I'm On A Rantpage

UH...HMMMM!

2011-09-07T03:58:00.000-04:00

I'm refreshed and I will enjoy what God's given me. I don't apologize for living my life. I just wanna know more about God....when I know more about Him, then I'll know more about me! It's all about FREEEEEEDOM!!!!

2010-09-09T10:22:00.003-04:00

Great things are happening......great things are happening! BAM!
Galations 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap,
if we faint not.

When we serve, our hearts should be so to honor God. I've had to battle for this like nobody's business. It's hard to take the punches, it's hard to help when you don't feel like it, it's hard to bless others when you know they wouldn't return the favor. But, there's peace in knowing that what we do isn't about the what but about the how. God blesses us when our hearts' desire is to honor him even when no one is looking. When it's hard, we're confronted with our flesh. It becomes easier when our hearts are attuned to God's. C'mon people don't grow weary in helping others. One of the things I'll never forget my mom telling me, "Serita, whenever you give something to someone don't expect them to give it back to you. Just know that what you gave made God smile and that He's gonna bless you because you blessed them".
Also, right along with this...to stand for truth, purity, love, kindness and humilty is HARD. To try walk Holy and upright is tough. Every day I'm confronted with good vs not so good. There are times when I don't want to do good to people or even to myself. I get tired of seeing people abuse others, take advantage of, ignore others feelings, or just flat out show no utter regard for anyone other than themselves. So that makes me, at times, want to care and do less. I get tired of feeling like I have to do the right things because other people won't. And, then I'm reminded of how much my life is scoped by the eyes of God. I'm reminded of having to give account of all of my actions and pre-actions. I don't always want to do good, and I don't....but I repent lol.

i love who i love...

2010-07-12T00:00:00.003-04:00

i love building with the people i get to build with! what i've realized over the years is this.....
the ones that are truly friends deliberately walk out their "i love you's", don't use the word "family" as a crutch, are willing to invest in something greater than themselves, and aren't simply looking to get something more from you. i love the people in my life and i'm grateful!
people hurt each other and things happen in life. but, if you aren't willing to fight through, then did you really love in the first place? common now! i'm not impressed by the ones that talk a good game. i trust that ones that i've seen and trust that their actions will precede their words. i like facebook but there's no greater love than the ones i get to really call my friends! boooyah!

I will stand for more

2009-09-22T12:51:00.001-04:00

I'm reflecting on God's goodness and I'm challenged to continue to grow. I want to be real and upfront with how real God is in my life. I don't want to compromise just to look "cool" in front of others. I'm challenged to grow deeper and to show people it's cool to serve God and that you can walk with integrity and still be down for the cause. I'm not an uptight Christian. I just refuse to live my life without boundaries, morals, and convictions. I can be cool and stand for something! And even tho, I fail...plenty of times....I will still stand for something greater!

Moving Forward

2009-07-26T19:57:00.002-04:00

I'm so blessed! I realized over the past few months how much God has kept me even in my mess. I appreciate my friends and the time they invest in hanging out and loving life with me. They don't have to "fit" me in to their calendar. The truth of love and friendship shows through their laughs and genuine concern. I had a great reality today and yesterday morning! And.....
I just got OVER it! I'm moving forward in my life with the people I care about and that are TRULY invested in my life! Not those that ABUSE their privileges! I can't do the fickle thing any more. Say you are what you are. Live in that and be that! No more mind games! No more empty false statements. So refreshing to see and know the truth!
I love me some God.....always brings the truth forward in life! Now, I just wish I wouldn't have wasted the past 7 years of my life here. Why did I come to Atlanta again? LOL!
Moving forward....LOL!

2009-07-23T08:37:00.001-04:00

I'm still not content with what I see around me...I'm looking for my people! A people of the same heart and same passion. I'm looking for my tribe, as my good friends in Bremen would say.

Wthout people my life would be....

2009-06-13T21:56:00.003-04:00

Let me start by say....I'm so thankful for all of the relationships I have in my life! I'm so grateful for having the privilege of walking with such awesome and caring people. I never knew, nor was I ever thankful, that people had this type of affect on me before. LOL! And, I don't mind!
Today I had the dinner with one of my student's family. We had such a great time together. Grilled burgers, homeade fries, strawberry shortcake, lots of laughter, funny stories, and tons of love. Wow, what an awesome family. I had a blast hanging out and an even better time chatting!
Toward the end of my stay and the end of our conversation, Joel (my student's dad) asked me about my family. I shared with them about my mom's, dad, and grandmother's death. I also shared with them a few other events that have happened in the course of my life. It wasn't, at all, hard to share. It was, almost, a bit therapuetic. LOL! Whenever I share "the" story with others I never want anyone to feel bad for me. Shoot I don't...and...here's why....
As I shared my story with them, I talked about all of the people I've known in the course of my life that have left a tremendous imprint of compassion and love. I realized in a split moment, that if I hadn't had God and those key people he's placed in my life I probably would've gone crazy by now. I realized how much God really loved/loves me! He loved/loves me enough to give me people that love me. People that have made me feel as if I'm important and that are willing to walk together as friends and family. Not that I've ever looked for affirmation, cause honestly I haven't, they've given it to me. And tho I was born into this world illegitimate God's love/acceptance has shown through many of them. I'm so thankful!!!
I'm thankful for the many talks, the nights of crying, for being challenged to grow through my selfishness LOL, the challenge to seek God's best and not EVER settle for the awe appealing good, to dig deeper and never forget who I am, to be aware that life is meant to live out loud even if no one is watching. I'm thankful for their acceptance. I'm thankful for those that have remained in my life when I've tried, and trust me I have, shoooing them away. I'm grateful for their honesty and sense of humor. God knows I would have keeled over if I had boring people in my life. LOL!
God's grace and love is evident in my life! He's proven his faithfulness and I can be secure of who I am because of Him. Because of Him I DON'T WALK ALONE!
I want to just say thank you to all of you that have grown with me over the years of my life. I know that I haven't told you but I AM VERY THANKFUL for you! I wouldn't be who I am now without you!
Now...on to something more important! LOL!

A new day

2009-06-10T21:27:00.004-04:00

Wow, it's been ages since I've graced this blog with my presence. I've been extremely busy for the past umpteen months. The joy of life!
Since my last post I've moved out of my friends house and gotten my own place. My job has been crazy busy and the cliental is growing. Life, I must say, is whole lot betta. I'm beginning to see the truth of life...the truth as to what I think it's supposed to be. I love where I am.
This move, this new beginning, has taught me so much about myself. I have NEVER felt so refreshed. WOW! I've realized, for the first time in forever, I have something to give. If you've read any of my other posts, I seemed a bit...well...irritated, anxious, annoyed, and down right beside myself. I don't know...but it was a good place to be. Why? Because I learned more about myself and God. Shoot, I plain ole kept it real. But, for me keeping it real wasn't good enough.....I WANTED THINGS TO CHANGE! I wanted my life to be my life. No more of the fitting in to someone else's ideas of where I needed to go. For a while, and I don't think this was wrong by any means, I'd let others opinions really dictate a lot of decisions in my life. When I finally got over the disgust of the could've-would've-should've's I realized it was good. God had me at a place to just not seek what His word said for me, but I needed others to help me (somewhat) see the truth. Some opinions were necessary and some were.....let's just say I didn't ask nor will I ever ask them for their advice again..LOL! 7 years of just being...7 years of what had seemed like a bust....7 years of living in a place that I could never call my own...7 years of teeter-totter relationships....7 years of a lot of the familiar becoming unfamiliar...7 years of feeling misunderstood....7 years of not truly loving others....7 years of STRETCHING, GROWTH, MATURITY, FINDING MYSELF TROUGH GOD,

So...I'm gonna say it!

2009-02-24T18:42:00.007-05:00

Man, what a few weeks this has been. And, oh how grateful I am for having this blog as a means of venting. Rantpage. Simply put....this is my blog, away from my knees, to vent of a lot of the things that irritate me, stimulate my interest or well it's simply the truth according to me.
Like I stated before WHAT A WEEK! Wow! I wouldn't have ever thought I would have encountered half the crap I have over the past weeks. Not only have the weeks proven to be hard, but, I feel extraordinarily drained. I'm tired! Woooooooo!
Is it possible to be amazed, hurt, irritated, let down, blessed, liked, frustrated, disappointed, dooped, and huhhed (I just made that up) all in the same week. I wouldn't have ever thought it. Not that I will go into details, cause I really don't do that, but I feel like my eyes have been more than opened.
Straight talk. This is coming from the absolute depths of my heart. This is what I have learned. aRe YoU rEaDy? Here goes it.....AT THE END OF THE DAY PEOPLE ONLY CARE ABOUT THEMSELVES. Woooo....got that off of my chest. Sound the alarm. Ring the bell. Let the chickens loose. I don't care how much you hear that they don't IT'S NOT TRUE! Test them! I have and 10 out of 10 have proven me R I G H T! Woooo Hoooo!!!!! (sarcasm is a great thing)
Out of all I've given, and obviously expect nothing in return but honesty and truth, I've never felt so let down. And, oddly enough, I'm ok with it. Only because it reaffirms my desperation for Jesus.
My mom told me a long time ago, "never put your trust fully into people that aren't truly invested in you". The operative word there is truly. And, of course me being young and newly saved I didn't wholly believe her. Not that she had trust issues, she was simply saying to me, and she did say to me, You can't trust man like you can trust God. Learn to trust God. Learn to go to Him because people will disappoint you. Your family will disappoint you. People that "pretend" to be your family will disappoint you (I know what she was talking about now). Your friends will disappoint you. You will disappoint people. But, God won't. He won't. And, WHY DIDN'T I LISTEN?????? I wish I would've listened to her more....well, I guess I did. I still remember!
I'm living my life with a few regrets right now. I wish I would've listened to my mom more. I feel like I've wasted the last few years of my life trying to serve someone else's dream. I wish I would not have said no to the opportunities that would've helped my career. Instead I stayed here to help others. Hmmm...and where are they now? I wish I would've tried to invest more time seeking the truth early on than now. Oh, how I wish.
The funny thing about wishing is that you can't do anything about it and it gets you absolutely NO WHAR. Tho, I shouldn't have regrets......I do! Real talk I feel dooped! And real talk....most of us, if not all of us have felt or feel this way. So, please don't read this and start pointing fingers or criticizing. It's the truth. Most of us have been used are use people to our advantage. And it's WRONG! I'm just saying what's real and what's out there (at least in my life).
The hardest part about what I feel is that I feel like God has always asked me to be different but not stupid either. Regardless of how many times I've felt used, been used, lied on, never defended, dooped, taken advantage of, criticized, judged, bamboozled, tricked, and manipulated (I could keep going...lol) I'm challenged to turn the other cheek. And boy is that hard! If people really knew what I wanted to say. If they really knew. It's so hard to hear what God wants me to do, even serving others that at the end of the day don't care how it really affects me, regardless of how much I'm being stretched and how much it pains me.
Pump the brakes. What I'm saying is......Tho, I honestly feel all of the above.....I've grown to love and appreciate the truth of whom Jesus is even more than ever. I mean I'm quite sure He'd gone through every single thing I've felt times 1000. And, not that He didn't have a back bone or couldn't stand up to them He chose to turn the other cheek. Regardless of it all I realize God has grown me. God has challenged me. God has kept me. And I'm thankful for knowing the truth. There's so much to this..... Most people would have cursed half the people out, and trust me I've wanted to. But GOD.....God has challenged me to shut up, pray for them, and turn the other cheek. He's challenged me to serve even when I've been tired and hurt so that He can bless. It all sounds confusing...but it isn't.
I guess I shouldn't have regrets. And typing all of this out, or I should say getting all of this off of my chest, has lifted a certain weight.
What I know is this....
1. Regardless of how much I've been hurt by other people I will choose to serve
2. Regardless of how much I've been lied on, I will choose to speak the truth about others
3. Regardless of what has happened to me, wrongfully or not, I will choose to forgive (I won't forget tho...LOL)
4. Regardless of what it is I WILL TRUST THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO DIRECT ME
This is all over the place now......it was just good to get it off of my chest....wooooooo

I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL

2009-02-08T19:16:00.003-05:00

I have realized I've become complacent. And....it scares me. Why? Because, I realize my complacency makes me unaware of the need to be covered by God. Huh? I realize when I'm complacent with my life/circumstances I'm less dependant upon God. I don't seek Him. I don't ask. I'm not desperate. And...it scares me. Around other people I become tolerant. I become tolerant of the things that hurt His heart. I don't fight. I take the blows as if they're normal. I forget who I am. Huh? Yes, I'm not just Serita Reygel Brooks daughter of Roziene Cynthia Brooks/grandaughter of one of the greatest people to ever grace this planet Audrey Elizabeth Wheeler. I'm God's possession. Before I was ever theirs I was his. I AM HIS. And, I sometimes forget that. And, when I forget who I belong to I become unaware of the dangers of denying my Father's name. Then my reliance isn't in my family's name it's on me. To be the calf wandering away from the herd is a dangerous thing. Not to forget my big brother. My protective big brother Jesus. Calling him!
What am I getting at! EVERY DAY I have to come to my Father. Every day I must not forget who I am. When I forget and choose to walk in oblivan I don't say I'm proud of the gospel which is through my brother His son. I deny who I am. I deny Him. I must not forget. What a great revelation for me right now!
I have to spread the word of who Christ is in me. I can't be complacent anymore. It's can't be just a whenever I feel like it kinda thing. Or whenever I'm feeling this cloud 9 of a high. I'm done. It was a long ride. Now, I'm ready to get off! Back to the grind! I feel so much swelling up inside of me right now. I'm tired of the way life seems around me. And why won't I do something about it. ENOUGH!

I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL.....WHICH IS THROUGH JESUS!

My new church!

2009-02-02T22:51:00.004-05:00

So, I've come up with a church that I'm gonna start myself. It's called SHUT THE HELL UP! I know it's catchy and you wanna join. I know it is not St Lutheran Ebeneazor Mount Sinai Rocky Road Episcopal Kinda Baptist on a Hill Methodist Beyond the Mount Zion Catholic But I'm Not Practicing Jehovah In My Own Mind Community International Never Traveling Tho Church. I know! Great name....I know! But it's gonna be something you've never heard of. Just be patient!

Here's the premise...
1. Realize there's a battle for your life.....shut the "hell" up that's trying to prevent you from gaining victory
2. Fighting horrible thoughts....shut the "hell" up in your mind
3. Trying to lose weight and can't.....shut the "hell" up in laziness/procrastination and shut the hell up in those donuts you just ate
4. Watching something you shouldn't be watching on tv......shut the "hell" up on that television
5. Gossiping....you just need to shut the hell up inside of you
6. Tryna gain ground.....shut the hell up and move forward!

Now, there you have it!

I'm seriously thinking about starting a serious blog that everyone can chime in on. Some sort of community board at which we all can learn to shut the hell up inside of us.
To gain ground. To stop teeter-tottering around our issues. It's gonna be the opposite of what I see in churches.

It's not a:
-hoop and hollering with vivacious empty amens with no true evidence of true victory kinda thing
-self help group (way too much of this going on)
-prosperity come to Jesus when the light bill is due kinda thing
-my momma told me to go kinda thing

It's gonna be a:
-pick up your bed and walk kinda group...some of ya'll should probably skip! LOL!
-tackling the truth and being victorious in God by shutting the hell up in us kinda thing
-sharpen that iron but you better get that beam outta yo eye (my eye) kinda group
-speak the truth with love but don't be afraid to bring the love of the rod of truth

Now, of coarse, this is all centered around allowing God to be God! And not us! We just have to do our part!

Now all of you religious folk are probably having all sorts of tiffs....things are stirring up inside right now (or I should say a spirit other than The Spirit is stirring). The boiling point is about to go off! Wooo hoooo! Let it blow! That's just hell tryna shut up in ya. Anyway, don't get all bent out of shape.

We'll see! There's more to come.....

2009-01-27T06:22:00.001-05:00

It's Sunday....and I'm restless. What does God want from me. I can't settle for the good. It's the pain in my achilles heal.

What? Worship looks like....that?

2009-01-25T11:04:00.004-05:00

I'm tired! I'm tired of what music, Christian music represents. I'm sitting here watching gospel videos as well as few other shows and I'm quite irritated.
It all began last night.....
I went to this gospel music gathering with a friend last night in Heflin, AL. Wow! Growing up I went to A LOT of these functions with my family. My grandma sang in a group, my mom sang in a group, my aunt sang with my mom in a group, and my sister and I sang with my mom in a group. So, I've been to a few of these. But, I'd forgotten what it was like until...last night. I couldn't believe it. All of the hollering...in the name of Jesus. All dancing around and "claiming" to catch the spirit. All of the expressionless worship. I was having a really hard time. Especially since I knew a little bit about some of the people that were putting on the performance. I'd remember growing up and going to church and the same people up there singing and ranting about how good God was to them were the same people beating on their wives, cheating on their husbands, cursing each other out, drinking alcohol every second they got, and ultimately living a victory-less life. It irritated me then and it irritates me now.
WHY!!!! WHY!!! Who is God to us/them?
It's so disheartening to see artists on television all dolled up and groomed precisely with no truly humble countenance up there singing about Jesus. It's so sad. Most sing to an idea and not a reality. I'm not saying everyone is like this....but the majority are. We measure our praise on rictor scale of how loud we can be, how many runs we can do, how many times we can scream out the same phrase, and how good we sound.
It really makes me wander what is true worship and what does it look like to God. I mean I could be totally wrong in what I felt this morning and last night. I hope it doesn't sound like judging....I'm calling a spade a spade.
I kept hearing God saying if you truly want me REPENT. You could feel the weight of oppression. You could sense the hopelessness. RELIGION. The only scripture that kept scrolling across my head was....you shall have no other gods before Me. You shall have no other gods before Me (Exodus 20:3)
It's disrespectful to God!
But....I honestly don't know what is worse. People that are blatantly loud and showing out or people that sit there and act like God doesn't exist.
I've been in both worlds. I'm so perplexed. My heart hurts and grieves because I want us to genuinely worship God. He deserves more than our performance.
And in the midst of this.....a question is raised...musicians/singers (that believe they are ministering on behalf of God to His people) WHO ARE YOU? Be honest....Away from the stage, away from the microphone, away from how much you can get for your performance, who are you? Where is your heart? If you were never given a microphone again, would you still sing as loud as you can to God. If you were never given an opportunity to put on your make-up, high heels and your Sundays best suit would you still "perform" I meant worship God. If no one ever listened to you sing another note would you sing to God? Who are you in your closet? Is your heart of worship in your closet or on that stage.
All of this almost makes me never want to sing again. My heart hurts.
This break from "leading" worship is proving to be hard yet very enlightening. I want so much more from God....from myself. I feel like I'm in a good place of rest, but it's so hard. I want Him to teach me more about worship through music. My lifestyle is changing. My ways of thinking are changing. I'm changing. I'm tired of what I've been. I'm tired of what Christianity is. I'm tired of what Christian music has been. And, let me correct myself....it's not the music it's the message behind the music. It's the lifestyle behind the music. Lord change us. Lord help us! Please Lord! I'm tired of the phonies I'm tired musicians cheating on their wives and getting up playing and singing for you as if you approve. I'm tired of congregations filled with vain Amens and worthless acts of praise. I'm tired!
I want to be:
where the people are real
where the WORD and practicality of it is challenging
where we ALL want to worship freely
where we're not on a timeline to praise
where it's not about the pastor
where it's not about the worship leader and how good they look or sound
where we're not afraid of looking "weird" to an unbeliever (I'm gonna blog about this one soon), where there's for real joy!
where God FIRST not your agenda
Is it impossible? Unattainable?
If I'm ever called to what I feel like God wants from me.....LORD HELP ME! Lord help me to stand for truth.
Lord, please place someone in my life...soon...to help teach me and grow me in this. I need a mentor. I need someone passionate about You and compassionate toward your people. I want to learn. I want to!

2009-01-25T10:22:00.002-05:00

WOW! What a month it's been! I've been working more than ever as well as traveling a bit. But, I'm enjoying ever last bit of it. Well, except the work!
In the midst of all of the craziness I'm still learning more about myself and about people. And, I'm thankful for the lessons.
I've been traveling to South Carolina a bit this month. My friend Michael and Jessica live there....which has granted me an escape from my norm. I've missed them so much. I truly value the unique relationship we have. And, the best part about it is THEY WANT ABSOLUTELY NOTHING FROM ME! What a change!!! They don't have to pencil me in. So refreshing! We've all missed the level of friendship+accountability we had in college. Only to bring it back!
I miss so much of what my life used to be. I miss my mom (the truth of whom she was..she carried her title with truth! No guessing. She was who she was), the babes (Paul, Michael, D-Rob, Lisa, Jess, Christine, and of course me), and a carefree lifestyle I once experienced. Looking back, I wish I wouldn't have taken them for granted. Now, I'm having to live in a different reality. I'm thankful for my friends that have challenged me, have TRULY stood with me, that listen, and that don't teeter totter in and out of my life.
You're probably thinking I'm obsessed with the concept of true friends. I guess I'm more irritated that we don't know what real friends are. C'mon and be real. I'm tired of one sided relationships. And, I guess that's why I'm so committed to the ones I have.
I have many more thoughts about this.
On a different note...I'm so glad I can send blogs from my phone!

Honoring God with excellence through integrity shapes our character....it's not always about the big things.

2008-12-11T22:15:00.001-05:00

So, I'm challenged right now. I just had this awesome conversation with a friend of mine. We talked about a whole lotta stuff. Cause it was ketchup time...that's catch up time. So great! One of the things that really stuck out to me was our talk about excellence and all that it brings......not that we know..

Excellence? Such a unattainable word. Or is it?

We talked about the things that we do that form our character. The things that we do when no one is looking. How much of our lives, our morals, our standards are shaped by a willingness to be challenged to do the little things. Challenged to strive for excellence in each. An attainable excellence.

Let me tell you what I'm talking about.......
We conversed about one of her professors quirky ways of showing she cares through discipline and how much she's a straight arrow type of person. How there's no room for error. Which is very understandable, considering she is in the medical field. She shared with me how her professor has little to no tolerance for mistakes. Because one mistake could, literally, cause someones life to drastically change. One mistake could altar life as we, they, know it. If she were to overlook the smallest detail, the result could be catastrophic. Every thing has a place and every place has a purpose.

The more that we talked I began to remember how God once challenged me to seek excellence by doing something I thought was a "duh". However, He didn't challenge me while the weight of someones life was in my hands or I had to make some critical life altering decision. He did it in the simplest form. In the most minuscule thing in the nation. He challenged me to pick up a piece of paper; to hang up the shirt in the department store that everyone else stepped over, to obey the don't drink anything but water sign on the door, to give back the extra change that the waitress brought to me. Now don't get me wrong, I'm still learning a whole lotta others like...ummmm.....to obey the speed limit!

I remember how hard it was. How hard it was for me to bend over and pick up that piece of paper. I grumbled because other people would see things on the floor and walk past it. But, then, the more I became obedient and began to praise God while dying to myself I began to experience a whole nutha level of something. I began to experience what it really meant to honor God with the smallest acts. I saw that I was building a trust relationship with God. He could trust me to do the right things. I began to understand that He was shaping me. He was showing me how to value and be responsible to and for the smallest things. To stand on conviction even if no one else would or was there. To resist my own reasoning. Ouch! What a lesson.

I am really taken back by how the smallest choices define our overall character. I'm challenged on how much of a "matter of fact" person I should be. It's important to honor and stand for something. It's important for me to do things even when no one else will. To obey the smallest thing even when no else will. What a concept. Not really. It simply means don't just do good. Do good for and with a purpose. Character is a big thing to God. Not to mention.....OTHER PEOPLE NOTICE.

Well, as we sat there and continued chatting, I was so convicted about something I did today. Today, while I was working the bar at work, I was so thirsty and poured myself a cup of apple juice. Now back in the day, when I worked at a different store, my manager would let us drink pretty much whatever we wanted. But, I knew it wasn't a typical type of thang. So, I poured myself the glass and I asked the girl working with me if it were cool, and she replied that we weren't supposed to but that it was ok for me to do it. So, I thought about it. Then I rethought my thought about it. Then because I'd poured it (now I'm reasoning), I walked back in the back and swigged it down. Swigging and feeling horrible about it. Then I went back to work and thought about it for 2 seconds with a final thought of that juice was good....but I was still thirsty. So, as I was chatting with my friend, I thought I MISSED MY OPPORTUNITY TODAY TO STAND WITH INTEGRITY. I botched it. But, I'm not condemned about it. That juice was still good. But the fact that I did it even when I wasn't supposed to makes that great tasting juice seem so bitter. I know what I need to do. And I will because before God and before man I want to be an honest trustworthy person.

All of this to say, excellence through integrity simply means to:
-live in a way that challenges others to be better
-live not to receive praises from man but to receive respect and trust from them because they know you won't cut corners or you won't overlook the least of the least
-to live in a way that makes God want to say....THAT'S MY KID...make 'em a proud papa
-to stand for the status quo means you stand for nothing at all
-PICK UP THE DANG PIECE OF PAPER!

There's so much more I want to share about this!

“Character is doing the right thing when nobody's looking. There are too many people who think that the only thing that's right is to get by, and the only thing that's wrong is to get caught.” -- J.C. Watts

Faded Love

2008-11-30T15:24:00.001-05:00

You ever wander why relationships change when "life" happens. Albeit through a disagreement, leaving a church, hurt feelings, or anything else that would cause someone to part.
It's actually one of the hardest things to watch or to experience.
I think I've always been bothered by this. I know that things happen and that we are all challenged through hurt, but why can't we rekindle the "love" or the respect that was once in the relationship? I'm bothered by awkwardnessness.
Let me also say.....taking advantage of another individual's service is WRONG...I'll blog about this later.

Old School Black Mothers

2008-11-25T18:58:00.001-05:00

Back in the day when I was young...I'm not a kid anymore...But somedays I sit and wish I was a kid again......Ok, maybe I don't miss all of this. But, it does bring up some memories!!

OLD SCHOOL BLACK MOTHERS

There used to be a time when black children were the best behaved children in the world, now look at them. Time out my foot!

1. Have you ever been called downstairs from upstairs or the back of the house, or from the front of the house to get the remote, change the channel, or fix her a glass of ice water?

2. Have you ever been hit with an extension cord, a switch, or the nearest shoe?

3. Have you ever had to pick your own switch off the tree and she sent you back because the one you picked was too little?

4. Have you ever been burned on your ear with a straightening comb?

5. Have you ever been hit in the head or knuckles with a comb or hair brush?

6. Have you ever been told to "Shut Up or I'll give you something to cry about while she beats you with a belt - pronouncing every syllable---"Did-n't---I---tell----you---not---to-do ---!--- That---no ---more?!"

7. Your ponytails or plaits were so tight, you got those little bumps around your scalp.

8. You were scared to go home when you had a bad report card.

9. Alcohol, peroxide, cocoa butter, and Vaseline were the main items in the bathroom cabinet.

10. You were never "on punishment" - just got whoopins right out of the shower.

11. Have you ever been pinched for going to sleep in church?

12. She made you participate in every church activity (choir, Jr. Usher Board, Easter play, Christmas play, etc.)

13. Has she ever come inside and picked you up from school dance in hair rollers and her gown or pajamas on under her coat?

14. When you ask her for something, her response ! is . . . "You got a job?"

15. Have you ever been beaten for something your brother or sister did just
because you were around?

16. She vacuums everyday just so the carpet can have lines in it.

17. Have you ever been told to turn off the TV, get off the phone, or sit down and be quiet when it's storming outside because the Lord was doing his work?

18. Friends, family and friends of the family try to keep you out of trouble because they know your mother and how she is.

19. You were afraid to call the child abuse hotline.

20. She has to talk to God..."Lord, please don't let me hurt this child!!" before she gives you a whipping.

Friendship...Just listen!

2008-11-22T13:42:00.004-05:00

George Washington: "Friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation."

One of the greatest tests of friendship can be defined through uncertain perils of life. Who and where are they when you're going through tough times. Are they judgmental and biased toward their own point of view(s). Will they stop to listen, even if it disrupts their day? Will they be "slow to speak, and quick to listen", or quick to speak and slow to listen. (I often find this to be true)

I'm learning so much about this. And I'm very grateful for the lesson. I'm learning that everyone that says "let's hang out" isn't a friend at all. It's ok, to have fewer "friends". I'm not looking for facebook friends. I'm looking for accountability, depth, and consistency.

Friendship? What a word.

I had the most interesting conversation with a friend yesterday about this very topic. We're both going through this "clean out the contact list" sort of season. Which means, those that will serve a purpose and have proven to be true in nature of honesty and genuineness won't get deleted. We talked about the importance of not always trying to relate to a friend's season of life. Rather, just be there as a someone that truly cares about their friends' life.

This is what we found to be true about friendships (in no particular order)
--it's not about your comfort (tho boundaries are very necessary)
--being willing to shut up and listen goes a long way
--most people just want someone to listen to them, even if what they're saying makes no sense or even if they are wrong
--pre-judging will get you no where. it will, however, drive friends away
--an "only on my terms" relationship is no relationship at all
--you have to be willing to speak the truth to a friend, even if it hurts
--where is your coat when your friend doesn't have one? is it still on your back?
--make sure you know about the friend before you decide to assess their situation
--true love will be tested
--you can't always relate to another person's issues. but, just because you can't relate doesn't mean you can't be there
--accountability is RARE
--staying up to date with past hurts or other traumas in a friend's life is important. Ex. ....saying "Bob, how are you dealing with___". Even if Bob dealt with ___ 3 years ago, it still doesn't hurt to ask how he's doing. This shows you really care!
--throwing the word "love" around in a friendship or "caring" will be tested.
--TRUE FRIENDSHIP IS VERY HARD TO COME BY

I never want my friends to feel like their second best. I want to be there for people. And, yes, that's not to say boundaries aren't necessary. They are. Shoot if you don't have any established boundaries, some relationships will drive you to the bottle. One of the things I hate the most is having to schedule an appointment to be real with a friend. And, when I do, the paper and pencil come out. Don't write notes......listen. Don't try to figure them out.....listen. Don't be hasty to try to come to a conclusion.....listen. Be AVAILABLE. BE CONSISTENT. Be TRUTHFUL. Be TRUSTWORTHY. Be LOYAL. Judge your thoughts before something crazy and hurtful comes out of your mouth. Be willing to be a friend.

I've been going through a few things over the past few weeks and I'm so thankful for the friends that have helped me understand some truths. I've learned everyone that says they care doesn't. And, that's, honestly, ok! Trust me this ain't no pity party. It's a truth party! There's so much more to blog about on this subject of friendship.......
Thanks to my friend for our conversation last night!

"Greater love has no one than this that one lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

"A faithful friend is a strong defense: and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure."Ecclesiastes 6:14

posted by Serita Brooks at 5:48 PM 3 Comments Links to this post

In debt to?

2008-11-22T13:42:00.003-05:00

"Owe nothing to anyone except love" Romans 13:8.
This is a scripture I will live by. I'm ticked off right now. I'm sick of judgment and I'm sick of having to give an account to people that don't really care or that are just being nosey. I realized....I OWE NOTHING TO NO ONE but LOVE! Well, except the IRS. That's a whole-notha rant in itself.

The state of my life is this....I have no one in my life that I'm responsible to or for (I'm single, no kids, & with no parents). And trust me, I'm ok with that. Now, back it up, I do have relationships that I value and that I am accountable to. I value my friendships. I'm glad to receive WISE/CARING/CONSISTENT advice. I'm happy to let people in my world, that genuinely care and that are consistent. Did I mention consistent again? I don't, however, owe an explanation to every Tom, Dick, and Harry about what goes on in my life. What I'm not willing to do is disclose who I am and what I do just because you want to know. Let's be real...everyone doesn't care. I've always believed I need to be accountable to the people I trust and that show me the same level of worth. Yes, I've been in a season of "even I don't know how it looks or where I'm going". But, that doesn't mean I don't know what I'm doing. Nor does it mean I have to explain the reasons why I've taken a break from the "stuff". "Stuff" has proven to be overwhelming and needless.

Show respect and give love to everyone. I don't believe in that whole "you gotta give respect to receive respect" mess. Shoot, my mom used to disrespect my rump with the belt. And, at the end of the day I still respected my momma and her belt. I've felt disrespected by teachers and peers, but I still have chosen to respect them. And, at the end of a very long contemplative/dying to myself process, I've still chosen to love them. Shoot I may not like you, but I do love you.

I've found that most people don't honestly have another person's best interest at heart. Most people don't know how to help. Most people are barely keeping their heads above water. Everyone has their own to deal with. Most do. And that's OK! Just don't extend your hand half way. Know what you're getting yourself into when you say or if someone says, "I'm here for you."

Trust me I'm not bitter about any of this, I'm just speaking from what I've seen and what some converse with me about. There's a difference in being bitter and fed up/agitated/annoyed. It's an interesting thing! So real!

Being nice and genuinely concerned should be, to me, a part of this Christlike thing we're all aiming after. I owe it to my neighbor to love them. Love them enough to share with them the truth. Truth through the eyes of love. And that truth is about Jesus. That love is Jesus. Not about what I think or what I want. I don't care much about people's mess. We all have it. What I care about is the love and concern I demonstrate through the mess. I owe nothing but genuine love, consistency and truth!

I guess I needed to really get this one off of my chest. Thank goodness for blogs!

It's a 1st, ok maybe not.

2008-11-22T13:38:00.000-05:00

So, lately, I've had an array of things on my mind. And, so, I figured why not start blogging again. Just to get things off of my chest. I've always been into blogging (it started with xanga..then it died for a minute). I've just taken a 3 year break or so from doing it. It's my way, now, of getting the crap, sorry, out. I'm not only here to rant, I have some funny things I want to talk about. Some things that are interesting, maybe only to me.
How do I feel about blogs:
I like them. If they're meaningful....to me. I think they've become an intuitive fad. I don't know who's pages I would visit only because I'm not that interested in noise. I'm interested in truth and humor. Real truth. Substantial truth. Ultimately God's truth.
How do I feel about me blogging:
Is it possible to be consistent?
Why do I wanna blog:
Well, I have some things to get off of the brain. Things that I'm not afraid to type out. I keep a journal on my computer, which I will still do....but this is just another means for me to relax, relate, and release. Not to mention it relieves stress!
So now......