we all have issues.

but i thank God that Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead for mine.

i could choose this opportunity to focus on my shortcomings, misgivings, or my perceived problems.

however, what good would that do.  i know where i am weak, but that is ok, because He will make me stronger.  in fact, i intended to write a whole entry on an event that occurred today.  however, i will not and when i look back at this blog entry years later, i won't even be able to remember what it was.  it will be so insignificant.  so trivial compared to my future glory.

God thank you for your grace.

God thank you for your mercy.

God thank you for your Holy Spirit.

God thank you for your love.

YC

i wrote the vision...anything you want to add?

God, in your Word, You said:

I will stand at my watch
and station myself on the ramparts;
I will look to see what he will say to me,
and what answer I am to give to this complaint.

Then the Lord replied:
"Write down the revelation (vision)
and make it plain on tablets
so that a herald may run with it.
For the revelation (vision) awaits an appointed time;
it speaks of the end
and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it;
it will certainly come
and will not delay.

Habakkuk 2:1-3

So God, now here I am to write the vision for this wedding.  I'll write it as a list.

1. EVERY BILL/NEED/FINANCIAL OBLIGATION CONCERNING OUR WEDDING, RECEPTION, HONEYMOON, AND NEW LIVING SITUATION WILL BE MET ON TIME!!!!!!!!!!!  WE WILL WALK DOWN THE AISLE WITHOUT ANY DEBT OR FINANCIAL OBLIGATION FOR THIS WEDDING OR HONEYMOON OR LIVING SITUATION! You get the glory out of this day. Seriously. When people ask, "WOW, this is beautiful...how much was it?" or "How did you do all of this????"...the ONLY thing that I can say is "God did ALL of this...it was none of our doing....but we relied solely upon Him and He was faithful to us....".  This wedding will be so glorious in it's splendor to the natural eye that even unbelievers will know that OUR GOD IS REAL.

2. You be in the midst of the wedding.  Allow our wedding to change lives.  Have your way with our family members and friends in attendance because You will be in the midst...in the sanctuary and in the reception.

3. The Holy spirit will keep us sexually celibate and pure during our courtship until our wedding night.  This means, no verbal or physical gestures or insinuations, no time spent alone in each other's houses, no lingering in enclosed spaces by ourselves.  Also, this means no masturbation.

4. We will have a wedding coordinator who is organized, prompt, thorough, and enthusiastic to work with us.  The coordinator(s) will have an artistic eye and will help solidify the artistic vision of the ceremony and reception by adding personal and stylish touches in line with the bride's own.  The coordinator(s) will work smoothly with the church and reception personal as well as all vendors, eliminating all stress from the bride and groom during the process and on the wedding day.  With finite detail and expertise, they will help plan the wedding to a tee so that execution takes place flawlessly and seamlessly and transition between process coordinators and day of executors will be smooth.

5. I will have a beautifully tailored dress and accessories that fits me perfectly in terms of size and style made with fine materials and expertise.

6. Ron will be a dapper, and well-groomed STUNNING groom who epitomizes style in his custom fit, exquisitely tailored suit, complete with appropriate and equally stunning accessories.

7. We will have a stunning and personalized ceremony that is executed on time.  The design and the florals will be impeccably created.  The ceremony will include personal touches about our relationship from the decor to Bishop's inclusion of us when he discusses the marriage covenant.

8.  All those family and friends invited WILL  travel safely to Philadelphia to attend the wedding and reception without difficulty and will have enough money to cover their travel and lodging expenses.

9. There WILL BE peaceful and loving interaction between all members of the bridal party AND between all of our family members and friends.

10. The weather WILL BE BEAUTIFUL complete with the sun shining, cool and comfortable temperatures, no humidity, and no rain.

11. We will have both a photographer and videographer that capture our love superbly and artistically, creatively and beautifully telling and preserving our story through their lenses.

12. We will host two receptions: a smaller one immediately after the ceremony in the fellowship hall for those individuals who will not be able to attend the reception and the larger, more formal event at the Horticulture Center in Fairmount Park.

13. The wedding decor at the ceremony and reception sites will be elegant and romantic, and reflect that of a romantic tropical evening.  We will have candles, brightly colored exotic flowers creating a beautiful, stylish, and elegant atmosphere for our guests.

14.  We will have extremely tasty food at our cocktail hour and reception!

15. The formal reception will be FUN for all invited, including much dancing and celebrating our new nuptials!  There will be laughter, joy, fun, celebration, and love up until the VERY END and we will be able to spend time enjoying our friends and family who came out to celebrate us.

16. We will have an unforgettably excellent experience on our honeymoon in a beautiful location with word class amenities, during which we will: make love and explore each other under the sanctity of our sacred marriage covenant; relax and enjoy VACATION; engage in activities we've never done before; spend time alone, getting to know one another again and cherishing our new life together. (Longest, and probably most incorrect sentence ever!)

17. Upon return from our honeymoon, we will begin settling into a a home that is suitable for our needs as a newly married couple and will allow us to grow into our next stage in life.  We will have already moved both of our belongings into this home before the wedding and honeymoon so that, upon returning, we can focus solely on settling into it.

was having difficulty praying this morning....started crying...started asking God..."how can i even pray to you....?" and "i feel guilty even asking you for anything..."....

so i just sat there on the edge of the bed.

started reading Romans...

chapters 1-4...beginning of 5 ministered to me and met me right where i needed to be...

read it in NIV and The Message for clarification...

yup.

the Holy Spirit made it plain for me and answered me...

Thank you God.

from my favorite blogger...

Wednesday, 25 July 2012

• stop and breathe.

  i feel like i need to stop everything just for a little bit.
  i'm dizzy with trying to map out a future that isn't even promised to me.  my prospectus, dissertation, foreign language and certificate requirements all loom ahead of me.  it's hard to work on finishing my program when I don't know what will meet me on the other side.
  so i've decided to stop until i have a clue.  i've learned the WORST thing to do is to go full steam ahead when you're already confused about where you are in the present moment.
  i'm learning--in the chaos of my life--to just wake up and trust God for everything.  it is so challenging.  i mean, i want my PhD tomorrow. And a husband. And a house, and at least two kids, and maybe even a dog.  Maybe.
  but if i got all of that tomorrow, i wouldn't be able to juggle the responsibilities that come with those blessings right away.  i need one blessing at a time.  when i get that right, i can move on to the next big thing.  for a multitasker, this is difficult.  but i just want to be fully present in each moment, embracing ALL of what my life and each day has to offer.  i want to be happy about moments i get to spend with my students, my friends, my family.  instead of stressing about all that doesn't get done, i want to but celebrate what i have accomplished.
  it's a small change in perspective, but it leads to peace. and contentment. and joy.
  rjd
  
  
  i concur, rachel.  i concur.

322

there are 322 days left until we get married....at least that's what theknot.com says.

4 days until my 25th birthday...

hmmm.

contemplating.

contemplating.

contemplating.

life.is.good.

sometimes i stumble and certainly fall.

God is redemptive.

sigh.

forgive me God.

when you gon' write again?

...

the breakers are here

soooooo......

there are facts...and then there is the truth.

looking at some of the facts, one would probably think that i'd be dismayed right now.

but i know the truth.

the truth is in God's Word...and the truth tells me that i win!

so,  with that being said....i thank God that the present facts don't dictate the future outcome....

almost like a court case...each side presents facts...

but it's up to the judge/jury to decide the matter.

yes...these are the facts...but God has the final say.

amen to that!

tomorrow i go to see Mommy.  i haven't seen her for a year and a half...it's her birthday.  she doesn't know we're (ron and i) are coming down.

i think she's going to be tremendously surprised!

YC

God is

Holy Convocation 2012.  Dearborn, Michigan.  Go Tell It Ministries Worldwide.

Miracles.

Signs.

Wonders.

i haven't had the unction to write about it all.  i have some time off this week so i will.  in the meantime...i have this song in my spirit.

Go Get It!

i'm sure the debate about gospel/inspirational music will continue for the ages....but for the moment, i am unashamed to say that i REALLY like this song...especially during this season of my life.  yes, i have my issues with Mary Mary calling themselves gospel artists...they're more inspirational...not necessarily charged with spreading the gospel (the good news) of Jesus Christ through song.

however, one cannot deny the fact that they do make music that is positive and inspirational.  i'd much rather listen to this song than 2Chainz (sp?)...i'm just sayin'.  so for the moment...i'm going to take myself out of the religious debate and just enjoy the good music....

it's your TIIIIIIIiiiIIIIIIIIIME!!!!!!!

like...how can you NOT put this on repeat....make you wanna go out and be the person He called you to be...like NOW!  GO GET IT!

God, am I wrong to want this?

just answer that question for me.  please. 

am i wrong to want this?

am i not supposed to have it? 

is this dream just some delusion? 

can i not take failure?