Thursday, July 2, 2009

If you are in Atlanta...

Catch my interview today at 6:10 p.m. on AM 1260 WTJH in Atlanta! If you're not in the Atlanta area, you can listen live via the Web at http://www.am1260.wtjh.com

Listen today at 6!

Listen today at 6:10 p.m. Sean Garvey will conduct an interview about the book and new CD. Listen live via the Web!

Source: www.am1260.wtjh.com

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Adventures of a Single Lady: The Kelly Chapman Diaries 053109

I went to bed mad last night… I watched my favorite sports team not win a championship – yet again. I remembered all of the previous years of heartache. Not just from the CAVS, but from the BROWNS as well. I went to bed and said, “I am selling ALL of my season tickets! I am not going to let these Cleveland teams break my heart ever again!”

Yes, I know some of my “deep” Christians can’t relate to my passion for sports. But…

I woke up this morning in a different state of mind. I woke up this morning with my mind on Jesus. Just like the song. I “saw the sun rise, and I felt the cool winds blow”. I took a jog to my office and listened to some of the final mixes on the new CD (WOW!!). And then I felt the Holy Spirit "nudging on me" about last night. 

Yes - about last night… 

I must say, it is so refreshing that I am not feeling bad about having fornicated. I mean, it’s like the easiest thing for others to point to – YOU ARE A HEATHEN, YOU ARE HAVING SEX OUT OF WEDLOCK! Thankfully, I am good there… check the box for the sex police. 

But this morning, I was convicted about nore subtle sins - my attitude: my anger, my lack of forgiveness, and my lack of grace in wanting to give up on all of my Cleveland teams.

So, I apologize to my favorite team. CAVS, you did your very best, and may God give you an opportunity and a platform to win in the future.

The second thing I thought about this morning was how peaceful it was to wake up with my mind on Jesus. I mean, it’s a peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil 4:7). And if you knew what has been going on in my life for the past 4 months, you may be surprised that I am so peaceful. As I think about the CAVS losing, I wondered if in the minds of some of the players’ (and the mind of Mike Brown) they didn’t believe that they could actually win. I mean, what if they felt they were really good, and were excited to be so far along. But, is it possible that some of them couldn’t see themselves winning? 

I remembersomeone recommended a book called “The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance”. It really helped me as I was singing in public. Sometimes, I would really struggle with a song. In my mind, I was already feeling like I was glad to be invited, surprised to make it so far musically, and not quite sure if I could sing MY OWN SONGS. The outcome manifested in such a way that my singing engagements weren’t always consistent. If the church had a, “Hmph, let me see what she can do” look on their face, or a, “I don’t know that song??” look, I couldn’t execute. That is because in my mind. I was not sure if I could do it. So I literally choked many times. 

How many times in dating, do we choke? Remember the amazing date I recently had? Well, I left out one critical detail: Firstly, we leaned in towards each other over dessert and our eyes met as we chatted. Next, he wrapped his arm around my waist and helped me across the busy, cold and windy Seattle street. As he bid me farewell, I said, “I probably won’t hear from you again, but it was so nice meet you” 

AAAAAGGGHHH!!! 

He looked puzzled.
I looked puzzled. Like, “What did I just say???” and “WHY DID I JUST SAY THAT?” 

Clearly, in my mind, I still wasn’t sure if I could win. I wasn’t confident that I deserved the strong, tall, dark, cultured, philanthropic, spiritual, educated man that I so desire. My inner game was WEAK. I couldn’t visualize myself winning. My less-than-confident mind was focused on him never calling again.

So, I realize I must continue to think on the things of God, and be confident in the plans that He has for me. (Jer 29:11). To think on things that are lovely and pure, and to visualize myself winning at whatever God allows me to set me feet to do. Philippians 4:8 says:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

When I think good thoughts, that confidence exudes in my singing voice, on my dates, and in my life. 

So after today, no more “up and down”. In my life, I commit to not just avoid failure, but to survive, succeed, and WIN!!!

What are you focused on? Put on the whole armor of God, get out there and win!!! (Eph 6:10-18)

Please keep me posted on how you are doing.

Blessings!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Adventures of a Single Lady: The Kelly Chapman Diaries 5/11/09

I just had the most wonderful first date! I mean, he was tall dark and handsome. He was educated, well traveled, but also passionate about the community and giving back to others. 

We laughed and talked about everything... yes I told him about my music and my book (as it is obviously public information). He seemed intrigued but we didn't stay on the topic long. We had way too many other things in common.

Here is the bottom line for me... What God has for me is FOR ME. The bible says, "Above all else guard your HEART, for it is the well-spring of life". Prov 4:23. 

I could get all foggy-eyed and start floating all around the room. And never hear from this man again. I could start envisioning my white bridal gown, and picking out music for our wedding... YES it was a GREAT first date. Getting all worked up is how we women get our hearts broken, then we can't go to work, don't want to get dressed up, and we end up wallowing in our own self-developed pity party. 

Peace. Peace. Peace. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. Trust. Trust. Trust.

At this point in life, I am determined that God will knock me over with signs and signals when THE ONE is in my life. 

... And I ain't been knocked over yet.

But I do know this... my time in Seattle was amazing! He was a true gentleman and he gave me just enough kindness to make me smile all night. I am thankful and encouraged for the ongoing reaffirmations that there are still nice, talented, intelligent and FINE SINGLE MEN OUT HERE!!

Ladies be encouraged, and just wait. It is really okay.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Adventures of a Single Lady: The Kelly Chapman Diaries 05/04/09

Sunday evenings are always interesting for me. I have a pretty standard routine:
•Work out
•Enjoy morning inspiration on BET
•Go to Church 
•Cook my favorite dish: Mac n Cheese (I make a pretty mean dish)
•Prepare for my week, which usually means packing for a plane flight
•Take out the garbage: first the heavy yard bags filled with weeds and grass, then the Glad Tall Kitchen Garbage Bags, the Blue recyclable bags, and finally the paper recyclable bags. 

Sundays are also pretty standard for my neighbors. As I take out my garbage on Sundays, I watch all of my neighbors doing the same thing. The only difference is, all of my neighbors are “husbands” taking out the garbage. It’s too interesting! Me in my heels taking FOREVER, and the husbands taking two minutes!

I am traveling for a while, so at the suggestion of a FB friend, I am going to pour Ammonia all around the base of my house. It has become pretty creepy of late to come home to a quiet home – filled with all kinds of “strangers” that I am afraid to kill. Mainly: spiders, centipedes and water bugs. EWWW!!! When my daughter lived with me, she killed them. She said, “Mom what are you going to do when I am not here?” 

As of last night, I still hadn’t figured that out. 

I finally sprayed a centipede last week. However, the little bugger is still sitting on the floor because I am afraid to pick it up. One of my FB friends said he understands my situation, because he always has to kill bugs for his “wife”. How nice to have a husband to kill bugs for you!

Another thing I have to do before I travel is replace the outside flood lights. They tend to burn out pretty quickly, as they are on all of the time. So, I climbed up my ladder and replaced those two lamps as well. It looks like my landscaper didn’t show up as promised. So of course, the yard work will await me too (I actually enjoying pulling weeds, planting and putting down mulch).

Now this work is after doing laundry, cleaning the house, running errands, taking my mother around, working, singing in the studio, volunteering, mentoring, praying and interceding for others, warring in the spirit for myself, etc. I could go on and on… I lead a pretty full life. And I am truly grateful that I have the energy to do this every week. 

For some reason though, today I am tired. I know, I am a Christian so I shouldn’t complain. I am not complaining, but I am just being honest. I am TIRED, and I wish I had a husband who could go pour this doggone Ammonia around the house this morning so I could put on my cute workout gear and do some aerobics and start my day. And then later my husband could play some nice music, and we could rub each others feet and just enjoy the love we have for one another. 

No deal this morning…

And no deal tomorrow…

… but I have faith that it WILL happen one day. And it will be the RIGHT husband. One who loves me with the love outlined in 1 Corinthians 13. 

In the meantime, the Lord took me to His word and he said, “Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”

Yes, this is my friendly, loving Lord reminding me yet again – Call unto me… my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matt 11:28-30)

So I have an hour to get everything in, without a man’s help. And I am going to do just that – call unto Him this morning. I don’t have time to fret about being single; I only have time to wait for him to arrive. And be grateful that I am alive, I am healthy, I am blessed and I am able to get up. 

And YOU are blessed as well. You are blessed as a single to get a lot of things done. So be of good cheer! It is no mistake that you are single, and you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Phil 4:13). Now do like I am about to do --- GET UP, and have a wonderful week! 

GET UP I say!!!

Now where is a tissue so I can pick up this centipede? I will need a big ball of tissue for sure, but I am about to DO THIS!

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Adventures of a Single Lady: The Kelly Chapman Diaries 5/2/09

So today has been an amazing day! I started off my day making myself some eggs n cheddar with bacon (cause I don’t believe I will catch the swine flu).

Next, off to a women’s retreat hosted by Prophetess Tyear McCrary of Ecclesia Fellowship Church. They did it up: Gold chargers and glass goblets, salad, chicken marsala, etc. But most importantly, the Lord’s presence was there and he used several powerful and anointed Women of God to deliver messages on Forgiveness, Your destiny and The Storm. Then we had intercessory prayer – Whew!! I am full.

So I leave the retreat, and start driving through East Cleveland (a wonderful neighborhood full of my brothers and sisters). As I drive down Euclid Avenue, I see a beautiful dog in the middle of a busy four lane street. He looked like a toy Pomeranian. I started honking my horn so that all of the cars around me would stop. And they did – Whew Again!!

So, I see a woman who was fairly heavy, and oddly enough – not black. She was walking across the street trying to catch the dog. But she clearly could not catch him by walking. I screamed “Do you need help?” out of my window? She said “Yes”. I screeched my car to a stop in the McDonald”s driveway apron, blocking traffic. But I didn’t care. I jumped out of my car, and started running after the dog – in my dress and 5 inch stiletto heels. 

Finally, I said to the woman, “can you watch my car, and I will go get your dog?” She said, Okay. The dog ran back into the middle of Euclid Avenue. I ran into the middle of the street trying to ensure that no car would run the dog down without running me down first… Yes, True Story. My car door is wide open and my purse is on the front seat. 

The dog finally crossed to the other side and ran up the hill. I chased him up the hill in my dress, and up another side street. Neighbors are watching while hanging clothes and smoking blunts. Children are watching me. I say, “did you see a dog??” They all pointed me further up the hill. Two brothers with blunts said, “How you doin? You lookin good today.” This was AFTER I asked them to piick up the dog!!! No gentleman in the vicinity???

I kept running. 

Finally, a blue van stopped to grab the dog unsuccesfully. But both the dog and the blue van turned into the same driveway. The dog ran into the backyard. Another non-black man got out of the van. I said, “are you the owner of the dog, and the wife of the woman down the street?’ He said, “That is my daughter and yes. He got loose. We are trying to move out of this home. He someone got away as I was loading up the van.”

So I ran all the way down the hill to check on my car. She had closed the door, and was waiting there. As I got closer I looked carefuly and she appeared to be someone who may have Down’s Syndrome. And she was the sweetest person! I offered her a ride up the hill but she decided to walk. 

I can’t believe I chased a dog like it was my own child in the street!! And I can’t believe that my “peeps” would watch the whole thing and not help. I mean, has the world gotten to the point of, “it is all about me and my blunt????” No gentleman??? No superman??? Got it.

I am thankful that the dog is safe and sound. 

Now onto the single diary: Dinner with a good friend. I gotta tell you, today was a day of tremendous blessings. I had been praying about this “friend” for a while. Today the Lord revealed all of my answers. It was like he turned into different person… I was in shock listening to what he was saying tonight. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh (Matt 12:34). He even spoke things about the Lord that shocked me. But it was so good to hear. Because now I know how to pray for him, and also I know - that I know - that I know… we won’t ever date again. Thank you Jesus! 

I was able to tell him that I wish him God’s best, a deeper walk with Him, and blessings to his family, his career, his love life, but that I ain’t the one. And I can stand here and say, “Thank you God!!” Tonight, I feel like I was knocked over, but I feel like I bounced back with power!

So, as I write and share in my public diary, I pray that someone needs to hear this today. Someone needs to know that if you ask God to share with you, HE WILL!. (Jeremiah 33:3) He will reveal things to you. Ladies, He will tell you if the man in your life is right for you. And God has been faithful in my situation to move many of the knuckleheads out of the way, so I didn’t have to figure it out myself.

Wait, I say, WAIT on the Lord! He is never late… There is nothing like being in the perfect will of God. What joy! What peace! Wait, I say! 

I am.

Next!

I want to share a song that has blessed me over the years. What a coincidence that an old friend put it in my inbox this evening. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfX8EgQqnnI&feature=related

Yes! ...In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.


Sunday, April 26, 2009

The Adventures of a Single Lady: The Kelly Chapman Diaries - 4/26/09

As a "kick-off" to my new fan page, I hope to share my journey with everyone. Both my journey as a single lady and my journey in music, while getting your feedback and input along the way. 

In addition, as I travel the country, I meet so many men and women who are willing to share their stories. It felt like I could put my pajamas on, sit by the fireplace and chat until morning sometimes. So please feel free to share your stories also!

If you read my book, you know that I am pretty honest. So I hope my transparency will be helpful and enjoyable for my readers. 

Let’s get started:

So I tried the online thing for a while - what an adventure! So many people looking for sex. I mean, since when did you need to pay money to find someone to sleep with!! Is it that hard to find sex?? Whew!! 

On a different note, I am still waiting on that good man who I talk about in my book “Real: The Truth about Being Single with Kelly Chapman". And it has been a wild ride! High days and low days. But what I have become through this entire journey is even stronger and more resolved to wait for God to send the right man in my life. I thank Him for moving the knuckleheads away before they could break my heart… That in ITSELF has been the biggest blessing in the last year. 

So, I read a guys profile online. I shared it with one of my girlfriends and she said, “Who would want a guy like that??” I said, “uhh, ME”. She said, “I don’t want a man washing my hair!” I replied, “The things he lists are things that to me, signify true intimacy.” It is not all about 'bumping and grinding'. It’s about knowing my needs and being there for me in every way. I’m talking about 'getting in my head'.” She disagreed. 

I shared it with a male friend, and he said, “That is all lies. He doesn’t do all of that!” 

Hmmm… I never found out if it was or wasn’t a lie. But I will say this: it made my day to read about a man who really knows what a woman wants. 

Or at least what Kelly Chapman wants. 

Take a read, and I would love your feedback:

“Okay ladies I will start this off by telling you what I am. I am the man who will... (deeeeeep breath) Be there in a pinch, support your goals, change the diapers, (even yours) defend your honor, accept your mother, (and maybe your cat if you have one) change your oil, take out the trash, keep the lights on, wash your car, open your door, (to get in and out) blow on your scrapes if you fall, (doesn't that feel better?) attend your church, (you're pushing it) listen to you, (no, really!) enquire about your day, practice foreplay, accept your pouch, (if you have one) kill the spiders, fill the gas tank while you relax inside, drive the car, (even to the mall) massage your neck, rub your back and your feet, wash your hair, wash you, (sloooowly) cook (breakfast and I'm a master on the grill) aaaaaaand be faithful!

I will lay this out in its entirety because time is so precious and I am not into wasting yours or mine. I am looking for a woman who is... Independent, funny, assertive, sweet, a cook (pleeeeeease know how, a woman who can't cook is like a man who can't fix anything) adventurous, intelligent, humble, honest, (with yourself first, then me) SINGLE!!!!, (no legally seperated, special friends or emergency d***s in a jar please) mentally stable, (I bust your windows is just a song ladies!) attractive, (if only in your own mind) motherly, (believe me it helps) employed, (no elaboration needed) and last but not least, beautiful. (on the inside)

Okay here is what I am not. (not so deeeep breath) I am not... Selfish, a lier, (please accept the truth) game player, bearer of bad credit, (above 750, wow!) insecure of you no matter how successful you are, on the down-low, broke, full of crap, living at home, fat, violent, childish, deadbeat father, aaaaand unfaithful! (That about covers it)”


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Thoughts? Is this the truth or lies? Am I the only woman on the planet who wants this? Please share - thanks and have a blessed week!