Little Victories Celebrated: What's your Hannah Story?

     I got an A in my advance financial class!!(Graduate Level). A three page information sheet, from which 6 precious data had to be extracted just for assignment number 1. Task tackled in a span of 3 and half hours.
Anyone who has taken graduate level courses can testify that they're not hard but just time consuming, very time consuming.
     So that's exactly what they were doing to me, taking my time away, my quality time, my me time, my family time and sometimes my God time, so I complained to my Father, the One whose footstool is the earth and the throne the heaven. I told Him "I love spending time with you but I don't have enough of it, my classes are taking it away. I promise to spend 10 min quality time during the day [that's in addition to our morning devotional], if you allow me to spend less time studying, understanding my lessons and completing my projects." The idea was to be able to do everything I'm supposed to do without sacrificing on anything.
    And it all came from an important teaching that I've decided to put into practice: to put God first in everything I do or as the bible says "Seek Ye first the kingdom of God...". Before I was never sure what it truly meant to put God first. Was it to go to church first? Was it to apply all the 10 commandments first? Was it to make sure all the poor are fed first? My confusion was dissipated after one conversation. I had the privilege to sit down with a prominent Man of God and here's a paraphrase of what he said: Hannah was barren and pleaded with God for many years but it's only until she said to God "LORD Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head." In that statement, God had found his interest, so to speak and granted Hannah her request. The man of God went on saying, everytime we make a request in prayer with faith, always ask yourself "What's in it for God?" And I'm adding, when you can honestly answer that question, not one of your prayers will ever go unanswered.
    I asked God for more time to spend with him if I could spend less time studying and completing my projects, I got an A and my quality time was upgraded. That's my Hannah story and I'm sticking to it, what's yours?

To Celebrate or Not To Celebrate?

     As this year will mark a milestone in my life, I was wondering if I should celebrate it or not. Although God does not move according to our age but according to the season in our lives, It just happened that this year is coinciding with a new season in my life and it calls for celebration. Tresor De Beaute is reaching her "time for ministry" by TURNING 30. Now this celebration will just be one too many for me. However, after running this idea by one of my biggest fans, I was convinced to definitely throw myself a party. Besides, as Dr Mike Murdock says "Schedule your pleasure because pain will schedule itself", which is nothing but a modern contemporary version of "However many years anyone may live, let them enjoy them all. But let them remember the days of darkness, for there will be many", my favorite biblical passage for celebration. Pain will definitely schedule itself at your expense, and it will often come from the most unlikely source. So this is a season of joy, dance and laughter, a season of happiness and I will rejoice in it.

     My ideal party would be to invite the not-have, people who can't invite me back nevertheless people with a heart of celebration and thanksgiving towards the Creator. I don't know if I can pull this off this year, maybe it'll be for another season. So for now, I'll probably invite over my new neighbors, form some new connections and for that I need ideas and I'm calling on you. What kind of party should I throw? I'm looking for ideas, original good-moral, godly ideas. Please leave your comments here or if you're a Facebook friends, inbox me.

Tresorly yours,
Tresor De Beaute

Should you forgive and forget? Three Essential and Practical Principles For a Butterflying Life

     Not long ago, I had the pleasure to rekindle a friendship with a long lost acquaintance. After the glass was broken, the conversation immediately veered towards the bolt of our disconnection from each other. The subject of forgiveness  was incontrovertibly addressed. We stomped on the question of how to forgive and forget? As memories unrestlessly bring back forth the feeling of pain, betrayal and idiosyncrasy of our own being, the sensation or assurance of forgiveness are quickly dissipated. Thence, I came up with a well formulated theory which at times, extirpate my pats on my back.

1. Forgiveness is progressive: It takes times. The decision to forgive must instant, but forgiveness itself is gradual. It's positive function of time. If I had to express it mathematical term, it would be: f(forgiveness)= pt +C(forgiveness)t where p = person (you as a person); t = time; C=Christ. The reason I introduce Christ is that, one can't really talk of forgiveness without going to the source. Same goes for Love, Joy, Hope, Happiness...all these necessary ingredients that make a tasteful and flavorful life.
2. You can forgive but you can't forget: Even God does not allow us to forget our own sins, how are we supposed to do the same for others? Aren't we supposed to love our neighbor like ourselves? Not only that, the bible instructs to be simple like a dove but prudent like a snake. Affording the luxury to forget wrongdoings only condemns us to either repeat them or get ourselves ensnared once again into the same vicious circle.
3. Still can't forgive? Think about this: the wrongdoer, by some miraculous means, repents and makes peace with God...maybe not with you, but certainly with God and God being God forgives him/her. Then Jesus decides to come back, takes the wrongdoer with Him and leaves you behind. Now my question is this: Why would you take the risk to jeopardize your salvation for some stupid act that a senseless person has committed against you?

     It's capital that we forgive. Unforgivingness does not hold a death sentence over the wrongdoer's head but does hold it over our own and force God to condemn us. Forgiveness, on the other hand, is the only digital fingerprint that the key of our liberation will recognize to unlock the door of our own captivity. Forgiveness is not a feeling, it's an act that starts with a decision. As Dr. Mike Murdock says, " Forgiveness ...Does Not Restore Trust. #Forgiveness...Is an Invitation To Rebuild Credibility. Therefore, don't sweat over it if the wrongdoer can no longer occupy the place that he or she once had. Just do your part, forgive and forgive verily then move on with your life.

Hair Journey: Just like Samson

     I often liken myself to Samson when I think about my hair journey. He was unmistakably very muscular with the most beautiful mane on his head and on top of his game when his heart interest, the apple of his eyes, decided to strike a deal with her peeps to subdue him. I'm/have been in no way as muscular as Samson. But my hair had been long, longer than the average length that my people usually carry until I decided to compromise it.
     Just like Samson, I delivered myself into the hands of my enemies by setting myself up to failure, thinking I'll be fine. Just like Samson, I happened to entrust the best of me to the worst around me.
How many of you know you're never fine when you do the exact opposite of what you know is right?
There are always precursive signs leading to the ultimate downfall. In this hair scenario, it was the use of abusive substance commonly called "creamy crack", followed by bad maintenance. How can one expect to maintain healthy hair when the washing, conditioning happens once a month? How can one expect to maintain long hair when the scalp is under constant stress from tight braiding and other forms of hairdo?
     The consequences of a betrayal, like the one Samson was victim of, can often lead into a state of hair and sight loss. In fact, the sight loss is just the permanent scar, the physical constant reminder of your ordeal whereas the hair loss is the direct effect of the acts of Judah.
     However, as time goes by, the strength that had left you, the hair you had lost, unbeknownst to you, starts growing back. And one day, you notice that the perfect TWA you were rocking now stands imperfectly on your head. The quick washes&gos are no longer that quick. Until you realize that something has changed, you can easily do a different style.

     Hence I was pleasantly surprised to see the length of my hair exactly 3 months after my second big chop. Just like Samson, the favor of the Lord has returned. He is looking again at me, you with mercy. Although we all know what was Samson fate, my own is still unfolding. And I'm feverishly anticipating the ultimate result.

Happy And Joyful New Year --2011

I just wanted to drop a note here for my readers to wish you a fantastic happy new year!!.
I'm back and totally unjetlagged and I'm looking forward to share with you lots of stuffs throughout this new year. Big challenges ahead aside the ones already mentioned in previous posts.
Again Happy Joyful Fantastic New year
...And stay tuned!!

Yours faithfully,

Tresor De Beaute

2011 Project 3 Revealed

     Hello Friends and Non-friends,
     This is going to be the last post for year 2010. It has been a wonderful awesome year on my end. God's willing, I will take some time in 2011, to look back and reflect with you into my 2010 journey. Increase and growth at all levels, physically: I went from a size 2 to size 4 (to my mom's delight) and in my own terms I went from bony to fleshy; financially: personal GDP of 2%, not a lot (we can blame that on the recession), and spiritually: it was an exponential growth, if I had to write a mathematical function it'd be: f(x) = e^x where x is a real number.
     Well I'm here to reveal to you project #3: TDB is going to rehab, she's voluntarily committing herself to detox against...Soap Operas for 3 weeks!!...That's all she can guarantee for now. How is she planning on accomplishing this? First, by going on vacation to a much warmer place, definitely warmer than the sunshine state. I'll take this opportunity to request prayer for protection and a safe trip [Thank you.]
Of course there's much more to this trip than rehab. God's willing, I'll share tidbits of it with you but not until I'm back. On this note, I wish you all a wonderful, merriful Merry Christmas [the time of the year where we act the way we should the rest of the year~lifeline production], and don't leave out the reason of this season out of your season.

Merry Xmas and see you next year

Stay Tuned, Stay Beautiful, Stay Christmas-y.
Tresor De Beaute (TDB).

Was It Too Late? A True Story of A Dying Man

 It was about 7:45 am and I was getting ready for work when my phone rang: "Allo?"
"Remember Ruben, my roommate? He's dead" blurted the voice on the phone. "Yes I remember him, what happened?".
I had visited this family in 3 different occasions, and have met Ruben during one of those. He was this big chubby and very private person. Aside the time, we got introduced, the only other time I heard Ruben make some noise was one morning during prayer time and Ruben knocked on our wall to make us understand that we were loud.
The day before he passed away, Ruben seemed a little more agitated than usual. He asked for Mr Price and was told that Mr Price had traveled for work and ministry and wouldn't be back until the new year. So he asked for Attorney Lawrence who also works in ministry but on that day was attending a church event. Meanwhile, Ruben was getting more restless, looking at his watch and inquiring about Att.Lawrence whereabouts, wondering when he'd be back, pacing around the house. At one point in time, Zelly noticing his restlessness, inquired about his wellbeing, to which he replied he was fine and that people were coming to pick him up and he needed to speak with Att. Lawrence. He then went on asking about Jesus to Zelly: "How do you know Jesus is the answer? How do you get saved?" She explained to him "Jesus died on the cross for us, you just have to believe and ask him to forgive your sins." Then once again he asked for Att. Lawrence. Several phone calls and sms could not get him back at home until very late at night.
The following day, as Att Lawrence, was wondering about Ruben's request to speak with him, he went into his bedroom, only to discover him bent on his knees, head on the floor, dead.
Was he praying when those "people came to get him"? Did he receive the Only one who can guarantee Peace? Did he accept Jesus in his heart as Lord and Savior? It is impossible to know for sure.

     This will certainly sound like a "whole bunch of garbage" for some and for others just another reason, to despise Christianity or roll their eyes given that Christians nowadays are nothing but examples of backstabbing, jealousy, adulterous closeted gays and lesbians and more. Nevertheless, each one of us is still responsible for our own salvation. Buying a bad cantaloupe from a grocery store doesn't mean that all cantaloupes on the market are bad. To associate with Christians who make bad choices doesn't invalidate the existence of the real good ones that are still out there nor does it invalidate the existence of the Real Good God who longs for a personal relationship with each one of us, wants to share his treasures with us, and above all wants us to live a quality life beyond what we can imagine. The choice is left with us.

Stay Tuned, Stay Beautiful, Choose Well
Tresor De Beaute

Whatever people think of you will never change your destiny. However what you think of other people may change it.-- R.W.