I Won't Complain

I could write all about the lyrics to this old church hymn, and how it tugs at my heart every time I hear it, but I believe the actual lyrics tell it all.

I've had some good days
I've had some hills to climb
I've had some weary days
And some sleepless nights

But when I look around
And I think things over
All of my good days
Outweigh my bad days
I won't complain

Sometimes the clouds are low
I can hardly see the road
I ask a question, Lord
Lord, why so much pain?
But he knows what's best for me
Although my weary eyes
They can't see
So I'll just say thank you Lord
I won't complain

The Lord Has been so good to me
He's been good to me
More than this old world or you could ever be
He's been so good to me

He dried all of my tears away
Turned my midnights into day
So I'll just say thank you Lord
I won't complain.

My Unexpected Wow Moment from God

I was watching an interview on youtube with Lalah Hathaway last night and she sang a snippet of a song. Now at that time, I didn't know the name of it because I had never heard it. I didn't even hear the song in its entirety, so like the music lover I am, I went searching for it. Unfortunately, I couldn't find it, so I went on to bed. Now fast forward to this morning, I wake up with the stresses of my life heavy on my shoulders, I mean really heavy. I was an emotional mess, starting crying, began praying, and cried some more. I wasn't feelin my best at all. Some of the things I remember saying to God were, "the reason I write is because I know how it feels to feel lost, confused, and alone, and wanted other people to know they aren't alone." I also remember saying, "I pray that people can feel God's comfort through my words, and how even with writing the type of things I write, sometimes I can't." I was borderline hysterical. You know, that hysteria when you feel God has stopped everything when it comes to you and your life, yeah that kind. So I decided i'd listen to some music to calm me down. Came to imeem typed in Lalah Hathaway's name and saw a song, didn't recognize it by name, but something told me to just click on it. I hesitated, but then again, "something" said "click on it". So I did, and as I listened to the lyrics I realized that it was the song I was lookin for in the first place, but not only that, the lyrics blew me away because I immediately recognized this .....God was giving me the answers to my questions and cries this morning through this song's lyrics this morning. What stuck out to me was this..."With all that's going on around me I just don't know why or how my heart remembers to keep on lookin toward the sky....". Its true, cause through everything, even in my anger and fear, I still continue to look to the hills from where my help comes from. I shared this experience with a friend, and her comments were, "God always has a way to get to us no matter what." She is absolutely correct, and I am a witness today. Amazing.

The Year of Jubilee

Last night I was watching tv, supposedly doing homework and Joel Osteen's broadcast came on. I was halfway listening as I was really ready to finish my studying so I could to go to bed. But God had a word for me via Pastor Osteen...."This is My Year of Jubilee". Now just to be sure and clear, I wanted to read the definition of the word "Jubilee". There were many ranging from culture to culture. Roman Catholics(A time of rejoicing), to Jews and Isrealites(yearlong period to be observed once every 50 years, during which slaves were to be freed). There was even a specified definition for Black American culture that stated "future happiness or deliverance from tribulation". All and All Jubilee can easily be summed up as "a season of general joy", or "an occasion of joyful celebration". But the kicker is in most cultures it only happens ever 25 or 50 years, so you KNOW it has to be a huge, huge, once in a life time deal. Jubilee is something SO BIG that many cultures only get to experience it maybe once or twice in a lifetime. Oh and did I mention that it is a YEAR LONG celebration? That in itself must mean its a phenomenal season to be in. Going back to Osteen's topic... It was an amazing word, and I WENT IN. In betwixt my crying, thanking, and praising God, I managed to jot down a few key things that I do believe God really wants us to know. Since we now know what Jubilee means, and I MORE THAN got the word last night and have already thanked and agreed with my Father on this, this is for you...

~Don't beg God for things, thank Him for releasing what already belongs to you

~God works where there is faith and expectancy

~When Jubilee comes, nothing can stop God from releasing what has your name on it

~God's dream for your life is so much bigger than your own

~He has put your name on everything you need for your destiny

~Acceleration, unprecedented FAVOR is here, get ready for things to accelerate because God is speeding things up profusely

~This is the year for God to act on your behalf...freedom, restoration, promotion, increase, just to name a few.

This is your year of Jubilee, the free favor of God is profusely abounding all around you. Dare to believe it, I do.

"Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]".
~Ephesians 3:20(Amplified Bible)

Facebook Confirmation and ME

Crystal got a message that on this day, God wants her to know...

"that God has an important purpose for you, and made everything possible for you to succeed. That's not to say it's an easy purpose, or a convenient one. It might very well seem hard or even impossible, but it only looks that way. The truth is that one day you will look back and see how all the pieces fit together. And how your life has been a complete and utter success."
~~~~~~~~~~~


Well what a relief! That is the message I received from the "See what God wants you to know" application on Facebook. I was blown away because that word is REAL to me. Many don't understand what I deal with, spiritually. The battle I face, how I am at war, seriously. This is a topic that I struggle with a lot. MY PURPOSE. I won't say I don't know what it is, cause I do. I won't say I don't want to do it, cause I do. But what I will say is it is hard. God has His hand on me, my path is unexplainable. I am so against the grain that sometimes I bruise. But with His help, the task is simple and attainable.

My thoughts afterward...


I am a sinner, I have to convict my flesh every day. I have purpose so my Father walks with me. When I fall He picks me up, when I am down He lifts me up. When I come up short, he compensates, when I lack, he fills my cup. He is merciful, over and over again. When I am weak, He is my strength. When I am sad he is my happiness. When people leave, He fills the void. When I cry, He wipes my tears and is my joy. When I am lonely, He speaks to me. When I need to talk, He listens. When I want to love, He allows the receiver to receive. When people are on their way, He makes space. He is merciful, over and over again. No one can understand how merciful He is to me, as many times as I've been broken, fallen, walked away and failed to believe, He still says...Crystal, you are forgiven, trust in Me, and I will keep you. But Lord, why? Why do you do this for me? Why am I so worthy I ask? He only smiles as the response. But just when I've given up asking, just when I've figured that His smile is just enough confirmation, He gently speaks....Surely goodness and mercy will follow you, all the days of your life, and you will dwell in the House of the Lord, forever...He is merciful, over and over and over again.

What Are You Saying?

As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations, before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
~Romans 4:17 KJ

As it is written, I have made you the father of many nations. [He was appointed our father] in the sight of God in Whom he believed, Who gives life to the dead and speaks of the nonexistent things that [He has foretold and promised] as if they [already] existed.
~Roman 4:17 Amplified

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

So okay I ask what are you speaking? I mean really really think about the things you say, the way you talk, the things you talk about. Are you speaking about things that are; or are you speaking about things that are not? The last part of the King James version for Romans 4:17 states that "God calleth those things which be not as though they were," and the Amplified version says that "God speaks of the nonexistent things that He has foretold and promised as if they already existed."

Is anybody paying attention to this? SPEAK OF NONEXISTENT THINGS AS IF THEY ALREADY EXISTED!!! Now I want to know does this apply to me too? Can I speak the things that are no where near my understanding, things that I need, want, and desire about my life, things that don't make sense in the natural to me or others? Of course I can! Why? Because I have been given the same power that God has, because I was created by Him. I have the same power that Jesus has, I have the power to say to a mountain, MOVE and it be uprooted and thrown into the sea.

That is some mighty power if I may say so, but guess what? You have it too! Stop talking and speaking about all the negative things of this world that are naturally common to man, like "we are in a recession", "the economy is bad", "men are dogs", "women are scandalous". Even if those things have proven to be true for you...Stop SAYING IT! Would you like to know why it has proven true for you?

What we as Christians don't realize is that our tongue is very powerful and when we speak things, because we are spiritual beings, and the spirit is very sensitive, we are not only speaking them, we are in agreement with them. Which ultimately makes those things true and fact in our lives and all around us when we do so. What we say takes root, grows, breathes, and lives, in our lives. Stop providing nourishment for the negative. What if God walked around the earth stating, "Man, it sholl is dark around here...."? Yall, we have GOT to get this, understand this, meditate on this, that we have that same power...today, right now, on earth.

You can't pay me to say I'm in a recession, cause I'm not, you can't pay me to say men are dogs, cause they aren't. You and I reside in the Kingdom and everything in it and around us is blessed and highly favored. My finances are blessed, my relationships are favored, my health, well being, and everything else attached to me are too. Love, abundant life, and grace are all within me and constantly drawing unto me, all I have to do is speak and receive.

I don't care what yall think or say, and I don't care what I see or hear, those lifestyle negatives that everyone harps on continually are not true in my life. And neither of those things apply to you and your lives either, unless you say so. Start calling those things that be not, as though they were; can you speak and agree with that?

Special Tips for a better YOU

~Wake up, Bless God first and foremost...give Him your first fruits of the day, everyday...

~Look in the mirror every morning and say "i love you"...

~Never apologize for loving someone too much, God is love...

~When u are emotionally hurt, cry...there is nothing to be ashamed about...

~even though two negatives make a positive, two wrongs don`t make a right, treat everyone with respect, whether they deserve it or not, God will bless you today and your ultimate reward will be awaiting in the end times...

~Understand, accept, and be proud of the fact that you are a unique individual beautifully made in His image, and there is none other like you, no one can walk in your shoes. Don't let anyone steal the unique in you, they can't have it...

~If you really love or care for someone, tell them...if you wait, you may not have the chance...

~Be honest to everyone about everything, hiding the truth may actually be more painful than you telling it...

~Ask God for insight on your path in life...

~Accept, Like, be satisfied, and be seriously in love with yourself just the way you are TODAY.... perfect or not. No one wants to be with or around someone who does not value and cherish themselves...

~Being convinced and proud of your value shows confidence, just know how to modestly wear those traits well...

~Fellas, don`t be afraid to commit, she might actually BE the one...

~Ladies, don`t be afraid to NOT commit, he might actually NOT be the one...

~Everyone, praise God for life! The reason you are still here means you have purpose and your work is not done. Live life to the fullest everyday, because tomorrow is never promised...

Compilations from the heart...

"The Prayer of Jabez"
"Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!"
~1 Chronicles 4:10

This prayer has brought about wonderful change and peace of mind in my life. I strongly encourage anyone who is earnestly seeking the blessings of the Lord to pray and meditate on this verse.

-Just a thought-
"A ship sailing backwards will never see the sunrise," therefore always move forward and your dreams and ambitions will become reality.


-Words of Wisdom-
Until you realize that God is in control, you may as well stop trying to figure out what the problem is. Because, you see He does things His way and for His reasons. Even if we don`t understand the situation we must always have faith, be patient,and let the Heavenly Father do His work. Don`t block your blessings, remember they may come in disguise.

~Crys

"Such a fierce war cannot be won by the Cosmetic Christian who only puts on the appearance of holiness and godliness. We only have power over the enemy and authority over territories if we are in agreement with God...inside and out. Being saved with a worldly mindset just won't cut it."

Scripture reference - Ephesians 6:10-12.

SHHHH, Your Father is Speaking

Can you hear Him? I couldn't, and for a while I really didn't notice it because I was trying to do my own thing. But then I NEEDED Him to speak, aint that something, didn't notice it till I needed something. Anyways, and He would not....or so I thought. I've heard other people say they couldn't hear from God for various reasons. There may be times when we cry out and don't hear anything, however I believe that on more occasions than we are willing to admit, we just aren't listening. I got to a point, at the end of 2008 where I was determined, I needed to hear again! So I started really thinking this thing over, walking around questioning myself trying to figure out if He wasn't just talking to me, or if I, the busy body just wasn't paying attention. In my personal situation, I found it was the latter. I'm a trendy girl, so I have interest in some pop culture. I'm young and vibrant so I like to go out and have a good time with friends. I am single, so I do flirt....on occasion :-). But I was consumed in it all. My days were loaded with things through cable, internet, radio, etc that had my attention on lock. My body and mind was cluttered with everything under the sun created by man, I was caught up. I was ashamed at myself because when I sat back and thought about it, I literally had sqeezed God off my speed dial. I was sending Him to voicemail and not checkin it. 1 missed call, 5 missed calls, would just get cleared out so I could call someone else. The sad part is this was all unintentional. So as I stepped into the new year decided it was time for a cleanse. I was listening to Usher, Kanye, Lupe, and Wayne, all the time, so I took the CDs out the car. I couldn't miss ESPN, ANTM, I Wanna Work for Diddy, Making the Band, so I turned off the cable. I drank and ate the most fermented, sugary and fattening of things, all the time, so I stopped. Anything I felt was part reason and in my way, I removed it. But when I look back, I see I did have some help. When I was in Atlanta, I was living it up! Going out, ALL THE TIME. I thought I would die if I missed a specific happy hour or planned outing of some sort. I stayed at "the spot" wherever it was, even if I had to go alone. Hmmmm, maybe why God orchestrated my move to Chicago where I am now so comfortable and content with sitting on my couch? These things have worked to my benefit because I now can once again hear the small, still, voice of the Lord. Now I'm not telling you to stop living your life, and neither do I plan on not living mine, i'm merely speaking on what my issues were, what I needed to do, and what has worked for me. I'm sure I will once again do many of the things that I have taken a break from, I'm assured that i'll be in the beautiful South ready to "be owt" again, i'm definite that i'll hit J.R. Crickets for their wonderful lemon pepper wings and daiquiris once more, however I am more mindful today to not let those things consume me, tomorrow. I challenge you to take a look at your lives to see what may be keeping you from God's voice, instruction, and peace. Really ask yourself if you have pulled away, evaluate your line of communication, check your router for solid green lights, better you now than Him, later.

Fa Sho

How many things can you name in life that are certain? Not many. The only things I can think of off the top of my big head are aging and death. Not really topics that I nor anyone I know would like to deal with on the regular. Most of us dread getting older and we try to avoid discussions that relate to dying or death. But we all know both will happen, fa sho. For all my non southerners, this term "fa sho", that I so eloquently use and one that I over extend more times than not is just urban southern dialect for "for sure". Of course my generation has put a twist on the term and we have slang'd it out. I've come to find that sometimes my "fa sho's" do actually mean "for sure" in a structured sentence. But more times they are just per se' the tag line on the end of my sentences specifically to reiterate the certainty or to solidify my statements, actions, or feelings. I've also come to find that my "fa sho's" mean the word "yes" if it is in response to a question. If someone is asking me a question, and the answer is yes, I may respond with, "fa sho". If I am making a statement and I want to put an emphasis on the importance of it, the last thing I might say is, "fa sho". Like a handshake at the end of a business deal, a period at the end of a sentence, or the click of a lock after a door is closed. A "no questions asked" type of ending, a literal "it's done". The phrase itself is ironic because of where I'm going. Now since we can't think of too many other certainties, we'll go with death for $500. But don't fret on that topic because there is a twist. There is a certain death that I can be happy about. Jesus' death. This is a death that I can talk about without feeling sad. Did you know that what Jesus represented on that cross had a tag line? A "fa sho" if you will, and without a doubt the best one yet. His sentence and statement was what He did for us, His "fa sho" was what He said after it was all done. Therefore our questions are answered and promises fulfilled with this responded "fa sho" because He is the resounding "Yes". The "fa sho" that I'm talkin about and the best "fa sho" I've ever heard of were Jesus' last words on the cross, when He said, "It is finished". Can someone call Stevie Wonder about THESE three words? When Jesus uttered these words, we can only imagine the atmosphere. Some bibles say the earth shook or quaked. But He has placed in our hearts the spirit of what those words truly mean. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks, so hear me when I say...Everything you deal with has already been dealt with. Anything you have to face uncomfortably, has already been handled. Things you've done in the past are over, gone, and forgotten. Things you haven't seen or heard yet, hey now, He got that too! Turn it all over to Him now because He said "It is finished", and since those were His last words, where I'm from that means, "fa sho". He solidified His purpose so we could be free, fa sho. It is certain that Jesus has already fought the battle, fa sho. We are winners in Christ, fa sho. He will never leave nor forsake you, fa sho. In Him you are forgiven, fa sho. He is on your side, fa sho. Who cares if things aint right, He will fix them, fa sho. The devil has been defeated, fa sho! You have been given the keys to the Kingdom, fa sho. He loves you, fa sho. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, fa sho. Jesus, fa sho. So as I continue to wear out my southern slang, after all the times I've used that term to close a deal, confirm or make certain of what I'm saying, or just to say it cause I am reppin that wonderful Dirty South, there is nothing more certain than what Christ did for us, what He is to us, and who we are in Him. He, His actions, love, and purpose is the ultimate, realest, most personified "fa sho" I know.



Copyright ©2009 Crystal Dion Lewis

Be Still And Know That I Am God

Why is movement important? I can remember as a child, I always had to shake and move. Oh and don't let someone specifically say, "be still", I think I would literally turn into a centipede, just dreadful. Then I would get that look that said, "didn't I tell you to be still, I am your mother and I said be still!" It isn't much different when It comes to God and our adult lives. We are still movers and shakers, however in different ways. But "be still" is very much the same. My Ma had to always tell me to be still. When she would do this, it could've been for any reason cause I was just a busy body. She could've been trying to press my thick unrelaxed hair, amazing at how even a hot comb fresh off the gas stove didn't even frighten me into stillness. But most and many times it was mainly because I was out of order, maybe just didn't have any real reason to be moving, or about to break something I had no business holding or being around. Kinda like when me and Tiffany(my childhood bestfriend) would be talkin and playin in church, and I just so happen to glance up in the choir stand dead smack into the eyes of Patricia Ann, that's my Ma yall. I got still then! Sound familiar? God's word specifically says, "Be still and know that I am God", so why do we continue to stress, shake, and nervously move? Lets follow the Fathers instructions, leave stuff in your life alone, BE STILL and find peace in the fact that He is God, nothing is too great for Him, and what He says goes because He says so and because..... it is so.

Let the bad out weigh the good

Life can be a struggle sometimes, I'm sure we can all testify to that. Trying to live day by day as best you can without falling off course. And once you get on your personal straight and narrow, sometimes it can feel pretty good. Other times it can seem like so much pressure with the gap closing in never ceasing. My life has been on both sides many many many times, but I rarely pay attention to the significance of the most important. But when I look back, I wonder which occasions are the most significant, the good or the bad. If I had asked myself this 10 years ago I probably would've said that good. Today, I know its the bad. Of course much of the bad, I could find joy in lighting a match to it, never to be thought of again. And the good times, oh I can speak on those for days. However, which is of better benefit, harping on the good or things I did right, or meditating on the bad or things that were just incorrect. Now when I say meditate, I'm merely stating to think on it. After being on this earth for 30 years, I am just realizing that I rarely found reason to really evaluate the bad. How can this be, I should know better! Well God is merciful, and has excused me for being so off track with this. And he has shown me that if I push the bad or unplanned situations that sent me over the edge to the back of my mind, then the whole experience would have been in vain. I am now more aware of the uncertainties and left turns. I pay more attention to detail in situations so I can learn the moral. I've learned to understand that the bad is for my growth and maturity, but only if I take note of it. Old folks from down south say all the time, "the good out weighs the bad," which I do believe is true. However, I'm willing to let the bad out weight the good in the spiritual sense in order to grow. Hey, God meant all of it for good right, so why not?

God Makes No Mistakes

Many times things occur in our lives that we have no control over. But what we don't understand is that more often than not situations come to pass through ways of intention. The operative word is intention. Who's intention? Who else but the Most High. I've had my life sway from one extreme to another, some good, some horrible. I've had people commit relational suicide with me, i've had others turn around and walk in the other direction, and i've had specific ones who just flat out left me out on a limb. And then I, the southern debutante from the Heart of Dixie chose to move to Chicago before the worst winter in almost a decade, what is really going on? However, there is a God I serve who sits up high, and looks down low, and is smiling down on me. Why is He smiling, because He makes no mistakes. I rest in the sacred cares of His affection, because He has my back. I can sleep at night knowing He will never slumber on His shift. Supernatural tech support, how bout dat! Now the ironic thing about my mistake less God is I see His passion for me to grow as an inconvenience, hurt, frustration, and set backs. When He has purposely set me up to succeed in mighty ways. I fought, cried, and whined when things started to change, I allowed my eyes to focus only on my discomfort, all four of them. The price per gallon for being hated was going up quicker than diesel. The melodic sounds from the record of my life skipped repeatedly, cause my vinyl had been scratched bad. Remaining faithful was on the back burner, and I was pretty upset with my God. Even when I realized some of the reconstruction was due to me going in my prayer closet, oh I was really heated then. I wanted Him to warn me of what could or would change before I stepped out. Explain to me how things would really be. How spoiled of me. How mighty of Him. To ignore my laziness knowing if I knew the half I would have politely declined makes me smirk now, cause mommy does that too. To object at showing me a glimpse of what's mines, my destiny, and my peace because He needs me to trust Him wholeheartedly. To overlook my tantrums and still raise my stock. In this economy? WOW indeed. God makes no mistakes. Change is courageous, people leave, friendships die, situations blow up, love blossoms. Next levels are waiting on me, new and improved people are making room for my presence, the winds are calm, a seed of love has been planted, I can smell the rain. How do I know? God doesn't forget to do what I forget to do sometimes, take out the trash.....


~throwin da deuces~


perfect.


Copyright ©2009 Crystal Dion Lewis