Things I've Learned Since I Started Blogging

In no particular order, here goes:



Personhood
Marriage - in all it's various stages
Experts don't know either! (especially when it comes to relationships!)
I am no expert
SEO
You're not alone
They are an awful lot of bloggers in Atlanta
Generating traffic (I haven't mastered this yet)
The difference between Wordpress, Blogger, typepad
HTML (I've upped my game!)
Running - marathons, triathlons, ultra distances and all variations in between
The benefits of spirulina
Healthy recipes like lentils and curry
Photoshop (not quite, but editing pictures, etc)
Alot of folks blog about Christianity
Prayers work, even in the blogosphere
Giveaways (I've done pretty well with these!)
They're alot of bloggers who love to read
Black science fiction authors
ALL things natural hair related
How to convert a Nook in to a Tablet
That while MSM may spur hair growth it also makes your breasts grow
Style bloggers inspire me to change my look ever so often
Disqus
New Technologies
Vinegar really does prevent pasta from sticking (put a little bit in the water)
I really don't need to tweet
I like doing research
Alliterative sentences make me happy
I love words!
Homelessness is pervasive
I serve a Good God


What have you learned since you started blogging or reading other blogs?
I can now reply to your comments individually - so take a moment and leave a comment. Thanks!

Wimpy Christian

Recently, I had a breast cancer scare. To make a long story short – I found a lump in my breast and went to my doctor; she recommended a mammogram and an ultrasound. After the ultrasound procedure they recommended that the lump be aspirated and if necessary a biopsy would be done.

The day I went in for the aspiration, I was nervous yet peaceful. I was not worried about the outcome. While in the waiting room there were other ladies – all of us sitting around in these ill-fitting gowns trying not to think the worst and hoping for the best. There was one particular lady who struck up a conversation with me. She was very worried. I told her, not to worry; I would pray for her. She said "Thank you." I really wanted to ask her if she was a Christian, but I talked myself right out of it.

During the aspiration, the doctor and the ultrasound technician were surprised that the lump disappeared as soon as the fluid was drained from it. Listening to them, it seemed as if this was not the normal course of events. I thanked God and sent up another prayer for my nervous lady friend.

I hope she has a positive outcome.

I hope she’s a believer.

I really wished I’d said more to her. I told myself, “It’s not the right time; she’ll think I’m crazy!”

I have something good to share – something that keeps me calm in trying circumstances. Now that I look back, I think most people want that.

Someone close to me said, “Wimpy and Christian don’t belong in the same sentence. While I know this to be true, I know, for me, many times I wimp out on the opportunity to verbally share. I’m glad that my life is different in a way that makes people curious, but out right sharing sometimes seems uncomfortable.

There, I’ve said it!

Going forward, I want to be bold yet wise as I speak about the Difference in my life. It doesn’t hurt to share the good news and we never know how God will work in a person’s life. Let's each of us do our part in telling others the Good News.

Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I (Paul) have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:5,6

Do you have a hard time verbally sharing your faith? For those of you that are good at this, how did you overcome your fear?

Hard Times

Gen 26 begins with this ominous verse - and there was a famine in the land.

When there’s a famine, there’s a drought, crops aren’t producing, people can’t provide for their families, therefore creating a shortage of cash which produces a vicious cycle. It is a state of extreme or general shortage. Does this scenario sound vaguely familiar?

For the past year or two we’ve been experiencing a recession which might have been a precursor to a depression. A recession is a temporary depression in economic activity or prosperity. A depression is an economic condition characterized by substantial and protracted unemployment, low output and investment, etc; a slump. During a recession, jobs are scarce, therefore creating a shortage of cash which produces a vicious cycle. A famine would be equivalent to today's recession.

In verses Gen 26:12-15 God chose to bless Isaac in spite of the famine in the land. He had so much abundance, that his enemies envied him.

We don’t know why God chooses to bless, but we know that God is not limited by a recession, depression or any economic activity in the land. So despite the trying times that we live in, remember that we serve a faithful God. He is in control – not us, even though we think we’re smart. God is. He can bless you during this time as He sees fit.

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

Psalms 37: 23-26 (KJV)

There was a famine in the land.....God blesses!

Great Music - Love Songs

My husband is a music afficianado and has been playing these beautiful songs for me, which I've never heard. I have an ear to ear smile!

Enjoy...









Have you ever heard these? What's your favorite love song?

Cat Fight

Cat fight is a term often used to describe two females fighting. It can be an argument or a physical altercation. In the Bible they were two women in Phililppi that had a long standing argument between them that was affecting the local church; their names were Synteche and Euodias. The chapter doesn't state what caused the disagreement, but noted that it had created division in the church.

People may have been taking sides - but the unity was not there. Paul doesn't focus on the problem, but on the resolution: be of the same mind in the Lord.

What does it mean to be of the same mind in the Lord?

• Put your differences aside - this requires humility.
• Recognize the bigger picture - you are being shaped in to His character as you go through situations in this life.
• Acknowledge that feelings have been hurt on both sides - it's ok to have hurt feelings; talk about it and pray about it until the pain is not so raw. God hears and heals.
• Forgive each other and don't hold grudges - none of the above matters, if you don't forgive.

Christians are not immune from contentions and hurt feelings. Don't let contentions, little arguments that grow in to big things, divide the unity in your home, your family or church. As much as lies within you, live peaceably with all men.

No more cat fights, OK?

Passings

After seeing Steve Jobs in one of his last public appearances, I always thought to myself that he looked like my brother just before he died. The deterioration of internal organs wreaks havoc on the entire body.

Sad to hear of his passing; he left a great legacy behind.

Listen to the Stanford Commencement Speech given in 2005.

"Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish." - Steve Jobs.