Lakisha, the Author

Daily Devotional – 10/28/16 – “Be thankful for the troubles you don’t have!”

Even when you’re going through, be thankful for the troubles you don’t have! Ok, it’s Friday, you just got paid and still temporarily without funds but look at the blessing of you’re not homeless or hungry. Ok, you have some pain in your body but look at the blessing of you being alive. Ok, your heart has been broken but the blessing is that your heart can be mended to love again. Ok, your church membership has fallen off but look at the blessing of the faithful few who still show up. See, many times we spend precious time crying over stuff we don’t have, taking for granted the things we do. Yea, we think, long, on the problems we do have without realizing they don’t outnumber our blessings. It doesn’t matter what you’re facing, God is bigger. I could quote some scriptures, I could write a three page report, I can even give you a few testimonies but you know all this.

You also know, it could be worse. I get it, I’m just an outsider who has no clue what you’re going through but I do know, it could be worse. No, please understand, I don’t have this thang called life figured out because, even I, still have my moments of woe is me. I still have times of not having everything I want but then I realize I have everything I need. I have a God who deems me worthy even when I’m far from faultless. I have a husband who loves me despite my flaws. I have children, who although they aren’t perfect, they could be gang bangers, in jail or dead. I have talents that are continually taking me places. I have a job that fulfills my needs, right now. And I have LIFE! This means, I have another chance to make my today greater than yesterday. What about you? Why not take the new mercies you’ve been afforded the opportunity to see and do something with it. Complaining doesn’t help your situation and neither does closing yourself off in a dark room. Get up! Because even when the problems you’re facing seem huge, they are no match for the God we serve. Be thankful for the problems you don’t have!

New Release Date – The Family that Lies

I have some great news to share … Yes! The Family that Lies will be released on November 1, 2016! Yep, you read that correctly.

An entire 14 days sooner than originally planned.

Aren’t you excited? I know I am.

I wrote this book with my twin sister and it was so enjoyable to do so. And I truly think you all are going to love it. You don’t have to take my word for it. Pre-order your copy today and it will automatically download on release day.

Here’s the link GET YOURS

What is it about?

Well, glad you asked.

Born only months apart, Merci and Grayce Alexander were as close as sisters could get. With a father who thought the world of them, life was good. Until one day everything changed.

While Grayce got love and attention, Merci got all the hell, forcing her to leave home. She never looks back, putting the past behind her until … her sister shows up over a decade later begging for help, bringing all of the forgotten past with her. Merci wasn’t the least bit prepared for what was about to happen next.

Merci realizes, she’s been a part of something much bigger than she’d ever imagined. Yea, every family has their secrets, hidden truths and ties but Merci had no idea she’d been born into the family that lies.

Get your copy today! Click HERE

As always
Happy reading
— Lakisha

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.”

Pre-order your copy now HERE