Archive for October, 2009
I have been studying the book of Ruth from the Old Testament for the last month and a half. Not for the usual reasons. Women are generally told to learn of and study Ruth’s life in preparation of meeting their own Boaz or future mate. I understand that as a single born again Christian woman, Jesus is my Boaz till I marry. So, anything I do now in “preparation” is really maintaining and improving when it comes to OUR relationship together.
The character I have been drawn to is Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi (from her first marriage) and her development throughout the book…from being a bitter and discouraged woman that mourned the loss of her husband and her two sons…to becoming a helpful, selfless, wise and mature woman, who was finally restored and redeemed beyond measure…
In my own life I have had to put aside feelings of rejection, failure, disappointment, betrayal, mistrust, doubt and a host of others in order to not close my eyes and heart to visions of God’s will for my life. During this last year for example the roots of my character have been examined, tested and still are as I have begun the process of executing / birthing visions. I am not the same person I was a year ago and I know it is all for the better.
What inspired me to begin this study of Ruth was as I was coming home from a powerful rehearsal session of the volunteer / seed sowing ministry I serve in Music (at my church), the Lord through the Holy Spirit pressed on my heart to begin reading. Since I joined my church now over 5 years ago, I have made it my business to always have in my bag a Bible translation. So when prompted, I didn’t question why I was being led, I just began to read.
What has surprised me the most is the fact that I do not know how I could had (in the past) overlooked the importance of Naomi’s role in the story’s back drop. It was Naomi’s son whom Ruth was first married to. It was Naomi’s homeland of Bethlehem where Ruth is introduced to Boaz and it was Naomi who advised Ruth in all she should do to prepare for Boaz. It was Naomi in the end of the book that becomes nurse to Ruth and Boaz son O’bed who would one day be the paternal grandfather to King David.
Naomi was able to do this because her heart began to be changed through service and obedience she received from Ruth. Slowly her attitude became one of gratitude. So, like many great preparers of other biblical characters before and after her, Jethro (Moses’s father-in-law) Samuel (prophet and appointed kings), Mordecai (uncle and adviser of Queen Esther) she was used by God in such a way that has affected generations.
That part of her testimony is one that I want to one day also be remembered for…
Lela Jefferson
Hey folks, I have a new web-series that a sister-friend of mine Christina Faison co-produced and directed called “Web-Locked”. It’s a show about the ins and outs of marriage. Follow a young couple as they experience the first hysterical year of being “Web-Locked”.
The series officially premieres on Sunday, November 1st, 2009. It stars Lawrence Saint-Victor and Karla Mosley from the Guiding Light. Lawrence is also one of my brother’s in Christ and is the writer of the series! This is the first collaborative effort between Christina’s production company Chain Reaction Productions and Lawrence’s company Saint-Victor Productions and from the sneak peek does not look like it will be the last.
To find out more about “Web-Locked” friend the series on Facebook, subscribe to the YouTube channel or follow them on Twitter.
“Spread the news like wild-fire, and watch it be a chain reaction. Tell everyone you know. It’s time for positive programming to hit the airways!” – Christina Faison
When I left the movies tonight at 42nd Street, I had two options 1) Go straight home to finish proofing my first manuscript or 2) Enjoy the cool night air and take a walk over to 34th Street so I could pick up some items from Kmart. I decided to take up option two and ended up dodging tourists, and assisting others finding where Conway was. When I got to W. 34th I was presented with Superman trying to sell me DVDs for $5 a single and $10 for a box set and a Malaysian woman selling a table full of adorable earrings, necklaces and bracelets that I promised I would be back to shop from.
I eventually entered Kmart and descended on the escalator leading to the house wares section behind a family of four. The father not so gingerly let off a bomb that hit my nose so hard I had to take a step back. Putting that out of mind I continued my shopping left Kmart and as promised did purchase two pairs of ears from the Malaysian woman. Who complimented me on my silver bangles (go me.)
I then headed to my train station before entering, I waved goodbye to Spiderman who was on the opposite street corner to Superman. While on my train with a throng of Rangers fans, took the time to catch up on my bible reading. I completed the entire book of Ruth and continued onto reading Isaiah chapters 4 – 9 from the Message Bible. I am working through complete Isaiah by the end of the year.
When I got off at my home station I began walking and singing to myself praise and worship songs. I have been working on not being embarrassed when it comes to praising God in public. So, for me to be singing as I am walking home is a big thing. When I neared my block, I prepared myself by stopping and taking my keys out of my purse. When I looked up I saw the police activity. My block was taped off there were detectives knocking on doors and some of my neighbors were standing waiting till they were able to go enter our building again.
As I got closer to the tape, I didn’t get upset. I just began thanking God that I had stayed in the city a bit longer. Checked with my roommate to make sure she was ok, she was. See if I had went straight home. I might have been caught in the middle of the gunfire, it had only occurred an hour before my arrival. I later learned that a young boy had been shot on the corner of my building. The complete details are still pending. However I did find the silver lining in it all. As I stood there with my neighbors waiting I was able to give them comic relief. Telling them stories of previous incidences I remembered from growing up “da hood.” I told them that the inconvenience of a police presence was for our own well being and that after all this, I would have something extra special to blog about tonight. Some of the off collar comments my neighbors made I cannot not repeat, however I can tell you this. We were all grateful, to be able to enter my building again once we were.
Lela Jefferson – www.memoirsofablackgirl.com
Tonight I went on a date with myself to see the movie “Good Hair” executive produced by Chris Rock and Nelson George (VH1 Soul Cities); with interviews with such celebrities as Nia Long, Dr. Maya Angelou, Rev. Al Sharpton, Marvett Britto and Ice T. I have to be honest I went to see the documentary with a completely opened mind. I wasn’t sure what I was going to expect.
Folks, from start to finish I really did enjoy myself and did learn a bit. It was scary to see what can happen to a soda can after being left in “Creamy Crack” / Relaxer in its natural chemical form for a while. To learning where Remy Hair / Indian “Good” Hair comes from and how it is collected. To hearing a three (3) year black girl say that everyone should get a perm.
Oddly enough, I left the movie theater thinking about getting a new hair system haha
To check out “Good Hair” for your self I recommend the site http://www.fandango.com (this is NOT an affiliate link.)
So… in thinking about what was going to be my 1st blog topic today, led me to think about both my pastors (Dr. Creflo A. and Taffi L. Dollar) recent teachings on the faith of what an AUTHENTIC Christian should be and its co-relation to a tweet quote I read sent by John C. Maxwell in regards to Integrity. ”Integrity is the glue that keeps our way of life together. We must strive to keep our integrity intact. – Billy Graham”
From Webster:
Main Entry: in·teg·ri·ty
Pronunciation: \in-ˈte-grə-tē\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English integrite, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French integrité, from Latin integritat-, integritas, from integr-, integer entire
Date: 14th century
1 : firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : incorruptibility
2 : an unimpaired condition : soundness
3 : the quality or state of being complete or undivided : completeness
synonyms see honesty
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To me what it means to be an AUTHENTIC Christian is to do what Jesus would have done. To have compassion, have a strong sense of integrity, have temperance (and all the other fruits of the spirit) be able to correct and be corrected (teachable) with love, and a willing to lay your life down for the Abba Father.
One of my attitude adjustment plan steps is to work on correcting one challenging thing about myself one day at a time. So that what I want to be projected about my character lines up with the WORD and is pleasing to God. In order to do this I know that I need to know what God says about me, have a teachable spirit, be able to hear the voice of God and be willing to obey it immediately. By doing this I am developing what I like to call the “Self Correcting Spirit”. Knowing when something is wrong (does not line up to God’s word) and being able to correct my actions and words before they become habits.
Today I am reviewing my INTEGRITY. What aspect of your character will you be reviewing / working on correcting today?
Lela Jefferson – www.memoirsofablackgirl.com
I read having a Mary Heart in a Martha World – Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver over the summer. A book I now highly recommend for all women, young and old to read. I have been actually sharing my findings as I journey through the accompanying Bible Study Mrs. Weaver placed at the end of the book on my blogs. Here is the latest question I studied out and gave commentary on.
Questions for Going Deeper – Day Thirteen
7) Write Jesus a letter beginning with “Lord, I know you love me because…,” and list the ways he has shown his great love for you.
Lord, I know you love me because you gave your life as a living sacrifice for me. You taught through your example to others that even though it is over two thousand years later I am still gleaning from your wisdom! You left me the greatest comforter, the Holy Spirit to be my daily guide. Even though you have been redeemed and have returned to sit at the father’s side you STILL intercede on my behalf ceaselessly. With the simple calling of your name and my belief in your word, your only answer to me is always YES!
There is SO much that I can list about how you have shown your great love to me, but the greatest is that you called me yours before I even knew how to utter your name. Each day I fall more and more in love with you as we grow more intimate with each other. All I want to do is serve you and your people. I know through my willing servitude and swift obedience to your voice, I show you my love, trust and respect in return.
To be continued… I welcome your comments!
The previous article can be found here.
Lela Jefferson – http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com
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The Writings and Experiences of Lela Jefferson.