http://www.drreginaclark.blogspot.com/

Okay so I fell off the blogging wagon, AGAIN.   Here it is 2014, and I have written very little since September 2013 with the titled piece, "Ain't Nobody Got Time for That."   I guess I didn't have time or take time to continue writing, sharing my opinion on a variety of topics.  Yes, I have been busy.  But today I want to share a thought that keeps entering my mind.   It is simply called, "Spoiled Rotten."   I just celebrated my 60th birthday....so this is the perfect time for me to fess up about being spoiled.   

I have been called "spoiled."   Spoiled as a child and spoiled as an adult.  I try to spoil myself so that I have no need for others to really spoil me....but they do anyway.  Spare the rod and spoil the child???  Yes, we have all heard that.  And read that in scripture.   But just what does it mean to be Spoiled Rotten?   It has to be - simply a figure of speech.  I am spoiled but not rotten....And who exactly spoils me?  My brothers would say my dad did.  My father might have felt my mother did.   I know my children do spoil me. And friends spoil me. Loving past relationships have spoiled me.  But the one that really spoils me is God.   The Holy Spirit talks to me when I need a listener and when I need to listen.  God answers my prayers constantly.  I am not suffering and even when the funds are low and the bills are piling high,  God makes a way out of no way.   I am spoiled but not spoiled rotten......I think I am spoiled right.  As long as my prayers continue to get answered and my children and grandchildren, family, friends, and significant others spoil me.....I'll just keep doing what I think is right....and it is very unlikely I will ever be rotten.

Spare the rod and spoil the child?   This is not a corporal punishment debate.  All children need guidance, direction, rules, and discipline.   I am spoiled...yes but not spoiled rotten.....just spoiled right.  And thanking God for the spoiling He does and the Love He gives.   And yes I was definitely spoiled this year with all birthday celebrations.

Ain't Nobody Got Time For That

Well, it's about TIME that I start back to blogging after such a long hiatus.  I have finished the TWO-YEAR stint in Antigua, West Indies and I am now back in the States.  While working there at the American University of Antigua, I came to know that God had a plan for me from Day One.  We do not know the plans He has for us.  We will never know that.   Our job is to be obedient and be quiet enough when the Holy Spirit speaks to us.  That is what my Antigua experience was about.  Being quiet, and still.  Listening for God and being obedient. 

I will not go into all the details here.  Please feel free to order the new book from amazon.com or from the publisher (Xlibris.com).  Answering God's Wake-up Call:  A 100 Day Journey with the Holy Spirit is the method in which God has enabled me to share my experiences.  All I can say is we must listen and be obedient when God, the Holy Spirit speaks to us.  I hope to never be so ignorant again as to ignore God's Wake-up Call .... or hit the snooze button.  (By the way, I will read from the book Thursday, Sept. 19 at the Public Library in Talladega, AL at the brown bag lunch event at noon and again for the Friends of the Library at 3:30 p.m.).

So what do I have to share today?  Why the title "Ain't Nobody Got Time for That?"  Many are familiar with Sweet Georgia Brown's well used phrase popularized from a YOUTUBE news clip...
For you dear reader, just know.....

 if you are holding a grudge and not speaking to a friend or family member, a neighbor, a fellow student, a former boss, current boss or co-worker..... ain't nobody got time for that!

.... if you are still hating on the President....I pray that we do not attack Syria too. . . cause the truth is...ain't nobody got time for that either.....but we really have no time for criticizing President Obama or not supporting him.  It is time to be thinking how you will participate in the next election as a candidate or as a voter.  If you hold an office presently, is it time to consider grooming someone to take your place?  Term limits are necessary and good for the people.

----if you are still overspending and undersaving...and not taking education seriously.....
ain't nobody got time for that! Try living a simpler life.... and pray for peace...

.....Next month is Breast Cancer Awareness, Domestic Violence Awareness, and a time for celebrating other relevant causes. .  .   if you are physically or verbally abusive to friends or loved ones (especially young children).....please know.....you need to Stop It:         ain't nobody got time for that!     If you are not taking your health seriously.... you guessed it - nobody has time for that.  Get regular check-ups.  And those ladies (and gents)....friends and family members who are still smoking in spite of your present or past cancer fights - stop it.  Yes, I am speaking directly to you!!!

....Lastly....It was way past time for me to start writing again.  I have moved back to Talladega AL in a small house in the country. No excuses.  God is giving me an opportunity to be that voice again.... If I ignore His Wake-up Call. . .I am asking for trouble.  God takes time for us.  Do we take time for Him.....When I say my prayers to God above..... I hope I will never hear Him say:   Ain't Nobody Got Time For That!!   Peace and Love - September 10, 2013

Running Shoes

I moved to Antigua, West Indies, on February 28, 2011. I am so thankful to God for this opportunity. I have not had a dull moment since coming here. The weather is absolutely gorgeous. Yes, the mosquitoes are pesky bloodsuckers - the females I have learned are the biters - only so they can fertilize their hundreds of eggs. But I am just absolutely, delighted, unquestionably, without a strand of doubt, indecisiveness or disillusion - that God made this happen. And my steps continue to be Ordered. Yes, there is much more work to be done. Time to lace up my running shoes and press toward the mark.

I had on running shoes Sunday when I went for hike here.... A student said she had an extra pair that I could keep - not borrow....how generous. I wanted to move here with as light a load as possible but do wish I had brought a few other necessary items - like running shoes.... But as I said God is providing daily. So I took the hike on Sunday in the running shoes - indeed boots would have been more supportive but with God in control it doesn't seem to have mattered. All is well. The hike was a success - physically, mentally, and spiritually. Photos will be posted on Facebook soon.

It is simply interesting how God is putting people in my path to help me. Sure, I wrote the skit for Zion Baptist Youth - Blessed and Highly Favored.... it seems I too have a bit of favor with the Lord for the blessings I am now seeing. The blessings have been there all along. As the songwriter said, "Was Blind, but now I see....." I was blind. Amazing, the things I took for granted over these years. Running here and there, doing things I thought were important.... spending money on "running shoes" then but didn't know what direction and whose direction I should have been running in. Now I know. With age comes wisdom. With wisdom comes obedience. With obedience comes a reward of blessings and favor. I am ready to take the baton again... the race is not finished and the work is not yet done.....tell me where are your running shoes and in which direction are you running? To something or someone you want in your life or are you running To God and For God....Of course you need never try to run from God.... no running shoes will help you in that case. May the Lord always bless and keep you.

It's Got To Be A Change: Richard Brooks "Formerly of The Impressions"

The Reason for the Season (2010)

Economic Impact Report: As Seen by Santa!!!

The economy’s so bad this year that even attorneys, teachers, and PhDs
Are caught in the squeeze. Collections, Foreclosures, Bankruptcies.
Layoffs, the hiring freeze, new, excessive banking fees and charge card penalties!
So when I saw Santa walking earlier today - his head hanging low and no signs of his sleigh,
I stopped and offered him a ride…
His sleigh had been repossessed.
His house was foreclosed.
He said the elves were pitching a fit
And the lights were turned off in Rudolph's nose!
Mrs. Claus was depressed, Donna and Blitzen had run off
This economy – he said is the worse he’s seen yet.
"Unemployment is high, morale is low…
People are hungry and homeless with no place to go.
In the midterm elections, Black people didn’t vote,
Jesse lost hope…
Christmas is near, he said, and I'm running out of time,
And did you see the news? Charlie Rangel’s about to DO time."
I said Santa you’re right but we can’t so easily give up the fight,
We've got to hold on and pray that God will handle our plight.
After all Jesus is the Reason - - not the gifts, not the lights,
Not the parties, not the food, not the spending, not the hype.
Yes, it's depressing but the fault lies with us. Over the years,
Acting like Christmas was about the spending and making such a fuss,
Spending all kinds of money but spending very little time,
Telling folk about the Lord, what a shame, what a crime.
So Santa agreed and thanked me for the ride,
We both said a little prayer that this season
the Holy Child will be glorified...
That people will think twice before overdoing it this year...
And that each and everyone's home and heart
Will be filled with Love, Peace, and Cheer!!!
Merry Christmas to all....and to all....a good night,
Read the Word yourself and help others come to know Christ!!!

What Presence Do You Bring to the Lord?

The end of the year is upon us. In two weeks we will be entering a New Year, a new opportunity to do better, be better, be focused, be ready. 2010 has been a wonderful year - one I thought from day one would be ... a year of change, a year of excitement, a year of growth, renewal, hope, and great expectations. And that is how it has been. And it wasn't "all good" when I looked at some of this change initially. But now I know: All things work together... all things.... for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. I know now, without a doubt that we were all created for a purpose - to be used by God... so it is important to listen to God to discover what that purpose might be. I know now, without a doubt (though it sounds so much like a cliche'), He will not take you to it.... and not bring you through it. He will not put you in it... and not bring you out. I also know now not everyone will or can appreciate what you do for God..... at the same time.... it is only what you do for God that really matters in this world.



What Presence will you bring to the Lord in 2011? What attitude will you have.... what gratitude do you have today that you are alive, breathing, in fairly good health, that you are in your right mind, that have some kind of a roof over your head (some don't). That you are not loocked away (some are). That you likely to to get into heaven (some won't) because you know Jesus died for our sins and that He is coming back. That you can give yourself to God (some can't) and be used by Him. That you have TRUST in Him (some have none not even a small grain of faith - the size of a mustard seed). That you are preparing for the day that Jesus will return (some aren't). Gratitude... Praise.... Belief.... Love..... What will be your presence in 2011. Have you made your reservations for your seat in heaven?

What Right Do I Have?

What Right Do I Have to Bargain With God?

Nonewhatsover. This will be short because God said it would. I have no right
whatsoever to attempt to bargain with God in order to do his will. But I found
myself bargaining! God, if you do this, I will do that. And - yes God did this.
Time for me to put my money where my mouth is - will I do what I promised?
I have no choice.

So if you see me tomorrow and my outward appearance looks new,
Know that God has changed my thinking and my outlook too.
If my smile seems brighter and my step seems lighter
It' s only because I 'm now doing what He told me to do.
If when you see me it looks like I haven't a worry or care,
That I've lightened my load and no heavy burdens do I bear,
If it looks like I'm happy, if it seems like I'm overjoyed....
In spite of my economics and the fact that I'm still unemployed....
Just know that God has not only said something--
But he's done something to me....
Just know I'm not the same person....today
That I used to be.
And that same God - the one and only can do the same for you....
If you open up and let him in....and be obedient when He tells you what to do.

Regina Vincent Clark - Oct. 20, 2010