Isaac Update--Friday Morning

Tropical Storm Isaac is on everyone's mind so I thought I'd talk a little meteorology today on my blog.

The latest update from the reconnaissance flight shows Isaac is a bit disorganized. The storm isn't expected to strengthen much over the next 24 hours as it will be interacting with the land mass of Hispaniola and Cuba and it's mountainous terrain. Isaac will have an opportunity to strengthen as it moves off the coast of Cuba and into the Florida Straits and eventually into the Gulf. That being said, it is difficult to determine a storm's intensity 3 to 5 days out. Therefore, the storm could be stronger or weaker than what the models are projecting once it reaches the US.

It should continue to jog, or wobble, to the west-northwest over the next few days. It will interact with a trough moving through the Mississippi River Valley which should turn it more north and northeastward. With that track, it could make landfall to the east of Mobile Bay, Alabama. However, it is important to note that areas all along the Gulf Coast from New Orleans to Biloxi and east to Panama City should be on high alert. High seas, sustained high winds, bands of heavy rain and the threat of tornadoes can be expected.

Here is the latest NHC track:

An Aggressive Spirit

Two years ago, I shared on this blog how I had started praying Ephesians 1:17-22 for myself. I literally took out specific words to make it a personal prayer of mine:

"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you (me) the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you (I) may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your (my) heart may be enlightened in order that you (I) may know the hope to which he has called you (me), the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,  and his incomparably great power for us (me) who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength  he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come."

As I see people going about their day bogged down in hopelessness, despair, negativity and insecurity, I've found myself being more aggressive in my spirit. Why should I be gloomy, down trodden, beaten down, and feel like there is no reason to carry on despite what is going on around me?

Although Isaiah is talking about himself, I've now started praying Isaiah 61:1-3:

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified."

That's what being aggressive in your spirit is all about--living with an expectation that God is all around you, working on your behalf, and trusting God is wonderful and I don't have to figure everything out that I don't understand! David wrote in Psalm 27:13-14, "I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

The devil wants to confuse you, abuse you and misuse you. But it's time to get comfortable with not knowing everything there is to know about your future. Be aggressive in your spirit and expect God to move in your life. Walk in the anointing He has given you and know you're not just here on earth to take up space!

(Lemuria Books & Lifeway Christian Store in Jackson have just received a new shipment of Barbie's books. Check them out or click on the links on this page to get yours!)

Time To Grow!

Viewers are always commenting on my hair---it's too long, it's too short, it's too "big", it's too fill-in-the-blank. While my hair, and other superficial things, tend to be a topic of disdain for some viewers, I had idea five years ago: Why not use something people complain about as a way to minister to others? Thus, WLBT's Great Lengths program was birthed.

We've set a Guinness Book of World Records in the past and teamed up with the American Cancer Society to provide human hair wigs for Mississippi women who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment. Today at St. Dominic Cancer Services, there is a wig room outfitted with various human hair wigs in many colors for women to choose. While most human hair wigs cost over $1000, the gift of hair is free but takes quite a commitment from those who are growing their hair to donate.

This year, my two daughters--Gracie and Lilly Faith--are growing their hair with me. We will have our hair cut on March 4, 2013 on LIVE television along with hundreds of other men, women and children of all ages and hair types and colors from across the state of Mississippi. Our hair will then be sent to Pantene where it will be put with other hair of like color and texture and made into a beautiful head of hair, then shipped to Mississippi for the wig room to stay stocked.

Would you like to join us? Go to this link  and sign up to donate. If you'd like to tell us why you're donating, we may share that with our WLBT viewers. All details are listed on that page.

Let's grow, cut and share with our friends!

Here is the wig room at St.Dominic Cancer Services.

What Do You Do When You Don't Feel Like It?

Have you ever had one of those days when you "just don't feel like" doing whatever it is that you have to do? Maybe you just don't FEEL like cleaning house. You don't FEEL like going to work. You don't FEEL like having to deal with crabby people. You don't FEEL like going to church. Or, you just don't FEEL like smiling and being nice to people.

I was having one of those moments recently when I just wasn't FEELING like anything. Nothing was going may way and I dared someone to press my emotional buttons. But then I encountered someone who I could tell was having the same kind of day, except his was much worse.

In passing him in the hallway, there was a heaviness that permeated through him. I stopped and asked how everything was going to try to start a conversation. He shared how his daughter was set to go through her last round of chemotherapy and while the prognosis was looking good, he had to get a loan to pay for the treatment. As he explained the red tape that was involved in getting her treatment, he shared how his 401-K wouldn't allow him to borrow more money until he paid back a sizeable amount from his daughter's previous chemotherapy treatment. When he shared the amount, a lump settled in my throat. God has blessed me immensely through my business venture and I knew what I needed to do. But I had been preoccupied by having an "I don't FEEL like it" kind of day. That didn't bother God.

2 Corinthians 9:7 says, "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

If we want to be a victorious Christian, we don't get to do what we FEEL like anymore. Victory is not letting your emotions control you. Why do we let our mind and our feelings control our life so much? Romans 12:11 says, "Never be lacking in zeal (enthusiastic diligence, desire), but keep your spiritual fervor (earnestness of feeling), serving the Lord." In other words, stay filled with wonder and astounded by what God is doing in your life.

If you want to increase the power of God on your life, see how many times a day you can give. God is not looking for ability, but for availability.

(Barbie will be away for a while and will return August 10).

Move On

We've all been faced with a seemingly large decision at some point in our life. You know what you need to do. You know the road you're supposed to take. The choice is clear. But your fear is much bigger than your faith. "What if something happens? What if it doesn't work? What if I'm not thinking this through thoroughly? What if I'm just going on a whim? What if I lose everything I have?"

For me personally, I've had those decisions in the past. Now I find myself face to face with "it" again.

While I've read the account of God's deliverance of Moses and the children of Israel out of Egypt numerous times, I discovered a Word spoke by God that I've never noticed before.

As the Israelites saw their backs were to the mountains and the Red Sea churning before them, they realized they were physically trapped. God had told them what they needed to do: trust. But that's so much easier said than done for Christians. It's even harder when you over-think what's before you. I can only imagine what the children of Israel were thinking, "We can't climb those mountains behind us. Pharaoh's army is too strong. And we can't wade across the Red Sea either. We'll all drown!" But God would not have brought them to a point of trust if He wasn't serious about His plan for them. His plan was freedom. His plan was more than they could've imagined for themselves. His plan was to have a kingdom impact on the land of Canaan.

Moses told them in Exodus 14:13, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you, you need only to be still." Do not fear. Stand firm. Have peace that God is in control.

But notice what God said in verse 15, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on."

Often times, we cry out to God "Please tell me what I'm supposed to do! Please make this decision easier for me. Just make your will known to me!" All the while, God is saying to you, "Move on."

You may be leaving a secure place behind with this decision you're faced with. God has already paved your path. He's already ahead of you. Although it may be difficult for you to trust Him, God is telling you right now "Move on" with the next step of faith He's wanting you to take.

Your Dream

If your dream is only as big as your surroundings, that dream isn't from God.

In Genesis 37:7, Joseph shared his dream with his brothers: "We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it." Joseph had another dream in verse 9: "This time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me."

We all have dreams for our life and what we would like to have one day or perhaps where we would like to go. But notice Joseph's dream had nothing to do with fancy cars, a mansion, lots of friends and social circles or money growing on trees. God was showing Joseph there was a higher purpose for him and it was to include leading others to God's saving grace.

How do you know if your dream was given to you by God? If your dream is linked to the harvest, then that dream is from God. If your dream is linked to the flesh and the lusts of this world, it is deception; not a dream. God doesn't give flesh-focused dreams. Those types of dreams come from the devil because the devil wants you to abort your destiny. Only you can stop what God's ordained for your life.

After Joseph's dreams, he was thrown into a pit by his brothers. Have you ever felt like your dream has been thrown into the pit? Things just aren't coming together the way you thought they would? Pits are often allowed by God for Him to test your character to see if it matches up with His standards.

Joseph received his dream in a field. His dream was about the harvest and how God would use him for a kingdom impact. God gave Joseph power when he was elevated in Pharaoh's government. Power will only come from God for His purpose; not for our own purposes.

Each stage, obstacle, or "pit" is intended not to block your dream, but to help you break through to the fulfillment God promises. The only way you and I can find true fulfillment and become all that God created us to be is to go through some pits along the way and have a kingdom impact through your dream.

Viewer Emails

It's now time for another edition of..... "Viewer Emails".

 

I've decided to leave all misspellings/grammar as they appear in the emails.

 

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I am appalled at the fact that you do not understand the image that you portray to upcoming young women who are affected every night concerning how you look. These same Young Women might want to be a broadcaster. Trust me; I am not the only one with this opinion.

I spoke with you last week and I started the conversation with “I am not trying to hurt your feelings.”  Well hear I go again. You are the only Weather Newscaster that represents your station in a very disappointing and negative manner. I have been watching channel 16 and 12. I just turned on the news and here you are again with those white pants and the tan pants. Depending on your size I would like to offer some beauty suites for free to clean up your image. As a replacement for you looking at my comments in a negative way, you should have taken it as a concerned viewer. I have work in many leadership positions over the years, and I would not clean my house with the clothing that you were. I’m of the opinion that just because you have been in Mississippi most of your life, it is not an excuse for the poor image that you portray when you represent the Weather Broadcast for WLBT. When you are bringing the news (Weather) in our homes every night it is difficult to over look what you are wearing. YOU LOOK TERRIBLE, and I am truly sorry if this email gives you a negative view of me, but I had to let you know that I am not someone that means you harm, however, from one professional to another, I do mean you well. You indicated to me that you were a Christian, if you are, LOOK; don’t take my word, if you want to be technical about it look in the book of Leviticus 6:10 “Is it wrong for a woman to wear pants." It is also in Deuteronomy 22:5. You do this publicly. “A woman must not wear men's clothing, nor a man wear women's clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does." Read your Bible Barbie!
There are more references in the Bible that speak to this matter. I am a worrier of a praise team that one person can share with another to help represent your image in Christ. Don’t take this Negatively, just look at how a so called Christian is suppose to represent themselves not only as a child of Our Lord Jesus Christ, but upcoming young leaders who might want to be a Chief Weather Meteorologist.
You appear to be a sweet person, but you are not a cheer leader, I cannot let my personal opinion go back to your old ways of thinking knowing that you can do better, and help WLBT News get back to number one news station in Mississippi.

Christine Bowden

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Barbie,

You are such a bright spot in a lot of people’s days; beautiful eyes too. Never, ever wear those glasses again that you wore the other day. I debated about writing and I’m very happily married, so I’m not trying to hit on you. You just look so much better without them.

Raymond Dougherty

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Barbie,

My two grown daughters and I were watching the news tonight when you came on with the weather. All three of us made the same comment about the blouse you wore tonight, you really do not ever need to wear that blouse again. You should actually throw it away asap. I truly am trying to be honest and sincere when I say this. I am not trying to hurt you in anyway, but the blouse is in no way flattering to you. Please take this as constructive criticism.

Sincerely,
Patty McDaniel