The King's Princess

There once was a Princess that felt like a prisoner in her own castle. She would cry every night believing that she was destined to be alone. She would walk the empty and cold halls, open some blinds to let the sunshine for warmth, and only felt the cold air through the window panes.

One day the princess was called into the throne room of her Father, the King. The King noticed his daughter's face had an expression of sadness on it as she walked across the room with her head bowed down. The King asked her what was troubling the heart of His child. The princess said; "I want to know what kind of a Prince you want for me?" "Is there one among your countrymen?" "For I see everyone else around me getting engaged or married and I am alone."
The King took his Princess into his lap and began to comfort her. He told her that He was very particular about the man He has for his daughter. He must be a man of valor and strength, one with a strong mind like me, recognizes his weakness and works on improving it, a skillful and intelligent man, and most of all a man that will respect you as he respects me.  The man I have for you will be unique and made just for you. You won't want to change anything about him because he was created by the mighty hands of God.
Until the appropriate time that I introduce you to this man who has a heart after mine, know that I am going to do something magnificent in your life. These walls are not a prison for you, but a fortress, a strong tower to protect you, help you to grow spiritually, and to get to know me, your Father deeper and closer than we were yesterday.
The Princess began to see the halls fill with warmth, love, and bright lights from the sunshine peaking in through the curtains that cover the windows. The Princess' face went from sad to joyful by the smile that she was now wearing with her head lifted high.
The King was pleased to see his daughter happy once again and explained to her that she must pray for her future Prince. There will be days that he will not feel so strong, he will not make the best of choices as you do not either. However, pray for him to be strong in mind, body, and spirit. Your prayers are heard and God will answer them.
The Princess went away feeling like the luckiest girl in the whole kingdom.

Perhaps you have something going on in your life that makes you feel discomfort and an outcast; be in peace. The King of kings is working in your life and in the lives of those around you. He has great plans to prosper you and give you the hope and future that is in His hands.
Life is hard, cold, and lonely sometimes, but rest assured you are loved and adored by a God who wants to bring warmth, love, and fullness into your life. Therefore, press into Him and all He has for you. Remember, He gives exceedingly and abundantly above all that we think or imagine.

~ The End is only the Beginning

A Gift For Everyone!

As I have read over the story of Jesus's birth, I have come to appreciate Mary and Joseph. Mary was a woman who had no money, who was not known and yet Jesus used her life to change the world. Joseph was a man who stepped up to the plate.He could have ran away from His calling, He could have stood by and let his peers stone Mary to her death. Both of these ordinary persons made extraordinary decisions.

We are no different than these two no name and no fame people who were called to be the caregivers of Jesus Christ. We are called to be caregivers also. What we do with the life of Jesus Christ that lives in us says how much we care about His life.

I have to agree with a pastor who states; "I learned early in my ministry how emotionally attached even some Christians become to traditions that have little or no connection to the simple gospel story of Jesus's birth. The true meaning of Christmas reveals God's amazing grace in sending His only Son to suffer and die on the cross for our sins. The call to discipleship summons us as believers to live lives of humble service to God and to others. My prayer is that Christians will be satisfied with and proclaim the supreme joy of the birth of Jesus Christ our Savior. My prayer for unbelievers is that they will not fail to receive the greatest Gift of all but accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior."

~ Be encouraged there is a Gift for everyone on your list. 

Didn't You Hear Me?

I have learned that an argument is not really an argument.  It is an expression, for a woman, to say she is feeling unloved, unheard, and invisible.  We just don't know how to express it well.
Most times we are quick to point out what is wrong with the other person. We don't look at the three fingers pointing back at us. Then again, I haven't seen anyone argue with themselves either. Meaning, that is why we have a partner to argue with.
I have learned to let the person know how I feel. Though my feelings may not be factual to the situation, I still feel.
God tells us in Psalm 119; "The unfolding words give light; it gives understanding."
I want there to be understanding among my partner instead of trying to prove who is right and who is wrong.
I have been in some really harsh confrontations. I have learned that the devil wants us to be at war with one another. "I applied my heart to know, to search and seek wisdom and the reason for things. To know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness."
Ecclesiastes 7:25

I have had enough red face fightings, screaming matches, fist fights to last a lifetime.  I am ready to move completely from drama to tranquility discussions.

You may be experiencing heated discussions in your home. There is good news for you here. You don't have to show up for the fight. No you can be at peace with turning away from an unkind word or putting your hand up to not receive the words being spewed out of their mouth.
"There is one who speaks like the piercing of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health." Proverbs 12:18

Times will come when you cannot walk away, but you are in control of your reply.

~be encouraged,  you always have a choice to RSVP or decline the offer.

Patiently Waiting

Recently I have had a difficult time getting out of bed because the covers are nice and toasty. I can't seem to get motivated to jump out of the bed and onto the cold wooden floors. This one particular morning was no different. But I noticed the light coming through the window blinds that was trying to greet me with beauty; it didn't work. I grabbed my phone to check the time and I had thirty minutes before I really had to get up and get ready for work. I laid the phone back on the night stand, slipped the covers up and was ready to go back to sleep. I decided to greet my Lord Jesus with a "good morning Lord." Then I heard get your phone and turn on "Holy, Holy, Holy," by No Other Name; I did.  Then I listened to "The Generous Mr. Lovewell"  by MercyMe; I did. Then I heard the Lord tell me to "sit up;" I did. Then I heard Him tell me to listen to "Beautiful" by MercyMe. Then I began to cry because I recognized that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself was talking to me!
Do you have days that you can't get out of bed? Do you have your mom or someone coming into your room pulling the blinds open for you to wake up? Do you find it difficult to get out of bed some days?
In this one morning I heard the Lord tell me how holy He is, how Majestic He is, and how the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost was there with me. WOW! Then I heard Him tell me how I have much love to give away and make a difference in someone else's life. WOW! Next, I heard Him tell me how I was made for so much more than what I think I am made for. Jesus sees me as beautiful and as I wonder if I could ever be loved, He loves me to His death. WOW, I was in tears!
Then I was lead to read His word and it states; "But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.  And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patient waiting for Christ."  2 Thessalonians 3:3-5.
Did you hear what He said to me?  He said He is faithful, will protect me, He touches me, directs my heart into the love of God and into waiting for Him.
My heart desires so many things that sometimes it is difficult to sift through it all. However, God tells us that when we delight in Him, He will give us the desires of our heart. First, He knows the desires of our hearts. He knows what we need and what we want. Our desires must be His desires. Yet, He first wants to be the first love of our lives. You see, He designed us to have these desires, yearning for a touch and a word. As a woman, we want to be touched, we want confidence; yet it is difficult to establish that confidence. But with God all things are possible. All things become beautiful in its time.

Recently I felt like my dreams were stolen by the father of lies. I got mad at God because He allowed it to happen. But what I found out was that I have the right desire but  there is more to that desire and dream. There is something more important that the physical part of the dream. There is the spiritual part of the dream and desire. I have begun praying for God's heart in the midst of my desire. I pray specifically for the desire and dream. I pray with thanksgiving and I am excited to see God do something God size with the desires of my heart.
It may not look like anything that I hope or imagine. In fact, it won't. It will be better than I could hope for because God is going to receive the glory and fame for working this out in my life. I am patiently waiting for my dream to come true.


~Be encouraged by what has happened to me because He can do the same for you too. He wants the dark spots on your heart, the deep secrets, the lonely heart, the brokenness in your life to heal, and He can still be found. So seek first the kingdom of heaven and all these things shall be given to you. When you pray, pray with thanksgiving and watch the Creator create in your life!

What a Dog!

Have you ever stood in the isle at the grocery store and really looked at the packaging? I did the other day in the dog isle. Do you ever stare at the cutest dog, play with it, or just want to hug on it and never let it go?  I asked for a dog a long time ago that would be a small female that was smart and loved me too. I sure got what I wanted.
Dogs are amazing creatures because they love unconditionally; without thought or purpose. You come home at the end of the day and they are so excited to see you that you would think they are going to pee on the floor if you don't let them out quick enough. They jump up and down, they wag their tales as they sit their butts on the cold floor, their tongue hangs down past  their chin, and they look like they are wearing a smile.
You can scold them and they know they are in trouble, but then within a few minutes they are right back in your way trying to get you to pet them.  So what is their purpose?
I've read that you were created to be loved by God. You were created not out of need but want. God wants to love on you. He gets excited when you talk to Him, love on others through your genuine kindness. He doesn't need you to do anything, He wants you to want to do things. He just wants to sit with you and enjoy a meal or a cup of coke / coffee. It pleases Him when you do an act of selfless service for another. WOW!
You are loved by God for just being you; as my dog loves me for just being me.
You can be covered in mud and still be loved and adored. That mud you are covered in is all kinds of shame, guilt, frustration, murder, torment, and other yucky puckies, but God still loves you! You can't make Him mad enough to stand there with closed arms. I could make Sadie mad enough to want to bite me, but I know she won't. Sadie will ignore me;  but God never will; He stands with arms wide open.
There is much for us to learn from watching animals such as dogs or cats. I am not a cat owner, so I cannot comment on them. However, I know they are finicky and temperamental. I know people can be the same way, but not God.
The next time you have the opportunity to visit with a dog, remember they love you just as God does; unconditionally. A dog doesn't have to know anything about you and will want your attention.

~Be encouraged by knowing you are loved just as you are by a God that created a miracle; that miracle is YOU.

Let's Get Ready To Rumble!

I can hear the famous announcer in the ring now yelling those famous words; "Let's get ready to rumble!" I know I've been in a fight with an unseen apponent.  So picture if you will a boxing match ring with people all around the outside seats.  I am in one corner and noone is in the other. The bell rings and I head to the center and start swinging at the air with my sword, the word of God, instead of boxing gloves. I keep getting hit though by an unseen apponent.   I am hit to the ground, the referee starts counting, it looks like I am TKO'd, but wait God says to me, "get up! You can do this with Me. You don't have to fight alone!" So I get up and win this battle.
Just recently I have felt knocked down. I had the wind knocked out of me when a very close friend thought the worst of me. I was hurt, shocked, and ready to call it quits on my calling from God.  However, I realized where I made a mistake in a decision I made and decided to get up for another try.
I may not be the smartest fighter in the ring, but I don't have to be. I just need to learn from my mistakes as I make them.
It doesn't matter how many times I fall down at the count, it matters how many times I get back up.
-we don't fight against flesh and blood, but against principalities,  against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual ghost of wickedness in the heavenly places.
I can do ALL things through Christ who strengths me.
So just for today, I am getting back in the fight for Jesus' kingdom.

~ Be encouraged, I am!

Eph 6:12; Phil 4:13

In Everything!

There are those that struggle with these holiday times; such as myself. This poem helped me and if you are struggling maybe it will help you too.

In Everything

Sometimes I don’t feel thankful

For things You send my way

For all the pain and trouble 

That crossed my path today.

Sometimes I’m not so grateful

When sorrow fills my cup

When all my hopes and blessings

Feel totally used up.

When friendships fade

Promises break

And treasures disappear

When all the trials around me

Fill my heart with fear.

But in everything 

I will give thanks

For this I know is true

That all these trials and troubles, Lord,

They bring me close to you.

-Jackson Monroe-

Making a gratitude list helps in this time of year because it has helped me. 

Gratitude list:

1) The roof over my head

2) The clothes on my back

3) My eyesight 

4) Working fingers, toes, knees, feet, and hands

5) Hearing

6) Dog Sadie Mae

7) Able to work in God's ministries as I am

8) Food 

9) flushing toilets

10) pillow and  blankets

Now you use these items or make your own and start at scratch. 

Shout! Really, Come On!

How many times have you shouted at someone across the parking lot? Have you shouted at your kids or other family member?
When was the last time you shouted to the Lord? I had not attended a worship service in over a month. This one particular Sunday, I woke up early to talk the Lord over a cup of hot coffee. As I was sitting in bed waiting for Him to talk to me, I heard; "Get up and go to church." Like a child I whined at His comment, "But I don't want to." He said, "Go to church to praise me for I am the reason you should go." Well I pulled myself out of bed and into the hot shower. As I began to get dressed, I decided to go to church and have a date with Jesus.  Here we go.
I was welcomed by my fellow brothers and sisters. It was like having a family reunion. The greetings were warm and inviting because when they said they missed me and were glad to see me, I felt their genuine love. The hugs were warm and inviting like a warm cup of hot chocolate on a cold windy day. It really melted my heart and overwhelmed me with a blessing from heaven.
The teaching was on praising God. Psalm 100:1 "Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!"
Our pastor instructed us to do him a favor by standing up. He divided the church into five sections, next he instructed us that as he pointed to each section we were to shout to the Lord "Praise the Lord!" We went the first round and everyone in the congregation seemed a little uncomfortable as the shouts were not as loud as they could have been.
So, our pastor instructed us to try again. The next time around we were to raise our hands, shout, and shout loud. This time, he pointed in random rounds and the shouts and praises got louder and stronger. When the section was weak, he let us know it with love. It was exhilarating, refreshing, and cheerful.
Isn't that how church services are supposed to be though?
Most of us on Sunday mornings dread getting out of bed because it's our one day off. We go to church because it is in our routine. But God is so extra-ordinary, worthy to be praised, worth us SHOUTING His name. Yet, we are too good to do it.
There are many reasons why we should "Shout to the Lord!"  His name is above ALL names, He provides for our every need, He leads us into peace, He guides us to make right decisions, He keeps us from harm when we don't even know it, and He died for us so we would escape the claws of sin and death.
Singing a hymn gives Him praise, turning on your radio (91.3 Hope FM) and singing praise and worship songs to Him about Him must please His heart. He wants to hear from you and me through our prayers and praise.
So as you are driving along in your car, vacuuming for the tenth time, or working long hours, take time to shout to the Lord praises for ALL He has done for you. This is the time of season for us to reflect on what we are thankful for, so take time to thank the One that has given you All that you have.

~Be encouraged by knowing there are those on the street that do not have what you have; be thankful for the small things as well. 

Bah Humbug! ~ What Is The Meaning of This Season?

I must be getting older because I am becoming the Ebenezer Scrooge of my life. Although I am not greedy, white knuckled, or angry with the world I am not looking forward to this season of having a happy face when I am not feeling happy. It may be that I am getting older, the hormones might be shifting, and life just is not as it use to be.  Soon families will gather together as a family reunion. Songs will be sung, hot chocolates and home baked goodies made while the kids are playing, the men are watching television and the ladies are in the kitchen busy or out shopping.
My heart is crying over to the ones that don't have anyone. The elders of the church  that families are no longer near, the widowed wife and orphaned children, the homeless and poor that are trying their best to put a smile on their face and push through their pain.
I've often tried to make new traditions and stick to them yet that has not happened. I've tried to say that decorating the house isn't as important as the true meaning of the holidays.
I know people that concentrate more on the commercial side of the holidays and others that want to take Christmas out of the world. What a struggle!
This is not a surprise to God, just us. Now, go and make the best of it!
"Make the best of it?" That is difficult to do when we live in a world that is all about "ME."
It is difficult too when your family doesn't want to include you in their festivities and you don't want to impose on other's family time. I am truly trying to find the happy medium as my heart struggles with the insanity.
Perhaps it is a need to get back to the basics and ask "what does this season mean to me?" or "What does this season mean to you?"
I know that my Lord's purpose was to live and die for me and you. I know that the story of Mary and Joseph was a great provision for what faith can do. I know that we should always give good will towards men, not just during this season. I know that Emmanuel came as a reminder that no one is alone.
It is easy to say what this season is not about, but why ponder on the negative? I can say that I am grateful to see families lives change for the better. I pray that they take this season and truly celebrate it with joy and laughter through tears for the greatness done in their lives.

So just for today, my 'Bah humbug!" attitude is altering to "God Bless Us Everyone!"

~Be encouraged to make good memories that will last a life time and record them so they become your treasures!

Ready to Call It Quits?

So you have had enough? You are sick and tired of being sick and tired. You go to school, hold a full time job, and you have child to care for; along with seeing no end in sight.
Wouldn't it be nice if life gave you a hint of good news coming? Wouldn't it just make your day if you knew the reason why you go through your trials? This would help you push through right? Someone please tell me why I keep doing what I am doing and what the outcome is going to be!
Joshua was told by God to march around the city of Jericho once and then six times. He also told Joshua what was going to happen; the outcome. Next, Joshua called the men of valor and told them to march around the city. However, Joshua did not tell them the number of times nor the outcome as God did to Joshua.
Why did Joshua keep this from his men?
Reading the story, it does not say. However, it does express how the power of God showed up through their obedience. God received the glory and not Joshua. 
Perhaps the reason you are going through your crisis of belief is because God wants to show his mighty power in your life to receive the glory. There is always a higher reason and lesson for the crisis you go through.

~ Be encouraged to press through your life atruggle for the victory is just around the corner. Obedience is your key to success.

Hanging With Doubting Debbie

You would not be human if you didnt hang out with Doubting Debbie once in a while. She sometimes doubts Jesus' capability to work miracles, signs, and wonders. There are people still today who proclaim Jesus is not who He says He is nor can do what He says He can do.
I mean, why should we get our hopes up and expect God to grant us an answered prayer request we've prayed about for years? It would be natural for us to doubt God's power and involvement in our lives, right?

I resolve to not doubt God's capability to take my cup and fill it up.
I resolve to not doubt God's capability to give me the fullness of life He wants me to have.
He wants me to experience joy, love, peace, companionship, and life exceedingly and abundantly above what I think or imagine.
I do not want to resist the truth. God is capable of making a new creation in me.
I refuse to stop believing and seeing Jesus work in my life.
God's mighty strong hand is upon my life and He has great plans for me.

I hope that if you are in a season of your life that you doubt God, you will speak the affirmations above and change your stinking thinking.

~Be encouraged;  God can change your doubt into faith when you decide to stop hanging out with Doubting Debbie. Why not hang out with Fabulous Faith?

Girl's Got Attitude!

Remember that day when your anger reared up and you were ready to just give that girl a piece of your mind? Did you see those two girls on "Cops" get into each others face and were ready to begin that cat fight?
Perhaps you are a guardian of a child and you gave instruction for them to do a chore and instead of a polite response, they gave you attitude?
We've all been ready to respond with an unkind word, reared up into someone's face, or even just get an attitude because life didn't go our way.
I recently thought of someone in my life that gets an attitude when things don't go her way. Often times, she smacks her lips, swerves her neck with attitude and makes her mouth go crooked. Instead of pulling her arm and fist back to give a sucker punch; she lets her tongue give the lashings instead. This girl really gets an attitude. Then, later in the day, week, and month or in life; she remembers what she said and realizes just how hurtful her words were. Sometimes her mouth has gotten her into trouble such as time out in the corner or even placed in a jail cell for time out.  Man can our tongues get us into trouble or what?

It is possible to live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers (and sisters), be compassionate and humble. We do not need to repay evil for evil or insult with insult but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. Now that is my kind of response I want. I will take a blessing over a curse any day.
God tells us these words and more about how to live a life of good.
Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.  He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
  For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

You may not believe in that Jesus Christ came as the Son of God, died on the cross for your sins, nor rose from the grave on the third day nor ascended into heaven and sits at the seat of judgment. However, one day your knee will bow and your tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is LORD.

I don't know about you, however, I want long days of good and not evil.  I feel like crap when I talk negative to or about others. I don't feel good when being in fights with others. I would rather tell my enemy that I love them than fight with them. I would rather show kindness to them rather than point my finger at them and tell them what a poor sucker they are. Kicking someone is not my idea of fun and I hope you will consider how it would feel if your enemy kicks you.  It won't feel good. So why not stop the entire attitude you throw around?  Why not pray for your enemy and your attitude?  Why not try for one day showing compassion and humble yourself to goodness and mercy?  I promise you will feel better than the stinking thinking you hold onto when you smack your lips and swerve your head to make that ugly face.

If it was possible, would you want to make that face, have someone slap you on the back and you were stuck with that facial expression for the rest of your life?
 I hope not, but our words and actions are important and love should over take you regardless of who you get an attitude with.  So the next time you are ready to show your butt off, I hope you will consider the outcome before you even begin showing evil for evil and insult to insult.

What you wear doesn't matter, but what you say matters and how you say it matters even more. What you wear on the inside shows on the outside.  What book are you allowing others to read out of yourself?

~ Be Encouraged

Grayest of Days

When was your most dreary day?  It was that day that you had no joy in your heart regardless of what song you heard, word was said and no touch could helped you to feel good inside.
I recently had a couple of those days. The days were close together and no matter when the sun was or wasn't shining there was no joy to be found in my heart; I was in  total darkness inside.
Jesus tells us that He is the light of the world, the light that shines in us, and He should be the reason for our joy. However, we are human and we just don't feel it inside.
Here are some words of encouragement for you to read and absorb so the next day you are feeling low, you can have your cup filled to overflowing quickly.

Jesus wants you to know:

No matter what your circumstances may be, you can find Joy in My Presence, On some days Joy is generously strewn along your life-path, glistening in the sunlight. On days like that, being content is as simple as breathing the next breath or taking the next step. Other days are overcast and gloomy; you feel the strain of the journey, which seems endless. Dull gray rocks greet your gaze and cause your feet to ache.  Yet Joy is still attainable.  Search fro it as for hidden treasure.
begin by remembering that I have created this day; it is not a chance occurrence.  Recall that I am present with you whether you sense My Presence or not.  Then, start talking with Me about whatever is on your mind.  Rejoice in the fact that I understand you perfectly, and I know exactly what you are experiencing.  As you continue communicating with Me, your mood will gradually lighten.  Awareness of My marvelous Companionship can infuse Joy into the grayest day.


~Be encouraged


Psalm 21:6;  Proverbs 2:4

Steps of Faith

There are days when I believe I have enough faith to carry me through to the ends of my life. Then I am knocked down and feeling like I have to start all over again. 
Imagine if you will a staircase. To get to the top you must take one step at a time. With life, we have many trials and each step of faith gets us closer and closer to the top. However, there is no end in sight because faith goes on and on. The ultimate goal should be to get closer and closer to Jesus Christ with every step of faith we take. 

Romans 5:1-5
[ Faith Triumphs in Trouble ] Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ ,2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Yet, how often do you or I take the time to see our struggle as a step into something glorious?  Most of the time all we can think of is how awful we feel. We can't see past our noses. Really, we cannot see the joy that we should have, the praise on our lips for what we are going through to make us stronger to move up to the next step. The Word tells us we should go from glory to glory. 

2nd Corinthians 3:18
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed in the same
image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

My friend, be encouraged, your trials will only last a short time. Your choices of today will also determine your stepping stones. I pray that you will give praise in your storms, take your steps with grace and mercy that are never failing and are here for only a short time. 

Be in peace today. 

Distorted Images

How many times have you looked at a picture of yourself and thought "I look awful!" Then the rest of the day you are feeling bad about yourself? I have been there many times. 

When I was a teenager, I would wake up disoriented and not knowing where I was along with looking at my fingers and seeing them literally fat and meaty. My face would feel numb and tingling. As long as I had remembered before turning the ripe age of 21, I weighted 97 pounds. When I was pregnant with my second child, I finally hit the ripe weight of 108. I was excited because I could give blood!

Weight has been an issue for me although most of society would say the opposite. Going back to when I was a teenager, I did a report in high school for anorexia and bulimia after hearing about Karen Carpenter dying from an eating disorder. Due to my interest in her death, that report kept me from being either one of those. None the less, mirrors were not my friends. 

Next, I got a little older and the issue was still with me. This time, I saw myself in pictures and definitely didn't (and still don't) enjoy seeing myself. My hips were too wide, my nose is too big, my smile takes over my face; don't mention my chin(s). I despise getting my pictures taken. I see myself distorted and ugly. 

I had a mentor that said to me "if you don't like what you see, change it."  Well that is all it took for this girl to hear and do something. I began to workout, eat less, but the camera kept showing me something different. So, I decided it doesn't work to do all this and quit; wrong choice. 

I gained twenty pounds and up to 146 at the age of forty four. I didn't like scales but when you join curves they take your measurements and weight. Yep, wow, I grew wide, and again, I didn't like what I saw. 

It wasn't until recently that I truly decided to make an honest effort at slimming down. I want to look in the mirror and like what I see. I want to see myself in a picture and like what I and others see. So I did something about it. 

I began trotting, jogging, running, Psykofit, jump ropes, jumping jacks, and other activities. I've slimmed down; for me. 

How about you, what do you want to change?  I encourage you to talk to a friend and get some insights on how they feel about themselves because you soon will learn that you are not alone. 

Recently, I had a little talk with Jesus about my negative attitude towards myself. I was upset. Then one day, it was like the light bulb went off. 

I was at work and people began telling me how good I looked and wanted to know what I was doing. I hadn't given it much thought since recess had become part of my daily routine. I was sitting near a mirror that helps me to see who is coming in the office from my desk. I realized as I was looking in it up close and saw the same distorted image in my head through this mirror. I then called my young and thin coworker to the room and told her what I needed her for. I realized I've been seeing myself as lie. 
Satan will use anything to get us to steal, kill, and destroy ourselves. Our eyes are made like a lens of a mirror or camera and we can see figures distorted the same way as mirrors / cameras. It was at that moment my light went off. I want eyes like Christ. I want to see myself the way God does. I don't want to be so concerned with my looks anymore. I will work out to keep myself fit and taking care of this temple, but I refuse to agree with the way Satan sees me or wants me to see myself. 
I'm shadowboxing my way through life. At times it is a struggle to fight so hard, but I want to be free from condemnation. I want to free from death and the lies that buy into every day. I know it is going to be fight as long as I am alive. I know there are things I can do to keep myself encouraged and strengthened to make sure I don't relapse and see myself like Satan does. I am willing to change my distorted images, are you? 

~ Be encouraged by knowing that the way you see yourself isn't always how Jesus sees you. You are beautiful. You are strong. You are worth more than rubies and diamonds. You can live in faith and not fear. You are an overcomer. You are hopeful and helpful to yourself and others. Stop believing the lie and step into the truth, run to it if you have to, but just move forward.  

Proverbs 31:10
John 10:10
Genesis 1:27

A Friendly Lunch Hour

 Isn't nice when you can have a bite to eat and listen to your friend talk about what is happening in their life or you get to talk about what is happening in your life?   It is like your meal then taste better, your drink is more appealing and you feel that smile cross your face more. That happened to me today.
I made a sandwich thinking I would just sit at the table and eat. I grabbed the newspaper ads to skim through only to find that they expired last week. Then, my friend showed up.
He prompted me to listen to him and is now prompting me to share His words with you.

YOU ARE MY BELOVED CHILD.  I chose  you before the foundation of the world, to walk with Me along paths designed uniquely for you.  Concentrate on keeping in step with Me, instead of trying to anticipate My plans for you. If you trust that My plans are to prosper you and not harm you, you can relax and enjoy the present moment.
Your hope and your future are rooted in heaven, where eternal ecstasy awaits you. Nothing can rob you of your inheritance of unimaginable riches and well-being.  Sometimes I grant you glimpses of your glorious future, to encourage you and spur you on.  But your main focus should be staying close to Me. I set the pace in keeping with your needs and My purpose.


I have been feeling a joy in my spirit since I have gotten to work this morning. I don't know what is about to happen in my future; the next moment to 10 minutes or 10 months.  I don't have to worry about it. I just need to know that I am not in control, I am not king, and I don't have to be. I just need to trust in the Lord with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. I want God to be God in my life, so I can just be me.

~What do you want today?  Where are you looking for peace? What are you doing about it?
Be encouraged, there is a BIG God that is loving and kind, who wants His BEST for you.

My Brother

Did you know that I am the baby girl of five children?  Yep, I am sixteen years apart from the oldest son Charles Jr., and eight years difference from my sister Susan. I have a brother Marvin that we are fifteen years and Richard whom I am nine years apart from. My mom and dad didn't plan to have another child, but God saw it fit for them to save the best for last. Well, maybe not the best.
I want you to know that I love my siblings. I want to tell you about Marvin. He has been my best friend many times over. I don't know how old I was, but we went go cart riding because he worked at the one in town, collected money from his paper route customers, and just hang out because we could. One Easter I had to spend the night with Marvin at his home because my parents had to go somewhere. I was so afraid the Easter bunny was not going to come see me and he comforted me and shared the true meaning of Easter with me. That Sunday morning, I woke up and there was the biggest yellow cellophane covered basket I had ever seen. He got me dressed in my nice pretty white dress and we went to church.
As the seasons passed by, I moved south to Florida and he stayed in Virginia. However, when we get together or talk it's as if there has been no time that has separated us. I love this about our relationship.
I took my share of undesirable punches from my brothers too. When I went home to visit at the age of twenty or twenty two, I had on a pair of shorts and sat on the left side of Marvin on the couch as he was watching a football game with my dad.  When I sat down, he raised his left hand and slapped my leg with a "how are you doing lil' Sis!" scream. His hand hit the bareness of my leg and it HURT. My leg had welts raise up and the skin turned red as a pepper. We laugh about that now, but Marvin was very apologetic afterwards.
I love all my brothers, but Marvin has left an impression on me. We are not perfect people. We have given our parents reasons to worry over us, pray for us, and spank us too. I have a lot in common with this brother for some reason. I know that God had him in my life at just the right moments and still does. He encourages me, loves me, and even would fight for me if I told him I needed it. I love Marvin and my other brothers too.

Proverbs 18:24 says "A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
In the book of John is says "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."

I know I am not always the best friend to everyone. I want to be a TRUE friend. As a friend I cannot accomplish your task for you, but I can love you, pray for you, and walk with you; even carry you if I must. I want to be a TRUE friend that sees you in your sin and though I may not sit with you, I will love you and pray for you too and do my best to encourage you to a better friend too.

I would rather have more friends than anything else in the world. I have a true friend that loves me where I am in life. He cares about me because that is what God calls him to do. He calls me his sister and for that I am thankful.

I belong to a bigger family; God's family. I have many brothers and sisters that I cannot count them. They pray for me, with me, and encourage me. I don't know what I would do without them and I don't want to find out.

~ Be encouraged that if you are an only child, you can have more brothers and sisters than you can count. Let me introduce you to my Father God and His son Jesus Christ.

Matters of the Heart

Giving your heart away can sometimes make you look like a fool; especially when you give it to the wrong person. Matters of the heart can be confusing and tricky. Our head says one thing and our heart feels another. We believe we are in control of our emotions even when the person we've opened up to doesn't receive the matters of our heart.
So what are you suppose to do with this tangled webb you have weaved?
First, you must step back and look at the situation at hand. If you do not love yourself, how can you love someone else?
Next, what do you know about love, really?
Have you truly accepted the greatest gift of all? God gave the ultimate gift of love. Do you know the depth of unconditional love?
I have been reading and studying this great love; sacrificial love. I have found that I did not know what love was. I have hurt MANY people in my life because of my ignorance.  I can only ask for giveness and move on. I suggest you too search God's love and talk to him about it.
Last, be smart. Don't just go with your heart's feelings. Your feelings are not facts. God is the giver if life and love. His word says " what God puts together.." Satan is slick and he is out to trip you up. Be smart and go to God. He will reveal himself through scripture.  I don't reommend assuming anything. This usually brings trouble and makes you look like a fool.
God is love and He is the giver of unconditional love. Pressing into Him and concentrating on your relationship with Jesus first will lead you to a great love.

Matters of the heart will make you out to be a fool, but be smarter and be wise.

~ Be encouraged by God and experience His love before giving your heart away.

Sorrows Into Joy

I tossed, I turned, I tossed some more and turned some more. I couldn't understand why I couldn't sleep. But then I realized the burden of my heart; my children. My heart ached to be with my children who are busy with their own lives. Too busy for me.
It is funny how in our lifetime things get in our way as parents and we don't spend enough time with our children. Then they grow up and then they don't have time for us.
So when I woke up this morning, I said to the Lord I give my children back to you. I asked the Lord to watch over them, care for them, and love on them, most importantly keep them safe. I pray for a laborer to come and talk with them and share the love of Jesus Christ with them. For they don't have time for me, but maybe someone else will have time for them.
"Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For his anger is but for a moment,  His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning."

This morning I woke up with a song in my heart; I danced to the Lord and gave Him my praises. I have a new song in my heart.  I have joy that surpasses my understanding and it is an emotion I cannot contain.

~Be encouraged; if your children are walking on a different path than what you want for them; the Lord is with them and will never leave them.  Keep your joy.

Just Enough To Get By!

What have you begun but have not finished? Some people leave an oil painting incomplete, an unfinished book, and some leave before building a business. How many times have you stopped following directions or didn't even listen to the directions given because you think you know what is best?  Joash left unfinished business because he did what he thought was best.  He hit the ground three times instead of five or six to destroy the enemies.  

2 Kings 13:14-20

New King James Version (NKJV)

Death of Elisha

14 Elisha had become sick with the illness of which he would die. Then Joash the king of Israel came down to him, and wept over his face, and said, “O my father, my father, the chariots of Israel and their horsemen!”
15 And Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and some arrows.” So he took himself a bow and some arrows. 16 Then he said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” So he put his hand on it, and Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands. 17 And he said, “Open the east window”; and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot”; and he shot. And he said, “The arrow of the Lord’s deliverance and the arrow of deliverance from Syria; for you must strike the Syrians at Aphek till you have destroyed them.” 18 Then he said, “Take the arrows”; so he took them.And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground”; so he struck three times, and stopped. 19 And the man of God was angry with him, and said, “You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Syria till you had destroyedit! But now you will strike Syria only three times.”
20 Then Elisha died, and they buried him. And the raidingbands from Moab invaded the land in the spring of the year.

How about you?  What has God called you to do that you have become complacent with? What has brought you to become complacent?  Perhaps you haven't seen any fruit from the labor, your disbelief levels are low, and your cup is almost empty. 
What is keeping you from going further than a couple of steps?  

We all get weary and tired, wonder when the fruit is going to show; we all wonder if what we are doing is worth the effort. Maybe you need to find out why you are doing what you are doing. Is it a calling or a placement?  Did God call you to this task or did you appoint yourself? Are you not seeing fruit because it was your self appointment? Perhaps it's the timing? 

The harvest is ready in due season. Make sure that what you are doing is not done in convenience or compliance, but in love.  Jesus tells us in His word to work as though we work for the LORD; Him.  Are you working for Him? Are you working with a joyful heart or are you working because you have to pay bills.  Why are you doing what you are doing?
Are you doing whatever it is because it makes you feel good (pounding the ground 3 times) or are you doing it to complete the goal (pounding the ground until it is complete)? 

I want to encourage you that if you are on a journey or looking to begin one to make sure you are doing it for all the right reasons and not all the wrong ones. Make sure you know your why. 

~ Be encouraged that whether you go the distance or not, Jesus loves you and does not condemn you. 

Lift My Life Up

Do you shadow box?  Do you fight against something that you cannot see, but you know it is there? 

I sure do. I have been doing some of the same things over and over again expecting different results.  Then this morning I surrendered to God completely! It was a visual of having confetti in my hands that represented my fears, broken heart, and dreams. I threw them up and said God take them from me and you give me what YOU want me to and leave the rest. 

I've been on this journey to find out who I am in Christ and what I was made for.  God has given me a fresh start, a new outlook on life, and a rejuvenated spirit that is united with His. Do you want the same thing? 

It really is not difficult to do. Here is what I did and maybe you can find out what works for you.  I have an area of my life that I struggle with and I asked the Lord to show me what He wanted for me. He took me directly to scripture that made me ask "really?" So I had to recognize that I had an area of habits that He wanted me to throw up to Him.  Then my dreams, He wanted them too. This was really terrifying for me because I was in the "what if" mode. What if they didn't come true? What if my dreams were a waste of time? What if I never dreamed again? 

After I threw all my dreams to Him, I began to see Jesus picking up the pieces and handing back to me the ones He wants me to keep and threw the others away. 

I now have a fresh start, a clean slate, and a new beginning of life to work with.  I don't know what my today or tomorrow holds; I just know who holds them.  

I have my struggle with "self" today. Self is kicking and screaming to get its way along with desiring to be in control and selfish again.  However, God is now in control and I'm leaving all my selfishness at the cross. 

~Be encouraged that when you lift your life up to Jesus and let Him have full control, He will give you something better. 

Just Brillo Pad It?

My friend Robin made a funny comment to me that has not left my mind. I want to share it. She was surfing the internet and came across some photos she really did not want to see. She immediately thought to herself, "man, I wish I had a Brillo pad to scrub those images out of head." Did you find the humor? Isn't that what you and I wish too?
I've seen images off the television on commercials and on television shows that I just wanted to Brillo pad it. Yuck, now what DO we do with those images?  Recently the buzz on television and the internet has been the Miley Cyrus issue. I do not know what that is about as I've been making sure I don't have to use a Brillo pad on my forehead. However, this could be your question on the issue, 'what do I do now?'
Well, since you cannot Brillo pad your thoughts like you want to, you can take every thought captive and change what you are thinking about.
Jesus says we ought think on things that are true, honest, right, pure, lovely, good report / praise worthy, and virtue. I think Jesus knew we would one day desire to erase the things we see or even hear and that is why He has told us such things. Now, is it easy to do? Absolutely not, at least not in our own power,  but with God it is possible.  Take the opportunity to tell Him what your thinking, He knows already, and then ask Him to help you with thinking on those things listed in Philippians 4:8.
You might be surprised how He changes your ungodly images to glorious ones.

~Be encouraged, you are not alone with wanting to erase images from your thought process.

Ready For A Ride?

Spending time with your friends is a certain treat. Whether you are having a cup of coffee and talking, sitting by the pool drinking a cup of lemonade, or reading the same book and having a detailed conversation about the contents. But what happens when the good times aren't so good? How do you handle things when your friend gets upset with you and speaks negative things about you to others?  How do you handle things when the times just get difficult and hurtful, but they won't let you in? 

I recently went through a very difficult time in my life that left me feeling insecure about a friendship of mine. However, in the midst of my time with the Lord, He gave me a vision and words to live by as I went through my struggles. 

I imagined a huge yellow raft with thick and wide handles on the sides and I was sitting in this tube. The water under me and before me was raging wild. There was no rope coming from the rocks or trees on either side of me, just the water and raft. The Lord spoke to me and said, "You will go through tough times, but the waters you are in will not over take you, nor will you drown in them."  Sure enough the troubles came with a friend of mine and as I went through tears and hurt, my mind immediately went to the visual and words God spoke to me. The ride was for a short time and I did not drown. In fact, the next day I was blessed by my friend I had troubles with and God brought a few fresh friends in my path that encouraged me through prayer also.

~Be encouraged my friend, though we struggle with people or situations on our journey, God is our provider and protector. He is the One we should hold onto as we go through our struggles.  The sad truth is that we do not grab a hold of Him and we grab onto others and get deeper into our troubles.

  

Isaiah 43:2a

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.

What I Wasn't Told

I am mad at God. I was down right angry with Him. How could he allow such a thing to happen? I mean, He is the Creator of the Universe and He is supposed to be the God of goodness. How could He do such a thing? I almost hate Him.
Does this sound like a statement you have proclaimed in your lifetime? I can tell you I have heard people say this and I have made proclamations similar to them.  I have heard the arguments about losing your faith. Some people say you can and others say you cannot. I can say that the human race are the ones that walk away; not God.
I want you to know that you can think, say and do things against God, but He is still going to love you. You can do things against God, but He is still waiting for you with open arms. You can put Him in your own box and dress Him up anyway you want, but He is still a big, big God. I wasn't told that God loved me with an extravagant love and I can hurt Him, but He will never turn away from me. I wasn't told that God is a soft hearted God with a strong wrath. I thought He was a constant punisher, but He's not.
The great news is that God does great things for sinners, like you and me, who come to Him in repentance and faith. We return to Him with our mess, brokenness, sin-stained lives, and He gives us, in Christ, forgiveness with a brand new start. The Holy Spirit is to convict us about sin, righteousness and judgement.
When you are tired of holding onto the world and all the emptiness it has to offer, you will find rest and restoration. Your life will make a change for the better.

Look, some people think that God is out to hurt and harm them. Some people think that God is a God of destruction and pain. I am here to tell you that He is NOT. He walks with you in your struggles of sin and pain. He has plans to prosper you and not to harm you; if you would just throw your hands up and give in.

~Be encouraged, God knows your hurtful statements and disbelief.  He loves you no matter what you do or don't do. You can't stop Him.

I Surrender!

Lord I am doing everything I know to follow your will. I feel so inadequate for the calling on my life. I'm not sure what you're doing, but I know you are up to something.  I know it's time for healing. I know it's time for you to take control of my life, therefore I surrender. I surrender everything I have from the physical to the spiritual.  Do something in my life that ONLY you can do Lord.
Do you have days like this?  You're so tired that you just can't do one more thing on your to do list?  Do you have days that you feel so inadequate that you wonder how you're going to accomplish what God has given you?
The good news is that God doesn't call you and I because we have the skills to do the job. No, He calls us because we are willing. We are obedient to surrendering to His will and His way. We don't like the changes going on inside us because it feels like there is a roller coaster ride happening inside.
Yet, God is up to something and he's making all things new in His time.

~ Be encouraged my friend.  God is up to something and it is all good.

Missed Opportunities

I am reading a small book titled "Life's Little Instruction Book" which has 511 suggestions, observations, and reminders on how to live a happy and rewarding life.  Before I read the introduction, I was taken back by some of the instructions that were in it. Here are a few:
#18 * Drive inexpensive cars, but own the best house you can afford, #23 * Floss your teeth, and # 38* Keep Secrets.  I learned that a father was writing this list of thoughts for his son that was going off to college; therefore, it made since to me.  Then I came across one that really touched me and made me think about so many missed opportunities.  It is number 41 *Don't postpone joy.  Out of all of the ones I read, this one sticks out the most.

How many times did we get mad at someone saying one bad word towards us? We gave our joy away.
But this says "Don't postpone joy." We have the opportunity minute by minute to make a choice to be filled with joy. We can receive the bad words spoken to us and become grumpy or we can put our hand up and not receive those toxic words. Once we put our hand up, we don't allow for the joy to be diminished by someone else.
Have you seen people smile, but the smile appeared fake or like they weren't "feeling" happy or joy?  It saddens my heart for they do not have the joy of the Lord.

Don't postpone your joy; even count it all joy when you have trials too. Your joy will come in the morning.

~ Be encouraged Butter Baby not giving your joy away or postponing running into it. Your day will be better for it.

What's Love Got to Do With It?

Do you remember the song "What's Love Got to Do With It?" by Tina Turner?  There is a line in the song that says "what's love but a second hand emotion, what's love got to do, got to do with it who needs a heart when a heart can be broken." 

I can honestly say that I've had those broken hearts. I have experienced love as a second hand emotion; it's called an unloving spirit. This kind of love tells you that you don't deserve to be happy, you don't need someone to hold you and it won't allow you to get close to others. Most importantly the unloving spirit does not want you to love yourself. It will make you believe that you are not worth anything.
I have been spending a lot of time learning about love and all that "it" has to do with. I have found that 'it' is called a relationship with Jesus Christ.
I have been experiencing prayer healing and I must tell you that God has been performing heart surgery.  He told me that we would be spending time together to heal "our" relationship.  WOW! That meant a lot to me, to have the Creator of the Universe tell me He cares how I feel. Now, the unloving spirit will say "oh He didn't really say that." Oh shut up you imp, Yes he did! He wants us to work on His and my loving Spirit.
Since that time I am learning how God loves me so much that He gave his son to die for me and show me how to forgive.  Jesus was given over to his peers who tormented Him for doing no wrong, slashed His skin, pierced His hands and feet with spikes, pressed long and thick thorns on His head in the form of a crown, and mocked Him by saying "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."
Jesus was the great example when He said to His Father while hanging on a cross, "Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing."
If anyone had a reason to hate and hold bitterness it was Jesus. Yet, while He was on the cross Jesus forgave these people who walked with Him and heard of all the good things He did. He still loved on them with that prayer to Father God.  What a role model for me.
Well, I have been basking in Jesus' love for me.  He has transported me to my past only to move me forward in healing. Did you know that only He can do that?  I began crying uncontrollably and didn't know why, therefore, I cried out to God and asked Him.  He told me 'you have a broken heart.'  I genuinely felt the pain in my heart. I asked again; 'Where is the root of this pain?' I was transported thirty two years back when the first boy in my life broke my heart. The pain I felt that day when he broke up with me was the same exact pain I was experiencing at this moment. As I let the tears flow, the hurt continued, and allowed myself to feel this hurt; I was healing. I cried for two hours straight as I traveled through the years of heart ache I've experienced. I went from thirty two years past to the present time. I wanted love and thought the best way to find it was actually in the wrong ways.
Today, my view of love has changed. Jesus showed me that His stripes are deeper than a paper cut. His stripes are more than two inches deeper. The weapons used on Him were not as thin as paper, but as thick as a three strand twisted natural fibre rope. It was deep and His love is deeper.  He loved me enough to sacrifice Himself for my life. He loved me so much that He gave up the finer things in life and in heaven.  Who am I that He would do such a thing?  I don't know any man on earth that would do that.
So, today, I am learning what it means to love with my heart. I am learning to give with my gifts. I am learning that my body is a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. I don't have to give it up for love except to Jesus Christ for His love and purpose.
After my morning journey through time, I began forgiving and asking God to sever all soul ties. This was freeing me to love with my whole heart. It freed me to live holy and pleasing to God. I am not who I was, but I am who God says I am today; a new creature in Christ.

~ Be encouraged, people will use your past against you because they agree with Satan that what you did defines you.  That is a lie from the pit of hell. Satan only has your past to use against you.
Be encouraged still, You are who God says you are; a child loved by God the Creator.  Give all of your heart to Him today.

My Brother's Keeper

I had a dream I was in a restaurant with a mother that came in with three children, I was with a woman and there was a young waitress. The mother with her three children walked by and I noticed the children were wearing shorts with tank tops or mid-drift shirts. What caught my attention with this family was the bruising, cuts, and burns on these children's back, elbows, and in front and behind their knees.

As the family was preparing to walk out of the restaurant, I noticed the faces of these children. Each child had a very sad and sullen look about them. 

I called the waitress over to ask her if she said anything to the mother or called for help. The young waitress got an attitude with me, asking what business was it of hers or mine, for that matter, what was happening in that family's home.  The waitress then, turned to my guest and asked what was I doing with 'her kind' in a public place. I told the young waitress, I was trying to help her as I wanted to help the family that just left. Once more, the waitress gave the impression that she wasn't going to consider the family or what she saw for one more second. 

As I woke up from this dream, my heart was heavy with sadness. The scripture that came to me over and over in my mind and it was from Genesis chapter four.  Cain had just killed his brother Abel and the Lord was having a conversation with Cain about it.  The Lord said to Cain, 'where is Abel your brother?' he said, 'I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" 

The answer is yes; otherwise God may not have asked Cain this question. We are responsible to do the right thing and to love on each other.  The problem is that no one wants to get their hands messy because life is messy.  Most people don't want to even face their problems because life is messy. 

~Be encouraged, if no one did anything, then someone would do nothing, but then everyone should help someone in order to make life better; shouldn't we?

Joy and Peace for a Day

"Wait with me for a while. I have much to tell you.  You are walking along the path I have chosen for you.  It is both a privileged and a perilous way: experiencing My glorious Presence and heralding that reality to others.  Sometimes you feel presumptuous to be carrying out such an assignment.
Do not worry about what other people think of you.  The work I am doing in you is hidden at first.  But eventually blossoms will burst forth, and abundant fruit will be borne.  Stay on the path of Life with Me.  Trust Me wholeheartedly, letting My Spirit fill you with Joy and Peace."  (1 Kings 8:23; Galatians 5:22-23)

I read the above devotional and the only word that came to my mind was "wow."
I recently have stepped out and done what I would call "unbelievable or unimaginable" things that the Lord has lead me to do.  I have learned that I cannot do anything a part from Christ. When I do things in my own strength, it does not go well.  I have come to realize that people see things in the flesh and quickly believe in what they see; not relying on faith at all.
It is difficult to carry out assignments from God that are irrational to the world. I have learned that when I trust Him wholeheartedly, the devil will use friends and family to stir up trouble all because of God at work in my life, but God's Spirit fills me with joy and peace. The joy and peace I am given is by Him and not as this world wants to give it to me.

Are you having a hard time walking with God and carrying out he assignment He has for you?
Be of good courage and know He is doing a work in you that no one can see; not even you.  Trust in the Lord with all your being and be sensitive to what the Holy Spirit is leading you to do. You won't go wrong in the care of Jesus.

~Be encouraged

Skin Deep

Have you heard the saying "beauty is only skin deep?" I have. I use to believe this. We, as women, compare our looks to how other women look. We look in the mirror, find someone who is prettier and compare our outward beauty with theirs. I am a small chested woman, with tiny feet, and I am short. I didn't like it for the longest time. My self image was not equal to what the world would call beautiful. You would not, nor will you ever, find me on the cover of a famous magazine. In my past, I would use this body to get what I wanted, I was a manipulator. But one day, I found something more on the inside.
Even though I was hearing how beautiful I was, I felt like I had a piece of lump coal in the middle of my chest. One day, I had a friend ask me to pull that lump coal out and imagine God touching it with his finger or speaking the words while looking at this lump of hard, black junk in my hands, and turning it to gold. All of a sudden, my self image was changed; not physically but mentally. It is a struggle between my ears to keep thinking of myself as something beautiful.
Recently I've had someone say to me, "you are beautiful." For the first time, I can agree with an honest response; "I am beautiful."  My appearance didn't change, but my thinking process has.

You might be looking at yourself and thinking you've gained weight, hair is unmanageable, clothes are too big or too small, that girl over there looks so put together, she is beautiful and I want to look like her.
You might be looking for your spouse, your child (ren), a friend, or a family member to validate your beauty.
Yet, they cannot validate you in that way. It will not matter if you stand in a room of a hundred people and everyone of them comes up to tell you how beautiful you are. You will not believe them and it will not change you or solidify your worth.

But take a deep look inside of your soul. Look at how you treat people. Do you treat people with kindness and a smile, or do you spew venom on them with hateful or unkind words? Do you help people in need or do you step over them and tell them how lazy they are?

I have witnessed people changing their looks on the outside, but their hearts haven't changed. They are still not beautiful, it's only skin deep. Jesus loves you. He makes all things beautiful in His time. He is working on you even at this very moment. He is working on changing they piece of lump coal in the middle of your hand to a shiny, gold, beautiful gem. That gem is you.

Release all your anxiety on Jesus, allow Him to touch your soul and heart right now. You can change your outward appearance, but the inward appearance is where God makes the changes. His word is filled with love, beauty, and affirmations as to how He sees your beauty and value.  The world will tell you what you want to hear and it will make you feel good for just a moment, but God's word will tell you what you need to know and it will last your lifetime.

~Be encouraged, your King calls you beautiful because of what is on the inside and it will reflect on the outside.

Who is God Anyways?

If you know me there is a pretty good chance you know that I have a love in my heart for Jesus Christ of Nazareth. You would also know that I would want to please God from my heart. I have questioned who I was in Christ for the past year. I am so thankful that God sees you and me in the inner most parts of our being. This means He knows the cries of our hearts that we keep hidden inside. He sees the pain and hurt deep inside our soul, and He is the only one who can do heart surgery at that depth of our being.

I am a sinner, I am like an unclean thing, and all my unrighteousness is like that of filthy rags. I was being lured into believing that the God whom had saved me many times over from death, was waiting for me to mess up again. I was lured into the lie that I didn't know this loving kindness of a Father who has wrapped himself around me wasn't the God I thought He was. I have written, spoken, and shared how God is loving, kind, gentle, and soft spoken. I was lured to believe that I was calling Him by the wrong names, I was not of God if I was not speaking His language, and that I wasn't put on this earth just for him to love me.
I got so mad at Him that I threw my Bible that I have eaten like a chocolate cake under the bed. I swore I was not going to read this book anymore because someone is lying to me. I was taught that Jesus was the Word and He cannot lie. Yet, if I made one wrong move, I was damned to hell.
This was a heavy burden for me to carry, especially when I have carried a burden for so long that weighted me down like a five ton crate. God told me that His yoke is easy and His burden is light; who is lying?

I was beginning to question everyone's walk with Christ. Who is right and who was wrong in their worship of the Lord Jesus Christ. Where did the freedom that Jesus Christ gave on the cross? What about the man that because of the way he looks isn't received in the church building by the "Christians?" What about him? I was led to believe that if he was to walk the isle, I had to question his salvation.  Yet, I learned that God was the only one who knew that man's heart, not me. Who is lying to me?

I did not want to believe that the God who wrapped His arms around me when I was broken, was now laughing at my broken heart. I did not want to believe that the son of God that died on the cross for me, wasn't the same son of God that I had learned about in my early believer's walk.

I began questioning every Pastor whom I had learned from that helped me walk closer to God. I had to question if he was a true believer in Christ. Do you know how heavy this is?

I do not want God's job. I don't want to judge anyone lest I be judged. Who am I? I can't see the man walking the isle. I can only see what is written in the word and compare it to the word coming out of someone else's mouth. Yet, I was wrong if I didn't judge.

Now, I am totally confused. I don't want this God that stands with a stick ready to punish me when I walk outside the lines.  NO!  The God whom I love is gentle and kind. The God I came to know is patient and trustworthy. I am not God and I do not have to live this way, or do I?

None of us know the struggles you face on a day by day journey when you don't share.  People ask, "how can I pray for you?" Sometimes, you really do not know how to answer that question, do you? Especially when you are questioning your walk with Jesus.

I have cried many a days asking God who He really is. I have cried many a days yelling at God about how confined I feel inside. Being underwater and not being able to catch your breath, tightens your chest to the point of hurting. This is the pain I have been experiencing for a long time.
I was dying inside. It is really easy to put on a false personality when you are expected to have a great life.

You see, just as I don't know if a person truly accepts Jesus as Lord when they walk down the isle, other's don't know what pain is in that person's heart if it isn't shared.

Yes, I am a sinner. I am filthy rags. I am saved by the blood of Jesus Christ that died on a cross just because He loves me. I want to be loved by God. I want to be overwhelmed with the love that Jesus has for me. I don't want to be kept from believing that my God is who He says He is.  I don't ever want to be separated from the love that I have come to know. My soul and spirit has been stirred up, stepped on, and quenched many times over and I don't have time for that.

Do you have a heavy heart too? Do you want to be loved not based on how you look, walk, talk, or believe? God loves you just where you are. Do you want to have a light heart? Confess with your mouth that you are a sinner, that Jesus is the son of God, and ask him in belief to come into your heart. Ask him to lift this heavy burden that you are carrying around. Believe Jesus is who He says He is. Don't let anyone make you to be double minded. Thank Jesus for coming into your heart that you may live a life free from condemnation.

~Be encouraged to know that no matter how long you've been walking with God, He is still mighty to save.

References:
Isaiah 64:16
Matthew 11:28-29
Romans 6
Galatians 5:22