Most of you who follow my social media posts are well aware that I am a part of a global collaborative work, "I Bared My Chest: 21 Women Share Their Naked Truth To Becoming Unstoppable". Whoo-Hoo...YES! The title is not just for shock value, these women, including me, ALL share very intimate points and life experiences that broke us down.

I BARED MY CHEST
Since submitting my work, I have spent some time reflecting on the experiences that I shared as part of this collaboration.  Now, I thought to myself, what the heck was I thinking putting that in there????  Everything from childhood, to life, to love, to insecurities, to failures; but am realizing that ths project really was less for me than it was for many others .  I feel like I'm a part of that show, "How To Look Good Naked" where they force you to come to a place of acceptance of who you are at the present time.  This piece revealed those ugly scars left behind from unnecessary wounds.  It showed how I viewed myself in the context of and ways that I defined who I was by the experience.  In my article, "Being Naked and Unafraid"  published in the August issue of the Ambassador, I reflected on my purpose and role in the liberation of women who are captive.  I was once a captive but now I'm FREE!  Thank God for saving Me!

MY SOUL WAS EXPOSED
"What was the purpose for this new found freedom?", I asked; but then, it hit me, it's all relevant to help others who have had the same or similar experiences.  Every fiber of my being is in a state of gladness, I can live, I really can live, without any shame, guilt, or condemnation.  I understand the righteousness of God and truly how His grace is sufficient.  

I CAN BREATH BETTER
When I was concerned with what other people thought or what they would say about me, it was like holding my breath.  You know, after you hold your breath for a while, then when you breathe, you start to pant and sometimes it takes a minute to catch your breath?  Okay, you don't have to admit it but I know that I'm not the only person that has been there!  But, HONEY!, now I can breath and relax.  Writing a part in this book has released the anchors in my life....Now, I'm not ashamed to show ALL because I am Naked and Unstoppable!  That's My Perspective!

Be Blessed, But More Importantly, Be A Blessing!

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"Sound the alarm! I am so ready, ready to do this for the #gloryofGod. I had the pleasure of chatting with three #womenofGod for the #RealPerspectives episode Women on Fire and OMG did it open my eyes!  I am convinced now more than ever that God is calling His people to take a stand, even in the church. Yes, that's right, I said it, EVEN IN (meaning INSIDE) of the church walls.  I believe that God is pushing us to a level of transparency like no other time in history.  During Saturday's show, we discussed trust in ministry and what the responsbility of the clergy is to keep confidences in the church.  Someone shared that while growing up, she was surrounded by women she could trust, mentors who helped to guide her in her faith walk. She shared that she was able to go to these women and confide the things that were happening with her life. She looked up to these women, like her grandmother, church mothers, ushers, and the first lady of the ministry for example, as examples of how she needed to behave as a woman.  

If that is your experience guys....GLORY!!!!!! You have been TRULY BLESSED.  As the title mentions, I had to keep it real because that is not the reality that I know.  Countless people have shared that when they went to these same figureheads, mothers of the church, first ladies, women's ministry chair, etc., etc., etc., the next thing they knew their business was all over the church.  These women who were supposed to educate, embrace, and engage the younger (less seasoned) ladies were the culprits in creating or subjecting them to unnecessary shame.  Preposterous....right? But anyone who has been a part of ministry for any period of time either has had these experiences or know someone who has, right?  What's the most sad of all is, the premise of Christianity is built on the concept ot trust.  "Trust God at His word", "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart", "Trust that Jesus died, was buried, rose, and ascended"; however, what does this mean when God's representatives are not trustworthy?  What happens when the very people who are training us to "Trust Him" cannot be trusted?

Imagine the horror of having your life's woes spewed from the puplit, the very place...the very platform, from where we are taught that the Lord speaks.  I see a paradigm shift in the Kingdom, we that are called and sent, have a responsibility to be open and transparent.  We have spent centuries hiding our indiscretions, our flaws, our downfalls, or completely ignoring our past, in attempts build a fascade of perfection.  This is crippling the walk of many. See what happens is, we place others in positions where they cannot compare to the perceived "perfection" of the leadership or congregational leaders and certainly cannot live up to the perfection of Christ, whom we are charged to strive to be like.   

The time is now to keep it 100 about our past (even if it hurts).  We are charged with bringing the unsaved to Christ; but we cannot forget that we were once unsaved.  We are charged with treating them in the same manner that Christ would have treated them.  No judgment.  No shame.  No manipulation.   The time is now to stop robbing God of His due glory.  It is the grace that brought us through what He has brought us through. It is his mercy that has kept us in our darkest hours.  It is through Him that we are saved.  It is God who is our source and our redeemer.  I am here to keep it real and let you know that man's judgment of you, will end with self-judgment.  Matthew 7:4  poses an interesting point, "How can we say to our brother, Let me take the speck out of your eye, when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?" 

What has been your experience with the #PLANKSTERS?  How did you deal with them?  Were you able to move on and #TrustGod? I'd love to hear from you. Leave your comments, questions, here!  #BeBlessed but more importantly, #BeABlessing.