Lakisha, the Author

Daily Devotional – 10/27/16 “Who are you venting too?”

My best friend sent me a text a few minutes ago and it was right on time. It was a screenshot from her “Sprinkle of Jesus” app and it simply said … Be careful who you vent to. And baby, if this isn’t the truth. This is why a lot of us face more problems than we should, on a daily basis. It’s not because you run your mouth but it’s due to the ones you ran it too. All you have to do is pay attention to them. If they can’t keep their business to themselves, what makes you think they’ll keep yours? This is why everybody shouldn’t be privy to your problems. (Read that again). Sometimes you need to mind your business and let them mind theirs. Oh but this is also why you have to be mindful of who you let into your personal space. We were having this same discussion in my psychology class on Tuesday night because a lot of ministry leaders are dealing with some stuff because of who they thought they could trust. And it’s the same with anybody. You trust certain people and you share things with them, only for it to now be spreading like fire. You have to be careful who you vent too.

Being in ministry, there are some things I don’t share with my husband. It’s not because I don’t trust him or that he’ll tell it but it’s because sometimes, there are things that shouldn’t be repeated. Sometimes we have to hush and not talk. On the flip side, if I do vent to him, I know he isn’t going to tell anyone else. And this is needed. You NEED someone you can talk to on those days you feel like giving up and know they won’t judge you or tell it. This is why you have to surround yourself with some folk who get you and who understand. And I’ve been grateful to be aligned with some great ‘girls’ who also get me. With them, there’s some times I don’t want to be Rev., momma, wife, author, encourager, corporate worker and etc. and they get that. And I can vent and rest assured knowing, it stays within the confines of their ears and vice versa. This is why I say again, you need to have someone you can vent to. It doesn’t matter if you pastor a mega church or a small store front. It doesn’t matter if you’re 19 or 90. It doesn’t matter if you’re rich or temporarily out of funds. You need someone in your corner you can trust. This especially means your spouse but also someone else too. Because if you don’t, you’ll find yourself inwardly dealing with some stuff that has the potential to destroy your mind. Who are you venting too?

Daily Devotional – 10/26/16 – “Real worshippers!”

You know, there used to be a time you could go to your respective worship places and simply worship. When the pastor’s role, as shepherd, was both respected and admired. When the members of the church feared and adored God and took their place within the body of the church to heart. When the choir stand was filled with people who loved the Lord and it showed through song. When the ushers cared about guarding the door posts to God’s house. When the deacons put their love for God and His commandments over traditions. When ministers, new to the ministry, were taught how to be preachers and pastors. When people faithfully paid their tithes. When the youth had something to look forward to like shut-ins, vacation bible school, children’s choir, Sunday school and etc. When missionaries actually served. When the mother board actually had praying mothers of the church. When you could sing a Dr. Watts and the Holy Spirit was released. When you had revivals and it was standing room only. When you needed healing or help, you got it from the church. When you needed prayer, you could call the pastor. What happen to those days?

Please understand, even in the “old” church you still had messy missionaries, deceitful deacons, unholy ushers, criticizing choir members, meddling mothers and preachers who prostituted the gospel but then the real, true followers of God would sit their butt down. Oh but now, if you are the highest tithe payer, you can get your way. If you’ve been at the church since the first brick was laid, you think you have the right to say how things go. We’ve even gotten to the point where we put a time limit on the Holy Ghost because we can only be in church a good 90 minutes before you start rolling your eyes. Now, you’ll find any excuse as to why you can’t come to worship. What happened? Too many people are leaving the church hurt and broken instead of heal and blessed. We are losing too many people to suicides and mental illness because we don’t want to talk about things we’ve made off limit. Too many pastors are going home unhappy because they are overworked, underpaid and used, causing their families to be destroyed. What in the hell is going on? What happened to real worship and the real worshippers? Where is the soul stirring prayer that shifted the atmosphere and the ushering in of the Holy Spirit that took the place of whooping and hollering? Where’s the real love for God? And how can we get it back because the bible says, “But the time is coming–indeed it’s here now–when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.” – John 4:23

The Family that Lies Excerpt

Merci

“No Mother dear, I do not know where your precious Grayce is.”

“Yes, I am still here but the answer is still the same: I don’t know where she is and you asking again won’t change that!” I say, raising my voice.

I hear the alarm chirp and just when I am about to repeat myself again I see Grayce standing in the living room mouthing for me not to tell Mom she’s here.

Laughing, I say, “Yes Mother, that was the alarm you heard.”

Rolling my eyes while wanting to hit my head against the wall, I go on, “If it was Grayce, don’t you think I would have told you? Hell, I wish it was so you can get off my phone.”

She yells that this conversation is useless.

“You’re right, but I do believe you called my phone, ma’am. You can hang up at any time.”

After she swears, she says to have a good day. “I will, and you have a great day as well,” I reply.

“Damn!” I yell, putting my phone on the counter as I finish fixing my coffee.

I look up to see Grayce trying to exit stage left.

“No you don’t, heifer! I’ve been on the phone with your mother for over thirty minutes and you think you’re going to just walk away?”

“Merci, I am not in the mood, ok?”

“And do you think I am in the mood to deal with the same question of where you are every time you don’t answer your freaking phone? You are a grown ass woman who is still afraid of her parents.”

“I am not afraid of them.”

“Then why not answer your phone? Or were you too busy getting your back tilted?”

“Don’t start. I was not out having sex. Unlike you, I am not a whore.”

“Are you sure about that, oh sister of mine? What is it the bible says? Um, something like, before you talk about the speck in my eye remove the one from yours.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Your shirt, saved one, it’s on inside out!”

“Merci, I…”

“Girl bye, your walk of shame is waiting.”

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Daily Devotional – 10/25/16 “Where is the help?”

I’ve been working on this presentation for my psychology class and the topic I have is suicide. And as I’ve been studying and putting it together, I thought about how psychology and the church are connected. A lot of times, we don’t want to speak on certain topics in the church. We don’t want to deal with sexual abuse, sexuality, domestic violence, mental illness and especially depression; in the church because it’s been such a taboo subject. I mean, how can a person be depressed when they stand to preach every Sunday? How can she be battling with a mental illness when she seems to be so blessed? Who would know he was being belittled by his wife and he’s the head of the deacon board? We don’t deal with issues such as this because we, often times, don’t think it can hit close to home. And when it does, it shakes us to the core because we weren’t expecting it. But why not? Why can’t Pastor be depressed when he/she has to fight just to do what God has called him/her to do? Why can’t that sister/brother be suicidal when they consistently think about how the church may treat them if they find out they’re gay? Why can’t that woman, who is pregnant out of wedlock, be suicidal when she walks into worship every Sunday knowing somebody is talking about her?

But oh, how we tend to forget the mistakes of our past and present. We get a little holy and think we can now put our mouth on everybody who doesn’t look the part of being saved. When will Christians stop being so critical of one another? Why can’t I have a glass of wine at the bar and not be talked about because I’m a preacher? Why can’t a man or woman of God go out to a secular concert without it being the end of the world? Why can’t a child of God dance, as long as she/he doesn’t forget who they belong to? Yes, I know there are times when a person, in the church, needs to be criticized but that’s only when you are willing to offer real, genuine help. And if you aren’t, keep your mouth closed because you don’t know what a person is dealing with, secretly. If every time you open your mouth, you have something judgmental to say; close it and keep it to yourself. We need true folk who are willing to help and not hurt. This is why the bible says in 2 Timothy 2:14, “Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.” If you can’t offer help, stop hindering with your mess! Are there any true, genuine helpers left in the church?

Daily Devotional – 10/24/16 – “The anointing makes the difference!”

The anointing WILL make the difference, if you let it because God’s anointing, on your life, has the ability to shift your atmosphere. The anointing on your life has the gift to get you recognized in places, you’ve never stepped foot in before. The anointing has the skill to make your name known to folk you’ve never met. The anointing has the power to change your name, your place of residence, your bank account and your destiny. But you have to be able to handle it, wear it right and walk in it because the bible says in James 2:24, “You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.” Baby, you can’t claim you’re anointed and your work doesn’t show it. You can’t speak of the anointing, if there’s no power in your tongue. And you can’t wear the anointing with a jacked up attitude because they don’t mix. What you need to understand is this … God grants us access to the anointing so that we now have the capability to do the things He has entrusted us with. And this is why the anointing has no choice but to make a difference in our lives. See, in my days of living, after truly walking in the anointing, I’ve found out a few things. It wasn’t by accident because the anointing opens our eyes to see things and people for what and who they really are. What do I mean?

— The anointing will get rid of the undercover enemies you’ve been feeding as friends and He’ll show who your real friends are. Don’t miss this though … The anointing also comes with naysayers who act like supporters – You have to stay alert in order to know the difference.

— The anointing will give you a new perspective on the places you’ll go. It won’t stop the messy invitations from being sent, you’ll just have to be mindful of those you accept.

— The anointing will change the direction you’ve been going but it won’t stop the distractions, you have to be careful what you look it.

— The anointing will also change your name but it won’t prevent folk from calling you by your past indiscretions, you’ll need to be mindful of what you answer too!

Beloved, the anointing will make the difference! You will just need to ensure you’re ready to accept the differences? Because when you are, you’ll begin saying like Luke 4:18-19, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”