We all have a gift

I have a lot of gifts. No, not gifts like someone wrapped a present and gave me something for a special occasion. I have what those who believe and understand the meaning, spiritual gifts. One of them is the gift of exhortation. I love to encourage. When I lived in Houston for six years, I was really developing my gift of hospitality. It seemed like folks were always over my place and I took joy in serving them and opening my home for love, laughter and food. Since moving back home to Waco, the relationships aren't at deeply rooted since I haven't lived in my hometown most of my adult life. So for the past 2 1/2 yrs a lot of relationships are distant by miles. Many miles. But thank God for technology. For those who use it for good and not evil, it's been a blessing.

So if you are not sure of what gift you have, I am sure they have some online spiritual gift assessments. I've scored pretty high in leadership and teaching. One spiritual gifts assessment I took said I scored really low in mercy. It could have been what was going on in my life at that time. I guess you can't be gifted in them all. Find your spiritual gift here.

Me and Jen

My sister is another year older. My birthday always follows 39 days later.

Shift Happens

glumbert.com - Shift Happens

Don't Pass Me By - Fred Hammond

In Honor of Christ the Risen Savior!!

Happy Easter!!

Maryee

My Feet Are Off the Ground! Tyler Perry

I'm on Tyler Perry's email distribution list in which he emails out his updates personally and read his latest one today. I wanted to post it in my blog because not only is it inspirational, it's a gentle reminder for us to be grateful, humble, giving, and thankful.

Here it is:

http://tylerperry.com/message_center/newsletters/2007-03-21.php

This morning I awoke and
was so frustrated about
all of the stuff that
I'm dealing with in trying to get this studio
open.  I was about to open my mouth and start
complaining when I remembered something that
happened to me about a year ago.

I was walking to my car when this woman who appeared to
be homeless started walking towards me. I'm ashamed to
say this but I thought, "I don't feel like being hustled
today." Then I got quickly convicted. I felt guilty so I
started digging in my pocket for some money. As she got
closer I noticed that she had the kindest eyes that I
had ever seen. As I was reaching into my pocket she
started to speak. I thought, "Here goes the sales
pitch". She said "Excuse me sir, I need some shoes.
Can you help me?" My eyes filled with water because
I remember being out on the streets and having only one
pair of run over shoes. I was taken aback for a second.

I took her inside the studio and had my wardrobe people
find shoes in her size. As she put the shoes on she
started crying, praising God and thanking Jesus, and
saying, "My feet are off the ground!  My feet are off
the ground!" Several of the wardrobe people started
crying. I was crying. But I never forgot those word.
"My feet are off the ground!"

I thought, "Wow! All she wanted was some shoes."  She
quickly disappeared and never asked me for a dime. I
realized that I still had the money in my hand so I went
out looking for her.  She was gone just that quick so I
looked all around the neighborhood for her. I found her
standing on a corner looking down at her shoes, still
crying. I was so touched. I asked her how she had gotten
homeless. She told me that she had AIDS and that she
was waiting to get into a shelter.  She said that her
family had turned their backs on her and that she had no
place to go, but she knew that God would make a way for
her. I said to myself, "He just did." Her faith and her
praise moved me.

I took her to a nearby hotel and put her up until she
was able to get on her feet.  I had someone that worked
for me to check on her from time to time and to make sure
that she had food and clothes. After about a month or so
we lost touch, but I never forgot her.

This past summer I was shooting "Daddy's Little Girls"
and this woman walks up to me smiling. I didn't recognize
her face, but her eyes were familiar.  She had on a really
nice dress and her hair was done.  It was her!  She told
me that the little help that I had given her had changed
her life. She was in a house now and doing very well.

I said all of that to say this. After I met this woman,
every time I think about complaining and mumbling I
remember, "My feet are off the ground!"

I wanted to share this with you just to let you know
that when I say that I am thankful for you, I mean it.
And when I say that you are a blessing to me, I mean it.
We take so much for granted sometimes that I just wanted
all of you to know that I am grateful to God for you
everyday.  Thank you for being in my life.

TP

Tyler Perry on Youtube and google video

Invisible Octopus Video with slow motion footage

This is freaky!