Sanctuary




On Tuesdays I love being here.  
Sometimes I like to go and find the path of the sunlight. 
It's so beautiful. 
So peaceful. 
Sanctuary 



The Ministry of Michelle Prather

This morning at our church we were introduced to the ministry of Michelle Prather. The worship experience was, from start to finish, a move of God that I know I needed. Here is a Facebook post from this morning's service. I hope that it blesses you. 



Powerful Anointed Dynamic
 
 
Photo Cred Wendell Gibbs
 





Broken To Peace

I don't know when I began to follow Broken to Peace on social media. Though I know what probably happened. Someone reposted her ministry and I was so moved to follow her and that is exactly what I did. What has happened as a result is both mind boggling and a true testament of how great God is.

Back in February I began a journey that impacted my heart and my mind. One day on that path I read a post of her’s and it blew me away because it spoke directly to my situation in a way that awed my friends and me. I was moved to go to her page and look for posts beginning on February 14 and sure enough her posts were following my journey with words of encouragement and to be honest some real talk. That was nothing but God using social media to bless me.

At one point I reached out to her and that interaction was an unexpected and honest dialogue that I treasure. It finally got to a point where I selected to be notified when she posted. From February til recently I needed every form of encouragement that I could find.

For the longest time I thought to myself, "What does broken to peace mean?" I now know for me it means that I was so hurt and so broken that all I could do was to call on God and He provided peace in my heart and in my life. I have come to realize that I was broken to peace. My favorite posts are when she  includes the words, "My prayer for you tonight..."

My heart is blessed. My heart is filled. My heart is at peace. I thank God for the ministry of Maribel Cintron

What's The Sense In Trying To Live Right?


A series of recent events had put me in a funk this past week. I remember texting a good friend, "I'm ok, but to be honest I want to write about what is the sense in trying to live right." I just see so many people walking in their purpose and doing all of the those things that uplift and edify others and it seems like the other team is winning. The team that just lives any kind of way, that does whatever they want to do and yet it seems like all is well with them. Please note that I just noted that I've used the term "it seems like" a couple of times.

I know somewhere in the Bible it mentions to everything there is a season. I get that but God has called some angels home and to be honest it has hurt like hell. I want to scream. I'm mad and I know God is like, "Let me know when you are finished." She had been through so much, I just wanted her to pull through. Every Sunday she was smiling, working at church and getting people to come back and now.....

On Tuesday I threw my hands up and just thought why even try to live right. What is the benefit? Just like always when I have my mini fits I fell into an immediate sleep. I promise you, I think God lays hands on me at these moments and puts me to sleep. On Tuesday night a member came to church that I had been thinking about and I was happy because I got a chance to have a friendly conversation. The following morning God placed this on my heart, "Do you ever wake up and get excited about the possibilities of things occurring?"

That when I received the answer to the question, "What's the sense in trying to live right?" It's because of the possibilities. The possibility of getting back in touch with others who need help and prayer on their journeys. The possibility of seeing those things manifest that you've prayed for. The possibility of seeing a beautiful light gone but not forgotten. Just maybe I was able to see Ms. Eola happy and working in ministry and that will infuse me to continue to try and live right so that I can see the possibilities and just hopefully I'll impact others the way she did me and so many others. 




Breakfast Time

When I was in elementary, junior high and high school my mom worked 3rd shift at a local hospital. We attended school on the west side of town which meant we caught two buses to school and two buses home. Our days were pretty long. I remember mornings waking up to the smells of breakfast flowing up from the kitchen. Recently I thought about how my mom worked from 11 p.m. to 7:30 in the morning and still managed to prepare a meal for us. On Wednesday I awoke at 5 in the morning and I heard a still voice say, "If your mom could cook for her children after working all night, surely you can cook breakfast after sleeping all night." Ouch.

So, I got my cute self out of the bed and prepared sausage and scrambled eggs, with extra cheese because that is what they like. Tyler stumbled into the kitchen and upon seeing him I asked, "How did you know I was in the kitchen." He told me that the smell of food woke him up. He preceded to get dressed and for the first time ever he set the alarm on his phone to wake him up by 6:20 a.m. for future mornings. Goodness, is that what a warm breakfast does?

After cooking I went to the back of my home to prepare for my day. When I stepped out of my bathroom I was floored my the scents that had welcomed me awake in my youth. I didn't think I could do it but actually for the rest of the week I have gotten up and prepared breakfast. I even knew the night before what I would prepare the next morning. Yesterday we had grits and bacon and in looking in the cabinet I decided I needed a waffle iron and some items from Kroger's.

I honestly don't know what's going on with me. Each day brings out a part of me that I never knew existed.





Dollhouse Dreaming

When I was a little girl my parents bought my sister and me the coolest dollhouse. It had light fixtures with working electricity and beautiful wood furniture. Since then I have always loved dollhouses and one of my dreams is to own a dollhouse collection. So I sift through websites and I even have a board on Pinterest.

Recently I purchased my first dollhouse and it's a loft, which is also a dream to own in real life. I'm so excited. Unfortunately finding the furniture is proving to be a task being that Target has sold out of nearly all of the furniture and no other stores carry the brand.

Last week I stepped into Target and went to aisle E10 and saw this dollhouse and got overjoyed with emotion like that little girl on Christmas Day many years ago.


 

Not Yet 30

On Saturday I attended the Celebration of Life of LaDevon Kenny. I learned of his passing when a friend called me last Sunday evening. I remember sitting on the phone with my friend feeling completely numb. It was definitely one of those moments of pause and reflection. I immediately thought about his mother and how her heart had been broken and his sister who along with him had blessed so many with their gifts of ministry and infectious happiness. When I was in their presence it was always fun, always laughter. 

I arrived early to New Prospect because I tend to be an early arriver and I had a feeling that I wouldn't find a spot if I arrived on time. I'm there a half hour early and the line was already forming out of the door. I sat through that service of praise and worship and I learned that worship is who he was, not just what he did. LaDevon knew what it meant to trust God and to share his gifts unselfishly. I honestly tried to hold back the tears but as the choir sang and the remarks were made, I looked around at the standing room only sanctuary of hurting people that he had impacted and the tears fell as I thanked God for this young man who was not yet 30.



Tasha Cobbs & Pastor Jonh Grey Lakewood Fill Me Up



Today was filled with so many things, by the end of the day I simply said, "God, I feel depleted. Fill me up.” I pray that my next post will be a sharing experience of my moment of depletion.

Crown: An Ode To The Fresh Cut by Denene Millner

 
Crown

When I saw Denene Millner's post I immediately thought about how over the years we have created a system of when my sons get their haircut.

On payday. I started that when Alex was younger and now it's the "thing" to do. When I get paid, the barbers get paid. Now that my oldest is an adult he completely understands it. #freshcutfriday

Tournament weekend. I love that they play, or played well, but they will not hit that court looking tore up. Being fresh is a standard.

A "good" cut does something for one's confidence. When they come home from the barbershop I'm always in awe. I can't wait to bless our home and other young men with Crown.

God I Want To

God I want to see
     Like I never saw before
I want to hear
     Like I've never heard before
I want to do
     What I've never done before
I want to speak
     Like I've never spoken before
I want to be
     Who I've never been before

Before You created me in my mother's womb
     You knew me
     You shaped me
     You predestined me
     You equipped me

I want to be her
     Before it's too late


I wrote this on September 15, 2017. I had spent quiet time with God and the words just seemed to fall from heaven.

Bear With Me

I started blogging in 2008. As I look at the blog archive, this year has the lowest posts of previous years. Since 2015 I stopped writing, stopped working out and stop pursuing my dreams. I keep screaming to myself, "WHAT HAPPENED!!!!!"

Maybe I'm coming back, maybe. The scale is moving in a direction that makes me high five myself and I have been writing more. Timeout for nonsense, I have to get back to the goals I had before.

So, I'll ask you to bear with me because I plan to write more, share more and do more. God hasn't gifted me for me to be idle. Greater works shall I do.

In All Things Be Blessed
Arlinda

It's Harvest Time

Nearly every Sunday Morning I listen to Empowerment Temple's 7:30 a.m service. Yesterday I must have lost track of time because Pastor Jamal was well into his sermon. As I'm preparing for my day Pastor Jamal preaches:

The seeds were your pain.

The water for your seeds were your tears.

You're about to reap in October for the good you did in April.

Oh, I received all of that!!!!!

I encourage you too, get ready for your harvest. Get ready for the "eyes have not seen" and "ears have not heard" moments.


 
 
It's Harvest Time
 
 
 


Congratulations To Tyler McKinley On Scoring 1,000 Points!!!!!!!!! šŸ’™šŸ’š

On Tuesday, January 30 during Winton Woods vs West Clermont, Tyler McKinley scored his 1,000th point as his teammates, family and friends lo...