Sweet Dreams or Toothy Nightmares?

Earlier this year, a prophet spoke something into my life by happenstance. Well, not really. God does nothing by happenstance. However, all that happened was that this prophet posted a Word - the word - short and sweet, dropped heavily into my Spirit. In a span of three days, two preachers spoke on two different Words that connected with that Word and God turned some things in my life drastically. If you wanna read about it, it's in the notes on my facebook page (http://bit.ly/allnjD). You might have to become my friend first. Basic concept: you can prepare for the season you are about to enter while you are in this present season of your life. What you are doing in this season has a implicit impact on the next season of your life.

Today, I was reading my super uber talented friends Debutante Ball post (Elise’s Debutante Ball posts) about variety vs. specialization, and realizing that I haven't been chasing my dreams like I should.

I am a person for whom variety is key. I need all of these different types of outlets or I will JUST IMPLODE. I know I will. I will burst into one thousand and two million pieces on the living room carpet while my 6 year old is watching Sid the Science Kid for the umpteenth time, and my daughter is singing yet another song she has composed. They will sweep me up and pour crazy glue over my head and sit me in the chair until I have come to some semblance of myself again in time to fix dinner.

I had been, in this present season - writing at every opportunity, submitting and publishing where there was an interest, and being published - ah! that is the gem. But life gets in the way. Okay, I allow life to get in the way at times. And then my dream starts chasing me IN my dreams. I have positively wonderful chapters in my sleep. I wake up and sometimes write them down, and sometimes don't. I get song lyrics in my dreams. I always write them down, sing them to myself on recording devices so the tunes don't disappear in the mayhem of daily life. Or, sitting in traffic daydreaming, a super plot line RIGHT THERE in the midst of what could have been road rage. And no pursuit on paper at a proper time.

Later, I may get an excellent elaboration on a key point that opens up a theological theory. I take massive notes on my blackberry note application - and should turn this into an article to submit to the right publication, or blog about, or share in another venue. But I let it pass and go to soccer practice, or drama club pick up or homework time; schedule my surgery date with the doctor; work late - skip lunch (my time); etc.

So, what then, shall I do? Well, I will do what I know is best. First, I will adhere to the number one rule in my life. Structure: I have to have it. I have to pray in the morning (and without ceasing, but specifically in the morning as a part of my organizational routine). I have to make lists. I have to order my day by organizing or the day will run haphazardly away. If I can do this, I can make time to write. Somehow, if I miss doing these things, I miss writing - and having time to pursue the variety of writing that I need.

http://www.artistaluna.com/7deadlysins

It's time to Rise & Grind, as the very talented and exciting Lauren Artista Luna has planted in my psyche. I will be front and center at Se7en Deadly Sins, on Friday October 22, at the Concourse Hotel 4300 International Gtwy, Columbus, Ohio when the show starts at 8 p.m. (as long as my surgery recovery allows).

It is time, as I have been told by my publisher, to put out the end of year issue of Urban Elements Magazine.

This has been a rocky first year for our freshman publication, but an also wonderful experience altogether. Here is where I get to shine - in so many different ways.

We have the articles. We have the talent. We'll be closing out the year bringing you the 411 on some of the hottest people in the 614/734 area code.  For instance, DJ Delayne Whiteside, repping Slingshot Movement, fresh off a major distribution deal - really driving the industry for Christian hip hop artists worldwide. Slingshot Movement includes Street Pastor Yaves Ellis, Priest, Kambino - just to name a few, if you didn't know.

Delayne Whiteside, aka DJ LayneLuv

I can't tell you to much or I will have to cyber stalk you. I know social media. I can do it.

I have new lyrics that need music, and future bishop Minister Devyn Coleman with music chasing him in his dreams (ha!). I am sure I can coerce Minister John Sorrells (who is usually caught between two conditions when it comes to me: to assist.

Iamgonnaprayforher..becausesheisinneedofmuchprayer..andgetsonmylastchristiannerve and aweee...lookatmychristianfriend...

My sisters, both ordained Ministers, one my Pastor and one my Reverend - and both raised up in the Choir with me - have no choice. If all else fails, I will beg my friend in Christ and music aficionado, Rev. Raymond Wise to help!

And my career....God - you know. Line upon line, precept upon precept. It goes without saying that all of this is in addition to the routine of my life: being a Godchaser; loving and nurturing my children; and any other children God puts in my path; being a good steward and seeking Him daily to improve me. I believe, now help my unbelief. Loving my friends and family and LIVING out loud.

Do you have sweet dreams or toothy nightmares? Let's start now sowing into the next season. Get organized and get busy - It's Elemental!

Get in the Game...

I don't usually fully re-post other people's blogs here...but I have learned how important it is to actually get in the game. If you don't practice what it is you read, what knowledge it is you receive, you will be lost. You will continue to sit at the gate, waiting for somebody to come along and pick you up and deliver you to your final destination. My own Pastor has taught me how incredibly integral it is to practice: read, research, apply practical knowledge in my own life...in order to get results.

So often, we know that we are destined for greatness, but we have no idea how we are supposed to arrive there. Because of that, we just wander through life unfulfilled, waiting for greatness to manifest. We may even be the person who goes to  , quotes Zig Ziglar like he lives with us - but to no avail. The reason is because we do not practice what we receive.

How then, can we practice? You cannot hold in your mind what you cannot envision - and once you envision something, you must capture the vision. Write the vision and make it plain. Why? Once you write it, you can run with it. You cannot run with what you cannot hold. Once you have it in your hand, you can make a plan of action. Then you can practice the plan, daily. Live it.

For example - did you ever run track? I did. If you run relay, you are either the person with the baton or the person waiting for the baton. In either case, you are a part of the ultimate completion of the vision: winning!

If you are waiting for the baton so that you can begin your leg of the race, you have to stand in position, adrenaline pumping, waiting for the advance of the runner with the baton outstretched to hand to you. You see the approach, but you also know that you have to receive that baton just right, or you won't be able to hold it to complete your leg of the race. You have to plan how you will stand, how you will receive, and how you will hold that baton and run with it. You could grab it wrong and it could fall, making you stumble to get it back in hand and lose precious time. Or, it may slip out of your hands because of sweat. You also have to plan how you are going to hand that baton off at the end of your leg of the race if you are not the final runner. The baton is not easy to hold while running the race.

Neither is the vision  easy to fulfill while running this race.  You see the vision, but you don't immediately have the plan for fulfillment. So, write the vision down. Make that part plain. That way you don't have to carry it haphazardly while you run with it.

When you see it.

Put it where you can see it - regularly. You and others, because the Word says - "they that see it"; be careful about those 'they'. Not everybody is worthy to be 'they'. The Word talks about surrounding ourselves with wise counsel. Enough said. I just don't have all day to explain that to you.

Practice.

Practical application of what you have knowledgeably received. Don't just sit around saying amen, that was a good word. Or, oooh-that was deep. Don't just repeat what you have heard because it sounds philosophically poetic. Practice it. Get in the game...as one of my twitter peeps likes to say - you are not a baller because you declare yourself so - you are a baller because you 'got verifiable game'.

So, that is why I did the repost today: get off the bench. get in the game.