Letter to my FRIENDS

I was with MEM on a recent Sunday service. A faith assignment for the new year was given to us by the pastor...to pick a chosen word that your heart will carry, and believe strongly. in, through prayer.

....deep sigh.... Thank you Jesus for this day and time. As we celebrate your birth, I'm thankful that amidst my current isolation I can experience your joy through the abundant love in my trio of friends, and others who've been introduced to me through them. May you endow their hearts, their families', protect their households. Be exalted. We love you. Amen.

I would love to share with you my '25 chosen word...that you may stand with me, believe with me, pray with me... as you always have 💕

FAVOR. 

In a recent morning devotion, I strongly identified with Moses in Exodus. He pled with God to accompany him and the Israelites along the journey to the Promised Land, even though God had previously said that he would send an angel instead. More than one time, he appeals to their relationship as having found favor in God’s sight... yet in the book (Exodus), God had never referred to him as having found favor in His sight.

Moses had a tremendous BHAG laid upon him. He needed God. He needed His very presence. He needed His favor... at that very time.

Remember this illustrative slide from my ministry presentation earlier this year? 

"Unique predicaments" was a subtle way of phrasing. It's living in chaos among an uncouth majority... deceivers and the melee of the brainwashed... primitive social bullies who undermine art... small minds that impede creativity and innovation.

Could you picture how Spiderman, an inspiring artistic character, would be received if he swung into dark afrika?... with the intention of fighting crime and random acts of kindness? Well I'll tell you: a major section, the uncouth majority, will be prepared to lynch him. Just like Shrek and the villagers... before he found favor, a friendship with Donkey, and an adventure that led him to the castle.

Remember these words by Wallace in the classic film Braveheart?

For one who's bright, artistic, genuine, kind-hearted, dreams big, thinks differently, and is earnestly looking for new family... it's ostracizing... it's suffocating... there's no life. Furthermore, it really is a snake bite... it slowly bleeds and erodes ambition. 

At this very time, T needs favor... like Moses, to outsmart and outrun pharaohs... through obedience, determination and unforeseen miraculous turn of events... to flee a barbarous culture that lacks compassion and gloats over vanity.

T is Harriet Tubman... eager, desperate, to flee the land of slavery... and through an interpersonal-ministry-approach, consequently rescue one or two misfits who've been rejected & just need an Abbi in their life... a Christlike heart... a destiny helper ready to invest in them to find freedom - the point where one can now really grind and thrive by themself and unlock they' full potential.

Do you also remember the story of Jacob recorded in Genesis 32... where he wrestled with a man who was later identified as God? Jon Bloom of Desiring God shared this commentary: Sometimes, in your battle with unbelief, your greatest Ally will wrestle you — he might even make you limp — until you’re desperate enough to say, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” It is a great mercy to be brought to the point where you’re desperate enough to insist on what you need the most.

T is truly at this point.

I'm eternally grateful to God for you my friends, my day 1's... the backbone that held the ladder when fatal trauma hit me... and graciously continues to grasp on it against weak mindsets that be tryna pull it down... as the warrior with a dream, painfully claws on, amidst lethal predicaments.

I'm praying for favor for the sustenance of the things that keep me alive n going... health, shelter, my friendships, my therapist, my faith...

I'm praying for favor for provision on the things I direly lack, and for a couple of 2025 BHAGs which I hope you'd love to hear all about when we get on a fellowship call.

The song in the intro is one of those that sing in my heart when I think of our friendship. Thank you for thinking of me and believing with me for better things ahead. You are who I've got in my life so best believe I think about you, pray for you, all the time.

❤️

I am, You are, a Christmas present throughout the year ~ MEM