Possible Impossibilities

HELP!!! Is what the email said from my sister. But what she needed help with was way out of my league. I mean, I admit, I’m pretty darn good at designing a wedding program, press kit, or even writing a news article. But help with designing a website????? I mean, the closest I’ve ever come to doing such a task was creating this blog. And I have to admit, I had guidance from a fellow-blogger. But a website???? In a few hours?????? And not using the cheap template version. The site HAD to be created with Dreamweaver according to her professor’s instructions. My first question was…..aren’t you pursuing an M.Ed? I mean, I know enough about Dreamweaver to know it’s used by professionals. And the thought of HTML gives me an instant…ouch!!! But my sister needed help and I had to help a sistah out. So I got a tall glass of pink lemonade, turned off the cell, and then thought again about what my friend told me …..even in my worse day and satan’s best day I will not be defeated.

After several rounds of headaches, umpteen phone calls, and a crash course with Mr.SiteWizard.com, I figured out Dreamweaver, “the software for complex web design projects,” according to Mr. Site Wizard. In about 9 hours, I created a ten-page website with hyperlinks, graphics, and more!!

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. –Philippians 4:13

Sister, Sister

Umph!!

Don’t know if you’ve ever been in a situation where you don’t know what to pray, how to pray for it, or understand what really even happened.

Umph!!

But in months and months of silence it just all works out and ends with a smile imprint in your heart.

Umph!!!

The Lord knows He’s an awesome miracle worker!!!

Can I just say that my sisters are my bestfriends. Confirmed.

Churchin'

Every now and again I think about church, and my motivation for attending church. I’d be the first to say that I go to church because that’s what I was taught to do. But in reality…….I love to be in the presence of the Lord with other believers. Today, as my pastor spoke about “Growing a Strong Heart” one of the things he said is that a strong heart can be developed by being committed to encouraging environments. He referenced it with: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” –Hebrews 10:24-25 Encouraging environments---umph. I was born and raised in the church. There was a church activity planned just about every day of the week. Our church was made up of about five big families, and their neighbors. And so many relationships and sub-families were developed to the point where everyone was just one big family. And family ain’t always encouraging. When we relocated to Maryland, our new church was sorta the same dynamic---family. My social activities included my church peers. I even went to the same public high school with them. As I’d gotten older, the guys I dated were part of my church family, and my closest girlfriends were----from church. And so, it was quite challenging to separate my relationship with God from my relationship with the church. Truth be told, I didn’t really have a relationship with God. So, I call it as it was……playing church or churchin. Today, things are different----much different. I now have an unadulterated motive for attending church and it is purely for the Glory of God. As I write, I think about how the Lord led me to my church, the Church of the Redeemer. Here goes: Back in 2003, my girlfriend Ericka had come up with this brilliant idea for us to carpool to work and school together to save money on downtown parking. The plan was for her to drive to my house, park her car, and ride in together. Cool. One morning she’d gotten in my car and asked if I could turn to the Christian station because she wanted to continue listening to her program. I'm thinking....no this girl ain't trying to turn me away from the Donnie Simpson Morning Show. Whatever...not that serious. The next morning, she didn’t ride with me, but my radio was still tuned in to the Christian station. I heard a pastor named Dale O’Shields break down the Word of God so eloquently that caused an interest. For the next few days I tuned in, but knew that I would only commit to his radio broadcast because visiting his church was too far……Gaithersburg, MD. A couple months after that, I was doing a business project and had a meeting in Rockville. The meeting was with a really nice couple who had the presence of God all over them. I mean you could feel the power of the Holy Spirit in their being without them even opening their mouths. Our business meeting turned into a coversation about the goodness of the Lord. They ended by saying that they attend a church called the Church of the Redeemer in Gaithersburg. Hmmmm. Then, the Lord being so good at what He does, orchestrated my footsteps on the path He had set. In 2005, years after my first Spiritual encounters with my church, I was looking for a new home. I had told the Lord that I would be opened to go wherever He wanted me to live. And so, being a real estate agent, I extended my home search across six Maryland counties. I started not to include Montgomery County because I felt that it was out of my budget. But when God has a plan, money is not a factor. Out of six counties, about 10 choices came up and about 8 were condos on the ground floor. But there was one, in Gaithersburg, that fit ALL of my criteria. One Thursday night, me and my sister Gernae hopped in the car and headed all the way to Montgomery County. An hour and 10 minute drive. And when I walked in the first, and only, condo I previewed, I knew it was the one. The negotiation of the deal was my SMOOTHEST transaction to date. About a month after I moved in, I said to myself….alright its time to look for a church. I visited several churches in the area and not one could I feel God’s presence. Then a light bulb went off…….the Church of the Redeemer is in Gaithersburg!! I looked it up, visited it, and the Lord confirmed His presence. The three minute ride from my house to church is a constant reminder of how the Lord will order your steps if you allow Him to be in control. My agenda of attending church…..hmmmm. It is purely to worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth. I ain’t going to show off a new outfit, or to look cute as I wave my hands. I don’t want nobody’s business card, nobody needs to know my professions, nor do I need to wear them on my forehead. I don’t need to make friends, I certainly ain’t looking for no husband, I ain’t trying to seek answers to validate my sins, I ain’t going to hear the latest Gospel song, and I’m surely not going confusing emotional reaction with Spiritual depth---as T.D. Jakes puts it. When I walk into my church, I feel His presence and every negative situation (or positive) doesn’t even matter. It’s about nobody but JESUS!!! I was at a baby shower last month and had extended my services beyond the call of duty amongst strangers. And as we were leaving, one of the aunts of the mom-to-be asked what church I belonged to and I told her. And she responded with something so profound. She said…. “You can always tell the integrity of the church by the character of its members”. Now I ain't saying that my church is perfect---cause we are not by no means. But since I've been there I have seen growth in my walk with the Lord. And so I truly believe that being at the Church of the Redeemer is part of God's perfect will for my life.

Right Place, Right Time

Ok, I’ll be the first to admit that I’d like to be on the receiving end, especially during these “money-challenging” days. But in reality, I am a giver at heart. And last night confirmed that.

Wow, where do I begin. Um, last week my old church buddy, Judy Green died at just 39 years old (see Remembering Judy below). I was a little shocked when I received the call, but knew she had been sick. So, I did as I normally do….extend my condolences and offer support. Just a few nights before Judy died I was in prayer and received a message from the Lord that was so clear. He told me that I was going to be given a special assignment. I’m thinking, hmmmm, I’m definitely up for the assignment….but what could it be. So for the next few days I was on serious lookout.

Ok, the day after Judy died I received a message that Judy’s mom, Sister Sylvia, wanted me to call her. Well, I called her and she asked if I could deliver funeral information to Judy’s current and former employers. Not a problem. Judy worked right across the street and I definitely had no problem delivering the information. Well, what I didn’t know was that her employers were not aware that she'd died. Umph!! Let’s just say that my shoulder was definitely needed. Ok, I’m thinking maybe this was the special assignment, but then thought it couldn’t have been because it just felt like a normal gesture in the time of need.

That was last week. Now, this week. Hmmm, this week.

My Monday was BEAUTIFUL!!!!! And I ended it with a good workout and good sleep.

My Tuesday, a little hectic, but still a great day ending with a good workout and good sleep.

My Wednesday, stressed out trying to plan a conference, confirm speakers, prepare for travel and all other stresses that comes along with 70 employees running into each other. I couldn’t wait til 5:00p came, and when it did I said to myself……..forget the workout today cause I’m going to Bible Study.

At about 5:15p, I'm walking out of my office building and the weather is absolutely gorgeous. So, really feeling guilty for not working out, I decide to walk to my transfer station at Gallery Place instead of catching the train at L’Enfant. As I’m strolling down 7th street, I remember my last walk to Gallery Place resulted in an intimate encounter with Michael Jackson…..hmmm, maybe I’ll run into Prince this time, I thought.

So I’m about 20 minutes into my walk, window shopping and daydreaming, and this lady comes out of Kinkos cutting off my path. I do a double-take and realize it’s Sister Sylvia, Judy's mom! She didn’t notice me, but I saw that she was almost in tears. I’m frozen because I didn’t know what to say. I mean, she's burying her child tomorrow. What do I say???? Ok, can I just say that the Holy Spirit took over from here. I yell out….Sister Sylvia what are you doing downtown??? She’s frantic! She looks up and screams, Jill!!!!! Then she said...I was just supposed to come downtown to get Judy’s program copied and Kinko’s will not do it. She continued...I was coming out to my car to get my cell phone to call my son. I looked at her and said....Sister Sylvia no worries cause I’m here.

Ok, talk about an assignment.

I follow Sister Sylvia into Kinkos and she points to her box of stuff: 7 individual sheets of paper (obituary, order of service, tributes, acknowledgements, etc.), 20 individual photos, and 3 reams of 11x17 copy paper. The program is not even laid out. I get an instant headache. I’m calculating in my head an easy $1,000 we’re getting ready to put into Kinkos' cash drawer. So I call the manager over, and explain the situation that we need to get the job done, at the cheapest price, in a couple hours because the funeral was in the morning. The nasty manager says to me, “miss even if the program was laid out we still couldn’t have it copied until 9:00a tomorrow morning.” Umph!!! (I breathe). Not a problem, I remember what my friend told me just a few days before…..even in my worse day and satan’s best day he STILL cannot defeat me. So I took another deep breath and said…..let me call my cousin!!!

My cousin, my cousin. We’ve worked on a many of these program projects. I’d design them and she’d get them professionally copied. And so I called my cousin, who was on her way home to her BLT sandwich. She calmly said.....Jill where are you, I’m on my way.

My cousin walked through the door, very pregnant and exhausted, and I almost jumped on top of her I was so glad to see her. She greeted Sister Sylvia, looked at me, and said....find us a workstation. I picked up the box of stuff (3 reams of paper and all) and found us a workstation! We had no time to scan photos and put the program in electronic form. We had to do this the old-fashioned way…cut and paste. It took us about an hour to do it, but we laid it all out to Sister Sylvia’s satisfaction.

Ok, we take our new layout to the counter and at this point we're not taking no for an answer. Another manager says to us, “Um, we can probably get it done by 2:00 a.m.” I’m thinking…..cool, even if I have to wait. Sister Sylvia is exhausted and I assure her that I'll make sure it gets done. So how much will it cost?.....was our next question.

$3,800.00!!!! What!!!!

What about a mass production discount???? $3,800.00! Sister Sylvia even asked about a senior citizens discount. $3,800.00!

At this point, my cousin was thinking about that BLT sandwich and got a little pissed. She said...Jill get the stuff and let’s go!! And then she yelled back at the manager......I hate Kinkos!!! And I yelled back and said.....and I’m writing corporate!!!

My cousin took us to a very "discreet location". The result:

400 high-glossed, full-color programs (stapled, folded, and packed) completed by 10:30p!!!! For FREE!!!

Sister Sylvia was estatic!! She started making all kinds of phone calls to tell her blessing. Her son was so pleased as he came down to pick up the programs. He offered me and my cousin money, but we both knew that this wasn’t about money. Just hearing Sister Sylvia speak about Judy and how she looked so beautiful when she viewed her body earlier that day…..we knew that the Lord had sent us on a...special assignment.

On Wednesday, my daily routine was altered. It was 11:30p when I finally got on my train. As I sat there thinking of the Green family, and how Sister Sylvia's son (Judy's twin) just cried on my shoulders as he waited with me for my train, I couldn't help to think........Lord thank you for putting me at the right place, at the right time to be used as a blessing for YOUR glory.

More Than Conquerors

I saw them, again. Both of them. This morning on the Metro.

The first, on the Red line. She was decked out, as usual. She must’ve had a meeting today cause she wore a tailored brown suit, with her hair pulled back in a neat bun. Her Chanel shades sat on the top of her head, and her briefcase, well hanging from the handle. When I looked at her feet I thought…..oh no she don’t!! She had on the same Jimmy Choo Ericka Nappa pumps that I tried on in Woodbury Commons last month. I was just trying them on, cause even at the outlet mall, $575 was not in the budget. Umph!!! How does she do it with so much grace??? I kept saying to myself. Her legs don’t even move. They’re always in the same position, and yet she wheels that chair like she’s strutting across a runway.

And then I saw……Mr. Mom. On the Yellow line. Still in amazement at the sistah with so much grace and style, I run down to transfer trains and saw……Mr. Mom. His baby gotta be about 10 months old now, sitting on his papa’s lap playing, then he holds on tight as they prepare to take-off, they stop, and then the baby continues to play. The baby is so confident that his papa is in control, but yet papa, unlike the sistah upstairs, doesn’t even have legs!!!! But he’s playing with his son, and they look sooo happy. Then he reaches in the diaper bag (on the handle) and pulls out a cheerios snack for the baby. Umph, I say again.

My morning started as usual, didn’t want to get out the bed. I started to put on my heels, but thought…..no, today is a Nike morning. I’m lazy, my muscles hurt, don’t feel like walking, and I want to be as comfortable as possible. I’d like to blame it on last night’s workout, but the truth is…..I’m lazy. But then I saw “them” and felt selfish, ungrateful. I even shed a tear as I watched the baby play. Conviction!!!! Now what????

I thought about what my friend told me yesterday, “even in my worst day and satan’s best day he still cannot defeat me.” So I put those Nike’s to use and did something so out of the ordinary……walked up L’Enfant’s longest escalator to my exit!!!

Reap What You Sow

I had my Saturday all planned. After all, this was going to be my Saturday. So as I usually do when it’s my time, I pile the to-do list up with the tasks that’s going to end up driving me insane---try to get a hair appointment at the last minute, fuss at Henry for not being able to do my nails immediately on arrival, tackle the Giant with the Saturday coupon-holders, and get held up in conversation at Exit while checking my mail. Then I thought, oh gotta go to Walmart, no Target, ok both. I woke up fairly early. I’d promised myself that I would sleep late this Saturday, but with my long laundry list of to-do items, I knew it wasn’t gonna happen. But I was sure going to try. At about 9:00a, I received a call from my cousin George, “hey…wake-up, I want you to come up and see what me and Yvette did with the house.” I’m thinking…today....my day....driving to Glen Burnie is not on the list. But I had been promising my cousins for months that I would make the trip to see the house. I’d actually sold them the house back in September, and felt it was my family duty, ok my professional duty, to make a post visit. So I respond, “alright let me get myself together and I’ll be up by early afternoon.” My to-do list, scratched. When I got to Glen Burnie, my cousins welcomed me by grabbing my hand to the backyard. As we tip-toed through the living and dining rooms, across the freshly glazed hardwood floors, Yvette had excitedly revealed, “girl we hired a landscaper.” When we reached the doors and stepped down onto the bricked patio I felt the energy of the backyard, ahhhhhh. The feature of the house that had sold us all. I could feel the peace and serenity just by standing there. As we walk from one side of the patio to the other, Yvette explains to me that Mr. St. Louis, the red cardinal, visits EVERY morning. And then she says, “I haven’t seen Mr. BlueJay in a few mornings.” At this point, I’m in lala land just hearing her speak about her natural visitors. Then George motions for us to come over. So me and Yvette make our way pass the fountains and through the small path that leads to the most beautiful area I’d ever seen attached to a house. I’m in awe, again. When we first viewed the house it was at sunset, and the yard blew me away. But this time, it was day and I was able to see the exotic flowers in orange and pink hues, fresh green grass, manicured shrubberies, well-positioned benches, and the purple-colored Japanese tree that wore a proud price-tag of $3,000. I’m just standing there, motionless. I actually wanted to ask for a blanket and have some private time with nature, but didn’t. I look at my cousins and begin to think.....I'm so happy for them. They took care of the little they had, trusted the Lord for more, worked hard, and are now reaping the benefits. I remembered their little townhouse with the little small flower bed across the two front windows. Yvette was faithful with the planting and upkeep of the few flowers that the little bed held. Now look. Umph. His Lord said unto him, well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. –Matthew 25:23

Party Girl

Can’t say that I’ve ever been a party girl. Even in my “worldliest” days partying just wasn’t on the radar. Don’t get me wrong…..I love to dance. But squeezing through a crowd of drunks at midnight just to make it to a sweaty-smelling dance floor just doesn’t amuse me. But happy hour is different (at least I thought it was). Me and my girlfriends could have a rough day at work, get to happy hour by 6:00p, and be home in the bed by 10:30p. This was our weekly routine for several years. Other than married guys in your face complaining about their boring wives, or insecure girls looking at you like you’re turquoise, or the DJ saving his best 80’s hits for the late-night teeny boppers, happy hour was fun. Good for networking, catching up with the girls, and just unwinding from a hectic day. Hadn’t done the happy hour thing in quite a while. My weekdays are now devoted to more productive activities. But I wasn’t surprised at my reaction when I received the invitation to my colleague's farewell celebration. Oooh, the celebration's on Friday at Indebleu. Hmmm, I think I’ll go. Environment…...stuffy. Taste for alcohol…...gone. Conversation…….lame. Music……loud. Crowd……boring. Happy hour again…….doubt it. Umph. I got you, Lord.

Remembering Judy

Talk about life interrupted. My worn-out Wednesday just turned worse. Just received a call from my mother that my old church friend, Julia “Judy” Green, died at 4:45p today. So many thoughts and questions are running through mind…..she’s not even 40 years old, hasn’t been married that long, two beautiful daughters, and a wonderful family (her sister is my niece’s God-mother)…….why, what happened???? Now I want to kick myself. I had run into Judy just a couple months ago. We stood and talked in the plaza for a good twenty minutes and then I promised her that we would catch up over dinner. When she turned to walk away she limped. Did I miss my opportunity to inquire??? Did she want to tell me something??? Dinner never happened and that was the last time I saw Judy. Over the nearly twenty years that I’ve known Judy, we've had so many good talks. We could be on the phone for hours and hours and hours. But after she married and had her second daughter our friendship slowed down considerably. I understood. Umph. I’m thinking I should call my mother back. I need to tell her to remind Sister Sylvia, Judy’s mom, that Judy loved the song “We Shall Behold Him” by Vicki Winans. Umph.

Worn-Out Wednesday

I never like to call in just because I’m tired. But today was one of those days.

I actually woke-up around 4:45a to begin my morning prayer. This is unusually early for me and definitely not the norm. At about 6:25a, I drag myself to do the usual---turn on the television, turn on the computer (like to check my emails before I get to the office), scan my closet for something to wear, grab a cup of Aloe Vera juice……stop!!! It's Wednesday and so I pause to tune into the first 5 minutes of Noel Jones (yes, have to admit that Noel Jones and Bill Winston make me a little late for work on Wednesdays), only 5 minutes I tell myself.

I’m standing in front of the television waiting for Noel, but then take a seat on the side of the bed. Come on Noel, you’re taking too long. So, I look at the clock, glance myself in the closet-door mirror, and admit, girl you are tired. Nooooooo!!!! I gotta go to work. I have deadlines. I went down my mental checklist and before I could check off the last item, I was under both comforters sleeping like a baby.

I woke up at about 8:30a, emailed my boss from my Blackberry (cause the thought of going to the computer hurt), turned on the television again only to find Pope news on, and felt worse. Now I’m really feeling the pains in my body. Maybe it was the workout I did with the girls last night. Trying to keep up with one goaling to get in her bikini next week, and the other who is getting “married” next month, what was I thinking? I ain’t trying to run no marathon. But I think I trained for one last night. I’m definitely feeling it today.

At about 11:10a, I’m up and wide awake. Turned on The View only to catch Sherry Shepherd telling the world that she’s celibate now for spiritual reasons. Umph. I cheer back at the television and make my thoughts say, welcome girl, welcome!! I start clicking through the channels and think oh how depressing daytime television is.

So I get up and start walking around the house like I’m showing a home to a client. Looking up at the walls wondering why this color pallet. I’m clearly bored. Don’t want to get on the computer, maybe I can go shopping……nope not in this week’s budget……oh, let me call my mother to see how her Monterey plans are going……nope no answer.

Now I’m getting that feeling from my childhood. Why did my grandmother keep me home today??? Maybe she needed me. Or maybe I convinced her that I was sick. I’m bored. No one to play with. Oooh, almost 3:00p the girls will be home then. What!!! I missed all the fun. I’m going to school tomorrow.

As I’m making my oatmeal it hits me. Oooh, I know what I can do……read the Book of Judges. Hmmmm…..the Old Testament. I remind myself that anything after Genesis and before Job bores me. Ok, maybe not bore me, maybe more that it’s too much information for me to grasp. Hmmm....I'm up for the challenge. I’m going to get it today cause the Lord is leading me to read Judges. Now that’s productive.

Shut-Up!!!!!

Call me crazy, but I love commuting to work on the train. I had commuted by car to downtown DC for several years. That’s when my part-time gig was booming. But with the slowness (I mean stop) of the real estate market, my current commuting choices, I mean choice, went back to “get your butt back on the train.”

The Red Line---ahhhh. One of the reasons I looked forward to relocating to Montgomery County was because I really enjoy riding the Red Line. Ok, train malfunctions are little more than the others, but at least you can enjoy your commute in peace and quietness. If I want to read, I read. If I want to rest, I rest. If I want to listen to my iPod, I listen. Can’t say I can use the cell, but hey, I’m not complaining.

This morning’s commute started as usual. Train pulls in at its final destination and reloads. I took my normal seat, and plopped on my earphones. Was about to take out my book, but thought this was a beautiful morning and I just wanted to enjoy the view. Just as we were about to pull-off, the train’s conductor made an announcement, “Please be advised that the two front doors on the first car are not working, please do not attempt to exit.” Didn’t apply to me because I was on the second car. So, I did my usual…..scanned my playlist.

Pulling into the second stop---same announcement. Again, didn’t apply to me. But it obviously applied to a passenger because he sucked his teeth. Umph. Maybe he was irritated because he had to write his notes while standing on a moving train. No, maybe he’s frustrated because his numbers aren’t adding up, he owes taxes, and has a good 15 hours to file. Hmmm….not that serious. I tune back into Juanita Bynum.

Pulling into the third stop---same announcement, but this time a different reaction. Annoyed Man all of a sudden yells out, “Shut-up will you!!!!! Just Shut-up you’re freaking annoying me.” Many of the passengers looked up in amazement, startled and confused. I, being oh so “noticeable”, did what I do best in these types of situations…..bust out laughing. Couldn’t help it. It's funny to me.

Why was I really laughing? Other than the fact that it’s a family flaw to laugh in the most serious of times, it amuses me when people get angry over things they can’t control. But not just things they can’t control, things that are for their benefit. I have to admit, I am a part of “they”. Sometimes I am “they”, more than I’m me.

Ok, I think I offended Annoyed Man.

He’s staring at me. I’m staring back. A hard stare back because he’s interrupting my song with his quirks. The funny thing is I can almost guarantee he wouldn’t be bold enough to buck Jamal, I mean the train conductor, to his face. Guarantee.

Uh oh, Annoyed Man is checking his pockets. Is he looking for something? Man, I don’t have time for this. I just want to get to work.

Now I’m annoyed.

Why? Why am I allowing someone’s negative attitude affect me? “You’re right,” I told myself. So I reach for my iPod cause Juanita was clearly not what I needed at the moment. I need Fred. Fred. Fred. I search down my playlist. Got it. Fred Hammond. Before we reached the tunnel I could feel myself dozing off to “No Weapon”.

Welcome to My New Blog!!!

A couple weeks ago, I was browsing the internet and came across a youtube video. It had to be new, cause all else by this singer I had already heard and seen. But just as the Lord does, He leads at the right time, to the right place, for the right purpose. And at this time I really needed to see this. By the time the 8 minute video had stopped I was lying on my face. But I had to tell somebody, somebody who would appreciate this type of anointing and wouldn't give me the cold shoulder for calling after midnight. So I called my sister, Schley (a saanger herself). Can I just say in about 15 minutes we were both on the phone boo hooing, she at her computer, and me at mine. After we had dried up, collected ourselves, and had long hung up the phone, Schley called me again, "did you see the video in the white suit!!!!" So, what better way to launch my new blog than with the anointed voice of my all-time favorite singer, Lisa Page-Brooks. If I had to choose the person who sings the soundtrack of my life, it would be Lisa hands down. I’ve followed her ministry from the Witness days in the 80’s, and even in the 90's when I was living in sin and doing the do (lol). I think it was Witness who reminded me that Jesus is STILL Lord. So I love Lisa with all my heart and am grateful that she stayed on the path and remained a witness for yours truly. I truly believe she gets better with time. As you can hear in the video below, this type of singing anointing seems to be extinct. But as long as yours truly is living, I will promote this sistah!! Its at about 4:58 into the video that "Jill the fighter" is revealed (lol), and at about 6:19 when the "no longer bound, Jill" is revealed (lol). (P.S. The video gets overlayed for about 10 secs. Keep listening.) When you're finished......please browse and read my first two entries below. Hereafter, I will post daily (at least I'll try to). Thank you for your support and know that you are in my daily prayers. -jill

Lisa Page Brooks - I Touched Him

Luvs Me Some Oprah...

But the bus stops here and I’m getting off!!! As millions of others, I supported Oprah and her show from the beginning. I’m proud to say that Oprah inspired (in many ways): My Body – “Put that treadmill on an incline and you’ll lose 20lbs. like that (snap of a finger)” My Mind – “Don’t be afraid to dream big” But now she’s going after my soul and that ain’t happening!!! Her “A New Earth” movement has occult written all over it. Today, I finally got up the nerve to watch the DV-R version of her New Earth revolution and couldn’t help but to feel sad. Sad because unfortunately so many people are looking for answers, have given up on true Christianity, and therefore are jumping on the bandwagon to any foolishness that will band aid the residue of wrong decisions. So I watched. And from my understanding (you can’t get a full understanding in confusion), but from what I gathered the concept is to tap into your self and allow your self (inner being) to guide your life in the present. Wow, that cancels hope. And faith. And love. And self-control. Basically, all the Fruits of the Spirit. But I continued watching. Ok, is it just me…..but is the only thing more depressing than following others who are lost, is relying on one’s lost self to be a personal guide through this life. The thought is demonic. Several "new earth" people around the world who were satellite guests on the show gave examples of their success relying on self-consciousness. One dying woman in Canada expressed her “embracing death acceptance” since she now understands that there is an afterlife after death. The question is.....where does she plan to spend her afterlife? But then Oprah, after being previously recorded denouncing Christ, claims that she is a Christian and that it is totally ok for you to still practice your religion and tap into “yourself”. Then she tries to justify it by saying that to be Christian is to be Christ-like, which Christ was the human of God therefore, to be Christian we have to walk in the flesh. This is a para-phrase, but it sums up what she tried to relay to the baffling audience, including me. Unfortunately, she only got a third of the truth. And when you’re missing the Holy Spirit, you’re pretty much….missing the truth and are lost. The only way I could grasp this whole new paradigm shift, which I’m sure will lead millions astray, is to rely on God’s Word: “But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger” --Romans 2:8 “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good…..” --2 Timothy 3:1-3 “And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve." – 2 Corinthians 11:12-15

My New New York

What a weekend!!! Can I just say that I needed it!!! I was very hesitant to make the weekend journey only because I’m such a routine person during the week. Work by 9:29a, treadmill by 5:46p, home by 8:37p. If I had my way, my weekends would have no clock. And that’s usually how I like to approach it. Not always the case when you have a large family and close friends. But whatever’s on the agenda, I try to stay close to home. However, the last couple weeks have been nerve-racking and this weekend I really needed to be in a different environment. When I received the invitation to New York, I jumped on it. Ok, didn’t quite jump full speed ahead, but I did entertain the idea. I kept saying to myself, “If it’s meant for me to take this 5-hour journey then Lord you have to give me confirmation.” The first confirmation. The hotel room for the entire weekend was free due to my Marriott Rewards points. The second confirmation. I had enough vacation leave to allow for a “free Friday” from the office. And the third confirmation, this is where it gets interesting. Ok, if you tell me I’m going to New York and it only takes 5 hours to get to the (unfamiliar) city of Middletown, then the route in my head is I-95 to the NJ Turnpike. After that, I figured I’d get off between exits 13 and 16. I’m a native New Yorker, so I KNOW I have to either cross the Verazzano Bridge or hit the Holland Tunnel to get to a Middletown, NY. WRONG!!! After doing a Map Quest, I realized Middletown, NY was on the state side of New York, not the city. According to the directions, it was best for me to go through Harrisburg, PA bypassing Delaware and New Jersey. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Don’t want to go that way!! This is NOT a Harrisburg weekend!!! I kept arguing with Map Quest. But then the Lord spoke to me and said, “And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them." --Isaiah 42:16. At that point, the spontaneous trip was pretty much planned. Friday morning I began tossing a few things in my overnight bag. I took down one of my favorite pairs of Juicy Couture’s, but quickly reminded myself, “jill, this is not that type of trip." So I threw them back in the pretty pink box, and grabbed my shoe boots and little black flats. Two pairs of jeans, a couple sweaters (might be cold in the mountains), undergarments, and a few toiletries and I was considered packed. I grabbed all my chargers, oh and my flat iron, and was out by noon. I gassed up Kay, programmed my iPod and Bluetooth into the car, and began worshipping before I hit I-270. I cried tears of joy and peace as I rode through Harrisburg (sorry can’t stop. I’m on a mission). As I wound through the mountains, oooohing and ahhhing over the scenery, I couldn’t help but say “thank you Lord for allowing me to enjoy your presence in a rare way”. By the time I got between the two snowy mountains that supported the unfamiliar sign, “Welcome to New York”, I was in full-blown tears. In addition to just being God all by himself, I think I was too crying because I have allowed myself to be so closed-minded. I actually thought I knew everything, but yet again, God revealed himself. Oh, the purpose of the trip......an intimate weekend of prayer, worship, and fellowship with a new set of friends. I will be visiting my new New York on a regular.