His Birthday is For You

Heavenly Father, thank you for your love. 

Thank you for your response 

To us that You would leave 

Your home in heaven to 

Come to earth in the most 

Humble way so that mankind could 

Experience hope, unconditional love, 

An amazing sacrifice and joy!

Amen. Selah...

The message of Christmas has reached the hearts and homes of many. Sadly,  this same message has become so commercialized that we've forgotten to take time to bask in God so loving the world that He gave His only begotten son (John 3:16); not one but twice. As much as I love this holiday season, the bells and whistles of friends, family, food and fellowship; I can't help but pause and reflect on the ULTIMATE gift - Christ the Savior was born that he would later die.  For me.  

I don't know about you but I've never been so loved and treasured and cared for (thanks Momma but Jesus topped ya). God has really set the bar high (know your worth). Today if you are alone (single), with just your kids  (single parents), sitting by someone's bedside who is Ill, if you suffered a recent loss or had a tramatic event occur don't despair. 

The little baby came to change that situation and bring you life and light. He's hope for a broken world. A broken heart. A broken life. Love has spoken from the throne of heaven. Through the cries of a mother in birthing pains. Through a child born in a stinky stable. To the cross. Declaring His love for you, His concern for your life and a road map to Him that your joy may be filled. 

Receive Him as He offers His best,  his birthday, a day that should be all about Him to make it all about you. 

That's love. 

JESUS is Calling

Good morning divamoms and gents,

This space is becoming quite the place where I’ve been sharing glimpses into my faith walk. Today is the second day of my winter break. Shout out to all the teachers resting themselves and relaxing! Yesterday I ran two errands and spent most of my time in bed and the majority of that journaling and writing to Jesus. Yes, Jesus! He’s becoming more and more the center of everything I do. ACTUALLY HE IS MY CORE! This past year has moved me from seeing the Savior as someone who is in heaven to someone who is so close and available anytime.  James writes in 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Sometimes I wake up with a song, scripture or word in my heart that moves me so heavily. This morning it was Jesus is calling. Now before you start to think I’m crazy you must first have a personal relationship with Christ to receive the message in this post and it has to be intimate. #nojudgement #noshade One thing I wanted to be able to do during my break is spend time with God unrushed. So I’m up with my journal, a cup of tea and a banana. I read through the entire 4^th chapter of James and made notes. That’s a bonus for me. I will read my Bible and usually it is my favorite chapters or scriptures (mostly in the book of Psalms). One reason for that is because I really like the book and secondly the Bible is well boring. #FixitJesus Not the stories that read like novels but the instructions part. Prolly because I wasn’t in a place to fully understand and change.

Now I enjoy studying the Bible. When I read I use my bible app, biblegateway.com, the Amplified and Message versions of the Bible. This has helped tremendously with me understanding the text. So now when Jesus calls, I’m eager to get in His presence. Stephen Hurd has worship song, ‘Zion is calling’ that I begin to hum as I was brushing my teeth preparing to come to a space (right now my dining room table) where I could spread out my Bibles and journal whilst sipping tea. It brought tears to my eyes just thinking about Jesus being so in love with me that He would wake me up from my beauty sleep to come and learn of Him. That made me feel special. It made me feel secure in my relationship with Christ.

As we approach Christmas remember the whole point of this holiday is to remind us that Jesus is calling. He always is and has been. He called out from the precious throne of heaven and because some didn’t want to hear, He decided to come not as a King or royalty that He is but in a way that we would understand so that we would approach Him humbled by His self-offering. Someone who would give up so much for us. I don’t know about you but I don’t like sleeping outside. I hate barns and the smell of farms. Ha that rhymed...giggles. So that in and of itself makes me grateful He took on that role. Listen for the cry of the sweet baby Jesus and now the call of a loving, faithful God who has called you friend.

Enjoy the holidays. 

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Holiday Look 3: Christmas in the Park

My final Sunday holiday look for this series. I was able to get the kid to participate resulting in a staged holiday card.  We wish you all the merriest Christmas. May your faith in a loving God increase making your heart lighter.  Enjoy your family. If there aren't any gifts cool because it's Jesus birthday and the only gift he wants your life! #GettoknowHim

Matters of the Heart

Good morning,

Hope all is well with each of you who take the time to stop by my blog. If I had to set a goal for 2015 it would be that I'm granted more opportunities to write about my faith walk and someone is uplifted,  encouraged and blessed. No matter what is going on around you keep going.

Remember faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. I haven't seen some things yet. Other things I wish I hadn't  seen or experienced. On the other hand,  I've grown and matured so much. So I recognize the importance of my struggles. They've pushed me closer to God and further away from depending on humans. Not that I don't have a good support system but  I NEEDED to learn total dependence.

I've learned to keep dreaming for myself and my students. I'm more sensitive to the roadblocks they face. My gifts are being utilized to the max! I'm Ram tough. #PBLCHS

I've learned how blessed I am to have KT for a son. I spent the first few years of his life worrying that I wouldn't do a good job caring for him. To see the humble,  smart,  handsome, talented young man he's grown into speaks volumes that I did /am doing something right. Note to parents: I didn't give him a lot of materialistic things but all his needs were always met. The memories we've made as a family are more valuable than anything money can buy.

Today take time out to reflect on the good. There are so many others who would gladly trade journeys. Don't judge an individual by their social media life. Reach out to an old friend or family member. Don't text, call. Show them you care. If you are reading this,  you've been given another day. Grab life forcefully and live.

Holiday 2: A lesson from Mary and Elizabeth

This is my second time typing this post so I know that someone is going to be encouraged. I wanted to share a little bit of today's sermon taken from the first chapter of Luke. Pastor Whitney shared with us today how easy it is for us to be competitive, it's our human nature.

If we look at the story of two cousins Mary and Elizabeth, we will see both of them receiving the same promise and were expecting the same blessing. How often has this happened tobus as we look around and see others moving ahead and we are still waiting for our window of opportunity? We've been putting in the work and still no BIG break!

The lesson to be learned from this Bible story is that we must be patient. An even greater lesson is that we must learn to celebrate when others receive greater. Learning to be happy when someone receives what appears to be the blessing we have waited so long for is a sign of maturity in our faith.

Think about it. Your blessing may be tied to your neighbor. Don't doom your future with a jealous spirit. Put life in your mouth! Continue to speak those dreams into existence. Hold fast to your confessions of faith. Instead of speaking ill of someone's promotion, applaud them. You'll look up and see your awaited promise has been birthed.

Cardigan & purse//Forever 21 

Skirt//ASOS 

Shoes//Just Fab 

Holiday: Peppermint

It's truly the most wonderful time of the year and I'm excited to be doing a holiday look every Sunday until after the New Year. 

The twist for me is to repeat these shoes except for my New Year's Eve look. If you're wondering they are comfortable and absolutely fantabulous. 

I'm already planning a few looks with them in January when my sorority  (Delta Sigma Theta) celebrates its founding. So be sure to come back weekly to see what I've come up with. 

Look:

Tee//Old Navy

Clutch//Old

Skirt//ASOS

Shoes//Hadley -Just Fab

His Hand At Work

It is 5 o' clock in the morning as I type this. I felt impressed to encourage someone who may feel like they aren't making progress on this journey called life.

I'm lying in bed this morning praying and I started to smile. Immediately I thought to myself, "Kerissa pull back. Prayer is a serious matter!"  That was religion trying to interrupt my moment. Faith reminded me that I can wake up each morning with a smile on my face even though:

1.   My family is experiencing one of the most difficult health challenges we've had since the death of my Granny. Our resolve is being tested.

2. I haven't seen my mom in a year.

3. My truck needs some expensive and extensive work .

4. I'm a single mom playing the role of Superwoman! (See this post here).

There's a host of other things I could write about and turn this post into a complaint but l REFUSE!!! I refuse to give negativity top priority in my daily living or so much control over how I view each day I'm given.

This scripture reminds me that God is at work daily to bring to fruition the plans He has for me. Several months ago I was battling severe depression. My therapist told me if I couldn't dig myself out of the rut utilizing the exercises, suggestions and prayer I would need to be medicated.

Praise be unto God, I fought back! I fought back to a place of peace,  safety,  assurance and joy. So when I awake with a smile it is because I've consciously decided to not be moved into a place of despair by the student loans, frustrations  to reach and teach my students  (they really are listening, learning and growing), the turn up on racism & hated in the world, cost of truck repairs, missing my mom, family illness and whatever else that may occur.

I can smile when I'm praying because I am confident that my Heavenly Father is working on my behalf. The plans He has for me according to Jeremiah 29:11 are going to blow my mind and supercede what I've dreamed up for myself. 

As we continue into the holiday season, I challenge you to daily remind yourself to give thanks in ALL things because Jesus is the reason for every season of our lives not just Christmas.