Category Archives: A Bottle of Wine, Jesus and Me

Serene Bridgett Hollingsworth (SereneB)

We can make a mistake and still love.

I have four daughter’s.  They are 19, 17, 15, and 11.  Whew!  Just typing that is exhausting.  Each is beautiful and unique requiring a different kind of love and approach from me.  Unfortunately, for quite a number of years, I have been a “one size fits all” kind of mother.  All of my disciplining methods were the same for each daughter.  It was sort of like the legal system here in the United States.  In my “state” there are misdemeanors and various degrees of felony offenses.  Each has its respective consequence.  This is what I knew to do, and I have done it well or so I thought.  It has worked often enough, so I had no reason to question my judicial system until recently.

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Humanity, we hate the word sin (Genesis 3:14-19). Understandably so. It evokes feelings of uncertainty and suggests something is wrong with us.  The thought of sin plays with our mind and ego.  Sin brings us to a place where we must come face to face with self and there we see our good is not good enough. (Ephesians 2:8,9).

God, I know there is more than this.

Ultimately, sin is breaking the perfect law of GOD’S LOVE. It is the breaking of the PERFECT LOVE relationship. The relationship we had in the beginning with GOD the CREATOR of ALL things.

In all of our “goodness” and “well” doing, we gossip, lust after his wife or her husband, lie, exaggerate, fight, steal, desire what belongs to others, we hurt others and ourselves, we divorce leaving our children in single parent homes and poverty, we have sex without marriage, we reject GOD, we reject others and we even reject ourselves–and then we feel shame and guilt (Mark 7:1-23). The breaking of our PERFECT LOVE relationship, sin has birthed separation from all that is perfectly good and potentially forever.  In all of our trying to be “good”, we simply fall short. And, if we find we don’t commit the “obvious” sins, there is still no one who truly good. (more…)

Serene Bridgett Hollingsworth (SereneB)

We each have been given a number of days on the earth. GOD our CREATOR knows our end and beginning. GOD is well acquainted with us and our days.  Our “death” will be no a surprise to HIM. We belong to HIM. There is no competition for longevity accept that, which rests in the minds of the disillusioned. Those who believe this is the final frontier.

The prize is not how many days I amass on earth, however, what I do in those days given me. My goal is to be seated in the heavenlies with my FATHER where eternity is my view.  If I fill my given days with the fruit of HIS spirit, it will be said, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” If I fill my days with hell on earth, I may see hell also in eternity. But it is not I who determines man’s eternal life, but the FATHER.

Let us make good with our allotted number of days, be they deemed many or few. FATHER, let us not pretend to be GOD; however, live a life where men may see YOU through us. Allow us to be an agent of your peace and pray YOUR peace and compassion is found on the journey of every woman and man we touch.

Serene Bridgett Hollingsworth (SereneB)

I may be a little different? Valentine’s Day was never about “being-in-love” or “having” a man. I was never moved by the idea of having a significant other in my life on this day of the year.  I have my father to thank for this.

Daddy's Roses!

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Serene Bridgett Hollingsworth (SereneB)

They said, mass on left breast. God said, I don't see that!

“(Circa January 2012) Doctors said, we see a mass on your left breast, and we need you to come back for a second mammogram and ultrasound immediately. February 12, 2012, 10:00am — I was back in the hospital they found NO MASS, NO CANCER, and NOTHING THERE.  I learned something about MY faith during those weeks I waited.  My faith was shaky somedays.  It was strong other days.  I am human.

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Serene Bridgett Hollingsworth (SereneB)

Is it wrong to desire ‘perfection’ inside of relationship? I think not. The search for ‘perfection’ is not new. We were created by the Divine to be in perfect relationship, and we were in perfect relationship with the Divine and each other in the beginning. The idea of ‘perfect’ relationship aligns with our god self. (more…)

Serene Bridgett Hollingsworth (SereneB)

This astounds my mind and also brings loving expectation and great hope:  Every single happiness,
excitement, great gift, far away land I visit, joy, and beautiful moment I experience in the earth cannot compare to the splendor of heaven…Eternal life with GOD (absence from this decaying body and presence with the LORD).  As I transcend — continually regenerating coming to know HIS presence and HIS fullness within, I share but a glimpse of this heaven with the world and yet this small opening, my ripple changes the world forever.   (more…)

Release your heaven on earth, and support the KONY 2012 movement.  I watched this and I cried for our children.  All of our children.  It is hard to know of this and do nothing.  Watch the video, and I am certain you will feel compelled to do something! The time is now.  KONY 2012 Movement!

Serene Bridgett Hollingsworth (Life-Writer)

Today, I am showing up! Yes, I will SHOW UP! I often ‘feel’, I must know ALL the answers before I can move forward (I must be well prepared and well versed — with every possible angle covered). I ‘feel’ the need to be more than ready with no margin for error before I can make my first move lest I look foolish. Ego! I ‘feel’ I must determine the the outcome or results at the end of each day. After all that is my job. Right? I have to ‘fix’ it or make it happen. Do you see my recurring theme? I ‘feel’. I. Me. Yes, Me. Myself. And I. Those who know me, will remember, I coined this, ‘the anthem of the lonely and despised’ long ago.  (more…)

Serene Bridgett Hollingsworth (Life-Writer)

I have done some-thangs: I have lied. I have been lied on, I have been lied to, and I have believed a lie. I have stolen…taken what wasn’t mine. I have been crAZy in love, like and lust with more than a few! I have hurt others and myself. I have refused to offer apologies and forgiveness, and I’ve felt the sting of both. I have held on to grudges and lived with fears and doubt, but have called myself a woman of faith. I have lost thousands of dollars and fine cars too. And I left the big house on the hill.

Grace keeps me.

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Serene Bridgett Hollingsworth (Life-Writer)

I believe there is much confusion with regard to loving ourselves, especially in the Christian body. There is a philosophy permeating society today, which says, we are to love ourselves before we are able to love others. I have bought into this ‘loving-self’ first paradigm for as many years as I can remember. Problem is whose doing the loving? Is it LOVE or me?  (more…)

There was a time when my hands were in everything. In my immaturity I thought this was a good thing and showed my ability multi-task. I went from project to project, gig to gig and business to business. All in the name of ‘hustle’. Yes, paying the bills. Unfortunately, for me I was good at some of those things, and I confused being good at something for being God’s purpose for my life. There’s a HUGE difference. We can be good at many things and make a living; however, working in God’s divine purpose allows us to make a LIFE.

So many of us believe God is sitting on His throne angry with us and the world. That could not be further from the truth. The glory of God’s creation came about on the sixth day when he created us (man and woman). Humanity was created in God’s likeness. He took from Himself and gave us His life. He breathed into us His Spirit. Can you imagine? I don’t believe we fully grasp the magnitude of this event. — Selah  (more…)

We are born blind, and It doesn’t matter if we are living with 20/20 eye sight. We are born with no vision. Here is the truth, if we could see through our eyes what we are truly created to be we would change our lives, but we cannot change ourselves. Oh, how many times we’ve tried and failed.  (more…)

Umm…Where is my man?

The “check engine” light came on Friday evening of course, while driving home in rush hour traffic.  Yes, I panicked.  Yes, I shook my head in disgust. Ugh, really?  Yes, I jumped on the phone for security. No I didn’t dial Jesus or AAA.  I don’t have the latter.  It made me feel better to tell someone I ‘knew’, I might just be stranded on the “Bishop Ford” during rush hour. Disgust.

I was still a good 20 minutes from home.  I didn’t see or smell any smoke.  Good sign, right?  Everything appeared normal with no crazy sounds, so I continued my drive, frequently visiting the glaring yellow warning signal, “check engine”.  My heart was racing a bit. Can I make it home?  Please God!  When I was about five minutes from the house, I was a little calmer, when all of a sudden, the “check engine” light started flashing non-stop, the car started doing weird things, and I wasn’t sure if “she” Betsy–my car would make it to the house. Real nice God. Really cool. Ahh…I did make it home.  Thank you God.

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I am walking on water!

GOD morning Beautiful people! It is a Wonderful new Wednesday. Yes, we all know the days of the week; however, do we respect and acknowledge this is a new Wednesday we have NEVER seen before and will never see again? Pause, meditate and consider this miracle. The miracle we are experiencing together for the first time ever. What a blessing to behold and consider the greatness of this new day.  Selah. (more…)

I woke up this morning to what feels like hell, and I believe there is no getting over it, past it or through it.  I know this place.  The tears are streaming down my (your) face, but I (we) still look great to the world!  I am searching for the answer, and I know everything, so where is it–our answer?  I am wondering how I will make it out of this one, and yet I (we’ve) been here before.  Yes, we’ve been here many times before.  It all looks familiar and even the pain resonates with us.  It is almost comfortable. (more…)

This morning at approximately 5:45am before I awoke, I was nudged by the HOLY SPIRIT.  I felt HIS nudge as if a person were lying next to me trying to wake me before I overslept; however, my eyes never opened.  I was ‘caught’ up. (more…)

Here they are, the five biggest energy drains we experience.  All of us will be familiar with them, and all of us struggle with one or more on some level:

1. Complaining. 
We all have challenges. Just stop complaining! It sucks the life right out you and others.  Have you ever noticed your calls are never answered? (more…)

Peace of mind does not come from people. Strength does not come from people. Joy does not come from people. Love does not come from people. Uh-Oh. I know that last one will send some people screaming and kicking!  Read on.

Please! Take your relationship out of bondage. Stop asking people to do what only God can. No relationship provides strength or security. No one can give us peace. No one can bring us joy. God said He is LOVE. If God is LOVE, and He is, then why do I seek LOVE from man? Take the rope off his or her neck, and free yourself! (more…)

Oh my! Tomorrow is Monday. That day. The day we want to sleep in, hiding under our pillows.  The day we think the weekend was just too short.  The day we wish we were that other person.  You know, the one who doesn’t check in to a 9-to-5. Yes, tomorrow is Monday.  While we squeeze out these last few hours of our weekend, let us contemplate the gift of Mondays.  (more…)

It is Excellent to Profit!

Matthew 25: 14-30

When we are in business and profiting, we are meeting our mission to serve and help others.  In fact, the more profitable we become the more people we help.  Now, there’s a paradigm shift for you!

It is good to be profitable in business. In fact, it is excellent to be profitable in business.  The definition of business:  a person, partnership, or corporation engaged in commerce, manufacturing, or a service; profit-seeking enterprise or concern (Dictionary.com).   (more…)

Luke 15: 11-32

I Left

For 15 years there was dead silence between us.  My spirit was deaf.  I did not know what to say to Him, and I did not open my mouth.  I was a mute.  I was on pause, and the batteries were dead.  I could no longer hear His voice, and I understood why.  I had @!#* it up.  I did not see Him anymore, and I no longer felt His touch. So I left.  I ended our relationship without one word.  I left him.  I left the raggedy church, the sorry preachers and I never said goodbye. (more…)

I am finding all the more faith comes with a push in my spirit. A push to do the uncomfortable. A push NOT to trust myself and what I know. A push to jump in the water and walk or step in it and part the Red sea. (more…)

Free Isn’t Christ-Like

I no longer ‘free-a-way’ what is valuable to me. None of us do really. You see, once we know our personal value and what is valuable to us, we recognize the cost associated with what we have learned, working in our giftedness and/or living our personal beliefs. We never ‘free-a-away’ again. (more…)

Peace in the Desert

Peace in the Desert

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Spiritual 1:1 LIFE-coaching for women who KNOW they deserve the abundant life but aren’t living it! Call 312-899-6440 for details. SereneB

"I Do?"

Genesis 18 

Genesis 19

OK, President Obama’s position and his personal thoughts regarding gay marriage are just that. They are his personal beliefs.  Does this make him less Christian, less black, less good, or more bad?  Many would say, “Yes”. However, I think not.  We all have varying perspectives and views on this subject and many others.  Have you taken a position lately on divorce in our country or your state even (the devastation on families), adultery, abortion, or lying, all of which God hates?  I am certain your views vary from my own and the good Christian who sits next to you on Sunday morning. (more…)