Beautiful Images of God Ministries

Not That Different

Not That Different

     The day was as gray as her long-sleeved silk blouse.  She stepped outside the safety of the walls of her apartment right in the city to walk to the store down the street to get a half gallon of overpriced milk.  It became clear to her that she led a sheltered life when she observed her surroundings, but today would open her eyes to another world she was unfamiliar with…..

     The wind was piercing through her black pin-striped dress pants as she passed by a little boy no more than four years of age playing in the middle of the street by himself.  “Are you a prostitute?, he clearly asked.  In that brief second she was frozen by his boldness and knowledge of such worldly matters at such a tender age.  What? Really? Did he just ask that or am I dreaming? Do I look like a prostitute?

     All of these thoughts flooded through her mind and she was now very aware that there were so many hurting people here, but instead of acknowledging she cwanted nothing more than to escape and ignore the question.  She was judging and more concerned with what people would assume she was just by living here and walking to the store in nice clothes she wore to church. She didn’t want any part of this place or the people in it.

     Many years passed and soon she was back in the shelter of the suburbs. Life is a series of events, circumstances, choices, consequences, and learning.  One thing had not changed over the years and that was her need for an excessive amount of attention.

     Her life was by no means as bad as many have had it, but she was used and abused.  Both her and the woman who worked the streets at night had something in common; love was right in front of them. The circumstances of life often cloud our vision from being able to see it and feel it.  The things we often go through can leave us feeling numb and desensitize us.

     Where there was once a gray cloud covering her negative thoughts and judgments, sunshine peeked through illuminating all she had seen and been through.  Self- protection and fear of the unknown became reality and a life that would understand the struggle of these women, an innocent little boy once voiced in an inner city street so long ago.  God had been working and had a plan He orchestrated, allowing her to make some very huge mistakes in order to come to this place: a place of truth and ultimate understanding so she could show others the unconditional love of a Father.

When did I become your judge?

Passing by a reality I knew existed

I never knew one day it could be me.

Names that label and design

Further hurt, a reputation to smudge

Pouring salt into an already bitter wound.

Claiming to bear the name of the cross? Seriously? 

In the garbage, that you can toss….

So sorry for my loss? Really?

In the garbage, that you can toss….

How would you feel?

I’ll call you prostitute,

You dirty, immoral, indecent….

Because your shame isn’t the same

Your labels are less?

Just greedy and selfish, not sins of the flesh.

I’m not passing blame

I’m a victim, but I had a choice

I only did what I thought I had to do to survive

To stay alive, to make it, I was scared

I was alone.

Attention is what I sought

It’s what they bought. 

Tell me your more.

Ignore me, I  am less 

You up in the club in that tight dress

He bought you that drink, oh yes

Tell me your more. 

You know that’s what he wanted

Ignore me, I am less. 

Your goods you flaunted

You know that’s what he wanted.

Are you getting the picture?

He got his 1,000 words, didn’t he? 

The more you give, the emptier you become.

Tell me, do you want to run?

Your not that different, you understand?

I’m not passing blame

I’m a victim, but I had a choice

I only did what I thought I had to do to survive

To stay alive, to make it, I was scared

I was alone

Will you forgive the jury?

Here I am in an industry I understand

The price is so great

Pictures that speak and reveal

Show a mind that was blurry

In a world full of deceit

He is there, loved  you upon the cross. Seriously.

In your heart, now He can be boss.

So sorry for your loss? Really.

In your heart, now He can be boss.

He’s not passing blame.

He sacrificed life, He had a choice

He only did what He knew He had to so you could survive

To stay alive, to make it, He was scared.

He felt alone.

     Often young girls are drawn to modeling because they seek attention or assume that they can make a lot of money quickly and in that they are often deceived into removing clothing and going further than they may have intended.  Men exploit them and women may also because they work for financial gain in a male dominated industry that thrives on a lustful demand based upon what one can see and have.  We need to be aware that the entertainment/media industry is dangerous to our souls and can cause death.  There are many forms of prostitution that can fall under selling yourself for money while doing something indecent or immoral.  Often once you are lured in it is hard to escape the reality you have chosen to live.  

     Don’t pass by her on the street, treat her as less if she seeks her Father in the church, say you’ll pray for her instead of reaching out with more than empty words, or assume she wants any of this to be her forever reality.  She is not what you label her. She is not what she does or wears, but who He created her to be.  Help her hear God’s labels for her. He is the ultimate designer. Man cannot come close to His workmanship, power of healing, restoration, and saving grace. 

Chanel, no I’m CHOSEN. Prada, no I’m PRECIOUS. Swarovski, no I’m SUCCESSFUL.  Baby Phat, no I’m BRAND NEW.  Fendi, no I’m FORGIVEN.  Armani, no I’m ACCEPTED.  Vera Wang, no I’m VICTORIOUS.  Jimmy Choo, no I’m JUSTIFIED.  Isaac Mizrahi, no I’m IN HIM. Dior, no I’m the DAUGHTER OF A KING. (a thought with a credit to a friend, Tim Gaffin)

• 9 Dec 2012

Sticky Residue

     Two worlds collide just as the little tan Ford Escort slid into the oncoming car from the turning lane.  That little car would become the very first thing they owned together.  The bent frame and the somewhat mangled exterior was nothing to look at anymore, but it ran.  Duct tape would take on a brand new meaning for the couple about to embark on a journey on thier own with anything but an idea beginning.

     He grew up with very little and in an area that was not filled with children fed with silver spoons.  She was sheltered in the suburbs and given all she needed, but by no means in her eyes spoiled.  Their worlds collided one evening while out shopping with a friend.  Little did she know he was about to find himself exploring her world with a simple phone call.  She wasn’t looking for anything extra in her life, but apparently her friend was so when he expressed an interest in her to her friend……..”Ring,ring”

     She agreed to go with him and his friends one day even though she still wasn’t interested in anything beyond friendship.  Somehow during that summer evening he managed to find the few key things she always found important in someone she could see herself with later.  The murky water of the swamp they chose to swim in that day made him smell aweful, but something sweet was hiding beneath all that sludge.

     They had a summer filled with random visits and it was anything but serious, but once he left the state and went back to his own she found that she missed those little moments.  He was not anything like what she thought.  His exterior was rough; he had been through a lot and done some “bad boy” things. She was raised in church and quiet; always deep in thought.  Was it true that this was a case of opposites attracting?

     She wrote him and called some.  One day unexpected he entered her world once again.  A party was happening one New Years night upthe street from her and he was there.  She always settled in to a night of movies and games with her cousins, but this night they decided on a small walk.  The rest is history, but the real story here is the duct taped frame of that little tan Ford Escort.

     This relationship began imperfect, but within the imperfections lies a true story of struggle, challenges, learning, appreciation, and seeing that the blessings in life are each other and rising above whatever comes your way together, whether it is circumstance or consequence.  That Escort was bound together by outside forces and it drove them through the storms of life.  When the wind blew so strong one day and strartled a pregnant young girl as the hood slammed against the windsheild while he was driving they simply pulled over for a moment in time and accessed the situation so they could get the damaged car back onto the road, into the correct direction.  The duct tape had lost it’s grip from all the wear and tear and now there was just a sticky residue left to serve as a reminder that duct tape doesn’t fix everything, but later they would find that through it all there was a stronger gripping force: God.

     You may feel as if your pulled over to the side and that things will not get better, but life’s roads are not always easy and there are so many beautiful new cars to compare yourself with as you drive damaged as a spectacle for all to see.  If you look back to where you began and where you are now there is always something to be learned in every experience.  You are who you are because of them and the people you have met along the way.  God knows every tear you shed as you struggled with little and if you look to the Son the sticky residue will guide you directly to what He has for you.

• 28 May 2012

CONTACT ME: (Melissa Fair AKA LilladyMelissa) for questions or more information

lilladymelissaf@gmail.com

• 27 May 2012

First Section Wrap-up Conclusion

By this point, after reading, searching deep within your soul, questioning some things that you may never have thought to, and gazing upon your own reflection you are beginning to see Him there telling you that you are all he has created you to be. The expressions on your face show His love radiating from within you. The very way your eyes sparkle when you think of Him tell others you are in love with your Heavenly Father. The way you are so poised and confident in His presence demonstrates how ready you are to face everything that life brings your way because you find your strength in His very presence. The way you are relaxed and calm proves that you have an unwavering faith and a peace from above! The way you flip your hair and giggle shows that you are captivated at the thought of being alone near Him. The way you let your hair down and say anything crazy shows you are comfortable enough with Him to do or say anything in front of Him. The way you anticipate the time with Him shows Him that He is enough. The way you can hardly breathe when He speaks and everyone else fades away shows Him He has all of your undivided attention.

Just look at the beautiful girl in the mirror, inside and out. There is so much more to you than a mere shell of what lies on the surface! The things you do to make your outside presentable to the world tells them something, but it doesn’t show them the beautiful treasure that lies within. The wrapping is temporary, but the treasure will remain as you reveal His love to others and begin to walk with Him, sharing your life and who He is to you, to another. So, strut His love and allow yourself to see that amazing self-confident, yet humble girl beneath the make-up, nail polish, pretty dress, heels, perfect hair, and striking accessories. Feel amazing and beautiful even with nothing but a T-shirt on! Go ahead and testify that God is good! Has His love gave you wings and set you free?

• 8 May 2012

Is He After My Heart Too?

Is He after my Heart Too?

1 Samuel 16:7 “Do not look on his appearance or on the stature because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

How many times a day do you look into the mirror to check your appearance to make sure you are presentable to others? Do you look around at others and compare yourself to them? Do you seek love, compliments, and praise from others through the way you look or act? Do you see yourself as the beautiful creation of your Heavenly Father?

Every morning I would wake up and begin my three block walk to school after getting myself ready and in many instances, my brother. One cool winter morning stands out as a turning point in my life. As I was walking the neighborhood bully began to taunt me with his usual remarks, “ You four eyed geek. I bet you can’t even see me.” Daily my self esteem was torn to shreds.
Hot tears rolled down my cold cheeks, stinging them as I entered the school building, but I quickly wiped them away. As I sat at my desk I watched Mrs. Hoover’s delicate frame move from her desk to the door as she greeted each student with her warm smile. Her smile always warmed my heart and I felt loved.
The day progressed nicely until it was time for gym. This week we were playing dodge ball. I slowly shuffled my feet against the freshly waxed floor to the stadium to take off my glasses so they wouldn’t get broken. My nose always burned and my eyes felt the coldness of the other kids as I withdrew into the corner far back by the mats. In my mind I heard, “ You four-eyed geek. I bet you can’t even see me.”
As I sat alone on the playground swing I silently wished that I couldn’t see him or hear him. I wished I could disappear into a land of make believe. My shyness and the fact that I was obviously different from everyone else because of my eye disorder didn’t improve my social life. My fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Barbara Hoover caught on to my normal routine. She now sat beside me, rocking gently back and forth, never saying a word. Her presence comforted me.
Her presence comforted me just like my special, God sent mentors did so many years later. In the first year I had my special, God sent mentors I shared the story of my special teacher with the congregation. I was opening up my life to be used by God. As long as I could remember I had felt alone even though I had my family in my life. I often longed for a father’s love.
I had given up on the resurrection of a healthy father-daughter relationship to blossom. At the churches Easter egg hunt I felt an amazing, almost numbing heaviness. I had invited my father to join us and so many feelings washed over me as I watched him come closer. I had torn feelings of jealousy, a strong will to prove myself, love, a little self- pity, but above all inadequacy. As I stood there with my head down I heard pastor’s words break through the hard shell I had just put back around my heart, “ Your daughter is a wonderful person. She has done so much and helped us greatly.” The entire day I contemplated why he had said that.
It wasn’t until many years later that I finally understood. A sweet little, but mighty woman of God gave a testimony at church one evening when I was a teenager. Joyce said, “ I heard something on the radio the other day that got to me. The announcer said that God spoke to make things such as trees, flowers, and even animals, but when He made us He breathed life into us.” She continued as she reveled in this great revelation, “ He gave us His own breath. Isn’t that awesome?” He had realized my need for that special relationship and saw that I was dying inside. Mrs. Barbara Hoover had also seen my need for something more when she placed her arms around me that day while I was on the swing at recess and said, “ You are so special. God loves you and so do I. He knows how you are feeling and he is here for you.”
When Joyce gave her testimony those many years ago I was responding to the need that every human being was created to have, the need for our creator, the need to be loved. I took some time to cross examine myself and I realized that I wouldn’t be praying if I didn’t know I needed God. I realized that I had a heavenly Father who loved me beyond measure. He could take my brokenness and make me whole, fill the emptiness, and give me peace. I also understood that I was opening up my heart to my “Abba” Father so I could be used as a willing vessel to plant a seed in someone else’s heart just as pastor had done at the Easter egg hunt.

David was a man after God’s own heart. It is written in 1 Samuel 13:13:14 “But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.” Saul was a very impressive choice for the first king. He was tall and handsome, yet humble. As time went on in his reign he let fear, impatience, lack of faith, an increasing amount of pride and selfishness lead him to disobey God. David’s heart was set on obeying, following, pleasing, and thinking more like God. David’s sins are not hidden, but he was always fervent in repenting and changing once he faced up to his sins.

*Read Psalm 51: David’s prayer of confession and repentance.

• 8 May 2012

Treasured Life

Treasured Life

Romans 13:13 Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkedness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling or jealousy.

Hey Girl by Camouflage (Adrian Shepherd)

This girl trying to get me to go to the club the other night. You know how bold these females are now days they just walk right up on you. Ya so I had to be bold right back with her, let her know I can’t get down like that. I feel what ur saying, as a matter of fact it probably went a lil’ something like this, didn’t it?

(Hook)
Hey girl, I know this might come off bold,
but, hey girl, this is something every girl should know,
hey girl, if you’re searching for real love,
hey girl, let me share a thing or 3 with ya…


(Verse One / MC Till)
Girl, I don’t think the club is sinful,
but I know my heart is sinful,
so if you took me to the club,
I’ll be frank with you girl I’m looking at her butt,
and hers, and hers, and probably hers too,
beautiful lustful sight then throw in the perfume,
of a lady walking by crazy thoughts abide,
in my mind I’m dumb sin, I gotta run from,
sorry hun you gotta find another one to invite,
cause that ain’t going down tonight,
going down on a pole and thinking it’s right,
nah, that’s pulling down my soul and stripping my life,
no, I gotta keep my eyes on Jesus Christ,
I’m obeying God right now do you see this light,
don’t go to club, girl kick it with us,
I’ll pick you up at six in a burgundy church bus.


(Hook)
Hey girl, I know this might come off bold,
but, hey girl, this is something every girl should know,
hey girl, if you’re searching for real love,
hey girl, let me share a thing or 3 with ya…


(Verse Two / Camouflage)
Take heed to a word from a man’s perspective,
who don’t have sexing you down as his main objective,
see you as beautiful queens and princesses,
cause that what you are in the eyes of GOD, instead,
of a whore, or a breezy, or a sideline chick,
or any other foul name the world brands you wit
set yourself aside for marriage, ain’t nothing wrong with’ it,
don’t be deceived by these bitter, lonely, washed up women,
that been divorced three times, trying to tell you it won’t work,
just get in the Word of GOD and do ya homework,
cause if his life lines up with the word, he all good,
don’t just choose him because he paid and can move you out of the hood,
cause the next thing you know he be going upside ya head,
and you be having vain imaginations wishing him dead,
or even worse, contemplating taking your own life,
cause you settled for brother right now instead of brother right.


(Hook)
Hey girl, I know this might come off bold,
but, hey girl, this is something every girl should know,
hey girl, if you’re searching for real love,
hey girl, let me share a thing or 3 with ya…


(Verse Three / Camouflage)
It ain’t too lady like to let these heathens hit it and quit it,
so if he won’t come meet your family gone head and dismiss him,
but, if you already done slipped and gave it up,
don’t let it happen again, baby girl, tighten it up,
tell him no ring, no thing and mean what you say,
and if he can respect your wishes tell him get out cha face,
cause if he can enjoy your company without sex he don’t love you,
and I know that a bold statement but Ms. Lady, it true,
his feelings might be strong but, it mainly a lust thing,
but, don’t just take my word for it, stop the sexing and see,
cause most likely when you stop giving it up, he won’t stick,
but, if he does stick around still keep him at a distance,
because the Word of GOD says your price is far above rubies,
when you’re virtuous, and not giving it up like porn movies,
so please get it right and change the beat of your drum,
because the Son of Man is on His way back, He’s coming!

So you see girl. I’m just not filling the club. It wouldn’t sit well with my soul. As a matter of fact, it’s Wednesday night. You know I usually have an engagement I usually go to tonight. It’s called Bible study. So why don’t you just roll with us?

If your not getting what you need from what your currently doing then maybe it’s time for a change. Today seek to see what your actions create and what your surroundings are attracting. Now open your eyes with a fresh perspective and ask yourself if it’s why you don’t have what you want. If you seek to have all the wrong guys in your life for all the wrong reasons then why not change it up to get the result you know is right and will make you happy? You are more than a mere object. You have value so make them pay the ultimate price: waiting!

　

• 8 May 2012

Deeply Enduring

Deeply Enduring

Psalm 100:5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

A young girl , petite in frame and not used to the changes that were drastically occurring in her life lay on the bed trying to put her size two jeans on a now size six frame; Crying as she tried to force the zipper and button to close. Nothing fit the way she had expected. She tried to love as she was taught to, but couldn’t find it in her heart to love the boy she had committed to so she set out on a mission to destroy herself. She questioned how god could even love someone who had rebelled and given in to physical temptation, let alone one who now bore a scarlet letter.

She had a boy who loved her and was trying to provide the things she needed and who accepted the responsibility of being a father, so why was she acting this way? She didn’t want to grow up, be trapped in a relationship so soon, or devote herself to another. She blamed no one, but herself.

The anger he felt boiled over and he lashed out at her daily by reminding her of her transgressions against him. She felt the sting of the words thrown at her and he felt the void in the words she uttered to him, he knew she couldn’t really mean. “I love you”, had been a response to her feelings of appreciation to what he provided when her world was dark. She never knew the true meaning of what she was saying until she had her son.

She began to internalize the words she was called and it only served to cause her to seek to find her self-worth in others. She never tried to figure out what she must do to earn his love, but she knew she yearned for a love so deep that someone could love her despite herself, despite her past, or despite the way she appeared. He was pushing her away and she was running in the wrong direction.

Unlike man, god loves us so much that we don’t have to do a thing to earn his love back because we never lose it. His love endures forever, he never tires of chasing after us, and it cannot be contained (Psalm 23). We do not have to force his love to fit. He wears one size fits all man pants that boldly tell us we are loved deeply without doing a thing to earn it or prove it for it to be given to us. If you don’t know a love so deep and you wish for a love like his then find a pair of grown up big girl pants and admit you need him. It is time to start being honest with yourself and see that nothing could ever fit more perfectly!

Today find something that doesn’t fit and discard it for something that does and let it serve as a constant reminder we can wear his love perfectly when we cannot find a thing that does!

• 8 May 2012

Beauty Perspective

Beauty Perspective

Women who are physically considered attractive have to spend so much time pushing away the wrong men as they do finding the right ones. If you place too much time on your appearance, you serve to impair men’s vision of your inner beauty and they won’t connect emotionally.

When men are able to connect emotionally is causes them to want a long-term relationship. God already connects with you and wants a long-term forever kind of relationship with you. Do you see yourself connecting to Him?

He never tires of you and nothing is a surprise to Him so you never have to worry about gauging His interest. Men like a little challenge and mystery, but they also want to be able to explore you in a variety of different surroundings and see you display many different emotions. Are you showing your emotion before God?

Before you can move into loving anyone you must first love yourself and part of finding who you are is seeing that as He does. Hide yourself in God and let Him show you how very valued you are! Find a magazine with one of those crazy love quizzes and take it with God as your love! If your imagination is starving and you cannot envision doing this then stop looking back at your own experiences or what you want (love with a man) and see God as all you need!

• 8 May 2012