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!
- Gigi
- Welcome to my blog! I am a born again worshiper! My life is dedicated to God, Family, Friends, Music Ministry and spreading words of encouragement!!
Aug 31, 2009
Aug 29, 2009
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.
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.
Aug 25, 2009
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,
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,
Aug 20, 2009
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.
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.
Aug 19, 2009
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.
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.
Aug 16, 2009
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
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
Aug 8, 2009
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!
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!
Aug 3, 2009
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...
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...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)