The Psychology of Imagery

I am not fooled by what is before me

I know of those who 'LOVE' to see-

Deception does bring joy to these

But I am bothered spiritually

Fools love the psychology of imagery

psychology because it's only in their mind

imagery; only what the outward appears to be

and this can work for-or against but only

for a matter of moments-Have hope

Believe

I know I am imperfect, I have 29.5 years of life to prove it

But I learned recently that

I don't have to live down to the expectations

others have for me because of who

THEY perceive me to be.

Outside, I am a hot mess

Impetuous, emotionally a wreck, I talk too loud

I don't know how to dress

I used to be a street chick

Hang with all the rough necks

Boosting cars was like just something I would do for kicks

But I also have some good qualities like-

I can keep a secret; 

I have a prayer life; 

I know I love my husband

I try my best to be a fully submitted wife.

I put others before myself- 

I don't gossip

-anymore-

No matter how many times I have fallen

I am scrappy I get back up for more

and there has been progress-I am becoming more.

Some of us just take longer.

On the other side,

I know a story where the outward perception

caused a deeply wounded spirit

Because one had an appearance 

of being real-their 'realness' did not hit past the subcutaneous

The less pleasing to the eye and senses

was wrongly judged a liar-

But, God witnessed.

We, you, me, he, she-

get so torn up about 

what we see-how they see me-how can I be perceived more favorably?

We all blank canvases walking around hoping

Someone will notice we have

outstanding qualities.

We get so caught up with false psychology

when we know what we think and feel

can deal deceptively

Yet we rely so strong on childish things

Rather than wonder: 

WHO IS IT THAT THIS ARTIFICIALITY IS GONE PLEASE?

Is He pleased with the way I scorn her in my mind?
Is He pleased if I can fool others into thinking I am living right?
Because no matter what when we turn off the light

the psychological, invisible, makeup which we've so carefully applied

Is no longer visible to anybody but our minds.

Violence

You are not a man based upon how hard you swing your fists
Society got us double minded and twisted
Glorify violence yet shake heads in chagrin
When young men with bright futures and potential
Choose to indulge in the most primal
of instincts instead
The media lauds the rap culture which touts nothing but death and sin
Yet pretends to be offended when another young lady
gets her head beat in-HOWEVER
They ignore her oppression
Turn around and say it's her fault
When her face is dragged all over the asphalt
Another young child
Is raised without his father's presence
Some say no father is better than that father
Anything would be better then him
But
I am of the mind that a man has more potential
than some desire to ever see on him
They become jealous and hold him back
from ever pursuing ascension
from his start from where he came from
he falls prey to the  mindsets of liars and demons
think he is becoming untangled
but really he only becomes more wrangled in his chains
bondage hold tight
as he clenches his eyes
And searches for release through violence-instead
Finds his demise
What part of our minds do we feed
When we heed the voices that only speak death
I serve a God who came to give life
and Life in Abundance
I am not judging out of ignorance-
I know that life
My daddy did the best he could
Hustling was the only thing he ever understood
And I loved him and I still do
But it wasn't as easy or safe when I fell for
Dudes who only knew that life too
Jump from one trip to another
Trying to make a big score
one deal fall through
The only recourse
 from my man's frustrated hands
Was to start all over again with someone else
And wait for history to repeat itself
If I had known then what I know now...
My generational curses became broken somehow
Washed in blood shed for, not by me
A life ripped by violence, laid down for peace
Peace.

Black Friday

Black Friday represents sadness to me
Just regular people who can't afford to live in luxury

wait all year to finally purchase their dream TV.
And who can blame them when society

constantly reiterates to me

that in order to be somebody 
I have to have nice things
I don't blame them for lining up at crazy hours

 to purchase something that they feel

will make their family's lives a little bit better

I've been there
I come from nothing, just wanted something...
Once upon a time if someone offered me those deals

I'd accept I wouldn't even think twice
The problem I have is when they place more value on material

objects over somebody's life.
Or how the stores place more value
on profits over people
But that's just the way the story goes,
I guess.
I find it sickening the way that they profit off of the less fortunate
They dangle a carrot in front of their faces 
and watch and laugh as people get stomped on in their places of business
What about the employees who have to face danger?
They don't get paid or trained for that
Need to get these folks some tactical gear

and prepare them for combat
Man I love capitalism I love free markets
But my Christianity won't let me be okay 
with the greed of corporations
I know that the love of money 
is the root of all evil

Black Friday crowds to me look like 
the beginnings of social upheaval
I see how they do it
Treat the masses like cattle
In my mind it's a battle
Like who's really to blame?
Like-it's really insane
Is our desire for prestige something innate
Or is it something we receive 
through human interaction-

Something communicated?
Just wait a second and let me relate my case 
a little bit more clearly
As we delve into this phenomenon 
based upon consumerism occurring yearly
See why I believe it is a spiritual attack against humanity
The day after we are giving thanks for our lives
We buy into the lie that 
without a new discounted TV

we are so deprived
Everything on sale at least 40% off
Don't you see you NEED these things
Don't miss out or your loss!
Don't nothing in this whole world come for free
This coming from a girl who once lived in the streets
Even food out the garbage can comes with a price
Leave you sick and disgusted
With the weight of your life
These companies don't really sell things for cheaper
They were put on the market
With the discounts in mind

Now deeper in debt Grim Reaper breathing down your neck

While they play the game smart

they hold all the cards
Jack up the prices to make the biggest profit

That's how the 'selling monster' was really designed
Then 'lower' the tag for Black Friday

and watch all the people eagerly run to the lines
It's a marketing ploy.

Face smashed against the glass

like all dignity destroyed
They would never do something just to make your life better
They want to sell as much of their product at the end of the year to meet their quota
Look at the fistfights taking place over things
Look at the feeling of emptiness still lingering
It doesn't matter how many computers and iPads you walk away with
Your life is still dependent on things that will fade away
Next year your state of the art cell phone will be obsolete
Your bank account diminished Black Friday repeat
Caught in a nightmare never finished
Because a life of materialism lacks value, intrinsic.

Woman

There is beauty in your scars

Like a road map to your heart

Tear tracks on your face only seem to make

your smile all that brighter

You'd been laughed at

Scorned

Talked about and lied on

Men have raised their hands against you

and emotionally hurt you

to the point they almost killed you

Still you find the ability to laugh, trust, be vulnerable

I admire you

For so long I was covered in hardness

Bitterness had turned me into a callous

and unfeeling person

Now, I am Woman

You showed me that it's okay to feel

You made me comfortable with my emotions

You said, it's okay to be hurt

but don't let it make you into a hurt person-

forever

 

You could be so hard on me

Sometimes outright mean

But if it had not been for you

I would not be a better woman times infinity

You helped me to attain a level of maturity

Many take half a lifetime of trial and error to ever see

You have shaped me into the beauty that you see today

I owe you more than my gift of words could ever say

You stood by me

Even when no one else would

You said "God still has His hand on you"

When nobody else could see how He possibly could

I know you are proud of me

I can see it in your eyes.

I am better prepared

for the trials of life because you cared

enough to put me before yourself at times

I now know what it means to sacrifice

You acted hard,

but you always had

the biggest and most open heart

toward me

My life would be miserable

If I never had met you

 

I know you act crazy just to put others at ease

In that regard you are just like me

In every other aspect of your personality

You are so far above everyone I have ever met

But you never once looked down on me

If anything, you became everything

To everyone

Showed us that you see things from our

Perspective, like you reallly understand us

Only to have us change our own perception

and make us believe we had what it took

inside of us all along

 

I grew because you never left me at

the level that you found me at

Even when I grew comfortable,

You said get up, let's go some more

You never gave up on encouraging me

That's why I have the ability to see

The very best in every other soul I meet

You are as strong as Deborah

As worshipful as Miriam

Regal as Esther

Hard working as Martha

Eager to hear Jesus like Mary was

I can't believe you have no idea.

Meditation

 

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Psalms 49:3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.

Josh 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.

We bombard our minds with tv shows and music

Because we are afraid of what's inside our own heads

Thoughts about death

Thoughts about life

Guilt over whose bed we slept in last night

Our environment becomes noisier the more we seek peace and respite

We say we don't idolize things over God

But sacrifice is not a part of our daily life or repertoire

We want to give

Only what it doesn't hurt to give

We say we want to live like HE did

Willing to sacrifice our very lives for our friends

But we struggle with crucifixion of our flesh

We say Thy will be done, and yet-

We say one thing and do the opposite

We want comfort

We want easy

Living in this cookie cutter

Drive through

Have it your way

Microwave age

Makes it hard for anybody

to understand patience or waiting for anything

Distraction is the highest level of enlightenment

one can hope to obtain

in this attention-starved,

materialistic day and age.

The harder we fight,

the easier it is to forget the sound of His voice

Whatever direction our feet move

is ordained by Him or our own choice.

So, does it really matter, what I reveal about myself?

I stand before you today to say that it does.

I was the chief sinner

more undeserving of Grace than anyone else

Yet as far as I had fallen

God raised me above the ashes of

a life I had committed to nothing but destruction

and-

Today I have life and joy and peace in abundance

I am not worthy, but God is

Why exult myself?

A mere sinner saved by Grace?

Why not give the glory to the One in the most Holy Place?

His Holiness is beautiful, it stems from His love

So rather than my flesh and my skin

I will wear His Blood

They can see me

But not receive me

I have nothing to give.

I had it my way

I found it lacking

I gave up my death so that I can live.

So, I will meditate on His Word

I may not know the latest celebrity scandal,

That doesn't mean my life is not fulfilled and joyful

I will speak life into a faithless situation

Because I know that my Words have power when spoken by Faith in Him

I may not know the latest artists/movies/songs

But I can find comfort and wisdom

in the Books of Proverbs and Psalms

I may not have a high paying job to go with my degree

But I know from His word that He will provide for me

Therefore my lips shall keep from profanity

My body reserved for the work of the one who created me

My thoughts are made to be brought under subjection

In hopes of attaining a spiritual ascension.

 

 

Be Somebody

'Be Somebody' That's what they all say

but what it takes to be 'that person' varies from day to day

Be this, be that, but according to what 'they' want me to be

I started off as a mere nobody

And I am so thankful for my Testimony

because once you lived in a gutter

You lose the desire/ability to look down on anybody

I went from being a nobody, to trying to be somebody

according to all the things that they told me I should be

and I wound up being scorned none the less because

it's impossible to fit a size 29 into a size 3

I am just me

I did not live up to their expectations,

therefore I become nothing more than a complication

And just like that I was removed from their equation

And just like that I was a nobody once again

It takes "HARD WORK" they scream

to be somebody

Man I know, they got so many self-help books

written on that very subject

and they must be right, because they make money

off of others who see the world

through eyes that long to be

above the mundane

They long to have authority

When we try to determine what makes us 'worth it'

according to 'their' voices

without any kind of soul searching

we lose our identity in the process

and become good for nothing

I have found, that anybody can be 'somebody'

but it takes something special to have the bravery to be 'nobody'.

No one else can be this nobody, but me

Only I can make me decrease so He can increase

If I'm somebody of my own making

everyone will only see me

I am nothing

He is all

The greatest part of me is the Call

Call to worship

Call to praise

Call to bless that wonderful Name

You go be somebody

I tried that and found

that just isn't for me.

Vultures

Vultures circling sailing on the hot wind of the

Talking heads on television

Telling not one single person

One single thing worth knowing

Subterfuge is the name of

The new information game

And the birds keep chirping only way to know what's happening is by turning off the media and tuning instead into the minds

of conspiracy theorists

once deemed crazy now seen as truth tellers or prophets

And the blood shed and the violence are only symptoms of the real diagnoses

Evil given sovereign rule

Over our hearts think we can play with fire without any repercussions

But it's down to the wire and the head if this nation has got a serious concussion

seems like nobody's listening but all are watching

What's the answer they ask?

It's quite simple:

Relativism got us twisted

We dabble with sin and expect not to suffer any type of punishment or consequence

We blurred the lines between black and white  in hopes of appearing to be people living right

Where up is down and crooked is straight

We got so confused by trying to manipulate

truth into a lie

and falsehood into real life

We have become hard hearted

Some are just apathetic

We are collectively a people not good for anything but to be vomited onto the pavement

Just wait, we haven't even begun to see the likes of judgment

That's why we keep pushing further and testing our limits

Now science says it can protect us from the ramifications of formication

No fear is present when there lacks consequence

No need for morals or common sense

Instead life's like a free for all

People gorging on the pleasures of sin

But just like Adam and Eve in the garden

When the time comes we will all stand before Him in judgment

Either be told well done my faithful servant

Or left in shock fumbling for excuses and stuttering

Fires of hell seem so far away

The more people see how much more accepted it is to play

With boundaries and standards

Removing distinctions

Blind lead the blind

Man is convinced but still ignorant

I cry

I weep

all they see are gnashing teeth

They abuse love

They see good in evil

But their souls are not past retrieval

God help us