"Just pray on it....". This was the bright and cheery comment from my sister in law who is new in Christ, as she overheard a conversation.
I giggled as I told my husband about this little statement. Sort of joking at the naivete of the statement. "She's new in the Lord", I thought to myself. "Live a little in this new found relationship", I again thought to myself.....then, I realized that the joke was on me. Because that is just how the Lord wants us to be. Brightly and cheerfully knowing that He can handle anything that we face. Gleefully going to Him BEFORE we stress out, lose sleep, or make some rash decision.
"Just pray on it". What a wonderful concept. Now my giggles are about how hard I have made situations because I didn't go to the Lord from the beginning, taking all my cares to Him.
So take it from the mouths of babes....and "just pray on it". It will make all the difference in the world.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Wind of Change
There seems to be a wind of change happening in my life. My children are growing up; I have a 4th grader and a freshman in college now. My husband and I just celebrated 10 years of marriage, to God be the glory, and next year represents 20 years since my high school graduation........
And with all of these great milestones I still sense that the best is yet to come. Like a wind of change is coming. My stomach has the stir of great anticipation for God's will, purpose, and work to be made manifest in my life and my family's lives.
(I hope the words of this blog are jumping off the page at you the way that they are jumping in my spirit.)
I recently shared with my 9 year old son about when Jesus is to return, and how "the dead in Christ shall rise first...". I think the word says it best I Thessalonians 4:16-17; a praise broke forth from my spirit as I shared with him how his Grandpas and others that have passed away during his short life and even those that he has read about in the bible will rise first.....hallelujah! Then we that remain, shall be caught up to meet him in the air.......hallelujah!
Yes, a wind of change is coming; and I am welcoming the breeze.
The lovely thing about a breeze of wind is that it doesn't just stop in one place......so be on the lookout for this breeze, or it may have passed your way as it comes toward me ....but take a moment to enjoy it, and walk in the wind of change that God has for you. I plan on taking a deep breath and filling myself with as much as I can take in...... because like a warm summer day....you never know when you will catch another breeze
........from the wind of change.
And with all of these great milestones I still sense that the best is yet to come. Like a wind of change is coming. My stomach has the stir of great anticipation for God's will, purpose, and work to be made manifest in my life and my family's lives.
(I hope the words of this blog are jumping off the page at you the way that they are jumping in my spirit.)
I recently shared with my 9 year old son about when Jesus is to return, and how "the dead in Christ shall rise first...". I think the word says it best I Thessalonians 4:16-17; a praise broke forth from my spirit as I shared with him how his Grandpas and others that have passed away during his short life and even those that he has read about in the bible will rise first.....hallelujah! Then we that remain, shall be caught up to meet him in the air.......hallelujah!
Yes, a wind of change is coming; and I am welcoming the breeze.
The lovely thing about a breeze of wind is that it doesn't just stop in one place......so be on the lookout for this breeze, or it may have passed your way as it comes toward me ....but take a moment to enjoy it, and walk in the wind of change that God has for you. I plan on taking a deep breath and filling myself with as much as I can take in...... because like a warm summer day....you never know when you will catch another breeze
........from the wind of change.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
He's just THAT into you!
Seems the new phrase of the season is "he's really not that into you". Books, movies, talk show discussions....women are being advised of the signs of knowing if the man they are seeing or have been dating is "promising".
It got me to thinking of just how much Jesus is into me. I mean through thick and thin; high or low; up or down; good or bad hair days.....He wants to be with me. He wants to fellowship with me and talk to me, and quite frankly that stirred me up. Speaking from the female perspective; that is just it.....we WANT our husbands, fiance's, and boyfriends to WANT to be with us and spend time with us and talk with us.
And to think that I had all that I was looking for right inside of me.
Jesus is into me like crazy. He thinks about me all day and even all night. He prays for me. He is ready to talk at anytime, no appointment necessary and no waiting until half time or the kids are asleep. He gives me good counsel and direction when I acknowledge Him and give Him His props.
So no longer do we have to look to authors, talk show host, or screenwriters to know the signs of a promising relationship..... that manual was written long ago...... the word of God has the best gift.......the gift of Jesus Christ.....and He's just THAT into me....and you!
It got me to thinking of just how much Jesus is into me. I mean through thick and thin; high or low; up or down; good or bad hair days.....He wants to be with me. He wants to fellowship with me and talk to me, and quite frankly that stirred me up. Speaking from the female perspective; that is just it.....we WANT our husbands, fiance's, and boyfriends to WANT to be with us and spend time with us and talk with us.
And to think that I had all that I was looking for right inside of me.
Jesus is into me like crazy. He thinks about me all day and even all night. He prays for me. He is ready to talk at anytime, no appointment necessary and no waiting until half time or the kids are asleep. He gives me good counsel and direction when I acknowledge Him and give Him His props.
So no longer do we have to look to authors, talk show host, or screenwriters to know the signs of a promising relationship..... that manual was written long ago...... the word of God has the best gift.......the gift of Jesus Christ.....and He's just THAT into me....and you!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Cinch by the inch!
Well I have been meeting with my mentor for 5 months now. Wow, how times flies. As much as I knew that I needed an "intervention", I had no idea how much stuff I would have to go through within myself to even begin being able to get this process off the ground. My mentor, (and I suggest you all get or have someone that speaks into your life to drive you towards the things you desire to do), told me from the beginning that it would take some time, that old habits would have to be addressed and then redeveloped, that daily success is success. But me with my overwhelming mindset..... I want it all, I want it to change, and I want it fixed.....AND I want it now!
Little did I know that a small phrase that I recently heard could put all of what my mentor has been telling me for 5 months into perfect sync ...."It's a cinch by the inch....it's hard by the yard." Such a simple statement, but it makes a world of sense to me. If I do a little each day, I can accomplish what I set out to do at the top of this year. But I must take small consistent steps rather than the best out of 3 in long jump attempts.
Eating just one serving of fruits and vegetables per day, removing just soda or chips from my diet....one at at time. Working on home projects for 20 minutes a week, rather than tearing up the whole house for a month. Read my word and pray for 15 minutes.... it will increase as I become consistent in doing it daily.
So as you tackle your life's journey, dreams, and goals......know that you can do it. Take it a step at a time. Remember this race is not given to swift nor to the strong, but it is given to the one that endures until the end; and know that it really is a cinch by the inch!
Little did I know that a small phrase that I recently heard could put all of what my mentor has been telling me for 5 months into perfect sync ...."It's a cinch by the inch....it's hard by the yard." Such a simple statement, but it makes a world of sense to me. If I do a little each day, I can accomplish what I set out to do at the top of this year. But I must take small consistent steps rather than the best out of 3 in long jump attempts.
Eating just one serving of fruits and vegetables per day, removing just soda or chips from my diet....one at at time. Working on home projects for 20 minutes a week, rather than tearing up the whole house for a month. Read my word and pray for 15 minutes.... it will increase as I become consistent in doing it daily.
So as you tackle your life's journey, dreams, and goals......know that you can do it. Take it a step at a time. Remember this race is not given to swift nor to the strong, but it is given to the one that endures until the end; and know that it really is a cinch by the inch!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Mayday, Mayday.....May Day!
Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.......The saints of the most high God are being defeated left and right. They pray for healing and there are no results. They rebuke the enemy, but he does not flee. Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.....the body of Christ is being taken by force and no one seems to know what to do.
I have found myself lately longing for days of old. The old black family. Old school women who got up early each morning and put on their dresses and stockings. Coiffed hair and lipsticked lips and earrings.....and that' s by 7 am. A time when your word enough, and you did what you said you would do. When a yea was a yea and a nay a nay. A time when you could see holiness....and I'm not talking about a long skirt or lack of makeup (although I believe that if that is what is necessary for some to keep the ways of the Lord, so beit).....no, a time when parents were heard praying in the middle of the night. When groups of "mothers" gathered weekly for prayer or for a shut in. When you knew what a man or woman stood for. When there was the laying on of hands and people recovered. A time when folks didn't mind going to church for Tuesday prayer, Wednesday Bible Study, Friday Night service, and then again on Sunday for day and evening service.
We can blame technology. We can blame the New Age movement. We can blame cell phones and text messaging.....but, we have made the gospel and living for Christ so convenient that it is no longer effective. Mayday, Mayday, Mayday....we are deceived that we are living for Christ, yet we are doing our own thing. Living how and when we want to live for Him. I was reading Isaiah 58; and the Lord revealed myself to me. If you have read the passage, enough said.
Mayday, Mayday, Mayday...... this May day, the mouth of Lord has spoken....will you heed His voice?
I have found myself lately longing for days of old. The old black family. Old school women who got up early each morning and put on their dresses and stockings. Coiffed hair and lipsticked lips and earrings.....and that' s by 7 am. A time when your word enough, and you did what you said you would do. When a yea was a yea and a nay a nay. A time when you could see holiness....and I'm not talking about a long skirt or lack of makeup (although I believe that if that is what is necessary for some to keep the ways of the Lord, so beit).....no, a time when parents were heard praying in the middle of the night. When groups of "mothers" gathered weekly for prayer or for a shut in. When you knew what a man or woman stood for. When there was the laying on of hands and people recovered. A time when folks didn't mind going to church for Tuesday prayer, Wednesday Bible Study, Friday Night service, and then again on Sunday for day and evening service.
We can blame technology. We can blame the New Age movement. We can blame cell phones and text messaging.....but, we have made the gospel and living for Christ so convenient that it is no longer effective. Mayday, Mayday, Mayday....we are deceived that we are living for Christ, yet we are doing our own thing. Living how and when we want to live for Him. I was reading Isaiah 58; and the Lord revealed myself to me. If you have read the passage, enough said.
Mayday, Mayday, Mayday...... this May day, the mouth of Lord has spoken....will you heed His voice?
Friday, April 17, 2009
All I have....Part 2
Recap.....All I have (part 1) was about emptying out of my sin, which was all I had to give to God when I came to Christ; and how He wonderful took my sin and in return gave me a life of joy and peace and hope.
Part 2...
A friend of mine recently went on a missions trip to Cuba. As he shared stories of the airport inquisitions of his intent in that country, and the meager living status of its citizens he made one statement that has remained with me....."All they have is Jesus". What a powerful statement. It pricked my heart and made me wonder, what if we lived like all we had was Jesus. Not about how big our home is, or what year vehicle we drive, or how entitled we are to a shopping spree since it has been 6 long months. To live life with the only thing to hold onto being Jesus Christ and to live in the joy, peace, and hope that we would live a life pleasing to Him. And that's not to say that life in Christ cannot include those things I mentioned before, but when He comes first those earthly things begin to not matter as much.
I am on a journey to take on the attitude of my brothers and sisters in Cuba. One that rejoices, not in what I don't have, but rejoices in the life He has given me in return for my junk. If we really think about it, what do we really have? I have been so deceived by my haughtiness, my sense of entitlement, and my ungratefulness, that I really began to believe that I have something.....that house in mine, I own that car, MY kids, MY job, MY money.....is everything not the Lord's?
We may look down on or feel sorry for the disposition of our Cuban (or any third world country) brothers and sisters, but I would dare to say today that they may be more enlightened than we will ever be. You see they have figured it out.....as I hope to do as well.....all I have.... is Jesus Christ!....and that's enough for me.
Part 2...
A friend of mine recently went on a missions trip to Cuba. As he shared stories of the airport inquisitions of his intent in that country, and the meager living status of its citizens he made one statement that has remained with me....."All they have is Jesus". What a powerful statement. It pricked my heart and made me wonder, what if we lived like all we had was Jesus. Not about how big our home is, or what year vehicle we drive, or how entitled we are to a shopping spree since it has been 6 long months. To live life with the only thing to hold onto being Jesus Christ and to live in the joy, peace, and hope that we would live a life pleasing to Him. And that's not to say that life in Christ cannot include those things I mentioned before, but when He comes first those earthly things begin to not matter as much.
I am on a journey to take on the attitude of my brothers and sisters in Cuba. One that rejoices, not in what I don't have, but rejoices in the life He has given me in return for my junk. If we really think about it, what do we really have? I have been so deceived by my haughtiness, my sense of entitlement, and my ungratefulness, that I really began to believe that I have something.....that house in mine, I own that car, MY kids, MY job, MY money.....is everything not the Lord's?
We may look down on or feel sorry for the disposition of our Cuban (or any third world country) brothers and sisters, but I would dare to say today that they may be more enlightened than we will ever be. You see they have figured it out.....as I hope to do as well.....all I have.... is Jesus Christ!....and that's enough for me.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
All I have....Part 1
Anyone who knows me, undoubtedly knows that my favorite artist is CeCe Winans. Beauty, radiance,and let's not even get into her vocals.....those are just a few of the reasons I like CeCe, but the main reason is Jesus Christ. She exudes Christ and I dig that. I desire to exude Christ as well. This post isn't about CeCe, but one of my favorite songs by her "In Return". The lyrics state: "All I had to give was a broken heart, torn apart....All I had to give was an empty hope and promises". Well when I came to Christ I don't know if I even had that. I was broken, I was used, and I was hopeless. I knew God had more for me but I didn't quite know how to fully surrender to him so that I could live the way He had intended for me to live and be who He had intended for me to be.
My life was a raging storm, but as I surrendered to Jesus and allowed Him to be my Lord, He calmed the sea within me. True life and love were revealed to me through His word and others. I traded in my sorrow, my deceit, and my sin.....and in return......the Lord gave me joy and hope, He healed my brokenness and turned my mourning into dancing. Sometimes I wonder how He could take nothing, and that was all I had to give, and make Godz Girl. But He did it for me and I know that He can do it for you.......so what do you have to give?
My life was a raging storm, but as I surrendered to Jesus and allowed Him to be my Lord, He calmed the sea within me. True life and love were revealed to me through His word and others. I traded in my sorrow, my deceit, and my sin.....and in return......the Lord gave me joy and hope, He healed my brokenness and turned my mourning into dancing. Sometimes I wonder how He could take nothing, and that was all I had to give, and make Godz Girl. But He did it for me and I know that He can do it for you.......so what do you have to give?
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