Gotta be more thankful....

ouch...ouch...ouch...time to get more thankful

Source: pinterest.com via Michelle on Pinterest

On the Road to Forgiveness

How many of us have been lied on, cheated on, talked about, mistreated, abandoned, misled, deceived, mocked, scorned, betrayed and just hurt by the actions of another? If I probably asked this in a classroom, every single person’s hands would be raised.  This life, it is brings about lots of hurts and sorrows, but with that fact as well how we handle them will tell if we will be able to go and live an abundant life or be stuck mentally and spiritually in the hurts of the past, present hurts and already erected walls we think will protect us from future hurts. 

Myself, like any other has experienced my share of hurts.  For years even as a little girl I remember being at a point where I actually held on to a grudge against a friend of mine from the 4^th grade to the 9^th grade, that is one example of how the spirit of unforgiveness heavily influenced and impacted my life negatively. To this day I don’t even remember the reason why I was mad at her.  As I got older I started recognizing the spirit operating in my life with past relationships, friendships and everyday interactions with other people.  With every hurt, I erected a wall in my heart to try to protect myself from another injury.  Each time these attacks would come with a boyfriend, then a best friend, my parents, etc. The attacks got more prevalent and would try to take me out because it was using vessels that I cared for a lot.  I sat and looked around and started to feel a closing up again, a distaste, a disdain, and I know I didn’t want to go there again.

This time around, I have recognized it like never before, recent events made me face that spirit again, and this time I am so tired of dealing with it, instead of worrying about I will operate in the Word of Christ. I don’t know about you but I get tired of old sins and old habits popping, up and seeming like its totally different but it is the same mess, same spirit but different vessel.

I choose to act in forgiveness, I choose to love my enemies, I choose to pray for those that despitefully use me.  Why? Because God commanded it in His Word.  Who says that it feels good or that I feel like doing that, all the flesh that is in me is like there is no way you can do good to those that hurt you. 

But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you, so that you may become sons of your Father in Heaven. For He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

(Mat 5:44-45 MKJV)

 But to be obedient is better than sacrifice. So I rather be obedient than to sacrifice the future God has for me. I rather be obedient than to be placed back on square one of my spiritual journey. I rather be obedient than to sacrifice yet another soul to the pits of hell, not only to the one that hurt me but then to myself.  A soul is worth more than any and everything than one could ever imagine, so I rather be obedient so God can get the total and full glory.

And Samuel said, Does Jehovah delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice! To listen is better than the fat of rams!

(1Sa 15:22 MKJV)

My feelings may not change overnight, but then they could. It’s a process that I must start walking in, and honestly since I know how to fight this war more effectively than I have in the past, because I know the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, I know to use the Word, and rely on the Holy Spirit to help me through.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

(2Co 10:3-5 KJV)

And the thing is that all these hurts that I have experienced in no way can exceed the level of hurt and betrayal that Jesus faced as He hung on the cross as the sacrifice for the sins of you and me.  He was perfect and was still persecuted. He was lied on, but He still went and died and layed in the tomb for us.  He was spit on but He still went on and got suspended up in the air on the cross to make us clean.  He was betrayed, but he still chose to barrage the pits of hell to grab our souls from the clutches of Satan.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

(Mat 5:11-12 KJV)

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

(2Co 4:8-10 KJV)

So forgiveness is what I choose to do.  I shall remember to rely on the Word to get me through every situation because God knows and has given me the strength and power to win every battle. 

A website that seems to be more addictive than facebook...

I had seen a post about this website on fb friend's page and then the same week a co-worker told me about.  I love to craft, I love to get and try new ideas on the regular...so what website am I talking about. But before I get there (lol) I just have to warn you, if you are into crafting and designing like I am then you may have a problem;).....

The website is Pinterest.  This website offers so many ideas it can get overwhelming from weddings, parties, gift ideas, recipe exchange, fashion templates, photography, etc. It will get your fingers moving and your mind churning on all the things you can make. I will be posting some things I have made in the future, be on the lookout!!

Just smile...

There have been many changes in my life this year, some that I can explain some I can't;  There are still some areas of my life that I know need improvement but I have come aways in trying to get those things changed.  I have seen more of myself this year in good and bad ways.  But with the knowledge of the areas that are not so good there is that option to change and become better and stronger with it's revelation.  I have been known by many because I have a smile that some say could light up a room, but sometimes behind that smile are things that I have chosen not to reveal. But I know that the smile means that inspite of their is still hope and knowing that all things will work out for my good.  I have seen family members get closer to Christ this year, I have seen old friendships change and new ones develop like I have never seen before.  I am being put in more places that are taking me out of my comfort zone, which even though is uncomfortable, causes me to grow.  So just smile!

New Blog Format

Hi everyone, lots of things have changed since I last blogged here. And I feel that where my life is going I needed to change the content and format of my blog.  Faith, Fashion and Fun...three words that entail the things that are going on in my life.  Changing the format of this blog and actually updating it more often I feel that I will be making some more changes in my life that will increase and push me more into my purpose.  I love to craft with my hands, I love to encourage others so I hope my blog will be a place that you choose to visit often, who knows what God has in store!

The wonders of You tube

If you haven't discovered you tube in your natural hair journey, that is one site I definetly recommend.  There are so many folks on there that have almost all the information you could find on natural hair.  It can be overwhelming but you just have to make sure you type in specific search terms.  Even after all these years I have been natural I still discover new and innovative things I can do with my hair.  I found an idea today that I think I will try out, but I plan on tweaking it some.  If it works I think it will be a style I will use often! Stay tuned!

The Basics of getting to know your hair Part I

If you are anything like me, when I started the natural hair journey, I was nervous but at the same time excited because I was going to see another part of me more in depth, that was always poking out of the roots of my head under the relaxer.  The "new growth" is what it is called when you have a relaxer, but to me it was like the real me would keep fighting to come to the surface, but it would get beat down by the chemicals every 6-8 weeks. Why did I feel like I had to keep denying that part of me? Well like others we were trained to think that our real hair texture was undesirable and not right.  And when you look around everyone has a different hair texture coming out of our heads, just because you are African American, doesn't mean that the texture of hair will be the same compared to another. 

Well one of the things I learned about my hair, once the permed hair was cut off was the actual true texture of my hair.  I didn't know what was coming out of my scalp from the age of 11 to 23, the years I wore a relaxer.  I discovered so many things about my hair, so let me clue you in to some facts I learned.  This will be Part 1 of the basics of getting to know your hair.  Your true texture of your hair was an enemy when you wore a relaxer, now its time to mend your relationship and actually be really good friends with your hair...and yourself:)

Different Hair Textures
There are a few classification systems that grade the different hair textures that are present in humans. (information derived from http://www.curls.biz/curly-hair-type-guide.html and http://www.naturallycurly.com/hair-types)

Type 1-Straight
This hair is super straight naturally, and is one of the hardest types of hair to manipulate and style by curling, etc.  This hair type is the oilest. Some celebrity examples of this hair type are Jennifer Anniston and Lucy Liu.

Type 2-Wavy
This type of hair is natually wavy. It lies between straight and curly.  The hair pattern it demonstrates is in the form of an S.  There are 3 subtypess with this hair type, 2a, 2b, and 2c.  All of type 2's are more prone to frizz. Sub type 2a, can easily transition between straight or curly styles, 2b is more resistant to styling and has a moderate amount of frizz and type 2 c is heavily resistant to styling and more prone to frizz than the other subtypes. Some celebrity examples of 2a include Catherine Zeta-Jones and Ashley Olsen.  Type 2b celebrities include Joss Stone and Carrie Underwood.  Type 2c celebs include Shakira and Daisy Fuentes in their natural hair state.

Type 3-Curly
This hair type has a defined S-shape when you look at a strand of hair individually.  This hair type has very defined curl that range in size.  There are three subtypes in this group, 3a,  3b, and 3 c.  Some 3a subtype celebrities include Nicole Kidman, Chili from TLC and Julia Roberts.  3b celebrities include Keri Russell, and Mya.  3b celebrities include Mel B. from the Spice Girls, and Rachel True.

Type 4-Kinky
This hair type has three subtypes as well 4a, 4b and 4c in which this group is classified by a tighter curl pattern where 4a hair strands are still defined by an "S" pattern and where 4b and 4c are defined by a more "Z" pattern type of hair strand. This hiar type is the most fragile out of all of them and can get to be the driest.  It is soft to the touch even though misconcieved as being rough. Some celebrity examples of 4a include Kelis (when her was in it's natural state) and Solange Knowles (since she no longer wears a relaxer).  4b's include Jill Scott and Macy Gray. 4c's are Lauryn Hill, India Arie and Whoopi Goldberg.

Ok guys hope that was not overwhelming, but in general often people have at least 2 or three subtypes on their head.  Like for me I believe I am a mix of 4b/4c mostly with some 4a at the top of my head.  Knowing your hair type will help you to determine the type of hair products you need to use... to be continued...:)