Wednesday Word

Good Morning,
I was reading through and commenting on facebook posts last night, and came across an interesting one, from a friend.  I won't go into the details but it was a video of a celeb singing gospel. This Celeb does not happen to be a gospel singer but has chosen to add it to each of her sets. I recall her saying it was important that she shares what keeps her grounded.

To that I say, What if God uses her to be the one thing someone hears that night that keeps them from committing suicide? What if that song is what drives them back to God? What if she told God, If you get me out of this I will always give you praise? I know of at least two women that are ordained ministers that still sing secular music to pay the bills. Both of which said God told them to stay.

I then began to get convicted. How often have we as "the church" condemned people and thrown them away because they did not do "church" like we wanted them to? God challenge me. How many people have you mentally thrown away because they did not fit into your box? Are you the master carpenter? Do you  get to make the boxes?

Now, are there some basic tenants to salvation? Absolutely, but there are a whole lot of things that have been placed on people that have nothing to the word of God. People have decided that this or that fits within the box they deem as their religion.

I love the Lord and church with all my heart, so don't think I am saying it needs to go away. I am saying that we need to seek God for clarity. We need to seek for understanding of his word. We truly need to be our brother's keeper, not his judge, and jury.

Have you every found yourself in error? I have and in those low times, I am so glad that God never cut me off. He loved me back into alignment. He wooed me with his compassion for me. Honey is a lot more attractive than vinegar. Lord drench me in honey.

And as always remember to...live Blessed

Tuesday Tools

Good morning,
Today is giving Tuesday. If your looking for a place to share your time, talent, and/or treasure with I have a few.

Iasis Christian Center 1914 east 11th, Wichita, KS 67214- The Center, as it is called, is in the middle of a big building project that could use more funds and in the near future could use men with skills. This gymatorium will be the hub activity for the community and you will want to be a part of changing a culture, that will create a better community. Contact Pastor Bill Vann 316-619-2497
billandmichelle.weebly.com

Urban Young Wichita.  wichita.younglife.org
U YL is a great group a young people that meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays @The Center (hence the urgency for the gym). The high school aged group is an international ministry to unchecked yiuth. Our goal is to meet students were they are and help them understand the need for a relationship with God. We don't push them toward any particular church we make them hungry enough to seek a place they fit in.  Contact Charles Ellison chelliso316@gmail.com. We always looking for leaders, drivers, food providers, and those that will give a monthly donation.

Finally,  Sistahs can we talk.  We are always looking for bright talented women who are interested in making a difference in Wichita and the surrounding areas. Our healthy me initiative expands into all aspects of life, mind, body and spirit. If all three are not working in harmony,  chaos is the outcome. Check out our website.
sistahscanwetalk.weebly.com

So those are my three places you check out on Giving Tuesday.

Monday Motivation

Good Morning,
On this Cyber Monday, I would like to give you a little motivation not to overspend.
Use Cash. That's right. Use Cash.

If you can't do it with cash you need to evaluate whether it needs to be done. Studies show that people spend more on the same item simply by using credit versus cash. Cash is more difficult than credit and any barrier to spending will help you to spend less. If you want to go into this new year with more money than bills, consider cash only over the holidays.

Wednesday Word

Good morning,
Give thanks.  Take time to communicate with your friends and family. Life is so short. Take every opportunity to express your love and appreciation.

Psalms 139:1-3 Thank you! Everything in me says “Thank you!” Angels listen as I sing my thanks. I kneel in worship facing your holy temple and say it again: “Thank you!” Thank you for your love, thank you for your faithfulness; Most holy is your name, most holy is your Word. The moment I called out, you stepped in; you made my life large with strength.

And as always remember to... live Blessed

Tuesday Tools

Good Tuesday morning,
I want share with you a picture I saw on a friend's page.
Don't get in debt for Christmas,  especially this year.  We need to start saving and not consuming.  At the end of the day, most of us have more junk in our house then we know what to do with.  We what we want when we want it. So, why do we spend the next year paying for a holiday?
Why do we cave to the peer pressure?
These holidays put us in debt and help retailers make their bottom line.

So, I want you to considering the following,  as you shop. Something they want, something they need, something they can wear,  and something they can read.

I really want kids and adults alike to consider what are, have you been reading? If the answer is nothing, there's your problem.  Everyone should be reading. That should be each of our resolves for the new year... read more. Knowledge is power. Our first business was started by reading library books. Invest on yourself and your family.

And as always remember to... live Blessed

Monday Motivation

Good Morning,
Have you ever been around someone that you came to encourage and their light and love encourages, you? I want to admonish you to be the encourager. It is easy to walk around and be negative, it is what the world gives us a constant diet of, choose to be the light in someone's dark day.
To change your outlook you might have to change the way you start your day.  Starting in the word and listening to uplifting programs will help to change your outlook. I know my days are very different when I rush out without getting light charged. Without that charge, my light will not shine. Get charged up and share your light with this dark world.
And as always remember to ...live Blessed

Friday Findings

Good Friday Morning, 
What a difference a day makes. It is pretty chilly today, makes it feel a bit more like the holidays. Speaking of the holidays just a few more days until Thanksgiving.
There are a few things you might want to figure out pretty quick...

Food to Make Ahead for Thanksgiving

1. Rolls: Rolls can be made weeks ahead and frozen after baking, then warmed gently in foil just before eating.

1. Cranberry sauce: Cranberry sauce can be made a week ahead and refrigerated, or several weeks ahead and frozen. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

1. Turkey stock and gravy - I like to make a batch of turkey stock using wings and legs weeks ahead of the dinner, then use it to make a batch of backup gravy. Homemade turkey stock is also essential for good bread dressing, in my opinion. (But then, I'm obsessed with turkey stock.) Freeze any gravy or extra stock.

1. Appetizers: Choose pre-dinner nibbles you can make ahead. For our menu, we suggest making gougères a few weeks ahead and freezing them. (You can bake them straight from the freezer.) You could also make a batch of roasted nuts and store them in an airtight container.

1. Bread Stuffing/Dressing - I make my bread dressing one to two days ahead of time and refrigerate it unbaked. I bake it at the last minute before serving

Also, make sure that you have enough seating and activities for the kids to do. Bored kids will get on everyone's nerves. LOL (you know it's true)

Thursday Thoughts

Good Morning, 

Just wanted to remind you that our Ladyprenuer- Sharefair will be coming up on Dec 3rd. 

This is an awesome time to shop for gifts locally. Don't you hate it when it looks the exact thing you want on the internet, but does not look the same when you get it home? 

During the sharefair you will be able to see it, touch it, smell it and try it on. 

We will also have great food for breakfast and lunch sold by our Young Life Kiddos. 

Share this your friends and family. 

Wednesday Word

Good morning, 
As I was reading this morning,  several scriptures came to mind, but this chapter stood out. Honestly, I wanted to share more verses but I like to keep this short.
Colossians 3
 1-2 So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.
Wow, a few things rose to the surface. First, are you serious about this life? Too we take our spiritual walk for granted.  We confess and believe, then we go right back to what we were doing.  Are we serious about this walk? If so, we need to be bout it, bout it. 
Next, as we walk in the newness that God gives us each morning we have to starting looking up. For some, literally for others metaphorically. What I mean is some of us have to really get engaged with what God is doing right around us. He is opening doors and blowing the hinges off of opportunities but we are so nonattentive that we miss it. For others we literally need to look to God. We have been doing it our way and it is not working. Every door is being closed cause God says I want to be your source and supply. Trust me,  try me and let me prove myself to you.
Final, I close by saying we all need to pray for God to open our eyes and let us see from his perspective.  No longer I, but the Christ that lives within.

And as always remember to...live Blessed

Monday Motivation

Good morning
Today I want to just encourage you to take some risk. I know things are a bit turbulent right now,  but step out on faith.
There are things/business that God has been speaking to you. Showing you but you have been too afraid. Step out.
It is a faith walk. Will step out on the tight rope and walk toward your destiny or will you stay in your place of comfort being paralyzed and saying some day.
Well, today is the day.  Get up and get moving.

Friday Findings

Good morning,
Happy Veteran's Day. I would like to pay homage to the Tuskegee Airmen for their bravery and service.

The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African-American military aviators in the United States Armed Forces. During World War II, black Americans in many U.S. states were still subject to the Jim Crow laws and the American military was racially segregated, as was much of the federal government.

Nickname(s)‎: ‎Red Tails; Red-Tail Angels‎ Motto(s)‎: ‎Spit Fire‎ Role‎: ‎trained for aerial combat‎ Country‎: ‎United States

‎
And as always remember to...live Blessed

Thursday Thoughts

Good Morning,
Sorry, this is a little late this morning. There is a lot happening in our world right now and I want to encourage each and every one of you to prepare yourselves, mentally and financially for the future.  I am not a gloom and doom kind of person but I do believe it is important to be proactive in your own life.
1. Get debt free
2. Start Producing your own income
3.  Stop hating on each other. It is imperative that our community comes together and supports each other.
4. Produce quality products, with quality customer service.

Check out my friend Shun Strickland's Empowerment work. Don't say there isn't help.
http://www.blackwomenbuildwealth.com/

Wednesday Word

Good Wednesday morning,
Wow, what a night. No matter side you are on, this one is in the bag.
You know I hesitate to say too much about last night other than we do not always know why things happen the way they do. Is this the will of God or of man?

I Samuel 8:6 But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.

And as always remember to... live Blessed

Tuesday Tools

Good Tuesday Morning,
Ladies and gentlemen if you have not already done so, Go Vote.
Do it early so you don't forget. There is too much at stake to protest this year.

And as always remember to...live Blessed

Monday Motivation

Good morning,
I just want to encourage you today to be the change you want to see. I have ear hussled, so many conversations this weekend.  From all of them I came to one conclusion.  We do all of this complaining but when are we going to be the change agent?
Don't complain about how bad all these teenagers are if you're not mentoring one. Don't talk about black businesses if you won't support them and help them to get better. Don't complain about this disfunction in black church, isn't that why you are there? Help make it better.
I watched birth of a nation last night. Sometimes as a people we can be our own worst enemy. 
We have to be the change we want to see.
And as always remember to... live Blessed

Friday Findings

Good morning,
It is Friday already. Today is Friday findings.  This is time where I share a piece of information that should change the way you interacted with that particular subject matter.
Today we are going to talk about preventing SIDS ( sudden infant death syndrome)

Statistically it is 2 times more likely to occur in a black child and 3 times in a native a America. There are measure that can be taken to reduce the risk. Before I tell you, I know many of us have raised kids are just fine and we didn't do most of these, but we also rode in the back of the pick up with no seat belt. Wasn't necessarily the best idea we just didn't know any better. Once you know better, you do better.

1. Put a sleeping baby on their back
2. In an empty crib, on a firm mattress.
3. No smoking
4. Keep baby in the same room, but not in the same bed.
5 . Breast feed as long as you can
6. Use a pacifier at sleep times
7. Get immunization
8. Monitor your child's temperature
9. Do not rely on devices, there is no device to prevent sids
10. Do not give your baby honey under the age of one.

Just a few things to think about. If you have questions I would love to talk further with you about this.
Michelle Vann iasisjmv@gmail.com

And as always remember to... live Blessed

Thursday thoughts

Good Thursday morning,
Please,  please, please support your local business.
Sistahs can we talk will be hosting a ladyprenuers sharefare, on Dec 3rd. What is this?
It is a time for ladypeneurs ( lady entrepreneurs) to get pre christmas sales,  build their network and get leads for the new year. This is also good for organizations to rally new members for the new year.
You will not want to miss this event. Tables are already going. Don't miss your chance. 

And as always remember to...live Blessed

Wednesday Word

Good morning friends,
Wow,  what a day I had on yesterday.  God was showing me himself all day in the people that he put before me.  Had morning meals and coffee with two women, who I am pulling into the Vanntastic circle, and went to a business meeting and the presenter preached to my soul.
Ain't God alright? 
I want to keep that thought of thankfulness going. We are entering the holiday season,  a time where we begin to reflect on the year and its accomplishments.   How did you do this years? No matter the outcome, you must be thankful.
Good,  bad or indifferent,  you are still here with more days ahead and a chance for God to make beautiful things out of you.
The first step is to recognize the good and the bad that have made you better. We tend to focus on the good but we learn just as much, if not more from the no as the yes. So just start telling him thank you.  For the good and the bad, God I thank you.

1 On your feet now - applaud God! 2 Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence. 3 Know this: God is God, and God, God. He made us; we didn't make him. We're his people, his well-tended sheep. 4 Enter with the password: "Thank you!" Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him. 5 For God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever.

And as always remember to...live Blessed

Tuesday Tools

Good Morning,
Wow, can you believe that it is November the 1st? Where has 2016 gone? So, with that in mind, we have to start preparing for Thanksgiving.

1st Finalize your guest list.
If you've decided to host Thanksgiving this year, now is the time to finalize your guest list. It is important to know how many people you will need to accommodate.

2nd Do I have enough?
Make sure that you have sufficient tables and chairs for your guest. By starting now you will know if you will need to borrow or rent more tables or chairs. This is also a good time to take a look at your dinnerware and napkin collection. If you are using real china, glassware and flatware (if you are having a formal dinner), make sure that you have enough.

3rd Planning your menu
It is also a good time to figure out what you will be preparing so you can watch for the sales. Each week different merchants will have you desired ingredients on sale during this month. Stock up while they are good prices. Check for food allergies. For whatever reason, many of us have developed food allergies and it really sucks when you can't eat because there are nuts and berries in everything. LOL Fish can also be a big no, no for many people as well.

Hopefully, this gets you off to a good start. We will talk more about this over the next few weeks.

And as always remember to...live Blessed