Tuesday, January 31, 2012

A New Me

When I got saved I became a new creature in the sight of God. My name was written down in the Book of Life. So exciting to be apart of something new. God gave me joy, peace, love....everything I need to make it through this earthly journey, He has equipped me for. However, there is one area in my life where I haven't fully applied myself and that's my health; mainly my weight. I'm a woman who does not mind a little meat on my bones. I have no desire to be skinny, but healthy. God tells us that our bodies represent His temple where His Holy Spirit dwell. God deserves to dwell in a place that is clean. He deserves to dwell in a place that's beautiful, not full of trash. God made me so why would I not take care of His creation. Even though this current body will die one day (hopefully not for a very long time), it's still my duty to preserve and take care of His temple.

I have started a workout routine and hopefully soon people will start to notice. I want to feel beautiful on a daily basis. God tells me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am made in His image.

I'm so insecure, but it's time for that to go.
I hope that when summer comes I won't be ashamed of what I look like.
I hope that when I get married that I won't feel like I have to hide myself from my husband.
I want to feel good about my body.
I believe that in order to really complete God's will for our lives we need to be in good physical health.

So far I have lost 12 pounds. Hopefully more will soon shed. I want to lose quite a bit of weight, but I plan on doing it all the right way. No pills!!! Just watch what I eat. Drink lots of water. Cut out most of the sweets. I am a chocoholic, but I will refrain from having so much. Cutting out caffiene, like my sweet tea from McDonalds. They have the best all around. Anyway, now you know another goal of mine.
I'm starting a small exercise routine, but it will give good rewards. I will NOT beat myself up if I screw up. God will help me. He wants me to be healthy along with my family and friends. Most importantly I want to do this. No one is making me; this is my choice.

Does the world seem bigger than God?

As human beings we become overwhelmed with what the world puts on our shoulders. We carry this weight that is not necessary. There is a saying that says, "The weight of the world is on your shoulders." Well, it does not have to be. In fact it shouldn't be. As Christians, we're told to take up our cross and follow Jesus. We're also told to cast all of our cares on Jesus and leave them at the foot of the cross so that we may deal with them no longer. With all the pressures of this world and the people that it entails, sometimes the world feels bigger than God. Why? Because we can't fully surrender our lives and our will to Him. It becomes difficult to give everything over to someone whom we can't physically see with our two eyes. When will we all learn that God's ways are set. We all know the saying and most of us say it about the elderlym "They're just set in their ways." That's how God is. He is set in His ways. His ways are not my ways, but I know that they are the best ways. They may be seem harder to get through, but its nothing like if we did it all our way. I believe its Elvis Presley who had a song entitled, "I Did It My Way". Do we look back and say that or can we honestly say that we did it God's way?

Psalm 90: 10-17 (NLT)
"Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away. Who can comprehend the power of your anger? Your wrath is as awesome as the fear you deserve. Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. O LORD, come back to us! How long will you delay? Take pity on your servants! Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery! Replace the evil years with good. Let us, your servants, see you work again; let our children see your glory. And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!"

I look and read over this passage of scripture and I'm reminded of how much God loves me. His love is unfailing. No matter how many times we feel like we have disappointed God. No matter how many times we fail in our walk with Him; God loves me. God loves you.

In our lives we will feel pain. We will grieve. We will not be fully satisfied, but GOD... God is a God who fully satisfies His children. He fills us up with everything we need. I want God's wisdom in my life. I want Him to keep reminding me of His unfailing love. I have done wrong, but God forgives and forgets. I want to be successful in the will of God. I want God to look at me and say, "Well done my child. My good and faithful servant."

Bible Emergency Numbers

When in sorrow, call John 14
When men fail you, call Psalm 27
When you have sinned, call Psalm 51
When you worry, call Matthew 6:19-34
When you are in danger, call Psalm 91
When God seems far away, call Psalm 139
When your faith needs stirring, call Hebrews 11
When you are lonely and fearful, call Psalm 23
When you grow bitter and critical, call 1 COR 13
When you feel down and out, call Romans 8: 31-39
When you want peace and rest, call Matthew 11: 25-30
When the world seems bigger than God, call Psalm 90
When you want Christian assurance, call Romans 8:1-30
When you leave home for labor or travel, call Psalm 121
When your prayers grow narrow and selfish, call Psalm 67
When you want courage for a task, call Joshua 1
When you think of investments/returns, call Mark 10
How to get along with fellowmen, call Romans 12
For great invention/opportunity, call Isaiah 55
For Paul's secret to happiness, call COL 3:12-17
For idea of Christianity, call 1 COR 5:15-19
If you are depressed, call Psalm 27
If you want to be fruitful, call John 15
If your pocketful is empty, call Psalm 37
If your losing confidence in people, call 1 COR 13
If people seem unkind, call John 15
If discouraged about your work, call Psalm 126
If you find the world growing small, and you great, call Psalm 19

Monday, January 23, 2012

Only A Season

God works in seasons to fulfill a lifetime. 

My season is singleness. I've come to the conclusion that it's okay. Do I still become antsy about the topic? Yes. Almost every day. All I need to do is stay in the Word, close to my Daddy in heaven. Everything will be fine. This too shall pass. There is nothing wrong with being in my mid-20s and being single. If that's what God has planned for now, then so be it. I can not change what God has planned. Plus, I don't think I would want to. His way is the better way. I'll admit though, it seems to be the hardest, but I know that if I would have done it my way, it would all be messed up. So in saying all that, thank you Jesus for this season. You are always there for me. I know that You are preparing me for something GREAT.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Heavy Heart

My heart is so heavy and my mind baffled. Tonight at our ladies' meeting a message came forth about the Proverbs 31 Woman. Great message. One of my favorite passages too. At the same time though, I felt left out. The message was seemed to be directed toward the wife and mother's in the room. I was the only one in the room who has never married and/or who has no kids.

Is it really too much to ask? I get so discouraged and heart broken because I feel like I've been forgotten about.

Whenever I have been attracted to a guy, it never goes well. For starters, most of them act like they don't know me. Then there are others who say, "I just like her as a friend." Then go on to never talk to me. I've had some people try to set me up with a guy, but it never works out. Most of them end up being too good to be true.

What  happened to "Ask and it shall be given...."? I know this to be true, but I just wonder when my turn will come.

People tell me,"When you know, you just know." I want that assurance. Just like I know that I am saved; that I am a daughter of the Most High King. 

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Daniel Fast - Week One

It's Sunday morning when my family and I start the fast. Everything was going fantastic. Kids church was awesome. Then after arriving in the sanctuary to only find out the presence of the Holy Spirit was so strong; people all over in the altars praying and seeking. It was absolutely wonderful. Pastor Greg, not getting to preach. God took over and he was showing out. I thought to myself, "This is only the beginning." Keep in mind that my church actually started this fast a week earlier. I was on vacation with my family and therefore we were not prepared to start that week. Anyway...needless to say church was GREAT!!

Transitioning- went home, ate a nice lunch, and took a nap.

BOOM!!! POW!!! I got hit with this awful headache. It was horrible. At first I thought that it might be related to the fast. Within a couple of days before beginning this fast I thought to start weening myself off of certain foods such as sweets and caffeine. So automatically when I awaken with this headache I assume that it is because of no caffeine. Thinking this I decide not take any medicine, it will wear off in a few hours.

I was so wrong. It got worse. The pain did not once back off. In fact, I found myself aching, having chills...this was not good. By the end of the night I have rice pack on my head to try and relieve the tension. It was so bad, lights could not be on around me. I finally go to bed, or at least try, and I still will not take anything. Again I woke up somewhere between  1 and 2 in the morning very ill. Head is pounding, freezing chills, horrible aches, and now to make matters I have a 102 fever. At this point, I knew this was not fast related. That told me flu. Then I thought God does like stupidity. I got up and took some Tylenol. Finally, within a few minutes, pressure began to relieve.

By late Monday afternoon, my temperature reading was 103. This reading fluctuated throughout Tuesday as well. Tuesday, my throat is swollen and I cannot speak. All you would have to do is barely put your fingertips on my throat and you could feel the swelling. Again, HORRIBLE!!

Unfortunately, when you're sick fluids are very important and so are certain vitamins, such as C.  I drank lots of water and orange juice. Then I discovered we have V8. Awesome, because for almost 2 1/2 days I could not swallow to eat or take any pill form medicine. Everything had to be in liquid form. I did eat a couple of Popsicle's...

Good news! God got me through it. I stuck to the fast as best I could.

I tell you this because God knows our heart. He knows our intentions, but He does not like ignorance and stupidity. Take care of yourself. I know I got sick and I'm still recovering, but that did not stop me from praying and spending with God. So in closing, I praise Him for everything that He IS doing. Thank you Jesus!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Vessel

In my morning session with my Abba Father earlier, while studying some passages, I came across this scripture:

Romans 9:21, “Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?

I thought to myself that could preach!!!! Anyway, I started to meditate on this verse and the conclusion that came to my heart and mind was that I want God to make me a vessel of honor. I don't want to be someone He will one day despise and say “Depart from me, I never knew you!”

I am, as the rest of the human race, are formed from the dust of the ground and molded out of clay. Each of us are made differently. My desire is to be the best that I can be for God, my Father. You might say, “How can I be that vessel of honor?” By fully surrendering to Him. He wants all of you and not just pieces of you. We need to understand that God has ALL power over our lives. I know that most, if not all of us have heard the saying, “I brought you into this world, I can take you out!” Well, God can do that. Just like the snap of His fingers, he can smash up your clay lump and say, “I'm done!”

Sometimes I wonder what God is thinking while sitting at His potter wheel. Yes, I imagine a potter's wheel. Does it even go through His mind that he's done tried and tried to make this person a certain way, but that person is just not holding up? No matter how much more clay he puts on to add stability and no matter how much water he uses to smooth it all out... the vessel is just not wanting to cooperate. Have you ever seen a potter work with clay? Or I even remember back in elementary and middle school, we as students in art class making clay pots/bowls. I remember that if there wasn't just the right amount of clay, my bowl wouldn't hold up, especially when it got into the furnace. Then to smooth out all the kinks and try to remove all the fingerprints, I would add some water. I would do so by taking my finger or using a small paint brush. Everything had to be just the right amount. If too much clay was used, then the piece of work would be to lumpy.

When I picture God at His wheel, I see sometimes he's having to add clay and smooth out with water. Other times I see Him having to remove clay because there just too much. There would be no balance. I'd be a lumpy vessel. I would be of dishonor. My God is a God of honor. He will make His children vessels of honor, but only if we will surrender wholly and completely to Him.


Run The Race

Paul says this, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize?” 1 Corinthians 9:24

Picture a race. Let's just say there's about twenty people participating in this race. This group of people, in their own spare time have trained themselves and their bodies to run. What are they training for? The prize and only one can win that prize.

The scripture goes on to say in verse 25, “And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.”

These people running this race are competing for something that will one day not exist. It's temporary. However, as believers, we run a race throughout our entire relationship with Christ. We're running as hard as we can and sometimes it's even harder to keep up. I say this to you as encouragement:

DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED!
God is running beside you and ahead of you.
If you trust Him, He will make sure you make it.
He say to your spirit, “Come on my child. Don't give up. You have come too far to look back. You can do this!! I'm right here.”

Prayer of Jabez

Prayer of Jabez: What is it?
The Prayer of Jabez comes from the Bible. In 1 Chronicles 4:10, we read:
"And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested." The prayer is composed of four parts. First, Jabez asks God to bless him. Second, he asks God to enlarge his territory or increase his responsibility. Third, he prays that God will be with him and stay close. Lastly, Jabez asks that God keep him from harm so that he will be free from pain.
Prayer of Jabez: Why is it important?
The Prayer of Jabez reveals that Jabez understands what many people do not -- there is only one God and He should be the center of our work God wants to bless every life. But, we must first make the choice to invite God into our life and ask for His blessings. Jabez wants to succeed and increase his sphere of influence for God. The specific sphere of influence is not important. What is important is that when we want to reach for goals and accomplishments that we have God on our side. Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established." It is critical to understand and practice this in a close relationship with God. Further, it is equally important to stay close to God and rely on His continued support and guidance throughout life. Jabez clearly knows and prays specifically to the One who can protect him from evil and pain -- God. At the end of the verse it is clear that God approved of this faithful prayer by granting it. It is also important to see that Jabez was passionate in his plea to God: "He cried out to the God of Israel." God wants to hear that we need Him through passionate prayer.
Prayer of Jabez: What does it mean to you?
The Prayer of Jabez reminds us that everybody struggles with choosing to rely on himself or God. Whether you are a focused Christian
or just searching to find out more about God, life is a growing process. However, it is very clear in reviewing the Prayer of Jabez, as well as the rest of the Bible, that God is faithful in caring for those who seek Him. Jabez sets a great example of how God wants everyone to come to Him through constant and passionate prayer. If you are looking to start a relationship with God or improve your existing relationship with Him, start with prayer. God answers prayers when you trust Him (1 Chronicles 5:20). Prayers to God also please Him (Proverbs 15:8). We can all learn from Jabez and faithfully pray to God always in everything that we do.


1 Chronicles 4:10

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

Oxygen

I know a lot of ladies who feel comfortable within their own bodies, but as many as there are, there are just as many women who can't even stand to look at them selves in the mirror. Some of these women would just give up. Maybe they've tried diet after diet, but it just didn't work. I'll be honest that I've tried a few. However for me the reason why it didn't work, I didn't give it enough time to work or I just didn't care if it worked at all. I'll give you a secret; it's for the best diet in the world. Watch what you eat!! Don't in-take so much. What would be in the secret for succeeding? Allow God to even help you lose weight, but to more importantly become healthy.

I've just started reading "Fit For My King" by Sherri Rose Shepherd. I've had the book for a little while, but felt there wasn't enough time. First of all, NO EXCUSES!! If I could give a good excuse/example about me, for the last two-three months I was on steroids. Everyone knows what they can do to your body. When taking medicines that's when its most important to have and stick to healthy eating habits.

Anyway, I wanted to share something about oxygen. I am quoting this passage from the book mentioned above:

" We can live 40 days without food, 4 days without water, but we will die in 4 minutes without oxygen. When God made man, He put in him a breath of life for him to exist. In the Garden of Eden, God blew the breath of life into Adam's nose. Some of us desperately need to learn to breathe deep. Exercise is essential to get oxygen to your cells. God created us to be physically active. Oxygen brings life to our bodies.

Oxygen...detoxifies our blood.
Oxygen...strengthens our immune system.
Oxygen...heightens concentration and alertness.
Oxygen...rejuvenates and revitalizes unhealthy cells.
Oxygen...slows down the aging process.
Oxygen...helps fight depression.

Not only does oxygen help your body burn fat, it is the very essence of life. So give yourself the gift of exercise. You deserve to take 20-30 minute break for you to refresh your mind and body with some exercise."

Having The Power

(This was written as a research paper to help a friend with her homework for class. Some is written by her and some by myself.)

ACTS 1:8 (AMP)
But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.”

 It is safe to say that people like to have power. We want power. However, according to the scripture, we need power. Not just any power, but we need the power of the Holy Spirit. It is God’s desire for his children to be powerful and nothing less. I don’t think that I’ve heard anyone pray for weakness in their life. The Holy Spirit is an enabler; you can define Him as the power of God. The only way that we can become powerful is when we finally accept Him in our lives. Another way that the Holy Spirit enables his children is to help us to be what He wants us to be.



The scripture refers to say that we are to be witnesses. Although going out and doing is all good, being that witness is so much more. How can we be more of a witness rather than do, we use by authority the power of the Holy Spirit.



According to Darrell L. Bock, in Acts, “The disciples calling concern and mission are not to focus on the timing of the end. Rather they are to receive the enablement that God will give in the Spirit. They will be Jesus’ witnesses from Jerusalem to the end of the earth. The Spirit is tied to power which refers here to being empowered to speak boldly by testifying to the message of God’s work through Jesus.”



What he is saying here is for the disciples and us not to worry about when the end is but to receive the Holy Spirit and with that, empowerment. Acts 1:8 sets out clearly what the church is to be doing until Jesus returns. (Bible Gateway Commentary)



Through a command-promise, Jesus tells his disciples of the resources, content and scope of their primary task. The essential resource is God the Holy Spirit, who will come on them at Pentecost as he did on Mary at the incarnation.” (Bible Gateway Commentary)



Jesus is telling us exactly what to do. The purpose of the Holy Spirit is to be our comforter, our guide, and our power giver. We cannot just sit back and expect the Holy Spirit to do only His part; we have our part as well.

Don't Worry

Why do people worry? I know why. It's because of fear, and therefore because of sin in their life. Did you know that worry is a sin? Not only is it a sin, but it can be very aggravating. It's also a waste of time.

The Bible through the words of Jesus forbids us as Christians to worry. One example is found in Matthew 6:34, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Jesus also states even before He says this, that we shouldn't even worry about what we're going to wear the next day, or what we're going to eat. We have to trust God that He will provide our every need.

So if you're one of the people who worry constantly or just here and there, then I know if it were me I would be checking and examining myself. Then ask for forgiveness from God. He will help you. The reasons do not matter, worrying is not healthy. It effects us spiritually, and if we don't do anything about it, then it will move on to physical side effects. It automatically messes with your mind and other emotions. Don't let worry take over your life because eventually it will do damage and because it is sin, it can and will kill you.

Please don't be that person who's constantly worrying. Proverbs 12:25, "Anxiety (worry) in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad." However if you do find yourself starting to worry, grab your Bible and begin to encourage yourself through the words of Jesus. I don't know about you, but I don't feel like being part of a statistic of all the people who are depressed. It makes me even wonder how many Christians are depressed. Now, I'm not going to sit here and tell you that depression isn't real because it is, but the more you dwell on your depression, on your worry, the more you will pollute your body with sin. Eventually, you will die.

Words to encourage you: There is hope!! Because of love, Christ who died for you, can and will forgive you. He will wipe the slate clean. You see when He was on the cross, you were on His mind and the weight of ALL sin was on Him.
Philippians 4:6-7, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication (fasting), with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and let the peace of God, which surpasses ALL understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

If you want peace from God, then give up the sin. You cannot have both. Choose this day, whom you will serve! Go with God and receive all that He has in store for you, including peace.

Daughter of God

Seems like where ever I go there's a young girl who's hurting. She wants answers as to why she feels the way she does. She wants closeness. She wants intimacy. However, she can't find it. Why? She's looking for it in all the wrong places. Places that she may look include friends, boys, and even family. I've even seen young girls search for closeness through their church. They always come up empty.

Women for the most part, we like to be noticed. We like to hear how much we are appreciated. We like to hear praise upon praise. What we don't like is all the negative. We are very emotional beings. We're very easy to believe what we hear.

However, I want you to think about this, you were created to be emotional. Most men (not all), but most are to stubborn to show true emotion. That macho-ness comes into their mind. Women don't care. I could be sitting in a restaurant and start to cry. Who knows it might be from a commercial that I saw on TV. There's no telling what would trigger it, but it's happened. Someone has to cry. What would this world be like if there were no tears. They range from all different emotional levels. Tears not only show a sign of sadness, but of joy. You might be saying, “Well, in Heaven there won't be any crying.” Yes, I believe that to be true, but this is earth. This is the same earth that Jesus himself walked on over 2,000 years ago.

Satisfaction is what we look for. Men do too, just in different ways. We long for attention. We spend all our time giving and giving, we wonder why can't we get? We long for affection? This is a big one. We want so bad to hear three little words that mean so much, we'll almost do anything to hear it. It's rather sad. My heart breaks when I hear a young lady tell me that she will let a young man do anything to her just so she can hear “I love you.” Some women goes even as far as saying, “Well, he may say it, but it shows through the way he makes love to me.” We long for devotion.

This is written to remind you how valuable you are to a man who loves you so much that He died for you. You are worth all His time. You are worth all His affection. You are worth all His devotion. There is nothing on this earth that can fully satisfy you. It is only through Jesus Christ where you find total and complete satisfaction. When you call on His name, He will answer. He is right beside you. He will never leave you. He will never forsake you.
Let Him be your lover. Let Him be the one that you are intimate with. Tell Him your deepest desires and thoughts. Whatever comes to your mind, tell Him. He already knows, so why try and hide it from Him. He sees your tears. He knows how much your heart hurts. He knows how tired you are. He knows it all.

You are a woman of worth. Do not let anyone else try to tell you different. You are special. He wants to be the love of your life. Let Him!!! Let him in Daughter!!

Being Still

There comes a time when as Christians we may just need to take some time and be still before the Lord. It's nothing to be upset about, it's not even anything to be afraid of. Take it as God is just wanting to spend time with you and you alone. No distractions. Psalm 46:10 says to Be still and know that I am God. I love how the message puts this scripture:"Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything."

  • Step out of the traffic- Remove yourself from distractions. This doesn't mean to go totally solitude. You don't have to do everything. God has appointed his people to do something specific for the kingdom. He places people where he wants them. The eyes were not created to do the work of the mouth; the feet were not created to do the work of the hands. Each body part has a certain task.
  • Long, loving look at God- You've stepped away from whatever distraction(s) and now you just need to focus. Take a look at God. Meditate on Him. Talk to Him. Tell Him how much you love Him. Maybe He wants you to pull away because we don't tell Him enough or show him enough how much we love Him. We let too much of our flesh get in the way, then we forget why we're really doing what we're supposed to be doing.



Just to give an example:

I'm no stranger to the church platform. Sang my first solo when I was four. Then around the age 11 or 12 I began to play in our church band/orchestra. At age 16 singing became more of my passion and I began to pursue that direction. I knew that God had blessed me with musical talents and gifts. As I got older, the passion for singing just kept getting stronger, but where was I at with my walk? I can say that I barely had one. The only thing I could say was that I was "saved". The seriousness of my walk didn't come into play until March 2003 at a Winterfest Conference in Knoxville, TN. This was the weekend that God knocked on my hearts door and said, "Are you ready?"  I said "Yes!" The next night I was filled with the Holy Spirit. What an amazing feeling!!

Well, I've become so comfortable and content with what I was doing, my focus began to slip. I wanted to excel in what I did, but I was beginning to want it for the wrong reason. I could care less about leading, or having a solo. I just wanted people to know that I knew what I was doing and that I knew it well.

Eventually, that would have turned into a very ugly picture. Thank God though for answered prayers and for his confirmation. Do I necessarily like the answer? No, but it's okay. Some of us Christians are so ADHD that God needs to take out our energizer battery and put us to a halt. He says, "WHOA!!! Hold it!!! I need for you to just BE STILL!"

Beautiful To Me

Saturday night was an emotional night for me. God has really been dealing with me on praying and on fasting. I am constantly thinking about it. As I was reading the Word, something inside me just said to begin praying. All I could do was get down on my face before God and literally cry out to Him. Even though God already knew my heart and my thoughts at that particular moment, He wanted me to talk to Him. He wanted me to communicate with Him.

Anyway, I began to pour out my heart to Him. I did not know what to say and honestly, I did not know how to pray. So I began to cry. Tears within themselves are a language that only God can understand. It does not matter if they are tears of sorrow, tears of hurt, tears of heart-break, or even tears of joy and happiness; God knows and understands tears.

I opened up my the next blank page in my journal and I just asked God to write me something. I asked God to write out my story. I was getting frustrated and upset, but at the same time I am in the presence of my Daddy God. What could be more soothing and comforting? After a few moments, without hesitation this what ended up on that blank journal page:

Thank you for loving me as if you are my husband. After all, you are my first true love. You provide for me like a husband should. You encourage me like a husband should. You love me like a husband should. It is not just any kind of love either, but you love me with an unconditional love.

I love you in return for everything that you have done for me. I love you for who you are. I worship you for who you are.

My love, hold me close to you. Hold me tight and never let me go. You lift me up when I am down. You make me feel so special and beautiful on the inside. You even tell me that I am beautiful on the outside.

Thank you for being my rock. Thank you for being that solid foundation in which I can stand on. Thank you for being my best friend. Thank you for assuring me that you will never leave me. You always know what to say and when to say it.

Thank you for giving me strength, courage, and boldness.

Thank you for everything. Thank you for being that one I can always trust. I can always rely on you. I can just call your name and you will be there. Every time you remind that you have never left; you have been there the whole time.

Thank you for being my peace throughout the storm. You make everything so calm.

Knowing that you are always near me, warms me up. You love me so much. When you make a promise, you keep it. Thank you for being a man who keeps His word. I can tell you anything and not even be afraid about it. You already know it all.

My love, I love you.
You are beautiful to me!!

Attitudes

Unhealthy to Healthy Attitudes

Excerpt from Joyce Meyer Study Bible:

It has been proven that if people believe something about themselves strongly enough, they will actually begin to behave the way they perceive themselves to be. But I have good news: Your mind can be renewed by the Word of God. This does not happen instantly, but it is possible with the help of the Holy Spirit. God wants you to bear good fruit, and He will help you do so by replacing bad roots with good roots as you meditate on His word. Jesus invites us to be rooted and grounded in Him and in His love.”

Helpful Scriptures
    • Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].”

    • Luke 6:44, “For each tree is known and identified by its own fruit; for figs are not gathered from thorn-bushes, nor is a cluster of grapes picked from a bramble-bush.”

    • Ephesians 3:17, “May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love.”

    • Colossians 2:7, “Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving.”



Don't worry if you think you're alone on this topic. You're not. I'm in the same boat. I get caught up in my flesh and in the worldly things around me, that I'm not thinking about what's healthy for my spirit.

I've learned that people are watching even when you think that they're not. Sometimes you might get away with it, but if you're serious about changing, then you won't. God will correct you some way and some how. He can use someone in your life to correct you. Your attitude could be unintentional. Things happen. Life is going to happen. As long as we are still breathing, then we can do nothing to stop it. However, we can control our actions and our attitudes. Take it from me, sometimes its not all that easy.

We need to remember to stay on our guard and pay more attention to what kind of fruit we're allowing in our spirit. I want people to be able to see Christ through me and that I'm different from the rest of the world. I want my faith to be strong. I want to be grounded in my Father and rooted within His word. That way when the enemy or just life itself throws something at me, I'll be ready to throw it right back in its face.

As mentioned earlier, this is not an overnight, instantaneous act, but its not impossible. Nothing is impossible with God. ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!!!


A prayer:
Lord, it's important as your servant, but even more your child for me to have a good and healthy attitude. I don't want to seem like my life is show at church or in public. The attitude needs to be the same throughout my life. Daddy God, help me. Replace the bad roots, bad fruit with ALL good roots, and good fruit.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Admiration

I think everyone could say that there is an actor and/or actress whom they would say they admire. Some of my favorites include: Meg Ryan, Amy Adams, Tom Hanks, Patrick Dempsey, Adam Sandler. These are just to name a few. Now notice how I said the word "admire". What does that word mean? The word admire means to regard with wonder, pleasure, or approval. So if I had to really pick someone from my list of people who I truly admire as an actress, she would be Audrey Hepburn.

Audrey had poise.
Audrey had true modesty.

Listed below are some of my favorite quotes from Ms. Hepburn. I hope that they encourage and speak to you as they do to me. God bless!

"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles."

"I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it's the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It's probably the most important thing in a person."

"If I get married, I want to be very married."

"Let's face it, a nice creamy chocolate cake does a lot for a lot of people; it does for me."

"Nothing is impossible. The word itself says, I'm possible!"

"The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years." 

"The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides."

"True friends are families which you can select."

I could go on and on...these are just to list a few.

Resolutions

My New Year's Resolution is very simple for this year. I want to do the best that I can that I may glorify God and I want to accomplish more of His will for my life. This is my goal. While some tasks may be easier than others, or they could just be flat out difficult, I know this...God deserves all the glory and praise for everything.

God bless you! Happy New Year!!!

Monday, January 2, 2012

Why 21 Days?

The time has come. It is time for the annual 21 day Daniel Fast. What does God have in store for you this year? What does He have in store for me? At first, I thought that Daniel had only fasted 10 days and then the extra 11 days came from a practice that man had determined from studies in order to break a habit. That's not the case at all. While Daniel had fasted ten days, the number 21 also comes in through the scripture and story of Daniel.

Check it out!

Daniel 10:2-3," In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled."

Daniel 10:13, " But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and be hold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia."

So we fast for 21 days because Daniel did indeed fast for three straight weeks. I'm excited to see and experience what God is going to do. God will bless you for your sacrifice. If you have never fasted, I encourage you to do so.

Desire List

1. Born again
2. Filled with the Holy Spirit
3. Faithful in tithes in offerings
4. Accountable
5. Loves Praise and Worship
6. Leader of Worship
7. Works hard
8. Loves family
9. Wants family
10. Musically inclined and involved
11. Strong
12. Courageous
13. Easy to talk to
14. Stands up for what is right and just
15. Not afraid of discipline
16. Actively in the Word
17. Actively involved in church and community
18. Tall about 6'3"
19. Not afraid to show emotion
20. Not afraid to pray out loud
21. Likes to travel
22. Likes to host others
23. Wants to help those in need
24. Likes to cook
25. Financially stable
26. Always has a shoulder for me to cry on
27. Affectionate
28. Patient
29. Has wisdom and ecouragement
30. In good health
31. Built and not too hairy
32. Knows the voice of the Lord
33. Funny, but knows when to be serious