The OFFICIAL Trailer for "A Legend Among Us"

Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is with GREAT pleasure to present to you the OFFICIAL trailer for the HISTORICAL documentary film by Joy T.J. Riley about the FIRST African-American female impressionist, Sylvia Traymore Morrison!!! Please see the following link to YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMYB7eRULi8

Feel FREE to share!

Many Thanks and Blessings,

-Joy

What Are You Doing During the 12Noon Hour 12/16/16?

Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen,

What are you doing during the 12noon hour on Friday, December 16th? Be sure to TUNE IN to the blog to view the highly anticipated trailer for the HISTORICAL documentary film by Joy T.J. Riley about the FIRST African-American female comedic impressionist, Sylvia Traymore Morrison!

Blessings

Complete the Vision

Ecclesiastes 5:3

3For a dream comes through much activity, And a fool's voice is known by his many words.

The NKJV Study Bible translation of what King Solomon says in this scripture is very powerful as it relates to what Jesus said hundreds of years later. "We also sin with our speech when we make a pledge we do not keep." Jesus said it as, "Let your yes be your yes and no be your no."

A dream is defined by Merriam-Webster's Dictionary as 1) a series of thoughts, images, or emotions occurring during sleep; 2) a dreamlike vision: daydream, reverie; 3) something notable for its beauty, excellence, or enjoyable quality; 4) ideal.  And one of Job's friends stated a truth that God speaks in many ways. The Bible records multiple times how God has spoken to people during their sleep/visions/dreams. When I read this scripture I keep seeing, "a dream is birthed through much activity."

When Joseph had his dream and shared it with his brothers, his focus was on his brothers bowing down to him. But what he didn't see was that God was going to use his gifts to help a nation during a famine. What if Joseph refused to use his gift in prison because of his situation? What if Joseph refused to see beyond himself? How many people would've died? For Moses, the deliver, that God sent, was a descendant and raised by those in the land that God used Joseph in.

We live in a society that is so attention deficient that as quick as we see something we forget. There are so many images thrown at us day to day that it is hard not to become distracted. However, when God gives you something, and you begin to act on it, He expects you to complete it unless He gives you direction otherwise. Your trials are for the purpose of persevering as it says in the book of James. But whatever vision/dream that God gave you to complete through the gifts He placed in you, know that it is not simply about you.

I think back to what I told the Lord when I was in the emergency room eight years ago. I told Him if He spared me, I'd do what He called me to do. I think back to that time. And I look at the years that followed. The gifts God desired me to use over the years were still tied to the futures of others, including my love, whom God just called home. If I simply looked at my hurt, my pain, the visions of others, the healing of others, the growth in faith of others may have been severely delayed.

It is a privilege to dream. It is an even greater privilege to birth one. Don't let a God given dream nor gifts die because of attention deficiency. Someone's future will be affected. Nothing in this life is simply about you.

The Pain is Real

John 11:35-36

35Jesus wept. 36Then the Jews said, "See how He loved him!"

The pain of grief is real. Even Jesus felt the pain of grief. He felt it when he found out John the Baptist, his cousin, was beheaded and he sought out solitude. Jesus was even closer to Lazarus, a friend. The grief caused him to weep. I have been in a Job like experience for many days because in that time 3 people, two family and one a love had departed. Just prior to these deaths, the enemy tried again to take me out which has been tried before. As one woman put it, "The enemy has attacked you greatly because you are so close to purpose." This i knew indeed. I knew attacks would come but not like this.  I was barely through the grief of one before the next hit. I began making references to Neo's battle with Agent Smith in The Matrix.  Some understood while others did not. Agent Smith's job was to get rid of Neo because Neo was a threat. The devil's job was to discredit Job so Job would curse God. The devil's argument was that Job only worshiped God because He had protected him from tragedy and loss. God knew Job's heart was faithful. Job's friends sat along side job for several days and said not a word. Job's friends did well til they spoke with blame against Job, accusing him. We must be careful how we treat others while they are hurting.  Eventually, God answered Job and addressed Job's friends for hurting him while he was in distress. Job forgave.  I am blessed that there are a few who have been sitting by my side in my grief, hearing my cries of pain and have cried with me.  There have been some who have not understood my grief because they had not experienced the number of losses or even the type of losses but in their silence they have prayed and offered hugs.

Ruth's grief was not recorded. Jacob's grief over the loss of Rachel was not discussed but his love for her was expressed through favoritism of Joseph. Jacob's love was well intentioned. Nonetheless,  I finally understand a pain my Mother experienced that has dug so deep. Before I could get words out my Mom was kind enough to even give examples of what she knew I was experiencing. My Mom knew I was getting through the first of the grieving process with the first death and to see grief hit me so soon again in the way she had experienced, she had empathy for me. See, when my Mom grieved, I didn't know what to say to her. All I could do was hold her. I knew grief from a different perspective, not hers. However, in my grieving, I didn't dishonor her grief because it was different. My Mom was kind enough not to dishonor my grief. Those whom God has sent to help me have honored my grief, giving me room to breathe, talk, weep, etc. I love and appreciate them for it in ways I don't know if I can ever explain. For those who have not understood, I certainly forgive them and love but I've had to separate myself for my own well-being. I have been accused of many things in this place, like Job. But I know in this place, the Word says we are to bear the burdens of one another. The Word also says that our trials are indeed for others so we shall know how to comfort them the way we have been comforted. I pray no one knows these kinds of griefs because the pain is real. But know that God will send others to help and pray when you have not the words. This is not about a lack of faith.  Remember, Job came under great tribulation because his faith was seen as great.

The Trial Formula

Hebrews 11:6

6Buth without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

To believe that Jesus Christ is Lord, it takes faith. But what is faith? The word says in Hebrews that Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. We often miss the verse right after it which it says, For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. Ah...there's that word, "testimony." The root of the word testimony is "test." The origin of the word "test" is Latin meaning earthen pot. According to wikipedia, earthen pots were made of clay and before they could be used they had to be heated or placed in fire to solidify the shape for use. The purpose of a test is so when you come out there is a testimony. On the opposite side of that, the enemy tries you because he doesn't believe your faith is where it is. The word says the enemy is the accuser of the brethren. Remember, he did it to Job because he didn't believe that Job really had faith.  The word says the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy in John 10:10 but Jesus comes that we may have life and life more abundantly. What does that mean? It means that the enemy's sole motive is to discredit you like a prosecutor attempts to discredit a witness on the stand. God allows the trial to prove the opposite which is called the defense. But it takes faith to enter a trial and to come out of it. So then what is the purpose of a testimony? Your testimony isn't just to increase your faith, it is also to increase the faith of those who are to hear it. Ah...another key word, "hear."  If the enemy can get you to a place where you no longer have faith, doubt, etc, then it stops you from gaining the ear of anyone who could possibly believe. Remember, the enemy wanted to be equal with God and that is how he lost his place in Heaven. Misery loves company. But back to the word hear. Did you know Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines hear as, 1)to perceive by the ear, 2) to gain knowledge of by hearing: learn 3)heed also:attend 4) to give a legal hearing to or take the testimony from?  In Romans 10:17 it says that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. So when your testimony is complete, those who hear will increase in their faith. But in order to hear, people have to be listening. Listening and hearing are not exactly the same thing. Merriam-Webster defines listening as 1)to pay attention to in order to hear, 2)heed. So if someone isn't watching or listening they can't hear the testimony and therefore increase in their faith. The biggest way for someone to miss it is via a distraction. The distractions are the obstacles the enemy throws in your way so no can see past them, not even you. If you and those around you cannot see God in the trial because of the distractions, then the enemy will keep them from hearing the testimony and you from giving it and they will not grow in their faith. And the word again says above, that without faith it is impossible to please God. 

The formula is the same but used in different ways, How you see it, assists in determining the outcome. In other words, you cannot lose your faith during the trial. If you seek God as the word says above, even in the trial with faith, He will reward you.

REMINDER: SPECIAL EVENT

I look forward to seeing  you this Saturday! In addition to the availability of my book, " Get Your JOY In The Morning," I will also be giving away a free children's coloring book to parents who purchase a copy of '"Shh Don't Tell" which helps start the conversation on what is appropriate and inappropriate touching. I am a survivor of abuse and I want to help you and your family be prepared for this upcoming school year.

Intention Counts

Proverbs 12:2

2A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.

When someone called Jesus good He said who is good but the Father. Many people will call themselves good based on their works. When the prophet Samuel was sent on a journey by the Lord to find a new king to replace King Saul, everyone was concerned with outer appearance. But the word says God doesn't look at outward appearance but at the heart. The "outer appearance" referred to in scripture isn't just for the physical appearance of a person. It also refers to their works. How so? In the book of Proverbs, motive is referred to several times. Jesus even spoke about those who will claim to have done works in His name but He will say He doesn't know them. Why? It boils down to intention. What is intention? Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines intention as 1) a determination to act in a certain way, 2) purpose, aim, end. So it's not just about doing something good but it's about "why" it's being done. 

Everyday we are seeing people who "intend" to harm others. In some cases, it is very premeditated or planned out. These issues go beyond the waters of the U.S. to Europe, Asia, Africa, etc as well. Jesus said to love thy neighbor as thyself.  The apostle Paul said the Commandments delivered by the Law of Moses can be summed up in the same statement. Basically, if one loves others then they are less likely to want to harm someone. What about those who "only look out for number one."  Their motive is to put themselves above others. So if given the choice to gain at the cost or misfortune of someone else, they will see the other person as inconsequential. Therefore, the love thy neighbor as thyself is null and void. But Jesus said to do unto others as you want done to you. Does anyone take this statement to heart? In Galatians Paul says we reap what we sow and God is not to be mocked. So anything done whether good or bad, ill intention or not, it too shall be done unto us. The one who does good not just to be seen as "good" but who in their heart seeks to love, then the Lord shall see because He is the one who sees all, especially what man cannot see. And it is He who gives favor. Love never fails the words says and God is love. The intention of God's love counts more.