A Black Baptist Funeral, remembered
I found myself standing several times with my hands raised high, in praise to our Lord, God almighty. Years ago, I was embarrassed to show my faith with such fervent gesturing.
I was 13 and growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was a hot summer day when I visited my friend, Patti Holmes, in her neighborhood of square wooden houses. I was sitting on her front step when I heard a beautiful sound...as though a choir of Angels were singing. I walked down the street drawn to an old clapboard house with a cross embedded in the front stain glass window. It was a church, and the doors were open...inviting me to come in. The organ was playing and the voices were haunting. I walked up the steps and was led inside by pure intrigue. Once inside I saw only beautiful, glowing, black faces, and I somehow still felt at home. They were standing, (sorta jumping around), and singing with their eyes closed and hands raised. I had never seen this before and only slightly felt self conscious about being so white. I sat down in the back pew, totaly mesmerized. They were worshipping and it was contagious. I was uplifted. A tangible feeling came through me and I stood with the rest of the congregation. I was filled with something at that time I had no words for. (Now, I know it well. It's the Holy Spirit). I was infused, embedded with His Glory, and if I had my wits about me, I would have been embarrassed by my exuberance, but somehow I wasn't. I became one of them... reaching and crying and singing. It was the first time I actually felt the Holy Spirit. It was my introduction and I will never forget that day, in a small black Baptist church that felt like Home.
So, today watching Whitney's "Home Going" I was brought back to a time in my early teens, when I understood what worship really means, really feels like. It's pure. It's freeing. It's what God wants us to do...be BOLD for our love of Him.
I have longed (yearned) for this old-time feeling again.
Thank you Whitney, for bringing me back.
Whitney Houston, "Home" at 48.
A Higher Perspective (the TRUTH), is that Whitney was plagued with deamons...and they are very real. Yes, the "negative force" targets the blessed, the gifted, the vaulnerable...any servant who draws people in with their pure love for the Lord.
Whitney sang for God...and this pisses off the enemy.
I'm serious, there is scientific evidence that negative energy enters the mind and intention of those who earnestly love the Lord. It's called SPIRITUAL WARFARE. When people are BOLD for God there is a constant battle in their mind, in their life. They might let up but they never go away. Whitney's struggle was real and she was tired.
My message today is to focus on the positive. Whitney no longer feels the weight of the world. She is singing and God is smiling.
So, recognize her sublime gifts and mourn her tragic passing,
but, also have a peace in your heart knowing that...Whitney is Home free.
ED revealed...BRAVO!!!
I don't know if you watch 'The Bachelor' on Monday night TV, but I reluctantly admit that I do. (No, I won't be embarrassed).
Well, last night (2-7-'12), a bachelorette contestant, Casey B., admitted that she has struggled with an eating disorder...on National fricken' TV...to her perspective husband, Ben.
I say BRAVO!!!...to Casey, and BRAVO to her parents who evidently took the bull by it's horns. We need more people to reveal this "ugly secret" that is growing exponentially.
Having worked with ED clients for 10 years, (Chapt. 21, pg.149 [there I got it in]), I understand the impact this confession could have. I pray this recognition will effect viewers...girls who are struggling and families who are questioning..."Is this normal?"
NO...IT'S NOT NORMAL...GET HELP !!!
We all need to know that CONFIDENCE is the most beautiful (and sexy) trait anyone can have.
And how do we get confidence?...I hear you asking.
By understanding that God designed you...to perfection...just as you are right now. Oh, we all have lessons to learn, but let's appreciate our individuality, because out of billions of people on this earth, there are no two alike. (Chapt.4, pg.17 [got in another plug]). When your unique traits are lined up with your gifts and talents...POOF...you are living out your legacy.
I say BRAVO to those who get this wisdom early on. Save yourself the aggravation.
So, Casey B....you go girl.
Tamlin's Blog
So I’m blogging now ??!!#!!??**?
What the heck is a “blog” and why do people do this?
I am an artist, a right-brainer, and way too celestial for my own good. I’m very uncomfortable with new technology…so why am I doing this?…tell me again?
I have been told that it’s a good way for people to get to know me better and understand why I wrote what I did in my memoir…so here goes.
BLOG #1:
Grab the book and place it in front of you. Don’t open it yet. Let’s talk about the title, Forgetting To Fly. I hear you asking, “Do you really think you can fly?”
Of course not.
“Then why the title?”
Because when I was very young I would dream that I could fly. It was wonderful. Not a care in the world. No rush or chaos, only the wind in my face, breathing in a crystal blue sky. I loved being UP. I could see my neighborhood in areal view. The houses, yards, kids running to school…
But, now that I think about it, how did I know what a house look like from above? Or a yard or a tree, or even a person? How was I seeing kid’s crooked parts and men’s bald spots. Why did I see my neighborhood like an early version of map quest? I had not been in an airplane at that time. I had never been in an air balloon. It was way before Google Earth. I never saw a picture of an areal view before. So, how did I know to see things from an UP perspective?
Maybe when I dreamed that I was flying…I really was.
That’s not so totally out of the question, is it?
I believe we all have an inner knowing.
Some may call it cell-memory, some call it reincarnation.
I choose to believe that our spirit, that energy that makes us who we really are, comes and goes, using our body as a resting place…a home to relax in and reflect… to teach our minds a higher perspective. (Chapt.3, Pg.15).
Did you know that it is scientifically proven that our heart gives information to the brain, NOT the other way around? (re: the HeartMind institute)
So where do we get that information? How do we gather the wisdom we have accumulated?
Could it be that we already have the wisdom of Jesus, the knowledge of Gandhi, the compassion of Mother Theresa…already embedded in our soul? We just have to recognize and remember it? I think young children do remember, (Chapt.16, Pg.122), but as we grow older the business of life makes us forget. Or maybe, the rules and judgments that our parents believe lead us away from the Truth.
It doesn’t have to be this hard.
If we are quiet…take time to breathe in the understanding…we will remember…we will know the Truth. (Chapt.12, Pg.85) We have the wisdom of the ages available to us. We have been given the gift of discernment, such a powerful tool.
So, why don’t we use it?
You’ve heard the saying “Use it, or lose it.”…right?
Well, it’s true. If we don’t use the gifts God has given us, we might as well throw them away.
So, now that I think (and write) about it…I believe I really could fly as a kid, and I still can.
My spirit soars when I let it. (Chapt.24, Pg.193)
And how about you?
Did you fly as a child?
Could you see in areal view?
We’re you gathering information, while being UP, that you have forgotten today? (Chapt.16, Pg.118)
Were you the one flying in those dreams, or did you watch yourself fly? (that’s another blog, for another day).
Do you still dream of flying?
Can you still let your spirit soar?
Will you remember your inner knowing and what it is trying to say?
If not, perhaps you need to be quiet, and breathe, and remember.
Because…you already know.
