PRESS ON . . .

The thing about PERSEVERANCE is no matter what happens we're determined to win.
If the sun doesn't shine, then we'll stay the course until it shines again.
If the process gets rocky, then we'll maintain our march until we reach smooth ground again.
If the journey gets lonely, then we'll keep going until the soldiers join us again.

We always stand, we always pray, we always hope, we always fight for the unity.
Whether it's dark or light, we are committed to doing 'it' right.

Press on.

-MizJAI-

The Sun Shines . . .

We are in the middle of winter where the leaves are dead on the branch and the days end early. Today I had one thought, the sun shines on dead leaves too, and through the course of seasons new leaves live on old branches and rooted trees. It happens every year. So it just seems to me that we can find a way back to joy, a way into brighter days, a way to laugh (for real and for right), a way to thrive . . .

Have hope today.

-MizJAI-

This Is Me . . . Keeping My Head Together

Thought you might like this, easy listening, get up and make these moments count, rock the house and get to the business of living music at your finger tips. Enjoy!

-MizJAI-

More Music for the Mood, Remember

I had a long day yesterday (as many of us do who are working, serving and attempting to create something new at the same time-whether it's a business, a family, a child or all of the above) and only having one song on my new Keep My Head Together Playlist gets old very fast, even if it is an excellent song like Just Fine by Mary J Blige (but you knew that was the song, because I told you about it yesterday).

David said "I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." And it's true we are fearfully and wonderfully made, crafted by the hand of God, and He should receive praise for that. But in the course of a day so much is said and done around us and some times to us that is designed to force a forget. Well, this playlist is just about reminding yourself of who you are, that you actually can live your life like it's Golden, people can 'Hate On Me' and I (we) will still be Just Fine because I (we) am (are) learning how to Work That and realizing that no matter what I (we) face, There's Hope. And yes we maybe different, that's what we want, because we are not trying to be the average girl that you see on the Video, we are not trying to fall apart because the process is hard, we are not trying to forget who are because somebody was ugly to us. We are still a Beautiful Flower and we still stand and move forward.

By now you have probably guessed the new songs on my list. Be sure to make you own, because Keeping Your Head Together doesn't just happen, we work at it. Oh and I, changed the Playlist title to This is Me . . . . Yes this is me, keeping my head together:
#1) Just Fine (Mary J. Blige)
#2) Hate On Me (Jill Scott)
#3) Work That (Mary J. Blige)
#4) There's Hope (India Arie)
#5) Video (India Arie)
#6) Golden (Jill Scott)
#7) Beautiful Flower (India Arie)

Create your own This is Me list, and remember the purpose: to remind yourself that you are strong enough, your heart is free enough, and that even though they are small steps, even baby steps will get you there eventually, so keep on moving forward.

-MizJAI-

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Ps 139:14

Music Makes the Mood

Oh, this weekend I was overwhelmed with the battle between all of the things that I need (work) to do and the things that I want (rest, among other things) to do. They had something in common, they were all wearing me out. It is easy to slip into a mood when things are not flowing the way you would like. So, I put on some music. The question is, did I want that music to define my mood or redefine it?

Well, I didn't do much planning. After moping through two of the songs on my playlist, Mary J Blige took over my speakers with Just Fine and I started to move and sway and dance and smile until the third time through the song. And it occurred to me that music shapes your atmosphere profoundly (we all knew this already, but do we use it like we should?). So, since I am in the middle of a transition in my life, I figure I better create a Keep Your Head Together Playlist, where the beats are tight and the words remind me of the dream. I encourage you to do the same, so that we can come over together.

First on my list is
Just Fine, song by Mary J Blige
Second is

Well, I'm still working on that and will keep you posted with updates. You be sure to create your own Keep Your Head Together playlist and feel free to share some of your songs here. We will build this list, even if we have to hunt down and write up the songs ourselves.

Just Keep Going . . .

-MizJAI-

She's a PRO 31.28-31 The sum of all beauty--Three Lovely Things To Say About Me

Even though it doesn't look like it and even though we may feel like people 'use' us more than they 'thank' us, serve anyway with a pure heart because the day is coming when the praise will be forthright, overwhelming and uplifting. There will come a day when our children will call us blessed and happy and fortunate and they will want what we have because we love and live well (not the money stuff, the heart stuff). There will come a day when our husbands (the right ones chosen by God) will see us for who we are and say the things that let us know that they not only love us, but they see us, and respect us too.

In my eyes the sum of beauty is found in the last three verses, they are three lovely things to say about woman . . .

#1) Excellence Costs, but It Pays For Itself. He will say that many daughters have done virtuously, nobly and well, but you excel them all.

#2) The Wisdom is in the Worship. He will notice that 'charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain, but' you are 'a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord' and 'shall be praised!'

#3) Diligences Speaks for Herself. He will notice your efforts and he will say, 'Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates of the city!'

Remember this: being married does not make you a PRO 31 (a virtuous woman), the way that you live does. You become a PRO 31 by choice and over the course of time you demonstrate it by lifestyle.

So have at it sister.

-MizJAI

Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her, [saying], "Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well, but you excel them all. Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain, but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised! Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates of the city!" PRO 31:28-31

She's a PRO 31.27 We Have Work To Do

When my dreams remain at the forefront of my mind, there is seldom enough room to complain or to loose focus. My life is the business of creating. I only have time to build things glorious. I only have time to fight for things worthy. I only have time to stand and create a life that matters to me and the people watching--you know the ones, the little girls and the little boys who will need some footsteps to lead the way. The PRO 31.27 does not have time for gossip and complaining and PITY, she only has time to build things that matter.

We all have those pity days where we think we are the only ones going through and we have it worst than everyone around us (well poor, lonely us). I say 'suck it up ladies (and gentlemen)' because it's time to learn how to take what we have and turn it into what we want. Get your head straight so that you can walk your plan right out of your mess and into your dream. Even if you have to baby step it out, get to stepping. Pity parties shorten your stride, limit your vision, dominate your dream-focus, and you don't have time for that. As my mother says, you only have time 'to get that root.' Meaning, there is a problem that only you are qualified to solve for your life, your family, your community, and your team. You have to solve it, in other words, you have to get that root. There will be all kinds of distractions, but you have to stay focused because you are assigned to get that root.

Our personal and individual struggles are real and I don't take them lightly, but don't you isolate your heart and allow yourself to believe that the pain and struggle is bigger than the answer because it's not. There are women (and men) who's husbands (and wives) are at war and they stand because they have to. There are women (and men) whose lives are turned upside down because of divorce and they are strong enough to stand up for their lives because they are able and they must. Well, if you stand there with a dream that is deferring and it is festering in your heart, then get your head together too so that you can stand for the long run, learn the lessons of this season, and walk into your destiny with a heart unscarred but strong enough to hold on to the dream that you always wanted.

Get your head together, because the PRO 31.27 has work to do, the hardest work of all,
that heart work,
that growth work,
that I can be and will be better than I am work,
that I will change and grow up work,
that I have the guts to face my fears work,
that condition my heart and steady my mind for the long haul work,
that keep me humble and keep me holy work,
that 'I can do all things through Christ Jesus' work.
'All things' is 'all things,'
so
get your head together
because you're a PRO
and you have work to do.

-MizJAI-

She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat. PRO 31:27 AMP

She's a PRO 31.26 A Beautiful Tongue . . . Watch What You Say Lady

Do you remember going to the carnival or a street fair when you where little? Or maybe just to the ice cream truck for one of those colored icicles that left your tongue blue. When everybody saw you they knew what you just had and you didn't care. You probably even stuck your tongue out to show them on purpose. In a lot of ways our tongue is still blue. When we open our mouth we are tagged. The words we say expose the issues of our heart. If anyone listens long enough, they can see the color on our tongue and hear who we really are. Who are you? And are you proud of her?

You choose the words, you choose the woman that you want to be.

The PRO, she opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue you find the law of kindness and instruction that you can trust and live by. But it's easy to slip into something else altogether.

Somebody breaks your heart and you vow to never let it happen again. And you become a little harder and your words a little colder and you change in ways you never truly planned. Somebody violates your trust and you set your will to protect and attack the next time, and you become a little cunning, a little meaner. You slipped into it. Or somebody taught you to play games and told you that's how a woman gets ahead and survives. What if the cost is a beautiful tongue and a heart that another love can trust? What if the shell that you created to protect yourself is costing you the love, the life that you truly want? What if you learned to trust God only so that you could let your guard down and make room for God to cover you instead? What if you became free again in that place in your chest that nobody feels but you? What if you let go and let God take over for real this time? Then you could be a natural and strong woman and kind, and God could be your knight in shining armor and then he can get your heart ready for that man you dream of and that destiny you desire. What if you learned to watch what you say and learned to say the words that build? What if you grew up for real this time? Who ever said it was easy? Not me, at least not yet anyway. But I did say, "it is possible."

Your choice, your woman.

-MizJAI-
She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction]. PRO 31:26 AMP

She's a PRO 31.25 She wears it well . . .

It's time to get back to the She's a PRO Series. We almost have a full picture of her, so let's close it out.

The PRO 31.25 dresses in character, stands secure and rejoices over her tomorrows because she knows that she is ready and her family is prepared.

You know what? She does the hard the part, the things that many are afraid to do. Remember, she is the one who rises early in the morning for her 'food.' She takes the time to feed her own spirit, her families spirit and the spirit of her team of staff and employees. She's the one who strengthens her body and puts in the effort of 'considering a field and buying it.' She does the work.

It's not that every day after she becomes a PRO 31.25 will be easy. It's not that everyday on the way to becoming one is easy. It's just that she is equipped and prepared to handle it because she does the work that qualifies her to walk through the darkest night and thrive on the other side. She does the work that positions her to muster up endurance when others fall apart. Yes, and it prepares her to hold on when others let go. And because she does the work of building up her faith, her family, her finances and her physical body, then she receives her dream into he waking life and has people to share it with and health to enjoy it.

Now that's strong.

"Strength and dignity are her clothing

"Her position is strong and secure;"

"She rejoices over the future"

because she knows she and her family are ready.

Now, let's do the work to ready ourselves and the people around us. Even if your life comes with overwhelming assignments and responsibilities, take the baby steps everyday to ready yourself. No matter what, take the baby steps everyday to ready yourself. And take the baby steps everyday to ready your family. Teach your sons how to be true men, mentor your nieces on how to be real women, help your parents to structure their retirement. Family preparation is service and a challenge, but it is apart of her (the PRO 31.25) joy.

Get ready.

-MizJAI-

Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]! PRO 31:25 AMP

I Have a Dream Today

. . . that we would be judged by the content of our character and not the color of our skin . . .

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr's Birthday & below is the 'I Have a Dream' Speech. Listen and remember the sacrifice for our right to own our own businesses, walk through the front door, live our dreams, and have our say in America. We still have work to do as a nation and a community, but I thank God for yesterday's sacrifice, today's focus and training, and tomorrow's progress one dedicated step at a time . . .

Take the time to teach someone younger than you about the importance of this day. And if you have forgotten, then take the time to refresh your own awareness, start with the dream.

I HAVE A DREAM by Dr. Martin Luther King (1963, Washington DC)

-MizJAI-

Reality vs Dream 5: the beauty

The beauty is having the guts to get that dream and shape it into a tangible reality.
The beauty is being conditioned into diamonds baby, by a process that we have finally learned to respect.
The beauty is having our dream (and our money), and our money and our dream not destroying us, but aiding us as we change our corner of the world on purpose.
The beauty
is knowing the order of things
and that God is always first
and the rest will flow (with effort, but it will flow).

People with a righteous goal, a desire to change the world, a focused plan, and methodical execution are the ones that turn words into action. The beauty is you (and me) taking action. Even baby steps will get us there. Just make sure that as you plan your success, you plan a way to protect your heart too. Schedule:
1) the rest & relaxation so that your mind remains clear,
2) the Word so that your soul remains connected to the source (God),
3) the family and friend time so that you maintain a diversified perspective,
4) the time to consistently and physically give back so that you remain humble.

No matter what part of life we discuss, it all takes attention and a plan. The beauty is you in motion on purpose.

Get that paper out and clarify your dream. You have a community to impact.

-MizJAI-

Reality vs Dream 4: the balance

What if the only successful thing you ever accomplish is a financial success, would that be enough for you?

What about relationships, family and love? What about fun and friendship? One of the greatest challenges to this life is learning to balance what we do with the people we love and God, the one who gave us the 'power to get wealth (Deut 8:18) ' in the first place.

In other words while you 'get that money' make sure that money doesn't get you. You're in charge, you choose your values, and you choose balance. Do the things that God adores consistently: 1) private time (private worship and word) with him to renew your strength, 2)corporate time (corporate worship and word) with other believers because iron sharpens iron (PRO 27:17). Do the things that will build you up, honor and please God the most, renew your family and friend relationships; and do the things that keep your dream and your business strong.

As for those of us whose business in service, don't get it twisted, your service is your work. And if you work with your family, then that was work, now it's time to get to know each other in a different way or rediscover each other all over again.

Always remember 'God 1st, Family 2nd, and Finances Follow.'

-MizJAI-

Some people have dreams and careers that are all consuming: setting special and unbroken time aside for them will go a long way. In the meantime, taking moments to call, write or connect with the people that you say you love is priceless in your life and theirs. Sound and sincere relationships are not a dime a dozen. There are some people in your life who are simply irreplaceable, so act like it.

Reality vs Dream 3: the beast

Every big, exciting and successful dream comes with a beast on it's back. And it's your job to notice it and eradicate it from your dream and your life. That beast is pride. Now before you settle back into your chair and assume that it can't get at you, be advised that this subtle little devil wraps itself around your heart and squeezes slightly. To the point where you think you felt something change but you are not entirely sure.

No, you don't have to spend your life being afraid of success, but you must be concerned with the 'big head' that often comes after success or in the eve of it.

At Gospel Nerve, we often talk about the cost of the process and what it's accomplishing in your life. Well, the process can do something else for you, get you ready to win this battle over pride for a lifetime. Pride separates you from God, and you want to be close to Him forever. Humility causes God to respond to you in ways that you cannot imagine. Proverbs 11:2 AMP says it like this: with the humble are skillful and Godly Wisdom and soundness, but the humble are those who have been pruned and chiseled by trial and put self aside for God. Pruning and chiseling are not fun, but they are necessary for improvement and perfecting. Life gets sweeter as we allow God to deal with us, to expose and sever the pride that tries to take over our lives, and to show us where we need to change.

Enjoy your success, but honestly, do a "check up from the neck up" often to see what is happening in your head as well as your heart. The more success you walk in, the more grace you should show for the people around you.

Remember, God wants you to be on top of both financial and spiritual success, but pride wants to steal your spirit and destroy what makes you beautiful to God: a humble heart.

Watch out and stay low.

-MizJAI-

Everyone proud and arrogant in heart is disgusting, hateful, and exceedingly offensive to the Lord; be assured [I pledge it] they will not go unpunished. PRO 16:5 AMP

Reality vs Dream 2: the battle

There is a battle that goes on inside of us regarding where we are and where we are trying to end up. The process is seldom easy. Have you ever paid attention to the stories of those with a lifetime of success? You often find years of hard & back breaking work. As well as seasons of deep commitment but also fears that what they see in their heads might not become what they touch in life. And you discover that they renew themselves and keep walking toward the dream, anyway.

To keep your dream at the fore front of your mind, and to keep your reality from drowning the best inside of you, consider two things:

1) Get some rest. Being tired is a crucial enemy to any dream. Your thinking becomes skewed and nightmares slip in forcing themselves into the space that should belong to your best and righteous dreams.
and


2) Keep the Word in front of you. The Bible says to write it on the tablet of your heart. You want Word that is designed to remind you of who you really are and what you are here to do. That same Word will expose bad habits, weak areas, fears, and problems that need to be addressed in order for you to maintain 'good success' for a life time.

In a nutshell, you have to go through the fire because you can only be conditioned for your future and possess a heart that will stay close to God for a life time by walking through the process.

So get to stepping.

-MizJAI-

Reality vs Dream 1: the beginning

First off,

Dear Gospel Nerve community, I apologize for the sparse postings since Christmas. Between the Holiday Hustle and Bustle at the boys' home, the New Year's Joys and Celebrations at the church, and work in between all of it, I was whopped. But I am back now and ready to face the year and get to the business of living the dream out loud and on purpose. Although, I just started reading A Life God Rewards by Bruce Wilkinson and on page 39 I was quickly reminded that God is pleased with a lifestyle of service. (Hey this book is small in size, makes a non-reader feel successful, but packed with revelation making any kind of attentive reader more aware. And for me, awareness is freedom.)

This is what I am learning:
1) A life of service is not our life on hold, it's our life in full throttle. Teachers, youth counselors, and people who righteously serve our community are gold. God honors our work, so we might as well quit feeling like we are being left behind by our peers with more financially lucrative careers and get to believing and knowing that our work is priceless, necessary and will be rewarded.

but here is the second lesson

2) I can have it all. I can make the brand of my life "serving my community" and I can have the other dreams too. It just takes more planning and patience than the average dream. I can still travel, have excitement, dance in my youth, laugh strong and out loud often, possess money with a mission and I can be free: all while living a life that changes me into someone more than I could have dreamed of and accomplishes priceless things like positively impacting the course of a child's life just because I am a part of it.

So I encourage you to do this: Get to the business of living the dream, but don't begrudge your reality.

-MizJAI-

A Different Kind of New Year

I consider birthdays to be personal New Years. I try to take my day and assess what I have accomplished in the past year. Was I even close to what I said I would do? And what do I want to accomplish with my life in the next 365 days? Life doesn't just turn out the way we dream without some planning and effort.

The biggest things that always used to cross my mind on my birthdays are these:


1. I used to be constantly disappointed on my day because a) the people I wanted to remember me seldom did; b) the people that I thought would consider me first, often considered me last, I seemed to be their after thought; c) and when surprises would come, they often came with strings attached.

2. I used to be upset because I was so tired by the time it came around. It's on the hills of Christmas and New Years and because of the work my family and I do, I am tired, we are tired.

It occurred to me though, "What am I waiting on?" I play a pivotal role in my own happiness. So I decided to change my mind about how I view my day. It's my New Year, a time for me to closely consider my future, rejoice over the successes of the past year, learn from the mishaps, and celebrate my life by doing some of the things that I love to do: laugh with my sisters, have fun with my family, a matinee, a little pampering, a little having my way. Life is good, when you pay attention. Life is great when you put your best into it. Life is outstanding when you see the glass half full instead of half empty. In fact, with the right attitude, we can quickly get that glass to overflowing . . .

Make your day special too. And Happy New Year to you.

-MizJAI-

So, what are you going to do this year?

Two days of the New Year have already been used. I don't know about you but the days seem to go by quicker than I want to admit. So make sure to take these next few days and figure out what you truly plan to accomplish this year. Choose something specific that you can put your 'whole heart into.' Because not deciding to focus is a decision. We shape our lives, one idea and one plan at a time. Whatever you choose, let that be your compass for the entire year. As you periodically check on yourself, if your actions don't bring you closer to your goal, then adjust what you are doing. Baby steps will get you there, if they are directed.



-MizJAI-

Happy New Year!

This is the second day of the New Year and since I slept most of yesterday away, I need to make one promised point. January 1 is the 7th & final day of Kwanzaa. The principle and focus of the day is Faith (Imani), "To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle."

Faith's greatest strength is when we believe in the power and love of God. All other issues, concerns, and battles funnel through this faith and relationship, then we are poised to win those 'impossible' fights. People don't always rise to the occasion but God in them constantly causes the Average Joe (or Josephine) to become uncommon and dynamic despite themselves. So yes, I believe in my community because I believe in what God can do through people.

Start your year in faith, the unshakeable kind.



-MizJAI-