Friday, November 22, 2013

I STILL BELIEVE!

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Mathew 25:40
 
 
    BELIEVE is a production that has a talented special needs cast member (see the cast page), that has a homeless character (see my post about the purpose of BELIEVE), and that gives voice to the challenges faced by the least among us! 
 
   For all of you who provided support of my vision, the production, Sisters Supporting Sisters, the non-profit that inspired it, and www.indelibleimpact.org, thank you so much.  
 
    To  my family, my brother John, the cast and crew, Yvette, Ceci, those who came to the production on July 6th, gave a donation, members of Sherman Oaks United Methodist church, and to my praying friends, thank you.  You kept my heart strong, and I can't imagine carrying on without you. 
 
      God always provides guidance, strength to carry on, faith that cancels fear, and miracles, when we seek His face and BELIEVE.  For weeks, I have been face down, seeking His face.  I look forward to carrying on in the new year. I'm so excited about all of the possibilities. 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Micah Stampley's I BELIEVE -- Wow





Lyrics to I Believe :
By Faith the worlds were framed,
And By Faith all things came to be,
And by Faith you've given us the power,
To speak and see a thing.

[Chorus:]
I Believe, I Believe, Lord I Believe, Lord I Believe
I Believe, I Believe, Lord I Believe, Lord I Believe

Without Faith it's impossible to please You,
And without faith you cannot move Your hand,
Without faith I can't say to this mountain be removed,
I could never see Your strength.

[Chorus]

I Believe Your word is true,
I believe there's so much I can do,
I Believe You said it in Your word that settles it in the earth. [repeat]

[Chorus]

[Chorus 2:]
I believe in miracles,
I believe in signs and wonders,
I believe in the power of the Holy Ghost,
Yes I do believe.

[Chorus 2: stop at I believe in signs and wonders and then hold that note]

By Faith the worlds were framed,
And By Faith all things came to be,
And by Faith you've given us the power,
To speak and see a thing.

[Chorus:]
I Believe, I Believe, Lord I Believe, Lord I Believe
I Believe, I Believe, Lord I Believe, Lord I Believe

Without Faith it's impossible to please You,
And without faith you cannot move Your hand,
Without faith I can't say to this mountain be removed,
I could never see Your strength.

[Chorus]

I Believe Your word is true,
I believe there's so much I can do,
I Believe You said it in Your word that settles it in the earth. [repeat]

[Chorus]

[Chorus 2:]
I believe in miracles,
I believe in signs and wonders,
I believe in the power of the Holy Ghost,
Yes I do believe.

[Chorus 2: stop at I believe in signs and wonders and then hold that note]

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

YOU MUST BELIEVE GOD!!! Inspiration from Meme Kelly & Joel Osteen

You Must BELIEVE!
 Inspiration from Joel Osteen & Meme Kelly

 
 
 
 
 

BELIEVE GOD then Lead with Your Heart & SHOUT!

Lead with your Heart& SHOUT!


An eBook

 Get your copy of SHOUT emailed to you when you
Donate any amount to the BELIEVE team,

Email: memekellyinspires@gmail.com for a donation invoice from pay pal 
Follow me on Twitter @memekellyloves

 
This post was originally done in March, 2012 as I was gearing up to SHOUT
(Shine, Have Hope, Overcome, Use God's Power & Take Charge:)!
God had not manifested BELIEVE

 
Lead with Your Heart
 
When my yoga instructor, Denise, www.denisewoods.net, an angelic classically trained dancer with a soothing voice, directed me to lead with my heart as I went from Down Dog, to Plank, to Sanskrit Chaturanga Dandasana, to Cobra, I knew, even though I didn't know why, that the phrase was important.

I knew that it would be the next topic that I wrote on, although I didn't know what I would say or why I just had to say it. I knew, from past experiences of getting goose bumps for no particular reason, that God would reveal its importance to me. So I waited. I listened.

And I watched: First, by chance, a documentary on Oprah's Soul Sundays by a successful Hollywood Director, Tom Shadyac, who gave up his wealth, a 17000-sqaure ft mansion, and a private jet to live in a trailer in Malibu and teach his philosophy of life at a University as he embarked upon a spiritual journey to discover what was important in life. I watched as scientist hooked him up to a device that showed how his energy affected Yogurt, of all things.

I thought about my own journey of finding a joyful and meaningful life, which began when my sons, now ages 20, 23, and 27, were babies, I was depressed from working a job that I hated, and I had learned that my oldest had disabilities that would severely limit his achievement in life. I didn’t have a mansion or private jet to give up so I did what I had been taught to do over the years: I prayed and read scriptures. I did what is like breathing to me, I listened to music. It was 1992 and the sound track from Eddie’s Murphy’s Boomerang movie was in my car cassette. The song, These Three Words: I Love You, by Stevie Wonder played over and over as I drove around L.A.

In my prayer time, I was drawn to Philippians 4:6: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. I read it a 1000 times!

The answer to my call for direction and understanding in life would come. But first I had to go to Him with everything, the good, the bad, the scary, the ridiculous, the hurtful, and the disappointing that was jammed in my heart. So the examinations, the truth, began to pour off of my lips so that I could lead with my heart!

I would shine my light and have hope about what the future would bring. I’d be truthful about what made me happy: Music, genuine and deep level connection with others, creating art of some kind(at the time I didn’t have any idea I would end up writing), my relationship with God, my sons, my marriage, and serving those in need were what was most important to me.

I wouldn’t worry about what the Jones’ had. I wouldn’t worry about whether I had the right title to impress others. I would always find a way to serve the neediest of society. The Los Angeles riots had occurred earlier that same year and the Haves (the West Side that didn’t burn) and the Have Nots (South Central Los Angeles which had almost burned to the ground) were seared into my brain.

I would smile when I entered a room. I would leave negative encounters behind when I left. I would forgive others for wrong-doings, and pray for forgiveness when I injured others with my deeds and/or words. I would constantly excavate hurt from my being so that I would always be free to lead with a heart filled with God and love instead of a head filled with revenge, jealousy, competition, ego, disappointment, and discouragement. I would love.

It’s been several weeks since that Yoga class and I started writing this. Now I understand that God sent that phrase to help me get focused, to remember who I am, even though, at the time, I didn’t understand I was in need of help. Now I realize that I’d been feeling a little out of it of sorts: Not sure what I was to write for this blog. Not sure whether I should re-mount my play and complete another one that I started. Not sure if I should continue with the eBook series which I've developed.

At ___:), my ‘been there, done that’ attitude was doing me in, and the tranquility in my soul was saying it’s okay to stay at home and watch the flowers bloom (I’ve always connected with God in really simple ways). Yet, underlying all of that was something poking at me to carry on, although I wasn’t feeling excited about it at all.

With folks informing you of their every move on Facebook and Twitter, I must admit that I was sometimes feeling pressure to do something, anything, just to keep up with the hi-tech Jones, knowing good well from my 20 year old pledge that I should never move when feeling that way! So instead of "doing" in 2012, I’ve been still. I’ve been thanking God for His provision, protection, and all the blessings of my life, not knowing what I should ask for, really.

Until I re-owned the phrase, “Lead with my heart” nothing had been crystal clear. Now it is. The heart is the place where God installs His will for our lives. The phrase God gave me in Yoga class re-connected me to what I came to understand 20 years ago, but had temporarily forgotten. I am! I am only to create -- write, put up plays, host seminars, continue with memekellyinspires.com -- from a full space, where my only desire is to love, inspire, and entertain others, the specific call and assignment He’s placed in my heart.

I must be honest: Being a LA girl, at times, I’ve become caught up in the glitz and glamour and longed for another assignment: To walk the red carpet, make millions, and run with the Hollywood crowd. Thank God for divine guidance. The documentary discussed above is, interestingly, named, I Am. It, too, reminded me of what’s important in life, that man’s measure of success is often times different from God’s, and that I should always stick with His.

A relaxed beginning to 2012 is exactly what I’ve needed. For me, silence, prayer, family time, sleep, music, art, and empty spaces are where He gives me the fruit to create. After three months of empty spaces, here it is: Lead with your heart. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. He will reveal the plan He has only for you. Just listen and be still and observe all that is around you. He, the great I Am, will speak to you. And when He does you are to move forward, excavating any hurt in your being so that you can lead and love with your heart and bless us all with the calling He has placed on your life.

I am so excited for you. [2014] is the year to move forward with God's plans! I would love to stay connected with you by email at memekellyinspires@gmail.com. Stay inspired!


Meme

PS: SHOUT! Lessons of Hope for Tough Times, an eBook, will be emailed to you when you make a donation of any amount to help us remount BELIEVE, a play.  Email: memekellyinspires@gmail.com and a paypal invoice will be provided. 

To learn about BELIEVE go to www.thebelieveplay.blogspot.com

http://memekellyinspires.blogspot.com/2013/10/lead-with-your-heart-shout.html

 

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

LOVE , BELIEVE, We want to touch hearts


 

I BELIEVE in love!
I know how love feels!

 
 
The artist start arriving after I've prayed a really long time.  For weeks and days.  I talk to each of them about my creative vision.  I can sense that something special is happening.  I meet each of them individually.  I listen to their stories, where they’re from, the dreams they have in their hearts.  I ask each about a moment when their heart felt broken.  I tell them about when mine was broken during the recession and, before that, when my Mama died.  I cry several times  during the process, and a few of them cry along with me.

I share some of the things the piece is about: the brokenness of little girls who have been molested. Brokenness experienced when one gives their all to... a relationship, job, or situation and receives nothing in return.  Brokenness resulting from being born into the wrong circumstances or from a womb of a woman who doesn’t know how to love.  Brokenness from being abandoned!

I know what it’s about, but I don’t know what it is, just yet.  After loving the same man for decades and being committed to providing the best for my three sons, I realize that I have a heightened sensitivity to brokenness.  I can see brokenness from across the room. I’m curious about how one recovers from brokenness to experience sunshine in life. I'm drawn to people who help others on their journey to love, and I find myself exploring this process in my writing, time and time again, whether I want to or not!

With artist streaming through my living room, I create IT while my LOVE is at work.  I don’t tell him what I’m up to.  I'm smiling every day when he comes home, full of energy.  He knows something is going on with me.

It's BELIEVE, the play, a story of two bleeding heart attorneys helping those experiencing brokenness while dangling from the edges of life. 

I love BELIEVE!  I want women, at-risk youth, and disabled people to feel loved and understood. I want to touch hearts . I want someone who has been broken to smile! I hope you will come when it's back up and that it makes you smile.

Meme Kelly
Mom, Wife, Author, Playwright, and Social Entrepreneur

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Purpose!

Like me please!
 
Re tweet me!
@memekellyloves
 
 
Tweet Tweet, Post, Post     
 
DO YOU BELIEVE?  


     Twitter and Facebook can be overwhelming.  Every one is pitching a project, event, or themselves.  And this is why you must BELIEVE in the depths of your heart that what you're offering is necessary, needed, and, in some cases, divinely ordained. Otherwise, it can be an up-hill battle to get folks' attention.  Whether you're an artist, producer, or professional, you have to BELIEVE in yourself and your uniqueness! 

     I do, and If I took the time to tweet, email, or facebook you, I believe in you too!  I want to raise awareness of the issues facing women, especially homeless women, disabled people, and at-risk youth.  I want to ignite flames that erupt in meaningful conversation about ways to make an indelible impact on their lives. BELIEVE has a homeless character.  One of our cast members has special needs.  The BELIEVE team wants to entertain people with theater that touches hearts, inspires, and makes an indelible impact.

     I want to find a home for my homeless friend, Joann, whom I've known for 12 years.  For 12 years she's lived on Ventura Blvd., in the San Fernando valley.  For six weeks, Joann lived with me, after I stopped to chat with her and  noticed that she looked extremely thin and malnourished.  She asked to come home with me and without thinking, I said yes.   Prior to that, I'd been writing about her for over a year.  You can read my blog posts here:  Click here to read Parallel lives of Joann and Me
Click here to read Life and Favor another post about Joann.

     We need donations so that we can find housing for Joann and make a difference in the lives of homeless women.  You donation will also help us continue to touch lives with BELIEVE and keep the flames of conversation ignited. 
Donate Online to the BELIEVE team sponsored by S3, a 501 (c) (3)  
All amounts will be graciously accepted and appreciated.  

 Please look at the video of Joann, which was done after the performance of BELIEVE (formerly Voices of the Un-Heard).  It's homemade so...please overlook that.   Look at the trailer of BELIEVE below and go to the 6.35 mark to see how it impacted the audience. 
 
 
 
 
Joann when living on Ventura Blvd and hanging out at Starbucks
Joann while at my place



Joann at a BELIEVE rehearsal at the theater.
She considered dancing in the production; she's a trained dancer. 
Her story is amazing.  Read it in the blog posts above.
 

“Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.”

 



     Join us at the next performance of BELIEVE! Together we can make a difference!  Trailer of BELIEVE
 
 
 
 
 



Wednesday, July 24, 2013

GOD SAYS THAT YOU ARE ENOUGH!

1 Corinthians 27
 
 
 
        "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty."
 
 
Just Believe!