Agnus Dei...

...like never before..

plainly plain.

as a creative, it's totally okay that i find this commercial for FAGE yogurt MINDBLOWINGLY awesome.

Sunday is coming.. #passionweek

you matter to God

You Matter to God
Monday April 11 2011
Posted by Rick Warren

“When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’ … All the people saw this and began to mutter, ‘He has gone to be the guest of a “sinner.”’” Luke 19:5-7 (NIV)

Have you noticed that it was Jesus’ dinners with sinners that always got him into trouble? He was always getting into hot water with the religious people because he was always hanging out with the wrong crowd.

Can you imagine what bloggers would say today about Jesus having dinner with Zacchaeus, a corrupt politician? Guilt by association is one of the favorite tactics of critics today.

I’ve often faced accusations because of some of the people I’ve been seen hanging out with. I hang out with these people because I’m an evangelist. My goal is to build a bridge between my heart and the hearts of unbelievers, a bridge of love that Jesus can use to reach them.

Jesus came to earth for the sick, the broken, and the insecure people that the religious people wanted to ignore. He came to fill their deepest need with his love.

One of our deepest needs in life is to feel secure, to feel valuable, to feel acceptance. Because of this we are constantly doing two things – evaluating and comparing. We do this all the time, consciously and unconsciously. We judge ourselves by one of the world’s four standards that don’t matter:


Appearance. How do I look? This mentality says that the more beautiful you are, the more important and more valuable you are.

Affluence. If I own a lot, then I must be worth a lot.

Achievement. Do you base your value on your awards, notoriety, and promotions?

Approval. How many people like me? How popular am I?
The problem with this value system is that it’s not stable. Beauty fades with age; possessions wear out; someone else will surpassed your successes; and not everyone will like you.


Studies show that you tend to base your self-esteem on what you think the most important person in our life thinks about you. So I recommend you make Jesus Christ the most important person in your life because he will always tell you the truth.

The only solid foundation for self-worth is to realize how much you matter to God. When you see yourself the way God sees you, it will transform you.



Pastor Warren sends jewels like this everyday via email.

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one small step.

because sometimes..you just need to hear it from someone else..

skin you grace.

hey guys!

check out what i've kinda a little been up to. NEW work!
Way more coming soon!



you GOTTA let me know what you think :0)

perspective.

life has a funny way of putting things into perspective. i'm sure that's an intentional aspect or facet of existence though; to be slapped upside your head with the notion that maybe, just maybe, life doesn't suck nearly as bad as we may think. things could always be worse. truer words have never been spoken..

a conversation i overheard while traveling:

Lady: So where you headed?
Man: To see some friends up North and stay with them for a while..you?
Lady: I'm headed back to school. I just visited my family this weekend..
Man: That's nice..
Lady: Why are you going to see your friends? Plan on having a lot of fun?
Man: *slight laughter* Oh nothing like that..I'm dying of cancer and they wanna see me and spend time before I....

quick question..

Warning - This post requires a response!

This was brought up in conversation:

"The world doesn't need any more churches. We need more witnesses!"

So, do you agree or disagree? Please go into a bit of detail concerning your response. :)

20100311 - this was supposed to be a facebook status..

..but i was 77 characters too long winded, sooo hey..thought the trusty blog could use a bit of attention..and before i ramble, allow me to ctrl + V:

i am blessed with the insight to invite your heart to my mind/to lyrically massage that same heart hardened by time/to soothe the quietest worry with a scriptural line/to offer ensurance of the endurance of the promises of the Divine/but sometimes/as i hold the magnifying glass to Christ's life i fail to magnify mine/i'm practicing transparency and i'm praying He shines/and if i seem to have it altogether then somebody's lying/i don't run fast but i'm seeking to cross the finish line flying

the first question that came to my mind (and quite possibly yours) is: where'd this even come from?

well, i don't know if you knew, but i'm a poet. writing is my thing..my outlet. this post is no exception. my mind has been tangled in a tightly pulled knot for the past few weeks. much is on the agenda and i found myself feeling overwhelmed. that was enough as it is (does that sound selfish?), but the metaphorical icing on the metaphorical cake is when i was informed that "others" were jealous of me.




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.......... WHAT?!?!? WHY?!?
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"apparently, because you have it all together."

i must've laughed for a half hour straight. (no exaggeration here) every LOL, LMBO, ROFL, ROFLMBO, LMBOWTTHBARBFAKFPOM (that actually means something ^_^) escaped my person that day. i'm so sorry to disappoint, but i don't have a perfect life. i never HAVE. if there's an inkling of confidence detected within me, know that it's because the joy of the Lord is my strength and that His mercy doesn't make room for me to be consumed. ok..i think that's all for now..

:0)

update

you guys been keeping up with me?

i've been keeping up with you..not like in a stalker type way though (stripes look good on you) *insert awkward pause* LOL. i'm joking. but seriously, i could give you the sad "i've been mad busy" story, but you've heard it before. i will say that i started a new job, i'm graduating from college next week and i'm working on releasing this album. speaking of which:



you excited?! i'm excited!!

so that's like the latest latest news. God is sooo moving on my behalf and opening doors and making ways that only He can make and i'm eternally grateful. for my local folks, i'm performing in Jackson, TN this weekend. here's the flyer:




so yeah..i'm keeping busy..staying afloat..following the light. i want you know i'm praying for you. more blogposts coming soon. love you MUCH.

artist spotlight: CMO!!

check my guy CMO out!




CMO's bio

As you listen to CMO's catchy urban songs with spirtually rich Christian lyrics – there is one thing that will remain etched in your memory. CMO is not your typical run-of-the-mill gospel artist! His style is very distinctively Hip Hop/ R&B, but with a clear Christian message. The choruses of his songs are filled with such creative ways to apply God's Word practically to your life. CMO is such a powerful writer - it's as if he has sat down in your living room and sang to you all the Godly solutions to the problems that keep you lying awake at night, and some of the complicated problems plaguing our urban communities. The message of his music is clear. It is to entertain you, identify with your feelings and emotions, and leave you walking away with a greater understanding of what your life can and will be with God in it.

CMO’s songs explore many issues such as identity, love, suicide, making wise choices, believing, faith, substance abuse, and more. He feels that through his music you will see more (CMO) of God and God's Word for how we should live. You will understand it completely and very clearly – as if you were watching the WORD on high definition bright color Television. He is out to tell a vision – it is the vision of GOD, and he gives it to you brightly colored with bold lyrics, catchy beats, dance tunes, soulful tenor singing, and a hip urban style.

With the lyrical shockers – it would be enough to make great music. But CMO takes the knockout approach with music production that makes even mainstream secular producers look twice. His music delivers the extremely popular hip hop/R & B sound that sells out stadiums nationwide. His style is edgy and the music is filled with very soulful, dance-driven urban beats, great hooks, and catchy production created by one of the secular's world's former premier producers. His producer, PL Sweets of MF music (My Father's music ) is well known in the secular world for helping produce hits for Nick Cannon, The O'Jays, Donnell Jones, and many other internationally famous artists. Sweets lending his production expertise to CMO's lyrical genius is a marriage made in hip hop heaven.

CMO has been performing for years. He has sung on stage with Deitrick Haddon, Tonex, JR of Cross Movement, and Sean Slaugther - just to name a few. He first got his feet wet in a teenage boy-band where he wrote, produced, arranged and sang for the group. He later left the aspiring group planning to pursue his own personal goals. Goals that included reaching out to urban communities plagued by drugs, violence, promiscuity, and low self-esteem. He has begun tackling those goals, and is using this album as a stepping stool to do more in urban communities.

CMO plans to perform in secular venues such as 106 & Park – the popular urban music show on BET Television that reaches millions and millions of teens and young adults. He plans to present Christ as an option to unsaved teens, and win souls for God. CMO has been called a revolutionary and a visionary by many. He is not afraid to stand boldly among the unsaved and proclaim Christ's message of salvation. He wants everyone to see more of God in bright, beautiful technicolor!


CMO's latest vid




this cat's EVERYWHERE!! find him!

CMO's Ning Network
CMO's Facebook page
CMO's MySpace page
CMO's Twitter
CMO's Youtube page

you're WACK.

*blows the dust off*

see..i haven't neglected it..lol.

seriously though. i was doing some self-examination (again) and made a discovery about myself. if this applies to you, man..join the good fight with me. i encountered a brief hardship/trial/test (whatever you wanna call it) a couple days ago..and almost LOST it. my circle was like "what's wrong? why you sound like that?" i couldn't even effectively reply with any answer other than "i don't know. i'm just tired of stuff being the way it is..i'm just tired.."

*shaking my head in disgust at myself*

let me say..in no regard do i expect perfection of myself or expect not to react to occurrences like any other human. i am human, after all. but i profess to be a Jesus following, saved, sanctified, Holy Ghost filled, baptized & born again Christian who's COMPLETE trust and faith is in God and His Word. the Bible is chock-FULL of scriptures regarding the afflictions of God's people..wanna see some? here they go..(lol..sorry)


Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.


i could go on and on..but you catch my drift. so i'm dealing with myself like "you're WACK!" i KNOW God is faithful to perform that which He promised. i KNOW God is a supplier of NEEDS and i'm not giving Him room to be Jehovah Shalom (God of peace) or even Jehovah Shammah (God is there). i mean, He's going to be Who He is anyway (I am that I am = Jehovah) so why was i WORRIED?! worry = doubt = fear.
none of those equal FAITH. so why am i not exercising my faith by placing it in HE WHO IS FAITHFUL?! ya'll..i'm really not happy with myself about letting this slip.

to you my friend, this is something we have to apply to life..for real. faith is more than words..more than saying so..it's a matter of doing. everybody trying to go to Heaven, yeah? everybody trying to make God happy, right? Hebrews 11:6 tells us "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Proverbs 3:5 says "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not to thine own understanding." understandably so! our understanding ain't worth 2 dead flies which is why we trust in Him. put our faith in Him. put our hope in Him. if not, we're WACK.

can you do this for me?

thank you!!
let me know you voted! :)

official EPK.

watch this.

ekg literary mag.

check out this month's issue.

you might see a familiar face :)

*cough* on page 18 *cough*

but read the whole thing..and that's not a request.

k thanks! lol

no i have NOT..!

lol..this blog is not abandoned..

my ADD is still strong as ever..life and its occurences & eccentricities are still my muses..
just been busy..wanna know what i've been up to?

1. recording an album
2. getting ready to finish school after a beyond my control & unwelcome extended hiatus
3. building a buzz about an album
4. scratchin and survivin..
5. designing an album
6. songwriting
7. coming to the realization that i'm about to have an album out
8. designing
9. albuming (i had to do it..)
10. networking
11. hustlinnnnnn...
12. eating take out..(kitchen sink looks like a porcelain/metal landfill; fridge looks like a desert)
13. getting better in the body (ain't been all there but i'm headed back)
14. finding out what interrobang means..
15. researching
16. not sleeping
17. mixing
18. spoken word
19. getting pulled in 80 directions
20. planning for the traveling i'm about to embark on..

so yeah..that's probably not all..but it's all i can come up with for now..
should be back in full force soon..
God bless ya..

clearly...

[warning]this is one of THOSE blogs..so yeah..[/warning]

[originally written 8/30/09]

i'm not clairvoyant to any degree. nor am i a prophetess or anything like that. however, i'm observant...apparently to a fault. anyway, God not only blessed me with the gift of sight..but with a gift of insight. as if natural sight isn't gift enough. i'm not complaining, but reality is a beast. being in complete knowledge of someone or something, outside of normal observation and study tends to wear on the emotions and the brain. the QUESTIONS i have..


wait..did i lose you?


to consolidate all that: i tend to see past what i know. the hardest place to apply this insight though, is to myself. in all honesty, not too many people can take being honest with themselves. it's so necessary though. you can't possibly be honest with Mama, Granny, Pastor, cousins, your significant other..the LORD without being honest with yourself. i personally don't like lying to myself. i can understand if i was wrong about something, and someone who's opinion i both trust or value OR the Lord Himself corrects me..BOOM. that's totally understandable. but knowingly lying to myself is inexcusable.


now..i said AAAAAAAAALL that to say this..


i applied some brutally honest insight to my life a few days ago. i almost cried. as i mentioned earlier, i'm not clairvoyant. but i know God has a set path for me in life. i was called out from BIRTH. (another blog for another day) so, i had to change stuff IMMEDIATELY. i'm usually very careful about who & what i allow into my circle. i'm nobody special, but i'm a firm believer in guarding my spirit and monitoring my influences. i really started putting stuff in perspective about ME. my questions to myself: who am i to even consider compromising Jesus for what i want to do? who am i to even deserve for Him to map my life/direct my path the way He has/does? who am i to be granted the gift of waking up day after day to turn around and consider trying to do what i want? what the HECK? i also thought about the scripture in Psalm 19 (and it reads): cleanse Thou me from secret faults.

you know..secret faults..the stuff we don't want anyone to know about? yeah..those. and let the record show..faults aren't sins. a fault is a flaw or imperfection. sin is blatant or deliberate violation of moral/religious law. anyway, more and more i'm realizing..my purpose, your purpose, everybody's purpose is so much greater than YOU or ME. i invite you to NOT let down on what you KNOW is the truth and what you KNOW is right. you could very well jeopardize your purpose, then life would be a waste. DWYL.


i'll say..i had some second thoughts about posting this, because of the opening of the up. i was tripping.

& contrary to what may be perceived, this one is directed at everyone and no one.

impromptu is always the best....tu. :/

forgive me for that title..

anyway..i posted a status update on Facebook that simply read:

"imperfect but in possession of the Perfecter life is a lesson love is a lecture Jesus Christ, the professor"

sidebar - it really sounds GREAT if you say it with a British accent like Dwayne Tryumf...(don't look at me like that..)


so..i just posted it. no particular reason..but it was on my heart & mind..stemming from Bible study earlier yesterday evening. however, the result of it was NUTS. i'm copying all the comments that ensued from this one little status.












my bad for it being so small..
can you see it?

just got reminded.

hope my bro Louis doesn't think i'm cheating on him. lol!


a month or so ago, my homegirl Liz & i did a freestyle on twitter. she posted it to her blog, and i just read back over it today. i wanna share it with you.

Liz in bold
me in uh..regular..

make sure you check Liz's blog out too: 2much2tell


it's time for rhythm and rhymes
the rivers of lines flowing through this mental of mine
in need of cerebral release to cause the madness to cease
peace is a must let me grab a pen because it's poetry or bust
i fight for the right to write, moving my pen through all hours of the night
what a plight this gift of words turn bringing thoughts to life with the verbs
action words for what i feel, words to action to turn feelings into real
reveal the innermost unspoken thoughts inhibitions ignored pop open faults
just to let go, let words flow, let emotions show, let momentum grow
not to mention that you just might blow adjust the gears just so to get that just right flow
words flow to stanza and stanza to verse, verse leads to the mic unfiltered and unrehearsed
verse after verse gets sprinkled on their minds Ms Who brought the new and put a wrinkle in their time
creased their foreheads with her very essence, gave them sight with her luminesence
insight from her life lessons that stressin was too depressin and just wakin up was a blessin
she was livin in heaven while she walked the earth, blessed and highly favored since birth
but life can hurt..the work can be a bit much can leave the spirit fragile to the touch
a wounded heart is a heavy burden to carry, and the state of merriment tends to vary
and "friends" are scary..family can be worse but we have a Savior who carries cares and wrote His love in a verse
He lived that love and died to redeem, He rose because even over death He offered us victory
He's stricken me with His grace and mercy everlasting I'm forever dwelling in the shadow that the cross is casting