I found myself at a point in time reading twitter timelines, facebook feeds etc and sub-consciously I started to get down. Notice I said: SUB-CONSIOUSLY. And often times, we find ourselves wishing we were apart of ‘old’ things when God has actually graduated us from those things. Whether those old things were jobs, people, places, accomplishments, relationships, etc., often times, they were places of bondage. As a slave sometime you don’t know you are bound until you are free. Sometimes we stay bound because we fear the unknown and that’s where trusting in God becomes more evident. If we never had hard times, we wouldn’t know how to trust God or move in faith etc. It’s in these times that we must be careful not to look back n2 ‘slavery.’ For if we do, we start to trust that those situations and not God got us through. Sometimes we replace faith on the Lord with reliance on past people, jobs, experiences, emotions. Have you ever heard someone say, “Ooh, I remember when….” Or “I wish it was still like that…?” Hmmm…maybe, just maybe, God has called you to experience more than that in your new freedom.

As I thought of all this, I tuned to Isaiah 31 discussing the perils of not trusting God. I’m no saint, but the 1st verse made me check myself. When have we followed an ideal, or movement, or ideology and not consult our Creator 1st? When have we felt out-numbered or outsourced because of maybe, our lack, lack of experience, or resources? When have we done so many things our way or someone else’s way to end up at square 1: praying and asking for God’s help? And how many times can you honestly say: IF IT HAD NOT BEEN 4 GOD?

Things become old for a reason. They serve its time. People were seasonal for a reason. He/She may have taught you that you will no longer compromise. The job was more than a moneymaking opportunity. Maybe it was for you to build character and for you to make room towards exploration for what you are really passionate about. King David tended sheep before becoming a King, but he was being skilled in how to be a shepherd over many…

My charge to you: As you let go of your past and move towards your destination, whatever that may be, that you seek God’s direction first and that He give you the desire of your heart and that all your plans succeed!

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When a wealthy family meets for Christmas at their posh Cape Cod estate, family arguments, and secrets cause quite a stir. It will take the almighty Madea to save this Christmas and make it into a foot-stomping good time. Filled with great music, and enough laughs to fill your holiday season with joy, A Madea Christmas is a must-see.

We have always saw fans supporting their favorite celebrity, but never, as long as I have been a fan of someone, have I saw fans supporting each other. Come on now, to actually see a group of fans come together as a family, pray, inspire, uplift, encourage, create, learn, meet, greet, laugh, cry, ask question, give answers, and try to uphold great character is really not likely, but not unlikely to find. Grammy nominated singer and actress Ashley- TAMAR- Davis created a twitter group (family) that obtains these values. TamFam is a family where any and everybody is family. No matter the racial background, where you live, or your age everyone is welcome. TamFam was not only created from the mind of Ms. Davis but from all who supports her. TamFam is a unit of regular, every day, normal people who all have the mindset, to support Tamar Davis. When you think of family you think of blood related people who interact on a daily base. Well blood couldn’t make this TamFam any closer. They meet and greet from the time they wake up until it’s time for bed. They laugh together, cry together, and pray together. When one stumbles, they all stumble. When one succeeds, they give credit where credit is due and when one is hurt they all pray.

When Tamar Davis created this family, I can’t help but to think that this is how she views her fans. Tamar never calls fans “fans” but TamFam. Never makes anyone feel that they are less than the other person and no person is left behind. Before TamFam was actually announced a family, Tamar had a group of girl who looked up to her as an older sister. These girls ranged from different cities, states, and backgrounds.

Here is what they said: Sierra Miller, 13 (@MickeyXIXXV) says

“I love Tamar because she teaches me a lot and is like me in so many ways. I love TamFam because they get me through my worst days and they are always there to cheer me up. I love Tamar because she brought us together and I love my family, she’s like a mother/sister.”

Jasmine Sallins, 18 (@Jazzy_Jaye) says “I admire Tamar because she is an inspiration. She’s funny, cool, and down to earth. She’s always there, always keeps a smile on your face, and try’s her best to help even though she is miles away. I love TamFam very nice ladies/young ladies. We are truly a family.”

Danielle Davis 23 (@Tamar_lilsista) says “I admire Tamar because she is always there when you need her, always knows what to say and any situation, always makes you laugh, and she loves her TamFam. I want to tell TamFam I love you and Thanks for everything.”

Lakeshia Gilson, 22 (@Kah_Keesha) says “I admire TamFam do to the fact that we love one another and we don’t even know one another. I admire Tamar because she is humble.”

Otische’ Owens, 23 (@Tischesquared) says “I admire Tamar unselfish attitude. She’s passionate about people, and that’s what I want to be consistently. I admire my TamFam because they’ve never met me and yet they’ve shown me love. That’s enough to make someone change.”

Telea Vinson, 25 (@Cutsie9) says “I admire Tamar because she has the heart of angel and a voice that can penetrate heaven. She inspires me to because she always puts god first before anything she does and TamFam is our way of communicating to the world how much we love her. I love TamFam because we all love Tamar, so we are connected as a group who prays for and supports each other.”

Tamar Davis holds conversation with TamFam and TamFam always has a response for her. She holds Daily discussions, encourages, and inspires all who follows her. According to TamFam there is not a dishonest, mean, selfish bone in her body. Tamar has inspired the world from her tour with singer/songwriter Prince, her tour with director/producer Tyler Perry, her Blog Posts (www.TamarDavis.com), and Her recent album “My name is Tamar”. I have no dealt to believe that this movement of TamFam will continue to grow. People from different cities, states, and countries have all joined together to create this amazing Family we Call TamFam.

I have been a part of this movement from almost the beginning and I have to say, you have to see it to believe it. I never thought I could be loved by someone besides my blood family and Tamar showed me that I could. TamFam has been amazing. You can’t help but to love them back. I mean complete strangers and it feels like I’ve known them all my life. It’s this glow you get on your face whenever you receive a message from anybody in the family. Sometimes I receive message from TamFam before I even wake up. It’s crazy amazing to know I will always have a family outside of my original family. Tamar has completely left me speechless. She continues to amaze me. I’ve never known anyone as busy as her who actually takes the time out to talk to their fans. I want to say thank you to TamFam for loving and supporting one another and just being you and Thank you to Tamar for creating a place where we can find closure, support, inspiration, love, and prayers when we need it. If we continue spreading this love TamFam will be worldwide. Whoop Whoop!

With Love
-Shadarra PutillaTamar Video Blog

Think about a time in your life where u thought: now how am I going to get through this? And now think about where you are now: 2011.

If you can honestly say: ‘He brought me through that, what makes me feel, think, or sense He can’t bring me through this…’ then you are ripe for a newer understanding of who God is TODAY.

Today I got a chance 2 experience God’s provision outside of my singing/acting/ performing gift. Meaning: it had nothing 2 do with my natural gifts, per se. It was linked to me seeing and doing what others dared not see or do. Or caring or loving for someone that others ignored while in the same room. Without going n2 2 many details, I got a chance 2 work w/ a novice actor whom my other cast-mates made fun of, laughed @, talked about etc. that, 4 some reason I saw a long-time friendship with this fellow actor. I dared 2 get 2 know this actor and dared 2 scratch the surface w/ this actor and, long story short, we have become the best of friends. Not friends that talk everyday, or hang everyday, or see each other everyday but friends that when needed the truth we were there. Or friends that when needed a support or shoulder, we were there. Or my favorite: FRIENDS that saw the God in each other when others wrote us off. In the midst of it, my friend needed my help indirectly. As uncomfortable as the extent of the help was: I began 2 be grateful that I was trustworthy enough 2 do so in assisting.

My point: we can’t think that God, because of how he blessed us years prior or how he operated in let’s say 2006 that He will come the same way, heal the same way, deliver the same way, make amends the same way, protect the same way, even show His love, mercy, and grace the same way. My petition 2 u: Sew your time. Sew your seed. Sew your gift. Sew your giving. Sew your help. Sew your smile. Sew your tears. For you never know which of them will harvest that which you have been waiting 4. Just keep loving. Keep caring. Keep listening. Keep understanding. Keep giving. Keep referring. Keep showing mercy. Keep helping. AND DON’T LOOK 4 THINGS TO COME BACK DIRECTLY THE WAY YOU PUT THEM OUT TO WHOM YOU GENERATED THAT WHICH YOU GAVE.

Whatever your “IT” is…IT’S always ON TIME!

I say ‘our’ because as I write to you, I too have been victim to this very thing. But I have found that once we focus and work on “our” purpose, all negative internal/external energies can be destroyed such as fear, doubt, envy, jealousy, coveting etc. For example: U want 2 own your own valet company. What licenses are you required 2 have? Who would your competitors be? Where is valet parking more valued than in other locations?

If you find that you can’t answer the in-depth questions such as who, what, when, how, where, you have not began to explore your “purpose.” I am a true testament that when u focus on your purpose, your joy will be so overwhelming that the smallest things that use 2 bother you will no longer be a joy stealer. Your focus on purpose will be a catalyst as you move 4ward. Its in that revelation of how u feel ‘moving’ in your purpose that continues to encourage the essence of who u were created 2 be. Yes, you will be tested. Yes, you will cry. Yes, you will have questions. You can’t focus on what use to be…or whom you use to hang with…or what you use to have. The past is the past for a reason. The present is the present for a reason. And the future is the future for a reason. If you are still alive and breathing, you have everything you need for that day. Determine your passion and work on it. Don’t worry about the income or the people or why people seem to ‘hate’ on you. Once you write down that vision and continually work towards that vision, you will be amazed at what God can do when you honor HIS purpose.

With honesty,

Tamar

Tàmar talks about hair in the September/October issue of Sophisticates Black Hairstyles. Available on newsstands now.

Have you desired to be an author and have never picked up a pen and a notebook and wrote a story?

Do you desire to be a designer and never have drawn an article of clothing?

When is the last time you read the latest news on the desired occupation of your choice? For instance: You want to be a music engineer and you research what it takes to be a music engineer…

Or what about an actress? Have you learned a monologue or two? Have you taken headshots? Have you joined the theatre department at school, church, or your community?

I ask these questions because it amazes me how many messages I get from my loyal supporters asking numerous questions for advise about how to “break into the industry” and then when I pose these question-like-answers, some are amazed because no one ever told them about the power of attaining the basics.

My encouragement to you: Don’t look at where you live, or what you don’t have access too, or who helped who, or why you don’t have something or my favorite one: how will I get to it, him, or that location.

Your gift will make room for you…. simple as that. When you use your gift (whether in human eyes big or small) God honors the fact that you are using what HE gave you. He will open doors that to man makes no sense.  How can HE order your steps, if you don’t take one?

Love ya,

Tamar

Why do we stop praying? Why? When? Is it because we didn’t see the signs? Or did you see the signs and it felt like the promise was taking too long?

How many times have you asked for something, but took no steps or attempts towards that thing?

Or how many times have we prayed for something, got it, and began to detest or loathe it and realize, I don’t want it anymore?

Interesting thought: if I say, “I’ve always wanted to be on the Oprah show and that’s still a desire of mine, BUT her show no longer exists, did that mean my prayer or desire wasn’t answered?”

It dawned on me: if we prayed for something and now that so called “something” no longer exist, it’s not that the prayer was unanswered, it’s that the answer is yet to be revealed and the answered is better than the thing we actually desired or wanted…

My point is: Stop limiting yourself and God. Pray for wisdom and understanding about someone or a situation. And as you make those steps, God will order them. But someone asked me “what if the steps you take are wrong?” If you seek HIS will 1st, God will honor HIS word. Trust me. Seek HIM first and when you step He will order them. And don’t be anxious for the effects of that obedient step, just STEP. Stop looking for something and understand what you do have. Regardless of your location or situation or circumstance, God will take what you have because you took what you have and create from there! He is not God, just to be God. He is God and He created you to dispel HIM in the earth. What’s the point of our existence if we can’t attest to HIS delivering power?

Think about it….

With love…

Tamar

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Step into Tyler Perry’s neighborhood, peel back the rough exterior and BEHOLD! Get on the laugh wagon as some of your favorite stage stars strut, sing and remind us, no matter how tough it gets, that laughter, faith and love are the best remedies.

Starring: Palmer Williams, Jr., Cheryl Pepsi Riley, Chandra Currelley, D’Atra Hicks, Tàmar Davis, Donny Sykes, Stephanie Ferrett, Wes Morgan, Rachel Richards, Anthony Dalton