Surely there will be instances when we stagger, stumble and fall! Life's setbacks happen! But that's never the end of the story. There is more living ahead for us. Dreams yet to be realized. With breathe in our bodies and a determined spirit we can dust ourselves off and keep moving. It may feel a little ackward getting back in stride, but we'll surely gain momentum in time! God is at the helm! I believe you'll laugh out loud and easily relate to this uplifting column found on the website entitled: Dignity Intactwritten for my Inspirational Column in Urban Views Weekly.
Remember our digity is intact, we will win!
Sharing in Faith, 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 http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/
I understand that not many families are enjoying eating meals together. We’re missing out on some vital family dynamics. Problem solving, conflict resolution, making amends, learning about the art of conversing and coping- yes, these skills can be acquired at the kitchen table. I admit often it’s easier being busy, rather than facing our generational giants. But this requires our presence and participation in the name of sharing a meal!
Things are swiftly changing with this fast food age of eating on the run. We miss out on important family matters when we aren’t sharing, conversing and connecting with each other at a sacred mealtime. We’ll imagine having a spiritual mealtime, where you can be reacquainted with God? An actual time or moment to converse (pray) with God!
How can this be you wonder? Actually experiencing time where we can abandon our many life’s concerns and partake in a soul liberating feast? Oh I contend it can happen when we carve out our time with God to pray, meditate, worship. This meal will allow us to seek spiritual direction and garner tremendous results. Our spirits will concur, “ Ok, I got it!” and we’ll know we’re in God’s care. You’ll then understand fully what it means to feast on God’s word. You arrive often and discover that your personal issues won’t block your opportunity to dine.
Go ahead, exhale and release the cares of this world. We are all invited to the table, read your Bibles and Holy Scripture –the feast is going on and the table is spread! Wholesome spiritual food awaits you and me. Feeling hungry in your soul? Nourishment waits you. There’s a place at the table and company of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost will entreat you. Living water flows freely! No need to feel or be malnourished anymore my friends!
There you and your families will feast in the presence of the LORD your God,
and you will rejoice in all you have accomplished because the LORD your God has blessed you. Deu 12:7
Hyatt Moore - The Last Supper with Twelve Tribes
Master Painter, Hyatt Moore did an outstanding job of capturing Christ’s humanity and divinity in his creative and timely interpretation of The Last Supper. It’s evident from this artist interpretation that all are welcome, not a soul is excluded. Enjoy Hyatt’s video in which he eloquently expresses the love that Christ has for all of us. Cultural Diversity is present! Imagine the disciples are a reflection of who we are and to whom we belong. There’s room at the table. Thank you Lord. This calls for a celebration hymn. Sing along with Richard Smallwood & Vision. Grab your seat and as folks say, “take a load off your feet and sit on down!”
Richard Smallwood & Vision - Feast of the Lord/At The Table
Lyrics of Richard Smallwood’s Feast of the Lord/At The Table
Come on in where the table is spread and the feast of the Lord is going on
Come on in where the table is spread and the feast of the Lord is going on
Come on in where the table is spread and the feast of the Lord is going on
Come on in where the table is spread and the feast of the Lord is going on
Joy is here where the table is spread and the feast of the Lord is going on
Joy is here where the table is spread and the feast of the Lord is going on
(Seekin' healing for your body) It's over here (Seekin' healing for your soul) Over here (Seekin' for your souls' salvation) It's over here (If you want the Lord to make you whole!) Over here
Love is here where the table is spread and the feast of the Lord is going on
Love is here where the table is spread and the feast of the Lord is going on
(If you need more strength and more power) It's over here (relief from your burden and your pain) Over here (Seekin' for some joy in your sorrow) It's over here (feast and you will never be the same) Over here
Peace is here where the table is spread and the feast of the Lord is going on
Peace is here where the table is spread and the feast of the Lord is going on
It's here right now want you need is waiting at table!
It's here right now want you need
At the table, At the table, At the table At the table, it's here!
WONDERFUL WORKSHOP FACILITATOR WITH CREATIVE INGENUITY:
ARTIST CLAYTON SINGELTON
(ENJOY MORE WORKSHOP PHOTOS ON CLAYTON'S FACEBOOK PAGE)
As we express our gratitude,
we must never forget that the
highest appreciation is not to utter words,
but to live by them.” John F. Kennedy (1917-1963); 35th Us President
I am a new fan of the Artist, Clayton Singleton. I think Mr. Singleton is a delightful anomaly among men and women. He’s not only a very reflective individual, but he’s engaging, warm, insightful, witty and yes extremely artistic. I am sure others would agree with my observation and assessment of this art educator, motivational speaker and mentor! No he can't be pigeonholed! He’s a stellar individual that desires to impact the world in a most meaningful way. I had the distinct pleasure of participating in a very creative endeavor entitled: A SHOE OF YOUR OWN WORKSHOPand was that ever therapeutic, and not to overlook that it was just great fun to be creative! The focus was to tell your story with your very own shoes. Each workshop participant was invited to bring their worn and new “soles”.
The interesting shoes that each participant brought ignited lots of conversatiion and good laughter. Some of the shoes were sparkly, some were tennis shoes, high top sneakers, others were a part of their bygone days of a corporate uniform. Some shoes were playful, run over, a memorable hospital boot worn for foot surgery, some were a cute but uncomfortable sling backs (those were mine) and several were fierce stilettos. All of the shoes and boots seemed to have made a pronounced statement prior to the appliqués and paints. But afterwards these adorned creations magically sang with exuberance. The shoes varied just like their owners! We were all happily engaged and serious about this creative project. I thoroughly appreciated this artful expression on a Sunday afternoon at the d’Art Center.
It was a mutual sigh of disbelief when the time wound down. We weren’t ready to conclude. It was good medicine. Had it not been for my friend Linda, I would have missed out on a treat. Workshop participants were invited to a private viewing of the A SHOE OF YOUR Own exhibit in the Seldan Arcade's d’Art Center Gallery. It was evident that each featured artist shared not only their love for shoes, but stepped out of the confines of society’s dictates regarding footwear. Like the textile kaleidoscope of the stiletto’s created by Mixed Media/Textile Artist Peggy Beardslee, this was indeed some extremely artful interpretation.
Thanks to the brilliance of Clayton Singleton, this was no ordinary day! I encourage you to visit the Seldan Arcade filled with awesome art galleries and amazing artists at work! And be sure to stop in a visit Clayton Singleton. The instance you say, “Hello", you’ll know you’ve encountered an extraordinary human being! Give him my fondest regards when you see him! Since his parting words of wisdom, let him know we’re walking prouder and some of us are even skipping!
The d'ART Center Selden Arcade 208 East Main St. Norfolk, VA 23510 Phone: 757-625-4211 757-625-4211 Fax: 757-965-4091
Expressing Thanksgiving & Joy! Linda Mose Meadows, Author & Inspirational Columnist: The Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/ http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/
"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
New International Version (NIV)
Author, Linda Mose Meadows and son, Michael
Celebrating a "WOW Moment" on Youtube
Keep believing friends in unexpected blessings and brighter days on our horizons! This is no cliché, God does have great things in store for you and me. My YouTube video is a good news report; it’s my creative way of sharing my recent personal "wow moment"!
This “wow moment” is about my literary contribution and it being published in The International Review of African American Art Volume 23, No. 1, 2010 edition. My article is entitled: "Superior to Circumstance – The Splendor Within," an "Art, Body and Soul" column on visually-impaired sculptor Chappelle Letman, pg 41. Mr. Letman is an incredible artist and human being with resilient faith!
The icing on the cake was learning that my son, Michael is also sharing this testimony of how God will honor your heart's desires. He's a newly published journalist and has written about the renowned artist Samella Lewis. His column is entitled: Samella Lewis Visits The HU Museum pg. 50. The International Review of African American Art Volume 23, No. 1 2010 Editor, Juliette Harris chose to place our columns in the same publication. Now that’s clearly how God orchestrates his blessings! He provides us with a universal testimony.
Art by Samella Lewis
I hope this news encourages you to stay the course and continue on your journeys, assured that God knows the plans He has for each of us, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11.
For the bible and our celebratory moments tells us so!
Expressing Thanksgiving & Joy!
Linda Mose Meadows, Author & Inspirational Columnist:
The Blessedness of Believing
A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises
CURRENT WORD RECORD HOLDER, 1000M AND 1500M (2009)
How precious is your unfailing love, O God!
All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 36:7
I don’t know who told them that they couldn’t do what they dare to dream and succeed in? Don't know! Who am I speaking of? Athletes and those with athletic spirits of course! But, I do know what they’re accomplishing speaks volumes about their grit and resolve! We can relive the history of their amazing accomplishments because of this innovative age of the internet. I thank God for that marvel of technology! Need some awe inspiring moments to get your momentum and stride back?
Well friends put your olympic gear on and celebrate with Shani Davis and the other sellar olympians. Choose your favorite team or personality it doesn’t matter. What matters is these athletes are true spiritual models in human form. They are fearfully and wonderfully created. They are winners, who don’t give in and give up. Winners that are breaking records and defying the odds, ignoring the nay sayers and donning the gold, silver and bronze metals. But as Shani reminds us it’s about being humaniatarians on a journey, a quest to make a difference. Here let’s take a look at these youtube channels and web sites:
Theses videos chronicle persuaverance and demonstrates tenancity and grit. What we’ve witnessed I pray makes your spirit leap! Whether it be the forceful and determined glides or the death defying freestyle aerial feats of the USA 2010 Olympics Women-all of this encourages my heart, that I simply need to start, do the work, begin the journey and trust that outcome will be favorable. Let's get on board with that perspective. But we must begin. Faith that’s what these athletes have. I don’t pretend to know what voice they’re embracing, but I trust that it’s one that says, “You are a winner don’t quit, stay in the game!” Yes, we too are in the shadow of God’s wings! Oh my friends these brave at heart souls give deeper meaning to the scripture:
“How precious is your unfailing love, O God!
All humanity finds shelter in the Shadow of your wings.”
Psalm 36:7
Expressing Thanksgiving & Joy! Linda Mose Meadows, Author & Inspirational Columnist: The Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/
Distinguished Poet, Author, Humanitarian, Poet Laureate, National Book Award Recipient, Professor, an American Literary Giant, Her book: “Good Woman: Poems and a Memoir, 1969-1980” (BOA, 1987) was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry in 1988. She won in 2001 for ‘Blessing the Boats.’ She was also the first African American woman to win the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize.
BORN:
Thelma Lucille Sayles was born on June 27, 1936, in Depew, N.Y., and reared in nearby Buffalo.
MARRIED:
In 1958 she married Fred Clifton and together they had six children.
Some of Ms. Clifton’s early work was published in “The Poetry of the Negro, 1746-1970” (Doubleday, 1970), edited by Langston Hughes and Arna Bontemps.
The Poet Society of America will honor Lucille as planned on April 1, 2010, at 7pm at the National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park, New York.
This prominent woman shook the literary world with her exuberance and honesty.
May her works continue to inspire and leave indelible impressions in our hearts and minds.
