THANKSGIVING TRIBUTE TO DR. ROSE RIOS

This is the poem that I just read on the air moments ago on my radio show. This was in honor of Dr. Rose Rios, founder of Cover the Homeless ministry. The link to her ministry website is in my blog list to check out for information. Much love to you, Dr. Rose. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. Take care and God bless.

WHAT’S LYING UNDER MY ST. JOHN SUIT

Children listen up as I tell my story
Because all you see now is nothing but the glory

As I wave my hanky and sit on the front row
That’s not telling you the way you ought to go

Because I know where you’ve been, that’s no lie
I had my own seasons where I had to cry

I been through hard times, thick and thin
But with God’s help, I saw them through to the end

You see me in my St. John suit, looking ever so good
But do you know that I was once from the hood

No, you wouldn’t know that because all that you see
Is my Mercedes Benz and not me

What I want to tell you is to please not fret
Because God is not even through with you yet

I know that you been through a lot of heartache and pain
But it is all worth what you will gain

I started out life in the deep dark south
Barely surviving, living hand to mouth

My father always dreamed of a better life
Without all of the trouble and strife

He worked for Boss Man with all his might
Picking cotton every morning, noon and night

When I was a child, education was not cheap
I had to go out into the fields and earn my keep

We didn’t have a say in our way of life
The hurt was deep because it cut like a knife

One day, my father’s dream finally came true
We moved to California and felt like we were born anew

It was a different experience unlike no other
For once, we were not shunned because of color

Despite certain challenges with my education
My parents made me feel like I could face the nation

Then it happened, one fateful afternoon
I became a woman way too soon

The end result was that a life was lost
But that was not even half of the cost

Then he came, the love of my life
I knew that one day, I would become his wife

When we were together, it seemed endless at will
It was as if time just stood still

But then it happened, without any warning at all
Life as I knew it came to a halt

My precious other half lost his life
Leaving behind a unborn baby and a young wife

From then on, life went downhill
Everything that came my way was like a bitter pill

Men in my life that did all they could
To not treat me like the queen that they should

Out of desperation and of fear
I took a job that was beneath everything that was dear

Shaking what God gave me in front of countless men
I was sinking deeper into the lion’s den

The Lord saw that I was down to the wire
He pulled me from the murky mire

I finished my education; it was a brand new day
God moved the obstacles that was blocking my way

I had to lay my parents down for their final rest
They instilled in me nothing but the best

I started my own business because of a willingness to try
It was all thanks to a sweet potato pie

But then came the time for the business to end
For God had my true calling at hand

He reminded me of the lesson that my parents taught
To take care of others and not leave them for naught

I wanted to understand what the homeless went through
I decided the only way was to become one too

With that, I founded a homeless organization
So that I could do my part to save the nation

You see my children, I been where you are
So don’t think my hand only reaches so far

There’s a lot going on under this St. John suit that’s more than a hat and purse to boot

DOES GOD CARE?

I used to think that God didn’t care about health until:
Beloved, I wish above all else that thou mayest prosper and be in health,…
(3 John 2)

I used to think that God didn’t care about finances until:
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these
things should be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)

I used to think that God didn’t care about thoughts until:
The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are
deceit. (Proverbs 12:5)

I used to think that God didn’t care about words until:
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his
lips shall have destruction. (Proverbs 13:3)

I used to think that God didn’t care about life outside the church door until:
…,Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark
16:15)

God cares so much about us. How much do we care about Him?

TRUST IN THE LORD

What does it mean to trust God? The Bible says that we should trust in the Lord so that our opinions don't cause us to sway. He know us better than we know ourselves. He wants nothing but the best for us. He cares about every aspect of our lives, from the mundane to the most important. We can go to Him for everything that we need. Talk to God today--he will be so glad that you did.

THE ART OF CONTENTMENT

What does it mean to be content? Hebrews 13:5 says, "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee". We are to be satisfied with whatever the Lord blesses us with. That can be hard living in this present world. There is the mindset of "having the next best thing". There is the mindset of "keeping up with the Joneses". There is the mindset of "getting all that you can". These mindsets are not in line with God's Word. We need to keep focused on God and His plan for our lives. We cannot outplan God; His plan can't be anything but the best. So stay true to God's pathway. He will never lead you astray.

THE HOMEMADE SPA

No time for the gym? Can't afford to go to Glen Ivy or Burke Williams? Then I have the perfect solution. Months ago, I was reading an article about a well known home item that was considered "a homemade spa". Some of you ignore it, some of you don't have one, or some of you use it as a storage bin. What is it, you ask? You may have heard of it. It's something called, oh yes, a BATHTUB.

That's right. Your bathtub can be your homemade spa if you let it be. Stop riping and running, and take some time to pamper yourself. I took the time earlier today for a much needed pampering session; it was absolutely FREE. If anything, of course, you have to buy some of your favorite bath and body products. At the Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa, they have their infamous mineral baths. One of the ingredients in the mineral baths is sodium sulfate. Guess what that is?

Give up? It's Epsom salt. Yes, Grandmama had the answer all along. I first started using Epsom salt 2 years ago. I use the Dr. Teal's brand; it's in crystal form instead of horse pellets, and it comes in different fragrances. So buy some and start you own homemade spa. Trust me, you won't regret it.

FIRST WEEK OF RADIO SHOW IN THE CAN!!!!

I got through the first week of my Thoughts for Vision radio show. YYYYEEEESSSS!!!! I went from being extremely nervous on Monday to being calm and collected today. I want to thank everybody that tuned in this week. God bless you all! Keep listening to the show and reading the blog. I hope that it blesses your life. Take care.