Teardrops (poem)

Cries…
scarlet eyes
a million teardrops
to my demise
thunder terrors
diminished dreams
can’t see the sky
I’m paralyzed

Bricks..
steep and thick
not a single teardrop
could puncture it
hardened heartache
frozen fossils
angered stiff
my heart is sick

Flow…
letting go
a dozen teardrops
melting snow
forgiveness flowers
springtime smiles
the final show
now, I can grow

Cleansed…
season’s end
no more teardrops
embrace the wind
perfect peace
feeling free
we can be friends
I love again!

Candace Burts © 2009. All rights reserved
Read Teardrops Inspiration: Letting Go

Time for Some Intended Results

What if Jesus would have just attempted to make it to Calvary? What if he would have sinned and disqualified himself from becoming the ultimate sacrifice for us? Then, even if he went through with the crucifixion and completed the task, the goal itself would have not been achieved. Our hope forfeited. With all of mankind’s souls at stake, His mission was accomplished, however. Praise God!

I enjoyed a powerful Word and awesome time with my sisters at the Saturday Morning Sisterhood luncheon, where Prophetess Norma’s message was “It’s Not About You, and Stop Holding Up My Breakthrough!” Afterward, the Lord put on my heart that we need to start getting some results, men and women of God. To experience the MANIFESTATION of things we have been praying for, to not only COMPLETE the tasks God has set before us, but to ACCOMPLISH the intended goal. Someone else’s breakthrough may be connected to us doing something… successfully.

For far too long, I think many Christians, have just been going through the motions. Praying, but not consciously EXPECTING or even BELIEVING that the prayer would be answered. Maybe hoping, but not expecting.

Instead of accomplishing goals and seeing the intended results, perhaps the mindset has been to simply complete a task so we can say that we did it. Have you ever prayed for someone, just so you can tell them you prayed, not even considering whether or not the prayer would be answered?

I thought of this while talking to my daughter, who was upset when I mentioned that she had not cleaned the bathroom. She defensively responded that she had indeed cleaned up. Yet with the sink still looking dirty, how could that be? She hadn’t actually “cleaned” the sink, because if she did, it would not be dirty. In actuality, her goal was to say that she had finished her chore. Sure, she had obviously wiped the sink off some, but the expected result of a clean sink was not achieved. Thus, she completed a task, but didn’t accomplish the goal.

Isaiah 55:11 says

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”(emphasis mine)

We should be expecting this from God and from ourselves.

Whatever the task is before us, let’s get it done. But don’t stop there. Let’s fulfill the mission. If there’s something hindering you from accomplishing your goals, then get rid of it. Truly, the final outcome is in God’s hands, but let’s make sure we’re not doing anything to hold up the progress. Disobedience, fear, doubt, insincerity and selfishness are big culprits. Sometimes, we sit around “waiting” on God’s timing, when he’s waiting on us to do our part.

If God called you to do something, he will equip you with everything you need. The enemy is just a bluff; he has no power. Resist him, and he’s got to flee. If God is with you, who can be against you? The only thing that can stop you from getting your intended results… is you.

We Overcome the World, Right?

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Eph 6:11-12)

After living a peaceful life for some time, I found myself in a state of disarray. I had been overworking and defocusing on what I inerantly thought was a good cause. Filled with anxiety, my body responded with stress, aches and pain. I was tripping out. My behavior wasn’t the same, I was physically ill and felt like I was in a tail spin, spiraling out of control.

After a period of brokenness, I repented for my actions which could not be undone, of course. However, the lack of peace seemed to linger. It took a friend from highschool to mention that I was under attack. Sure, I had taken a short course on spiritual warfare, but hadn’t spent much time dwelling on it. After all, we overcome the world! Right? Ultimately, we are responsible for our actions, but Paul precautions us in 2 Cor. 2:11 “ lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.” In other words, we should be aware of his schemes and tactics.

After the talk with my friend, I pulled my old Disciples Victory workbook off the shelf and decided to read up on spiritual warfare. It’s one thing to be struggling with one’s flesh, but keep in mind that there are external forces at work to try to make you stumble too. I found this section in the book at it blew my mind:

Satan’s methods are designed to defeat God and humanity by limiting the gospel. He seeks to keep you from giving a verbal testimony and a testimony through example. You will not be able to spread God’s Word by your word or by your actions if you give in to Satan, and that is exactly how he tries to silence you. (MasterLife 3, The Disciple’s Victory. Avery T. Willis and Kay Moore)

After reading that, I wept more, because that is exactly what he tried to do. Silence me, and hinder the message I was sharing with a fellow Christian from taking root. Suddenly, everything I had been sorrowful about myself had even less meaning, as I realized the impact it may have had on the person I had been reaching out to. When we act in ways unbecoming as Christians, our words are diluted, if not ignored or even considered hypocritical. We may understand principles of repentance and grace, but everyone else may not. Although our hearts and intentions may be right, our credibility can be shot.

So, how do we withstand the wiles of the enemy? Like any good soldier, know and beware of your enemy. Scripture refers to Satan as the tempter, the evil one, the god of this age, the deceiver, the destroyer, to name the least. In addition to these titles which explain his tactics, he preys on our weaknesses and tries to divide and conquer; to isolate us from each other, because we are stronger in unity as we encourage one another. The list of his trickery goes on and on, but I’ll stop here for now.

I might also note that awareness of spiritual warfare is not focusing on it. Some times Christians get to rebuking the devil so much during prayer, I wonder if they’re praying to God or him. Paul tells us later in Ephesians 6:11-18 to be prepared by putting on the full armor of God. In short, the Word, faith, salvation, peace, truth and righteousness. Stay prayed up for yourself and others and be watchful. I had a friend that told me to sleep in my armor. Never take it off. LOL!

Truly, it’s not a laughing matter though. Spiritual warfare is real. There are greater forces attacking God’s peoples’ minds and lives everyday all day, but we prevail. I may have failed the test initially, but thank God for His mercy. He gives make-up exams. Next time, I’ll be suited up in my armor.

People of God, we fall down, but we get up. We may lose a few battles, but the fight is fixed. The war is won. We overcome the world, right? Right!

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. ~1 John 4:4

Does it Have Anything to Do with God?

When I started rapping as a teenager, my message was about how I was a 'DEF' Lady Emcee and you didn't want to battle with me. Mind you, this is back in the old school hip-hop days when female rappers were few. Of those to admire, I liked 'Sparky D' most and being that Roxanne Shante was her rival, amongst other reasons, I was hardly a fan. Even back then, I respected creativity, and detested the lollipop lyrics from childhood jingles that J.J. Fad was bringing with Supersonic. So, rapping was my passion, and I used to write all throughout the day, carrying my pen and pad everywhere I went.

Initially, my mother didn't say too much about my new-found hobby. Somehow or another though, Mama found one of my notebooks. Oops! Of course, she found the one that had my nasty raps. At 15 years old, what did I know about being "too hot and spicy" and that he needed "a child who was extra mild?" After that, she started paying more attention to my rapping activities and actually attended one of the concerts where I was an opening act. Me and the "We Three" crew had to rephrase some of our rhymes to appear decent and in order. Regardless, she never fully approved of me rapping after that and I used to sneak to perform and defend my title as Kandee Kisses, the "best female rapper" in Fresno.

At one point, I was asked to do a demo for a record label that was new at the time, and is still in full-force today with top-of-the-chart hits. "Unh uh! You can't do it. It doesn't have anything to do with God." Was she serious? This was a chance of a lifetime. I was even asked to just write the lyrics for some girls that Too Short was working with, and Mama still said "Nope! Can't do it!"

For years, I mean decades, I held a pinned up resentment toward my mother for not letting me pursue my dreams. Sure, I believed in God, but this was about fame and fortune... having BIG gold chains, flashy gear and fancy cars, not just an everyday opportunity. At some low points in my life, I wondered what it would have been like if I had become a famous rapper. Yet, as I began to understand the calling on my life, I see how it may have affected me for the worse. It was at the climax of those low points that I sought the very God that I ignored in my quest for stardom, as if He wasn't paying attention. The same God that brought me through all the hurdles of street life with activities that fortune would have funded and probably killed me.

Today, I'm grateful Mama didn't let me do it. (sorry it took so long to get here Mom) Today, I understand the value and responsibility of having gifts and talents. I understand that my gifts were entrusted to me to carry a message that's far greater than how not to be a sucker-MC, and I'm still alive and able to share it.

So, what's your message and what impact does it have on people? Is it anti-God, promoting violence and/or destructive, disrespectful behavior? Is it a message of hope and empowerment or despair and self-righteousness? If your message is about advancing the well-being of others in a way that brings enlightenment to love (agape), then it has to do with God, because God IS love. It may not even appear to be directly about God to have something to do with Him. The Bible, itself, has books that don't contain the word "God." The Book of Esther, for example... do your homework. Sure, some speak or write using biblical scriptures and Christianese terms, but others relate to people using their own lingo. Some paint nature or beautiful abstract pictures with deep meaning, some sing encouraging melodies, some produce beats to blast with empowering hip hop lyrics. All are called to walk alongside and be an example. You might have been working for God all along and haven't even known it. You know, He can and will use anyone for His purpose. So... does your message have anything to do with God?

God Sends His Love through His People

Brought to you by Joyful 'toon

The Source (poem)

I trusted my career
jobs to provide meat for my household to eat
Thinking it was my employers that were causing me to thrive
but when it came down to it…
when it came down to their business trying to survive
when they needed to downsize
it was to my demise.

Or so they thought.
But no! I praise God!
Despite the economy
Hard as it is out there
my family eats well
my cupboards’ never been bare
Rent’s never been late
nothing’s been shut off
insurance never lapsed
cause my fate…
is not based on how the world’s financial system operates

The Kingdom of God is not in recession!
It’s running full-force
It’s not what’s my source of income
but WHO is my source
Lord, YOU are my source!
I trust You
YOU are the one…
I trust…
for my income

Candace Burts © 2009. All rights reserved

Strapped (poem)

Strapped with my sword
with more fire power
than AK-40 anything
sharper than Ginsu, dao or jian
to slice and dice
disillusioned thoughts
li-ver than any crew

It's tha REAL deal
folks should wanna kill for my piece
turning slick trips and tricks
inside out
confounding the wise
peepin false messages going out

Don't be deceived
All that sounds good isn't good
Don't leave home without it

Teardrops Inspiration: Letting Go

Sometimes, we have to let go of people, situations, a bad investment, bad habits, even our dreams if they’re not in alignment with our purpose. It’s not easy and it’s definitely a process that I’ve went through hundreds of times. However, it’s something we must learn to do in order to move forward in our lives. Also, in regards to people, it’s required that we forgive… so God can forgive us.

I wrote Teardrops when I realized I had let go of a dream. It’s a good dream, and I believe God-sent, but the timing just isn’t right. I knew I had let go, because I am able to do things for the people involved without any ill feelings or emotions. I am free to love and support with hopes for the best.

Teardrops captures the seasons and emotions we experience in the process of letting go. Realistically, there are some other phases, and we may bounce back and forth before obtaining a sense of freedom. The first two seasons (stanzas) are severe Sadness and Anger which are common, but unhealthy. I used to hate the emotional part, crying and carrying on, feeling gloomy with no motivation. Plus, I felt like a wimp. If and when you go through these stages, make them short-lived. Don’t get stuck in them. The final two stages are Healing and Freedom, finally… letting go! You can tell when you’ve let go when the person or thing doesn’t consume your mind and you can be happy for them.

Is there something or someone hindering your purpose? Perhaps, it's time to... let go. Face your fears and let God fill the empty space. If it's meant for you to have, it will come back to you... in His time.

In an effort to shorten the length of my posts, I’ve only posted a condensed version of this inspiration. The full writing goes into depth about the seasons, includes my personal testimonies, addresses letting go of relationships and answers questions like "Why you do I have to let go?", “Why is letting go so hard to do?” and “How do I let go?” If you’d like the full version, please befriend me on Google (lower right), FaceBook or Twitter and send me a message. I will add you to my mailing list and send it to you.

In the meantime, enjoy Teardrops!

Stood Up (poem)

KABOOMIN cabinet doors
Zoomin from room to room
Slidin across the floor
Tearin up the house
where's the other Jimmy Choo?
Guess these boots gon' have to do
cause he'll be here in a few
Let me slow my self down
get a grip…
and go check out my doo!

Soliloquizin lines
the clever words I’ll say tonight
gigglin n’ cheesin in the mirror
freckles ain't too pretty
but the makeup’s tight!
Dang, the bulb blew out
now there ain’t gon' be much light
It’s cool, I’ll lay it out like this
he’ll like this candlelight
Play some soft jazzmatic sounds
to set the m-o-o-d just right
Relax
breathe
just be…
I got a date tonight

15 minutes late…
     hmmm... this is kinda’ rude
20 minutes late…
     now, I’m gettin' an attitude
30 minutes…
     call… voicemail on the first ring
   Hey… just checkin’ to see where you’re at
   there’s somethin’ I want you to bring
45 minutes…
     kick off the boots, cause they’re w-a-y too tight
     pouting 'bout all I did to look cute
     blow out the candlelight

Vexed and perplexed, tryin to conceal
the rejection I really feel
Break out the Häagen Daz and DVD
as if it’s no big deal
I nod off
humbly
carefree…
Or so I seemed to be


BUT... God Knows and Sees EVERYTHING

[God]
Gazing upon my sweet child
submersed in tranquil sleep
She’s the apple of my eye
My darling beloved sheep
Hey, I’ll cheer her up
I know just what she will like
A morning bluebird serenade
a gentle breeze and bright sun light
Should I wake her now?
No, I think I’ll let her get some rest
Oh, I’m so excited
I crave her sweet incense
Oh, I was so delighted
from the past few mornings that we spent
All I want is to show her love
Her heart I want to mend
on Me can she depend
Me... and Me alone


Ok, just one gentle touch
a stroke upon her cheek
Awww, look at my baby girl yawn
she’s just about to speak
Flickering eyes adjust to the sun
I love their early morning glow
Though she hates her freckles
I created them just so
Always thinking she’s ugly
but she's gorgeous, made perfectly
That part she likes least about herself
I love… for she’s unique
Look! She’s dropping to her knees
Good morning daughter, I love you!
Oh… she’s just looking under the bed
for her other high heel shoe

15 minutes…
     bathroom prep to sweeten up her breath
20 minutes later
     a shower to make sure she’s clean and fresh
30 minutes
     See, that’s why I blew out the light
     The prayer book beside the pack of bulbs
     a little dusty, but in plain sight
45 minutes
     The Today show? Ask me! I know just how it’ll go
     What? she's putting her on coat
     Kaboom! She's out the door

I knew her commitment to “quiet time”
was a little too good to be true
This morning, I just wanted to tell her I love her…
and where to find... her favorite shoe

Candace Burts © 2009. All rights reserved

Inspiration from Quiet Quality Time

Quiet Quality Time

Quiet Time… that time when all presence around you is still. When silence is only accompanied by the soft chirping of morning birds, or a gentle hum of the warm heat flowing through the vents. That special time with you… and God.

I’ve never spent any quality quiet time with God that I didn’t enjoy. I always feel refreshed, renewed and more insightful about life. When I begin my day with Him, I’ve found that I’m more calm and serene throughout the day too. On the flip side, I’ve had some “dry seasons” in the past where I was so preoccupied with pursuing goals or taking care of people that I only gave God bits and pieces of left-over in-between time. I was one irritable, impatient and frustrated sista; going ziggidy-boom on auto-pilot all over the place and still not accomplishing anything. Sure, it was quiet in the car for those 3 minutes I would pray, but my attention wasn’t devoted to Him. The time we spent was lacking… quality.


Since God desires to have a relationship with us, He wants to communicate with us daily. Not just some surface chit-chat here and there that you call prayer. He wants quality time, when we show our love for each other and He gives us direction for our daily lives. There’s a difference between knowing of God, knowing about God and actually knowing Him. It’s not about how much scripture you can quote, but how much you trust Him. God has feelings too.

I wrote the poem Stood Up one night as I imagined how God feels when we don't spend time with Him. Yet, we can get all fixed up and anxious for a date, a business meeting or performance. We even spend hours writing. Have you ever made an empty promise to pray everyday or read a scripture, but only lasted for a short time? My hand is raised, because I sure have in the past. Often, we get so caught up in our affairs, that we’re off and running… leaving God behind… stood up.

Your daily mediation doesn't have to be a long time. I usually spend about 1-1/2 hours per day. I read my Bible, pray, maybe sing; then I quiet my mind and listen. You can start out slow with just 10 minutes a day and gradually increase. Consistency is most important.

The main thing is that you don’t stand up God. He wouldn't leave you hanging. Show Him some love and spend a portion of each day in quiet quality time. Then come back and share the difference it’s made in your life. I’m absolutely sure, it’s for the better.

If you haven't read the poem yet, check out Stood Up.

Love, My Dove (poem)

Loving good
it's good to pray
hating evil
evil haters prey
...on my dove
The Lord is my Shepherd
I feel no evil
filled with no evil
real to no evil
I love good
good comes from above
...on my dove
Love

by Candace and Slay
Candace Burts © 2009. All rights reserved

Deeper Restoration

I wrote the poem Mine Eyes Upon the Lord at the end of a season in my life what I termed as "Deeper Restoration." My partying and hanging days were behind me. I was a devoted Christian by this time and had become responsible with finances and managing my household. I had been recognized for many accomplishments, yet there was some deeper work to be done... within.

I discovered this after I met my Boaz. The brotha' was wise, witty, fine and on fire for the Lord! It was all good at first, but when I fell in love, insecurities from my past resurfaced. Caught off guard, I was astonished at how I felt about myself. Suddenly, I realized... I was aging. I didn't feel like that cute, young honey anymore. I'd gained a little weight, noticing a few not-so-cute dimples in places other than the one on my face. As a minster, I no longer dressed provocatively to emphasize the sexy parts of my body I had once been so proud to show off. No, it was the real deal, just me. How was I to appeal to this godly man in my life without strutting my stuff?

To my amazement, good ole' Christian Candace began behaving like many women dealing with low self-esteem who are in relationships... I started tripping. Comparing myself to other women, comparing my man to former boyfriends, getting an attitude and jealous for no reason. I was making assumptions on how he felt, thinking he was using or betraying me. Oh, it was crazy! I thought, "Where in the world is this coming from?" I knew I had to get it together... real quick!


At first, I tried to heal myself. A distorted self-image and deep insecurities had robbed my joy and hindered my purpose for far too long. After reading tons of books and spending a lot of unnecessary money on physical restoration, I still found myself reacting to my past… making hasty decisions, dishonoring my man and destroying our future. More so, I felt like I had failed and displeased God, who had blessed me with this incredible man in the first place. Finally, I separated from him to spend a season with God... a season of "Deeper Restoration." It lasted for a few months, but was the greatest thing I could have ever done for our relationship.

If you're in a similar state, take some time out for personal healing. Although exercise, good eating habits and taking care of your body is a good thing, only God can truly restore you to realize your true worth. God showed me that through His Word would I be delivered, because there one can find their identity, purpose and value. It is in the Bible that you'll be reminded that you are fearfully and wonderfully made, a royal priestess, daughter of the Most High. You may have heard and even quoted some of these scriptures I studied during the season of "Deeper Restoration," but take a few weeks to meditate on them:

• Read and re-read the scriptures daily
  
• memorize and repeat verses to yourself throughout the day
  
• pray for God to give you understanding
  
• look up cross-references
  
• post scriptures on your wall or as notes in your cell phone
  
• study words from original Hebrew or Greek language
  
• share with other women about what God is revealing to you
  
• listen to sermons on the topics
  
• journal your thoughts along the way
  

After spending much time focusing on self-love, prayer, and meditation, the result was a few simple words that changed my life forever. Keep my eyes on Jesus. Outside influences and deceptive thoughts can distort your reality. Just keep your eyes on Him. So, when you get discouraged… think about Jesus. If you get crazy thoughts about someone who loves you trying to betray you… think about the Lord. If you're feeling unattractive... what does God have to say about you, His most prized possession? When you want to beat yourself up for falling short… seek his mercy. It's yours, because you are His righteousness through Christ. Don't worry about what everyone else is doing, including loved ones, children, the people at work, at church… not even your man. If you just keep your eyes on Him, He will heal, protect and lead you into your destiny.

Here are just a few Deeper Restoration scriptures to get you started, but you will be blessed as more are revealed to you personally during your season:
Genesis 2:18-24; Psalm 139:14; Proverbs 5:19, 31:10-31; Isaiah 61:3; Zechariah 2:8; 2 Corinthians 10:5; 1 Peter 2:9

Read Mine Eyes Upon the Lord

10 Minutes and a Burger (poem)

Photograph by SamPac

Poor man, hungry for something to eat
Beggar man, no where to sleep
needs two hands of offering
one for his soul
one for his body

If his body passes on and lays to rest
no more heart to believe
no lips left to confess
and all you did was say "Be blessed"

What good does it do to just say you'll pray
when you are the answer that God sent his way
a few dollars or a burger is a small price to pay
to spare a man's life for another day

10 minutes of your time
may help a blind man see
as with anyone blind, he needs someone to lead
just a few minutes to share your testimony
May spare a man's soul for eternity
Candace Burts © 2009 - 2014. All rights reserved

"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink..."
~Matthew 25:34-35

MEDITATION: Read Matthew 25:31-40

Touched by God

Who knows what this man is going through?
but he is... passing through it
taking a minute in a dark hour to pray and reflect
tightly clenched fists and vein-strained hands
he is confronting something
his bowed head is not a symbol of defeat, but
humility and reverence
an understanding that some things in life are
beyond our power

~SLAY

Copyright 2008© Patrick Slay


Slay is a multi-talented artist and poet, an awesome man of God and my best friend. Though also gifted in painting and sculpting, most of his works are in pencil, with an urban and spiritual influence. He was the first to inspire me to listen to what art is saying. Hear the voice of the artist, and experience their joys, crys, screams, laughter and power. I'll be adding a series of posts to display his artwork in the future.

Uhuru Sassa (Freedom Now)

This dynamic piece is one of my favorite collages by SLAY. Uhuru Sassa (pronounced A'-huru sa-sa) means Freedom Now. When I first saw this drawing, I was blown away. There's so much depth to his art work, and every intricate detail has meaning. In this drawing, he uses a collection of unrelated images and techniques in contiguous relationships to tell a harmonious story of the reality of his incarceration.

The picture begins, as all things, with the African man in the Egyptian or Pharoaic headpiece, because all history is a current event. He stares at the woman of life with concern, because she is not alarmed at the direction we're headed toward as a people with no repentance toward God. The penitentiary is a modern day slave ship for the hues of man, in which men are displayed as wild animals in a zoo. The smoke is the endless visions of free-dominion. Freedom picks her afro as she waits to become... herself. The more we grow, mature and ascertain in life, the more she is uncovered before us.


Freedom's Clothing

kilabu - books • Miaka - years • Moyo - heart • Mlango - door... that we must open or close • Mto - river... that we must cross • Mungo - God... that must be foremost and first in our lives • Mume - husband... who we must become as men of honor • Mke - wife, Mwenzi - companions • Mwalimu - teacher... for we all have something to give • Mwanafunzi - learner • Mwivi - thief... that we must watch for • Mtume - prophet... that we must watch the times and signs • Mfame - king... of which we possess the regality • Mkristo - Christian... that are like and of Christ • NGuve - strength... that we've bore throughout the time.
The Times

The Hebrew date Abib (Nisan) is upon Freedom, because this is the month that God brought Noah out of the Ark • 1863... the year the Emancipation Proclamation was effective • Feb. 21, 1965.. the day Malcolm X was assassinated • April 4, 1968... Martin Luther King, Jr was assasinated • Nov 4, 2008 Barack Obama was elected into Presidential Office

Uhuru Sassa, Freedom Now...
that we must possess all levels and dimensions


The winds of change blow down into the solitary mind where a vulnerable state of change erupts. The little men represent "thoughts." The hour glass measure the time encasing our prayers that faith is trying to free with the sledge hammer, which is symbolic of the Word of God. The thought pulling the money is "the love of money," the root of all evil. One bound by the bars is desperately trying to maintain his peace but so much is hindering him. The lower left is our brokenness as the thought labors for wholeness, oneness and completeness.





Love...

Cupid holds the arrows of love in her quivers and she's taken her cool off. Divine-selections strapped to her thigh. The screaming face with tears and sewn eyes means that sometimes love hurts and he's screaming for our dreams to be free... but you can't tell everyone your dream. The woman with the sewn mouth is saying "even a fool is wise in silence." With torn paper saying... see deeper into this piece, because these are just the small things I've seen in silence. Lastly, the keyhole with the eye peeking in means...

Unlock the mysteries... Freedom NOW!
Uhuru Sassa by SLAY

You are My Poem (poem)

You are my poem
You have a soul
You live within the confines of the blue lines whereupon I have inscribed you
Birthed from my heart with passionate phrases
I created you for greatness
Shaped, fashioned and formed you with purpose
breathed life into you with my spoken word
You are a living poem

You’re not just any poem
you are my favorite
I’ve written several sentences and phrases
a paragraph or two, but you…
you are my most prized possession
When I finished your last word
I read you over and over from beginning to end
I said, “This is good!”

Then, a thief came along and tried to claim you as their own
jumbled your lines to make you appear in a different form
remixed your sound, now you think you’re just a hook
But look!
Know that I am the Author and Finisher of your being
You are a part of my book
The #1 Best Seller

You are an original
created in my likeness
I poured myself into you
You have my power, my style, and my flow
You are not a remix
You are not simply a bunch of words with no meaning
You have an amazing sound and rhythm of your own

I created you with purpose
on purpose
and for a purpose
Know your worth!
You have the power to impact the world
to stand as a legacy to represent me
Before you were typed, I defined your destiny

The paper you live upon may fade, tear or rip
digital copies may be deleted or zipped
but you will always exist
for eternity with me
and in the hearts of all the lives you’ve touched with your beauty
You are my poem

Candace Baldwin © 2009-2013. All rights reserved

My First Poems

My mother keeps EVERYTHING! Plants, pots and pans are literally as old as I am (which is not that old;) and they still look brand new. So, I wasn't surprised to find some of my childhood awards and pictures while looking through old photo albums. But I was surprised to find these poems that I wrote when I was 6 years old (which wasn't that long ago). I barely remember writing them. My teacher must have printed them in calligraphy.

Getting Out of the Funk... When You're "Going Through"

I’m starting this discussion because I’ve been talking to a few of my sisters who have been or are currently… going through. Hopefully, this is a word of encouragement to you that truly… this too shall pass.

Mama used to call it being in a “funk” when things that are heavy on your mind get you down.

Lately, I’ve found myself in and out of a funk. I’ve been going through… In case you can’t relate to that term, I’ve been dealing with issues of life. Poor judgment calls, disappointments, unexpected changes, being blamed for others’ mistakes, money has been funny, discouragement… Oh yeah, I went there. I even found myself in self-pity for a minute. Bear with me if you’re beyond experiencing these emotions, but God isn’t through with me yet:)

More than the actual circumstances, most of which have passed, I continued to entertain the funk due to not forgiving myself. How could I allow myself to get off my square? I even felt like I had disappointed God and missed out on something He had for me. It’s amazing how God can forgive us so much easier than we forgive ourselves. Hmm… have you ever felt like that?

Ultimately, this is a state of mind that the enemy thrives on. Satan’s methods are designed to defeat God and humanity by limiting the gospel.* As long as we’re caught up in a funk, our minds and energy are distracted from the things of God, from the tasks set before us, from the joy that belongs to us through Christ. I think what happens is that in the aftermath, after Satan’s work has been done. Though we have gained some sense of freedom, we may continue to allow the thoughts to creep back in. Often we re-experience the situation within our very own minds.

So, what do we do when these defeating thoughts re-occur?
casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ ~2 Cor. 10:5

Surely, I thank God for His grace and mercy, and I’m so glad that I have His Word in my heart to speak forth at times such as these. Whew! God’s Word is a powerful source to renew your mind and thinking when the things of this world get you down. It’s cool to talk to your friends, but the WORD OF GOD… there’s nothing like it! Today, I just saturated myself in the Word and I feel GREAT!

Bottom Line… Satan is defeated. We prevail. There’s work to be done… Get out the Funk!

*MasterLife 3, The Disciple’s Victory. Avery T. Willis and Kay Moore