For Without A Vision, A People Perish...

Disclaimer: The thoughts and ideas presented in the following post are my own, and by no means am I claiming to know everything, nor am I aiming to judge anyone because of what they do behind closed doors or in their lives. I am simply sharing my opinion on what I see as an outsider looking in.

Now, with that being said, I must first say that we are living in perilous times. In my everyday experiences, the thing that I see that bothers me the most are young women vying for the attention of young men. Mostly I notice the statuses of young women on MySpace and Facebook, and when I am out in public, I see scantily dressed young girls, all made up, trying to embody something or someone they are not. And to be honest, it is heartbreaking. But in the intrest of time let me address the Facebook (FB) and MySpace(MS) statuses: I understand that your FB/MS status is your business (and when I use your, I'm not talking to you specifically, just in general). But what I dont think people realize is that other people on FB see your status! So, if your status reads: "Jane is waiting for her man to come over so we can sweat it out" EVERYBODY can see it! And often times I experience that the female is not in a RELATIONSHIP with the man she is speaking of. So, what you're really broadcasting is "I'm having premarital sex with a man that I am not even in a relationship with. We're just 'talking' or 'kicking it' (do people say that anymore? LOL)". Often times, that's just what it is..."talking". The problem I have with this, outside of the fact that sex outside of marriage is taking place, is the fact that your personal business is being broadcasted for all to see. Has the self esteem of our young women deteriorated so much that they dont care about who knows their business? I mean, why in the world would you want something like that all over FB and MS? What is it that you're trying to prove and why? I really dont think that young women realize the type of attention they bring to themselves when they post these things. And then, its the same women who have the nerve to complain when they get random friend requests from males they dont know, and all they want is to use you. HELLO?!? Wake up and smell the coffee...think about the message you're sending! Its not rocket science ladies, come on! And as far as pictures are concerned....its really sad. I see pictures of young girls scantily dressed, poking out body parts that aren't even developed yet, talking about "I'm sexy". No, babygirl you are not...put your clothes back on and have some dignity. That may sound harsh, but thats how I feel. Ladies, I implore you, take more pride in yourselves and be careful what you say. I have learned that people say whats in their hearts. The bible says it best "For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh" Matthew 12:34b.

To Be Continued...

Happy Being Me

Hey hey hey! I must say that even though it is 10:30 at night, that I am full of energy. No, its not because of a 5-hour energy boost drink, or because I've had a bunch of coffee. The energy I'm feeling is from something that is intangible, something that most people know about, but very few fully experience. I'm talking about GOD and His spirit that lives within me. He has brought me from such a long way, and sometimes I am overwhelmed by the journey I've been on for the past 14 months. I wont get into all that because thats another story for another day. Anyway, I recently bought Donald Lawrence's new cd, The Law of Confession pt.1 from iTunes and there is one song on the cd that really spoke to me, and its titled 'Happy Being Me'. When I heard it, I almost broke down and cried because the song speaks of being comfortable in your own skin, and not being moved by the opinions of others. More importantly it reaffirmed what the Lord says in his Word, that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and that He knew me before I was even formed in my mother's womb. That He knew before even creating me that I would accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior-foreknowledge...(I learned that at INCENSE...shout out to Min. Tiff and Min. Glenn :o) ). In the past I suffered from low self-esteem and depression, all because people around me didn't like the way I was, or for whatever reason wanted me to be like them and in efforts to "fit in" I tried to be like everyone else. But how many people know people who fit in rarely get noticed...And at 22, I am finally comfortable in my own skin. I dont care if I'm "too dark" (as some people have told me), I dont care if I'm "too different", and I don't care if you think I go to church too much...or whatever the case may be. So I say this to encourage those of you who may be seeking gratification from other people: in order for someone else to love you or want to be around you, you MUST love yourself. And thats real...You cant love baggage ladies and gentlemen...honestly, no man wants a woman with a bunch of baggage, and vice versa.

Now, contrary to popular belief, I'm no longer a young woman who looks for gratification in other people. Just seeing the maturation that has taken place in me, I'm just amazed...but none of it was by my doing. I wanted to change and I was a willing vessel...God did the rest. I am happy with who I am, what I look like, what I've accomplished, where I'm going, and most of all, with how God is using me. I know I'm not perfect, and by no means do I try or claim to be. But I do know where God has brought me from, and I'm excited to see where He's taking me. You can either get with me, or get lost because whether you like it or not, I'm HAPPY BEING ME!

Be blessed!

Critically Speaking from a Hypothetical Point of View...

LOL pay no attention to that title; one of my friends used to say that to preface a "deep" comment or statement she was about to make. So, its 2009...thank you Jesus! January isn't over yet and already God is just moving in such a mighty way...I am so excited for the forthcoming months! Well, this past week our 44th President Barack Obama was sworn in to office. Woop woop!!! I am very proud to be an American, and more importantly an African American in such a time as this. True, there are still many issues that we have to overcome as a people and as a country, but everything is good! I feel that Obama has been called to lead our country through this state of turmoil that has plagued us for the past 8 years. Do I think things will be fixed immediately? Absolutely not. In his first term? Maybe. But as Obama so eloquently asserts, change starts with us...yes, you, me, momma and 'nem, Ray-Ray, and Junebug LOL. And I think that America has put so much faith and trust in Obama, that they are exalting him higher than he should be. Now, dont get me wrong, I give credit where credit is due, but WE have to be careful not to get our hopes up and be led to think that in 8 years everything will be back to "normal"-whatever that was. Okay so thats my political tw0 cents...

So, my life so far in '09 has been...well I can't really find a word to describe whats going on in my life. I just feel like I'm being tried and tested for something much bigger and better that's going to be revealed in the near future. In my last post I expressed my concern about Christian dating and the restrictions placed on it. Now, I wasnt complaining, I just wanted to experience companionship with someone who has more on the brain than physical gratification in a relationship. And, to God be the glory, I have a "friend" who does just that. He knows about my situation, and has no problem with it! Crazy right? Yeah that's what I thought too. But I see now, that God is just setting me up for the future, and I'm learning so much about myself and the opposite sex...its wonderful! I mean, I've never in my life met a man that I can have conversation with, and he makes me think, or analyze situations in a different light. Shoot, I'm used to being the "smart one" in "relationships"...and yes I am still smart, its just refreshing to be able to talk to someone and say "hmm, I never thought about it that way." So, needless to say, I'm rather happy about that. And everyday my prayer is that God be glorified through our friendship...I have no clue what is to come of this friendship, but as long as I know that God's perfect will is being done and that I'm happy...yeah, I'm gonna go with that. :o) Let's see, what else? I graduated from college on January 11 which was exciting and right now I'm in search for a job-talk about a frustrating process. But its all good, because the God I serve is faithful, and he has promised me a career, so I know its coming. For whatever reason, a lot of people are in a panic about the job market and the economy, but not me. God is a provider, and His word will never come back null and void. He said that He would never leave me or forsake me; that all things work together for the good of those that love him and are called according to his purpose. So with that being said, LIFE IS GOOD! No complaints, no hang-ups, no nothing...I'm GOOD! I'm sure I have more to say, but my fingers are getting tired...lol...so until next time, be blessed!