Collecting experiences

HELLLOOOOO OWWWT THERE!  Hope you are doing very well. Oh, me?  I'm fine, thank you. Ha-ha-ha. Ok, so I read an article in the September issue of Ebony magazine in which the writer talked about "collecting experiences" rather than possessions.  Ya know?  That makes so much sense.  I actually practice this but hadn't thought of terming it "collecting experiences."  I have found that this is much more fulfilling for me than buying a bunch of things.  Ya see, I really do NOT like clutter (I mean, my space is cluttered at times BUT STILL.  I don't like clutter) and when I have a bunch of things they tend to create clutter for and to me.  I like simplicity.

For example, I had lunch with a spunky cousin of mine recently and even though the meal hit my wallet like a train wreck that I stood and watched I REALLY enjoyed the time we spent together.  And food doesn't tend to stick around like a new bag, shoes, clothing, TV, book, magazine (I got that copy of Ebony from the library...so I was able to return them their stuff), hat, hair extensions, piece of exercise equipment...ok, I think you get my drift.  I would rather spend my time and money gathering experiences with people I care about and love than on something that I really don't need.  Don't get me wrong, the aforementioned items may be something that I pick up (I will definitely need a new pair of sneakers soon the way my current pair are lookin'!) but they don't give me as much pleasure as time spent with people.

Some experience ideas I'd like to tackle:
1) Learning more about some of the elderly people I know (their lives; asking them about certain decisions they made; old desires, etc)
2) Serving a meal at a local soup kitchen
3) A cross-country trip with a north-western stop in Alaska
4) Preparing a meal with a loved one
5) Making Christmas cards with little kids to hand out at a local hospital or nursing home

What experiences would you like to collect?  Ponder that...

Til next time,
U.M.

Change is good...well...

Bonjour!  Er...hello there!  I had the International Passport crepes from IHOP tonight so I'm still a lil' Frenchy.  A connection to the last post about fathers:  I was just looking at an article about a documentary that follows young women who grew up without their biological fathers.  I'd really like to see it now.  Check out the link to the article from Essence.com Daddy Issues.

On to today's topic...change...

No, not that type of change! Not like a makeover but REAL genuine change.  The backdrop to this post:  a friend of mine is in a serious relationship and I'm concerned about how this will affect our friendship.  I'm a die-hard friend (I admit) so change for me is not always...hmmmm....not always embraced. L-O-L.  BUT, change can be fantastic!  Think of all the great things I'll be able to do if they get married (YES, the things that I [!!!] will be able to do when THEY marry).  1) I'll be able to attend an awesome wedding (I'm a sucka fo' da' cake)...2) Maybe I'll become a godmother!...3) I'll have a new place to visit...4) Maybe I'll gain a new friend in the person of their spouse...and another person to share the GOSPEL with!  If the Lord saves HER (the potential spouse), then maybe He will use her to be an influence for Him to affect the husband (AY GLORY!)...umm....see 1 Corinthians 7:13-16.

Now I know changes can take many forms...maybe I'll talk about those over a period of time.  Today I wish to talk about a change of perspective. When one's perspective changes in a positive way...THINGS CAN SEEM SOOOO much betta!  To borrow an example from Katt Williams (no endorsement intended)...if you're stressed out about a light bill, think about how you can finally burn those 12 candles you got in the drawer.  Don't STRESS!  Just burn the candles til you can pay it! Or go to a community assistance center where they can pay the bill for you! Don't make that thing a habit doe!

Gospel point: When the Holy Spirit opens your eyes to see your sin and to view it the way God sees it...SWEWWWW...You'll be like Brutha Dave, the writer of the majority of the Psalms - repenting with a contrite spirit!  (I HOPE.)  And this can drive you to spend more time in prayer, more time in the Word, more time with the Lord and spend more time sharing dat News you call Good with others cuz you know what DEPRAVITY is.

Til next time,
U.M.

Courageous

Alright now! Are YOU courageous?  Hello there!  So, Sherwood church is getting good at this movie-making thing.  Still making faith-based movies that are making strides in the mainstream.  When I first saw an ad for this one, I could hardly wait til its September 30 debut.  Have you seen it?! If not, please do!  Check out this song for the movie by Casting Crowns:

The movie takes a good look at fatherhood from the perspective of 5 dads.  Christianity Today even did a lil' spotlight on da jank (within an article about how Sherwood and Mt. Zion [a predominantly black congregation] are working together to help bridge the racial divide in Albany, GA).  Anywho, enough about the magazine article (you should check it out, though!! I'm sayin'...).  Fatherhood...whew...Lord Jesus, have mercy!  Jesus had(has/will have) the Ultimate Dad.  It even seems like he had a half-way decent earthly father in the person of Joseph (aka Joe da builder. Shout out to carpenters and construction workers!).  So, what in the world can a Christian film say about the state of fatherhood in America?  A WHOLE lot, mannn! Watch the movie and you'll see!  Even if you gotta wait for it to drop on Blueray, DVD, Netflix, Redbox...just please no bootleg.  HA-HA.

Some thoughts:  fatherhood, especially within the black context, is an issue that is often talked about.  Come on now!  Dads, please, stick around and play an active role in your children's lives.  WE NEED Y'ALL!  We need y'all to love your wives as Christ loved the church (E-FIIIIIVEE!!!) [Ephesians 5].  To teach them about God (according to Scripture!) [Ephesians 6:4].  To train them up correctly (there's sum'in bout dat daddy discipline that can put da fear uh God in you sho' nuff!) [Proverbs 22:6]. To love them (and show it!) and have compassion on them [Psalm 103:13...maybe a stretch but I think you get the picture].  To spend time with your kids.  To be a role model.  Show them what a man who follows Christ is supposed to be like.  And by all means...don't try to do it by yaself!  This flesh is A BEAST!  Ask God to help you!  The Holy Spirit is called the Helper (I mean, He CAN help you be a good father, too!). Enlist the help of others to be praying for you, giving you good advice, sharing tips. Even attend dad-friendly help sessions. Maybe not the manliest thing to do but who knows what good stuff you could learn??

I ain' no dad, but c'mon men.  We need you.  We love you.

Til next time,
U.M.

Been so long...

Hello there, people!  OH my GOODNESS.  It's been so long since my last post.  I really didn't feel like I had anything meaningful to post during my "hiatus." Ha-ha-ha.  But now...I'MMMM BACKKKKK.  At least for today. 

You ever felt like that in regards to your time with the Lord though?  Like..."it's been SOO long."  So long since I've rested in Your presence.  So long since I've delighted myself in Your Word.  So long since I've shared that News I call Good with another.  So long since I've really PRAYED for those in authority...for my neigbor...for my brothers and sisters in Christ.  Ok.  This is embarrassing.  But true at times.

You ever felt like that?  Be honest?  Your connotation of "SO LONG" could only be a day...or maybe it's a few days...or weeks...

Either way...let's repent and GET IT IN WITH HIM! 

Peace. Love. And Joy...only obtained by abiding in Jesus, allowing God to prune ya, and letting God produce that fruit....AYYYYYYYYYY Glory. Mmmhmmmmmm.

Til next time,
U.M.