Are We REALLY Listening?

Just thought this bared repeating...

Please Listen
When I ask you to listen to me
and you start giving me advice,
you have not done what I asked.
When I ask you to listen to me
and you begin to tell me why I shouldn't feel that way,
you are trampling on my feelings.
When I ask you to listen to me
and you feel you have to do something
to solve my problem,
you have failed me, strange as that may seem.
Listen!
All I ask is that you listen.
Don't talk or do - just hear me.
Advice is cheap - 20 cents will get you both
Dear Abby and Billy Graham in the same newspaper.
And I can do for myself; I am not helpless.
Maybe discouraged and faltering, but not helpless.
When you do something for me that I can
and need to do for myself,
you contribute to my fear and inadequacy.
But when you accept as a simple fact
that I feel what I feel, no matter how irrational,
then I can stop trying to convince you
and get about this business of understanding
what's behind this irrational feeling.
And when that's clear, the answers are obvious
and I don't need advice.
Irrational feelings make sense
when we understand what's behind them.
Perhaps that's why prayer works - sometimes -
for some people, because God is mute.
and he doesn't give advice or try to fix things.
God just listens and lets you work it out for yourself.
So please listen, and just hear me.
And if you want to talk,
wait a minute for your turn,
and I will listen to you.
Author Unknown

Justified

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” ~Mahatma Gandhi

As usual, I was doing some reasearch and came across this quote.  It struck a chord within me on several levels.  I think it is amazing how we are taught to protect ourselves, from skinned knees to fighting.  Yet in still, we are never really taught how to be vulnerable.  Consequently, when one has wronged us, we have trouble forgiving them, as we feel as though we are owed some debt that they must in turn pay.  This is the way of the world, or so I thought. 

I'm finding that even in the world of Christianity, we still have trouble with this concept, yet we are so quick to quote that Christ died for our sins.  If he truly died for our sins, how much more are we able to forgive others for their shortcomings? Looking at Ghandi's quote, it really does take a strong individual to forgive another, to walk away and say, "You owe me nothing."  We think that this makes a person appear weak.  After all, what kind of person walks away from a conflict with nothing?  What kind of person would do such a thing? 

I like to think that it does indeed make us stronger.  It takes a stronger person to be the bigger person and forgive.  It takes a stronger person to take the high road, so to speak.  It takes a stronger person to wipe the slate clean, as if the transgression had never been committed.  It takes a stronger person, who, even though they by all rights and standards, may be owed something, who may be justified, to say that the relationship means more than  my ego, and toss the offense aside into the sea of forgetfulness.  I believe even more now, that Ghandi was on to something of which we have no true concept of, and that is the mere fact that forgiveness truly is an attribute of the strong....by the Grace of God....Selah...

Transparently Honest

I was praying this morning, and I had a random thought.  I wonder how many of us have had a skinned knee, or a broken bone?  Seems simple enough right?  At one point in time, we have all had some ailment of some sort that has taken time to heal.  Our wounds are public..at age 7, when we fell and skinned our knees, it was almost a badge of honor to say that we has a boo-boo.  Face it.  When you fell, you went to your mother, who kissed it, put a Band-Aid on it and said, "All Better..."  When you went to get that bone repaired, you were put in a cast, which you proudly allowed others to sign.

Yet, as adults, we seem to have a hard time with the emotional aspects of life.  We hurt without knowing why, and even if we did, how many of us are willing to admit it?  What happens to us from the age of 7 to adulthood?  Do we even cast it onto Him?  I think it is time to be transparently honest about who we are in Christ, and begin to allow Him to heal us...Selah...

Wow!! This was ON Time....

BEFORE YOU CAN MOVE AHEAD




“Arise…go…to the land which I am giving to [you].” Jos 1:2 NKJV



Joshua had already tasted the joys of the Promised Land. But now he had to go back and wait until Moses died and every doubter in Israel was buried. Observe: (1) Some of our old ways must die. Moses represented the old system. It was good for then, but not now. When you align yourself with what was, instead of what is, you’re not ready. There are still too many folks you need to impress. You’re so bound by certain philosophies that when God says it’s time to move, you have to consult somebody else. When God told Joshua, “Moses My servant is dead…arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them,” there was only one correct response: “Yes, Lord!” You must honor the past, but not get stuck in it. You must stand on the truth, but seek God for fresh instructions and insights if you’re to reach your destiny. (2) Your doubts must be buried. Only two out of the twelve spies who went into the Promised Land believed God would give it to them. The other ten saw giants, caved in to doubt, died and were buried in the wilderness. And every doubt that’s holding you back has got to die and be buried too, including the voice of your low self-esteem, your childhood fears, your anxieties and your critics. Gather them up, put them in a box, bury it, stand on top of it and say, “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.” Before you can move ahead you must understand and live by these principles.

Imagine Me...

For some reason, I woke up this morning with the following song in my heart:

Imagine me

Loving what I see when the mirror looks at me cause I

I imagine me

In a place of no insecurities

And I'm finally happy cause

I imagine me

Letting go of all of the ones who hurt me

Cause they never did deserve me

Can you imagine me?

Saying no to thoughts that try to control me

Remembering all you told me

Lord, can you imagine me?

Over what my mama said

And healed from what my daddy did

And I wanna live and not read that page again

Imagine if we lived these words on a daily basis...what would our lives be?  The trouble is, we have the option to live our lives this way...totally free from the judgment of others and in the love of our Fathers.  My challenge is that we aspire to live our lives in this manner..free and safe in His Love...Selah

Undying Faith...

Wow...It has bee a minute since I wrote anything.  This mainly because I have been so busy that I haven't had a chance to do so...but I'm BACK!!! 

One of the things I am really learning in this season is how to have faith, unconditional faith, undying faith...the kind of faith that sees-nothing-but-believes-all kind of faith.  I woke up this morning, and for whatever reason, Romans 8:38-39 came to mind:

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is the kind of faith of which I am speaking.  This faith says that while everything seems impossible, with Him all things are possible.  In this season of my life, I have found that those things I have given up on are slowly starting to come to pass.  I have come to grips with the realization that God loves me so much that He allows things to happen FOR my good.  Notice, I didn't say that they were all good, but they work together FOR my good.  These are the kind of events that we experience years down the road, and can look back and say, "Wow...that's why I went through that..."  Now, just take a moment, pause and think of the GOODNESS of Jesus, and ALL that he has done for YOU...because he LOVES YOU!!!  Isn't that enough to have faith?? Selah...

Smile!!

So, Have you ever had one of those instances where it seems like the world has come down on your shoulders?  Of course you have..we have all been there.  At times, it seems as though as soon as you climb one hurdle, there is another one waiting for you.  Some would argue that this is life, while some others would say that this is a run of bad luck.  Being a Christian, I do not believe in the latter, although I would venture to say that God orchestrates certain events to happen so that He may receive Glory.  It is relatively easy to sink and wallow in a pit of self-pity and despair.  However, if you look in the Bible and flip to the end, it says...WE WIN!!! So we have to smile, even when things don't seem as they should be.  We are victorious, even when it looks as though our backs are against the wall.  We are the children of a KING....so SMILE!!!  Selah...

My Love Song

I am in love with you...
You are the one I adore
The lover of my soul,
The one that makes me complete.

Never knew who I was until I found you.

It is because of you that daily I rise
Gathering in the fields...
I sing unto you songs of praise....
For it is your name I long to hear...
Your face I desire to see..

The Real Me

So, I just had one of those defining moments...the kind that change your world view forever.  For so long, I was always the person that was closed off, and had my own personal boundaries.  Those boundaries were known only by me, and most people didn't find out they existed until they crossed one.  For years, I lived my life this way, because I was afraid that anyone who got inside of my boundaries would hurt me.  In theory, it sounds like a good idea...

"Hey, I'm gonna live my life the way I see fit, in the MANNER in which I see fit, and there is nothing that anyone can do to stop me.  This is the way I've been and will continue to be...so deal with it!  I'm not going to stop being me to accommodate any of you...." 

The reality is, while I was so busy building my life in this manner, I failed to realize that the same people I kept out because I didn't want them to hurt me, couldn't get inside to LOVE me.  I have absolutely no CLUE as to why I am going this route today...only to say that maybe it will help encourage someone.  I find myself more and more transparent these days, with little to no recourse for how it makes me look.  Of course, I battled with that as well. 

But my defining moment came when God said to me...I love you anyway...now to others it may seem so small, but I always saw love as conditional...surely God can't love me through THIS.  But I realized that He does, and He loves me enough to put people around me to show that unconditional love.  Because of that, I have no choice but to show His love to others.  This morning, I was in the car in a full CRY on my way to work, because I was just so overwhelmed with His presence.  It has not been an easy process, this breaking.  I have never wanted or desired His presence as much as I do now.  I will be honest, days are not always easy.  But I would rather have 100 hard days with Him than 1 easy one by myself.  Now for ME, that's a Selah...

It is a Choice!!

Nuff Said...

Are YOU Willing to Sacrifice?

So, I awoke this morning with the following on my heart....too often we want God to give us something, but how often are we really honest about what it is that we truly want?  How often are we honest about where we are?  We want a change, but what does that mean?  Are you willing to do what He has asked you to do...to submit?  Just my thoughts...Selah...

You Won't Suceed if You Don't Try...From the Word for You Today Devotional

“A righteous man may fall seven times and rise again.” Pr 24:16 NKJV
The Psalmist wrote: “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word” (Ps 119:67 NKJV). By doing it the wrong way, he eventually learned to do it the right way. The truth is, when you fail in one area, it can drive you to explore other areas. Most of life’s successes are based on the principle of trial and error. Often failure is not falling short of your goal, it’s simply not making the effort. Failure can actually help you discover your area of success. For example, when you hate your job you will likely fail in it. Yet it’s in losing that hated position that you may be pressed to pursue what you really like to do, and are called to do.

Another benefit of failure is that it makes you less judgmental of others. When you’ve experienced failure you become more sympathetic. Instead of pointing an accusing finger, you see the need to extend a helping hand. Instead of saying foolish things like, “I can’t believe you did that,” you remember the pit God dug you out of and say with gratitude and humility, “Been there, done that, got the tee-shirt.” You know how it hurts to fail, and you feel their pain because of what you’ve been through. This makes you a better friend, a better mentor, and a better example of grace. Jesus told Peter: “Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren” (Lk 22:31-32 NKJV).

Nuff Said!!!

So, I was talking to one of my friends today, and I came to a clear realization.  Ultimately, it doesn't matter what we say or do, people have their own perceptions of us.  We have to get to a point where we are content with and happy seeing ourselves the way God see us...Selah...

Ministry!!

Sometimes, I pick up weird quotes from odd places...I saw this and thought it beared repeating...

You don't realize that if you stop looking backwards craving the love and acceptance
which you didn't receive from your parents, then you might open your eyes to
what is available for you now. But you won't let go. If only you could see that
looking back into an incomplete and imperfect past, with regret, blame, guilt
or resentment is keeping you from the treasures that await you here now.
The past has gone. You cannot rectify something that is no longer with you.
Leonard Jacobson

Had to Steal This One...

Hopeless Romantic

I am hopelessly and wrecklessly in love with YOU...
Just the mere thought of you makes my heart skip a beat.

I anxiously, feverishly and desperately look forward to our time together
Every moment has me panting and wanting more.

When it feels as though you turn your back on me,
I am devastated, for your are my rock, my everything.

I am hopelessly and wrecklessly in love with YOU...
I can't imagine my life without your presence.

For you I live and for you I'll die...
Because of you, I have it all

Every hair on my head is numbered,
You knew me before I came to be.

I am HOPELESSLY and WRECKLESSLY in love with YOU...
You feed my spirit, you understand the depths of me.

Yet, without saying,
For as much as I am HOPELESSLY and WRECKLESSLY in love with YOU...

Your LOVE for ME is an infinity's more...
Your LOVE amazes me...

And yet,  I am STILL...
HOPELESSLY and WRECKLESSLY in love with YOU...

Selah...

Revisiting...

As I awoke this morning, the following thought occured to me...how do you know if you have grown or matured?  Of course, this would be the kind of thing that only makes sense to me, but I often wonder.  I open my devotional and this is the scripture reference for today:

Hebrews 6:1 So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deedst and placing our faith in God.

This was coupled with the following:

1 Peter 3:9 9  Never return evil for evil or insult for insult (scolding, tongue-lashing, berating), but on the contrary blessing [praying for their welfare, happiness, and protection, and truly pitying and loving them]. For know that to this you have been called, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing [from God--that you may obtain a blessing as heirs, bringing welfare and happiness and protection.

This was a veritable slap in the face for me, not because those are regular behaviors, but because the most minute of details would constitute sin.  We have to get to the place where we are spiritually mature in Christ, moving from the question phase to that of the application phase.  This is where we know we are moving forward in the things of God.  Have you ever wondered how is it that one person seems to propel forward in an accelerated manner?  I compare it to students who like one subject more than another.  For one student, math may come easily, and they move forward through their math classes.  That same student may struggle in reading, and as a result need more life application.  However, growth in reading may be marked by moving towards another grade level, whereas in math, that may be moving two grade levels.  The growth is still there, but not necessarily at the same rate.  We still have to be cognizant of our own growth and development and move forward from there.  I brought up my study of Psalms a few weeks back, and I think it applies here.  Last night, my pastor asked various individuals which scriptures governed their daily lives.  If I had to pick a scripture, it would have to be Psalms 51:17, where it states

17  My sacrifice [the sacrifice acceptable] to God is a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart [broken down with sorrow for sin and humbly and thoroughly penitent], such, O God, You will not despise. (AMP)

For me, this governs everything.  Is my life acceptable to Christ?  Am I walking in humility towards Him?  Can my humilty be demonstrated in my actions towards others? 

While I could have chosen anything on which  to write, sometimes you have to go back to the basics, back to the place from whence you started.  Today, I decided to revisit that....Selah...

Rose Colored Glasses

So, have you ever noticed that if something is good, then it is GREAT.  On the other hand, if something is bad, then it is TERRIBLE.  What I'm saying is that for whatever reason, we have a tendency to overemphasize or overexagerate our memories.  I think that memories aer what they are, and there is nothing that we can do to change that. 

What happens is that we tend to look at our pasts through rose colored classes...as the song goes, and it implies that we either focus on one aspect or another.  We look upon painful memories with the attachments that they create in our mind.  The images play again and again...why allow that?  Make the choice to not remember...make the choice to learn from situations and move foward.  Only then can you take off the rose colored glasses...Selah...

Word For You Today -- Online Devotionals: Learn to Delegate

Word For You Today -- Online Devotionals: Learn to Delegate: “This job is too heavy…to handle…by yourself.” Ex 18:18 NLT President Reagan said, “Surround yourself with the best people y...

All in Season

I woke up this morning with the following scripture in my spirit:

Ecclesiastes 3

1 TO EVERYTHING there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven...

We use this scripture when we talk about seasons in our lives...similar to the planting season and the reaping season, our lives go in and out of seasons...we speak of seasons as a continuous event, like growing perennials, which bloom and die each year.  If we look further at the scripture,  it says,

2  A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted, 3  A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build up,

So is the going in and out of seasons a separate event, or a continous one?  Selah...

From the Word for You Today Devotional....

Another Great Post that I had to Repost!!

Change Can Happen for You!




“And he…said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’” Rev 21:5



Observe: (1) Change means accepting risk. Your anxiety will kick in and say, “What if I don’t get the job? What if the economy fails? What if I make the effort to change but they don’t?” We like ironclad guarantees. The predictable feels less threatening than sticking our necks out. But the price of our security often means remaining stuck with the status quo. Sometimes your greatest risk is taking no risk at all! God often requires you to leave the path that feels and looks safe, for the one that feels and looks risky. “Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for…the proof of things [we] do not see” (Heb 11:1 AMP). Your faith is foolproof assurance, God’s confirmation, the title deed guaranteeing that the change you want will take place if you act on it. (2) Change will happen if failure is not allowed to stop you. Fear of failing often stops us from trying, yet many of God’s best people experienced failure on their way to success. Consider Abraham, Moses, Elijah, David, etc. All of them succeeded only after dealing with personal failure. Indeed, the richest, most profound change often happens after we’ve tasted failure. Until then we tend to be cocky and of not much use to God. Peter failed the Lord miserably, and at the most crucial moment (See Mt 26:72). But he grew, becoming Christ’s choice to lead His newly empowered church on the Day of Pentecost, winning three thousand souls (See Ac 2). Don’t let failure stop you!

Why Do We Have Memories?

Hebrews 10:17 He concludes, I'll forever wipe the slate clean of their sins.18 Once sins are taken care of for good, there's no longer any need to offer sacrifices for them.



I woke with the Joann Rosario song "I Hear You Say" in my spirit.  It's one of my favorite worship songs for a myriad of reasons.  When she recorded that song, Joann Rosario suffered from a condition known as vocal nodules, which caused her to lose her speaking and singing voice for over a year.  She recorded this song while her voice was failing her, and I think it is magnificient that she was able to fight through that.

Anywho, it got me to thinking about our memories...those deep portions in our souls that house the chronicles of our lives.  God has given us memories, and we have that ability, but at times the enemy uses our memories to attach something negative to our lives and destiny.  For some reason, I traveled to Hebrews 10:17, which is stated above, but I'll say it again:

Hebrews 10:17 He concludes, I'll forever wipe the slate clean of their sins.18 Once sins are taken care of for good, there's no longer any need to offer sacrifices for them.

If God has the ability to wipe our slates clean, why do we hold on to the memories of our own iniquities?  He has covered all, forgiven all and forgotten all...so why do we still remember? perhaps we should take heed from God and simply forget...  Just my own moment...selah

Wow...Now FAITH!!

This morning, I woke up at 5am...for the second morning in a row.  At this juncture, whenever such an event happens, I look to God and say, what are you trying to tell me?  Only God wakes me up at that hour.  For some strange reason, I felt the need to cleanse, and while this in no way implies that I am not open, at times, we have a tendency to become complacent, and would rather not deal with certain issues that may arise within our lives.  This is largely because we choose not to make a change as it requires us to step out on our parts, which we are not always willing to do.  I can only guess that  cleansing is a step toward purification, which is required for Him.  While this is definitely not a comfortable process...I embrace the change that He has for me.  For the first time though, I have NO clue of what He has, nor do I know the direction in which He is taking me.  For me, that's a NOW FAITH moment for me!!! Selah...

Wow...A REAL Revelation.

Wow...this season has really provided me with the time I needed to think...one of the things that I am very quickly realizing is that people say and do things for them.  It has absolutely NOTHING to do with who you are as a person, your disposition, or any of the like.  People simply respond to events based on their own experiences and thoughts.  It is up to us as to whether or not we turn on our filters and allow things in, or shut them out.  What happens is that we ultimately get caught up in what a person says, and we fail to put up our filter, or take it down.  My advice today is to try the spirit by the spirit and take the best gauge in dealing with people...saw this and thought it applied:


The truth is that we can learn to condition our minds, bodies, and emotions to link pain or pleasure to whatever we choose. By changing what we link pain and pleasure to, we will instantly change our behaviors.
Tony Robbins 


Not one my normal posts, but just had to get this out of my system....

It's All Coming Together Now..

So, I woke up this morning at 5am...like my eyes literally popped open at 5.  That RARELY happens.  I lay for a moment, running my mental to do list..then I open to Psalms and begin to read...and for some reason Psalm 47 seemed to minister to me:

Psalm 47


For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah.

1 Come, everyone! Clap your hands!
Shout to God with joyful praise!2 For the LORD Most High is awesome.
He is the great King of all the earth.3 He subdues the nations before us,
putting our enemies beneath our feet.4 He chose the Promised Land as our inheritance,
the proud possession of Jacob’s descendants, whom he loves.
Interlude5 God has ascended with a mighty shout.
The LORD has ascended with trumpets blaring.6 Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises!7 For God is the King over all the earth.
Praise him with a psalm.t8 God reigns above the nations,
sitting on his holy throne.9 The rulers of the world have gathered together
with the people of the God of Abraham.
For all the kings of the earth belong to God.
He is highly honored everywhere.

And it hit me...even in times of trouble, we are expected to PRAISE the name of the LORD.  This may seem hard to do, as we often get wrapped up in our present situations.  However, when you look at ALL that He has done, as referenced by this Psalm...how can you NOT praise Him?  Yes, it is a mindset change...saying I will exalt the Lord at all time, His praise shall continuously be in my  mouth.  As if that didn't bring it home for me, when I read the devotional for today, it outlines steps as to how change can happen for you:

1. You must be willing to change unconditionally. 

This means that no matter what it takes, you have to be willing to make the change.  I had a conversation in which it was stated that God is pleased when he sees you have the heart to change...this means that you have the resolve in your heart that you are going to change and are willin to do so...

2.  You must accept the truth that means letting go of the past.

Even though we go back to what is familiar, in order to change, you have to LET IT GO!!  You can't hold on to what was, or wasnt.  Romans 12:2 says "Be not conformed to the pattern of this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind..."  I have stood on that scripture for I don't know how long, and it still rings true.  Every day that you awaken means that your yesterday didn't defeat you.  You have the opportunity to start fresh, anew, restored...in all honesty, if there are things or people that hinder you from that, then LET IT GO!

So...how does this come together?  You have basic instructions for daily living, and you have the choice to make the change within you, or you can remain stagnant.  As for me, I have made the choice to move forward into all that is destined for me....Selah...

From the Word for You Today Blog...

Change Can Happen for You! 

“And he…said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’” Rev 21:5

The Bible’s story is one of change from Genesis, the book of “beginnings,” to Revelation, where God says: “Behold, I make all things new.” Whatever your situation today, change is possible through Him. However often you’ve repented, confessed and tried changing, God can change what you can’t—and make it last. But change requires understanding certain principles. Let’s look at them: (1) You don’t need to change others in order to change your life. “I’d be happier if he’d stop…” “Things won’t improve for me until she…” Such beliefs make you focus on the problem and not the solution, ignore realistic options and feed depression. “Make a careful exploration of who you are…take responsibility for …your own life” (Gal 6:4-5 TM). Instead of trying to change others, which only produces resistance and resentment, let God show you what you need to do differently to improve your handling of the problem. When you stop doing what doesn’t work and change your reactions to the problem, others often change spontaneously. (2) True change begins by addressing your relationship with God. Bitterness and frustration over problems just result in distancing from God, leaving you to handle the issue in your own strength. Surrendering to Him changes you fundamentally, challenging pride, envy, resentment, fear, dishonesty, etc.—characteristics of poor change management. “Let's take a good look at the way we're living and reorder our lives under God” (Lam 3:40 TM). With “our lives under God,” we’re more honest, self-aware, able to perceive realistically; we’re respectful, and prepared to become God’s change agents.

Wow....My God...the FIGHTER

So...It is something about Psalms!!  This entire book is giving me LIFE right now....to say the least.  Let me start at the beginning. It says in 46:1..."God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble..." (NLT)  To me, that suggests that when you don't feel his presence, he is ready to jump in to the rescue if  you NEED him....

I have felt all week long that I was fighting this fight by myself, that I always had to be the strong one, the one who had to hold everything together.  This can be a gift and a curse, as when you do have those moments of weakness, it is often difficult to find someone on whom you can lean.  This has always been my private hell, and this has been a cross that I carried silently.  After all, how do you let people know that you need HELP?  To me, to admit that was to admit that I was weak, and I was taught never to be weak.  I don't know why I am sharing this...perhaps it will help someone. 

Soooo....to make a long story short, had lunch with a friend, who told me...it is okay to be weak.  You don't have to be strong ALL the time.  Yes, I had heard this before, and even said it to myself, but on today, when she spoke that...it somehow restored me.  I remembered what I read this morning in Psalms...."He is ALWAYS ready to help in times of trouble..."  To have a God that is that vigilant for your success that he is WILLING to help in times of trouble...that breathes life to me, and lets me know that I don't have to do it on my own....now THAT'S a Selah....

My DADDY Loves ME!!

Psalm 37:23  The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step].24  Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord grasps his hand in support and upholds him...


Doesn't it make you feel good that no matter what that trial may be, the Father truly supports you and LOVES you EVERY step of the way?  For some reason, Psalms is ministering to me this week!! David spoke of everything that he viewed the Father as being...and having a Father like that motivates me to want to be just like Him more and more each day!!! Selah...

ONE Day at a TIME...

So, have you ever had one of those days where it seems as though you are overwhelmed? That was me this morning.  Going through the processes, we can often get caught up in the end result, when in actuality we had to take things slow.  For example, when learning to walk, we first had to learn to crawl.  We had to practice before we could finally get behind the wheel of a car by ourselves.  We had to go through introductory courses before we can go on to other forms of higher education.  We think of these things as being automatic, the logical progression and order of things.

Yet for me, I get inside the end result.  I think of things in the big picture, rather than the small details.  I was talking to a good friend of mine and I was expressing my frustration...'WHEN WILL THIS BE OVER'!! Was my big question.  My friend calmly states, "it is over when it is over...how do you walk?"  I think it over for a minute, then respond...."one step at a time..."  The truth is, I can only do things one step at a time...I tell my students that they can only answer one question at a time when they are taking a test.  I tell them to stop, breathe, and calm down.  The test isn't going anywhere...Whatever it is you are going through, whatever you have endured, or not endured...take a deep breath....calm down...the test isn't going anywhere, that is until you pass it.  With each small victory, you can move on to and celebrate larger victories.  When you learned to walk, there were many times where you stumbled and fell.  What did you do?  Don't remember?  I will tell you.  You dusted yourself off, and got back up and attempted to walk again.  You did this until you mastered walking....even in your adult life, there were times that you overstepped, or stumbled, and in the process got bruised along the way.  Because you KNOW you have the ability to walk, you dust yourself off, pick yourself up and commence to walking again.

This was the revelation I received...when walking through a process or season in our lives, we have to take it ONE day at a time.  We can become so wrapped up in our end result that we fail to appreciate the process.  We have to walk out our processes ONE day at a time, ONE victory at a time, until we have proven victorious.  Yes, there will be times where we stumble and fall along the way.  Just as if we are learning to walk, we have to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and commence to walking until we perfect the work...We have to ENDURE, one day at a time...Selah...

Word For You Today -- Online Devotionals: “Just Enough”

Again, this ministered to me!! You should follow this blog:

Word For You Today -- Online Devotionals: “Just Enough”: “Each family had just what it needed.” Ex 16:18 NLT In the wilderness God provided His people with manna so...

How He LOVES....

Wow...I just had a revelating thought...we go through things with our friends, and often we wonder of how they see us.  Do you look at me differently?  Is she the same person?  And so on and so forth.  Never once do we stop to ask how God sees us.  The amazing thing is, we don't have to.  God's love for us is so immense, so all encompassing, that we never concern ourselves of if He will ever leave or forsake us.  For some reason, the song, "How He Loves" came to me, and the words came right alive immediately: 

He is jealous for me

Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy
When all of a sudden
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
And I realise just how beautiful You are
And how great Your affections are for me

So that means, no matter what happens, what the trial may be, because He loves us and is so consumed with our well being, that He gets GLORY from it all....now THAT'S a Selah...

Psalms is ON it!!

Ok...this whole chapter ministered to  me this morning....HAD to post!!!

Psalms 32
1 BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, to be envied) is he who has forgiveness of his transgression continually exercised upon him, whose sin is covered.2 Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3 When I kept silence [before I confessed], my bones wasted away through my groaning all the day long.4 For day and night Your hand [of displeasure] was heavy upon me; my moisture was turned into the drought of summer. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!5 I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord [continually unfolding the past till all is told]--then You [instantly] forgave me the guilt and iniquity of my sin. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!6 For this [forgiveness] let everyone who is godly pray--pray to You in a time when You may be found; surely when the great waters [of trial] overflow, they shall not reach [the spirit in] him.7 You are a hiding place for me; You, Lord, preserve me from trouble, You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!8 I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.9 Be not like the horse or the mule, which lack understanding, which must have their mouths held firm with bit and bridle, or else they will not come with you.10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he who trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on the Lord shall be compassed about with mercy and with loving-kindness.11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you [uncompromisingly] righteous [you who are upright and in right standing with Him]; shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

Word For You Today -- Online Devotionals: The Importance of Waiting

Again, something I though bared repeating....enjoy!

Word For You Today -- Online Devotionals: The Importance of Waiting: “Let patience have her perfect work.” Jas 1:4 Have you been asking God, “Why do I have to wait so ...

Transparency

This morning, I awoke with the notion of what it truly meant to be transparent.  We think that we have a clear understanding of this concept, but it is one of those things that one can only experience to understand.  I once heard a saying, "Character is who you are when no one is looking."  I would like to add to that idiom by saying that transparency is the willingness to show who you really are when no one is looking.

 I was reading this morning in my devotional time, and the thought came to me....whenever we think we have it all together, God has the ability to humble us like no one else could.  He sees our true, transparent selves, the way we are when no one is looking.  For us to share that person shows our walk with Christ, how far we have come, and allows us to be used by Him for whatever His purpose may be.  Again, I go back to the saying, "if you want to impress someone, tell them of your successes....if you want to impact someone, tell them of your failures..."  Oh to be used by Him!! Selah...

The Words of Your Mouth

So, I am toying with the notion of journaling on a longer basis...that is, turning my thoughts into a chronicle of sorts.  One would have to wonder, why would someone do that?  For me, it goes back to the notion that people are impressed by your successes, but they are impacted by your failures.  To me, I wonder, what will my legacy be on this earth?  Not that I am so important, but rather, how will life be made better because I am in it?  One of the things that has been laid on my heart as of here recently is that of stopping and preventing child abuse of any sort.  I think it is a tragedy that children suffer at the hands of incompetent adults, who do not deserve their presence.  To me, a child is a gift from God, and should be treasured as such. 

I am in no way getting on my high horse, but perhaps maybe, by reading something I have written someone is able to prevent this cause.  Maybe, as a result someone's life will have meaning.  I think that we have a duty to share with othes our stories so that we are not bound by them any longer, and by so doing, we allow others to gain their freedom.  Maybe that is just my idealistic view of the world....but for me, that's what brings meaning to me.  Dare to share your thoughts and words, dare to be HUMAN, and allow others to do the same by showing them that they are not alone in the struggle.  Selah...

Let it Go....

Ecc 3:1  TO EVERYTHING there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven...

This is such a simple scripture, yet it is profound at the same time.  In the natural, this indicates a planting or a harvest time, or a literal season change, from fall to winter to spring to summer and so forth.  In the spiritual, there is a progression; a time for certain things to occur and time for things to begin and end. 

This in no way indicates a positive or a negative, just simply an end.  More often than not, we look at a season ending as though something bad were occurring, however we never look at it in this manner in nature.  We have to go through a season of cold weather to allow things to rest in order to bring forth new life.  We have to go through a season of heat to prepare for the winter season....this is just the natural order of things, and it is never questioned.  Why then, do we question our own seasonal changes in our lives?  The same holds true as with nature, it doesn't indicate a negative end, just an end.  My prayer in this season is that God would change me...bring me to the place that He has designed for me.  Have you thought about what God has for you during your season change?  Begin to let go of those things that are not of Him and embrace, or run to His presence....Selah....

Favor

You ask of me, how do I succeed?
Is it because I know the road
Know the ropes
Know their kind?

You ask of me, how do I succeed?
Not because I’m better
Or because you’re worse
But because I put Him first.

You ask of me, how do I succeed?
I tell you, its favor.

Favor takes you where knowledge stops
When its time for favor it just drops
Its because of favor that I often find,
The meek and the mild are often next in line.

You ask of me how do I succeed?
Its not because of who I know or how I talk
Favor, you see is a part of the walk
Not with man in this land


Its all a part of God’s plan
People may shout and pout
Favor ain’t fair
But you don’t know the way I got there

One evening in late May
It was on that fateful day
My life was forever changed, you see
Because I stepped into my destiny.

That day God said, I need to shine
My everlasting light on child of mine
Sitting in that chair little does she know
What is about to manifest from a seed sown


Life for her is about to change
Now sit in the seat of my fast lane

As I sat and wept I knew it was time
To take my place at the end of the line
We were led out and then I knew
There was a purpose, a fresh start and life anew

It was on that day that I moved from death to life
The day of my destiny, my favor

With one choice my life is forever changed
Now as I walk I have new plans
Involving the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost
Covering the places I needed them the most.

So you see, it’s not due to me that I succeed
There is a greater power, I have greater need
The God that I live for,
He desires more


More than me and others you see
He wants to change your life
The way He changed mine
Favor ain’t fair, but keep in mind


When you pass from death to life
That puts you in line
Your destiny, your purpose and plan
All sits in God’s hands, the healer of the land

You ask of me, how do I succeed?
I ask of you, is it Him that you need?






June 27, 2007

Keeping Focused

This week has really been devoted to the study of Psalms (in its entirety) as well as Ephesians 4:22-32.   One of the biggest things I have found in Psalms have been true, sound doctrine that has implications in the success for daily living.  Through Psalms, I have found that those in perfect peace are those who are able to keep their minds stayed on Jesus and His goodness throughout storms and trials. 

More often than not, we think trials come as a result of something that we have inherently done wrong.  This is not the case, as Jesus himself was tempted in all ways, yet was without sin.  Wow!  That is a TALL order for us to fill, living in our fleshly desires and ways.  This directly coincides with the study in Ephesians, where we are given instructions, distinct instructions, on how to life the godly life and forgive one another, as well as ourselves.  You have heard me speak on how the hardest person to forgive sometimes is ourselves, as we tend to have such high expectations for ourselves and how we should govern ourselves.  However, for me, by combining Psalms and Ephesians, I have come to realize that the instructions in the Bible ring true, if I am perfectly focused on Jesus and all of His goodness, then I really don't have time for much else.  I can live my life within these confines and keep focused on Him.  Have you considered such a life?  Selah....

The Power of the 'Maybe'--From the Word for You Today Devotional

Sometimes when we want something to happen, we presume God does too... But sometimes God-given opportunities come to you “on the fly,” and it takes faith and wisdom to know how to respond to them. In those “maybe moments” you can’t wait for guarantees or sit still and do nothing because your actions involve risk. You can’t fear natural circumstances, obstacles or frightening situations. You must take the “maybe” you’ve been given and do something with it, for that’s when you begin to see God turn your “maybe” into a miracle. Once you know that your heart is right before God, you must be willing to face your fear and seize the moment. When you’re in a moment that has the potential to alter your future, trust God, step out in faith and move forward. Don’t let your dream die inside you because of the risk involved. With God, risk is the bridge that gets you to where He wants you to be.

Trust in the LORD...

Psalms21:7  For the king trusts, relies on, and is confident in the Lord, and through the mercy and steadfast love of the Most High he will never be moved.8  Your hand shall find all Your enemies; Your right hand shall find all those who hate You.

I just think it is amazing that the Father loves us this much!  Once he gives a directive, he does not stray from that by any means whatsoever.  Once you have that assurance, then it shouldn't matter what you say or do, the Father has your full backing, as long as you are in the Will of the Father.

Forgive!!

Ephesians 4:31-32
31-32Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

Wow...I read this in The Message Bible, and of course it spoke to me.  We often speak of forgiving others, and letting go of past offenses, but do we really do this?  More often than not, the answer is yes and now.  Yes, we do forgive others of their offenses, however because of our own fleshly desires, this is a process that takes place due to the fact that we have trouble forgiving others at first for offenses committed against us.  We feel as though we are 'owed' something and as a result are not willing to let go of those offenses so easily.  I would venture to say that once we get a clear conception of what Christ has done for us on the Cross, it is easy to forgive others, AND ourselves.  Forgiving ourselves is often difficult as we are often our own worst critics.  Again, it is not our responsibility to carry our sins.  It says in the Word in Matthew 11:28-30.

"28Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will [h]ease and relieve and [i]refresh [j]your souls.]

29Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest ([k]relief and ease and refreshment and [l]recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.
30For My yoke is wholesome (useful, [m]good--not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.

What a God we serve to take on our sins so that we can forgive ourselves!! Selah...

From the Word for You Today....

Monday, October 3, 2011


Stop Hiding!



“The Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’” Ge 3:9 NIV



The first recorded question God ever asked was, “[Adam]…Where are you?” And it’s a question you need to stop and ask yourself today: “Where am I—really?” If you don’t know the answer, or you do but you don’t like it, then today’s devotion is for you. When God asked Adam, “Where are you?” he responded by saying, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid” (v.10 NIV). It’s amazing the lengths we will go to in order to hide. We’ll bury ourselves in work, or get involved in an affair, or build a wall around our hearts—anything but face the truth. God wasn’t trying to find Adam; He just wanted Adam to find himself. Until you do that, you’re truly lost. And the problem is, when you hide you become a phony. Have you any idea how much emotional energy it requires to keep up a charade for others? Only two things are worse: being a phony with yourself, and being a phony with God. Furthermore, you’ll find it difficult to be honest with others or look them in the eye. Why? Because you’ll be afraid they might look into your heart and see the real you. Is that where you are today? Afraid to look into your own heart? The good news is, Adam was naked but God clothed him; he was guilty but God cleansed him; he was anxious but God comforted him. And if you come to Him today God will cleanse you, clothe you, and comfort you. He’s just waiting for the opportunity to do it!

How Can You See God?

I asked a question of one of my sister-friends...."How can you see God in a person?"  Oftentimes that person doesn't see God in themselves.  We go through situations in life, and we don't see the pieces coming together until we have a finished product.  David was called a man after God's own heart, yet he was also a liar, a murderer and an adulterer.  David cries out all through Psalms for God's mercy and protection. 

My challenge is that you seek to find God in all situations, and in all individuals.  It will make life that much sweeter....Selah...

How’s Your Relationship with God?

Saw this and thought it bared repeating.

“I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.”



Jn 5:30 NKJV



The relationship Jesus had with His Father is the kind of relationship that He wants you to have with Him. Three things describe that relationship. For the next few days let’s look at each of them: (1) Intimacy. Jesus said, “The Father loves the Son and shows him all he does” (Jn 5:20 NIV). You interact with many people throughout the day, but you only share your heart with those you trust, and with whom you have a close relationship. So, how close are you to God right now? Close enough to hear when He speaks to you? Close enough to know when you’ve said or done something which has grieved Him? Close enough to feel the warmth of His presence? The truth is, you are as close to God right now as you desire to be, decide to be, and discipline yourself to be. Nothing is born unless there is first an act of intimacy between two people, and intimacy is based on one word: “desire.” How much do you desire God? David said, “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you” (Ps 63:1 NIV). Do you desire His house? “They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights” (Ps 36:8 NIV). Do you desire His Word? “I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread” (Job 23:12 NIV).

I Need You...

Was listening to Eddie James this morning..."I need You"....for some reason the words struck me.  We say we need God, but what actions do we do that suggest we actually NEED God?  Do we cry out for Him?  Are we truly worshipping the Living God?  For me, that became my solemn prayer.  I NEED Him, and nothing, no place, no one else will do.....Selah

Word For You Today -- Online Devotionals: Recognize When You Need Help

Word For You Today -- Online Devotionals: Recognize When You Need Help: “Moses…became so tired…Aaron and Hur…stood on each side… holding up his hands.” Ex 17:11-12 NLT

We like to think of ourselves as self...

The Beautiful Rhetoric of Grace

Grace is such a simple word, yet it has far reaching meanings and implications.  What does it mean to truly have grace?  One might say that grace means that even though a person does or enacts a wrong, that wrong is thereby 'covered' or treated as if it never occurred. Of course, when I went to gather a meaning for the word grace, the following definitions stood out to me:

• favor or goodwill. Synonyms: kindness, kindliness, love, benignity; condescension.
• a manifestation of favor, especially by a superior: It was only through the dean's grace that I wasn't expelled from school. Synonyms: forgiveness, charity, mercifulness. Antonyms: animosity, enmity, disfavor.
• mercy; clemency; pardon: He was saved by an act of grace from the governor. Synonyms: lenity, leniency, reprieve. Antonyms: harshness.

 The word grace appears 159 times in the King James version of the Bible, so it would stand to reason that the rhetoric, or meaning of the word is clear to God:  extend grace.  Allow others the opportunity to be human.  It is through such actions that we are allowed to be truly who God created us to be.

How You Truly See Someone....

Oftentimes, we are afraid to be truthful because of how we think that will make us look.  We fear judgment from our peers, family and friends based upon a perception that we think they have of us.  The question always becomes, "How do you see me?"  We dare not ask the question out loud, for fear that we are not ready for the answer.  We instead choose to adjust our image to be pleasing the sight of others.  However, I can't help but wonder, who is really impressed by that?  We had a guest speaker at church a few weeks ago, and he stated the following:

If you want to impress someone, tell them of your successes.  If you want to impact  someone, tell them of your failures. 

That really stuck with me, as we tend to cover up our failures while broadcasting our successes.  To me, what that does is create a 'perfect image' of a person, who is placed on a pedestal so high that we dare not mess up for fear that the 'perfect image' is tainted, and we are looking up at the pedestal, afraid to share our own shortcomings.  Ironically, the image exists only in our minds.  We each have a testimony, and we have it for a reason.  That reason is not to say "Oh I made it through that" but rather to say, "Look at what and where God has brought me from."  If we be honest with ourselves, is this not how we truly want to be seen?  Is this not how we desire to truly see someone?  Selah..

The Truth...

Truth:  a simple 5 letter word that has many defitions.  What are they?  Of course, I went to my fav dictionary site. http://www.dictionary.com/, and this is what I found:

truth   /truθ/ Show Spelled[trooth] Show IPA


noun, plural truths  /truðz, truθs/ Show Spelled[troothz, trooths]

1. the true or actual state of a matter: He tried to find out the truth.
2. conformity with fact or reality; verity: the truth of a statement.
3. a verified or indisputable fact, proposition, principle, or the like: mathematical truths.
4. the state or character of being true.
5. actuality or actual existence.

If truth is so simple, then why do we often struggle with telling the truth, or being completely open with one another?  It can be suggested that we release something when we tell the truth.  As adults, we look at children who say things like "She stinks", or "He's really bald" and we shut down those thoughts and dismiss them as being rude.  While this may be the case, the larger issue that would remain would lie in what it does to the child if it is not explained effectively.  We then grow up learning not to show or express our true selves, for fear of judgment, rejection, or being hurt.  The irony is, we have a God that we serve that loves us unconditionally, no matter whatever the truth may be.  So why then, wouldn't we be honest with one another, if we are truly covered under the blood?  Just a few random thoughts....selah..

Gift and a Curse...

The major drawback of being strong is that it is difficult to perceive weakness, therefore one assumes that you don't need them, when in fact you actually do...

It's an interesting paradox, because when one is in that position, and they try to express themselves, they are brushed aside, as though it is nearly impossible to assume that this person has any feelings. When they do, often the response given is to suck it up, don't worry about it, or other cues that their behavior is somewhat unwarranted. Eventually a person shuts down, because face it, at the end of the day, we all want to be heard. So while the trapped person feels that they need to be heard, others around them assume that the person is impermeable, like Teflon, and anything bounces off of them. Honestly, the opposite couldn't be more true. The sad thing is, they are people with feelings too, and if we truly have the Love of Christ, then we accept, embrace them and pray for them. This is how we build the Kingdom...

Forgiveness

He wanders in and out of doorways, windows and cracks,

Making you think that "I'm good," when in fact you could open a can....

That small voice that tries to tell you that they still owe you

When the deed is in fact already done...