Tag: #psalm

Hills

Hills

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Hills

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?

My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.

The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”  

Psalm 121 NSV

In this Psalm David knew his  help cane from the LORD. As a young boy he worked as a shepherd, tending to his father’s sheep. He displayed skills in music and fighting. He was the same boy who took out Goliath with a smooth stone and his slingshot.

David spent a lot of time in those hills, hiding from King Saul who had plans to cut his life short. Now a king himself, he reflects on those hills. Facing despair, grief, and loneliness, he was kept safe and alive. Even in the darkest places, God was still there, leading, protecting, and fulfilling the promises he had given him when he was a youth.

What do you see when you gaze upon your own hills? I see a God has carried,  providing, protecting, and helping me through the challenges.  He made a way out of no way. We are not alone on the journey friends. His Word reminds us that he is with us.

Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up. 

Exhale

Exhale

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EXHALE

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3 NEV

What does it mean to exhale? The dictionary defines it as an act of expelling or releasing. It can also metaphorically refer to expressing or releasing emotions or feelings.

Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American singer, actress, film producer, model and philanthropist. Commonly referred to as the voice, she is one of the most awarded performers of all time. She broke both gender and racial barriers. In 2023 she was ranked second on Rolling Stone’s list of the greatest singers of all time. And we know this is true when she delivered an unforgettable performance of the Star Spangle Banner at Super bowl 25 in 1991.

In 1995, she starred in the movie, Waiting to Exhale. This romantic comedy-drama film was directed by Forest Whitaker. The film was an adaptation from the 1992 novel by Terry McMillan. It’s a story about 4 college-educated, middle-class black women who rely on one another to overcome several personal and professional crises. From that movie came several songs like, It hurt like hell by Aretha Franklin, not gon cry by Mary J. Blige, and my funny valentine by Chaka Khan. One more song comes to mind by Whitney Houston called, Exhale (Shoop Shoop)

Allow me to share some of the words and if you are like me, I hadn’t heard it in a good while, when you get some time, listen to it.

“Everyone falls in love sometime
, sometimes it’s wrong
 and sometimes it’s right, for every win
 someone must fail
but there comes a point when
 we exhale, sometimes you’ll laugh
, sometimes you’ll cry
 life never tells us the when’s or why’s
, when you’ve got friends to wish you well
 you’ll find your point when you will exhale, hearts are often broken when there are words unspoken, in your soul there’s answers to your prayers, If you’re searching for a place you know
 a familiar face, somewhere to go, you should look inside yourself, you’re halfway there
 Shoop, shoop, shoop, shoop be doop
 all you gotta do is say shoop be doop.”

The Psalms I am sharing today is an expression of praise, even with all the troubles the people  were experiencing, they beilieved God would bring them restoration and healing.  Our God is the Great physician, He is all-powerful and can heal us from the inside out. As we exhale, we do so as an act of expelling negativity and releasing ourselves to just trust God with our emotions and feelings.

Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

When It Gets Hard

When It Gets Hard

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When It Gets Hard

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” Psalm 55:22 NIV

As we ALL know, life is filled with ups and down and the Word of God gives us inspiration to keep our heads up as we push forward. No matter what the challenges my friends, with God on our sides we do have the strength and resilience to overcome any challenge. How can we navigate those tight spaces:

  • In the midst of challenges find strength in the God in you.
  • When you fall, get on up and try it again, and again, and AGAIN!
  • Don’t let the storms of life extinguish your inner light or make you a mean person.
  • Setbacks are an opportunity in disguise to learn and grow.
  • Believe in the dreams you have and your ability to transform toward greatness.
  • Remember you are not defined by adversity, but instead how you rise above it.
  • The roads are paved with all kinds of challenging runs, but it’s not our swiftness or strength that keeps us moving its our willing and endurance.
  • Even in the darkest of night, the stars are still shining. Find the light within you and let it shine.

In the depth of our struggles lies and opportunity for self-discovery and personal growth. Embrace your journey and keep moving forward. Remember who you are and whose you are. You are a child of the King and He sees where you are at and where you gotta go. Trust him to lead the way.

The song writer reminds me that when it gets hard to remember:

I’ve had some good days, hills to climb, weary days, sleepless nights, sometimes the clouds are low, and I can’t hardly see the road.

But when I look around and think things over, all of my good days outweigh my bad days, and I won’t complain. The Lord has been so good to me, drying my tears, turning my midnights into day (you know trouble don’t last always) He’s been so good to me, Lord I thank you. Amen.

Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

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Mirror Mirror on the Wall

“Thou art fairer than the children of men; grace is poured into thy lips: therefore, God hath blessed the forever.” Psalm 45:2 KJV

I bet you can guess what movie my title for today is from. It’s the most recognize quote from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It is a 1937 American animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Productions. Did you know that it is based on the 1812 German Fairy tale, by the Brothers Grimm. It was the first animated feature film produced in the United States in 1938. The movie had a budget of 1.5 million dollars, however at the box office it made 418 million dollars.

The scripture begins with a poetic and powerful description of the King, praising and exalting Him both for who He is and what He does. The psalmist begins by simply noting the beauty of the King, saying He is more beautiful/ fairer than all others.

“Mirror mirror on the wall who is the fairest of them all. The lord Jesus He is the fairest of them all!  He is the Word made flesh, who He heals, reveals, compels, he sets free, leads, saves, forgives, provides, and loves. He makes a way out of no way. He wipes our tears away and replaces them with joy. He is our bridge over troubled waters. He walks and talks with us. He is our strong tower. He has us in the palm of his hands. No more loneliness, He is the HOPE that took us through yesterday. He is the head of our today. And He is right there  preparing us for our tomorrow.

Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

I am the Warrior!!

I am the Warrior!!

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I am the Warrior!!

“God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights. He trains my hands for battle; he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow.” Psalm 18:32-34 NLT

“With my natural eyes, I pictured the armor of the Lord as a dull, stainless steel, metal body suit. Smears of blood were visible everywhere. I could see why a soldier would need to wear it. There on the surface, were enduring dents, dings, scratches, and deep gashes that represented the battles of life.  I was even able to see deeper things, like truth, commitment, honor, and protection. In my mind, I continued to look at this suit…it was a lifeless shell that needed a courageous soul to wear it. Sadly, it was at this point that I became aware of my spiritual nakedness and began to wonder where my own armor was. Embarrassed and in a panic, I began looking for my spiritual armor, but I was unable to find it. I let out a big sigh as I sat down at the table with my chin resting in the palm of my hand-only me, my thoughts, and the chill of silence.”  From my book the Armor Project.

It’s nothing like reflections y’all. Sometimes when I read through my books, I often think about the journey that led to this moment right now. Yes, I have had my share of doubts, wondering about the oppositions, wondering if I was capable, equipped, able, and strong enough.

The Word of God reminds me, that I am more than a conquer through him who loves me. Because of God, I am strong and have courageous! The Lord is my rock and fortress, he is my rock in whom I take refuge, he is my shield. He is my rod and my staff. He is the light of my salvation-whom shall, I fear? The Lord is my Song. Early in the morning and in the midnight hour. When I think of his goodness and mercy, I just have to tell it! I’ve learned to encourage my own soul in faith and through the power of God’s Word. Even when I didn’t know how, the Lord said, “I do.”  When I didn’t know when, he said, “trust my ways and my timing it is perfect.” Life lives in the power of the tongue. Let him speak to you and through you, and live. We are the Warrior! Amen!

Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

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