Surrender... It's Worth It

Have you ever asked God for a certain thing but when He answered, the outcome wasn’t quite what you wanted? Sometimes He answers in an unexpected way. Sometimes He answers in an undesired way. But you cannot deny that it is indeed His answer. Yeah… that feeling right there. Did you feel it? Can you relate?

I’ve felt this feeling many times. I said I wanted His will to be done, but what I really wanted was His will MY way. I know. Exactly how did I possibly think that was going to work out? Honestly, it's not like He ever promised to give me what I had in mind anyway.

If you have any genuine experience following Jesus Christ, you already know this is NOT how He rolls at all. Now this is the point where you have an opportunity for promotion.

I see you scratching your head at this word “promotion.” But yes, promotion. Leveling up in ways you probably hadn’t anticipated. But here’s the thing - the prerequisite for this divine promotion can only come through surrender. Surrendering your agenda, your plans, your dreams, your previous beliefs, your motives, popular opinion and faulty assumptions. In essence, your whole will, Sis!

It is at the point of surrender that you become a clean slate, ready for the Author and Finisher of your faith to write His plan on your heart. At first, it’s going to feel strange, unnatural, and unbalanced. It will cost you some relationships and your reputation. It will mess with your bottom line. It will challenge your theology. It will feel like you’re dying. And guess what? YOU are. The you that tends to edge Jesus off of the throne of your life whenever His will challenges whatever you deem right, just, normal or proper.

Trust me. He aims to challenge everything you think you know about Him so that He can reveal to you who He really is. When this starts to happen -- let it. It’s the only way you’ll learn to separate truth from tradition. Remember, Jesus said that it is the TRUTH that will set you free. And isn’t that what you really want anyway? To be free? Free to realize and become who God created you to be.

Let me tell you, the day I stopped digging in my heels in protest and I began to allow God to reveal Himself to me in His own way, my soul began to settle. I grew in courage and began to use His words and my voice to chase away doubt and unbelief. Fear is decreasing, faith is increasing, and my hope is resurrected.

If you find yourself struggling with the way the Lord is moving in your life, I hope you’ll take the plunge and find out what’s on the other side of your surrender.

Peace to you...

ME23: 6 Steps to Turn Your Resolutions into Your Revolution (Part 5)

Greetings from The D-Vine!

Wow! I don't know about you, but 2016 has gotten off to a crazy start for me. As I mentioned in my last post, my family and I are working on something and there's a big transition that goes along with it. But I promise, when it's all over, you'll get the exclusive story from yours truly. :)

Now, let's dive in to Part 5 of ME23!

Psalm 23:5 NLT

"You prepare a FEAST for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup OVERFLOWS with blessings."

Principle #5: You Already Have More Than What it Takes to Win

I spent more time pondering this particular verse than any of the first four verses. To me, it personifies what a real personal revolution is all about. If you've already come this far in my blog series, I believe it's because you don't want to just survive, you want to THRIVE! 

There's a lasting result that we're after here, and it should have an exponential impact on how you do life. So in order to help you get the most out of this week's principle, I thought I'd break it down into its three essential points.

1. When you think of a feast, you probably think of food, right? Well, I think with this verse the psalmist is trying to tell us to think in terms of abundance in the face of lack. In other words, to know that you have more than enough going for you even if your situation says otherwise. The power doesn't lie in the enemy you face. It lies in how you face your enemy. Say you've been turned down for a job you really wanted because you're under qualified. You can look at it as yet another rejection, or you can see it as putting you a step closer to your perfect position.
2. When is the last time you were honored by someone? I'm not talking about receiving an award or anything. I mean just being truly affirmed and appreciated. That long, huh? LOL! Well here's a golden nugget from this verse that really boosted my confidence. Just as a shepherd pours oil on his sheep's head to keep bugs from irritating or infecting them, God will do the same for you. Facing negativity in any form is not always easy, and the forces behind it can be as annoying as a swarm of gnats. But consider this. To be anointed means to be chosen by "divine election." That means that no matter what comes at you, you've already been "elected" by God as the winner.
3. You're not waiting for abundance to strike. You already possess it! Jesus said, "Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot." (Luke 12:15 MSG). Remember, PERCEPTION is the name of the game. Here's an awkward but very apt example of this. Kanye West and Donald Trump are two names that are trending high in the media right now because of their outrageous self-promoting antics. While I don't condone their egomaniacal ways, it's hard to miss the fact that because of the way they perceive themselves, they act with great confidence and it's getting them results. Yes, you should be humble, not prideful. But being humble does not mean you should ignore or downplay what you've been given to work with. Flip the script and start perceiving yourself through God's eyes, as more than a conqueror, and overflow will begin to manifest all over your life. 

What's the takeaway?

Your battle is fought and won in your HEAD first, not in your heart. Don't let how you feel distort the truth. To live the abundant life, you must revolutionize your thinking. The less garbage you put in, the less you'll get out. Become much more selective about what you lend your brainpower to. 

Action Step

In a recent interview with Vogue magazine, presidential hopeful, Hillary Clinton remarked that while she's great at advocating for other people, she's not so good at doing it for herself. But now she perceives herself differently than she did a few years ago, and she's better able to give a clear voice to what makes her the best person for President.

If you feel you don't have enough, or you simply aren't enough, I want you to take a bold step. Post a comment on the D-Vine blog page stating a quality (not anything material) that you know you have in abundance. If you want to take it a step further, put that same post on your Facebook or Twitter page with the hashtag #IamenoughME23. I'll start the ball rolling.

I am abundantly gifted at being a great listener

The point is to OWN IT. Make it a practice to perceive your abundance in your everyday life. When you do, you'll transform into the woman you were always meant to be - despite any opposition.

Until next time, BE WHO YOU ARE AND LOVE IT!

ME23: 6 Steps to Turn Your Resolutions into Your Revolution (Part 4)

 

photo source: embracehiscall.com

Hey D-Viners!

Yes, I know. I've been away from the keyboard for a minute. But it's because I'm in the middle of a big transition right now (still in it, as a matter of fact). But it's all good. More about that later.

I didn't want to leave you in suspense about the next post in my ME23 series. So let's get back on track, shall we?

Next up... Psalm 23:4

"Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff PROTECT and COMFORT me."

Principle #4: You Will Find Comfort in the Protection of Discipline

I know, I know. Comfort is not usually the first word that comes to mind when you think of discipline. But it's true. Science has proven it again and again.

Prime example: If you discipline yourself to eat healthier and become more physically active, you will start to slim down, your energy and confidence will increase, and your overall disposition will improve. Hence, COMFORT ensues.

Now let's put that into context using Psalm 23:4. What can we extract from this verse to help you revolutionize your life right now?

First of all, it is inevitable that you will experience dark valleys in your life from time to time. We all do. But remember, they don't come to stay. They come to pass. The point is, when you go through these seasons, it's not about what's happening to or around you, it's HOW you respond. This is where discipline comes in. 

To help you fully appreciate the wisdom of Principle #4, I thought I'd share some facts about how ancient shepherds used only a simple rod and staff to preserve the lives of their sheep.

THE ROD

• Used to safeguard the sheep from danger 
• Thrown out to alert the sheep that has wandered away
• Used to closely inspect and examine the sheep's overall condition

Are you concerned about doors that have been closed in your life? Don't trip. Most likely, God is protecting you from danger or regret (even if you think you're missing out on a great opportunity).

Do you sense warning bells going off on the inside? Perhaps you've wandered away from the path God has predestined for you. He may be trying to get your attention.

Feeling convicted about things you always claimed as just a part of who you are? Maybe God is trying to separate fact from fiction in order for you to recognize the woman he intends for you to become.

THE STAFF

• Used to draw sheep close together in intimate relationship
• Used to guide the sheep and keep it on the right path
• Used to reach out and catch individual sheep to draw them in for closer examination by the shepherd

Have you been isolating yourself from others out of shame, embarrassment, or frustration? Yes. There may be times when God will call you to a place of solitude for a time. But you must be careful not to initiate these times on your own. When it's prompted by God, you run the risk of being led away by your own emotions.

Did you start out with good intentions, but find that you've lost your way? Stop. Breathe. Listen. God wants to reveal not only what is distracting you, but also why it has the power to do so. This is information you can't afford to ignore.

Do you use busyness to avoid facing yourself? Do you sometimes justify your actions, even when you know you should change? Holding on to your version of the truth doesn't do you or anyone else any good. It's when you willingly lay all your cards on the table (the good, the bad, and the ugly) that you truly become free.

What's the takeaway?

"If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding." ~ Proverbs 15:32

I trust that you love yourself too much to intentionally hurt yourself. Therefore, it would help if you would try seeing correction and discipline as a friend and not a foe. Embracing discipline will bring order to your life and in turn, you'll ultimately find comfort in God's sufficient grace.

Action Step

The foundation of true discipline lies in your ability to release your mindset, your way of doing things, and taking time to learn how God does things. If you're feeling brave enough to be transparent, share an area of your life in which you know that you need to relinquish control to God. I will commit to praying for you and encouraging you to follow through in that specific area.

You may post your response here on the blog, or share it with a close and trusted friend. The aim here is to be accountable for initiating the change you seek.

Stay tuned for Part 5 of my ME23 blog series!

Peace & Blessings,

Tracy 

ME23: 6 Steps to Turn Your Resolutions Into Your Revolution (Part 3)

Welcome back, D-Viners!

Did you enjoy last week's installment of ME23? If so, you're going to love this week's foray into Psalm 23:3 because it's all about POWER.

"He renews my STRENGTH. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name."

Psalm 23:3 (NLT)

For further emphasis, I'd like to also use The Message translation of this same verse.

"True to your word, you let me CATCH MY BREATH and send me in the right direction."

Psalm 23:3 (MSG)

Principle #3: The Power is in the Pause

As many of you know, I'm on a journey toward being a healthier, fitter me. As I've been making small changes  here and there, I find myself growing a deeper appreciation for the wonder and complexity that is the human body. I'm learning more and more about the many factors that make the body operate at it's fullest potential. One of those factors is rest/sleep.

You've probably been hearing more and more in the media about the importance of getting a good night's sleep, and there's good reason for it.

"A night of uninterrupted sleep(will) leave (our) bodies and minds rejuvenated for the next day. If sleep is cut short, the body doesn’t have time to complete all of the phases needed for muscle repair, memory consolidation and release of hormones regulating growth and appetite. Then we wake up less prepared to concentrate, make decisions, or engage fully in school, (work) and social activities." 

~ The National Sleep Foundation

Clearly, rest is not only important, it is crucial to the quality of your life. But I want to talk to about more than rest for your body. Let's talk about rest for your mind/soul.

If you've ever had a sleepless night, chances are it wasn't because of physical pain. It was probably a cluttered mind that kept you tossing and turning.

Worry, anxiety, fear, anger. This is not the crowd you want to hang out with. Think of them as thieves that create restlessness inside of you in order to drain you of your power.

Just as your body cannot regulate, renew, or replenish when you are deprived of rest, the same holds true for your soul. Like The Message translation above so aptly puts it, you need time to catch your breath.When you don't put yourself on pause, you lose much more than you think you do.

Yes. I know there is a tendency in this performance-driven culture we live in to think you must stay in overdrive or else you'll be missing out. And I'm sure somewhere in the back of your mind, you probably know this isn't right. But just like any other bad habit, you've probably been doing it so long, you don't know how to stop.

• You've got great ideas, but you can't stop long enough to implement them
• You've got an issue that needs to be addressed, but you won't take to deal with it
• You don't mean to be insensitive, but you've got so many irons in the fire you've sacrificed even your most cherished relationships
• Your emotions are a wreck, but you're too tired to even pray about them

Any of this sound familiar? Don't feel bad. You can choose to change.

What's the takeaway?

On the streets you'd be told to CHECK YOURSELF BEFORE YOU WRECK YOURSELF.

I'm telling you PAUSE to get your POWER back. And I don't mean power to keep on running at the same old break-neck speed. I'm talking about REAL POWER. Power to get the right perspective. Power to walk your path. Power to live out your purpose. Jesus himself often employed this principle (Luke 5:16) and it served him well. You should too.

But make no mistake. The pause is not just about unloading your baggage. It's more about fueling up for what lies ahead. The good things. The promises that God will fulfill in your life. The energy and enthusiasm you will have once you clear your soul of its clutter. That's the sweet spot.

Action Step

Take a moment right now to do a brain dump.

Write down everything that is weighing you down, pressuring you, worrying you, etc. Read them out loud to yourself. Then take that piece of paper, rip it up, and throw it away. Right after that, pray Psalm 23 out loud to yourself as many times as you need to in order to release those things. Finally, just breathe. Use this pause to allow the natural flow of the Holy Spirit to refresh and renew your spirit.

Check back in with me to share how ME23 is helping you to turn things around in your life. I want to see a wall of continuous victories in that comment section!

Be sure to tell a friend about this blog series by sharing the link. I'll meet you back here next week.

Stay in it to win it!

You Can Win With What You Have Left

It's wintertime - the season when all that was once green and growing goes cold and dormant. To the naked eye, it's not a pretty picture.

Is that how you're feeling as 2015 draws to a close? Has this been a barren year for you?

Well, I bring you good news! You may be at the end of another calendar year, but that doesn't mean that you aren't on the verge of a personal revolution. That's right! And I don't mean a comeback of epic proportions either (although that would be a righteous surprise too). I mean an awakening in your soul, a shifting in your perspective and your level of expectation that will slowly but surely propel you forward. It can happen, even if you don't think you've got everything it takes to make it happen.

Let me paint a picture for you...

When I was a little girl, I remember going with my mother to the home of one of our elderly church ladies. She was hosting a quilting circle with some of her friends. At the time, I didn't realize what a time-honored tradition this was among our African-American ancestors, but I soon found out.

I can still remember them laughing and chatting away as they leisurely took what looked to me like old raggedy scraps of fabric and effortlessly sewed them into colorful patterns. It took them weeks to finish, and I wasn't there to witness all of their labor. But I can tell you that when they were done, that quilt was fit to be displayed at The Louvre!

Who would have thought that all those little scraps scattered around the floor would eventually yield such an amazingly beautiful and purposeful thing?

Maybe 2015 may have drained a lot out of you. You may feel like you're running on empty right now; like you're left with scraps. 

photo credit: www.absolutelysmall.com

But God looks at your scraps and sees this:

photo credit: www.weallsew.com

That's because He knows the awesome things He can do through your faith. So don't focus on what you don't have. When you do, it makes you blind to your potential and robs you of your promise. Smile over your scraps, girl! They're going to make for a great story someday.

Remember the Old Testament story about the widow who was facing a critical debt situation and had only one vial of oil left in her house? (2 Kings 4:1-7) Go back and check it out. You'll see that it wasn't about what she had. It was about what she was willing to DO with what she had.

So, I ask you, are you willing to use what you've got left?

"Because little becomes much as you place it in the Master's hand." ~ from the song, Ordinary People by Danniebelle Hall

Until next week, Overcomers...

Say No More: Why You Shouldn't Always Feel Compelled to Explain Yourself to Others

There I was, doing it again.

Trying to think of an easy way to describe what I currently do for a living without sounding like a huge loser to someone I hadn't talked to in years. You see, I haven't worked on a traditional job for a long time. I'm self-employed and the Lord has given me the freedom to accept only those assignments for which I'm purposed. As a matter of fact, I replaced the word "job" with the word "assignment" years ago. (I'll tell you about that revelation in a future post). But when I found myself struggling to put what I actually do in terms that she could understand, I realized that my problem wasn't her, it was me. The more I stammered, the more questions she kept firing at me, almost like she was Detective Stabler trying to corner a perp in the interrogation room on Law and Order: SVU!

Come to think of it, why was it so important for her know so many details about my life anyway? We weren't ever even close... ever. But I digress...

When I finally got off the phone with her, I really needed to do some soul-searching. I had handled similar situations like this far too many times. I just couldn't let another birthday roll around with me still low-key campaigning for other people's approval of what God has ordained for my life. I really thought I was past that. But when she started peppering me with questions (and doing it with much smugness, might I add), it drudged up some old residue and I wasn't happy about that at all.

"Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant." ~ Galatians 1:10 NLT

Do you ever feel compelled to "set the record straight" so that your image (whatever that is) stays intact? Do you especially find the urge is strongest when you're doing something that you KNOW God has told you to do? I've been there. It never works out. While you think you're saving your reputation, you're actually slowly losing sight of your own value and significance. Personally, I've found that it's not worth the risk.

It's funny how God's picture of success is often strikingly different from man's picture of success - even saved man. But I've come to realize that whatever my condition may appear to be in the eyes of others, that does not define who I am. Only the people who care about WHO I AM can legitimately say that they care about ME. Therefore, it has become my joy and privilege to leave people with their own thoughts, especially if they seem to be happiest dwelling there. I no longer carry the burden of protecting anyone from my truth!

"What other people think of me is none of my business." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

So I leave you with this, and I hope you wrap your mental arms around this truth and embrace it with all your might.

Whether you have accepted it or not, you are enough. It doesn't matter if you're still growing, still climbing, still trying, and still learning. YOU ARE ENOUGH!

Stop living your life to be approved by others. Most people are way to fickle to ever be pleased with anything you do anyway. Make your decisions, your choices, and even your mistakes on your own terms, NOT the terms someone else has assigned to you.

God loves you. He approves you. You were important and special enough for Him to send His only Son, Jesus, to die for your sins and give you eternal life.

Who else would do that for you? Nobody.

Who else is even worthy of doing that for you? Nobody.

Who do you owe an explanation to? Say it with me, "NOBODY!"

Until next week,

Rock Your Worth!

The Courage to Take Correction

The other day, my husband and I were in a conversation and he brought up a bad habit that I’ve had for years. Now to be honest, I knew that what he was saying about my habit was TRUE. I just didn’t want to accept it at the time. I had a whole list of justifications for my actions, knowing full well they didn’t really hold water. Bad as it sounds, I was actually trying to protect my “right” to be wrong. Have you ever done that? Probably not, huh? It’s just me? Okay… As he gently rebuked me, I could literally feel a wall of defensiveness rising up within me. I shut down, stopped responding, and decided to just listen, albeit in a passive-aggressive manner. My character was, once again, being reshaped, and I wasn't taking it well at all.

Whoever said, “The truth hurts,” was certainly not making an understatement. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself WHY it hurts? Isn’t truth supposed to be a good thing? It depends on what you’re after - your way or God’s. 

"No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening - it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way." 

~ Heb. 12:11 NLT

Here’s what I came to realize (once I cooled down and repented). Truth is meant to bring about correction, and that correction is for my PROTECTION. I’m sure we can all agree that protection is a GOOD THING, right? 

God loves me too much to watch me destroy myself, even in what may seem like the smallest of ways. He wants me to live a life FREE of regret. The only way to do that is to embrace correction whenever it comes my way and to see it as a lifeline and not a choke hold. So when God uses someone to offer me correction, it is an act of LOVE, not punishment or shame. What kind of father would he be anyway if he just let me keep going along a path that he knows will rob me of his best for my life?

Let’s face it. It’s not a popular thing to say ’NO!” to your flesh (your will, your desires, your feelings, your opinions) - even among those in the Body of Christ. And if you’re not careful, subtle pride will seduce you into adopting your will over God’s will, instead of it being the other way around. It takes courage to accept and act on correction. But think of it this way. The initial sting you feel when you are being corrected is nothing compared to the inevitable pain you’ll feel when you finally understand why you should have taken it when you had the chance. Just ask the woman who rejected the truth about the man she chose to marry, despite the numerous warnings from those who really cared about her. But you can’t. Why? Because they still can’t find her body.

Proverbs 12:1 (NLT) warns us that it is actually STUPID for us to avoid correction. Don’t be foolish!

I challenge you not to waste another day fighting for your right to be wrong. Embrace the truth, make the correction, thank the corrector (no matter who they are or how they bring it), and LIVE!

Here’s to a BETTER and WISER you!

How are You Investing Your Tears?

My good friend, Carolyn M., shared something with me a couple of days ago, and I knew right then and there that I had to blog about it. (It's all good. I got her permission to do this.) We were talking about how she has seen a transformation in her ability to rest and restore peace to her life once she answered this crucial question that the Holy Spirit posed to her: 

Are you crying or crying out? 

In a nutshell, are you whining or are you worshipping. When you whine, you’re only focused on the problem. But when you worship (cry out), you’re connecting to The One who helps you to overcome your problems. Therein lies the difference in how many of us respond to the ups and downs of life. This resonated with me on such a deep level. I had entertained a similar thought just a few days before when I pondered how often we waste our tears on things that have no redeeming value. 

Think about it. How often have you cried over the loss of a relationship that took more from you than it deposited? How many times have you pouted when you simply didn’t get your way? How many times have you made a big stink over something that really wasn’t that big of a deal once you thought about it?

I’ll be the first to raise my hand and admit that I’ve been guilty of these things and more. But thanks be to God, I came into the understanding that my tears are an investment. As a matter of fact, they are so valuable that God actually collects them!

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” ~ Psalm 56:8 NLT

Over time, I came to realize that my tears are not meant to be trifled away on issues that are actually a NON-FACTOR in my life’s purpose. So what, they don’t want to be my friend anymore. So what, I didn’t get the house. So what, things didn’t turn out like I expected. No more tears on that stuff!

The only crying I want to do is the kind that counts, not the kind that is driven by selfish desires and immature rants. I want to invest my tears in soulful cries of sincere gratitude as God overwhelms me with his eternal love and faithfulness. I want to sow my tears into passionate prayers over the lost souls in my family and community. I want my heart to stay unselfish enough to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep (Rom. 12:15). Those are the tears that will water the seeds of righteousness and bring them into full fruition in my life, just as God intended.

So what are you crying about?

Beginning Again

Well, I'm back on the trail to better health and fitness. To kick off my NEW beginning today, I was inspired to post this short video. It's a means of accountability for me as I set my efforts and intentions toward achieving my goal weight of 135 pounds before my 50th birthday on November 21, 2016. I've got 17 months to get it done. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I'll get there!

If you've got some "extra baggage" of your own, be it pounds, negativity, bad habits, etc., I invite you to join me on the journey toward being our BEST selves.

Pride Begins With "I"

Have you ever tuned into the conversations you have with other people? Even the ones you have with yourself? And no, I'm not talking about 'hearing voices'. It's intriguing to me how many times we use the words "I", "Me", or "My" and go blissfully unaware of the lurking undertones of selfishness and pride.

I used to think that pride was as big as a boulder and, therefore, easy to detect. But I've come to learn that it's usually like a thin, translucent line stretched between two trees that trips you up as you walk along the path. If you get a little too distracted you'll never see it coming.

I won't kid you. I've gotten caught up in the thrill of success when a plan goes off without a hitch and I (even secretly) prompt others to see the role I played in making it happen. I've occasionally judged others under my breath with a sigh and disdainful shake of my head, thinking to myself, "I can't believe she..." I could go on and on with the I thinks, I feels and I knows, but you get my drift.

As I pondered this ugly habit and why it so easily creeps up on most of us, I was struck with the unmistakable kinship pride has with fear. Ultimately, when our automatic self-preservation kicks in, it s fear that usually flips the switch. Fear that we won't be recognized or respected. Fear that we'll lose something or someone. Fear that we won't get something we strongly desire or think that we need. Fear that we won't be found worthy of love and acceptance. Sometimes what we think we're missing is right there all along, but fear keeps us blind to it.

Don't be fooled! It's a trick. Satan fell for it eons ago when he started hungering for what he didn't even need. He was the greatest of all the angels in heaven; skillfully outfitted with unique qualities that were unparalleled. Yet, he created the biggest lie in his own magnificent mind, and it not only consumed him and a third of the angelic host, but it has sealed their doom. (See Isaiah 14:12-15).

I've asked the Holy Spirit to remind me that I, the creature, am not, and will never be or need to be, as great as the Creator. Humility is my friend and an effective gauge of my trust in the Lord. So I leave you with this: whenever your accomplishments or your personal ambitions begin to exalt the screenplay of your life to blockbuster status, remember... the sequel is a always a real downer.

Don't You Dare Lose Your Distinction!

I'm a south paw, and proud of it, too! But I never really think anything about it until someone else takes notice of it.

That's exactly what happened to me recently when I was sitting in the takeout section of a local restaurant waiting on my order. I was writing something down and the lady who waited on me noticed that I was left-handed and commented on it.

She told me an interesting story about how her husband was almost violently conformed into using his right hand when he was a young boy in school. Apparently, his teachers (who obviously subscribed to some unwarranted fear about the meaning of being left-handed) would smack him on his left hand whenever he tried to use it to write in order to make him use his right hand.

Now, I've heard some strange stories when it comes to people and their pet peeves about left-handedness, but this one was especially disturbing. Why would someone go to such lengths to rob someone of their distinction? After doing a little research, I found out that historically, being left-handed was often associated with being "evil" or "clumsy." So, in order to deter any negative tendencies, people who believed this ideology thought that they were doing the right thing by trying to make the left-hander conform "for their own good."

Granted, south paws are in the minority when it comes to hand preference, but it has often been proven that this distinction has served them (and others) very well. Many of the greatest people who ever lived were left-handed (i.e. Benjamin Franklin, Babe Ruth, even Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama).

Consider the story of Ehud, a left-handed man from the tribe of Benjamin whose story is documented in chapter 3 of the Book of Judges. It was typical in those days for a man to strap his sword or knife on his left side for use with his right hand. So it was easy to beware if the man in question was going to attack because he would be expected to reach toward his left side. However, God saw fit to use this man, Ehud, to get close enough to his enemy to destroy him because he would never be suspected as a threat - his knife was strapped to his right side. How clever!

So the next time someone feels so threatened by whatever God has chosen to make you distinctive that they try to make you conform to "the right way," don't be intimidated. Don't allow their fears to become your problem. It's your distinctiveness that God intends to use. Don't you dare lose it!

Where Are Your Stretch Marks?

Yes, I had the nerve to bring up stretch marks!... But not the ones you think. I'd like to engage you into a little deeper thought. In case you didn't know, I usually find spiritual analogy in just about anything :)

Question(s): When was the last time that you truly went out of your way to help someone else?You know - got out of your comfort zone, threw convenience to the wind, and really went the EXTRA mile, no matter how exasperating the process was. When was the last time you didn't pause to psychoanalyze or critically judge another person's outer package and just delved into your compassion, followed the Holy Spirit's lead, and produced what, to the that person, seemed like a miracle, but to you was just a mere unconditional act of human kindness?

Personally, I've been on both sides of this proverbial coin - as the stretcher and as the reacher (if you will). Neither position feels good at first. When my lifestyle conditions were up, I have to admit I wasn't always as conscientious about other peoples' plights as I should have been. As the reacher, I often lamented about the times that I wasn't as sensitive as I should have been. Why? Obviously, it's easier to relate when you can feel the pain. That's a shame. But I thank God for my time as a reacher (and the pain) because now I realize that God loves stretch marks! It means that our minds are not focused on what it costs us to give, but what we gain by giving. It means we not only trust Him for the return, but also for the means to meet the need, even if we don't quite know how it's all going to play out. He loves to see us trust him enough to shove our egos and pride aside and actually do the work of the kingdom. At the center of God's daily agenda is people. It always will be. And if we are going to conform to the image of His Son Jesus, the needs of others is going to have to become paramount to us too.

I believe that if the world is confused and can't distinguish us from themselves, it's probably because they don't clearly see our identification badges - STRETCH MARKS. Jesus said it like this:

"This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples - when they see the love you have for each other" ~ John 13:35 (MSG)

Let's take a lesson from The Good Samaritan (Luke ch. 10) and purposefully, habitually stretch ourselves. Those who are reaching are reaching for Jesus. Will they find Him in you?

I Want To Believe

Faith is a funny thing. Or should I say, my faith is a funny thing. Why is it that no matter what phenomenal act God just recently performed in my life, as soon as some unexpected challenge arises I start doubting Him - AGAIN! When am I really going to start trusting Him like I should?

There's a song from Kirk Franklin's The Fight of My Life cd called "Help Me Believe" and I think it truly epitomizes what it feels like to want to get off the rollercoaster of doubt and unbelief when you face prolonged or unexpected struggles. For me, the chorus says it all:

Help me Believe

Can I believe

Let Me believe

I wanna believe

I'm no good on my own, please give me another chance

Its hard to believe in what I can't see

To give you my will cause you're what's better for me

You can look in my eyes and see I wanna believe, believe, believe, believe

It puts me in the mind of someone who had a similar conflict in his own life. The gospel of Mark tells of a grieving father whose son was bound by a deaf and dumb spirit that had constantly been trying to kill him since he was a small child. Can you imagine watching your son or daughter writhing in relentless pain and you are helpless to do anything to stop it?

Hearing about Jesus and his power over demonic spirits, the man brings his son in hopes of finally getting the help he needs. But when he gets there, Jesus is nowhere to be found. Only a few of his disciples are there, and they prove to be no help at all. I can imagine the despair that probably started to drift over his once-hopeful heart. Then, suddenly, Jesus arrives on the scene! The boy's father recounts to the Lord all that he has been through up until that point and then he makes a statement that totally contradicts all the painstaking effort he's made to get help for his boy: "If You can do anything, do have pity on us, and help us." (Mark 9:22 AMP). I can almost see Jesus looking back at the man, disturbed by his statement. What do you mean "if"? As if to say, Don't you know this is the God of the Universe you're talking to?

In his impressive, omnipotent fashion, Jesus eases the man's doubts by telling him that "all things are possible to him that believes". I love the way the Amplified Bible puts the man's response because it's the way I see myself reaching out to God while I'm fighting the good fight of faith:

At once the father of the boy gave [an [k]eager, [l]piercing, inarticulate] cry with tears, and he said, Lord, I believe! [Constantly] help my [m]weakness of faith! (Mark 9:24)

Just like that father, I too am desparate to get to a place where I just simply BELIEVE GOD! Believe His love for me. Believe His infallible integrity towards me. Believe that His will truly is better for me. But even this I cannot do without His help. I need His power to charge my faith up, not to just believe in Him, but to believe Him.

Which brings me to another point...

Did you know that suffering (for doing what God told you to do) is actually a form of worship? Well, it is. (See I Peter ch. 2). So that makes me think very soberly about how worship is handled in my daily life. Yes, it's easy for me to see myself as a worshipper when I'm dancing, singing and praising the Lord in church service or when I'm jamming to some good Israel Houghton or Fred Hammond while driving my truck. But do I really consider myself giving God worship when I'm standing in faith during a time of adversity? Just this morning I read something in an e-votional by Anita Carman, Founder of Inspire Women that deeply challenged my perspective on this:

"In our suffering, let us offer it to God as our way to worship Him. He gets to decide if we will worship Him with our abundance or if we will worship Him with our suffering. Oh the freedom to give up dictating to God the kind of worship we will give Him."

I thought to myself, "Lord, have I really been doing that?" Could it be that I have only been seeing worship as a "warm fuzzy" for me instead of a truly unselfish, heartfelt gift from me to a loving Father? Far be it from me to ever think that way again!

If I'm learning nothing else along this journey, it's that sacrifice authenticates true love. For years I've known that God is my friend. But am I really His friend? Do I love Him enough to trust what He tells me, even if I don't understand it at first? Do I really love Him enough to face the rejection when I'm doing all I can to be obedient to His will?

Time will tell. But as I stated before, I want to believe that I do and that I will.

How about you?

Well-Wishers, Well-Meaners, and Straight Up Haters

I'm on a mission. I'm called to do exactly what I'm doing right now. My life is meant to be a walking billboard of God's awesome love, glory, truth, and power. But there are obstacles that jump in my path sometimes. They come in the form of three types of people.



Well-Wishers

These are the people in my life who aren't intimately connected to me or to what God is doing for me, but they don't mind me doing my thing. They are usually the ones who just think I'm a nice person and don't have a problem with me moving upward - probably because it doesn't affect them one way or the other. But that's cool. I can live with that. At least they're not getting in the way of my purpose.



Well-Meaners

These are the people in my life who I believe geniuinely love me, but don't have a clue about who I really am. Some are friends, some are family, but they all want "what's best for me" - as they see it, that is. Whatever they measure success as, I haven't achieved it, so that compels them to do whatever they can to help me make the right "adjustments" to fit their level of understanding. For a while, I did that. But not anymore. I'm all about what God wants for me now. God's path for me makes them uncomfortable and ready to contest what my agenda really is. Rather than seeking to get an understanding, they react out of emotion. They remind me of Peter when he attempted to "save" Jesus from his impending trial and crucifixion. But Jesus had to set him straight.



Matthew 16:23 (The Message)

23But Jesus didn't swerve. "Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works."



Straight Up Haters

These are the people who smile in my face, but talk about me behind my back. They don't want to see God pull off any more miracles in my life. That confuses and frustrates them to no end. They look forward to my failure. But what they don't know is failure is not what can hinder me the most; it's success. The higher I go, the more devils I'll have to confront, the more distracted I can become, the more pride can set in. If they really were as smart as they think they are, they'd be rooting for me to make it all the way to the top! But it doesn't matter what they say or do. God is with me and He trumps those who are against me EVERY TIME.



I challenge you to be bravely, boldly, unapolegetically YOU and stick to the path God has you on. Victory is yours!

Flip the Script

Proverbs 18:6-7 NIV

6 A fool's lips bring him strife,

and his mouth invites a beating.

7 A fool's mouth is his undoing,

and his lips are a snare to his soul.

Has your heart been tempted to fear lately? Mine has. Seems almost everywhere you turn, there’s a bad report; whether it be about money, health, or relationships. I’m not really one to do a whole lot of news-watching, except to stay updated on what’s happening in the world. But I must confess, since the recent unexpected deaths of Michael Jackson and Steve McNair, I’ve been visiting web pages and watching news expose’s that wouldn’t normally be of interest to me. And still, there’s no resolution that brings any real answers, just a lot of confusion and sadness. Even some of the conversations I’ve been in with other people (some of them, fellow believers) has been tainted with talk of the tightness of funds and the uncertainty of the economy. It’s amazing how easy it is to slide into that line of thinking when you’re overexposed to it.

What kind of toll does this take on our faith? It smothers it. If you know like I do, we can’t afford that. It’s what we live by – “The just shall live by faith” (Gal. 3:11b). I’ve found that when I neglect to stand on what I know to be true of God and His love for me, I start taking my cues from fear’s script. All kinds of faithless thoughts find a place to land in my soul and, if left undisturbed, eventually make their way out of my mouth. Don’t think that you’re safe if you just think doubtful, fearful thoughts but never speak them, because whatever you dwell on long enough will eventually manifest. We are just like God in that we create our world by means of what we speak. So if you don’t want it, don’t speak it. If it’s not what God says, don’t repeat it.

I recently put this into practice with something I’m working to improve on as a wife. Without going into too much detail, I was convicted of how the seed of selfishness was beginning to produce “strange fruit” in my marriage. God was requiring me stretch more outside of my comfort zone and I wasn’t too happy about it. But I wanted to change and wanted to have the benefits of that change come alive in my relationship with my husband. So I asked God to help me and he said to me, “You’ve mastered how to talk yourself out of it, now just do the opposite and talk yourself into it.” I won’t lie, I sighed and rolled my eyes, but I decided that if I really wanted to see change, I was going to have to do it God’s way. A way, might I add that I have seen work in my life before.

So I began to say to myself how much I love my husband and how much he means to me. I began to re-tell myself about all of his good qualities and attributes and how much of a blessing he is to my life. I began to tell myself that I desire to give to him, that he deserved it because God wants to show love to him through me. I told myself how much of an honor it is to have someone to love like that. After I did all of this, I didn’t feel anything. But I knew it was time to take the next step in making those words manifest into the change I needed to make. I acted on those words by faith. That’s right – I chose to ignore my flesh and feel it by faith. And do you know what? I saw change begin to happen; first in my actions, then on the inside. Hallelujah!

Perhaps you’ve been feeling God tug at your heart to change something in your life. It may be how you handle money, your eating habits, or your relationships. But whatever it is, remember you don’t have to fret and worry about things that you can’t change. I challenge you to take courage and change those things that are within your power by flipping the script from fear to faith this week.

*If this blessed you, leave a comment and let me know.

Get A Grip!

Have you ever come across a phrase in the Bible that keeps popping up all the time and you wondered, “What does that really mean?” You know it’s got to be important (hence the frequent appearances) but you don’t quite feel like you “get it”.

Well that’s how I felt about the phrase hold fast. These two words are found together in several scriptures throughout the Bible; mainly the King James Version. Here’s just a few of them:

Job 2:3 “…and still he holdeth fast his integrity…”

Proverbs 4:13 “Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go…”

I Thessalonians 5:21 “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”

Now when I go into “seeking mode” with the Holy Spirit about the true meaning of something, I usually get an answer in one of two ways: revelation or application. This time it was by application.

Our truck had been having some sort of an electrical shortage lately. We’d drive it someplace and it would work just fine. But when we’d get back in to start it up again, it wouldn’t make a sound. We went down a list of possible causes, and my husband concluded that it must be the battery. So he took it to have the battery tested and found out there was no problem with it all. It was still in good shape.

For the next few days afterwards, the truck ran great. But it wasn’t long until the same thing happened again; and again, my husband was led to check the battery. Everything looked fine, that is until he looked a little closer. It turns out that one of the posts that the cable hooks up to had a loose bolt. Now at the time, he didn’t have any tools to tighten it with, so he had to just use his fingers to try to screw it on as best he could. However, that only held for a little while, and then the same problem occurred again. And every time we reconnected the battery cable, we’d have to reset everything again (the alarm, the clock, the radio).

Finally, he got a wrench, and with a few good hard turns, our problem was solved. Apparently the everyday bumps and rattles the truck encountered while on the move were loosening the bolt’s grip little by little until it eventually caused a disruption in power.

That’s when it hit me! That’s the true meaning of the phrase “hold fast”. It means to get a firm grip on something. As a matter of fact, isn’t that what you tell someone when you want them to focus or take something seriously? You say, “Get a grip, will ya!” or “Girl, get a grip on reality!”
Do you find that sometimes you’ve lost your grip in your spiritual walk? I do.

It happens just like it did with that bolt on our truck’s battery. The everyday bumps and rattles of life can sometimes shake me loose from what I know to be true about God and His loving care for me. And if I don’t keep a firm grip of faith on what He’s said, my flesh will start twisting my thoughts in the other direction. The end result (which was the enemy’s goal all along) is to separate me from my power source and stop me from continuing down the path that God has me on. And again, just like with our truck, I have to “reset” my mind on the Truth instead of the facts in order for me to get back to where I need to be in my faith walk. Guess what happens then? My spiritual discernment (alarm) is more sensitive and I don’t get led around by my emotions. I’m better able to sense the season God has me in and I’m not as easily tempted to get move ahead of His timing (clock). I’m able to tune into what the Holy Spirit is saying because God’s Word is settled in my heart (radio).

The key is spiritual maintenance. If we’d be honest, we’d have to admit that most times we’re so focused on the journey that we neglect to maintain our connection (through prayer and hearing God’s heart through His Word). Eventually, that’s what disrupts the manifestation of God’s power in our lives.

So I encourage you today to get (and keep) a grip on the timeless principles of faith that are laid all throughout the Word of God. Get a grip on the reality that God loves you and has nothing but good thoughts toward you that will lead you into His wonderful plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). Then when life shakes things up a bit, you’ll still be well-connected to the power of God that keeps you going.

I think The Message Bible puts it best:
“Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word.”
(Hebrews 10:23)

Don't Let the "I"'s have it!

Greetings Sisters!

It's 2009. We've got ourselves a brand spankin' new African-American President, ya'll! It's a new season. Something big is on the horizon. Can you feel it? I can. And I'm just giddy with excitement about it all (excuse the "corny" in me, but I can't help it!)

But in the midst of all these changes, there's one thing we've got to avoid and that's letting the "I"'s have too much say. You know the "I"'s don't you? They are those prideful thoughts that lodge us into an attitude of fear and selfishness, and they keep tend to drown of the voice of the Holy Spirit at critical times when we need a fresh Word from the Father.

I sense that many of you, like myself, have a God-size dream on the inside of your heart just bursting to come alive. A dream that was sown into you a long time ago, and you've been in God's waiting room for quite some time now, just waiting to be released into destiny. Thats all good... but let me caution you - don't let YOU get in your way with how YOU FEEL, what YOU THINK, and WHAT YOU KNOW.

Take a tip from a once-fabulous heavenly angel's huge mistake:

Isaiah 14: 12 - 15

12How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

Satan fell prey to the worst sin of all and cheated himself out of the bright future he could have had with God: P-R-I-D-E

Don't be like him. Take stock of your thought life. If you find that most of the statements coming from your mouth lately are starting "I", it's time to back up and do a soul check up. Remember, we are NOT our own, but we were purchased with the high price of Jesus' precious blood. Girlfriend, your life is not your own. (And it's not your family's either!) It belongs to God. Plain and simple!

I leave you with this verse to meditate on until we chat again next time...

Proverbs 3: 5 - 8

5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.