“A Serious Message”

Ezekiel 33: 1-16 (NKJV)

33 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 ‘Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: “When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, 3 and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, 4 then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head. 5 Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves. 6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.”

7 ‘Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. 8 When I say to the wicked, “You wicked person, you will surely die,” and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. 9 But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.

10 ‘Son of man, say to the Israelites, “This is what you are saying: ‘Our offences and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them. How then can we live?’” 11 Say to them, “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?”…
Ok guys! This may not be for everyone, because this is very meaty. In this new season I am in, the Holy Spirit has been revealing some things in ways that has just blown my mind; it has got REAL IN THESE STREETS! It is absolutely nothing but by the grace and mercy of God … MIND BLOWING. God is grooming me to even more bold in my faith and in His word (Ephesians 6:19, Hebrews 10:9-25). This is something new He is guiding me too. I have always been laid back, when approached by people with different situations. A lot of times what I speak is in a gentle and comforting manner; however, God told me "enough of the patty cake". Sometimes we neglect to tell people that they are going to hell for the mess they are in to try to save face. Moreover, we simply tell them that they need to try God and that He will forgive sins. Yes, God will forgive sins but, repetitive sin leaves no room for salvation (Hebrew 10:25).

I am going to break this bad boy down just a little bit, but I challenge you to study this word (Ezekiel 33: 1-16) for yourself. First, in verse 2, realize that God has called us to be messengers. You may be the only saved person in your family or group of friends, so therefore you may be the messenger for them (pray about that if you have been called to that). Second, in verse 3, when God sends a warning, you better deliver it. It is your responsibility to tell others around you the truth out of love ( Ephesians 4:15-25). Now if they do not adhere to the warning and the sword (The Word of God) comes to take their life, they are responsible for their disobedience leading to their place in hell and you are in the clear (verse 9). Ok, check this, it blew my mind. This “sword” is the very words of God (Epheisans 6:17). So, at any moment with just one word, God could have sent my ratchet tail down to hell. Grace and Mercy! Third, in verse 8, the word of God says, if we are giving a warning to deliver, and we do not send that message, that person’s blood is on our hands (we are held accountable for them) and they will die of that sin. Now, if you deliver the warning and that person repents from their ways, then they will be saved. God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but only when the wicked repents.
I saw this word; I meditated on this word; and have deposited this down in my heart. I cannot be responsible for the sins of others. I cannot afford (grad student budget lol) to have your blood on my hands. If God drops it in my spirit to deliver a message to you, please believe that thing is going to be spoken. This should apply to you as well. You never know how that word can change someone’s life, perception, or situation. Don’t worry about how they may receive it, be bold and deliver it!

Things thrifted in my attire include my earrings, sports coat, skirt, neck tie, and blouse. The sweater is from the Gap and the boots are Nine West.

Be bold and deliver,

Sheika, Team TT

“These Streets are Watching"

“Walk in the wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

Colossians 4:5-6 (KJV)

So I have been getting my tail torn into pieces for my good. I sing praises to God that I am able to see clearly, now that my spirit is not grieved (Ephesians 4:30). I appreciate the conviction because I have a sincere desire to rid whatever is not of God.  If we are who we say we are in God, than it is expected that we adhere to the instruction of God and realize that we are always under close observance by others. 
 1 Timothy 4: 12-16 says “ Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee."

Sometimes believers can get a little full of themselves, I’ll be the first to admit. Let me remind you that God has not called any of us to be on a high horse. In fact, in Philippians 2:3, it says to consider others more highly than you. Don’t get caught being a fool, wise in your own eyes leading others on a path of destruction (1 Cor. 3:16-18). When we get to be so “holier than thou”, we start to lose a grip on reality and justify our sins because of our “righteousness”. Let me tell you, God isn’t pleased with that mess. Repent love and get it together. Being wise in your own eyes is like someone who claim to know God but, their heart is far from Him (Mark 7:6-13). Jesus said why call Him Lord if we still continue to disobey (Luke 6:46)? Keep up and you will find yourself at judgment hearing Jesus say like in Mathew 7: 21-23, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Remember, the streets are watching so practice what you preach, don’t justify sin, and walk in humility.

My thrifted attire includes, a dress thrifted from a local thrift store in downtown Mobile, AL (I got 3 purses and 2 dress for $4.50 BAM), leggings, socks, and scarf from Target; earrings from the Neighborhood Store, Huntsville, AL; I borrowed Bre’s boots (she need to just give them to me); and my cardigan was a gift from my friend Ryan Abernathy of Fort Hood, TX.

Sheika, Team TT

"Verbal Abuse"

Psalm 141:3 Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. 

Living in Christ is not easy, but it is possible. God did not promise that we would not face adversities in our walk in Christ however; He did promise that we would overcome those adversities. One of the biggest struggles I had to overcome was the emotional scars of verbal abuse. It was difficult and trying at times, but I knew I could not overcome my struggles in my own strength, so I had to call on JESUS. Verbal abuse is dangerous and just as harmful (if not more harmful) as a gun. Words are powerful and according to the word of God Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. 

Verbal abuse enters the ear thus invading your thoughts and is communicated with your voice. Soon those things that are verbalized then are manifested in your actions and become your character. Verbal abuse is just as damaging as any other form of abuse. 

Verbal abuse does three things: 

(1) Leaves no physical evidence – Have you ever gotten so mad that your anger got the best of you and you lashed out verbally? You may have said some things you did not mean. Or perhaps you meant what you said but would have preferred not to communicate in that way. I’ve been there! Or how about have you ever been the target for someone lashing out at you? I’ve been there too! Those words said may not have left a mark anywhere on your body. There were not any bruises, black eyes or broken bones. In fact, verbal abuse can sometimes be hard to prove, hard to believe and hard to find the cause/sources of (in some cases). There is no evidence at the scene of the crime. However, words are like small seeds, and when thrown into the atmosphere depending on the ground they land on, those seeds will grow. Harmful words are seeds grow that can grow into insecurities, feelings of inadequacy, hate, pride and resentment. These emotions are not always evident. Some people may wear their emotions on their sleeve whereas others carefully conceal their emotions. Either way, harmful emotions are painful to bear. 

(2) Assassinates – Verbal abuse can contaminate your character or someone else’s character. For example: Verbal abuse can contaminate a child’s spirit and delay the child from maximizing his/her potential. If a child grows up in a home where the parent(s) are always highlighting a child's failures and embarrassing the child, the child may grow up insecure and afraid to try new things – limiting him/her from branching out and experiencing the fullness of life.

A form of verbal abuse is gossip! Gossip will destroy/kill someone’s reputation. Gossip can taint a person’s character. It takes a lifetime to build a good name and only a second to destroy it. The worst thing about gossip is it is difficult to trace. A lie does not care who tells it. 

(3) Contagious – Verbal abuse is contagious! How do you know what a curse word is? How do you know how to curse? My guess is your heard it somewhere. Of all the things we pick up along the way, somehow we never seem to forget how to curse or gossip. Now for those of you who do not have a cursing problem, verbal abuse is any language that is not edifying your brother or sister in Christ. Verbal abuse could include always saying negative things about a new project, new idea, or new person. “I don’t know who she thinks she is, she isn’t the boss”, or “Girl, let me tell you about the –insert favorite reality show here- she remind me of –insert person you know here-”. Verbal abuse also includes any phrases/words perpetuating stereotypes of any ethnic race. I’ve heard the term “CP time” and it is not a positive term, yet I’m guilty of using it. So now that we are clear that verbal abuse is not just about cursing, and it is about any language that cannot be used to glorify God and His kingdom. It is important to know verbal abuse in contagious. I mentioned earlier that harmful words are like seeds. Well, those seeds are watered by the world and eventually those seeds manifest into full grown strongholds. The strongholds can and usually do produce seeds of its own. Someone once told me hurt people hurt people. Those who are wounded by verbal abuse usually tend to wound others. 

So now that we are aware of verbal abuse how can we change it, what can we do about it. Well, my prayer sister, Sheika once gave me a scripture Psalm 141:3 to meditate on which has helped me a lot. It is important to continue to develop your relationship with God, because the truth is, no man can control his own tongue; James 3:8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. You need the divine power of the Holy Spirit to help you. As I travel this journey in Christ, I have to constantly be mindful of the words that I speak. I encourage you all to do the same.

--Demo, Team TT

“Waiting…”

“Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10 

Anyone else out there really enjoy waiting for things to happen (retorical question)?  I mean things that seem so farfetched that everyone looks at you crazy when you talk about it… Well I’m in a season of “waiting” and surprisingly instead of being annoyed or frustrated about it, I’m actually content and at peace. Usually I’m impatient; I don’t like waiting for things to happen I always jump the gun and go for it! I’ve learned my lesson, and in this season I’m waiting like my Father told me to. I’ve finally learned after the 1500th time that, God’s timing is way better than mines! You see in the past He told me to be still and just wait, and instead I went on ahead and did what I wanted because it “felt right” and it ended in a complete disaster! This appears to especially happen in the relationship zone! I’m hard headed when it comes to following His direction in relationships and I think I know what’s best for me. Boy do I prove myself wrong every time! He warned me in His WORD to not awaken love until the time is right (Song of Songs 2:7 NLT) At this point in my life, I’m tired of shattered relationships and hearts being broken, because of my disobedience and lack of trust. Instead of rushing God’s plans for my life, I’ll let Him prepare me for what’s to come so that when the wait is over and the time is right… I’ll be ready! 

Outfit details: scarf and pants-thrifted, top and shoes-Marshalls (Photography by Bobby Perkins) 

If He tells you to wait --- be still and know that He’s God, and just wait! 

-Dom, TeamTT 

“Urban Turban: Picture Tutorial”

Outfit details: scarf- Target; vest, pants, accessories thrifted; top- Marshalls; Shoes- TJ Maxx; Shades-Ray Ban (Photography by Bobby Perkins)

Anytime I wear my turban I get lots of compliments and people always ask me how I did it. So I decided I’d do something different and post a picture tutorial of how I do the infamous “Urban Turban”

Step 1. If your hair is long and you don’t want to wear it down, you can wrap it up and put a scarf on like I did in the photo.

Step 2. Get you a regular sized scarf and hold it out with both hands. (this scarf was purchased from TJ Maxx)

Step 3. Put the scarf on your head start from the back and bring the two ends together forward towards the top of your forehead.

Step 4. Start twisting the scarf together tightly.

Step 5. Twist into knot tightly.

Step 6. Take the ends and tuck it under so that they’re hidden.

Step 7. Enjoy your Urban Turban!!!

-Dom, TeamTT