Can’t Stop (Knock) the Hustle

Sooo…. I’m taking out this time to give you a piece of my mind 🙂

Did you know that people hold the black church accountable? Did you also know that we are held to a high standard? Good! We should always strive to do better. Foreals! The thing is…we really need to do better. Encouragement alone doesn’t make positive change. This is similar to desegregation and how it alone didn’t result in immediate positive change for black people. The struggle is real..and it continues..

The black church is a powerful entity that’s made up of every day people who the Lord called to ministry. The church as a whole can encourage members to change….but that thang takes a minute… I mean look how long it took “us” to get the right to vote? And then, look how long it took us to elect a black President? And, now that he’s in office, look at the opposition that he’s facing. And, then the black community gets upset after feeling like he hasn’t done enough. Oh, please. Go, tell it on the mountain…smh…

The black church is a reflection of black people because it intimately reflects the trials and tribulations that we’ve experienced over the last several hundred years. It reflects the good and bad and in-between. It reflects the triumph and the trauma in every member and song and program and anniversary celebration, etc.. The thing that I love about church, at least mine, is that we are a receiving church, which means we will receive you, yes you, into the body of Christ. The thing is..we are not an accepting church, which means the expectation is that you actively work towards bettering yourself as a Christian and as a result, your behaviors will change and subsequently, your lifestyle will change. You can compare the journey of a Christian to one of child moving from secondary school to college. It’s a journey and it takes some of us longer than others to get ourselves together…no seriously! The point is that we have to continue to strive. We must!We cannot stop striving no matter how hard life is or how long the journey may seem. We have to press forward. We have to keep it moving. We really do! #ihavefaithalldaylong that this is what we are doing and that we will continue to do so.

Abundant Blessings,

-Ebony

Silence

Being quiet is kind of cool! You get to observe and hear everything. You also get to preserve your vocal cords. I used to be quiet, a long, long, long time ago, and it made my breath stink 😦 That’s why I started talking. When you sit with your mouth closed for a long time and no air can get in, your breath gets funky. No seriously! Talking allows air to flow in and out of your mouth and the bacteria can’t form so quickly. They typically grow in dark, moist places. I need the LIGHT to shine in my mouth because darkness is not good all the time…. Any who..What I’m trying to articulate is that there are pros to everything. Think through the pros and cons, for your situation, accordingly and also, prayerfully. #ihavefaithalldaylong that you will and that all IS well 🙂

Abundant Blessings!

-Ebony

Be A Lion

I looked up the name of one of my friends and the definition of her name is “honest and faithful.” Well, today, I’m adding “lion” to the definition of her name because she is pretty, fierce. I read about lions. Generally speaking, when you see a lion, you don’t mess with them because they appear powerful. They also are kinda “flyy.” Have you looked at the mane of a lion? It’s “fresh to def!” Also, lions are fast…very, very fast. So, my message to you is to be brave. Stand strong and tall! Also, be as flyy as you want. Look the way you want to look and be you!  Lastly, use your speed wisely. The bible talks about enduring the race of life. I agree. I also agree that if you are a sprinter, which means that you are fast and/or efficient with your speed, then you should use this gift and use it wisely. Proverbs 18:16, the New International Version, states “A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.”  #ihavefaithalldaylong that your gift will be revealed to you soon and that the gifts, of which you are cognizant, will be used wisely.

Abundant Blessings!

-Ebony

Take your time

Slow down. Seriously. #ihavefaithalldaylong that it can wait 🙂

Abundant Blessings,

Ebony

I don’t feel well..

Today, I feel horrible. While I have to see what the doctor says, #ihavefaithalldaylong that I will get better soon! Right now, there is a threat of an epidemic of Ebola that scares many. In life, you will always find a person or a situation that’s scary. We have to do our best to face these seemingly scary situations. As horrible as I feel, I’m still going to face the world! And, #ihavefaithalldaylong that I will be O.K.

Abundant Blessings,

-Ebony

I’m Hurting.

I’m in a lot of pain. It’s like my life is filled with it. Interestingly enough, I deal with other people’s pain daily and it’s getting harder to deal with my own…it’s pretty intense. Every day I experience rejection, dismissal or persecution from someone close to me. That thang hurts like a mug…and it hurts because these are people who I know. They are in pain..and as a result, I am too. Guys! Listen up:  #norunningallowed. Face life! I feel like I’m facing life for those close to me and it hurts badly. #ihavefaithalldaylong that they are okay and that I am too. Pray. Pray now even.
Abundant Blessings,
-Ebony

Where is Everyone?

A Messages for Youth at Pilgrim Baptist Church
It is possible that one day, you will be on a life changing journey. It will seem like you’ve been traveling for a long time. You will be focused on where you’re going. You will take a break from your journey and you’ll look up and no one will be around you. You will then begin to realize that you are on a seemingly solo mission. It’s not that you didn’t start the journey with others… It’s just that you’ve surpassed them. Seriously.

Jay-Z wrote a song, Heart of the City, in 2001, and he said a line that has always stuck with me: “I’m not looking at you dudes, I’m looking past you.” That’s what we see many of you doing. We’re proud of you.

Psalms 37:3-6 KJV
Trust in the Lord , and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord ; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord ; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

When you are operating in the Lord’s will, He will order your steps for you. Things will be easy. They will be simple. It may feel like you are alone. We want you to know that you’re not alone. We are here for you. We are praying for you. And, the Lord is with you.

#wehavefaithalldaylong that you are able to feel his presence each and every day and no matter where you go.

Abundant Blessings!

List YOUR Blessings

Sometimes, you must encourage yourself by focusing simply on what you have. This is one of my lists:
1.  Faith
2.  Jesus
3.  Peace
4.  The ability to pray.
5.  A biological family.
6.  A church family.
7.  My teeth.
8.  A car.
9.  Little debt.
10. A sound mind.
11. Savings.
12. Feelings.
13. Faith.
14. Emotions.
15. The ability to forgive.
16. At least one really good friend.
17. A relationship with Christ.
18. An open heart.
19. Empathy.
20. Potential.
21. Promise.
22. A roof over my head.
23. The Traci Lynn Jewelry Business

God is LOLing Madd Hard..

You know the saying people plan and God laughs? Nuff said. I’m not ashamed to have God laugh at me. At least I’m trying to better myself AND my life. I really want to improve my quality of life and the lives of countless others. My mom used to say that nothing beats a failure but a try. So, I’m going to keep moving and shaking and planning and thinking. And…most importantly, I’m going to keep praying 🙂 I must because change is real and it’s okay… It really is! It’s not like Cold Stone’s Ice cream, so I don’t love it. I don’t! I accept it. What else am I going to do? Fight it? No, that’s dumb. Here, listen to Erica Campbell sing and it will all make sense:

Abundant Blessings,
-Ebony

Scared of Lonely?

Nope. I used to be..but then I met someone who made me feel alone even when we were together. Ugghhh.. It was terrible..no really TERRIBLE! I remember that in schools, (yes, all of them), it took me quite a while to make friends. I have no idea why. I talked to people but it just seemed like people were not looking at me but past me. It was like they were looking for someone else to come along and save them from me!! Meh. God made me who I am. PERIOD. Sucks to be you if you missed out on being my friend because I’m pretty awesome.. And I’m cute 🙂 Unlike Beyonce, I’m not scared of lonely , because I am never alone. God is always right here. Yup! #iHaveFaithAllDayLong that He is with you too.

Abundant Blessings,
-Ebony