End of the year celebration

What more could I ask for...

This year has been simply amazing!  I have loved, lost, gained new friends, my family expanded, dreams came to fruition, fears faded, faith increased, focus improved and my territory increased in ways I could not imagine it would.

The journey began with the introduction of The Embracing Me Project, starting with the 2 Embrace Me blog site in January 2011.  In February the 9th Annual "Living the Legacy of our mother" celebration yielded much fruit and healing.  March we lost one of our precious gifts, my middle sister Karen D. Jones.  April was challenging as we dealt with the prior months grief and loss while preparing for the birth of "The Whitaker Book of Poetry", a compilation of poems written by me and my family (brothers, sister and seven oldest of my mother’s grandchildren).  We did this in honor of our mother the late Barbara A. Whitaker-Jones.  In May we released "The Whitaker Book of Poetry" during our 1st Annual Family and Friends Day in conjunction with my church's (The Emmanuel Church, Bishop Durant K. Harvin III) Women's Day Celebration. June, July and August we traveled from the east to the west coast showcasing "The Whitaker Book of Poetry", book signings, book readings and workshops.  Finally for the remaining four months of the year I have been in preparation to release a second portion of The Embracing Me Project which is the first in the four book Embracing Me memoir series titled "Hell & Heaven at 8". 

Every day since January 2, 2011 I had the blessed privilege of hosting and facilitating a Women's early Morning Prayer call and sharing in monthly meet-up (fellowship) opportunities.  Sometime during the month of September the prayer call opened up and both men and women from all across the United States as well as in other countries such as Japan have called in for our time of prayer and meditation.  God has moved mightily, healing, restoring and uplifting all who share in this time of prayer.

For this final month of 2011, we will conclude our monthly fellowship as a celebration for women, men and families -- but much like the month of November, this is no ordinary celebration.  Here in December we will celebrate the birth of book I "Hell & Heaven at 8" with a private reception, book reading and book signing in my home.

 - WHEN: December 17, 2011

 - TIME:   5PM - 9PM

All other details will be emailed in a separate invitation.  If you do not have email and wish to share in this celebration please email me at GODSGIFTLLC@GMAIL.COM

May God continue to be your source, guiding light and strength as we conclude one year and EMBRACE an entirely new experience in 2012!

I am the tree

Jeremiah 17:8 – For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, that spreadeth out its roots by the river, and shall not fear when heat cometh, but its leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall close from yielding fruit.

Psalm 1:3 reads it this way – And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that bringeth forth its fruit in its season.  Whose leaf also doth not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Have you ever taken a moment, I mean a real opportunity to stare at, to study, to mull over the design, structure, stature, shape and size, colors and strength of tress.  If you studied them you will notice no matter the season they are always in the same upright position.  I believe we could stand to learn a lesson from the trees today and always.

No matter how hard the winds blow, some trees bend but they keep their branches (I like to call them arms), they keep their branches in one of the most vulnerable positions – raised, giving honor and reverence to the Creator of all.  They always provide the example of how we ought stand – in submission, humbled before God.  Jeremiah says the trees stand, unafraid of heat when it comes — the trees remain upright and resolute with no care for the season of drought.  And Psalms says it brings forth fruit in ITS season, its leaves do NOT wither and all that the tree does prospers. 

Here is how I see us as trees and I pray that every eye that reads this post also visualizes and sees themselves as trees:

No matter the season, winter, spring, summer or fall, the tree is fixed and unyielding.  The tree remains humble, faithful and submitted always giving God His just do—Reverence.  The wind blows, torrential rains pour, ice, sleet snow, the branches may even grow heavy and weak but it is assured that the season will change.  The tree is assured the sun will shine again.  Leaves blow off at one time of year but still the tree remains unmovable – it is grounded and does not fear its loss because of certainty that it will again prosper and grow.  Again it bends but it does not break and always stands again honoring God.

So I say to you today, be the tree.  Stay grounded and rooted in God, with the spirit of God, in the word of God with your arms raised in submission giving reverence to the Lord of the Heavens and earth remembering that in YOUR SEASON you shall prosper – you shall bear fruit.  You will shed and lose something’s but there is much to gain in being like the tree:

-         Grounded & Rooted

-         Raised arms Worshipping

-         Prosperous bearing fruit

Notice this; it’s rare to see a tree uprooted right?  When it is unearthed, that happens as a result of the roots getting weak – NOT being grounded/stable.  But for the trees that are rooted and are not afraid to bend (be flexible) with each change in seasons, they always rise again more vibrant than before, unwavering.

So again I say stay rooted in your faith.  Remain steadfast in your trust and hope in the miraculous wonders of God.  Stand your ground.  Don’t be afraid when the enemy comes knocking.  God always shields and protects His trees so yield to the move of God.  Be flexible, humble and submitted knowing that in YOUR season you will bear fruit again.  Say, “I am the tree”.