GOD'S BEEN JUST THAT GOOD!

Howard Magazine Fall 2010 Renewing Our Legacy~

Howard University Alumn (class '79)

Linda Mose Meadows cherishing this moment!

The Blessedness of Believing

A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises

on Bison Bookshelf page 44.

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music;
make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing,
with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn

shout for joy before the LORD, the King.
Let the sea resound, and everything in it,

the world, and all who live in it.
Let the rivers clap their hands, Let the mountains sing together for joy;

let them sing before the LORD,

for he comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.

Psalm 98:4-9 NIV

God’s been so good!

He’s been just that good!

That’s a snippet of the lyrics from songstress extraordinaire Lalah Hathaway. Her heartfelt lyrics and Kirk Whalum’s moving music causes me to sway, rock rhythmically, shake my head and dance in my spirit! It’s my lunch hour, my brief stroll has concluded, my office door is shut, my salad awaits me and my heart is about to burst. It's my intention to also catch up and read my Fall 2010 Howard Magazine. This is too much for the moment, but it’s ok. I shut out confusion and joy envelopes my workspace. I must, must contain myself. When I reflect on the many wonders, the innumerable demonstrated acts of grace and mercy that God doles out continually. Yes, continually to not only me, but my friends and let’s not talk about our family members that have overcome many obstacles, setbacks and experienced miracles.

It is cause for a full blown celebration!

It is reason to just sing, sing with passion about a passionate Holy Father’s unconditional love! I am being serenaded during lunch! I just can’t stop sharing Kirk Whalum’s exemplary job with his CD entitled: The Gospel According to Jazz III.

No more fitting Gospel in a neat little compartment. It’s so much more. I am so grateful for this awesome collection of instrumental and jazz renditions of some seasoned favorites and now new selections that usher us into praise and worship. The words, the expressions and the ignited thanksgiving for a Savior that saves and anchors us--it’s timely as always. It’s no wonder I am reflecting on God’s favor that’s unmerited on our behalf. I just have to acknowledge God and thank Him! Hope you too are doing likewise? It’s lunch time and the spiritual food is sumptuous! My devotional being featured in my Alma Mater-Howard University’s Fall 2010 issue of Howard Magazine’s Bison Book Shelf just causes me to sing louder and appreciate all the more how God’s been just that good!

The Gospel According to Jazz III

Overjoyed!
Linda Mose Meadows, Urban Views Weekly Columnist and Inspirational Author of: The Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises and Co-publisher of Eyes of Faith Magazine
http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/
http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/ http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/

CHANGE IS EMINENT~BLESSED AND TRUSTING

An evening to recount, aprreciate and marvel God's goodness!

Have you had the opportunity to rediscover a favorite scripture, a sacred journal entry, a favorite poem, a misplaced book, a cherished photo, music you've long forgotten, that one lost cuff link or ear ring? It's probably all within arms reach! Just open a cluttered kitchen or dresser drawer, delve into the contents of that unsealed packed box or simply open and read through several computer files-trust me your bound to unearth some long forgotten treasure.

Well, I too have those encourters continually as I try to purge and endeavor to create my orderly space-I find more things that I just am not ready to discard. I recently revisted this writing Blessed and Trusting and knew with out a doubt, God meant it that way. The scriptures are timely and my spirit knew it must be reposted and shared with someone.

The occassion came last month! I was invited by our dear friend Father Graham to share on a Wednesday evening with the Women's Group of St. John's on how I apply God's leading, his promises and the Holy Scripture in my daily life. Perfect opporunity, I knew just what to reach for! My best example of how I am lead to carve out my devotionals and apply God's word is found in Blessed and Trusting.

That evening with the women of St. John's was confirmation for me on many spiritual / heart mantters that I'd prayed about. We had honest, heartfelt discussions. I read and recounted some of my spiritual journey, some learned life lessons, my Blessed and Trusting devotional and then concluded with an instrumental jazz rendition of Yes Jesus Loves Me. It was a remarkable experience, I mentally revisit that moment and savor that Divine experience. That moment was indeed an answer to prayer! I encouraged all to embrace the realization that God is truly active in our midst. Often it's a gesture or an invitation!

P.S. The wonderful women of St. John's will be incorporating my devotional: The Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises with their Bible Study. How wonderful is that! Thank you Lord for such amazing events!

Blessed and Trusting

O my God, in you our
fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed. Psalm 22:4-5

Much to my surprise as I walked during my lunch
hour, I moved from the pavement on to the grassy area and appreciated the natural cushion under my feet. As I enjoyed the view of the boats docked, listened to the birds happily chirping, marveled at the eb and flow of the water, I realized that the sun was a little to warm on my brow, but that was really ok. I smiled, because underneathe my feet were crunchy leaves. It felt exhilarating to be able to move my limbs, feel the sun and escape from the routine work duties. What I really appreciated were the crunchy leaves.

The leaves signaled for me another change. Another season was
approaching, fall was in the air. My mind raced back to when my brothers and I would pile the crunchy fallen leaves and dive into them, we were serious acrobats. Nose dives, back flips, belly flops, oh was that fun! I am sure we entertained ourselves for hours with the other neighborhood kids. I never remember being hurt or someone complaining that they had hit the pavement underneath the layers of leaves.

So here I am many, many years later long gone are my childhood days, but for a moment I relive that joy of that moment. We were really trusting that the pile was cushion enough to absorb the impact of our fall. Thank you Holy Ghost for that –what cushions our fall now during over ever changing seasons? I pray it’s your trust in God!

Praise the Lord! For he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust in him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28: 6, 7

I am truly appreciating that childhood memory and understanding that seasons in our lives come unexpectantly nevertheless they will come. And I’d like to think and just give testament that when I believed my journey would result in one way, another episode was birthed. But like you we got through many roller coaster seasons of lack, sickness, sorrow, poverty, plenty, health, wealth, and happiness.

Like you I now understand it’s critical for our mental and spiritual health to study God’s word, embrace those spiritual truths which will result in our maturity-our faith being built up. Does this sound familiar? “If only I knew then what I know now!” Were you like me friends during our seasons of deep despair we couldn’t fathom that the end of that particular season was just around the corner?

In retrospect, I believe we miss the whole point of a particular season whether we perceive it as good or not. There were many life lessons that probably escaped me because I was so consumed with getting over the hurdle that seemed to consume me! Well that was then and thank God this is now.


Admittedly I didn’t value and understand the worth of the valley seasons as I do now. Are you in agreement with me that during each season there is growth and maturity? Our emotions can choke the life out of us!

The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. Luke 8:14

Well, now we understand that we should just learn to have appreciated that life lesson of _________________ (you fill in the blank). Because just as spring turns to summer and summer into fall, if we simply activate our father’s faith, have our mother’s resolve and our grandmother’s wisdom and TRUST that God does save! As
Darryl Coley sings to the utmost Jesus Saves!!! Change is eminent and the Lord will anchor us through all our seasons—if I simply trust HIM- the all wise, all knowing, all loving Heavenly Father!

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, have never abandoned anyone who searches for you. Psalm 9:10

Come on let’s finish our lunch walk and be
sure to enjoy the changing autumn leaves! Blessings to you!

Joyfully Submitted by
Linda Mose Meadows
Inspirational Columnist & Author of: The Blessedness of Believing-
A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/