EGO TRIPPING- DECLARE TO THE WORLD, " I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE!"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikki_Giovanni

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Psalm 139:13,14 (New International Version - UK)

Happy Friday my friends! For many of us it’s a day to slow our pace, smell the roses, breathe and acknowledge that it’s a TGIF (Thank God’s It’s Friday) moment. We’ve been through many emotional roller coasters-but we made it. I wanted to just share something inspirational to help you jumpstart your weekend. Think of this as a work reprieve.

Yes, I am sure your agree respite is in order, but it’s appropriate, I believe to first acknowledge God for his sweet grace and mercy! He has seen us through another week! As we prepare to enter into a more relaxed mode I wanted to provide you with some inspirational jazz music from a festival; but I really didn’t locate what I had desired, so I thought instead; I’ll let you select your own favorite artists but delight you with one of my favorite poetess.

Yes, she’s the incomparable, the magnanimous, the genius, the marvelous, the wonderful Nikki Giovanni. This seasoned, sanctified poet will delight your senses and lift your spirits. You’ll really celebrate her creativity and brilliance of conveying who’s you are and to whom you belong! In our spirits friend we can confidentlyego trip (the holy scripture gives us divine license) to comfortably declare to the world:

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139: 13,14 (New International Version - UK)

Take a moment to enjoy this you tube video of Nikki’s poem: Ego Tripping and thank the person who wonderfully selected images that reflect Nikki’s expressions. And for those that aren’t familiar with “bad” in the vernacular it means awesome. Keep ego "tripping ya'll" God is well aware of our praise and thanksgiving!

EGO TRIPPING BY NIKKI GIOVANI

Ego Tripping by Nikki Giovanni (1973)

I was born in the Congo.

I walked to the Fertile Crescent and built the sphinx.
I designed a pyramid so tough that a star
that only glows every one hundred years falls
into the center giving divine perfect light.
I am bad.
I sat on the throne
drinking nectar with Allah.
I got hot and sent an ice age to Europe
to cool my thirst.
My oldest daughter is Nefertiti.
The tears from my birth pains
created the Nile.
I am a beautiful woman.
I gazed on the forest and burned
out the Sahara desert.
With a packet of goat's meat
and a change of clothes,
I crossed it in two hours.
I am a gazelle so swift,
so swift you can't catch me.
For a birthday present when he was three,
I gave my son Hannibal an elephant.
He gave me Rome for mother's day.
My strength flows ever on.
My son Noah built an ark and
I stood proudly at the helm
as we sailed on a soft summer day.
I turned myself into myself and was Jesus.
Men intone my loving name.
All praises all praises,
I am the one who would save.
I sowed diamonds in my back yard.
My bowels deliver uranium.
The filings from my fingernails are
semi-precious jewels.
On a trip north,
I caught a cold and blew
my nose giving oil to the Arab world.
I am so hip even my errors are correct.
I sailed west to reach east and had to round off
the earth as I went.
The hair from my head thinned and gold was laid
across three continents.
I am so perfect so divine so ethereal so surreal.
I cannot be comprehended except by my permission.
I mean...I...can fly
like a bird in the sky...
http://www.geocities.com/wenjin92014/poem/giovanni.htm

Other blog writings about Nikki Giovani

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/2008/07/celebrating-blessed-and-breaking.html

From My Heart To Yours

Linda Mose Meadows, Author

The Blessedness of Believing

A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises( Tate, Nov. 2007)

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

ANOTHER TESTIMONY: RECONNECTING WITH FRIENDS FROM YESTERYEAR!

Pursue, righteousness, faith, love and peace.

2 Timothy 2:22

This is another testimony, I just have to share God's goodness! In one day I've connected with several outstanding friends from Buffalo, New York. I am giggling with delight. It's been many years since we attended an high school play, or encouraged our peers to join NAACP's Buffalo Youth Chapter or danced all night! But the memories are pronounced and the cold days of walking in thigh high snow to our friends home's remained forever etched in my memory. I bet their's as well. My one regret is that my dear friend, Mileka isn't here to celebrate this virtual reunion, Lord knows she'd appreciate this moment. She could always keep me abreast of what was going on and who married, had children and moved to another city. Surely, she must be gazing down from heaven and smiling! She loved reconnecting with friends and rlaughing about our high school days! We do grow up, face challenges, celebrate milestones and try to move past regrets with lessons learned and strive for better tommorrows.

Nicolette Mesiah

Mesiah Event Planners Inc.

These friends from Buffalo's yesteryears are doing great things in their communities and most assuredly are enjoying life! It makes my heart particuarly happy to know this!

Artistic Adornment from Evette V. Everett

I praise God for this; they are all accomplished in their own right. They are entreprenuers: jewerly designers with anointed bead work creations, event planners with healthy gourmet foods and and a radio personality, but more importantly an officiando on Jazz Music. They all have exuberant spirits and are boldly accomplishing and treking down innovative paths. I am confident that the Holy Spirit concurs that they are our poster persons of grace and accomplishment! It's ok to model their persuaverance -"Just you do you! " as Robin likes to say! In other words, live your life like only you can! Dream and don't let go!

The Queen of Hang: Sheila E. Anderson

Well, I am sure you agree my friends this was so amazing-the benefits of the internet! One link my husband shared led me to three friends! It wasd done through the world wide web with the click of the mouse, and then my hitting send from my electronic mailbox, led me to their virtual doors. I pray they'll stay in touch and we'll evently see each other in person, really laugh out loud-eat some of Nicky's great food as we celebrate with Shelia's jazz collection serenading us and we acknowledge God's goodness in allowing us to be who He's has intended us to be! I pray you'll reconnect with your friends very soon and share your testimonies. In the meantime be sure to visit their websites, support their endeavors and be confident that realizing your true mission and opportunity is in view! Blessings To You!

Trusting and Believing God,

Linda Mose Meadows, Author

The Blessedness of Believing
A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises (Tate Publishing, Nov. 2007)http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

LAUGHTER IS THE SUN....

“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.”
—Victor Hugo (1802-1885); poet, novelist, playwright
Foundation for a Better Life Quote of the Day March 16, 2009

I awoke early this morning to find that my husband was diligently writing his devotional: I Was Made for the Entire World to See . After reading it I felt like he had read my heart mail, my mind and sifted through my unspoken concerns. The words and sentiment he expressed was all mine. The Holy Ghost was right on target this morning. As I remained in bed, my prayers began to lift and then I recalled last night‘s dream of trying to convince my mother and grandmother to live with me instead of remaining “home.”

My plea was, "See it’s much too much snow and others had moved away, why not join them?" It’s really my heart’s desire that that occur along with several other family matters that are pressing me. It makes my heart anxious and my spirit down when I dwell on this. And then I remembered this wonderfully funny cartoon that Renita emailed. And sure enough the Better Life Foundation’s inspirational e-message stated that:

“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.”
—Victor Hugo (1802-1885); poet, novelist, playwright

It’s apparent that God is encouraging me to include laughter in my life! Could this also be your case? My spirit is wondering: “At this moment Lord?” "Laughter!" Friends, He’s spoken, “Yes right this minute!”

I believe God desires that we not only make a joyful noise, but have a content spirit and merry heart as He works things out on our behalf! Just for fun I searched laughter on blueletterbible.com and several scriptures were referenced:

Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning

and your joy to gloom.

James 4:9

Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them."

Psalm 126:2


He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.

Job 8:21

So, my friends I beleive that the lesson for today is: even in the midst of trials, testing’s, adversity, hardships, difficulties and misfortunes and uncertainties laughter is in order. Take a real good look; why it’s holding hands with joy! Yes; let the entire world see God’s glory in your laughter and in your heart just trust that the sun/SON (Christ Jesus) is shining on all that concerns you!



Written from my heart to yours!!
Linda Mose Meadows, Author
The Blessedness of Believing
A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises
http://www.blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/