So it begins...

Hellloooo Virtuosos!!!

Well I'm almost done for the semester which means more time with you guys! YaY!! I've been reading this awesome entry on Women, their worth and Singleness! I want you guys to take a note of it and you can read the entire article here: ----> Reality check

If a man is not ready to commit to you then he is not ready to court you. There is nothing more wasteful than dating for fun. This is the epitome of how the world practices things, where commitment means “test driving.”  And then after you’ve spilled coffee on the seats, used up the gas and dented the doors you leave the car for somebody else to maintain.

Men and even “Christian men” are greatly responsible for this, but sisters you are not off the hook because you allow it.  At all times, my beloved sister, you are another man’s wife.  You belong to your future husband or collectively to the bride of Christ, but in either case, you are not your own and are not available for “test driving.”  YOU WILL do tremendous damage to your life if you join the “serial monogamy” of modern dating. Hopping from one committed relationship to the next does not give you experience on how to stay committed to one man all life long. Rather, it teaches you to leave when things are not working out, and find somebody else. In other words, you’re being trained to divorce in the future.  Contrary to popular belief, experience is not your strongest ally in a relationship, biblical wisdom is. The world would have you live and learn but the bible will have you learn and live.

It’s difficult to be single, but it is also difficult to be married. There is not a gift that makes singleness easier just like there is no gift that makes marriage easier. The phrase, “You complete me,” is a romanticized misunderstanding.  We are not half beings hoping to find completion in some soul mate. We are whole beings made for God.  You will only be complete in Him and that must be done with or without a spouse.  I know the common question is, “Will I ever get married?” Well i don’t know, but if you are in Christ, I do know that you will never be alone.

Ok so before I GET CARRIED AWAY and post the entire thing here I will stop here. Join me on the weekend God willing as I discuss this in further detail. Wrap your head around it and digest it! It's Soul Food!

The Past is History

I've screamed. I've cried. A million tears.
Lord I've believed the lies and put my sanity up for sale- the devil leased it.
Christ bought it back-you could say he redeemed it.
I'm divorcing my past I don't need to collect alimony- save all ya money! 

Wow this could be the start to a really great poem! God you are awesome!

Well helloo- Virtuoso bloggites...

It's been a long time coming but in between studying and school I'm taking some time to post you a blog. Today God has been doing great things and He spoke vividly through a sermon and as the Pastor watched my way I could tell it was directed to me and I felt wow! From the time I entered the church doors (was late but got a ride) praise God and the sermon-- oh the sermon! Jesus if there was ever a time I knew you were real it is now. God you being sovereign stepped down and penned through the Pastor a sermon for me! One that I won't forget, one that you will make sure that I remember, if that isn't love I really don't know what is.

So today I make a covenant that when the devil reminds me of my past I will remind him of his future and yes I know that I deserve death but Christ chose to give me life instead by dying on that wooden tree for me!


I surrender my:

• mind
• heart
• body
• soul
• spirit
• all of the above

You said to me that I have something birthed in me that is being stifled by something else and that spiritual child must come forth. Lord I believe you have planted the seeds and you have watered so now the harvest must come forth. Lord I'm amazed. The past is history and the future's a mystery. #leggo

Me.

Update- Page 26 of 366

Hey everyone!

Well it's here again- the holidays are over and the school work is on and popping once more :(

So even though my posts here will fizzle out and be few and in between- I will keep writing you and checking in from time to time.

THank You LORD for everything. The devil is trying hard to attack the beloved of the Lord's but in Jesus' name we have the victory!

Lord I'm still learning to trust in you when things don't seem to be going my way. I'm learning that you are sovereign and whatever it is you have set forth and what doors you have opened No One can close (Revelation 3:7-8, Malachi 3:10). God has the best for His children and as long as we keep focused and keep trusting in Him- we will be alright. Keep pressing on though the times may be rough and the problems keep pouring in- know that God will lift you up in His everlasting arms. I can't tell you when it will be over but I can tell you He will give you grace for the journey as well as sustenance.


Thought for the week: "God has perfect timing, never early, never late. It takes a little patience, a little faith but it's worth the wait... God has a reason for allowing things to happen. We may never understand His wisdom but we simply have to trust His will."

Naturally Me...

So I'm only double blogging today because I told you that I'd let you know why I decided to go natural. A little background into this is that I've had relaxed hair since Form 3 (2004). I've always been annoyed by the lengthy process of getting a perm- not the perm itself but the waiting at the Salon for an entire day even if you arrived first. This was just too much for me! The hide-and-go seek with the rain, the hair "turning back" after two weeks!!! Can you get the gist?

But here is the insight:

So it's December 10th, this is the big day. The day I decide to get rid of my long, flowing natural hair, as I walked they sway gently in the breeze, flawless, swishing from side to side- ok needle scratch. I didn't really have them blowing in the wind,  they were long but in horrible condition.. These tresses had spent most of the six months buried and stifling under braids. Then, like a swimmer coming up and gasping for air, was the tale of the hair that screamed "let me out!" So I did, but little did they know what was about to come. I'm sweating and mentally I'm a mess as my brain engages in tug-of-war- my mind is in overdrive- the fact that the stylist tried to dissuade me did not help. She  pleaded with me not to cut them and offered to rescue my lifeless, halfway hair and nurse them back to health, assuring me she had done this before, she packed success under her belt.\The guns are slinging and the time is running out- should I or should I not? I hear myself say I won't. It was over- to the relaxer I go. But, by a stroke of fate,  I either spoke too softly or too late because instead of the feel of relaxer in my hair straightening my roots, I heard and felt the clip of scissors and I was completing the mission I had begun in my mind. In less than a few my hair went from on my head to on the ground despite all the care and precision I took with them someone wasn't and they were being pushed around on the dirty floor and into the bin they went. Bittersweet I believe is the word you're looking for- but this my friend was the beginning of something beautiful. 

In all I have done what I should’ve done since a year ago! Started my natural hair journey! Back to my roots you say! Well Yup! I am synomously re-creating life lessons through my hair. Thus, my hair represents the dawn of a new period in my life! At 20, Changes have begun and this ushers in another decade of my life where risks must be taken, chances embraced and patience maximized! Many may still be in shock and awe as to why my long tresses are now in a garbage somewhere and as to why I traded them for kinky curls! J Well there you go! I’m anticipating this new beginning where my hair is going to teach me the beauty of trial and error, chances, patience through combing and styling, joy and celebrating me- for who I am! Kinks and all! Today I celebrate being one month natural and I love it.


Grace and  Peace
Shanelle.

Boldness- without italics: A Three Course Meal

Hey Everyone!

I pray God is carrying you throughout the new year thus far! Remember, if you keep your mind stayed on Him, He will keep you in perfect peace, absolute perfect peace! This level of peace is one unattainable elsewhere not even in Yoga. The best part is it's free for all who believe on Jesus' name! 

So I thought I'd take an interesting turn in writing this blog and I'm about to serve up a Three-course biblical meal for you, we're "going-in" on the book of Acts! Sharpen your cutlery and bring your appetite!

Appetizer- Cream of Acts Soup

Now I've been taken aback by a portion of scripture I've been reading recently. I think it's the perfect time to let you know that I'm currently studying the book of Acts. I've never really done an in-depth study and analysis of this book. However, it's a great place to start- in examining the early church and its early days as well as the move of the Holy Spirit.

After having read the first four chapters, I made some notes on them- which I will type and send to anyone who wants them. The summary is as follows:

 Chapter 1- The disciples truly recognising the glory of Jesus sealed by His ascension, as well as the selection of a new disciple- Matthias (The number 12 signifies completion- I wonder if this is why Snow White had twelve dwarfs?). 

Chapter 2- Pentecost and the outpouring of The Holy spirit. 

Chapter 3- The healing power and work of the Holy Spirit through the crippled beggar! This also signifies preaching and witnessing/evangelism! 

Chapter 4- Which is my personal favourite and it packs a mean punch (no pun intended)!

Main Course

Chapter 4!

The title of this blog entry is inspired by this chapter. Here, we see persecution of First Century Christians and their boldness in proclaiming Christ. My Pastor's sermon on Sunday highlighted the theme of remaining steadfast and the spiritual prosperity you will gain from it, including, the heavenly rewards! See (1 Corinthians 15:58, Matthew 13:44-46)

As such this  passage immediately cemented and confirmed the word of God. The early Christians were not so much focused on worldly possessions as the latter part of this Chapter indicates. Their efforts to remain steadfast, in light, of persecution was laudable. Their reward? The best ever! A remarkable and lavish outpouring of the Holy Spirit and an unquenchable fiery spirit for/in doing the work of God! 

Where is (y)our fiery passion? Are we/you burning with zeal and desire? Has God arrested (y)our heart and mind and showed you His burden? (Romans 10:15) Are you moving, moving? Are you going???!!!???!!!!

Okay! Now here's the punchline.....

Additionally, due to the persecution mentioned in the previous Chapters- the believers asked God not to take away their burdens or to break their crosses...instead they asked...wait for it, wait for it....

They asked for a spirit of BOLDNESSSS!!!! SAY WHAT??? BOLDNESS!! They didn't ask to be delivered from their tribulations but that they might be given a spirit of Boldness to go through with it! Who could they have learnt this from? Jesus!!!!! Although, Jesus wished "the cup" could have been taken from Him, He still asked for the grace and strength to bear it all! What Faith. Therefore, they could easily proclaim, 
"We are pressed but not crushed, persecuted not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed, we are blessed beyond the curse...His power will endure, His Joy is gonna be my strength..." Take a minute to take a deep breath and digest this full course meal of the Word!

To sum it all up I must retract to verse 13. This verse is preceeded by the verse exalting Christ as the only way to Heaven by which men can be saved. Now this verse speaks of Peter and John and how they were perceived as "ordinary men" and the people marveled at their boldness of speech! Well! This just goes to show that when the Spirit  of the Lord descends on a man, there is no room for timidity, a spirit of boldness replaces it. God takes the ordinary man and makes Him extraordinary.

Now for dessert!

Remember Jesus and Peter? 1. Walking on Water and 2. Thrice denying Christ.

Jesus knew what Peter was about to face and needed to work extra hard on Him so that when the time came, he wont cop out and deny Jesus-again, He would endure! And that's exactly what He's doing in this chapter and so far it has landed him in prison and before the Sanhedrin but He pressed on! 


Perhaps, God is molding you for a time in your life such as this- where He's going to need to rub you against some sandpaper so that by the time you face your harshest of critics you will be able to stand and go harder for Christ. Don't give up, run the race! You'll see it was worth it all in the end! Plastic under heat melts- God is fortifying you to become heat-resistant/ heat retardant!

Verse to take home. (Doggy Bag)

The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone! Acts 4:11. The world may hate you, they may persecute you, but, you better believe God is placing you into the mold, a brick in the building of His kingdom- rejected by the world and accepted by Him!

Bon Appetit! Hope you had a good meal! Don't forget to leave a generous tip i.e a comment!

Page 7 of 366

As promised I'm keeping in contact with you guys, especially while I have lots of free time.

It's officially a week into the new year and I'm super duper excited. Already things have begun to look up. I've found a new hobby, wait for it, wait for it---> YouTubing!! It's like a whole new world on YouTube. Some good, some bad and some nastayyy! But Hey! Using it for educational purposes and I must say I've learnt a lot.

So while on the road of "All things bright and beautiful..."  I'm super duperly excited about meeting my lil sis ( by a couple months) and my cousins this year! I know disappointments are inevitable  but I'll be praying hard that this wish comes true!! Summer '12--->Hereeee I comeeeeeee woot woot!!!

Finally, In the spirit of celebrating new things!

I'm 3 days away from  my Big Chop month-iversary and 7 days away from my complete trim and colour. I'm really ecstatic. I promise to write a blog entry on why I did the BC (Big Chop) on the aforementioned date when I review 2011!

Have a great Day!
Give thanks for the fact that you've made it to see another day and today- Read a Bible verse or better yet a passage! Start with John- see God's love or Genesis to see the beginning without end.

Grace. Love. Peace
Soli.Deo.Gloria.

Daily Digest!

Hey Guys and Gals! Just sharing some wisdom!

I know I've neglected you for quite some time but I'm purposing to make this year a great year and that includes lots of blogging or maybe even some VLogging too! ;) 

Pray you're having a blessed New Year! Check out my thought for today!

"Someone once said that if God showed us every detail of our lives- all at one time we would sit down and refuse to face another day...We were not created to be omniscient like God. He reveals our future to us in portions we can digest-like loving parents feeding their child only the type and amount of food that the child can handle."

 -Mary Southerland, Girlfriends in God Devotion

It is true that God doesn't give us more than we can bear, He also doesnt give us what we are not ready for. As they say with great power comes great responsibility! God knows what each of us can handle after all He made us! Thus, He tends to give us just what we need at that particular time to help us on, sometimes He showers in bountiful blessings- either way God knows what's best! Trust Him, Have patience, He isn't finished yet!

Thought of the Day!