Rest in Peace....Nikki

I am saddened to hear about the passing of a sister that I was introduced to through blogging and later became friends with through Facebook. She was a great person who had the ability to draw people to her with her unique and humorous writing style. Although, many of us never met Nikki in person, we loved her dearly. A little while back Nikki became ill with a rare immune disease that attacked her lungs. I can recall her telling me that it was genetic and others in her family had been dealing with the same illness for years so who was she to be upset about having it too.

The one thing I can remember is how Nikki never complained and she kept her sense of humor even while she was in pain. In fact, it was pretty much a guaranteed laugh whenever she posted a status on her Facebook page. We often chatted online and I would joke with Nikki about a potential book where she could give accounts of her dating experiences which she often shared with her friends in such a hilarious way. We also shared some serious conversations where we talked about God, faith, and it being no mistake that we crossed paths. Several times Nikki said she thanked God for people like me that he had placed in her life to help her grow her faith. I will forever be thankful for having the opportunity to meet this sister virtually through divine order and having chances to speak into her life and pray for her.

My sadness for a sister I met through the airwaves has taught me so much in just a matter of hours. Love is universal and it transcends time and space. Whenever we are blessed to make connections with people that is God’s gift of love that is not to be taken for granted. In fact, he commands us to “…Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35). I must admit, it was easy to love Nikki because she was lovable, but from this day forward I will challenge myself to love those who are not as lovable, those who do not put a smile on my face, as Nikki did. I am taking this challenge in honor of her but most importantly in obedience to God and as a commitment to be a disciple that others can see the love of God through. By the way, I love you!

The Road to Sedona

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of going to Arizona for a few days. This trip was blessed on so many levels but one of my most memorable blessings was traveling to a city called Sedona, which is about two hours from Phoenix. As we drove, I admired God’s beautiful craftsmanship. I felt like I was in a movie, because I literally had a song playing in my head like a soundtrack throughout our journey.

My favorite artist is India Arie, and she has a song where she starts off singing about a man who was on the radio saying he doesn’t believe in God. In this song, India goes on to talk about an experience she had in another country where she saw beautiful fish in the deep blue sea and not understanding how that man could not believe that God is real. That song was my soundtrack on my road trip to Sedona because I was thinking that same thing as I drove next to mountains that only God could have sculpted. I was surrounded by those huge and beautiful mountains and it felt so surreal. At one point, found myself feeling like I was Moses having a mountain top experience with God. Even the green grass and the blue skies ministered to my soul.

We live in such a hateful world surrounded by hard times, so often we forget to value the little things that God has given us. How often do we give thanks to God for the trees that give oxygen so we can breathe or the grass that feeds the animals that nourish our bodies? How many times have we praised him for the sun that brightens our day or for the rain that waters that green grass outside of our homes? Going to Arizona for a weekend gave me so much more appreciation for God and the life that he has given me. When I get weary in these difficult economic times and in this sinful world, I will forever remember those beautiful mountains and the city of Sedona. It was a reminder to me that if God can take a formless and empty earth then fill it with light, water, animals, and people what can’t He do for any situation in my life?

Family, let us continue to pray for those lost souls who live in, and consume from God’s wonderful creations without giving him recognition for it. Most of all family, let us forever acknowledge and thank God for being the Creator of heaven and earth for “in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). He is definitely worthy of all honor and praise.

"Sipping on Gin & Juice"

My name is Keisha and I was a teenage alcoholic. As a teenager my friends and I would walk the streets sipping on some of the same stuff the local “wino” had hidden inside his brown paper bag. Some of my high school classmates would nod their heads in agreement if I told you that I used to drink with my peers in the back of the class during 1st or 2nd period. There were plenty of days that I stumbled into my daddy’s house and quickly went to the bathroom to brush away the aroma of liquor. Of course, when I went off to college, I packed that habit up with me.

When I was in college there was this popular saying that many of my friends and I would exclaim after purchasing a gallon of Gin. In our foolishness, we would lift that gallon up in the air or take a shot of that Gin and say “Gin makes you sin!” I call us foolish because we actually had hopes of getting drunk and then getting into some sinful acts later that evening. I have literally had my share of shots, sinful acts, and hangovers. In fact, I’ve had enough to last a lifetime. I thank God that I don’t carry that habit with me in a brown paper bag like I used to back in the day.

Well this weekend, I decided to play the grown folk game and have me some wine and Margaritas with a few ladies as we celebrated my friend’s birthday. Since it’s easy to fall back into your old ways if you slip, I had one too many drinks. While the glass was in my hand, I quickly forgot that my body cannot hold as much liquor as it did years ago. Let me just pause and say, “I praise God that I can’t hold liquor like I used to.” The next morning I woke up feeling like I had jumped into a time machine and was that young lady laying in my dorm room crying out “I ain’t never drinking again!” The only difference is I am not that same fool I used to be, so what was I thinking while I was drinking? More importantly, why go back to an old habit that’s been broken?

I enjoyed being in the company of those wonderful ladies, but sipping with them was not worth the compromise or the consequence. I was sick for over 24 hours after that. However, while I was on my back in bed aching from head to toe, I had plenty of time to remember how far the Lord has brought me. Furthermore, I was able to recognize that I don’t want to go back down that memory lane again! Family, I have experienced being “drunk in the spirit” and no alcoholic beverage compares to that feeling. Therefore, I’m drinking the living waters at the next party and if you see me with anything other than that, please tell me “do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).

Slippery Slope-2009 Adventure #9

A few weeks ago I went skiing for the first time and though I can’t say that I’m headed to the Winter Olympics, I can say I received a mighty revelation that day. I was a bit disappointed because I was the first one out of the group of seven to turn in my ski shoes due to unbearable pain in my right knee. I decided to throw back on my boots and go watch my friends and; cousin have fun in the snow. I must admit, my disappointment faded a bit when I saw one of my friends on the ground at the bottom of a small slope. Shortly after my friend fell, she joined me on the sidelines.

When the one hour lesson ended we had lunch, and four of the remaining five must have drank a cup of “courage juice” because they decided to take the ski lift to the top of a huge hill. One of my other friends joined the cheerleading group as she refused to take that journey with them. Patiently the three of us waited at the bottom of the hill with cameras in hand. We waited and waited, but they didn’t come down. That’s when the revelation started to form. We were at the bottom of the hill laughing because we realized that they had got all the way up to the top and looked down with fear. We joked about them being up there trying to figure out who would be the first one to come tumbling down. All of a sudden, we see our girl skiing just like the instructor had taught her, but she must have missed the lesson on avoiding a fall. She fell, got back up, fell again, and then stayed down. Next thing we know, one of the males came down like a knight in shining armor on a white ski to rescue the damsel in distress. A few minutes later I saw my cousin on her way down then I literally saw her down! She too had taken the one way ticket to the top of the hill without thinking about the slippery slope she would have to come down. Watching this at the bottom was hilarious and scary at the same time. I wanted to go run up the hill and help them, but that would have caused a comedy show in itself.

My first ski trip was a memorable one, as it was fun and spiritually enlightening. The lesson learned was sometimes we have family and friends that we see walking into a situation that is more than they can handle or leading them into a series of sins. Are we to just stand by the sidelines and cheer them on as they head for danger? Sistah, it is our duty to rebuke a slippery slope type situation before they tumble down! Jesus told the disciples, “if your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.” (Luke 17:3) Let us be bold and talk to them about the situation in love rebuking the devil and his attempts. In addition, let us get on our knees and pray for them no matter how unbearable the pain.

SAY IT AGAIN SISTAH KITTEN (textscriptz instant replay)

Hey Family,

Have you ever had a craving for something and it just wouldn’t go away? This weekend I was craving some fried catfish. I was unable to get the fish on Friday night because I didn’t get home from work until close to midnight and of course that was too late to eat. The next day my craving was even more intense, so I decided to get some fish when I left the Saturday night church service. I hate to admit this, and I know it’s going to sound greedy, but I thought about that catfish a few times while I was at church. Well, I guess that’s not so bad since Jesus did feed thousands of people with two fish and five loaves of bread! After service I called in my order and was told that the credit card machine was broken. This is where the dilemma began. I did not have cash, the credit card machine was down, my stomach was growling, my craving was more intense, the restaurant was a few miles up on the same street as my church, my bank was no where near me, and I felt it would be way too greedy to pay a $2 fee just to get cash from any cash machine so I could feed my face!

As I drove I was trying to figure out who I could call to borrow $10 from until the next day. I couldn’t think of anyone in the area that I would or could call. All of a sudden my daddy popped into my head, and it just so happens that he lives a few blocks away from the restaurant. I immediately started calling him, because as you know fulfilling a strong craving warrants a 911 call. I called his house phone and I didn’t get an answer, so I called the cell phone. I was getting more desperate the closer I got to my fish, so I called the cell phone again. Praise the Lord, because my daddy answered the second time around. I said “Daddy, I need a favor. I ordered some fish but I don’t have cash and their credit card machine is down. Do you have $10 I can come get.” Notice I didn’t say borrow, because my daddy would never let me borrow money. He said, “Come get it.” I knocked on the door and he opened his door and gave me a 20 dollar bill and then went back into his house. I got back in my car smiling because not only would I be able to get my fish, but I had an extra $10 in my pocket!

Family, we all have cravings in our lifetime, things in our hearts that we want and need. If my earthly daddy could bless me abundantly in the situation above, imagine what our Heavenly Father can do. I’m here to say “ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7) God is our daddy and we’re his children; He wants to bless us, so ask and receive! You never know, you might even get a double blessing!!!!

Keisha “Kitten” Isaacs

P.S.
GOT GOD? If you do not know God on a personal level this prayer can start your walk with him today…….
God, I am a sinner and I know I do not deserve your grace or mercy. Still, I trust you and I believe that you sent your son to earth and that he died and rose again for my sins. I thank you Lord for the personal gift of salvation. Amen.

I Miss Performing

I got music…I’m ready to explode
Lyrics…in my mind…like a heavy load
I can't hold…back…what’s in me…
A song….bout drop…at the beat…
Do you feel me
It’s like verbs…bringing action…to words…
Do you hear me
I got a…. song… to sing…
I got a… poem… to pen….
I got a…. word…to bring
I gotta…break loose….
Spit a little bit of fire…mixed with… truth
Let …a bit of this…pinned up…soul …loose
Before I… backfire….
Blockage causing…. a riot… in my head…for this writer
It’s been days…weeks…and months….
Since I’ve been this pumped
Making paper…..like the ground…I got trash….to dump
My vocals…….stuck……in my throat…I got ….a lump….
Tears in my eyes….forming…
I miss a mic…in my hand…
I miss....performing....

If the shoe fits..........

This is a sure sign that I need to take a break from the world and get my house and my temple in order! Typically, I come home from work around bedtime and I’m worn out so I kick my shoes off at the door. The next morning before the sun even rises, I’m back out the door …and the cycle repeats itself day in and day out! I’m off Saturday and I will not be bothered with the outside world. I am staying in the house ALL DAY…so I can clean up, study for my final, and rejuvenate my mind, body, and soul!!!!

p.s. If you see me outside on Saturday, I better have on house-shoes! Well, maybe not but the point is I better not be outside !!!

Lions and Tigers and Bears!!!

My girl Jazmine Sullivan sings of not being scared of lions, tigers, and bears but being scared of love…..Listening to that song for the 100th time made me realize that I have some fears of my own. I had to admit that one of my fears is love. Don’t get me wrong, I desire love and I know that love is on it’s way, but I am so guilty of lacing up my shoes and running from love as if it were a lion, tiger, or bear chasing after me.

As I have grown in my relationship with God and my faith in him, I have grown to be open to love. I am learning that if I truly trust God with all of my heart and lean not on my own understanding, my heart is protected by God regardless of the hurt, disappointment, and pain that may come with love. I have come to understand that even when love hurts me, it is building me.

I’ve admitted that love is one of my fears and I’ll admit two more so that they can be acknowledged and prayed over, because there is no fear in Christ Jesus: Never having children is a fear and not living to my full potential is a fear. Do you have any fears?

I had a million thoughts #17

Sometimes you have to let something go
in order to hold on to what... IS important!!!!

Battlefield of the mind: My Confession

I mentioned a while back that I was beginning to become tempted by my past. Since that last letter the “tempter” has come and taken residency in my mind, making it a battlefield in which my flesh and spirit are at constant war. At times I have felt defeated by the enemy as I would daydream thoughts that were by no means pleasing to our Father in heaven. My thoughts drifted to memories and then memories converted into words and those words led to weakness. Although my state of fragility did not cause me to act, I have sinned in my thoughts alone. Therefore, I have repented to God, sought out the prayer warriors to help me fight this battle, and I openly confess to you that I am in warfare.

During our spiritual journey, we have come to learn that temptation comes in many ways. We as humans can be tempted by food, men, women, drugs, alcohol, money, and material things just to name a few. The enemy is very crafty and in his attempts to kill, steal, and destroy us, he combats strategically and unfairly. His aim is to win our souls back and get the victory that in our lives.

After prayer, repentance, and more prayer, I was led to the 4th chapter of the book of Matthew, in which Jesus was led by the Spirit to the desert to be tempted by the devil. It clearly illustrated Satan’s attempts to tempt our Lord. However, the part that stood out the most for me was how Jesus used the power of words to send Satan back to the pit of hell. Jesus said to him, “Away from me Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” (Matthew 4:10). Reading that scripture helped me understand that temptation shall come but victory is mine if I choose to use the power of words but must importantly THE WORD.

Family, when we are under spiritual attack, which we will experience from time to time. Remember to come to the battle with your sword, which is the word. Family, remember that you have the power to win the battle by telling the devil to flee and putting him back under your feet. We have choices in this life, so will we choose to worship and serve Satan or God. Perhaps, a few years ago I would have taken the easy route and lived in my flesh, but I’ve come too far to go back now…..I choose to worship the Lord our God, and serve him and him only…..so away from me Satan!

Happy New Year...Blessings for You

As we eagerly begin a new year, I’d like to take the time to encourage us to willingly live in obedience to God in 2009. Let us walk into each day with a spirit of tenacity, choosing
to grow in Christ through faith on a daily basis. Let us seek God’s word and His will for our lives, with hunger, thirsting for the streams of living waters to flow through us every moment that we breathe. Let us strive to gain Godly wisdom and guidance through consistent communication and fellowship with our Lord. Let us move forward in faith as we step in love and take strides toward forgiveness each day of this blessed year.

Family, I pray that we will grow spiritually in leaps and bounds in 2009. I pray that God will close doors that hinder our growth and open those that will develop our potential. I pray that He will cover us with His blood and protect us with His love from the top of our heads to the bottom of our feet. I pray that He will enlarge our territories and provide avenues for us to be of Godly influence to the lost. I pray that He will give us the desires of our hearts. I pray that He will give us clear vision, wisdom, and discernment in all areas of our lives. I pray that He will bless our seeds and bless the wombs of those who have yet to have seeds implanted. I pray goodness and health. I pray prosperity not just as it relates to wealth, but in all areas of our lives. I pray peace, joy, and love in the name of Jesus I pray. Amen!

As I close this letter, I’d like to say that, “A bird can never be free inside of a cage that is locked!” Therefore, unlock your full potential through obedience to God and open your heart to receive the abundant blessings that God has in store for you in 2009!

“I will bless them and the places surrounding my hill.
I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. (Ezekiel 34:26)