Too Good to Keep to Myself!

So, I can’t take credit for this post, at least not all of it. Only the whiny, “God I have a bone to pick with you and I don’t really feel like going to church,” part. So, here it goes.  I was riding up I-10 on my way to Lakewood (Church). I definitely had my “come as you are” uniform on (jeans, top, boots – shame on me). So on the way I started to “have a little talk with Jesus” moment. But guess who was doing all the talking? Me. It started off sort of like, “God, you know this vision you gave me? Well, I need this and that, and aren’t you supposed to do a, b & c so I can get on with your program?”

The rest of it went something like, “Whine, whine, complain, frustrated…blah, blah, blah!” You get my point. But God, in His usual cool fashion let me vent. He didn’t say much…until I got to church. We went into worship, it was good. Hands up, singing, I’m into it. Then Pastor Joel began to preach. You know one of those “This one is especially for you Norma Jarrett” sermons. Not really, but you get my point.

So the primary message was about staying in the game. Pastor Joel said specifically: Sometimes in life you have to play through the pain…sometimes you have to show up even though…

• You don’t feel like it
• You’d rather be at home watching the Texans
• You are hurting
• You are grieving
• You are frustrated
• You are disappointed

He was all up in my seat with the microphone in my face (not really, and besides I don’t think Victoria Osteen would appreciate all that). Then he talked about a young man he used to see in church all the time. He was upbeat and fully participating in worship with hands raised. Pastor Joel had no idea this man had been in Dialysis treatment for over twelve years. He was younger than Pastor Joel!  One Sunday this same man came up for prayer. Pastor Joel noticed one of his arms was red as a beet from his treatment. Then He realized just how much pain this man had been in.  However, in spite of this pain, he raised his hands in worship every Sunday with an expectant heart.

The next time the man came up for prayer, he brought another person with him.  He told Pastor Joel the man was going to donate a kidney.  Shortly after, he had the surgery it was successful. This man no longer had to go to Dialysis and had no more pain! What was Pastor Joel saying? In this life sometimes you have to “play through your pain”.  This man didn't have the ideal circumstances but was more faithful than some people with two good arms and perfect health. (Ouch!)  I'm sure he had his days but he was consistent.  Because of his attitude and obedience, "God turned his scars into stars!"

We have all have pain in this life. Hurts, disappointments, unfair outcomes...but we have to "play through our pain!" God does not promise a one time Ephesians 3:20 blessing! For as long as we live we should expect Him to show up. But WE have to do our part. We have to continue to walk, work, pray, keep a good attitude, show up and press beyond the circumstances.

Pastor Joel told of another man that had major surgery but insisted he be released to go to church that Sunday. His doctor said no way. The man said, “You don’t understand, I never miss church!” The doctor said, “You must go to Lakewood…I’ll tell you what, I will release you for 3 hours. Just for church.” He showed up with his hospital bracelet! Man, talk about faithful! Boy did I had the big convicted label across my forehead. I know I was not the only one.  There were plenty of tears and tissues in the congregation!

What am I saying?  When we are about to give up, get bitter, complain or fall short, remember this one thing…in this life, sometimes you have to play through the pain. God rewards those people who do.    It’s one thing to do the right thing when all the conditions are ideal, but it's another thing to do the right thing in the midst of our own suffering. Those are the type people God looks for to bless!

Hope this blessed you the way it did me!

Norma 

P.S. - If you loved this blog, find similar inspiration in my latest book Brunchspiration: A Quotable Devotional available on Amazon.com for $2.99!

Heart Condition

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me - Psalm 51:10

Sometimes nothing else but the word of God will do. This morning while reading the  "My Daily Sanctuary" portion of my New Living Translation Bible, this scripture touched me in a profound way.  Many of us suffer from heart conditions. These heart conditions affect our walk, our purpose our ability to lead others to Christ.  Just like our physical hearts we can look great on the outside but suffer from infirmity.  We can show up for church, say the right things and obey all the spiritual laws; but if our hearts aren't right it poisons our offering. The inability to forgive, jealousy, fear, broken relationships, anger...can all "clog our arteries". Some, the result of our own life experiences, others generational.  Regardless, we need to ask God to search our hearts.  Even the kindest, sweetest, most loving people have heart conditions that may hinder God given purpose. I'm reminded of a dear friend who told me she'd led an elderly woman to Christ recently in the course of her job as a caregiver.  At the end of the day we should have this ultimate goal in mind, show people Jesus. To lead them to His love and salvation.  All that we are doing, the books, the blogs, the movies, the businesses should in some way glorify Him.  We can not do this successfully with heart conditions that are not acknowledged and healed.  God will reveal our heart conditions.  He will be our source of healing and in doing so release us to set others free.  To do so we must meditate on the word and expect to hear and receive from Him the deliverance we need.  We must remember to ask God, "Create in me a clean heart, renew a loyal spirit within me and restore to me the joy of your salvation." Psalm 51:10,12.  Hope this word blesses you today.


"Pray it forward"
Norma

Brunch Spotlight - Inspired Sistah founder Tangie Henry

Someone you should know...a place you need to go!

Tangie Henry, Founder of Inspired Sistah & host of the Inspired Sistah Courageous Woman Retreat

Tangie Henry - Center

BL: What inspires Tangie?
TH: I am inspired by God,  the Master Architect of creativity. The entire premise of what I do as Inspired Sistah is divinely inspired. But I'm also motivated by other women who overcome seemingly insurmountable odds to win and succeed in life. I admire people who can "take a licking and keep on ticking"!

BL: What does the phrase "gifted to inspire” mean?
TH: I believe one of the gifts I’ve been given from God is the ability to inspire women beyond their current circumstances. Whether it's through my words or my life.  I have the grace to inspire women to hope, purpose and action.

BL: What makes the Inspired Sistah experience so unique?
TH:  The Inspired Sistah experience is unique because, as an individual and as an entity, I offer relatability and genuineness. I absolutely love inspiring women and I genuinely care about the "internal success" of others. Often, people chase after "shiny objects" only to find that the organization or individual was not really interested in their well-being. On the contrary, I and everyone connected with Inspired Sistah have an authentic, vested interest in seeing women win in life.

Fellowship

BL: Tell us about your Pretty Power workshop.
TH: The "Pretty Power" workshops is derived from my interaction with women who were successful and "pretty" in their own right, but struggled with knowing how to balance the two. The term "pretty" is not used in the traditional sense. When a woman fully understands how to possess her "pretty," she can walk in her true God-given power. For example, one of the workshop titles is, "Say So!" During the workshop, we learn how to design a pretty lip, but then we talk about the power of our words and how we can use them to shape our world.

BL: What role model can you look at and say, “Now that is an Inspired Sistah?” Tell us why.
TH: The first woman that comes to my mind is Michelle Obama. Not to sound cliché, but she appears to be a woman who knows how to fully possess all of who she is; yet submit to her husband's vision without conflict or competition. Our First Lady seems to be a woman who is deeply committed to her family and the well-being of others. Now that is an Inspired Sistah!

An "Inspired Sistah"

BL: How do you balance marriage (and everything else) with walking out your purpose? Is that what inspired , “Marriage ain’t for whimps?” Explain.
TH: “Marriage Ain’t for Wimps” was inspired by my frustration with seeing women be successful in every area of her life, but fail at her marriage. There’s this notion that a woman can’t be the CEO of her company and have happy, well-adjusted children and a loving marriage. I’m the first to admit that balancing marriage with interests outside of the home is very difficult, but it is also very doable. Personally, I have to keep in mind that my first ministry is at home. It would be hypocritical of me to “inspire women to live on top of the world” and neglect my home. I’m not saying that I have it all together, but I work very hard at it. I think it’s vitally important, however, that the spouses communicate about their goals and gain a mutual respect for each other’s desires. My husband and I have a saying, “One dream at a time.” So, while he was building his company, I pulled back, held down the fort at home and supported him; and vice versa.

BL:  You have stated false motives and hatin’ are strictly prohibited from your Inspired Sistah workshops. Why did you feel it was necessary to state this?
TH: One of my mandates as Inspired Sistah is to foster the bond of sisterhood. While that sounds good, it really can be a challenge. Unfortunately, there are a lot of women who have not had favorable experiences with other women; they have cultivated unhealthy attitudes. So instead of being supportive, they are divisive. They may show up at an event with the intent to “check out” other women and criticize and compare. So, I make the disclaimer up-front that this is not the environment for that. We foster a supportive environment where women genuinely care about one another. It’s an attitude that starts from the top down. I’m like that, the ladies on my team are like that and we emanate that attitude from the first hello to the last goodbye

BL: Tell us about your Inspired Sistah Retreat. What should attendees expect this year?
TH: The Inspired Sistah Retreats were started as an extension of my workshops. Each year we have a different theme. This year, the theme is The Courageous Woman Retreat: Living Fearless and Free. It will take place in Madison, GA (1 hr. east of Atlanta), September 21st-23rd, 2012. In general, the Inspired Sistah retreats are opportunities for women to invest time in being renewed from the inside out. We laugh, we cry, we pray, we play. The setting is always intimate and we offer different workshops centered around the theme that allow women to really receive the refreshing that they need in order to continue on their journey of greatness. What’s unique about the retreat is that we lay aside all pretention and fluff and we just love on each other and foster an unbreakable bond. For some women, it is a little unnerving at first because they may not be use to that type of interaction. But by the end of our time together, they are undeniably affected in a positive way and are grateful for the experience. To learn more about Inspired Sistah Retreats, you can visit: www.RetreatsbyInspiredSistah.com.

BL: Tell us about your book 30 Days to a More Powerful You. When and where can readers purchase it?
TH: “30 Days to a More Powerful You: Inspired Sistah Style” is my book that came about as an extension of my blog. The book is a 30 Day Devotional broken down into four weeks with four categories: Self-Examination, Self-Acceptance, Self-Image, and Self-Love. The devotionals are short, they begin with a scripture and they end with a positive affirmation for the day. It also has an accompanying journal so that you can deepen your experience for that week. It’s a book designed for any sistah who wants to continue on her journey of self-improvement. I believe we all constantly evolve and never really arrive. And the book is just one tool on that journey. An autographed copy can be purchased on my website: www.InspiredSistah.com and a digital copy is available at http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Tangieh1.

BL: What is your favorite Inspired Sistah Quote/FB post?
TH: My favorite Inspired Sistah quote is, “I’m not your competition; I’m your sister.”

Tangie Henry

Learn more about Tangie Henry at www.InspiredSistah.com. Pssst! We also think she's a fabulous...

Brunch Lady!

Copyright(c) Norma L. Jarrett. All rights reserved.

The Me Nobody Knows

I’ve always believed one could live many lives through the way we dress and the places we travel to, even if just in our imagination. The world is open to us, and each day is an occasion to reinvent ourselves.
~Ralph Lauren~  

When I stumbled upon this quote it required a pause. It was yet another (in the words of Oprah) “a ha” moment. Most of who we are is shaped early in life, influenced by our parents, society, grade school, a sorority, etc. What we need to realize is self identity and awareness is organic.  It is an awareness of who we're meant to be, what we've become and the distance in between. Now is the time to lay aside the weight. What weight?  Take your pick:

• Perceived normalcy
• Conformity
• Cautiousness
• Boxes
• Safety
• Labels

One early summer morning while on the beach at Martha’s Vineyard I watched the Polar Bears, a group of women, all shapes and sizes, do their morning swim. I chatted with a few of them after they'd emerged from the water. They weren’t concerned about their hair or whether they were photo ready in their swimsuits. Most of these ladies had reached an age when they recognized how much time had been wasted with that nonsense.  The  morning ritual was about the fellowship, spirit, encouragement, exercise, and sisterhood. They were enjoying life, their little piece of the island and peace of mind. They were free. For some of us it takes a life time to reach that place of authenticity. However, we shouldn’t waste another second on mulling over the changes we’ve been too passive to make or that real person that exists inside. That journey to authenticity takes a while so we better start now. Go ahead:

• Go natural (or get a perm), wrap your hair in a turban
• Get that passport and go to Greece (or plan the trip)
• Take a painting class
• Go on a mission's trip
• Go to the beach and actually swim
• Write that song, book or screenplay
• Trade printed fabrics for your traditional black
• Date outside your race 
• Join a running group
• Try those DIY projects you've been saving
• Tell people how you feel

Live your life. Get off Facebook and into your car.  You can become the person that’s been hiding inside. Step out, and don’t apologize. The rest of the world will come along for the ride.

What does a Brunch Lady wear...and keep in her purse?

What does a  Brunch Lady wear and...

just as important, what does she carry in her Purse?

It’s Sunday, I’m headed out the door to meet my girls for brunch. The ensemble...

 

Statement necklace - love pastels

Keep it classy and simple - "peep" the tulle

Ultra feminine shoe

I grab one of my favorite print purses and I’m set. My purse holds the essentials: Blackberry, quirky sunglasses, Nook Tablet, makeup bag, wallet and my latest read “Good Self, Bad Self” by Judy Smith (Brunch Ladies are always working on their, best selves right?). Why does this Brunch Lady have so much in her purse?  A Brunch Lady is always prepared!

 

Our Guest Blogger...Simone Hawks

I'm a Jersey girl who fell in love with her college town and never looked back. 
I love reading,sports and most of all the world of fashion. Clothes, shoes, a beautiful ring or a purse can 
often transform a person. Each day when I go into my closet, I am 
putting together a work of art and spreading my wwn ray of sunshine. I am 
Simone Hawks, a lover of Fashion!

Brunchspiration is here! (Book Excerpt)

 

DOWNLOAD EBOOK NOW!

PAPERBACK

I am so excited! My first non-fiction book Brunchspiration is now available on Kindle, Createspace (Paperback) and Nook. Inspired by my faith based fiction bestselling novel Sunday Brunch, Brunchspiration is a fun, faith filled, witty encouragement filled devotional for anyone seeking an uplifting word! With personal and real world examples of contemporary culture, it will have readers laughing, smiling and crying as she delivers Brunch Wisdom!  Here is just a little "taste" of Brunchspiration for your motivation...

WHEN YOU AND GOD HAVE THE LAST LAUGH

 Thanks to YouTube, no faux pas remains private.  How many times have we seen the video of a beauty pageant contestant or a singer taking a tumble?  How about the much publicized Ashley Simpson lip sync flub on Saturday Night Live?  It happens.  We all may have had one of these moments, but often you and God have the last laugh. 

I am convinced; if you are on your purpose path there will be some less than stellar moments.  There will be moments when you want to just melt, cry, or do both.  If you are lucky, they won’t be recorded on social media. News flash!  We are all human.  The minute we send another person’s failure into the viral stratosphere, we are sowing seeds of judgment for ourselves.  No one is exempt.  Embarrassed moments may occur if we aren’t as prepared as we thought.  Or maybe we didn’t listen to Him because we were too busy basking in the light of our own glory.  Other times we need a little piece of “humble pie”.  God is in control.

In these situations, we can be honest, laugh at ourselves and learn the lesson.  We can grow as we go.  Let others on the sidelines, who have nothing to do with your purpose, watch.  Let them have a good laugh.  Pretty soon, you and God will have the last laugh when those who laughed will be trying to connect with you to get a hook up.  Besides, you’d be in good company:

• Oprah Winfrey was ridiculed about her hair, her weight, her marital status…you name it.  I’m sure she’s having the last laugh now.
• Bishop T.D. Jakes was preaching prosperity when he could barely put food on the table.  I’m sure he could have a big laugh, but he is too busy with his worldwide ministry, his books, his speaking engagements, and his film company.
• Many people ridiculed and laughed at a then little known Senator Obama.  He has been called everything in the book.  He is laughing all the way into the history books, as a great president, despite the naysayers, opposing party member, and the doubters and….yes, the racists.
• Michelle Obama was painted in a negative light, made fun of, and talked about. They mocked her features…she is having the last laugh as one of the most poised, intelligent , beautiful and yes, photographed first ladies in our nation’s history.
• India.Arie was mocked because of her hair.  They laughed about her lyrics in Video.  She can have a laugh because her song, I Am Not my Hair is a timeless “self love” anthem for women with all hair textures.

When we have moments when we ask, “How am I going to come back from this?” Or highly embarrassing incidents when we know we are doing the right thing, God has a plan.   He wants us to have thick skins because we are going to need it.  The higher you grow, the more resilient you need to be.  Victory shows less mercy and success is not for weaklings!  A Brunch Lady knows how to dust herself off and try again!  She uses failure as momentum for future success!

Copyright 2012 Norma L. Jarrett

Book Club Pick - Produced by Faith - Devon Franklin

Okay, before Oprah stumbled upon Author, Devon Franklin we were already reading and telling anyone who would listen about his book! (Sorry Oprah, you got seconds - smile). This is a must have for any Brunch Lady library.  Produced by Faith is abundant with spiritual and business wisdom and clearly divinely inspired.  You can be a Christian and work in a secular profession.  Enter, Devon Franklin a minister and Hollywood Producer.  He provides timely sage advice on how to set goals, thrive and be successful in "the world" without compromising faith.  Mr. Franklin not only talks the talk but he walks the walk. Produced by faith is motivational and provides an intimate look at the various seasons of our destiny.  It is a nuanced combination of career and spiritual savvy principles in preparation for the journey.

• God's distribution plan puts us in position so that others can be blessed.
• God will pull assets from all different areas of your life and career and put them together to create one part of your story.
• God (doesn't) put us into production to get things done fast, but to get them done well.
• God might keep you in development for ten years until you have just the right mix of skills an intuition to excel in production.
• The process that starts in development continues in production-shaping your character, refining your mind, and testing your faith until you become someone with the influence, standing, and strength to be a beacon of light to Christians and non-Christians alike.
• (We) must do our jobs in a way that makes God's presence apparent to others.
• If you serve money only, you will drop your principles in a heartbeat to chase wealth.
• Money should be in our minds but, we must see the submission of God as the means by which we achieve prosperity.
• Don't cast position as the lead in our story....if (we) only pursue position, we limit what God can do for us.