IT'S JUST THAT EASY SAY,"YES TO THE DRESS!"

“A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it,

bearing within him the image of a cathedral.”

Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900-1944);
French Author

If I had not known better, I would have thought I was in a department store warehouse. No, but this was a school gymnasium. There I stood with on April 11, 2014  witnessing many happy parents and their daughters saunter out of Hill House High School with stunning prom dresses and accessories only if they desired-at no cost! The beauty of this afternoon was seeing the apparent joy on everyone's face, not to overlook the fact that parents didn't have to spend exorbitant amounts on prom expenses. This was a win win event!  Find a prom dress, try it on if you wish, claim it and leave with a smile. The pressure of purchasing and acquiring a prom dress was no longer a factor! Thanks to the ingenuity of Ms. Khalilah Abdulrahim good things are occuring for many young people in Connecticut. She truly has a heart for New Haven's young people and assisting them in making their dreams happen. She realizes the importance of them achieving scholastic excellence in pursuit of brighter futures. She's birthed Project Hope, and endeavors to turn dreams into possibilities! In my estimation Khalilah's truly a super star! Learn about her amazing endeavors and her circle of supporters for good which has rippled throughout this community-"Say Yes To The Dress” what a novel idea!  Go right ahead Khalilah and move to the front of the class. http://articles.courant.com/2014-04-11/community/hcrs-87733-statewide-20140409_1_dresses-project-hope-hillhouse-high-school 

http://www.projecthopect.org/
I thank God for witnessing such a power packed day!

Transformed by the Love of God, Linda Mose Meadows; Blogger, Motivational Speaker and Inspirational Author of: Destined To Receive: Reflections and Devotionals Celebrating  The Love of God (Createspace, 2013) and Blessedness of Believing  A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises (Tate Publishing, 2007) 

 http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

 http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/

 http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/   

CELEBRATING AN AUTHOR'S DREAM COMES TRUE!

Photo by Linda Mose Meadows @ Diva's Bookclub 2014

 I would have been without hope if I had not believed that I would see the loving-kindness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Psalm 27:13

This was an author's dream come true! Being the featured book of the month! So happy to be a part of the Divas Digest Bookclub in New Haven, Connecticut! Several weeks ago (April 2014) I had opportunity to share my literary and spiritual journey and engage in some wonderful, soul searching discussions. It was an honor to be the author for April's book selection, my devotional: The Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey Of Life's Lesson and God's Promises by Linda Mose Meadows!

I truly feel overjoyed to say, "Thank you for the expressed enthusiasm Divas Digest! You blessed me tremendously! It was an honor!" Indeed I am a witness of the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Acquire your copy of The Blessedness of Believing  (Tate Publishing) and Destined To Receive (createspace) from the publishers and/or Amazon.com, on theworldwide web and never forget to request it at your public libraries! Have a blessed reading experience!

From My Heart To Yours:
Linda Mose Meadows,  Author of:
Destined to Receive, Reflections and Devotionals Celebrating The Love of God                         
and
The Blessedness of Believing (createSpace, March 2013)
A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises 
(Tate Publishing, Nov. 2007)
http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/
http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/
http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/

HAPPY EASTER; LET'S CELEBRATE OUR RESURRECTED HOPE IN CHRIST JESUS!

"God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death,

because

it was not possible for him to be held by it."

Acts 2:24

Learn more about the significance of

Holy Week  from Father Ken Collins

~

Read a stirring devotional entitled:

I'm Moving

written by Rev. Richard. Meadows, Jr.

Watch Max Lucado's moving video:

He Chose The Nails

Victory Scriptures :

The Resurrection of Christ

From My Heart To Yours:
Linda Mose Meadows,  Author of:
Destined to Receive, Reflections and Devotionals Celebrating The Love of God                         
and
The Blessedness of Believing (createSpace, March 2013)
A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises
(Tate Publishing, Nov. 2007)
http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/
http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/
http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/

READERS WILL AGREE, OUR HEARTBEATS ARE IN SYNC!

"Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don’t complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don’t bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality . Wake up and live! "Bob Marley

Friends, I encourage you to acquire this outstanding literature and include it in your personal libraries. Present it as a treasured gift, the recipient will be delighted. Keep it in arms distance you'll be glad you did! Heartbeats A Journey Through the Soul by Ronette D. Jacobs is indeed a marvelous present and I am confident that readers will concur that our heartbeats are in sync! We are not alone in navigating our way! It's a fact that on each of our journeys we are yearning, seeking and searching for our truths. In those truths we specifically thirst for the living, lively God that will never fail nor forsake us. The author of Heartbeats has birthed an earnest and real literary work that is well acquainted with her own and our humanity and indwelling divinity! Below is a 5 star book review that I've written. The cover of Heartbeats A Journey Through the Soul speaks volumes about this entreating, rich content. Follow your road!

Heartbeats: A Journey Through the Soul

Paperback

by Ronette Denise Jacobs (Author)

As Daryl Coley sang the lyrics Great is thy Faithfulness Lord Unto Me right there in my living room I realized that it was time for revisiting a sacred moment of thanksgiving during my morning devotion. The music softy beckoned and encouraged my soul to navigate the deeper things of life. My answer was to start with Heartbeats: A Journey Through the Soul! Heartbeats reminded me I am many things to many people but more accurately I too am a part of a beloved community of faithful believers. I realized that it was no coincidence that I would gaze upon Heartbeat’s amazing book cover and take a literary stroll with Heartbeats: A Journey Through the Soul by Ronette Denise Jacobs. Her poems caused me to look inward, "awaken" my spirit, embrace forgotten memories, reflect and appreciate her truthful and soulful deliberations. I saw my issues mirrored and surface in Ms. Jacobs poignant words. These soulful stirrings of Ms. Jacobs spoke profoundly about my own private hurdles and yes, many triumphs. I contend that the author beautifully captures our humanity in her transparent accounts, it’s as though she’s standing behind the reader nudging them to not be sidetracked by the familiar but instead to skip, jump, rest, sing, laugh, wrestle if they must. But more importantly never to abandon their momentum. The reader is encouraged to embrace their life's journey and honor the call. Thank you author, educator, innovator: Ronette Denise Jacobs for your literary jewel! We celebrate you and the gift of Heartbeats: A Journey of the Soul, I entreat you to publish more works, don’t stop what you’ have started, you are a voice in the wilderness! Thank you for your earnest accounts. We hear you, agree with you and await your next work! Thank goodness, thank God! Great is your faithfulness!

Transformed by the Love of God, Linda Mose Meadows; Blogger, Motivational Speaker and Inspirational Author of: Destined To Receive: Reflections and Devotionals Celebrating The Love of God (Createspace, 2013) and Blessedness of Believing  A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises (Tate Publishing, 2007) 

 http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

 http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/

 http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/   

TIME TO LOOK UP! BUCKLE UP! IT’S 2014!

National Anthem, by Jonathan Gladding 

Ever have the phone ring and the person on the other end was the friend you were fondly thinking of?  This morning that was the case! We laughed, giggled and then concurred that our relocation to Connecticut was indeed a good thing. It was apparent that God had once again orchestrated it all. All being inclusive of our move from Florida, the East Coast ministry trek, the new friendships (never negating the cord connecting us to our tried and true friends), the laudable community partnerships, our abounding appreciation and enthusiasm for love, life and what seems like some fatal challenges. Literally it felt like doors were slammed in our face when I thought we’d instead be embraced. Too many days it felt like a bad dream. Good decisions seemed to have gone awry. Prayer has keeping power friends. When yours seem limp, other’s who know the virtue and power of prayer can certainly cover you!

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20

I am grateful for how God allowed us to exert energy in preparation for our next level. It was as though we were spiritually matriculating. My heart must have been yelling, “New level, new level! So glad it’s our turn Lord!” Oh it’s no denying that we better not take credit for a step up or a door open. We are not that clever in raining down blessings! None of our life's story could have been self imposed-crafted with our intellect or maneuvers.

We were approaching the 2013 Christmas season-Richard and I were traveling (several weeks ago) on the freeway. I was joyously anticipating visiting my Mama and Grandmother in Atlanta (really overdue for a visit). I knew I could not be there for Christmas but wanted to begin creating a festive atmosphere in their home. And then there was a hiccup, a startling interruption. The visible highway markers and signs indicated that Hartford’s Bradley Airport was just down the road, possibly 20 minutes away and I’d be boarding the plane momentarily.  And boom, a car wreck-a wreck that was startling! It caused us to fear, shutter, scream, and wonder if this was our end, dying on the interstate. The result totaled our minivan and the offender’s compact car.  The small Volkswagen merging in the lane we traveled was all wrong! I don’t know what the driver’s problem was but it was terrible timing! And then it all became surreal, a seemingly slow motion video. The cars colliding, the metal crumpling, the axles braking, the front end torn up, the shock, the disbelief and there we were in the midst! But, Great God the three coiled guard rails sustained the impact of our van! It seems we bounced against the sturdy coils and Richard’s hands held tight to the steering wheel. And the saving grace was the coils appeared to nestle the Volkswagen from diving into the ditch or back into the oncoming traffic. Oh it could have been fatal with the loss of life or injuries, but here we are on this side of a new year, January 2014 alive-well! No broken bones, no fatalities!

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 NIV

Yes, mayhem occurred and we survived it all! God kept us! What a miracle.

Often our lives reflect that we've been banged up, crippled even. Folks think you’re in a daze still suffering from shock. Oh, but our gracious Lord and Savior allows us to survive an atrocity, a humiliation, a setback causing us to feel as though we’re abandoned, standing on the side of the road. Be confident that divine  help is on the way, even if it’s unsuspecting.

Next time you’re on life’s highway think of the coiled guard rails, the helping hands, sound advice, friendly stranger, the answer to prayer as a safety net! Think of it as a safety net representing the Father, Son and Holy Ghost-protecting us, cushioning the blow during startling incidences. Notice I did not say ACCIDENT? Our Heavenly Father causes no accidents, but saves us on countless occasions. I know you recall His rescuing mission, you! Take a moment and just reflect on your 2013 journey, incredible right? We are now very familiar, well acquainted with the realization that God’s mighty outstretched arm protects us!  Thankfully He beautifully ushers us from one season into the next. The year 2013 brought about new developments, uncertainties, new transitions, new relationships, but definitely a firsthand account of His love! Can I get a witness?

Breathe, look up and live. Buckle up friends it’s time for thanksgiving adoration and without a doubt it's time to embrace a faith filled 2014! Happy New Year!

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,” Ephesians 3:16-18 (NIV)

Transformed by the Love of God, Linda Mose Meadows; Blogger, Motivational Speaker and Inspirational Author of: Destined To Receive: Reflections and Devotionals Celebrating The Love of God (Createspace, 2013) and Blessedness of Believing  A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises (Tate Publishing, 2007) 

 http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

 http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/

 http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/   

REFLECTIONS OF SUCH A SWEET, SWEET DAY! ACKNOWLEDGING THE SERVICE OF NEW MINISTRY

Then the Lord restored the fortunes of[a] Zion,

    \

we were like those who dreamed.[b]  

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.”

 

The Lord has done great things for us,

    and we are filled with joy

Psalm 126:1-3

The Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut's Service of New Ministry 

St. Luke's noble ancestors and elders,established June 1844

Father Richard Dean Meadows, Jr (Priest) and Sister Linda Meadows (wife)

 Rev. Matthew L. Brown, 

Pastor, Teacher 

(Homilist for Occasion delivered a powerful message of hope and faithful conviction!)

Regal Processional for Installation

 Applauds from congregation 

and The Rt. Reverend Laura J. Ahrens, Suffragan Bishop

during the introduction of St. Luke's 17th priest of St. Luke's Episcopal Church

Father Richard D. Meadows, Jr. and "Joyous" Family

Masterful interpretative dance: 

"The Journey to Calling" 

by Wes Yarbor

Gospel Medley by Rev. Paulette Thompson-Clinton 

I Believe I Can Fly, St. Luke's Steel Band

We joyously celebrated one of the newest ministries in New Haven, CT. The presence of the Lord was evident during this historic installation service for St. Luke's 17th Rector, Rev. Richard Dean Meadows, Jr. The prelude performances of Rev. Paulette Thompson-Clinton's duet with Maria Fusco our Musical Driector, our beloved St. Luke's Steel Band and the masterful interpretative dance by Wes Yarbor regarding Rev. Meadows' spiritual and personal journey were all outstanding and surely anointed. The stately and reverent processional reminded onlookers that collectively hearts, hands and prayers were the testament for this holy occasion. It was indeed a day we will long remember. The letter below was a part of the "installation booklet".  As you read my settlements, you'll quickly grasp that all that our eyes witnessed and hearts experienced made for such a sweet, sweet day! Many thanks to you Lord!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*INSTALLATION NOTE WRITTEN FOR THE INSTITUTION AND INDUCTION OF THE 17TH RECTOR OF ST. LUKE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH (NEW HAVEN,CT)

7 PM WEDNESDAY,OCTOBER 30TH, 2013

*"Dearest St. Luke's Family, 

My husband requested that I share a note with you and today it seems that I'd rather sing then write. In my spirit I am singing because finally we've arrived at home in Connecticut with you. It's refreshing and assuring that you also can attest to this! It's an enthusiasm that seems to be bubbling up! It's that giddy, offbeat, joyous song about a new day which has evidenced the "goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!" Sandwiched in my spirit are many songs from the traditional to the rousing musical numbers acknowledging that we've come this far by faith-all to the glory of God.

Not long ago I traveled with my husband to Hartford, he was conducting business with The Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut. When he invited me along, originally I thought of it as "tagging along"- an opportunity to enjoy a relaxing afternoon and simply marvel at the fall foliage! This "joy ride" was reminiscent of our past excursions which always seemed to evolve into something much deeper. My hunches were right! Once again it was much more than I could have imagined! After our quick arrival we met and greeted the warm Diocesan staff and before long, we were perusing the aisles of Connecticut's parish publications, clergy resources and mounds of historic documents.

In The welcome mat was rolled out and there we sat in the historic archives, marveling at the huge collection of books, artifacts and the treasure trove of documents highlighting St. Luke's amazing heritage. And then it was apparent this was God's intention! His intended mission that we travel to the Diocesan Archives and see the elder's vision "up close” on paper, in weathered photographs and be humbled by their massive mission, appreciate their struggles, their  victories and grasp a greater understanding of the immensity of this call to serve St. Luke's! It was a field trip that I would forever honor. It was as though a flood gate of enlightenment burst while we huddled together reading newspaper clippings, clergy accounts and letters written in the 1800's, all of it was mesmerizing!  After my husband met with the Bishop I began scouring over the  insightful articles, gazing upon the aged black and white photos, learning of the past church rectors, noted vestry and energetic parishioners.

We were entreated with informative community news, birth announcements, salutations and memorabilia. Loyal and loving seemed to resonate in my spirit. God was once again ordering our steps and giving us a glimpse into how St. Luke's foundation was layered with dedicated ancestors and a community collectively endeavoring to forge their way leaving an indelible imprint not only in New Haven, the surrounding community but, also Haiti. It's no wonder we are such an outstanding parish. Oh it gives me such pride and exhilaration that now this HBCU graduate and post VTS seminarian stands on the shoulders of forthright, determined, and insightful individuals.  They were prayer warriors- movers and shakers of their era (affecting us today). Now we will stand confidently with St. Luke's Episcopal Church's 17th Rector, Rev. Father Richard Dean Meadows, Jr. and continue in carving out our history's next chapters. Yes, our stories will be filled with the complexities of our day, but we will journey with Jesus, shepherded and growing spiritually. In our assured faith walk we'll be confident that he's lead of the Lord. And it won't just be a leisurely ride, but prayerfully an amazing mission.

We are a mission intent on providing intentional ministry for generations to come-erecting lives, loving the Lord and serving our neighbors. Oh St. Luke's, I thank God for merging our paths and our hearts believing together with a prayerful countenance that with God all things are possible! Oh it's wonderful to be in the hands of the Lord, come on family let's sing to the Lord a new song, written for our time.

Trusting in God's Peace and Blessings,

Linda Mose Meadows"

Shared in Love, Linda Mose Meadows; Blogger, Motivational Speaker and Inspirational Author of: Destined To Receive: Reflections and Devotionals Celebrating The Love of God (Createspace, 2013) and Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises (Tate Publishing, 2007) 

 http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

 http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/

 http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/

AN ABSOLUTELY PERFECT DAY

Great game of  Jacks! 
This was an extraordinary inter-generational event!

The fun is just starting! Amazing day of fun, fitness and literacy!

For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
Psalm 95:3

I am still humming the melody, "Lovely Day!" Imagine a day filled with fun, fitness and literacy. Well that's just what our Double Dutch Fun Day and Outdoor Games was! It was sandwiched with those essential elements and it evolved into a marvelous day of  sheer fun. St. Luke's Episcopal Church and The New Haven Free Public Library-Stetson Branch hosted a terrific multi-generational event in the historic Dixwell Community on September 28, 2013. This was indeed a super Saturday! Enjoy this ISUU celebrating our many community supporters and participants. I praise God for providing me with the vision, the backers and most especially bringing the Double Dutch Fun Day and Outdoor Games to fruition!

Oh it was indeed a party! How we love St. Luke's Band!




Shared in Love, Linda Mose Meadows; Blogger, Motivational Speaker and Inspirational Author of: Destined To Receive: Reflections and Devotionals Celebrating The Love of God (Createspace, 2013) and Blessedness of Believing  A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises (Tate Publishing, 2007) 

 http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

 http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/

 http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/