Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Does God Forget?

My five year old and I were outside enjoying the beautiful day and she casually says, "Mama, does God forget anything?" I told her that the scripture in the bible that I remembered was that in Hebrews 8:12 - For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. She said, "Ok!" And just as quick as she came with the question, she left just as fast! Eventhough she was satsfied with my answer, it left me just in awe of God once again.

I thought about all of the times that I disappointed God, all of the times that I chose sin over righteousness, all of the things that God forgave me for and continued to bless me in spite of. I could only thank him for his mercy! He didn't have to do it, but I am so thankful that he did! He was merciful to the people of Israel in this scripture and he is merciful to us today. How awesome is GOD!

Jeremiah 31:34 - And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Becoming the Woman God Desires

It's amazing that after almost 12 years of marriage and four kids that I sometimes feel like a rookie in the game of life. Things are always changing and life throws you curve balls. What I have come to know is that God desires nothing but the best for us. He wants this time on Earth to be great. Now, the devil on the other hand, is going to be working twice is hard to make sure that our time on this Earth is nothing but pure misery.

I think about life and how there are so many different things to consume our minds with. There are a lot of uncertainties. Things seem to be only getting worse. There are difficulties in our own households. For single people, it may be the torturing thought of will I ever get married and have a family? For married people, it's coping with how to make your marriage work. How not to throw in the towel when the going gets tough. Then there are our own personal demons. Will I ever find my calling in this lifetime? Will I ever reach my full potential? Will I ever stop living from pay check to pay check and live a halfway comfortable life? Will my children ever listen? Will I ever have children? Will I ever get a bigger house? A luxury car? A bigger wardrobe? Our minds can take us places that will potentially destroy us. We get so caught up in things that don't matter instead of focusing on the things that would be life changing and a blessing to others.

With all of those thoughts and fears that we all go through, I am learning that the only sure answer to any of that is to fall in love with God first and he will provide you with everything you need. Even if you never get married, even if you never have kids, even if you don't get that extravagant home, if...if....if... Check out the following scriptures that substantiate what I am saying:

Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.
1 Peter 5:7


Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank Him for His answers. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ.
Phillipians 4:6-7


Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31

I could go on and on, but the scriptures do not say worry and be afraid. The scriptures don't say be discontent and frustrated. God wants us to be strong and courageous no matter what. Joyce Meyer said it best, "Married people are mad and single people are sad." This speaks volumes. The ultimate message for this saying is to make ourselves content in WHATEVER our situation is.

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content." Phillipians 4:11

Sunday, May 29, 2011

My Girl's



"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

My children are all very unique and bring a special flair to my life. They are so sweet and loving. My 11 year old is very sensitive and compassionate. She wears her heart on her sleeve like her mom. She is also very independent. We clash on everything from clothes to her choice of books. She is rapidly approaching the teen stage which I am not excited about. She always makes sure that I am okay. She cannot stand to see me cry or upset. Her attitude leaves much to be desired at times. Nonetheless, at the end of the day there is a certain level of respect that we both have for one another that screams "We are one in the same!"

My little five year old is a daddy's girl. She would choose her daddy over her mama any day! LOL! She is very much like me more than any of my children. My parents call her my pay back. She is very demanding. She wakes up with drama and goes to sleep with drama. It's either her way or the highway and she always has to have the last word. She's very much an intellectual and as my mother-in-law says, "She runs the house." I could have her dressed in the prettiest dress with the prettiest hairdo and left to herself for five minutes, it's over.

As a mother, it is imperative that we teach our girl's to be women of God. There are so many young ladies left to raise themselves and have no clue as to what it means to be a lady. They have no respect and fall for the first guy that pays them some attention. We have to teach self-respect and how to be better than we were. There are so many outside influences that can take our children away from us if we don't have them prepared. It takes open and honest communication. They have to know that we are human as well!

I try to keep my girl's involved. Piano, gymnastics, ballet, tap, etc. You don't have to put them in everything, but they need to be exposed to something outside of their everyday environment. There is a world out there and they need to know how to handle it. If we don't teach them, the streets will.

*The pics are from their dance rectial "On Broadway" which was held Saturday. They made their mama proud! :)

Friday, May 27, 2011

Validation

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank Him for His answers. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ." Phillipians 4: 6-7


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Validation is what most women often need from others to make us feel better about ourselves. Atleast, this has been the case for me and some that I know. I have realized that a huge mistake that I have made within my marriage, friendships, with family, as well as in the workplace is looking to my others for validation.

What I am learning is that regardless of what anyone says, thinks, or feels about me, I know exactly who I am. I know exactly who I am capable of being. I know what God feels about me. With all of that said, at the end of the day, no one's opinion really matters. As much as I would love to be showered with compliments and praises and thank you's, people don't really care or don't have time to care. Others will always disappoint us. We may never get the accolades and praise and thank you's that we think we deserve and it is okay.

We must be confident as women of God. I think so many of us never reach our full potential because we are bound by our own insecurities and our fear of others. If we just let go and trust God, the sky would be the limit, but too many times we are so worried about the wrong thing that we miss out on so many blessings. My mom sent me an instant message and she said, "Hey love. How's your day going?" My response was, "It's a little tough, but I'm pushing through." Of course, her next response was "What's wrong?" and I said, "Just life." She said, "Well I tell ya what. You take it by the horns, get a real good grip, hold on tight, and ride it out like a woman." What I learned from that is that life is hard. It doesn't always pan out the way we think. People don't always appreciate us, but we still have to stay on in there and roll with the punches. We are stronger than our circumstances, God is bigger than our problems. He'll equip us with all that we need to endure. Just never, ever give up. Always know that you are more than your problems, you are more than what others think or don't think of you, and you are more than this earthly flesh because you are God's and he is above ALL things.

Be blessed.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

I Die Daily

"I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily." 1 Corinthians 15:31

Everyday can be a struggle if we allow it to. Being righteous is not an easy task. It is an ongoing practice of relentless faith. When Paul wrote to the people of Corinth, he told them that he was not worthy to be called an apostle because of his persecution of Christians, but it was by God's grace that he was who he became. He even went on to say that he had worked harder than any of the other apostles, but it was only through God that he was able to. He took none of the credit and he acknowledged that he was a sinner saved by grace and that his work was not in vain.

Let's backtrack for a second. I came to this chapter in the bible today because of a conversation that my bestie and I were having. We talked about forgiving ourselves for our sins. We are truly the hardest to forgive because we know exactly who we are. Even when we know God forgives us and the people or person that we have wronged forgives us, it is so hard to forgive ourselves. I always say that I am my worst critic. We talked about how being a true Christian requires dying to self not once or twice, but DAILY (sometimes hourly depending on the circumstance). When we die daily we say okay God, I'm not perfect but I trust in you. I surrender all to you. Less of me, more of you. One other thing that we talked about was how can you effectively surrender if we don't know what God is saying to us. God speaks through his word so how do we surrender and trust him if we don't even know what his guidelines are. Sooooo, to completely surrender we have to know him, we have to know his word, and we have to communicate with him (through prayer or just talking). This builds confidence and character within ourselves.

After our conversation I went for a walk and during that walk I just prayed for God to show me how to surrender ALL and to be disciplined enough to study his word. I immediately thought, Lord, just don't let the pain and suffering that Christ endured FOR ME, be in vain. Let me be a willing vessel, surrendering all to him. Dying to who I am and what I think and totally relying on the word of God for joy and peace within my life. After my walk, I came home and picked up my netbook to look at the scripture that said I die daily. When I began to read Corinthians 15 chapter, the same thing that I had been thinking and talking about earlier was the same thing that Paul was saying to the people of Corinth. "I am not worthy,but by the grace of God I am who I am and Christ death was not in vain." I'm just elated that God has the power to come so quickly and confirm what I was thinking and speaking just minutes earlier. If we just surrender all, the possibilites are endless. I am thankful to be on the receiving end. I'm not worthy, but by the grace of God I am who I am. Christ death for me will not be in vain.

On top of dying daily, this scripture from Lamentations makes me smile, "It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him." Lamentations 3:22-24

Monday, May 23, 2011

Conviction

"They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them." Romans 12:15

Conviction is like a bitter sweet thing for me. It's bitter because it means that I have done something that isn't very becoming. It is sweet because it shows me that God is right there guiding me along.I had an incident the other day where I found myself deeply engaged in gossip about other individuals. Not only did I call one person, I called two!!! I mean I was just running my mouth and as soon as I got off the second call, I immediately felt convicted. I felt so awful and immediately asked for God's forgiveness, but I wasn't finished there because there was still an overwhelming feeling of guilt. I then contacted the two people that I had drug into the conversation and apologized to them. I explained that I was no better than the people that I was talking about and I had no right to spread rumors about others that I had heard. At the end of the day, we all deserve to die and go to hell (in the words of my bestie).

The next day I had a colleague come into my classroom and offer all of her teaching supplies and furniture to me. Of course I was super duper elated because if you are a teacher, you know we love "stuff". She then went on to explain that she was thinking of taking everything with her (she is leaving the teaching profession to go to law school). She said she wrestled with it because she felt a conviction, but justified keeping it because it was purchased by the school with public funds and she was going to a publicly funded university. Sounds great, right?! NO! The thing with humans is we can justify ANYTHING and make it right in our eyes.

My conviction may not be your conviction, but when we become sensitive to the things of God, then we can never go wrong. There is also a peace that accompanies doing what is right. I love it!


Be blessed.

A Special Day for my Future Sister-in-Law










So, as I told you before I have just decided to embrace the idea that I just want to be a "pop singer and a rock singer." In the words of my husband, I've been popping and rocking again!

I had the privilege on Saturday of throwing a bridal shower for my future
sister-in-law! I almost turned into Bridezilla in the process, but it made for a very special day! It has been so much fun and I could not have pulled it off without the help of my besties (Rashida and Nikki, my mom and mother-in-law. I love to make others happy and I truly believe that she enjoyed her day!

The food was delicious and the games were hilarious! She received great gifts and well wishes through the video greeting I had set up. I am so excited about her upcoming nuptials! It gladdens my heart to be able to be a blessing to others.I feel that she is getting a great catch in my brother-in-law and they will make one another very happy.

The bible tells us that God loves marriage so that leads me to believe it has to be a wonderful thing. We all will have problems, but the good always outweighs the bad. We have to keep God first and continue pushing forward toward common goals.
My advice to those of you getting married or considering marriage:

1. Fall in love with the Lord first and he will provide you with everything you need in being a wife, mother, daughter-in-law, etc.

Be blessed.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Sleep, oh precious sleep....

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he will direct yor path."

Ok. So the hub has a sleeping disorder (he sounds like a rusty 1950 Ford pick up truck in desperate need of a muffler and an oil change), which means I have a sleeping disorder...HIM! Hence, this would explain why I am blogging at 2:30 a.m.

I read a quote the other day and it said, "Life is so daily." I took that to mean that we don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, which leads me to the scripture "Let tomorrow take care of itself." We have to enjoy the day. So since I'm up at 2:30 a.m., I choose to enjoy myself. I want to tell me that there is no way you will be able to stay up at work all day tomorrow, but I quickly remember that there is this little thing called sustaining that God is so great at. That is my prayer. Three simple words, "God , sustain me."

Be blessed.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Restructuring

“The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles . . . The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. Psalm 34:17-19


Webster's Dictionary defines restructuring as to change the makeup, organization, or pattern of. I have had to have restructuring in my life simply because the old way of doing things just wasn't working. The old way was destroying who I was and everything around me. Through my experiences, I THOUGHT the way that I was doing things was perfectly fine until life as I knew it began to crumble. We as a people can quickly settle into our comfort zone. We do things because they are familiar or we are use to them. The truth of the matter is if you keep doing the same things you will keep getting the same results and things will only get worse.

How do we know when our lives need restructuring? Your life needs restructuring when most of your days are spent being lonely, tired, sick, sad, frustrated, and so on. God has not designed life for us to be miserable in it. Jeremiah 29:11-13 tells me different. “I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”

How do we restructure? As with all problems, the first step is admitting there is a problem! We have a way of lying to ourselves as if our lives are perfect. I'll use Facebook as a prime example. Some people on FB will have all of these great pictures and these great quotes and all of these great post on how great their lives are when in actuality their lives are miserable. Now granted, I think FB is a great tool for certain things, but some times it can be down right ridiculous because some people just basically lie to themselves. But anyway, admit that you have a problem.

Once you admit that there is a problem, start doing something about it. How do I do something about it you ask? Now I can't tell you what your issues are or how to fix them. I can only tell you of my experiences and what has worked for me. If you seek the Lord, as the verse above says, with your whole heart (not holding anything back), I believe he will give you the wisdom and the knowledge to fix your problems. The key is to be a willing vessel. If you are not ready to restructure, it won't work (quit reading here and come back when you are ready).

After the restructuring process has begun, you will see your life begin to transfrom in no time. Are things perfect? Of course not, this is life. What you do have is the ability to handle whatever situations arise with a joyful heart! It's not a matter of IF you will have issues, it's WHEN! My problem was that I was living in this Fairytale Land population 1. I THOUGHT I was "Perfect Pattie" who had it all together and had it all figured out. Another grave mistake that we make. You never arrive to a point of perfection. When you think you are there, destruction is not far behind. I was the type that it was something wrong with everybody but me!

God has shown me how not to be judgemental, how not to be so hard on myself, how to be respectful of my husband, how to have patience with my kids (I'm still not quite there because I do have four and when they do things like crack open a tube of toothpaste in the car and eat it, constant bickering, paint the seat with REAL paint in my SUV, make snow angels in the middle of ballet class when "she" should be learning her routine for the recital and the teacher is shoving her in the car because she has had about all she could take....it test all of my patience and religion I THOUGHT I had....God ain't through with me yet!), how to be organized, how to be disciplined (this is a toughy too when it comes to chores around the house. My clothes monster had a litter of babies over the course of the week), how to stay focused, how to shut my mouth, how not to be negative in my thoughts, and most importantly, how to surrender all to him.

I do know that during my restructuring process, I have learned so much about who I am and how to be the wife that my husband deserves and the mother that my children can call blessed. Through being real with myself, I am able to share my story to help others find their way through this journey called life.

Peace and Love

Monday, May 16, 2011

The Book of Isaiah


"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and thoughts higher than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9

So I have been inspired by something I read to study the book of Isaiah thoroughly. The following points just struck a cord in me and have been a motivation for me to study this particular book.

The key to Isaiah's relationship with God lies in four important principles:

1. He had an instructed tongue. Isaiah had given over rule of his life completely to God's purposes.

2. He knew the word of the Lord, which allowed him to sustain and encourage others.

3. He took time to listen.

4. He did not flee from the tough assignments. He didn't shrink back.

What wonderful principles to live by! The book of Isaiah is referred to as the book of salvation. I love his poetic way of bringing the word. In Isaiah 6:8 it says, "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" He was a willing vessel! I look forward to my journey through the book of Isaiah and will be sure to share my findings along the way.

Be blessed!

Motherhood

Saturday about 5:45 p.m. I became a mother again! For those of you who haven't seen me in a while, you can pick your face up off of the floor! I am a godmother for the second time to a healthy 7lb. little boy! It feels good to be a mother and not have to go through the agonizing labor pains and morning sickness.

Congratulations to Jason and Chanda on the arrival of Joshua and Jaxon on his new role as big brother! I can't wait to travel to see the whole clan! I am so proud of them both. They remind me a lot of me and my husband. They knew they were what each other wanted and they went for it and started having babies! They truly are great parents and blessed beyond measure!

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
(Psalms 127:3-5 ESV)

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Family First



Tony Dungy and his wife Lauren have an awesome internet ministry for families. I thoroughly enjoy my daily emails. They have tips for married couples as well as tips for moms and dads. They are an inspriational couple that allow God to use them. It is important that we surround ourselves with spiritual couples who not only talk the talk, but walk the walk. Please check out Tony and Lauren's Family First website for so many blessings! Enjoy!

Friday, May 13, 2011

Today God Is First


I love getting my daily devotionals from TGIF. I encourage all of you to join and receive the inspirations via email daily. They are very good and are applicable to the workplace, but you can modify and use it to your own personal experiences.

Be blessed.

Today God Is First
A Fleeting Shadow
by Os Hillman


“Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow.” – Psalm 144:4

Every time I fly over a large body of water, I imagine opening the window of the jet and pouring out my coffee into the immense body of water below. I imagine the time that I spend on this earth compared to eternity is no more than that cup of coffee. The incredible size of the ocean compared to one small cup of coffee is what our life is like compared to eternity. Why then do we invest so much in temporal pursuits when we know that our investment here can have so much impact on our eternity? It is the great paradox of human behavior, especially for Christians.

Does your business life have an overall ministry objective to it? This does not mean we must be constantly involved in “Christian activity.” It only means that we should be about what God has called us to do with the motive of being obedient to this mission. Do not let the worries and cares of this life keep you from having an eternal impact on the lives of those you meet each day. Satan has a way of keeping our focus on the problems of today rather than the spiritual opportunities before us. He is master of the urgent, not the important.

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Healthy Living

"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will find acceptable." Romans 12:1 (NLT)

The Lord dropped this blog in my spirit today quickly. Probably because I need it more than anyone. As a wife and mom, I rip and run all day, every day, often forgetting to eat or simply not having enough time to eat. When I do eat, most times it's standing up. I hadn't really paid much attention to this not really being a good idea because I'm always doing something for my family, so I feel that it's justifiable. I understand now that it is imperative that we take care of ourselves not only mentally and spiritually, but also physically. That means proper eating and exercise. If we aren't healthy, we are no good to anyone.


I have little pooch that I like to dedicate to my children. I have justified my "little pooch" in the past by saying, "Well I do have four kids and I think I look pretty darn good so what they hey!" I now realize that regardless of how I "look" I must maintain a healthy lifestyle. It is imperative that we stay healthy. I know that I tend to get stressed with the demands of home and work and several of my friends as well. Stress is alive and well and is also linked to numerous diseases. Exercise and healthy eating will alleviate that stress and help us to feel much better and have more energy.

We not only should exercise, but we should also eat and think healthy. Let's eat balanced meals (and mom's that does not include what your children have left on their plates), drink plenty of water (let's trade in those sodas), and fresh fruit and veggies. It is my will to live a healthy lifestyle not only for my family, but for myself. So ladies, get out of the front of the t.v., put Ben and Jerry down, and let's get fit!

I will leave you with this, "...I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well." 3 John 1:2

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Are you a Fan or a Follower?

"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all of your heart." Jeremiah 29:13

I hear so many stories of corrupt people in and out of the church, people who profess to be "Christians," but truly have no clue as to what God's will is for them or for anybody. Some people think if I go to church every time the door opens, carry my bible around, and pay my tithes, then that is all I have to do. I have seen people grow up in the church and not have a clue who God is! People tend to go through the motions, but never have an idea of what this thing is really about.

God desires for us to know him intimately and to study and understand his word. We have to seek his face constantly and have no one above him. This comes from faith and works. It's a decision. It's a lifestyle. I read a quote not too long ago and it said, "I'm seeking God's presence, not his presents." I thought, WOW! And a lot of times those of us that seek God for the wrong reasons, we want those PRESENTS and no nothing about HIS PRESENCE.

A lot of people believe if I just say I believe in God(and some sincerely do) and ask for forgiveness every time I go and mess up, then we have this free pass or something! No! That is not how it works. God wants nothing but the best for us and he does forgive, but we cannot abuse it. We have to give him some stuff to work with.

The things that fans do:
Cheer
Go to all of the big events
Buy all of the paraphenalia
Love the crowds
Knows the info

The things followers do:
Love one antoher
Have an intimate relationship with God
Not only do they know the word, they live the word

Don't just go to the game, play the game, finish the game, win the game.

Thankful


So, I was pretty bummed today because my babies graduated from Pre-K and I was not able to make it (due to testing)! I tried to hold back the tears, but as I envisioned them walking across the stage, I couldn't do anything but cry a river!

As a working mom there are sacrifices that you make. As a stay at home mom there are sacrifices that you make. I often struggle with working and having four kids because sometimes I feel like I am doing them an injustice by not giving them my undivided attention. In the same token, I realize that when I was a stay at home mom that we were not able to do and have as much due to the financial strain that it would have.

As I always tell you, whatever the circumstance, everything we do must be to the glorification of God. It makes it all worth it when one of them comes up and says, "Mama, you're the best mama in the whole wide world!" It leads me to believe that I may be doing something right! I am thankful for my big bro stepping in and videotaping and taking pics for me. God always provides a way even if it's not exactly what we envisioned. I am so thankful for my family and friends, because when I need a fill-in at one of their events, a shirt picked up in Oxford and brought to me in Water Valley (thanks Shida!), a shoulder to cry on while their graduation is going on (thanks Grif and Melton), a pre-school teacher who is a God-sent (thanks Steph), or words of encouragement and scriptures (thanks Nik!), they are always there for me and words could never express how thankful I am for that.

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 3:16

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Sound Mind

"For God hath not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

The mind can be a very tricky, deceptive thing. I think we all have thoughts that we would not dare share with anyone else or EVER want anyone to know about. I am learning to train myself to think positively because for a very long time, I had a negative outlook on pretty much everything, I'm not smart enough", "They don't like me", "I can't do this", "I'm not deserving" and the list goes on!

It is very easy to fix those things on the outside that would be pleasing in the eyesight of others and possibly classify you as a "Christian." But what about the matters of the mind and the heart? Jealousy, selfishness, vanity, and complaining? A lot of the hardest things to overcome are those that others don't see, those things that go on in our minds. But God sees. I have found in my walk that these things are brought on by our thinking. We are always worrying about other people and what other people have to say. We are fearful of failing, of looking bad, of finding ourselves. But God tells us he doesn't give us those things. He wants us to have a spirit of power, love and a sound mind! That means not worrying and not being fearful!

I asked my husband the other day, "How do I stop this negative, fearful thinking that I have going on?" He said, "Just replace the negative thoughts with positive ones." We must die to ourselves daily and take on the mind of Christ. That will take discipline and perserverance, but God will always provide if we become willing vessels. The devil loves to twist and turn things around in our minds. He will have us on a wild goose chase and it will all seem sooooo real at that moment. In order not to get caught right here, we must think positive thoughts and our actions must be righteous. If we just stay with him, he will make all things right for us.

One of the scriptures that I meditate on when I feel that my mind is being attacked is 2 Corinthians 10:5 "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." Also, say the following, “Satan, you are a liar. I will not receive (or believe) your lie in the Name of Jesus.”

Be blessed.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

No Fear

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10

With all that I have going on, I am often bombarded by fear and anxiety. I have struggled with this for a long time. I know that there has to be a total surrendering to God for this to truly disappear. Oh how do I long to just give my whole self away to him each and every passing day! Nevertheless, I falter at times. I had to take a walk yesterday after I got home. My kids were on a role and I was just in a tizzy (as my mama says). So I felt that a ten minute break from it all would help me regroup, and it did! As I walked and talked to the Lord about what I was feeling, I passed this truck and there was a sticker on the window that said, "No Fear." A smile immediately came across my face because I knew it was God's answer to my problem. I have realized that God does not come down from heaven with a megaphone to communicate with us. If our spirits are free of junk and in tuned with the things of the Lord, he will send us those little subtle messages to remind us that he is there and he is listening.

So today I choose not to fear whatever tricks the devil has up his sleeves because at the end of the day, God is in control. He is the captain of my ship and the anchor of my soul.

Monday, May 9, 2011

God Sees When No One Else Does

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

I am growing to discover that as humans we all like for people to recognize our accomplishments, give us pats on the backs, and lift us up. Who wouldn't want praise and recognition? Well, I am learning that at the end of the day praise and recognition are not worth a hill of beans. As I said in my last blog, everything that we do has to be done for the will of the Lord.

In my everyday roles, I feel some times as if no one sees and no one cares. I have come to accept the fact that no one really cares and if they do they have their own lives and can't be worried about all that you have going on. Sometimes after a long day at work and with the kids, I just want someone to say thank you or I appreciate you. That rarely happens. And it my spiritual growth, I have come to the realization that it is okay because the most important person sees and that is God. We should not do things for man's approval. We do things that glorify God.

Some of the greatest people in history created things that are magnificent and they are unknown for their work. Some of the builders of beautiful cathedrals are unknown and never lived to see such a great work completed, Emily Dickinson was one of the most renowned poets and one of my favorites and none of her work was published until after she died, some of the writers of the greatest book ever, the Bible, are unknown. I could go on and on, but you get the picture. We don't wait for man's approval to do wondrous works in God. He knows all and he sees all and as long as we are doing his will, he is pleased.

So whatever you do, make sure it is for God's glorification and he will fulfill your desires of approval.

“I do not accept glory from human beings,but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? John 5: 41-44

Be blessed!

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Saturdays


There's nothing like a laid back Saturday (I would say when there's nothing to do, but there is ALWAYS something to do). I got up this morning and saw my husband off to a track meet and went and picked my oldest up from her cousin's house so that she could play in her piano guild (end of the year rating on her progress). She got an excellent and was very hard on herself. I thought she did pretty well since she had to play ten pieces from memory, but nevertheless, she is her mother's child. We then went on the lake and had our favorite guilty pleasure, donut holes and orange juice. We sat and watched the water and I got on their nerves with my camera as I snapped shots of them. We then did a little shopping and came home. Now it is quiet time and I decided to take to my computer as they sit QUIETLY in their rooms doing something to QUIETLY entertain themselves.

It is the simple pleasures in life that make it all worth it. Donut holes, the lake, quietness! I thank God for the simple pleasures and I welcome them with open arms as often as I possibly can.

LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.
Psalms 131:1-2

I Wanna Be A Pop Singer and a Rock Singer

So, I have come to the conclusion that I'm like the girl off of Coming to America when Prince Hakeem was going out on all of the dates. This is what she said:

"Yeah, I'm working in videos, but I really want to be my own star in the videos, because I want to become a pop singer and a rock singer, and I want to write my own songs, produce my own songs, then I'm gonna try to be an actress 'cause people tell me how talented I am, I'm a natural, stuff like that. So, then I'm going to write my own movies, direct my own movies, produce the movies I'm doing...

And then Hakeem and Semi fall asleep....

I've realized that I'm good at doing a lot of things, but there really isn't that one thing that I have a passion for. My husband loves basketball. He's loved it since he can remember. He played in college and professionally. Now he's a coach and he is so passionate that we have to have counseling sessions after every game about his behaivor (I call him Bobby Knight). My bff is a principal and she has a passion for education. She is on fire and will whoop somebody about some education. My mom is a social worker. She loves it. She works hard at it. She knew when she went back to school that that was EXACTLY what she wanted to do. They are all great at what they do. Now my sister cousin (most of you know who she is) she's like me, she wants to be a pop singer and a rock singer so this blog is dedicated to her today!

I feel like I am good at a lot of things, but just not GREAT at any of them. I have struggled with this for most of my adult life. So I embrace the idea that I just want to be a "rock singer and a pop singer" because no matter what I do, it has to be for the good of the Lord.

Psalm 37: 4-6 "Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun."


Be blessed

Friday, May 6, 2011

We All Need a Break Sometimes

As I tucked my youngest son in the other night, he said, "Mama, don't send me to school tomorrow. I've had enough of school." My children never cease to amaze me with the things that come out of their mouths. There is a scripture that talks about out of the mouths of babes. Even though we have things to do and challenges that need to be met, we ALL need a break sometimes.

Women in particular carry a heavy load of working, running a household, and raising children. We tend to take care of ourselves last. I was sitting at work on yesterday feeling under the weather and it just came to me that if it was my husband or children saying that they did not feel well, I wouldn't hesitate to drop everything to be by their side. So I should take that same initiative when it comes to my own self. If mama is sick, all of the wheels will fall off of the wagon.

1 Corinthians 6:19 says, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own..." We have to make sure that we take care of ourselves. We belong to God and if we aren't fully functional, he cannot do a complete work in us. We can't be unhealthy and stressed out all of the time. Stress also has been linked to certain cancers and other diseases. We have to be fully energized, focused, and healthy to do the work of God. For me, that is being a wife, a mother, a teacher, a student, a daughter, a sister, a friend and so on. These are my ministries. These are my callings. So to be fully effective, I have to take a little time out for self every now and again.

Meditate on Isaiah 40:31 "But 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, and they shall walk and not faint."

Be blessed.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Love and Respect


I am so excited about the new book that my husband and I will be partaking in! (Thanks babe for agreeing to read it!) Based on the title alone Love and Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He desperately Needs, I am sold!

I think love and respect is something that we all struggle with within our marriage. It comes highly recommended by a dear spiritual friend. I encourage all of my married and non-married couples to read it. I will keep you posted on my findings.

Be blessed.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

More than Conquerors

I find solace in Romans 8. Just wanted to pass the word of God to a receiving heart today. I hope that your day is going well. Be blessed.

Romans 8
Life Through the Spirit
1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you[a] free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh,[b] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.[c] And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life[d] because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of[e] his Spirit who lives in you.

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[f] And by him we cry, “Abba,[g] Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Present Suffering and Future Glory
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that[h] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

More Than Conquerors
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[j]

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 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

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Do This in Remembrance of Me




1 Corinthians 11:23-26 23For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the [same] night in which he was betrayed took bread: :24And when he had given thanks, he brake [it], and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25After the same manner also [he took] the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink [it], in remembrance of me. 26For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

Every first Sunday is communion at the church I attend. I love communion Sunday's. As a child, I had no earthly idea why in the world we were eating these tiny portions at church, but I just loved grape juice so I was excited. As a college student, I had a better understanding of communion. Because I was a college student discovering new things, I felt communion as a time of renewing myself. I have taken communion in several different churches; United Methodist, COGIC, Baptist, Episcopalian, Catholic, and even Non-Denominational. They all had a different way of doing things (which is something I don't quite understand about us Christians). The Catholic and Epsicopalians would all drink out of one cup. This was quite a challenging concept to grasp considering it was so many different people in the church and you want me to put my mouth on that cup?! The Episcopalians did give me a choice of dipping my bread into the cup as oppose to drinking.

Not until recent years have I come to the true meaning and understanding of communion. It is not merely the drinking of grape juice out of a plastic cup with an alleged cracker stuck to the top of the cup, but the significance of Christ body and blood being shed for us. In 1 Corinthians, he is asking us to do this in remembrance of me. My pastor said it best today, "God is asking that if we eat of his body and drink of his blood, then we will have eternal life. We have to approach God's table in righteousness. We cannot approach his table in an unnecessary manner. We cannot go to the table with our minds on something else, a bad attitude. When we come to God's table, we must give him all of our attention, we have to be focused on him. We have to remember God's sufferings and he will be with us always."

In all that we do, in all that we say, in all that we think, let's remember all that God has sacrificed for us.

Be blessed.