5 Things I'm Giving Myself For My 50th Birthday

Well, the big day has finally arrived - my 50th birthday (Nov. 21)!!!

Unlike many of my peers, I will not be having a lavish celebration for this milestone age. Instead, I'm making it a point to fully embrace and enjoy my present state. While I may not be rich (as some would define riches in material terms), I am the wealthiest woman alive, as far as I'm concerned. 

I'm blessed to wake up every morning with the love of my life. I have three of the most wonderful, beautiful, and loving children any mom could ever hope for. I've still got health and strength, and I've been blessed with a small band of true-blue friends and extended family who accentuate this good life of mine. 

Yes, I'm a very blessed woman indeed.

Fifty has found me at the pinnacle of a new growth spurt in my life. Don't laugh! You can still have growth spurts at this age. They're just more internal than external.

This year, I've come through one of the toughest challenges of my life. I was tested, tempted, and tried, but by the grace of God, I not only survived it, I became a MUCH BETTER ME because of it. I'm truly humbled and grateful for my custom-made journey, and trust me, I never thought I'd be able to say that with total sincerity.

So in honor of this very special year in my life, I'm going to give myself a few treats to enjoy:

1. A new writing space, complete with everything I need to engage my creative juices and get back to doing what I love.

2. A life-coaching session. It's something I've never officially had, but I want to experience it firsthand because I know it's something I'm destined to do for others.

3. My first published book. Yes, I said it! It's long overdue.

4. A new pair of running shoes. It's time I pushed my boundaries out a little further. Pray for these knees!

5. A fun and fabulous new hairstyle to match my new attitude.

Stay tuned for pics as I accomplish this and much, much more.

HELLO 50! 

LET'S DANCE!!

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 2)

photo courtesy of memrise.com

Welcome to Part 2 of ME23! My new 6-week blog series that puts a new twist on Psalm 23. 

Each week, I'm offering a new building block based on one of the six verses in Psalm 23. If you haven't already done so, you can catch up with Week 1 here. 

Now, let's open up the goodies nestled inside of verse 2!

"He lets me REST in green meadows; he leads me beside PEACEFUL streams."

Psalm 23:2 (NLT)

Principal #2: Never Forfeit Your Benefits

A couple of months ago, I received an email notification from my insurance company reminding me to use my 2015 dental benefits before the end of the year or else lose them. That little reminder prompted me to set aside some time to take advantage of those benefits.

Think of verse 2 that way; a reminder of about your unused benefits - REST and PEACE. 

Fortunately, these benefits come from God, so they are always available. There's no expiration date. But what good is it to have benefits that you never actually use?

If you're being pulled in too many directions these days, it's a good bet that you haven't been resting. And if you're haven't resting, you're probably not at peace. And if you're not at peace, chances are you won't stick to any plan that will lead to the results you desire in your life.

Now, I'm not telling you to chuck all of your responsibilities and run off into the wild blue yonder (although that may sound mighty good to you right now). I'm simply telling you that REST IS A CHOICE. 

You don't have to accept all the drama that is randomly tossed at your feet.  

• Your co-worker has an attitude with you and you don't even know why
• The cashier at the fast-food restaurant gave you the wrong order then took forever to correct her mistake
• Your sisters asked you to help plan the family reunion, but you've been doing most of the work by yourself

I've got many more examples, but I'm sure you get the picture. Quite frankly, do you really have any more room for unnecessary distractions?

What's the takeaway?

You've got a BETTER option. But it only benefits you if you use it.  So, GO GREEN! Accept God's open invitation to step out of the chaos and into the green meadows and peaceful streams He has waiting for you.

Action Step

You can't always retreat from certain issues or circumstances and go get your head together. But that doesn't stop your soul from crying out for relief, does it?

Start practicing the habit of SELF-SANCTUARY. This is when you designate guarded time every day, 5 to 10 minutes to begin with, to unplug. I'm not just talking about vegging out. It's a matter of focus; not on the things that drain you of life, but on the things that give you life.

You may not even be sure of what those things are, but that's where self-sanctuary shines. It gives you an exit lane so that you can identify and connect with what you actually need.

Leave me a comment telling me what you're discovering about yourself as you put this into action. And if you're enjoying this blog series so far, share the link with a friend. :)

Until next week, D-Viners!

ME23: 6 Steps to Turn Your Resolutions into Your Revolution (Part 1)

Happy New Year! 

Welcome to 2016 AND ME23 - my new 6-week blog series

Are you bored with resolutions and ready to experience a personal REVOLUTION? Good!

For the next six weeks, I'm going to share a wisdom key from an age-old classic - Psalm 23 (New Living Translation Version). Each of the six verses in this psalm carries a simple principle that can set you up for success from the inside out. Each week, I'll break each principle down for you so that it's easily understandable and immediately applicable. Some of the series will be in regular blog post style and some will be in the form of a short video to help me more effectively illustrate certain points. But rest assured, it's going to be an experience that will lift you above your circumstances and into the realm of the PROMISED and the POSSIBLE.

Let's do this!

"The Lord is MY shepherd, I have ALL that I need."

Psalm 23:1 NLT

Principle #1: Celebrate Your Dependence 

"Sisters are Doing it for Themselves"

"I'm Every Woman"

"Girl on Fire"

I could go on and on listing the titles of great songs to pump you up with superwoman empowerment. As a post-modern woman, you're probably used to being cheered on to be fiercely independent; to look within to find your power - and rightly so. 

But the reality is that there is a power much greater than anything you could ever muster up on your own, and if you don't (or won't) accept this fact, you'll always be working against yourself.

Now, I've got nothing against New Year's resolutions. As a matter of fact, I'm a big fan of goals and planning. But every great and lasting change always starts with a revolution - a challenge to the status quo. 

The challenge I put before you today is to acknowledge, first and foremost, that

WITHOUT GOD, YOU CAN DO NOTHING

(John 15:5)

If you're a Christian, this seems almost redundant... a no-brainer. But be honest. How many times have you stressed yourself out because you failed to keep this in mind? 

Time out for bearing needless pain, girlfriend! If you want to get set up for true, lasting success, it starts with this singular admission. This is the foundation to everything you will ever be in life.

Declare your dependence upon your Creator. Throw all your cares on God. He can take it. It's nothing to be embarrassed about either. No one's keeping score (even if they act like they were hired to do so). 

You are His intricate and exquisitely unique creation. Only He has the blueprint to develop and lead you toward your authentic self. Don't get so wrapped up in day-to-day details that you neglect to engage your divine connection.

What's the Takeaway?

STOP trying to do it all, know it all, and be it all. Relinquish your need to control everything and everybody, and tap into God's ample supply of grace (pure, unconditional love that provides what you could never deserve).

Action Step

START becoming God-inside-minded and declare your blessed DEPENDENCE. Post this visual reminder at your desk, on your bathroom mirror, your refrigerator door, the dashboard in your car, or whatever you lay your eyes on everyday: 

"Let go. You can rest now. God's got this!"

Whatever you need, whatever you think you don't already have, you'll find it when you commit to trading your pressure for His presence. That's where you'll get your right mind back. That's when clarity comes, peace prevails, and creativity begins to flow freely.

Sound too good to be true? Don't knock it if you haven't tried it. 

Leave me a comment and tell me how putting this week's ME23 principle into action is helping you.

Until next week...

Don't Let a Setback Send You Back

Hi There Victorious Sisters!

In this, my latest update on my fitness journey, I talk about the progress I've made so far since BEGINNING AGAIN. Also, I briefly talk about setbacks and what to do when you encounter one. If you're pressing your way toward a change you need to make in your life, expect that there will definitely be times when you may miss the mark. Listen to what happened to me...

Are you on the journey towards a better YOU? Leave me a comment and share your ups, downs, and lessons learned along the way. We'll all get better together!

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.

Banish the Box: How to Repossess Your Life (Part Two)

Part Two: It's NOT About What You Stop, It's About What You Start

Have you ever tried to kick a bad habit? Hard isn't it?

Can I tell you why?

It's because you're focused on the wrong thing. 

Change doesn't happen by what you stop doing, but by what you start doing. When you focus on trying to stop doing something, you exhaust yourself physically and emotionally. This happens because all of your potential power is being given to the negative instead of to what's positive.

It takes only one step to start something new. It takes several steps to stop doing something old. So consequently, when you endeavor to stop repeating a bad habit, you feel more stressed and you struggle more. But if you exert that same energy toward making a simple step in the opposite direction, you'll find that you feel less stressful and more empowered. Make sense?

Here are a few examples of how to put this tip into action:

• Instead of trying to stop overeating by restricting yourself to 800 calories a day, start eating a half-sized portion of what you normally eat at each meal
• Instead of trying to stop complaining so much, start repeating a favorite affirmation to yourself out loud in the mirror every morning after you wake up
• Instead of trying to stop watching so much late night TV, start setting an alarm or a reminder to cut the TV off at a certain time each night.

Extra Tip: Every time you complete a START, make note of it, perhaps in a journal, by making a short video blurb, or being accountable to your spouse or friend. Each victory will spur you on to the next one.

As I ALWAYS suggest, PRAY and enlist God's help. Without Him, we can do nothing. Take action one day at a time and share your progress. I'm looking forward to celebrating with you!

"Mile by mile, it's a trial; yard by yard, it's hard, but inch by inch, it's a cinch!"

~ Anonymous

Apply Here

Have you ever had a revelation that struck you so intensely it truly qualified as a life-changing a-ha moment? You know. The kind that makes you want to give yourself a thump upside the head because it was there all along but you somehow missed it.

I felt that way a few days ago. I was reading the account of John the Baptist's testimony about his first encounter with Jesus in the first chapter of the Book of John. The first few verses are quite commonly used in sermons, bible studies, and the like. By them we know that Jesus Himself is the Word (expressed will) of God. But it was when I got to verses 35 - 37 that something clicked which had never clicked before. In John 1:35-37, it is noted that there were two of John the Baptist's disciples present when He pointed Jesus out as He was passing by. When John acknowledged who Jesus was, those disciples took what He said as truth (applying the Word to their lives), then proved that they believed it by immediately taking off to follow Jesus, even without knowing much else. That's applying your life to the Word. Actually abandoning your former plans, dreams, and thoughts to attach yourself to all that Jesus embodies as the Son of God. It posed the question in my mind, "Is it enough to just apply the Word to my life, or was it God's original intent that I apply my life to the Word?"

What's the difference? Well, as I see it, it's really more about WHO we stand for than WHAT we stand for. In America alone there has been a steep decline in the number of people who would actually call themselves "practicing" Christians. The term "christian" itself seems to have moved far from the lifestyle of the people it was originally coined for. It used to mean "Christ-like" because of the 1st century believers who were known for living like they adhered to a higher authority than their counterparts. Now it's not a lifestyle, it's merely a religion; one of many. But that's what happens when you lose site of your WHO because you're so focused on the WHAT.

The WHAT of Christianity is the same dilemma the Jews faced when Jesus arrived in the flesh. They were so blinded by the Law that they totally missed the spirit of the Law which would have made recognizing WHO Jesus was so simple. The same goes for us today. Sometimes I think we get so bound up trying to cross all the "t's" and dot all the "i's" of a set of rules and traditions that when they prove to be too much for us, we inadvertently throw ourselves into a vicious cycle of compromise and condemnation over and over again. At the end of the day, it's really always been about building relationship with our Lord - the One who purchased us back from slavery to our base, sinful nature. You know how it is. The longer you hang out with somebody, the more of their habits you tend to pick up. You don't have to try to do that. It just happens. The old folks used to say "show me who you run with, and I'll show you who you are." Running for Jesus made for a catchy church song back in the day, but it's actually running WITH Jesus that makes such a powerful change in your life that it causes others who don't know Him to want to know Him.

I'll end with this: It could very well be that the main reason why the Church's significance as a powerful positive influence to this world is all but indiscernible is because, no matter what we profess, we look, act, and think just like them. We are too tied to an idea and totally disconnected from the source of true vision. But I challenge you today to go beyond just reading the Bible to actually "doing" Jesus. It's good to start there, but it's better to go beyond that. Get to know Him. Not the Church, not the traditions and the protocols. Him! And just as it happened when Jesus walked the earth Himself, we'll surely experience a revolution that changes the world.

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.

What's Your Frame of Mind?

Hey there all!

I know.... Once again it's taken me a "minute" to post something new. But bear with me and please extend me your supportive grace. I'm still transitioning into the information age you know. However, I do promise to keeping sending encouraging and motivational highlights to you, and you'll be happy to know that my blog will now be updated bi-weekly, starting TODAY!

And now - for today's topic...

Have you ever heard the phrase "It depends on your frame of mind"? I was recently pondering this and had an a-ha! moment. How exactly do we "frame" our minds?

Consider the purpose of a frame. The frame we use for pictures protects the photo inside, while also providing directing attention to what's actually in the photo. Hmmmm...

The frame of house is the very thing that keeps it standing, no matter what's happening on the outside. Hmmmmm...

See where I'm going with this? Well, it stands to reason that there are two important factors involved in this thing called "framing": focus and foundation. So what frames our minds? Those things we're focusing on, which are ultimately derived from our foundational thoughts. Check out this example:

Foundational Thought

"I don't think I'll ever get out of all this debt!"

Focus

Overdue bills, calls from bill collectors

Frame Produced

Worry, Doubt, Fear, Depression

Now let's flip it-

Foundational Thought

"My debt is huge, but my God is greater. He will provide for all of my needs and make my name great!"

Focus

God's promises, present blessings, new opportunities

Frame Produced

Joy, Hope, Encouragement, Peace

See how that works?

The Word of God should be the foundation of EVERY believer (see Luke 4:4). But let's be honest. Many of us haven't exactly made "hiding the Word" in our hearts a daily practice - and as a result, we easily allow our minds to be influenced on things that are depleting instead of completing. It's not just about committing words to memory, but it's about keeping those words alive and active in our thought bank. It's about making it a point to meditate on them and say them out loud to eventually override our struggling belief system. Once that happens - and it can - we will focus more on what we BELIEVE (what God says) and less on what we FEEL and SEE. That's the point at which the power of God really manifests itself to us.

Remember, God generates love toward us. In response to His love, we generate faith in Him. Faith generates hope on the inside of our hearts. Our hearts represent the seedbed of our mind, will, and emotions. Once our hearts are filled with hope, it spills over into our words. "Out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks." - Luk. 6:45 ESV

Ready for the challenge? Come on! It'll be worth it.

I invite you (along with me) to venture into the practice of Custom Framing your mind for the next couple of weeks. And to get us kicked off, here's some wise counsel from the Apostle Paul:

Philippians 4:8 (The Message)

8-9Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

See ya in two weeks (I promise)!

-Tracy

Revise, Revolt, or Retreat?

Hello Ladies,

I know. It's been a lonnnnng time since I've blogged. As many of you know, there's been a lot of transition going on with me and my family these past few months (and things are getting better and better, I might add!).

However, I miss having that stimulating dialogue with my kingdom-minded sisters, so I just had to jump back into blogging with a thought to kind of wrap up this most transitional year of years (i.e. Obama!) 2008.

As you consider all the experiences you've had this past year, I'd like to ask you to do what most of us dread - clean up your closets! God most assuredly wants to bless you with some "new things" in 2009, but will there be room in your life for them when they show up? Like all big jobs, this one is best tackled with a plan of action. So get three "baskets" in the forefront of your mind before you get started.

Revise Basket
This is where you can put those things that really do serve a purpose in your life, but could work better with some tweaking. Maybe you and your spouse have a good relationship, but you need to make more quality time for each other. Perhaps your spiritual walk has improved, but you could start a habit of saying a daily faith confession. Whatever it is, just know you don't have to throw the baby out with the bath water. Be patient and take small steps. Remember, big ships are steered by little rudders!

Revolt Basket
Let's face it - there are some things that we need to launch a revolution about in our lives. If you've been holding out, waiting on something or someone to change, and you fear making the wrong move, it's time to get off the fence of indecision and take a stand! I love this quote I recently read by T. D. Jakes:

"You are who you have been waiting for. No one else is coming."

This is the time to draw that line in the sand. Reclaim your vim, your verve, your swagga, if you will, in the Spirit of God. If you have received Jesus Christ in your heart, you also have His authority. You don't have to take anything God Himself did not hand to you.

So be compassionate, but don't take on other peoples' baggage. Be helpful, but stop enabling those who drain you. Be watchful, but don't allow stress and worry to consume you, especially over things you can't control anyway.

Retreat Basket
The buck stops here. Anything or anyone not connected to you for a God reason (notice I didn't say "good reason") cannot help you reach your destination. If you are in this race to win, don't waste time trying to convince someone who doesn't "get you" of who you are. Know for yourself what God has called you to do, what season you are in, and who you are to be in covenant with. Retreat from the restraints of your past and run full speed ahead into your bright, successful future!

Wow! That was fun! I'm starting to love this blogging thing, aren't you?

Let me know your thoughts and your progress reports as you "clean house" in preparation for 2009!