Vintage Jazz circa 1991

 This is the first of what I'll refer to as "Vintage Inspiration." Posts from my previous blog that still inspire me. I'm hoping and praying that they do the same for you.

ENJOY! 

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February 23, 2016

Originally Titled " One Teeny Tiny Opening For One Teeny Tiny Thought" 

On my way home the Lord reminded me that the enemy will do any and everything he can to make us forget who we are in him and thus distracting us. We get confused, flustered, overwhelmed and our dreams become warped in the enemies lies. When in reality we ARE sons and daughters of the King. We have been renewed by the transforming of our minds (Romans 12:2). We have our feet fitted with the Gospel of peace and joy (Ephesians 6:15), not anxiety and sadness. We have access to the yoke of God and don’t have to carry our own, so there's no need to feel overwhelmed. We have the power to break out of the patterns the enemy may have us running in. For all of us he knows what distracts and ushers us into a place where we may feel distant from God. He can’t take the power from us, but he may lead us into forgetting that we are powerful in Jesus.

This past month or so I have been “attacked” or bombarded with heavy anxiety about relationships, forgiveness, my identity in Christ and self worth, my faith. While I am grateful for the tons of amazing things that have been happening, I allowed my mind to meditate on the medium sized red dot of awfulness on the canvas of my life instead of the white space that has been left untouched and fruitful. It took me to a mental space that I don't know I've ever been in. It was almost impossible for me to worship with this built up anger I had. THIS is when I knew that something had to give. After a train ride with one of my dear friends and sisters I was reminded that this is NOT what it appears to be. It's not a battle of flesh and blood, or these issues that are trivial in comparison to eternity. It is in fact the father of lies and his stooges that we are up against (Ephesians 6:12). And yes, it really is that deep. When we don’t see how deeply rooted some of these issues are and come to terms with the deep roots, we target the fruit of those lies with prayer and fasting instead of the root of it. Satan, Damian, Lucifer. Whatever he’s going by these days, he has a hand in it, we water it and allow it to grow, but all he needs is one teeny tiny opening for one teeny tiny thought. All the while, we have more than enough strength, backup, support and power to serve him and his demons a cease a desist ordinance. But if we can be distracted they’ve got us.

On my walk home tonight I got a glimpse and reminder of who we are in Christ and the power that comes with that. Every single thought has to be taken captive. His attacks have become more advanced than what I (and some of you) have experienced before, because God is using us for even greater glory in this season and it's a transition into dreams that are going to bring people closer to Jesus.

All it takes is one teeny tiny decision to trust God and His Humungous Awesomeness. Well, maybe it’s not a teeny tiny decision, but it’s just the beginning of great things in Christ.

Remember

You are beautiful. Psalm 139:14

You are loved. Zephaniah 3:17

You are Victorious. 1 Corinthians 15:57

You are above and not beneath. Deuteronomy 28:13

Put on your armor. Again. Ephesians 6

With Love,

J

I walked to the window and there it was. A hummingbird. Hovering. I had only seen them in pictures  and this made the day even more exciting. I did not know if I should run to try and get my camera or if it would fly away once I yelled for someone in the house to come. I decided to run and get either my camera or a witness, I can't remember, and when I returned it was gone.

It was the moment God's voice got louder. The moment I learned the value of taking it all in. Each and every moment like a savory piece of cotton candy.

Several months earlier I applied to my dream school, Spelman College. After spending summers in Atlanta with my aunt and realizing that all of the fabulous women I met were Spelman women, I knew that's where I needed to be. At my high school graduation I still hadn't heard back from Spelman/s admissions office, but I was confident. This was clearly the place for me. Some time later I received a "wait list" letter and I was devastated. It was like all of my hopes and dreams were flushed down the toilet. All of the faith and convincing other people was in vain. My younger brother in an effort to help me get some chill, reminded me that it wasn't a no and that I needed to relax. I wouldn't wish that feeling on anyone. 

Months went by and I turned down offers for family to help me apply for other schools. I decided Again and Again and Again to believe that I would be at Spelman. I had the money (another mind blowing story) and the support from my family, I just needed that acceptance letter. I prayed and fasted. Waited, replied to people that I was going to Spelman and it was always my 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice.

One day while sitting at Olive Garden with my mom, I received a phone call from a woman who has since been like a guardian angel. She asked me if I was sitting down and continued to congratulate me. It was an emotion I can't begin to describe. It was a mile stone in my faith journey and I've been trusting God for any and everything ever since.

The day I saw that first hummingbird I was moving into my dorm room at Spelman. It was the day my dream was coming true and my decision to be inspired to believe again made life seem surreal. I knew that the beauty of that first moment with a humming bird was symbolic for my first moments on that college campus. God was making each moment more beautiful than the last and each experience with His Glory more penetrating than before.

I've had so many experiences with hummingbirds since then, but I will share them in due time. Today, remember to believe again.

Lynette

You may or may not know that about 3 years ago I started a blog to chronicle my journey to South Africa. Once I returned back to the States I kept writing, sharing, and people kept reading. It has turned into a beautiful journey of inspiring people and sharing what God puts on my heart and uses to inspire me and those closest to me.

For some reason I started signing my personal prayers and journal entries "Be Inspired. Again." It has since  become the theme of my life. As an artist in New York I find myself drained and time and time again finding inspiration to persevere through the mundane auditions, job interviews, crowded trains and ridiculously long Trader Joe's lines. I want to help you do the same. When you need a little pick me up, stop on by for an extra push. Let's talk again soon!

Be Inspired. Again.

Jazz