*Disclaimer: Do NOT Read This If You're A Religious Freak*

*Don't say I didn't warn you!*

Let be the first to tell you...I am no super saint. I curse, I can hold a grudge like no other, there are days that I don't read my Bible and there are times that I skip Sunday service. I could go on for you but that would take up this whole post! I sin. Repeatedly. Yup! Some may say I'm a heathen. Believe me, I've been called that a time or two too.  But please know I am so much more than my sins.


Despite all of that, I am THEE silliest person you'd ever meet, I genuinely love to see others happy, would do anything for anybody and most importantly, I love Jesus Christ with every being of my body and crown Him King in my life. But some don't see that...

I can honestly see why people do not like going to church. Yea, I said it! I've been to churches where I am only greeted by people if I know them. I can't sit in this seat because this is Sister Lucille's seat and she has been a member for this church for 33 years and I'm just visiting. I have to look at my neighbor and tell them how good God has been to me. During my very first visit, I must stand and tell people where I currently worship. *sigh* None of these things make me want to go back to these churches again. And if I didn't know Christ for myself, it could deter me from going to any church..ever.

Tradition. Tradition. Tradition. In some instances I agree that tradition is a beautiful thing. When I was a little girl, I knew that whenever I went to my grandmother's house, she would have some snack waiting for me while we played Go Fish. This made for great memories. I also believe that there are places where tradition should not exist. The church is one of them. Although, I know that this has been the way things were done since the beginning of time, it does not allow the Holy Spirit to move freely.

If we as Christians get to witness to others throughout our day (which we should because ANY moment can be a witness moment!) do NOT sling bible verses at them! Christians MUST learn to meet people where they are. I'm not saying we shouldn't reference the Bible because we should ALWAYS back up what we say with Bible but some don't want to hear scriptures. They want to hear that you understand where they are coming from. Witness and let God do the rest.

Please, please please do NOT get angry, sarcastic or tell someone they are going to hell because they do not turn to Jesus in that moment. Is that something Jesus would have done? Absolutely not! If you can remember way back when (I know it was so long ago) to the days you were unsaved, you would have laughed at this person and asked them what kind of Christian are they? You don't know what God has in store for them.


Instead of worrying about how many piercings and tattoos a person has try to relate to them. You'd he surprised. You probably have much more in common than what you think! Besides, worrying about someone's appearance is not going to get them (or you) into heaven. But we know what will! Having someone turn from their wicked ways and turn to Christ will! We know that we cannot save someone from their sins but we can point them to the One who can!

A relationship with God is the most important relationship you could ever have. Notice I said relationship and not religion. God cares nothing about your religion but cares so much about your relationship with Him. Meditate, pray, read, repeat.

So while some people are in the church 24/7, singing hymns and saying rehearsed prayers that probably go no further than the ceiling, please look within before you pass judgement. Will you hear me curse? I'm sure. Does that mean I love God any less than the person who doesn't? Nope! Don't judge because someone sins differently than you. Help them along the way. Instead of pretending like you've been saved for so long you forgot your past, tell your testimony. It may turn someone to Jesus! After all, isn't that what our walk should be all about?!

Shattered to Shoutin'

Just a few days ago I wrote a post about how I planned on getting healthy. I had it all planned out. What I was going to eat, how many times I was going to eat it, how many times a week I would go to the gym and then my plans changed. Two days ago, I broke my ankle. The details aren’t important. Just know it had to do with nine ninjas, a ketchup packet and a raccoon (LOL!). Anyway, instead of hitting up the gym five times a week I am now sitting in a wheel chair waiting for the call of when I should expect to go under the knife. But don’t throw a pity party for me though! That’s not what this post is about, but the contrary. I pouted enough yesterday for everyone who will read this post combined! Now it’s time to pull up my boot strap (just one, LOL) and keep it trucking.

In life, most of us have plans. And it is a good thing. In fact, in my last post I just wrote that “failing to plan is planning to fail.” I still hold that to be true. But what I did not take into consideration is that if our plans do not align with God’s will our plans will fail us every time. See, this goes way beyond a workout regimen. As I sat in that hospital bed I asked my brother-friend, Brandon, “I know that God has a purpose for me. What does this have to do with anything?” Brandon simply responded, “There’s definitely a reason, it just may not be time for you to find out yet.” That stuck with me.

If anyone has ever had a broken bone before, you know that not much sleep is going on. I thought about my question and Brandon’s answer. So in the middle of the night, I decided to do my devotion. I prayed and read and prayed some more. Finally, it came to me. Sometimes God has to break us in order to build us up again the way HE desires us to be.

After a bone is broken a cast is put on to make sure it heals the proper way. But before the cast is put on, the doctor has to reset the bone. It is not comfortable but it is necessary. You see, if you just put the cast on without the doctor resetting the bone, it will not heal properly. God sometimes has to break us and reset us. Again, it definitely is not comfortable but it is necessary.  God is the Doctor and the Holy Spirit is the cast. God will reset us and the Holy Spirit will protect us.

 I’ll admit, (and if you were honest with yourself I’m sure you could admit this as well) there have been times when I prayed for God to get me out of a situation. When He did, I in return said, “thanks, God but I got it from here!” WRONG! I wanted my plans to go my way even if it was not in God’s will. DEFINITELY playing with fire. So God had to not only break me down but slow me down. Although a broken ankle is painful, what is even more painful is to be outside of God’s will.

Just because the Doctor reset the bone and the cast is on it, it does not mean that I will not hurt that bone again. Sometimes it takes multiple breaks for us to realize that we need to slow down. If we were smart we would take heed to ALL that the Doctor has instructed us to do. If you are broken now it is for your break through later!

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

After I cook this last Sunday Dinner...

I can’t tell you how many times I have said, “Monday starts a new way of living for me!” Then Monday comes and I’m living my new life, eating healthy, exercising and being positive about it. That’s a workout in itself! But then Friday comes and that’s when I return to the old me. Well, I can’t miss happy hour with co-workers and Saturday night is always date night. And who doesn’t like a nice southern style home cooked meal after church on Sunday? Then the cycle repeats itself. It’s time to break that cycle.

As long as I can remember, I’ve always been taller and bigger than all of my female classmates and most of the male ones too! J I mostly used this to my advantage during my basketball days. Who wanted to try to box me out?! Nobody! Even though I was bigger than most, I was still in pretty good shape. My coach didn’t play! But now, those days are long gone. It is up to me to get my body summertime fine. Needless to say, I haven’t been doing too good of a job. Here are a few things that I plan on doing to help me along my journey.

Prepare My Meals

Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Truest words I ever did hear. I jack myself up every time I do not plan my meals out. Preparing meals starts even before you go to the market. Get a calendar and figure out what’s on the menu each night of the week. Proceed to make your grocery list. Sounds easy right?! Ok, here’s the hard part. STICK TO IT! DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT roam aimlessly down the cookie aisle. It will get you every time! (It also throws off your budget!)

Make a Workout Schedule

That same calendar that hangs on your refrigerator with each day’s menu can also be used for your workout schedule. Same as preparing meals, you MUST stick to it. It can get complicated knowing how busy your life can get. Just like it is second nature to get up and go to work at least five days out the week, the same goes for working out. Make sure that you make your workout fun! It’s easy to get off schedule if you dread your fitness plan.

Find an Accountability Partner

It is imperative to have an accountability partner who has the same mind set as you. You know, keep you on track when you feel like falling off. Sometimes you need that encouragement from another person. This could extend way further than fitness. In order to have a good accountability partner, you have to be one. Make sure you check up on them throughout the week to ensure the goals that they set will be met. I suggest that your partner is also someone you’re pretty close to. You can’t be afraid to call them out on something they are not supposed to be doing. But remember to be gentle, the tables will turn!

Set Realistic Goals

I am so that chick that would count how many months until summer to get my body snatched. Here I go: “Ok. So I have to get into that bathing suit that I bought. I only need to drop 60 pounds in about three months. It’s definitely doable!” Stop the press! Lol. I have to laugh at myself on this one. Is it doable? Possibly. But I’m pretty sure it’s unhealthy as well. You can set weekly goals to get to your ultimate goal. There will be times that those goals will not be met. Do not get discouraged, just go harder! It’s inevitable! If you stick with it, you will demolish your goals!

Who’s with me?

Here are a few reasons why I’m ready to break this cycle:

5. I want to show myself and others that you can do anything you put your mind to.

4. Who doesn’t like a little (more) attention?!

3. I want to become a healthier me.

2. God calls us to be our best selves!

1. I want to be SNATCHED and ready to SERVE!!!!!!!!!! J

Are there any reasons why you would like to become healthier?

 

My Funny Valentine

Can I tell y'all why I think Valentine's Day is wack, unauthentic and...did I mention wack?! Now before y'all go off on me telling me how much of a hater I am of all of the lover out there, let me explain Kevin Hart voice.

I didn't always think that Valentine's Day was the most irrelevant "holiday" there was. In fact, I used to look forward to a little dinner date, card and flowers. I liked the whole shebang. Pick me up but make it a surprise to where we are going. Give me my stuffed animal along with the rest of my gifts over dinner and tell me how much I mean to you and how life would be unbearable without me. Blah!

One day I sat, bored, and couldn't think when was the last time I had gone on a date. I thought long and hard before I realized it was February 14th. That's when I became fully aware of how Valentine's Day is the most artificial day of the year.

You see, for me, it would be so much more meaningful if dude took me out on a regular old Tuesday just because he heard about this great sushi spot and he knows just how much I love Japanese food. Or maybe sent an Edible Arrangement to my place because he knew how much those kindergartners wore me out the previous week.

Women, we should make sure that our men feel appreciated throughout the year as well. Make his favorite dish before he gets home from a long day's work. Or take him on a romantic weekend getaway. Men like to be wined and dined too!

February 14th isn't the only day that everyone is to express and celebrate their love for their significant other. Now, I don't see an issue with going out on Valentine's Day as well as random days throughout the year but to pinpoint this one day to celebrate love is just plain old corny. Love is a beautiful thing and should be made known every chance you get. Don't wait until society tells you to show love but do it as often as you can. It's greatly appreciated.

Some will be out on a romantic evening with their loves. Some will be home maxing and relaxing as if it's a regular Friday night and others will be turnt up in the club trying to find a valentine.

How will you be spending your Valentine's Day?