Welcome

Embracing Me is an opportunity for us to connect with ourselves...learning to embrace the God within. The post that I share with you are very real. The experiences of my life (whether good, bad or indifferent) sought to develop me into a Woman who honors the God that dwells inside of me.

For over 10 years I fought against sharing my life's experiences with the world but I also neglected to fully share my gifts. You may ask why I denied myself to live and the answer is fear! After relinquishing the fear of my own thoughts as well as the thoughts of others I have decided to do and be all that God has ordained. He chose me to share my testimonies through songs, poetry, short stories and encouraging words.

I invite you to travel with me as I journey into yet another fearful place, seeking to please the Father while providing healing, restoration and inspiration as chosen. It is my hope that these words will improve your daily living.

My charge to you: Think Well. Do Well. Speak Well. Be Well. Live Well.


"For as the rain and snow come down from the heavens, and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." - Isaiah 55:10-11

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Teamwork Matters

Teamwork Matters
While working with a group of young people during a teamwork workshop, I had an opportunity to sit and observe behaviors and attitudes as they prepared for the day’s activity.  Some were frustrated and angry while others were withdrawn and restless.  Clearly I could see many of them were irritated.  This irritation was projected towards one another often as insults by way of comedy. 
After about five minutes I stood before the young people.  I could sense the disappointment, for they knew the question I would ask, and so I did.  I asked them what happened with their group project from the previous week.  All of them began screaming and shouting, pointing fingers at everyone but themselves.  They even blamed the Executive Director of the program for the projects outcome.  I stopped them and stated, “So everyone is at fault for the projects flaws and failure”. 
Again the young people proceeded to cast blame but no one took responsibility for their actions.  Insults again went forth throughout the room.  Finally, with my right arm raised, I interrupted the screaming and said, “Exactly! So you all agree the project was not successful due to a lack of team work, an absence of sportsmanship, lack of commitment, lack of trust and selfishness”.  I proceeded by reminding them they are all a part of one team, thereby making each of them equally responsible for the unsuccessful completion of the project. 
Most of the young disagreed with my statement.  After further discussion a light bulb went off and one young person came forward saying, “I apologize for the groups’ behavior.  May we have another chance?  I promise we will do better at working together as one team although we are in two separate groups because our purpose is the same”.
This behavior is not new or unfamiliar to me.  In fact, there are many adults who behave in the same manner.  Whether it’s an inability to work together on the job, at school, volunteering for a project, as a family, in the community, on the basketball or football team or we lack the capacity to be a team on the choir, at the salon, amongst political party affiliation or in the church.  We quite often have an attitude of separateness.  We fight about who is right and who is wrong.  We argue about where the money should go.  We speak ill-mannered words towards one another.  We grow bitter, casting blame on everyone accept ourselves. Eventually our projects fail and many walk away disappointed, hurt, bruised, unable to trust or forgive. 
As I studied Ephesians chapter four I realized teamwork really does matters, for we are all one body connected together.  Whatever impacts you most assuredly affects me…sometimes directly and sometimes indirectly.  I employ you to consider this; you are by no means a world by yourself.  Consider those who make up this world with you.  Know whatever decisions you make, they are not for you alone but your family, your co-workers and essentially whatever team you’re apart of will be impacted by both your stubbornness and your openness.  You can build up and tear down your teammates with your words.  We all have specific duties and responsibilities.  We are accountable to one another.  Ultimately, nothing gets accomplished without teamwork because TEAMWORK MATTERS.
Ephesians 4:1-32
“…Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another IN LOVE, endeavoring to keep the UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BOND OF PEACE…till we all come to the unity of faith and of the knowledge…from whom the body, joined and knit together by what EVERY joint supplies, according to the effective working by which EVERY PART DOES ITS SHARE, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love…you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened…because of ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their heart…
…Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.  Be angry and do not sin…let NO CORRUPT WORD PROCEED OUT OF YOUR MOUTH, but what is GOOD and NECESSARY edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers…Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice.  AND BE KIND to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you”

OUR PRAYER:
Father, thank you for a new day filled with endless mercies.  Help us to understand that we are to be merciful towards one another.  Help us to treat one another as we treat ourselves and if by chance we do not have knowledge or understanding of how we ought treat ourselves, Lord I ask that you speak to us bringing forth the reminder that we should do all things in love.  We add to one another with kindness and gentleness.  Thank you Lord for providing examples in everyday living as to the compassion we should have.  Lord touch those in Congress who have decided not to be team players.  Encourage mother's and father's to work in unity thereby setting a loving example for children.  Touch brothers and sisters, tearing down dysfunction. Help us to have our love for others.  Forgive us of wrong words that we have spoken that caused damage to others spirit.  Restore us as one union in you, In Jesus Name I pray with faith, Amen.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Touch Me Again

I Want a New Touch

I remember when my mom died.  It was a Monday.  May 29, 2000, Memorial Day to be exact.  As the doctors and nurses worked diligently to stabilize my Mom, her family and friends formed a prayer circle.  In the midst of me leading prayer I felt a cool touch, almost like a kiss on my cheek. 
I remember it as if it were yesterday.  I was just about to say, “Lord heal and deliver my Mom” but instead I said, “Lord, have your way.  Give us the strength to accept YOUR outcome, YOUR will be done, In Jesus Name, Amen”.  It was the touch that reminded me God is ever present.  It was the touch that gave me hope, peace and strength to go through and accept this agonizing event in my life.
As prayer ended the doctors came to inform the family, they did all they could but there was nothing else they could do.  My Mom made her transition.  The cries began to bounce from wall to wall in the family waiting room.  Family members ran to hold and hug one another but just as someone approached me I said, “No, please don’t touch me”.  They thought it was because I was hurt and wounded but I knew that if I asked God to touch me…to hold me…to wrap me in His arms, He would never let go but if family held me, even if just for a moment, they would eventually have to let go. 
So I stood crying out, calling on the name of Jesus, praying deep within myself, asking God to touch me, hold me, keep me…I lay in the comfort of the Master’s bosom crying, being wrapped with arms that never let go.  As I awoke this morning I was reminded of an issue from yesterday and tears began to fall.  I recognized I was hurting but I also recognized I needed God to touch me again.  I wanted a new touch from God this morning.  His grace and mercy has kept me but His touch sustains and strengthens me to make it through a new day.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-2
“Now we beseech you, brethren, touching the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him; to the end that ye be NOT quickly shaken from your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word…”

TODAY, I PRAY THIS FOR YOU:
Our Lord and our God, thank you for another day filled with special touches from you.  I ask you to touch the heart, mind, spirit, physical bodies, finances and homes of each eye who reads this reflection and prayer.  Lord touch them with new mercy, touch them with a gentle hand of correction, touch them with loving kindness, touch them with grace, touch them with compassion…HAVE YOUR WAY IN THEIR LIVES! 
Restore broken places.  Build up the weak and the feeble mind.  Gather these, your children unto your bosom.  Hold them as only you can.  Do not allow them to shrink from your presence or be consumed with evil spirits.  Do not allow lack to guide their thoughts or motives.  Remind them with a touch, you have all provision.
Precious Lord, each time the tears fall, remind these, your children with a gentle touch through a cool breeze that you are ever present.  Set free those who suffer grief from burdens.  Release them to freely cast their cares on you.  Touch these, my brothers and sisters AGAIN with your love, In Jesus Name, I pray Amen

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

"Deep Within...

...You Don’t Know”
By: Stacie J. Whitaker-Harris

You don’t know my battle,
I shouldn’t even be moved by the things you say and do
You’re just angry because I am no longer your puppet
You can’t make me dance to the beat of your drum
Or sing the same old sad blues songs

You don’t know my pain,
I shouldn’t even be surprised by your lack of compassion
You’re just angry my thoughts are now elevated and you can’t control me
You can’t make me lose my cool
Or come apart at the seams anymore

You don’t know my new found joy,
I could have stayed in the box you created deeming it my grave
I could have become bitter, outraged, spiteful, vindictive and withdrawn
I could have decided love was a non-reality for me
But instead, I am elated to have found all the things you could not provide…

Self-worth, abundant peace, joy, hope, strength and the greatest love of all, deep within my own being


Monday, July 18, 2011

Women's Monthly Meet Up & Prayer Call Update

Women's Monthly Meet Up is an opportunity to enjoy fellowship with like-minded women.  During the "Meet Up", we pray, discuss the book of the month, enjoy lite fare and open discussion on topics ranging from but not limited to; being single, dating, marriage, family, love, sex, domestic violence, abortion, politIcs, finances, submitting our will to God, buying a home and various other topics that impact and affect us on a daily basis.  The objective is to provide support and encouragement through fellowship and discussion.

Being whole is the goal...Mind, Body and Spirit! 
Join us for the next "Women's Meet Up":
Saturday, July 30, 2011, 5pm - 7pm.

FREE gift for first seven Women to arrive!!! 
Book of the Month is "Journey to the Well" By Bishop Vashti McKenzie
RSVP by Monday, July 25, 2011 to:  stacie.jharris@yahoo.com  See you there!

Various Authors have agreed to make an appearance, sign books for attendees and share in the discussion.  Contact me to purchase books for confirmed authors or go online and get yours today!!!

Here is the outline created for the "Women's Monthly Meet Up"

Meeting Date            Book of the Month           Author (time is always 5pm - 7pm)
Jan 29th - The Dream Giver - By Bruce Wilkinson

February 26th - The 5 Love Languages - By Gary Chapman
Book on sale NOW at Lifeway Christian Bookstore in White Marsh
http://www.lifewaystores.com/  ($9.99)

March 19th - Two Weeks Before the Rest of My Life
- By Harold T. Fisher (Author confirmed)
Learn more about author at http://www.rosefogg.com/

April 28th - Inspiration for Life
- By Justin Jones-Fosu (Author confirmed)
Learn more about author at  http://www.justininspires.com/

May 28th - Verse in Motion
- By Renee Jean  (Author confirmed)
Learn more about author at  http://www.verseinmotion.com/
                                             
June 25th - The Lady, Her Lover and Her Lord - By Bishop TD Jakes

July 30th - Journey to the Well - By Bishop Vashti McKenzie
http://thisisyourwakeupcallonline.com/

August 27th - Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome - By Joy Leary
http://www.joydegruy.com/

Sept 24th - The Audacity of Hope - By President Barack H. Obama

Oct 29th - MOVIE: "Stoning of Soraya"
Conversation facilitated by Visionary for God, Ms. Shanelle Gayden
http://www.encourageasister.org/

Nov 26th - MUSIC: A Cool Jazz like setting
(This is my Birthday weekend - I'm a turkey baby Nov 24th)

Dec 17th - End of the year celebration
(Gift Receiving - Surprise gifts to all attendees)

Also, join us Sunday – Saturday 7am for our Women’s prayer via conference call. 
Be restored, healed, refreshed, delivered, renewed, set free, revived and strengthened with this 15 minute power-packed prayer call.  Dial in at 605.562.3000 code 223212#. 

Be well and we look forward to hearing you on the prayer call and seeing you during the monthly meet up.  Feel free to invite others to join the conference call and monthly meet ups.


  

Mythical Angel

Angels aren't always dressed in white gowns with rosy red cheeks, smiles upon their faces, twinkles in their eyes and wings glistening upon their backs.

Angels come in different shapes and sizes:
They sometimes touch you with their tears.  They change lives because of their pain.  They purify with their innocence.  With gentle hands they warm hearts.  With kisses they heal.  Their laughter chases things that restrain bringing joy to all they encounter. 

Messy and dingy with dirt upon their faces yet warmly they Embrace you!

These are our earthly Angels living amongst us as examples of success and failure, victory and defeat, triumphs and downfalls...

It's up to each of us to capture the lessons, take our eyes off the Mythical Angels to see the ones we have surrounding us, giving guidance with every step made.

Be well My Angel...

With Tenderness and Love,

Your Angel,
Stacie