#WarOnGrumbling Day 13

I'm so very grateful that I'm forgiven and because of it I can forgive others...and myself.

I don't quite know how else to say this: forgiveness is a badass act. I can forgive because I was first forgiven by Jesus Christ, who's given me the gift that keeps on giving.

Today, I went to another deeper level of forgiving someone (70x7, right?). Was it hard? Not really. Was it awkward? I think so. Was it necessary? Absolutely.

This, the power of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us
What a love! What a cost! 
We stand forgiven at the cross. 

#WarOnGrumbling #40DaysOfForgiveness

Jesus is love

I am on my third copy of Audience of One by Heather Headley. I've listened to that album so much I like to say it is part of my Christian DNA. There are so many highlights for me, not the least of which is the opening lyrics which set the tone for the entire record:

I am a Christian, do you know what that means?

It means I'm far from perfect but simply redeemed
I was bought with a purpose, purchased by love
It's not a form of religion, but a gift from above
I am not perfect, I have been redeemed
But it was her over the top performance of "Jesus is Love" with Smokie Norful on a television show in 2009 that pretty much blew my mind. Every time I played that song, originally written by Lionel Richie, I would gain further revelation about Jesus and how He restores, heals, redeems and delivers. I repeated "Jesus is love" so many times, I sang my way into the truth. After a while, I had no choice but to believe His love for me was authentic and received it my heart in a whole new level. 

Father, help Your children
And don't let them fall by the side of the road
And teach them to love one another
That Heaven might find a place in their hearts
Cause Jesus is love, He won't let you down
And I know, I know He's mine forever in my heart
And we've gotta walk on, walk on through temptation
'Cause His love and His wisdom will be our helping hand
And I know the truth and His words, they will be our salvation
Lift up our hearts to be thankful and glad
That Jesus is love, He won't let you down
I know He's mine deep down in my soul
Jesus is love, He won't let you down, no
And I know He's mine forever in my heart
In my heart, in my heart, forever in my heart
I know, I know, I know His love is power
His love is glory forever and forever
I gonna follow You Jesus wherever You lead me
And I don't mind because I know that You love me
Nobody loves me like You, Nobody like You
Nobody like You Jesus
Jesus is love, I know and if you ask I'll show
Love is the word forever and ever and ever and ever
Who can bring you love? Jesus
Who can bring you joy? Jesus
Who can turn your life around? Jesus can
Yes, He can
Who can restore you? Jesus
Who can heal you? Jesus
Who can redeem you? Jesus
Who'll deliver you? Nobody but Jesus
Yes, He can
No greater love
Than He would laid down His life for a friend
For a friend like me
Lay down His life for a wretched soul like me

#MonthfulOfMusic #HoodMom

war on grumbling day fifteen

Day 15

I am thankful that walking with God is an adventure beyond compare. #WarOnGrumbling #40DaysOfThanksgiving

Today was one of those days where I marvel at my life which is full of purpose. Waking up trembling in His Presence, meetings about jail ministry, flowing in the prophetic, getting prayed for, taking new friends and kids to my church and prayer leading a Worship with the Word set on Revelation 4:11...never a dull moment.

Oh, I wonder how an extraordinary God could love an ordinary me //

And though I don't deserve this gift of mercy and abounding grace //

You blessed me with it anyway //

I'm not ashamed to tell the world about You //

That You're more than enough for an ordinary girl like me