By Tonnette Collier, M.Ed.
Written: 3-29-2020
There is no doubt that the Corona virus has changed our behaviors whether you are a Christ follower or not.
We’ve all become cognizant of the dangers this virus carries, but the power of God’s Promises are stronger than any pandemic, plague, sickness or death. We must trust Him, seek Him and uplift Him more frequently. After all, God is the AUTHOR of everything. That include obedient and disobedient folk among the living.
No matter what is happening in this universe, rulers of darkness are not ultimate decision makers because…The All Mighty is in control, He is Alpha and Omega.
God is teaching us to render LOVE, HARMONY and COMPASSION for all mankind as we attempt to combat catching a virus that has taken many lives. Remember…God brought diseases and plagues throughout His world to show folk whose in charge. Mind you, many of us have been disobedient or like my students say…”Off the chain Miss T.”
Think about it, once upon a time, hate dominated the headlines, airwaves streets, God has replaced it with RECOGNIZING who He is, bringing about WORLD UNITY as we all exercise precautionary measures, stand in faith, pray to Him for a healthier tomorrow and the freedom to travel in a world of uncertainty. Read up on these scriptures:
Exodus 12:13; 15:26
Leviticus 26:21, 25
2 Chronicles 7:13-14
Joel 2:25
Daniel 12: 8-10
God is not playing people, new or old testaments. His Word is powerful and true. There’s no time to contemplate, question or ignore centuries of TRUTHS God gave to selected writers to share with us through scripture. Why allow your Holy Bible to get dusty, your mind wonder or be afraid? Don’t let politics, money and government fool you.
Scripture shares that WE (the church) must return to our original faith, the Gospel. Who knows when Christ Jesus will arrive, decide through a virus to destroy a city, state or nation…just BE READY and RIGHTEOUS according to His Word. Read up on these scriptures:
Revelation 5: 1-2
Revelation 10: 1-2
Revelation 10:7
Remember to lean not on your own understanding. Ask God fearing DEVOUT shepherds to help you understand His Word and how this virus has been crafted to get you spiritually correct in mind, body and attitude.
Always me,
The butterfly messenger
REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.,
honor him with pride, respect and good sense!
Written by Tonnette Collier
Good morning loves. I’m certain many grills are fired up, bottles of liquor and wine showcased, parades of gyrating booties stepping onto local streets, t-shirts and not one book about the journey and historical works of MLK is within reach to educate kids beyond a mediocre classroom lesson.
Sad but true.
Black Americans…you continue to be bamboozled with rhetoric and demonstrate limited consideration of knowing your roots. Instead, most are ignorant and nonchalant about getting deep into learning the struggles, strife, and changes MLK endured, even until his death April 4, 1968.
There’s so much to learn about MLK.
As an avid book collector. Tons of Black history literature adorn my shelves. I made sure Justice and Brandon eyes, ears and minds were filled with the richness of our HISTORY with books on multiple reading levels. It’s BBaby’s turn to learn.
I share no excuse.
Quite honestly, I stopped frequenting parades, including Sweet Vine’s participation over a decade ago. I was devastated witnessing ignorance and absent-mindness of the true essence of Black America’s road to freedom, equality, respect and justice.
Guess what we’re still not valued, respected.
Senseless killings, stupid fights, poor social skills, self-destructing communities, selling poison, disparities in education, business inequalities, unemployment…need I write more? You know the situation, why be thoughtless?
Look at TV commercials, radio commercials. How many companies are having a MLK Day sales? But you’ll unconsciously shop there without thought because it’s your day off and you have a few coins to spare.
Wow, that speaks volumes to me.
Blacks were like glue in the 1960’s and back. The 1954 Montgomery Boycott nearly shook the socks off racism in Alabama…money talked and hatred shut up enough to ignite change in that city.
Where’s that Black attitude today?
Many have become complacent with how America shows itself, from the presidency to your doorstep. Stupidity abounds as Blacks stand cluelessly to honor a man who embarked on an assignment authored by God to save us.
We choose everything but KNOWLEDGE.
We choose everything but a BOOK.
Am I angry with Black folk ignorance? Hell yes! No grilling, no parade, no wine, no t-shirt, no booty shaking, no shopping by this Black American woman. Instead…
I’m reading more MLK books to BBaby. At 17 months, he can already identify MLK images. I find this more pleasurable and acquiring than ignorance on the life of MLK.
Toss ignorance Black folk…know your roots.
Always me
Aunt-grandmama
Tonnette Collier, M.Ed.
ask yourself..am I really ready?
Written by Tonnette Collier
As an independent, intellectual, beautiful, sexy, talented, educated, charming and loving Christian believer…folk often ask, Tonnette why are you single? My response…Boaz (Mr. Right) have not found me or I am over qualified.
I’m a country girl. Most country ladies do not approach men, at least that’s what my Dad taught me. He would say, “Baby girl…if a real man is interested in you, he will tell and show you in a sincere and honest way.”
As I reflect on Dad’s statement, years ago I pondered…Boaz is surely taking his dear sweet time, does he even notice me or am I what he needs? Those questions are far gone because my single life isn’t unhappy.
Jada Pinkett-Smith said one word that captured my attention today…MASTERY. I agree with her wholeheartedly. There are so many distractions that can destroy potential relationships. But if you’re mature and ready, that means you’ve reached MASTERY LEVEL and have no problems committing to a journey unlike no other.
Understanding the depth of true love, trust and building positive relations are characteristics required for any real relationship to flourish. If you have the desire to be a good woman or man to someone, be it.
Let nothing stop you! Tomorrow is not promised. Truth is many people need & want HONEST love, I most definitely do.
Quite frankly, I’m glad that I’ve never been married. I’m ripe enough now to enter a long-term courtship with potential to honestly LOVE Boaz (Mr. Right) for who he is, and he honestly LOVE me for who I am.
So ask yourself…are YOU ready for LOVE?
Always me
FOR ONLY LOVE CONQUERS HATE…
Written by Tonnette Collier
Good morning everyone. Don’t allow hate to take over our country, the world. There’s too much LOVE to absorb and give. Do this…
SMILE in the mist of enemies.
LAUGH armored with love.
SING loud showcasing happy tears.
THEN dance and shout about it.
Therefore an enemy will not attempt to rob you of your JOYS. Now go LOVE someone!
“Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you maybe able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you maybe able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand” (Eph. 6:10-13, Nelson, NKJV).
Always me
BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFY, BEAUTY
will he love you on hobo days?
Written by Tonnette Collier
Very few references in the New Testaments enlighten us on beauty. However, Old Testament scriptures took BEAUTY at its word. In order to deliver today’s message, thoughts alluded to a conversation between me, my niece-daughter and her love. But how could I get my point across? As always, God gave me the ANSWER.
Thousands of miles apart, my neice-daughter and her honey Skype. Sometimes odd hours, long hours or one hour. But love abounds. Being an aunt-mom, my curiosity began to overwhelm a quest for answers. Why is she on the computer ALL the time? So I peaked inside her room.
My goodness, thought I had a Color Purple flashback as an image of Cecily laying gingerly across her bed amused in conversation with her man. Unbrushed teeth, plats pointing everywhere, dangling t-shirt, no bra, no earrings, no lipstick. Just her natural self.
Of course my response…”Girl, girl. I did not train you to be like this.” Her response was “T when he said he wanted ME, I asked him would he love me on HOBO days.” For a minute, I was speechless. What is hobo day? After looking at her, I quickly figured it out. And by the way, both of them were enjoying one another.
Connecting old and new, the Book of Esther came to mind. Esther was a beautiful orphaned girl who became a queen. Her story involves power and romance. She was a Jew who hid her identity, used a Persian name, married King Ahasuerus and later saved the Israelites.
“to bring Queen Vashti before the king, wearing her royal crown, in order to show her beauty to the people, and the officials for she was beautiful to behold.” (Esther 1:11, NKJV) Although Queen Vashti refused King Ahasuerus orders, even she did not feel like displaying her BEAUTY. Of course the king took an immediate action against his queen. He divorced her and demoted her from the privileged role. Esther and Vashti are two different queens. God chose Esther to perform His plan and save the Israelites; ultimately, her people.
So today’s words are LOVE, EYES, BEHOLDER. Times has certainly changed as we reference BEAUTY + LOVE. Whereas old times women had to showcase their beauty at their husbands command. Today, BEAUTY is seen beyond physicality. Let us thank God for that.
1 Peter mentions BEAUTY, it reads…”Do not let your adornment be merely outward arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel – rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” (3:3-4).
Always me