525,600 minutes

There are 525,600 minutes in a year! The song says “How do you measure a life? In sunsets, in cups of coffee, in inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife? How about love!”

My father lived each day to its fullest. He often said, “I may not be here tomorrow so I am going to live now, in this moment!” He loved his family. He loved quality things, good music and fast cars. He had rheumatic fever as a child and the new wonder drug penicillin saved his life. Some seem to think that this traumatic fever weakened his blood vessels and he was diagnosed with high blood pressure at 18. He had several heart attacks in his 40’s and died at age 62. He died in an instant, a moment, a minute. There was no sound, no warning, he was laughing, clutched his chest and was gone. We later learned that he had cardiomyopathy (a diseased heart muscle) and an enlarged heart. He knew that he wouldn’t live a long life without a new heart but he never told us. It was only after he passed away that Duke Hospital called to let us know that a heart had been found. My father would have been 76 years on January 2, 2010.

2009 is almost over. How have you spent your minutes? Did you give it your all? Did you love with your whole heart? Did you reach toward your dream? If you didn’t, it’s not too late!!

A new decade is minutes away. Some see 2010 as a new season, a change in the direction of their lives. Some have placed hopes and dreams in the newness that is to come. I am reminded of the moments and the minutes that constantly tick by. I am reminded that we should appreciate each of one of them now as my dad did. There is no need to wait until January 1, 2010 to begin anew! Start this instant, this moment, this minute.

Let’s not waste another minute being consumed by our senseless circumstances. Let’s forgive others as well as ourselves. Dream and push toward the fulfillment of them! And most of all LOVE! God is love and HE loves us! His love reaches to heaven! You can do it too! Love unconditionally. Hug your child a little tighter and kiss your mate a little longer. Make a new memory! Reach out to an old friend, let go of grudges, skip, smile, laugh or whatever it takes for you to release the inner stirrings that have been holding you back. Treasure your life. Treasure your minutes, your moments and as always… push forward!

Psalm 57:10

For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;

Psalm 117:2

For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD.

Walk in the Light!

Morning is described as the first or the early part of the day. The Dawn! A time of renewal. Something to look forward to. Sometimes people casually say " It's always darkest before the dawn" or "Joy comes in the morning" not realizing how true that is. Research has found that many people are affected by the light or the lack there of. People that live in parts of the world were sunlight is limited are encouraged to use sun lamps to release the endorphins that the sun would normally release in them. The sun light makes us FEEL better!


In Israel's version of "Trading my Sorrows" he says " Joy is when you wake up!" It doesn't matter if it's 3 o'clock in the evening. When you wake up, it's a time of Joy! Whenever you come out of the darkness into the light, it's joyful!

Why did God create us like this? Why would He have us react to the radiance of the sun? Light? Have you ever thought about it? It's because God IS light! His spirit is in us; therefore we are light! We are His offspring. His children!

John 8: 12 says " When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." 1 Peter 2: 9 says " But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

WE ARE LIGHT!

I don't know who I'm talking to right now. I needed a reminder myself! You may be in a gloomy place but rest in knowing that the darkness is not permanent. It can not exist unless we allow it to. Darkness can not exist where there is SON! The lamp has already been purchased. Paid for at a precious price! It's free and you don't even have to leave home to get it. Call on him.... Wake up! It's Morning!!

Unshakeable Peace!

It is the enemy’s job to destroy our peace! To distract us to a point that we are so frazzled that we can’t see our way! He doesn’t want us to go to God in prayer! When we are sad, mourning, upset, stressed or bothered in any way, he wants us to wallow in it. How dare we go to Jesus-the Prince of Peace! But remember, the devil is a LIAR! It is his job to destroy! He specifically wants to destroy our relationship with God!


Phil: 4:6-7 says "Be anxious for nothing, but in EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the PEACE of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" --Sweet PEACE!

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) says, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, PEACE, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I posted a status the other day that said “We should grow fruit in good times so it will be ready for hard times! That simply means our spirits will be in perfect peace even when our minds are too clouded to call on it! Thank you Lord for the fruit of peace! God's peace is unshakeable!”


God wants us to live a life of Peace! In John 14:27, Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. HE has given us PEACE! It is one of HIS gifts to us!

My prayer for you today is that you will always be at PEACE! If not, please seek it! Seek that sweet unshakeable PEACE! Hold on to it! Envelope yourself in it and most of all rest in it!

And as always….PUSH FORWARD!

Wesley's Notes

Phil: 4:7 And the peace of God - That calm, heavenly repose, that tranquility of spirit, which God only can give. Which surpasseth all understanding - Which none can comprehend, save he that receiveth it. Shall keep - Shall guard, as a garrison does a city. Your hearts - Your affections. Your minds - Your understandings, and all the various workings of them; through the Spirit and power of Christ Jesus, in the knowledge and love of God.

THE Call! The WHY? The THANKS!

As the saying goes, when it rains, it pours and it did and it does and that's the truth!


My aunt passed away suddenly! No warning! No notice! She simply sat down and took her last breath!

The Call!

No one wants to get the call! The call that a loved one is gone. It's as if your world stops while everything else is moving around you. You take a deep breath! There is always that delay between hearing the news and your brain actually processing it into understanding, then you exhale. Everyone handles it differently. Some weep, some get angry, some shut down. BUT, it is something that we all will eventually have to deal with if we keep on living. It is nothing that we can really prepare for. Even if we have been told it is coming, we aren't ready. No one wants to say GOODBYE! My daughter has started telling me not to say goodbye to her this week. She told me to say, see you later instead. I have begun to honor her wishes.

The Why's and BUT's!

Then we begin to search for understanding. We want to know the details. Why? When? What happened? How did it happen? The details force us to think. They bring some relief in knowing. The details make it real. Maybe something could have been done differently? If I know the details, next time, maybe I will notice the signs! We want to know! We need to know.We begin to question ourselves. Did I miss something? Then there are the things we meant to say! " BUT.. I meant to tell her....! I meant to say....! " All and all, the answer is still the same. She is gone!


The Answer!

Yes, she is gone! My aunt is gone! She has gone HOME!

I am reminded that we are only here temporarily! Those of us that are left are the ones that have to continue to deal with the rain and the storms. My aunt told my mother the day before she passed that she was tired. She didn't say tired of living but tired of other things. God hears our prayers. He is the one in control and decides when we have had enough. He decides when it's our time to stop running and cross that finish line in victory! So the answer is YES she is gone but she is free!! As my daughter says, she gets to have Thanksgiving with Jesus.

Thanks!!

As we approach Thanksgiving, I dare you to try and name ALL of the things that you are thankful for? 1. We woke up! 2. We opened our eyes 3. etc etc! It's not possible is it? Even if we had 10,000 tongues right!! The holidays are hard for many! So many are joyous while so many are sad. BUT I truly believe that if we start writing down what we are thankful for and our blessings, they will out weigh the bad. EVEN in the midst of mourning and hearing of the sickness and sadness that others are facing, I know that OUR GOD's blessing will prevail! We are all winners!

SO, I pause to say Thank you GOD! Thank youl for the time that I had with my aunt Betty! Thank you for the time that I have with my mother! Thank you for the time that I have with my Family and friends. Thank you for my life and my purpose! AND thank you God for my relationship with YOU! YOU are so incredibly awesome & I'm forever thankful!

Revelation 19:9 ...... 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' "

Driven Expectations! Write the Vision!

Expectations

I used to get perturbed when others didn’t have the same drive that I had about a particular goal. I wanted them to have the same passion as I had and just couldn’t wrap my brain around it if they didn’t. After all it was a great idea, so why shouldn’t they be excited, right? Wrong! We are individuals, uniquely created by God for a purpose! Due to life and its circumstances, we may view the importance or value of a goal differently. Does this make it wrong or does it make us different.

There is an order. A shepherd/pastor is given a vision by God and he shares it with the people. We the congregants are the vision carriers. All of the flock may not agree. Some will catch on immediately, some eventually and some never will. It is the same as individuals. We may be the leaders of a team and have an idea. We may expect the members to have the same drive and enthusiasm about a goal as we do but it may not always be so. Just as when David came to the brook at Besor (read --1 Samuel 30:10), we have to take with us, those that are willing to go and leave the others behind. If God said it, then it is so. Don’t allow naysayers to block the vision.

Driven

I come from a family of strong driven women with high expectations. My father’s mother graduated from college in 1928 and taught school for 38 years. She was strong and determined to make a difference in the lives of others. She would often refer to God as her father and spoke of Him as if she had a personal relationship with him. As a child I could not understand why she felt that she could speak to Him directly and He would hear and answer her. She and my grandfather were a formidable force. Together they could do anything and they were a shining example of what can be accomplished when you put God first and strive toward the mark.

My mother’s mother was a midwife at Womack army hospital. She was very compassionate. Her priority was family. She would prepare dinner every weekend and expect her entire family to come by to sit and eat. She taught me many lessons on how to be a successful, classy woman and to strive toward myr goals no matter the circumstances. She was a staunch catholic and prayed every night on her knees until the day she died at age 84.

My mother was and is driven. She married my father as soon as they graduated from high school and had my sister her sophomore year. She still pledged Delta Sigma Theta, graduated on time and was the valedictorian of her class at Fayetteville State University. I watched her prepare the meals, pay the bills, clean the house and still drive to Greensboro weekly while working full time to complete her doctorate in Education. She always took us to church and spoke of putting God first in your life. I didn’t understand it when I was young, but the importance of GOD in my life was instilled in me by each of these women in a different way.

My sister was chosen to receive a full scholarship to a prep school called Chatham Hall when she was in high school. She went on to UNC-Chapel Hill where she received her PhD in Psychology. Being ten years her junior, my teachers would always say, you are Sabrina’s sister. I know you are smart like her. I in turn had to prove myself because of the legacy that I was following.

Driven Expectations: Write the Vision

I placed high expectations on myself for that was what was always expected. There was no excuse. I was expected to be driven to accomplish whatever the goal was. I had no choice. I was blessed to be friends with other girls that had high expectations as well. Donna, Vanessa and I were in the same classes. We competed among ourselves, striving to be the best. We were driven because our parents expected it of us and thus we expected it ourselves.

I have tried to implant these same values in my girls. I want them to want it themselves. To strive for excellence on their own. To want to be the best because they can. I firmly believe that we become what we speak. We have to speak positively over ourselves and our children. Last night my 12 year old said that she had decided what she wanted to be when she grew up. I told her to research it and write the vision. Write the goal and plan for what she wants to be. She took the time and wrote it all down and put it in her binder so she can look at it and see it.

That’s something that we all can do. If you haven’t reached the goal that you set for yourselves, it’s not too late. It’s not about your past. It’s not about what you USED to be, but about what you are SUPPOSED to be. NEVER EVER give up on your vision. Habakkuk 2:2 says “Write the vision, make it plain! “ I dare you today to write your vision down. It may seem odd but it really isn’t’ too late. What has been nagging at you? Has it been to open that book store? Finish that degree? Write that book? Whatever it is, start! Start by writing it down. If you need a push, give me a call. We can push forward together.

**Picture - David’s Victory over the Amalekites! He was driven! He took back all that was stolen from him.

BLOCCKed BLESSINGS! Blind Logic Operating under Clueless Circumstances Kills!

Blessing is defined as God’s Help! What happens when God’s help is BlOCCKed?

Blind not only means unable to see. It also means unable to recognize. It also means unquestioning, unaware and uncontrollable.
The person is unable to see and even worse, unaware!

BLIND LOGIC!

Logic means reasoning!
They are unable to see or even worse, unaware that they are not using reason and it’s uncontrollable.

BLIND LOGIC OPERATING
Operating means to function, or exert effect.
They are unable to see or even worse, unaware that they are not using reason, it’s uncontrollable and as they are functioning in the midst of it is causing an effect.

BLIND LOGIC & OPERATING CLUELESS!
Clueless mean dense, oblivious, naïve and incompetent!
They are unable to see or even worse, unaware that they are not using reason, it’s uncontrollable, and they are functioning in the midst of it is causing an effect that they are oblivious to. They don’t even know that it is happening.

BLIND LOGIC & OPERATING under CLUELESS –CIRCUMSTANCES
A Circumstance is a condition affecting a situation. An uncontrollable condition affects somebody’s life beyond his or her control.
They are unable to see or even worse, unaware that they are not using reason, it’s uncontrollable, and they are functioning in the midst of it, causing an effect that they are oblivious to. They don’t even know that it is happening and it is affecting their life beyond control!

BLIND LOGIC & OPERATING under CLUELESS –CIRCUMSTANCES KILLS!

Kill means to cause something living to die.
They are unable to see or even worse, unaware that they are not using reason, it’s uncontrollable, and they are functioning in the midst of it, causing an effect that they are oblivious to. They don’t even know that it is happening and it is affecting their life beyond control and it is slowly killing them. Killing their relationship with God!

OH MY GOD! YES! It is time to call on HIM!! NOW, not later! NOW! You see when a person is BLOCCKed! - The enemy has done his job! They are mixed up, messed up and don’t even know it. They can’t receive their blessings because they don’t realize that they are missing them. They are outside of God’s will and are not receiving HIS help! BLOCCKed!
Sometimes people flippantly say don’t Block my blessing. Being BLOCCKed is serious!

It is my prayer that you never find yourself in BLOCCKed position. That you will stand still and listen for God’s voice. God’s direction! God’s help and God’s guidance. Keep your mind stayed on HIM.

It is my prayer that you recognize the signs before you are BLOCCKed! If you ever sense that you are operating outside of the will of the FATHER, listen to that voice inside of you that says, “No my child, you are going the wrong way. Come back this way. Don’t look left. Keep your eyes on me.”

If you know of someone who has been BLOCCKed, please pray for them. Pray fervently! Ask that their eyes be opened that they might see. That they not be consumed with a reprobate mind. It’s never too late! God is a God of love and HE loves all of HIS children. He doesn’t want even one to be led astray and left behind.

Pushing Forward … AMEN!

Matthew 18: 12-14
What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

What do you have time for?

The Season is changing. Can you feel it? We are having cooler days than warm ones in the great state of NC. There is crispness in the air. When I was little, my grandmother would tell me that it is now time to put on a t-shirt and that I was to wear it every day until May! (Ecclesiastes 3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for very purpose under heaven.)

TIME! What is it? It is defined as “nonspatial continuum in which events occur in apparently irreversible succession from the past through the present to the future.” That’s a mouth full. Whatever it is, there just doesn’t seem to be enough of it. I read somewhere that only man could think that if we cut the top of the blanket off and sewed it to the bottom, that the blanket would now be longer. So as it goes with time. Day light savings time. Let’ just change the hours and now we have more time. Time for whom? Time for what! Why do we need more time?

A friend of mine prides himself in announcing exactly how many minutes it takes to get places. When riding he will say, we can get there in 8.5 minutes. That was before the GPS system tracked it for you. Telling you that you will get there at an exact time and exactly how many miles it will take.

We are forgetting who is in control. What about the car accident ahead
of you that delayed you. Now you are late but are you? Did the delay save you from another accident? The stories of people who were late to work on 9/11 astounded me. So many people spoke of how they were delayed and were upset because they didn’t get to work on time so they were not in the towers. Were they late? I think not. They were on time for it was not their time to die. As a result of that, I have been trying to take a new approach to time. I am learning not to get upset if I am delayed in traffic or if I don’t leave the house at the time that I wanted to. Some people say if you are supposed to be in a meeting at 3 pm, then you are late if you arrive at 3pm. In order to be on time, you have to be there before 3. Based on whose idea of time?

God is the only one in control of time. He knows how much time we have left here on earth. Isn’t that what we are really measuring? How much time we have here? Once we get to Heaven, time won’t matter. It will be an eternity. We won’t be rushing to get somewhere or speeding to save time.

Since our time is spent or exhausted here on earth, let’s use it for the good while we are here. Don’t use it for backbiting and tearing each other down. Let’s LOVE! Spend time loving one another, encouraging, motivating, mentoring, caring and serving. Let’s worship, praise and adore our God! I’m counting on you! Let’s push forward in LOVE!

John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

Step Back and to the Side

I watched a man preaching the other night on TV, (didn't get his name..sorry) and the Word that he gave has been in my spirit for a few days. I have been sharing with others and wanted to share it with you because it rules true.

The story he told goes:

He was in an airport with his son. His son had to go to the bathroom so he told him that he would wait outside of the bathroom for him. Well he waited and waited and his son didn't come out. He went in to check on his son and when he approached the stall, he asked him what was wrong. His son said, "It won't go down!!" He said, 'What do you mean?" His son said." It won't go down!" He said, "Let me see what is going on." He opened the stall and sure enough, it wouldn't flush. Then he looked again. It was one of the new self flushing toilets. He told his son, " You have to step back and to the side in order for it to work!!"

Can you hear your spirit talking to you yet?? Hallelujah! In order for God to work things out in your life....you have to listen to what he says and STEP BACK and to the SIDE!! Let HIM work it out!! *SMH* shaking my head! That was good to me! SO, fast forward to yesterday. I ran into a problem. I started trying to work it out and thought about what that preacher said. I stopped and said, " Okay God! It's yours. I am going to STEP BACK and to the SIDE and let you handle it! I'm taking my hands off of it!" YOU KNOW WHAT!!! HE did just what he said he would do. He worked it out for my good!

Praise Break!! Come on.... Let's Push Forward!!

Romans 8:28: “All things work together for good to them that love him and are called according to His purpose”.

WIll + Power = Will Power HIS Will!! HIS POWER!!

I have been athletic my entire life. Always running and jumping and cheerleading and dancing. Even at what most would consider a great size (8), the world and the health charts still said "too large"! The charts at that time didn't take into consideration muscle and body type. My last child was born in 1999. It was at that time that I stopped being athletic. I turned my focus to work, work and work. Work equaled stress, stress and stress. Stress + work for me equaled eat! My body of course said "Are you kidding!!" You HAVE to work out or I will turn against you! That is exactly what it did. Thus I have issues as I call them with weight. Praise God, I don't have health issues, just weight issues! I am far from that size 8 :)Don't get me wrong! I am proud of who I am! I love me! I am God's child and he doesn't make any junk. He CAN'T for He is God! It's just time for me to get back to what HE would have me to be. A better healthier me! Amen!

I have been talking with a few of my friends recently. Two in particular, Donna & Isabella. Donna is a trainer and Bella is preparing to run a 5K! They have been encouraging me and I am feeling incredibly motivated. As soon as I started feeling this way, of course the enemy got busy. He started whispering as he normally does, " You can't do this! You will fail! You don't have any will power and on and on! " I am here to publically declare him the liar that he is! God immediately countered with, "My child, you have beein trying to accomplish this feat in your own will! Now move out of the way and let me do this!! You do have the will power for MY power is within you! It is with MY WILL + MY POWER and MIGHT, that you too can do all things!! What a word!! Hallelujah!!

So people, if you are struggling with ANYTHING, move out of the way and let GOD handle it for you! You have the victory..... HIS WILL + POWER = WILLPOWER!! Amen

Paul's prayer - Colossians 1:9-12
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of HIS WILL through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with ALL POWER according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light (NIV)

In Icu for Months & Months - BUT GOD

It hurts me to see my friends hurting. A few of them are going through a storm right now. Some are facing sicknesses in their bodies and some are facing sicknesses of loved ones. God is their rock and salvation. I started blogging last night but came across this very encouraging word in a blog that I follow called Brittney’s Journey. Brittney is a child that I do not know. She went into ICU in June of this year with a sudden infection that attacked her body. She stayed in ICU for months and months. She is not supposed to be here, but by the grace of Almighty God, she finally came home last week. She still has a long way to go but she is a miracle. Her family posted the following evidence of God’s handiwork. It blessed me and I pray it blesses you. It stated:

Oct 9, 2009

All throughout Brittney's ICU/hospital stay, mom and aunt have always encouraged her to think about Jesus... to say His name in her mind and to say the name "Jesus" whenever she could. We'd encourage her in and out of consciousness. We'd say, "Brittney, even though you can't speak right now, say the name of Jesus over and over in your mind. One day you will be able to say the name of Jesus and when you do, say it over and over again." Even with her being home, we'd remind her to think and say the name of Jesus because there is healing in the name of Jesus.

Today, mom heard Brittney whispering and she walked over to her bed only to clearly hear her whispering, "Thank You Jesus" over and over again! Hallelujah, Lord God! We are rejoicing & thanking Jesus with Brittney! What an awesome thing to witness the miracle that is Brittney!

http://brittneymonyse.blogspot.com/2009/10/more-of-brittney.html

I pray this blog helped today. They also posted a powerful prayer confession that I will post in a note! Although it is not my story, it is the story of so many. I pray God’s blessings over you all today! And as always…push forward!

2nd Corinthians 12:9….And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

You don't know my Story!

I posted a status today that said, “Some people look at what you have and think that they want it, not realizing ALL that they would have to go through in order to get it!” We have so many testimonies; multiple stories of tests and trials that we have been through.

The person on the outside looking in hasn’t thought of that though. They may look at your life and think, “Wow!!” I want to live like, look like, and act like so and so! Some people have even gone so far as to try and imitate it. It’s because they don’t see the scars that are now healed. They no longer see the tear tracks that are now dried. The only see your smiling face and a life that they wish they could have.

Ahh but be careful! Our choir ministers a song called “My Worship is For Real” by Bishop Trotter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRrAsZneTGo

In it they say… “You don’t know my story! You don’t know what I had to go through to get here!”

I encourage you to share your stories while living your own lives! Enjoy what you are blessed with. Share in the joys of others and celebrate with them. Remember to continue to be the representative of Christ that lives within you. Just be careful not to covet what someone else has! It would be a shame to miss your life while looking at someone else’s goes by!
My worship is for real!!

"Thou shalt not covet …" (Exodus 20:17 KJV)

Peace! Be Still

I was in Guam many, many years ago singing as a part of the Department of Defense Tours. Guam is only 4 miles wide/ 12 miles at its widest and 30 miles long. I remember standing outside basking in the sunshine and all of a sudden out of nowhere; a torrent of rain came up. We began to run for cover. I noticed that our guide didn’t budge. I found that odd but before I could ask him why, the sun came back out and there was barely any evidence of rain. WOW!! To a visitor this was astonishing. He later explained that the storms pass quickly over the island since it is so small. There is no need to run for cover.

I was reminded of this as I sat here tonight because sometimes the storm can appear SO SUDDENLY! Out of the blue! Unexpected with no warning! BUT… BUT …..Why run? Your covering is right there with you. STAND STILL! Just when you THINK the darkness has overwhelmed you, the sun comes out! You can feel the rays== the Love of Jesus, the comfort of the Holy Spirit and the Guidance of our Heavenly Father EVEN before you can SEE your way! It is already done! He is handling your storm for you!

Exodus 14:13 says ..”And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. The LORD shall FIGHT for you, and ye shall hold your peace."

So when you feel overwhelmed by sudden darkness, relax and bask in HIM. No need to fight, HE is fighting the battle for you!! Peace !!! Be Still!!

"And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm"(Mark 4:39)


I praise you God for you are my source, my strength and my peace!

It could be worse!!

Facebook | Gigi Andrews Slade: It could be worse!!: "Life is not perfect. When things do happen, in our flesh we react. We are sad, distraught or confused. We ask why. We seek understanding. We ponder. We doubt. All in all, we are human. There are things we will never understand. HIS ways are not our ways.

I have to remind myself of this often. Whenever I get down, the Holy Spirit quickly nudges me. He says, 'It could be worse!' Look at so and so's situation. How do you think they are feeling right??' I then examine myself to see if I have veered off of HIS path. Did my FREE will get in HIS way!

My prayer: I declare Lord that I will keep my eyes on the mark! On the prize that awaits me. I know you want me to live an abundant happy life down here as I prepare for what is to come. We are purposed to worship! I do worship and adore you! I praise your Holy name! I thank you for what you are doing and for what you are yet to do! In Jesus' most precious and magnificent name! Amen

I challenge you today. If you are going through a storm..Praise Him! If you are coming out of storm...Praise Him! Even if you are in the eye of the storm and its calm and quiet... Praise HIM! He is worthy regardless of the situation. We just have to remember to keep our arms lifted and our hands open to HIM! He will reach down and pick you up just when you think you can't make it any further! HE's just that good! ~ Note to self!

Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Power & Dominion!!

"The power of life and death is in the tongue." How many times have you heard someone say that? Now how many of you believe it enough to put that into action. I never really thought much of it until I read the book " Me and My Big Mouth " by Joyce Meyer many years ago.

I am a fanatic about it. I will NOT allow anyone to speak negatively over me or about me in my presence and I pray against people that do it without my knowledge. For example, someone might say,
Girl you are going to catch a cold if you don't put on a coat!" How do they know if I am going to catch a cold. NOPE! Not gonna hear it or have it. I rebuke that statement. People make little comments without even thinking and don't realize the harm they could be causing. People call their children bad or say you are gonna be just like so and so. They repeat this over and over and guess what that child may begin to believe they are bad or become bad. I don't recall ever calling my children BAD and I wouldnt let anyone else call them that. NOPE! Not gonna have it.

What about the good?? Yes, speak good things over yourself and your life! Pray right now for your children and their future. My oldest daughter's kindergarten teacher told me 13 years ago that she began praying for her son's wife when he was born. She also prayed that somewhere a mother was praying for her daughter's husband. She spoke prosperity, love, health and all good things into his life. When her son got married, she found out that what she had prayed for was so. Her daughter in law had a praying mother as well. Ain't God good!! I have been specifically praying over my children every since.

Greater is HE that is in US than he that is in the world! We have the power! Speak it!

I leave you with these two examples.

Power: When my oldest daughter was in high school, she would want to go to a party. I would ask the standard questions, who, what, when etc. Every now and then I would get a bad feeling about it and say, "Naw, I don't think you should go." She would be upset, but low and behold something bad ended up happening at those parties and she was glad she didn't go. On one particular occasion, she'd left the house and I got an urging that something was wrong. I began to pray, 'Lord, please let something happen so that she will have to come home now. Protect her!" In a 15 minute time span she was coming through the door. I asked her what happened and why she wasn't at the party. She said they were going but the person that was supposed to drive all of a sudden couldn't go. I told her I'd prayed about it and she said, "Aw Momma, why do you do that!" LOL... Of course it turned out there were major problems at that party. The power of the tongue!

Dominion: I was riding along one day reading another book that speaks about the power within us. I don't recall the author, but in it she gave an example of speaking over a situation she was going through. The book reminded me that God gave us dominion over everything. So, as we approached my mother's house it began to rain. Big rain drops began hitting the windshield. I said aloud, "Clouds, God gave me dominion over you and the power is in my tongue! I command you to hold the rain until I get to my destination and am inside of the house in Jesus' name! Amen!" My husband was driving and slowed down. I said, WHY ARE YOU SLOWING DOWN?? YOU HEARD MY PRAYER!" He calmly said, you prayed, you have faith, so why rush!" I want you to know that it stopped raining!! We were at our destination, inside, safe and dry within 10 minutes and it did not rain for another 30 minutes. I am a firm believer that what is spoken in faith and is in GOD's will shall come to pass! Hallelujah!

Try it today! Speak over yourself! HE is dwelling within you and you have the power! It's in your heart, soul and in your tongue. And as always.. push forward!!

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, Proverbs 18:21

Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, OVER ALL THE EARTH, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."

Things to Do! Did HE have to save us??

We ALL have things we want to do, have to do, need to do, and refuse to do!

I was taught to write all the things that you have to do on a list and prioritize them. Oh the fulfillment of checking things off of the list as they are completed; then the realization that you need to add more. When does it ever end?

It’s part of life though. Things to do! When we WANT to do something, we MAKE time to do it. When we HAVE to do something, we push forward to do it but it may not always be with vigor! When we NEED to do something, it is with urgency even if what we NEED to do, we don’t WANT to do. Then there are the things that we REFUSE to do.

Now suppose what you WANT to do is something that you KNOW that you should not do! The choice between right & wrong….hmmmm
It is the sin in us as stated in the following passage:

Romans 7:15-20 says “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature, for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.” Confused? Let’s move on!

Jesus is without sin. He did not struggle with the sin that we have to deal with. He was sent here on a mission with priorities as assigned by the Father. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” He came so that we would have life. He died for us! Now that is something to do, isn’t it!

Even HE, in his flesh, prayed that there could be another way. Matthew 26:39 says “And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” The commentary explains it as such: He prayed that, if possible, the cup might pass from him. But he also showed his perfect readiness to bear the load of his sufferings; he was willing to submit to all for our redemption and salvation.

Would you consider what HE did a “had to” or a “need to”? That’s something for you to think about! I’m just glad he didn’t REFUSE to! Aren't you glad about it!

Pushing Forward, Always!
Gigi

Oh My Goodness! The Escalator is OUT!

Escalators are moving staircases designed to carry people between floors of a building. We really don't think about them. We just get on them and allow them to carry us up and down as needed. It is mindless activity until......

Until...it is OUT of ORDER!

On my recent trip to DC, I travelled throughout the city via the metro system. This was the easiest way to get from place to place without having to deal with traffic. It was effortless until I reached an escalator that was not working and there was no elevator or regular steps. One would think, "That's no big deal. Just climb the escalator steps." If you haven't noticed, escalator steps are harder to climb when they are not moving because the rise between steps can be up to 16 inches. I am 5'3". I didn't have any choice but to pull myself up these high steps! Now that was a climb!

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is our escalator! He is there even when we may not be thinking of HIM. He is constantly lifting us up, carrying us when we need HIM. We go about our day, moving along UNTIL.....

Until!! Praise God there is no UNTIL! Where would we be without HIM. Imagine having to go about life trying to walk let alone climb without HIM helping us and guiding us.

I pause to say Thank you Lord for being my escalator and my elevator. You are there for me, even when I am not cognizant of my needs. YOU know what is best for me and continue to carry me, for I am your child! You are my strength! Forever and always!

Thank you!

Psalm 146:8 The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. The Lord loves the godly.

Tangled Christmas Tree Lights???

People always say you can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle untangling Christmas tree lights! A twisted, tangled, wrapped up combination of wires and lights.

I have felt like those Christmas tree lights; all tousled and wrapped up. I am my worst critic. I can be so hard on myself in many aspects. I have been guilty of Not speaking negatively over myself, but NOT speaking positively either! Know what I mean. I felt like I should be able to handle it all. Throw all the balls in the air at the same time and juggle them. All of them are not glass, but in order to satisfy myself, I felt like I needed to treat them as if they were. “Are the clothes washed? Are the bills paid? Is the oil changed? Did I give the kids lunch money? Are the Christmas tree lights untangled?

Nothing like major events to wake me up though!

First: We have been having Women’s Conference at our church for the past two days! I have been truly blessed. We’ve had anointed women preach and teach, testimonies from two incredible women and an awesome psalmist! I felt like running around the church and that is exactly what we did this morning.

Secondly: My oldest daughter came home for a funeral today. Her girlfriend (in her twenties) died at home alone. Her baby was due any day. Both of them were buried today. My other girlfriend had her baby a few moments ago. She and her son are happy and healthy! Praise GOD! Two women, two boys, two different outcomes! And I was worried about the Christmas tree lights!

Two synonyms for wire are ropes and chains. I am grateful for the wakeup call. GOOD MORNING!! I have removed the ropes and chains that had me twisted and I have untangled the lights! I am Free! Free from what others may say or think. Free to praise! Free to worship! BUT most of all, free to free myself from me! I am free and pushing forward!

Ephesians 1: 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

FREE!

Turn on the Light! - It's Dark in Here

Stagnate: to fail to develop or progress, to stop flowing, become foul or to become inactive. Basically, NOTHING is happening.

Ever felt that way? Stuck!! Surrounded by murk and mire and unable to see your way out or through! It is very difficult to find your way in the dark. You can’t see what’s up ahead and you may lose your way. Progress is impeded in the darkness because we tend to step gingerly, trying to avoid the pain of stumbling or falling. If we become fearful, we stand still. We’re stuck until we can find the LIGHT.

The enemy would rather have it his way. He would have us to remain stagnated in darkness. Lucifer means light bearer, or morning star. He was once adorned in jewels and God’s light reflected off of him, causing him to appear illuminated. Ezekiel 28:13 (NIV) says, “You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and beryl. But he lost his light when he rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven. He is in constant turmoil for he knows that his days are numbered and he is already defeated. He is roaming to and fro, trying to smother the LIGHT that shines from within us by overshadowing us in darkness. He brings up things from out past, old hurts and circumstances. He doesn’t play fair. He may say we are unworthy or unqualified, but he is a liar!.... And as my mom would say “And the truth is not in him.”

The awesome news is that we don’t have to be stuck, confined or bound; especially in the dark. We have the upper hand. We have access to the LIGHT at all times. If you feel the darkness come upon you, pray! Plain and simple! What we need lives inside of us. The light is always available; we just have to turn on the LIGHT. How you say? Just call on the name above all names!

“Jesus!” The enemy will flee! “Jesus!” The enemy will cower! “Jesus!” The darkness will dissipate! “Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!”

And at that name every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Philippians 2:10-11

I am Royalty!

"You are the one who put me together inside my mother's body, and I praise You because of the wonderful way You created me." Psalm 139: 13-15

In Rev. Richard Wurmbrand's book, "Tortured for Christ", he explains how God's existence and eternal life was explained to atheist in the Underground Christian Church in the Soviet Union. He made the following analogy: In summary, he said. " Why do we grow? In the womb, the embryo's arms, legs and eyes grow although there is not enough room to walk, reach out or see. The baby is growing in preparation for the life to come. He is being prepared for a place that he can not even see. It is the same for us as Christians. We grow in knowledge and in wisdom for a future place. A place that we can not see."

We are having a Women's Conference at our church in the next few weeks. Friday night is Lady's Only night with the focus on "Why do I feel so unworthy?" When I thought about the excerpt from the book and scripture, Psalm 139: 13-15, I was reminded of just how worthy we are. Even before we entered this world, our FATHER, took the time to shape us and knit us into what HE would have us to be. He had HIS mind on us, loved us, even before our hearts began to beat. Even before our limbs began to grow. HE took special time to prepare us to serve HIM, not only on earth but in our future homes as well. HE knew why HE was creating us. Our purpose was already predestined. We are fearfully and wonderfully made.

With that being said, how dare we feel unworthy? We feel unworthy because we are human. We sin and feel convicted because of our flesh. The enemy is steadily busy trying to convince us of our unworthiness. I personally feel that way at times. I don't feel worthy enough to sing to HIM, to pray to HIM because HE is just that magnificent. I want to give HIM by best and sometimes I feel that my best isn't good enough. I am quickly reminded by the Spirit, that I am HIS child. HIS chosen one. HE created me. HE loves me unconditionally and there is nothing I can do to make HIM stop loving me. Isn't that awesome!! Hallelujah!

The next time you are feeling unworthy, envision the baby in the womb; floundering around with no forethought of purpose. Then think of yourself, you that has been born AGAIN! Filled with HIS Spirit and love. Knowing that you are created FOR HIM and BY HIM. I know that I will.

Say it with me as we Push Forward.... I AM WORTHY! I AM LOVED! I AM ROYALTY!

You Can't Take My Joy

Written Nov 6, 2007 -I needed to be reminded today 9/4/2009

I woke up with a song in my heart that simply said "Not my Joy" In other words, God said, no matter what you are going through, the enemy can not take your joy.

I was feeling very discouraged. I couldn't shake it and I didn't know why I was feeling that way. It was nothing that anyone had said or done and it wasn't my circumstances. Nevertheless, I was still feeling that way. Before going to bed, I read in Terry Anderson's book, Knowing God Personally, that God will work all things together for good. Depression is the opposite of joy. Real joy is more than an emotion-it lies deep in the heart and comes only from God. (ecc 2:26) In the Bible, joy is described as 'the fruit planted and made to grow by God if we depend on Him to control our lives. Real joy can exist and grow even in the midst of sorrow and pain." Jer 31:13 says I will turn their mourning into joy and will comfort them and make them rejoice from their sorrow

God commanded me to share this,in other words, He warned me and told me I had to send this out so, I am sending it out of obedience in that it may be a blessing to someone. Maybe it is meant for you to share with someone else. We never know how God is going to work it out.

So ..we sing" You can't take my joy, You can't take my joy!!"


"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure, Do all things without murmuring and disputing. Phill: 2:13-14

HAVE to or GET to

WHO KNEW THAT TWO SIMPLE WORDS COULD CHANGE ONE'S MINDSET, PERSPECTIVE AND APPROACH TO WORK AND LIFE? JUST TWO SIMPLE WORDS THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO ENHANCE JOY, PRODUCTIVITY, PERFORMANCE AND CHANGE A COMPLAINING VOICE TO AN APPRECIATIVE HEART.

SO OFTEN WE SAY THINGS LIKE, "I HAVE TO GO TO THIS MEETING." "I HAVE TO FINISH THIS PROJECT." "I HAVE TO GO TO WORK TODAY."

WE ACT AS IF WE DON'T HAVE A CHOICE. AS IF WE ARE IMPRISONED BY A PAYCHECK AND THE EXPECTATIONS OF A WORLD THAT FORCES US TO DO THINGS WE DON'T WANT TO DO. BUT IN REALITY WE DO HAVE A CHOICE. WE CAN CHOOSE OUR ATTITUDE AND OUR ACTIONS. WE CAN CHOOSE HOW WE VIEW OUR LIFE, SCHOOL, AND WORK. WE CAN REALIZE THAT EVERY DAY IS A GIFT. IT'S NOT ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE TO DO. IT'S ABOUT WHAT WE GET TO DO.

WE GET TO LIVE THIS LIFE WHILE SO MANY HAVE LEFT THIS WORLD FAR TOO EARLY. WE GET TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC WHILE SO MANY ARE TOO SICK TOO EVEN DRIVE AT ALL. WE GET TO GO TO A JOB WHILE SO MANY ARE UNEMPLOYED. WE GET TO USE OUR GIFTS AND TALENTS TO MAKE A PRODUCT OR PROVIDE A SERVICE. WE GET TO EAT THREE TIMES A DAY WHILE MILLIONS ARE STARVING.

YES THERE WILL BE CHALLENGES AND LIFE IS NOT EASY BUT EACH DAY THAT WE WAKE UP WE GET ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE TODAY BETTER THAN YESTERDAY AND TOMORROW BETTER THAN TODAY. WE GET TO UPLIFT, INSPIRE, ENCOURAGE AND IMPACT OTHERS. WE GET TO LIVE THIS LIFE. YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY...AND MOST OF ALL MAKE THE BEST OF EVERYTHING BY REMEMBERING THAT LIFE IS A GIFT AND NOT AN OBLIGATION.

<3 hv

This post was written by my 19 year old daughter! It touched my heart!

Because I Said So

"Because I said so!" UGH!! How many of you have heard those words before. As a child I vowed that I wouldn't say those words to my children. What was the big deal??? All I wanted to know was why! RIGHT??

Well, I must admit. I've said it. Those fated words that no child wants to hear...."Because I said so." As my daughter asked why she couldn't stay at the party later like all the other children.. the first answer was simply "No". Be grateful you got to go. Then of course she asked "Why?" You know the answer....

As a parent it is my prerogative not to explain. My parent given right. I simply don't have to. I know the answer and the reasoning so I don't have to explain. On the other hand, I may choose not to explain because I KNOW they will not understand the answer. They have not gone through the life experiences to be able to fully grasp the situation and explanation. No matter how I explain it, they are not going to understand the answer so why explain, thus, "Because I said so!"

Our heavenly Father does us the same way at times. We are in the midst of a trial and a storm and we ask "Deliver me now Lord!" And we hear NO! Some of us may ask "Why?" "Because I said so!" is the answer. We, like our children may not have had the life experiences or the maturity to understand the answer. HE sees the end result and knows that if the answer is "Yes" right now the consequences will be detrimental. We may be veering off of the course that HE has for us. HIS "NO" may be protecting us from dangers that we can not see. On the other hand, what HE has waiting for us, stored up for us, may be better than what we can see right now.

I told my daughterthat in time she will be able to stay longer. As she matures and has more life experiences she will understand. Just as I know best, My FATHER knows best! He knows why HE said "No"! We have to pray hard, accept the answer and stop questioning HIM. Remember, NO doesn't always mean NEVER! It sometimes means, "NOT NOW!" We just have to wait!

Psalm 62:1 Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation.

1st Day of Brand New Mercies

Today is the first day of school. My children were anxious yet excited about their 1st day. Why is it called the 1st day though? Many students are simply returning? The Chairman of the Board of Education explained to the children that it IS a new beginning for them. Their slates are wiped clean. All of the problems or troubles that they may have had last year are behind them. They can now move forward into the new year with a fresh start. Isn’t that good news!
As Christians we have a fresh start too except we don’t have to wait a season for it. Our slates were wiped clean by the red blood of Jesus Christ who bore our sins for us. He continues to wipe our slates clean as we come to him and ask for forgiveness of our sins. His mercies are brand new not only every morning but every time we ask for forgiveness. Salvation is guaranteed and it’s free! With that guarantee we are promised everlasting life, safe in His arms. His love is boundless. Now that’s what I call good news!

On this 1st day of school, I ask that you pray for all of the children; the children going back to school and the children of God that have accepted HIM into their lives as their Savior. Pray also for the unsaved. That this may be their FIRST DAY too! Their FIRST day as new creatures, born again, wiped clean of all iniquity and full of his mercy (love)!

It’s a new beginning. A new day, everyday! Brand new mercies! And as always….push forward!

Lamentations 3: 22:-23 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.1 Peter 1:3 NIV [Praise to God for a Living Hope] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

There is no room in the IN

I woke up proclaiming God’s joy this morning. Singing it in my heart and spirit! I was determined not to let the enemy worry me, bother me, distract me. I declared the victory when I woke up!

I went about my day. Cruising along, singing a song. THEN I locked my keys in my office. I laughed! So what, that’s why there are locksmiths! No problem. The locksmith came right on over and unlocked the door.

THEN, I get a call that there is an issue with my oldest daughter’s funding at school. I knew that was an error on their part for I had a copy of the summary that shows it paid in full. I called the finance department, kindly spoke to the people that could make a quick decision and low and behold! No more problems.

THEN ! THEN!! Have you ever heard someone talking about you?? Not really saying much but you knew in your spirit that something “UN-NICE” was said?! WOW, that was the last thing I expected to encounter. Not from grown folk although I had been encouraging another sister just the other day about a similar situtation! The enemy just doesn’t like it when you are going about God’s business. For a moment, my feelings were hurt. I was taken aback as folk say! I told one of my friends about it and said, “I’m not going to let it bother me, I am going to keep moving forward! She said, “That’s right Girl! Don’t let it bother you. There’s no room in the IN!” HUH? I didn’t get it. “There is no room IN your spirit for mess! You are FILLED with the Holy Spirit; therefore there is no room on the INside of you! The IN!” She’d gotten that word yesterday. Hallelujah! I marinated on that for a minute and got just as happy. Just as the enemy was trying to steal my joy, the same joy I had this morning, here comes GOD! GOD stepped IN with a direct word! He turned my sorrow into JOY!

Then another friend said, NOW.. had you not had that moment of sorrow and expressed it to us, then you wouldn’t have gotten that word! While the enemy was working on messing things up, GOD had already worked it out for the good! HE used the situation to show me that there is always HIS JOY!

GLORY!! Now that’s good news to me.

Let’s take it another step. As she said, “The person talking didn’t even realize that they were being used. Just as we all slip at times, he had come in and was using them as a vessel to try and destroy my joy BUT GOD! BUT GOD said, “NO!” There is no room in the IN! No room in your life for mess, or distress! YOU are totally FILLED with ME! The enemy is defeated! And as another saint often says, he doesn’t even have the keys to his own house, let alone mine! He can only get IN if I let him.

I am declaring it today over you and me! THERE IS NO ROOM IN THE IN!! Why am I shouting?? Because I am filled up with JOY not sorrow!

Jeremiah 31:13…. I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

Forgiveness! Can you forgive yourself?

Forgiveness is a strong word. There has always been debate about whether or not you can forgive and forget or is it permissible to forgive and not necessarily like the person that you forgave, but you have still forgiven them. Confused yet?

I am not going to debate that issue now. My question is…suppose the person that you need to forgive is yourself? Once you have forgiven yourself, are you able to like or love yourself?

We…no let me speak for myself… “I “have done some things that I am not proud of. I am not speaking of crimes or cheating or anything of that nature but things that I know did not make my FATHER happy. I have not always been saved-born again. Even in my growing period there were things that I said or did or even thought that I am not proud of.

Holding hatred in my heart kept me from growing in the will of God for many years. People can hurt us beyond measure if we let them. At a point in my life I allowed people to injure me with their words and their actions. It affected my self esteem which led me to believe I was less than I am. Not you, you may say. Not that confident woman that now walks boldly with her head held high! Yes, this woman. At my weakest, the enemy came in and decided that he would attempt to rule in my life. I grew up in the church and knew of God, but did not have a personal relationship with HIM. I didn’t even understand what that meant. So, he attacked me through people which led me to attack myself. What a struggle it is to war against yourself.

I was asked to lead a song called, “I Almost Let Go” by Kurt Carr. The lyrics say, “I almost let go. I was right at the edge of a breakthrough but couldn’t see it. The devil had me bound, depression weighed me down but GOD held me close, so I wouldn’t let go. God’s mercy kept me, so I wouldn’t let go!” As I ministered that song, I ministered to myself. I let go of the hatred that I so bitterly held in my heart for people that had wounded me. I was also able to let go of the disdain that I held for myself. I had been angry with myself for so long for even ALLOWING myself to be injured in such a way. I was finally set free! Set free by HIS love and HIS mercy! I got down on my knees and forgave myself.

I ask this question of you. Is there something that you need to let go of? Is there someone that you need to forgive? Is that someone yourself? If so, don’t go another day. Don’t block your blessings. Free your heart, your mind and your soul! FORGIVE!

1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Hebrews 8:12 - For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.

WHY REDLIGHTS?

Due to unforeseen circumstances, I was late for worship service this morning. I try to make our women’s Sunday school class called “Matters of the Heart” as often as I can but missed it this morning. The next goal was to get to the choir room before the prayer.

Our church is situated on the corner of the main street in our town. It can be seen from blocks away. Although only 5 blocks away this morning, it appeared to be miles away since I was stuck waiting at the stoplight. Not only did I find myself waiting at the stoplight for two minutes (seemed like forever) with no other cars on the street BUT as I looked down the street, I noticed that the lights were red at each block. If not timed correctly, I would easily catch EACH and EVERY light.

I said “Why red stoplights Lord; as I continued to pray that I would get to church on time.” The answer: Stoplights are created to keep us from collisions or unforeseen accidents. Ah Hah moment!

When God tells us to STOP, we need to listen. We need to wait patiently until he gives us the GO sign. Why you ask? He is preventing us from an unforeseen accident or a collision. He may even be preventing us from ourselves. We get caught up in life and start barreling along without looking both ways. We don’t stop to think about what we should have done until after the collision.

Needless to say, I made it in time for the prayer. I was standing outside the door listening in but I made it. I got there in His time. As in all things, HIS time is the right time! The next time, I am waiting at a stoplight, I will think of it differently. I will think of why HE may have me to wait …waiting for a reason and in HIS time… GO!

"They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

Hide and Seek...are you IT??

As a child, I used to play a game called Hide and Seek with my friends. In the game, the person that is "It" is supposed to count to 100 by 5's while the other children hide in secret. When the "It" person reaches 100 they yell out, "Ready or not, here I come!!" to let the other children know that they are on their way to find them.

Luke 11:9 says " and I say unto you, ask and it shall be given unto you: seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you." Just as "It" has to seek so shall we. Our rewards are in Him. We must seek HIM to gain the rewards that he has for us. Matthew 6: 6 says, .."pray to the Father which is in secret and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

In the game, "It" could yell out "Ally Ally Oxen Free" to let those hiding know that they were all free and the game was over. This term may be linked back to the German phrase " Alle Alle Auch Sind Frei" which means "Everybody is Free". Oh my goodness! Isn't that just like OUR FATHER!! We may not be able to see HIM, but when we seek HIM we will be rewarded AND by seeking HIM we are free!!!

I don't know about you but I'm "IT"!! Seeking my Father! Seeking my Reward! Receiving my Freedom! Ready or not.....Here I come!

Obedient Children

Obedience is a struggle sometimes. I woke up Sunday morning struggling and feeling conflicted about tasks that I know that I am purposed to do.

God reminded me that this is normal. This is a part of being human. Children struggle with obedience all of the time. Especially as they begin to mature and are trying to figure out who they are and who they are becoming. They are pulled by peer pressure and the pressures of life.

We are HIS children. We are asked to be obedient and yet sometimes we struggle. Struggle with peer pressure and life pressure. Struggling with our will versus HIS.

Just as children are punished for being disobedient, we face consequences when we knowingly disobey HIS will. Look at the children of Israel. Their reward of the Promised Land was delayed for 40 years due to their disobedience. Needless to say, I got up and pushed my way to do HIS will.

Our choir ministers a song by Shekinah Glory called "Yes. The lyrics say, "God is saying.. If I told you what I really need from thee...Would your heart and soul say yes? There is more that I require of thee..from thee! Just say... Yes!

So I am asking you today, "Are you being obedient children?" Obedient to HIS will and what HE has asked of you? If not, consider the consequences! Consider the delay!

Say "YES"

Joshua 5:6
For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness , till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord...

TRUST

Trust is a HUGE (5) five letter word. It is defined as firm belief or confidence in the honesty, integrity, reliability, justice, etc. of another person or thing; faith; reliance

In many trust building exercises, the instructor tells one person to stand in front of another. The person in the front is to fall back into the arms of the person behind them without looking and with careless abandon. It’s a true test.

I’ve always been one to trust 100% unless my trust is broken. Then the walls go up. It takes a long time for me to allow the trust to be rebuilt. Some of this comes from watching someone very close to me being repeatedly cheated on. As soon as it would appear that all was well, their spouse would cheat again.

In my reflection, I thought of my trust in God. As a born again believer, I trust HIM completely. I have been tested more than I personally thought I could ever survive. After being shaped and molded into this new creation, I know to FALL BACK into HIS arms whenever I am doubtful. He is always there to catch me although in my humanness I am not always faithful to HIM. I try to be but I am human and imperfect. I make mistakes yet HE forgives me. Suppose HE put up walls and said, “My child, you have broken my trust, therefore, I will turn my back on you! “ My God, My God! Where would I be, where would we be?

So, today is a day of forgiveness. A time to let go of past hurts, tear down old walls that were built so long ago that I can’t remember why they were built. A day to stop looking for reasons not to trust and seek reasons to believe! Are you with me! Let’s do it together. Through HIS love and Faith we can do it! We can do all thing in HIM!

Psalms 13:5 NIVBut I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.

Celebrate A Strong Woman by TD JAkes

If a woman feels like a lady and is able to celebrate herself, she will attract into her life people who reflect her own opinion of herself.

There are moments when even the strongest woman can appreciate the reinforcement of a man who is comfortable with who he is and who can be an anchor in the storms of life.

He will be the warm hand touching the small of her back, giving her the stability to go forward.He will give her the feeling of uncompromising love as she faces the various stages and ages of life.

He gives her body release, her mind a melody, and her spirit a gust of Wind that makes her able to soar.

But in the stillness of the night, when he has gone to sleep and there are pending issues on her mind, it is her Lord who works the night shift and wathces over her in the dark.

He is the one whom she can talk to when her words can't explain what she is feeling. Her man may understand what she says, but the LORD understands what she feels.

Thank you Lord! Through you I can Endure ALL Things!

As I drive, I think! Anybody else out there do that?

As I was driving yesterday, I asked the question "Why do we have to endure so much pain? Why do we have to go through trials and tribulations?" God quickly said, "They are growing pains! As you grow, you become stronger and wiser!" Wiser so that we can share our testimonies with others. Encourage others and lift them up when they need it. Stronger so that we can endure the next storm. Preparation.

My praying husband reminded me that these tribulations are of this world. The enemy is so busy trying to destroy God's followers. That is why HE places praying warriors in our lives to intercede for us when we can't find the words ourselves.

It is amazing how much we can bear when we lean on God and we have praying friends. A friend of mine lost her mother and father in the same week. Another friend lost her mother one day and her grandmother the very next day. God has kept them. They are strong and continue to endure. Living testimonies! They are praisers! Living examples of how much HE loves us and comforts us when we think we are going to absolutely lose our minds.

Yesterday I was the one pondering and questioning why. Today a friend of mine shared some difficulties that she is going through. I praise GOD for giving me the "word" yesterday so that I could share with her today. I praise him for the storms that I have endured so that I could be an encourager for her as HE was for me yesterday. He is such an awesome God. Who am I to question HIM when HE knows all things!

I stop to say THANK YOU tonight. Thank you first to God for His Grace and Mercy! Where would I be without Him?? He who knows all things! He who is there to lean on when I feel like I can't go on. He who whispers, Get up my child, I am within you! You can do ALL things. You are a warrior, a conqueror!

Thank you to my praying husband. A man after God's own heart!

and...

Thank you for praying friends. People God has placed in my life to intercede and lift me up!

Thank you! Call on me if you need me.. as the song says, "I need you to survive.. I pray for you and you pray for me.. I love you..

But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! 2 Corinthians 12: 9

Pursue versus Follow..Dare to Dream

When I woke up this morning, rainbows were on my mind. I heard it whispered, "If you are not pursuing the rainbows end, are you really living?" hmmm..I pondred. Then I heard, "Are you living or existing? There is a difference!"



People say, "Follow your dreams." To me, it sounds likeyou are lagging behind or trying to catch up with it. It's passive. One of the definitions of follow is "to proceed without plan or action." Now that just won't do. If I have written the vision, put it in front of me so that I can move toward it, why would I simply want to follow it. There is more to it than that.



Pursue means to follow, but with a different connotation. It means to follow with urgency. It's defined as "to quest for, go in search of or hunt for!" Doesn't that make you WANT to take action? It makes me want to make a strenuous effort to soar and strive!



I am reminded of the song, "Dare to Dream". It is the closing song of the movie Pride, the true story of Jim Ellis, a teach who formed an African American swim team in the projects of Philadelphia in the 1970's. Against what seemed like insurmountable odds, they competed for the state Championship.



The lyrics are:



See the rainbows around us all

Hear the angels when they call

Find a wahy to reach inside

Just dare to dream and walk with pride!



I challenge you today. Live - do more than exist. Pursue versus follow. Dream, Strive & Walk with Pride.



And as Always....Push Forward!

Above all things....LOVE

I’ve been quiet! In deep thought….Still …Listening for HIS voice!!

1st of all, Last week my girls were so sick. I haven’t seen them that sick in a long time. Their fevers were so high. They were so pitiful. Of course all of their symptoms fit the H1N1 flu but God prevailed. Just another reminder of how precious life is.

Secondly, Michael Jackson’s sudden death hit me hard. I didn’t know him personally. He wasn’t my friend. I don’t even know anyone that knew him. I was struck by the suddenness of it all. Another reminder of how fragile life is. It is only a breath. One last exhale and it’s over.

I watched the Memorial service! I listened intently to the songs that he wrote. I never paid that much attention to the words before. “Man in the Mirror, Gone too soon, Heal the World…..make it a better place” Deep, thought provoking words. It was also a peek into his world, reminding us that he was indeed human. He wasn’t just an icon or a pop star. His daughter “Paris’ comments about her “DADDY” ….wow is all I can say! She wanted everyone to know that she loved him. Despite the opinions of the world, she loved HIM.... HER DADDY!

That's how our FATHER feels about us!! Despite the opinions of the world, HE loves us. Despite the way we may feel about ourselves, HE still loves us. My pastor always says that there is nothing that we can do to make God START loving us and there is nothing that we can do to make God STOP loving us. HE is LOVE!

So I leave you with this......Above all things-Love God! Love yourself freely so that you may love others! Receive love! Please don’t lose your today worrying about tomorrow! Tomorrow is never promised! And as always….push forward. Push forward in love!

Romans 8:39 NIV
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. http://tinyurl.com/nhk5vy

Mommy Moment - RED LIGHT RED HAIR!!

I am having a Mommy moment. My daughter has red hair. Not red all over. Just the tips!. The tips are "red-light" red!

I am sort of conservative (NOW--SMILE). My daughter and I have a constant battle about her hair choices. (I exhale). She has the ability to change her hair at a moment’s notice. She can weave, bond, braid her own hair as she sees fit. As I type this, my middle child is begging me to stop. She said, “PLEASE DON’T TALK ABOUT MY SISTER..she giggles!” She doesn’t know what else I plan to say…. So, I continue to type!

After I looked at my oldest daughter’s newest hair creation, it hit me. I thought about all of the outfits that I used to wear while singing in an R & B band back in the day. Some of those outfits would surely have made my mother gasp had she seen them. Some of them she did see and she would only shake her head. My mother always says. “I’m going to tell you how I feel! If you choose to go ahead and jump off of the bridge, then at least I can say I told you not to” So, that’s all I can do. Ask her NOT to wear the hairstyles!

I stopped to think of all the other things she could be doing besides putting in red tips, so I am letting it go. I AM proud of her! She is doing well in college. She is healthy, bright, gifted and anointed. I am truly blessed.

I am entitled to Mommy Moments though because I am a MOMMY!! Right??... I thought so!

And as Always.. I am pushing forward!!

Is There Oil in your Lamp?

I am feeling empowered! I woke up with a really sore throat. Swollen glands. Just another trick to keep me home and keep me from singing God's praises. I turned the table though. I took the quiet as an opportunity to be still and listen to what the Master wants me to hear. He told me that sometimes foundations are shaken to wake you up. Not quite an earthquake, but a rumbling. Like the sound of thunder in the distance. It's an alert to let you know a storm is coming. It causes us to sit up, pay attention and prepare. Just because you hear the thunder, doesn't mean that the storm will actually reach your side of town but it still heightens your awareness. It says "Get Ready"

I sense a change. A change in outlook. An opening of the eyes to see what is available. To see all of the endless opportunities that He has provided for us. We have to be able to see, be alert. Just like the women with the oil. All of them slept but only 5 were prepared. Are you asleep today? If so, it's time to wake up. Prepare yourself for the good that is to come. Prepare to receive your blessings. They are on the way!

"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.'" {Matt 25:1-6 RSV}

Don't Let the Ivy Strangle You!

English ivy, or Hedera helix, is "an aggressive invader that threatens all vegetation levels of forested and open areas" according to the National Park Service. It is a serious threat.
I have such Ivy in my yard. It has taken over the trees. Whenever I pull in the driveway, I sometimes stare at it and wonder how much life it is strangling out of the pine tree that it covers. The pine tree is tall and stately. It is obvious by its height that it has been living a very long time. It has withstood hurricanes, storms and floods, but now, the life is being slowly drained from it by what appears to be a harmless plant.-IVY!

How many of us have IVY strangling our lives? The enemy is cunning. He crawls into our lives or our existence any way that he can. He is like Ivy. Ivy in the form of negative people. People that come and attach themselves to our lives and try to strangle our hopes, dreams and growth. At first their presence is small so the actions go unnoticed. They seem harmless. Then it starts. Negative energy. Negative statements. Every dream or vision that you mention is shot don’t down. You are told that it can’t be done or you can’t achieve that. Your day and thoughts are filled with their problems and issues. It is a one sided relationship. It is their goal to strangle you. To pull all of the God given joy out of your life.

Thank God for the victory. Open your eyes to who has attached themselves to your life. It might be time to do some weeding. The experts say pull through, cut and then pull up the roots. Pull apart from those that do not have your best interest at heart. Cut off completely those that deceitfully use you and most importantly uproot the ones that are strangling you, tearing you down. It might be arduous work but praise God, you will stand victorious. Standing strong and tall like that pine tree!! Ready to withstand the storms that may be yet to come. Remember that HE is always with you, watching over you!! So as Always ...Push Forward!

Jerimiah 31:28.
Just as I watched over them to uproot and tear down, and to overthrow, destroy and bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant," declares the Lord.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

As children we were asked this question frequently? At the young age of 5 or 6 some of us declare what we want to be and hold fast to that dream until it is attained. We hear. “So you want to be a teacher, a fireman, a doctor? That’s awesome child, pursue your dreams.” Some of us grow up and go off to college, still not knowing what we want to be. We begin to take courses in one area and may find that is nothing like we thought it would be and change majors. On the other hand, once again some of us go off knowing exactly what we want to be, choose our majors, pursue them and live happily ever after. Then there are those that forget their dreams. Maybe we really did want to be a teacher but chose to go into business because we were told that there isn’t any money in that profession. (No money based on whose standards though… hmmmmm). Whatever we really wanted to be may have been pushed down inside of us due to life. Maybe we didn’t get to go to college like we planned. Maybe we chose a job because it was available and got stuck. Imprisoned; feeling as if there was nowhere else to go so we stayed.

One of my girl friends recently made the statement, “What do I want to be when I grow up?” She is in her early 40’s. She is at a crossroads. She is finding herself. Discovering who she is and exploring what she wants to do with the rest of her life. I applaud her. You see, we should not define ourselves simply by the jobs that have. We should be defined by who WE REALLY are. We should follow our passions and pursue our purpose. Don’t pass go. It’s never too late. My mother obtained her doctorate in her 50’s, while driving 2 hours one way, to attend classes, while working! Imagine the things you can accomplish with a made up mind, following God’s lead; following HIS purpose! You know what you are meant to be and so does HE! If it’s nagging at you, pursue it. I challenge you today!! Just do it and as ALWAYS PUSH FORWARD!!

Psalms 138:8 NIV
The LORD will fulfill [his purpose] for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever--

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize!

I made the decision to change my eating habits a few weeks ago. I need and want to lose weight. I listened to a tele-seminar given by a life coach by the name of Dr. Melissa McCreery. She said many things, but one significant thing changed my life. She said, "What are you hungry for?" For example, "Do you hunger for quiet time?" Whatever it is, think about why you you are eating and what you are hungry for before you eat! Hallelujah!! I have been coasting every since, thinking before I eat and losing weight! UNTIL........ I was coasting along so well that I forgot to focus. I took my eyes off of my goal. Not only did I fall off of the wagon, I got knocked off! Knocked off on Saturday by the best chocolate cake (C. Carr) Yum Yum!! It's okay to indulge, but NO, I had to have more than one. LOL Fortunately by Monday, I'd regrouped. I knew that I was not too far from the wagon, so I was able to climb back on without a problem.

Isn't that life though. We have a valley experience and we fast and pray and focus on HE who can deliver us. Then we have a mountain experience. We are at the top! We get promoted! We reach our goals. Then we get distracted and lose focus. Of course the enemy is watching and waiting. Here he comes. He realizes that we have taken our eyes off of the prize. So here he comes to try and knock us off of the wagon. Ah Hah!! Fortunately for us the battle has already been won. We are NEVER too far from the wagon to climb back on. All we have to do is call on HIM and we are right back on course. In fact, He has His hand out to help us! Isn't that good news! We don't have to do it alone.

We all fall at some point or another. Some of us land softly and some of us don't. The important thing is that we get up! It doesn't matter if you jump up, roll over and pull yourself up, or get up one knee, to foot at a time. Just get up!! Get up and push forward and remember that you are NEVER alone. He is always there, smiling and waiting for you to Push Forward!

Phil 3:14 "With my eyes fixed on the goal I push on to secure the prize of God's heavenward call in Christ Jesus -"

Self Image... Do you wear a mask?

When I look in the mirror, what do I see?
I see a beautiful woman starring back at me.
My hair is long and my teeth are straight
My lips are full and my skin looks great.
I may not be the size that I would like to be
But I’m pleased with this woman for this woman is me! ~ Gigi

Self Image
We are our own worst critics. We struggle with who we are and who we’d like to be. What size we are, how much we weigh, the wrinkles that we have, the marks, the rolls, the imperfections, all of the things that make us what and who we are seem to be magnified under our own microscope. The world looking in has a totally different view. They can only see the surface unless we allow them into our inner thinking.

To protect ourselves, we put on mask. The mask that says everything is fine. The mask that says I have no problems, I’m together and I am handling my business. We feel safe behind our mask. It shields the world from us. It hides the hurt and the pain. It hides the struggle, the private struggle. It hides the fact that we really want to be free. It hides the truth. The truth being that we want to take the mask off and show the world who we really. Instead, we keep the mask on. Who can we trust? Who will accept us for who we really are?

I read a quote the other day that said, if you waste time trying to be someone else, you are wasting the person that you are? How many of us knowingly or unknowingly compare ourselves with others? "My sister is smaller than me; wish I was her size. Her hair is pretty; I wish mine was like that. She seems to have such a perfect life; I wish mine was like that. Etc. Etc. Etc. " All of this is a waste of energy and time. We have to strive to be comfortable with who we are. I’m not saying that if you need to lose weight for health reasons or need glasses to see although you don’t like glasses, you should ignore this and not take care of it. I am saying, love who you are now as you are taking the necessary steps to become a better you, if that is your choice.

My favorite quote says, “You are the one who put me together inside my mother's body, and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Psalm 139: 13-14!! That is awesome to me. He created us to be MARVELOUS! Let’s make a pack. Let’s not say ANOTHER NEGATIVE WORD about ourselves from this day forward!! NO NEGATIVITY!! NONE, NADA, NIX, NINE! Are you with me???

Look in the mirror and speak positive things! Affirmations! I am beautiful. I am smart. I am motivated. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!! When the enemy comes along and tries to get you to say otherwise.. STOP right then and say NO!!!!

I am ….. that I am ! There is only one me!
Created to be what God wants me to be
I am beautifully created in His image made
I am that I am ..none other portrayed.
As I go about my day with my head held high
I know that I am the gleam in His eye
The one that created me to be
A queen, victorious and alas I am she! ~Gigi