SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO ENCOURAGE OURSELVES

You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.”
www.forabetterlife.org
—Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924), 28th U.S. President

Thanks to the quote of the day from Foundations For A Better Life. This inspirational quote also encouraged my heart. Admittedly, I am upset, yes really angry, but understand that I can’t let these frustrations hinder my goals (as I prepared for work this morning-that thought layed heavy on my mind)-yes we’ve got to speak life into our situations and encourage ourselves during those instances. I truly am internalizing that now!

I was blown away when I discovered I couldn’t enter my personal email, only to discover that hackers, thieves, and bandits whatever you wish to call these folks. My husband informed me that a relative phoned him and wondered if I were ok? I was puzzled by the inquiry and continued on with work. I then received an email which made it very clear. Apparently the hackers sent all my e-contacts a letter indicating that I was stranded in England (a place I’ve yet to visit), lost my wallet (heaven forbid) and needed a great sum of money to return to the US. The suggested way I was allegedly going to return home was by my contacts going to Western Union wiring money.

Lord knows my heart hurts just to share this nonsense! It’s a SCAM!! A LIE, FRAUD! This fabulous and elaborate tale was shared with all my family, friends, new contacts, colleagues and whoever received this contrived mess! They must still be scratching their heads! I’ve requested from HOT MAIL that this account be disabaled-certaintly I can’t use it, but I want the crooks stopped because they are sending messages with my name attached. Oh I pray that others can see through this lie!

Friends I want vindication, I want an immediate resolution, certainly I don’t want my character maligned or integrity questioned. I’ve contacted the proper authorities and taken measures to contact law enforcement, Western Union, Hot Mail, etc., etc! But the truth is: just maybe I will miss seeing the crooks apprehended, just possibly this matter of closing out my hotmail account will take longer than I had hoped for- (automated messages seem to be protocol-I’ve been unable to speak with a human being) and just possibly some unsuspecting soul is being set up now and they too will suffered through the uncertainty of having their email compromised and identity stolen!

Friends, safeguard your identity as best you can. Google sites that educate you about combating identity fraud. But more importantly know that God still sits on the throne and cares about what concerns us! Take heart, share your frustrations with Him, don’t abandon your dreams and visions. Don’t be consumed by the evil, breathe! And take comfort- trust that what the enemy meant for our demise, well God meant it for your good! Tuck this scripture in your heart and move on! We will be all right!!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Joyfully Submitted by:

Linda Mose Meadows, author

The Blessedness of Believing

A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lesson’s and God’s Promises

Enjoy other writings:

Click on Blessed Chronicles http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

JON ONYE LOCKARD~GREAT & ANOINTED VISIONS

We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,

which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

“The need for devotion to something outside ourselves is even more profound than the need for companionship. If we are not to go to pieces or wither away, we must have some purpose in life; for no man can live for himself alone.”
—Ross Parmenter; writer, anthropologist
Foundationforabetterlife.org

I literally felt the urgency to attend this awe inspiring art exhibit of Jon Lockard’s Reclamation, Reconstruction and Reaffirmation at Hampton University. And quickly understood why I just couldn’t conclude my work day and arrive at the exhibit fast enough! God had something wonderful in store for me and others on that particular evening! My spirit, oh my soul, my eyes, my heart delighted in this masterful work that was presented on the evening of September 26, 2008. As you entered the exhibit “Lord Take My Hand” was the first piece which clearly opened the way for guests. How appropriate –it set the stage for not only a tremendous evening but for all guests ushered into the gallery.

As I witnessed gallery guests appreciating this masterful exhibit, I too was in that number! I could feel the depth and compassion of not only the painter but easily embrace the subject matter of Reclamation, Reconstruction and Reaffirmation. I didn’t have to just appreciate the art; I could visibly witness the artist’s humbly interacting and greeting those that realized that Jon Onye Lockard was present- in the gallery. Yes friends, he was in the house! I hope his wife also felt the esteem, the admiration and the appreciation that was directed toward her amazing husband. The contemporary, “renaissance griot” was present and had so much on his mind and heart.

It was evening to become saturated with the artist and all of the pearls of wisdom he imparted. He praised his mentor John Biggers and saluted his contemporaries- their artistic works adorned the halls of the Hampton University Museum,also. For a moment he lead in praise and worship! The atmosphere was ripe with thanksgiving! He shared that he had had an opportunity to see his comrades, his teachers and mentors work in the gallery earlier that day. his heart and mind couldn't fathom that this opportunity was being realized. This was hallow ground! We all chuckled, but understood his sincerity when he remarked that he was “afraid to go to sleep because surely I must have died and gone to heaven-I might not wake up.” He further commented, “You all have no idea!” He closed his eyes for a brief moment and I knew that He was praising God for that joy and that moment in which he was allowed to experience and to live see that day.

Truth be told we were blessed for being in his presence and Haki Madhubuti’s (Essayist, Poet, CEO and founder of Third World Press, Distinguished University Professor, founder and director emeritus of the Gwendolyn Brooks Center for Black Literature and Creative Writing and director of the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program at Chicago State Univ ) poem which was presented to Jon Lockard resonated with that truth. Great love was expressed for Jon’s dedication to awakening our consciousness and instilling pride across the nation through his artistic master pieces.

As Jon sat on a stool the listeners were spell bound with his lecture as he shared his story through poetry, stirring gospel music, and a video chronicling our/his African and American Legacy and his interpretations of survival, love, triumph and ultimately realizing was it meant to be an artist-a painter passionate about life! Painting gave Jon's living new meaning! Certainly this man appreciates and realizes how God has anointed him to share his gift, address the divine that resides in us and to celebrate our humanity and dignity. I felt a greater since of pride and appreciation of my African and American heritage,ancestry and can’t stop praising God for an awesome evening.

I pray you’ll have an opportunity to visit the Hampton University Museum or visit an exhibit of Jon’s work in your community.

Take a moment, behold and enjoy Visions of Destiny, Inc. http://www.jononye.com/

My prayer of thanksgiving:

Thank you Lord for providing us with Jon’s celebration of masterful art work of our humanity and his inner vision of your beauty and love towards us! May he live to know our appreciation of him and continue realize even greater goodness in his life,. Bless his wife, family and his worthy endeavors! Glory to your name! Amen.

Joyfully Submitted by:Linda Mose Meadows,
author :The Blessedness of Believing
A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lesson’s and God’s Promises
Enjoy other writings:Click on Blessed Chronicles http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com