Habakkuk 2:1 NKJV

By now most of us have written the vision clearly, but now it’s time to run with it!

Statistics say that generally 80% of people have kicked to the curb their New Year’s Resolution by February. However, I prefer Vision in lieu of New Year’s Resolution.

Most of us eagerly address part one of the vision process.  We write the vision, our goal and get stuck. But there is another part that we lose sight of: Habakkuk 2:3 NKJV “For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but in the end it will speak, and it will not lie.

Here lies our weakness, we not only have to write our vision, we have to run with it. That means we have to do the grunt work (consistently). We have to be committed to our vision. What does it mean to be committed to our vision? The word committed means to be bound to a course of action.  Yes, we have to work on our goals with bull dog tenacity. As I was scrolling Facebook, I saw a post that said: If you don’t work hard, you will be dancing at the altar saying “I receive, but have no results!” There is always a process and hard work in realizing our dreams.  We have to activate our faith and like Curtis Mayfield says “Keep on Pushing, Don’t Stop Now!”   A key component in realizing our vision is prayer, Prayer aligns us with the correct vison and provides us with the support of heaven.

Once we get pass the working and waiting, then reaping will come.  By the end of this year, 2018, your vision for the year will manifest!  Habakkuk 2:3b NKJV” Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”

Now is the time to start with the end in mind! It’s January, but December is coming. How you invest the time in-between will make the difference!