When the poem, ”Clothes,” was forward to me by email, reading only the first stanza, I knew that it was not written in Dr. Angelou’s “distinct voice.” So I did a little investigating. I pulled this “disclaimer” off of her official website…at http://www.mayaangelou.com/Contact.html
"Please be aware that Dr. Maya Angelou has absolutely no affiliation with the "poems" entitled Clothes or I Am A Christian that are circulating the Internet."
Probably because I am a writer, I am sensitive about attributing something to a writer that the writer did not write. Especially, Maya Angelou…she’s one of our she-roes. I know that we get excited when we read something that touches us. We want to share it with everyone we know; but I am learning that perhaps we should do a little investigating BEFORE we click “forward.”
As a teenager, I remember being groomed in how to clean the family refrigerator. I’d find something way back up in the corner the bottom shelf. I opened the wax paper. The sausage patty looked like it was “probably” good. It smelled fine. Or did it? I’d smell it again. And then my mother, with the wisdom of generations of mothers before her shouted from behind me, “When in doubt, throw it out.” I’ve brought that adage with me into adulthood. And it works for more than refrigerator cleaning.
(c) 2004, Stanice Anderson
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Sunday, December 05, 2004
Thursday, November 18, 2004
A Winter Sunrise at Virginia Beach
A winter sunrise at virginia beach
a sliver of crimson orange played peek-a-boo with me this morning.
slowly, it caste a pulsating neon orange light on a lane of ocean.
Then, it tossed moments of shimmering gold dust
onto the ocean that beaconed me to follow the yellow gold dust lane
to the sun.
i felt the heat of the sun on my forehead and cheek through the badly-in-need-of-Windex glass balcony door.
my eyes squinted at the brilliance of the sun.
the sun has risen—a day's work begins.
the grunting churns and back-up beeps of the bulldozers crowd out the quiet.
Memorial Day is not far away.
there is sand to move, a boardwalk to build
and stories to edit.
The previous window into God's glory has shut...
another one opens.
i've lived to be a part of both.
© 1999 stanice anderson
a sliver of crimson orange played peek-a-boo with me this morning.
slowly, it caste a pulsating neon orange light on a lane of ocean.
Then, it tossed moments of shimmering gold dust
onto the ocean that beaconed me to follow the yellow gold dust lane
to the sun.
i felt the heat of the sun on my forehead and cheek through the badly-in-need-of-Windex glass balcony door.
my eyes squinted at the brilliance of the sun.
the sun has risen—a day's work begins.
the grunting churns and back-up beeps of the bulldozers crowd out the quiet.
Memorial Day is not far away.
there is sand to move, a boardwalk to build
and stories to edit.
The previous window into God's glory has shut...
another one opens.
i've lived to be a part of both.
© 1999 stanice anderson
Feast in THE WORD Gathering 11/10/04
After awesome testimony dealing with co-workers, the Holy Spirit led us to discuss becoming humble and letting God use us to do His work.
The Holy Spirit led us to feast on THE WORD as follows:
Psalm 131
Luke 14:11 & Matthew 23:12
Obadiah verse 4 (Group Fresh Discovery!! Obadiah is only chapter, thus when referenced it's Obadiah 4)
Throughout our time together it was like The Holy Spirit reiterating to us the need for us to continue to LET GO AND LET GOD.
The Holy Spirit led us to feast on THE WORD as follows:
Psalm 131
Luke 14:11 & Matthew 23:12
Obadiah verse 4 (Group Fresh Discovery!! Obadiah is only chapter, thus when referenced it's Obadiah 4)
Throughout our time together it was like The Holy Spirit reiterating to us the need for us to continue to LET GO AND LET GOD.
Monday, November 08, 2004
At end of your tunnel?
There is a light at the end of the tunnel...and His Name is Jesus Christ.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Counting the Cost
The cost of my writing and publication of my memoir, I Say A Prayer for Me?
I lost what little was left of the volatile relationships with my mother and brother. Both abhor the mention of my name. It is my understanding that most others in my family, whisper, “I’d rather not talk about it. You got to read it for yourself.”
Perhaps the only thing that spared my relationship with my dad was his death before the book’s conception.
If given the opportunity by some freak of the cosmos to slurp back every word in a warp-speed rewind into nothingness, would I?
Emphatically, “No.” I have no doubt that God predestined me to survive and thrive everything that I lived through thus far in order to write every word written and left yet to write. As well as, promised to meet every reader within the pages long before any of the manuscripts are completed.
The lesson in writing and publication of my memoir, I Say A Prayer for Me?
"Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. (1 Samuel 15:22)
I lost what little was left of the volatile relationships with my mother and brother. Both abhor the mention of my name. It is my understanding that most others in my family, whisper, “I’d rather not talk about it. You got to read it for yourself.”
Perhaps the only thing that spared my relationship with my dad was his death before the book’s conception.
If given the opportunity by some freak of the cosmos to slurp back every word in a warp-speed rewind into nothingness, would I?
Emphatically, “No.” I have no doubt that God predestined me to survive and thrive everything that I lived through thus far in order to write every word written and left yet to write. As well as, promised to meet every reader within the pages long before any of the manuscripts are completed.
The lesson in writing and publication of my memoir, I Say A Prayer for Me?
"Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. (1 Samuel 15:22)
Saturday, October 30, 2004
In this week's Feast in THE WORD Gathering, after listening to each other's testimonies, the Holy Spirit showed us how the enemy tries to turn our blessings into curses. For example, the home that God supernaturally provided for me...the enemy attacks my finances making it "appear" that I don't stand of chance of making it---BUT THE DEVIL IS A LIAR--my home was and STILL IS A BLESSING FROM GOD.
The Holy Spirit used each of us in attendance to speak God's direction into our lives for this season:
1. If you take care of God's business, He will take care of yours.
Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
2. Pray, "With You, God, I can do it and I WANT to do it!
Mark 10:27 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."
Mark 10:27 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."
3. Keep Focused! on Jesus -- not on the problems, or finances, or anything or anyone other than Jesus Christ.
From there, the Holy Spirit gave us Matthew 14:23-36. We were also directed to continue to embrace in our own lives what Jesus did BEFORE the miracles took place. That fellowship with His Father...our Father...that connectedness...we MUST have in our own lives.
Lord, I pray that this summary be a blessing to all who read it and especially THE WORD that is cited throughout--specifically given to us by our Comforter, Teacher, and friend--The Holy Spirit. Thank you that YOUR WORD does not come back void In Jesus' Name. Amen. So Be it!
Isaiah 55:10-11
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (NIV-New International Version)
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (NIV-New International Version)
Friday, October 29, 2004
Together
I have a vision.
You have a vision.
When you and I become one,
we will be the totality of THE vision conceived in the mind of God
and given life before we were born.
With longsuffering and grace,
He continually saved us from ourselves
in order to bring us to Himself
and now one to the other.
Together, we will move mountains and men!
© 2004 Stanice Anderson, www.stanice.com
You have a vision.
When you and I become one,
we will be the totality of THE vision conceived in the mind of God
and given life before we were born.
With longsuffering and grace,
He continually saved us from ourselves
in order to bring us to Himself
and now one to the other.
Together, we will move mountains and men!
© 2004 Stanice Anderson, www.stanice.com
Feast in THE WORD Gathering 10/27/04
In this week's Feast in THE WORD Gathering, after listening to each other's testimonies, the Holy Spirit showed us how the enemy tries to turn our blessings into curses. For example, the home that God supernaturally provided for me...the enemy attacks my finances making it "appear" that I don't stand of chance of making it---BUT THE DEVIL IS A LIAR--my home was and STILL IS A BLESSING FROM GOD.
The Holy Spirit used each of us in attendance to speak God's direction into our lives for this season:
1. If you take care of God's business, He will take care of yours.
Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
2. Pray, "With You, God, I can do it and I WANT to do it!
Mark 10:27 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."
3. Keep Focused! on Jesus -- not on the problems, or finances, or anything or anyone other than Jesus Christ.
From there, the Holy Spirit gave us Matthew 14:23-36. We were also directed to continue to embrace in our own lives what Jesus did BEFORE the miracles took place. That fellowship with His Father...our Father...that connectedness...we MUST have in our own lives.
Lord, I pray that this summary be a blessing to all who read it and especially THE WORD that is cited throughout--specifically given to us by our Comforter, Teacher, and friend--The Holy Spirit. Thank you that YOUR WORD does not come back void In Jesus' Name. Amen. So Be it!
Isaiah 55:10-11
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (NIV)
The Holy Spirit used each of us in attendance to speak God's direction into our lives for this season:
1. If you take care of God's business, He will take care of yours.
Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
2. Pray, "With You, God, I can do it and I WANT to do it!
Mark 10:27 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."
3. Keep Focused! on Jesus -- not on the problems, or finances, or anything or anyone other than Jesus Christ.
From there, the Holy Spirit gave us Matthew 14:23-36. We were also directed to continue to embrace in our own lives what Jesus did BEFORE the miracles took place. That fellowship with His Father...our Father...that connectedness...we MUST have in our own lives.
Lord, I pray that this summary be a blessing to all who read it and especially THE WORD that is cited throughout--specifically given to us by our Comforter, Teacher, and friend--The Holy Spirit. Thank you that YOUR WORD does not come back void In Jesus' Name. Amen. So Be it!
Isaiah 55:10-11
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (NIV)
Friday, October 22, 2004
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
Quiet
Quiet. What is quiet but what is not heard? But in my soul, quiet has a voice, has a sound. It sounds like contentment, love, forgiveness, and mercy at 10 decibals beyond what can be heard by any ear. Quiet sounds like the russle of Jesus robes as He wraps His arms around me on a night when sleep is hard to come by and hope seems like a distant memory that I hope will be once more--but not tonight. Quiet eases itself around a past chocked out by the grace of God. Quiet needs no TV or music blaringly drowning out the sounds of regret, remore, hate, fear, and down-wrong-not-right rebelliousness.
Quiet is a tear gliding down an all too familiar trail on my face--warm, wet, and tasting of salt as it steals for the base of parted lips. I turned and crawled, waddled, walked, ran, leapt towards Jesus' awaiting arms and found the way home. Quiet is allowing myself the freedom at last to be who God intended me to be. Not so quiet, an artist, eccentric by nature, excitable, and beautifully bold. Given the keys of life, I reclaimed what a hard life stole from me and allowed God to restore what the locusts had eaten.
Quiet. Home is quiet and the boogieman is dead.
Quiet is a tear gliding down an all too familiar trail on my face--warm, wet, and tasting of salt as it steals for the base of parted lips. I turned and crawled, waddled, walked, ran, leapt towards Jesus' awaiting arms and found the way home. Quiet is allowing myself the freedom at last to be who God intended me to be. Not so quiet, an artist, eccentric by nature, excitable, and beautifully bold. Given the keys of life, I reclaimed what a hard life stole from me and allowed God to restore what the locusts had eaten.
Quiet. Home is quiet and the boogieman is dead.
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