Good Morning,
Not sure how to start my thoughts this morning, they seem to be going in many different direction. It's like being at a movie and seeing the previews, you get the just of it but not the whole of it. I was thinking about a scene in the 'Wiz", a line first spoken by Grace Jones, people probably don't even remember her, I haven't seen her in anything lately. The line goes like this, "Don't Nobody Bring Me No Bad News!"
I recently attended a play, "Heavens Gates, Hells Flames", this production has been running worldwide for over 20 years. The tagline, "where will you be when reality strikes". The story paints a very clear portrait of Heaven & Hell. The invitation to follow Christ is open to ALL men,, but all men will not RSVP. I wish the outcome was as simple as missing a Grand Celebration. After hearing about how wonderful it was, we regret not attending-- but that's it, we think to ourselves...next time.
The play introduced many circumstances where people had the opportunity to accept Christ. Friends sharing with friends, children sharing this goodness with their parents and vice versa, people sharing their hope with co-workers etc.. Some accepted and some rejected....some simply said..."not now"...the dramatic conclusion...Death!
Both believers and unbelievers could see the Glory of the Gates of Heaven! Imagine that for moment...Everyone will see HEAVEN, but everyone will not go there. We are taught in scriptures that every knee will ultimately bow and confess Christ as Lord. My heart grieves deeply at this reality, the invitation is pre not post. This invitation is for the living...
We don't see this visual very often any more; after all, people only want to hear good news. GOOD NEWS WE GOT!...for some... maybe the good is not enough, sometimes we may have to be the bearer of bad news. Wouldn't you rather know sooner than later that their is an eternal conclusion to your choices.
At the close of this production, people all over the theater came forwarded and accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior. Some may say, they only came because they were afraid not too, after all you scarred them.
Whatever the reason, the conclusion is real!
John 20:29 (NLT)
29 Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
someone...
Good Morning,
Reflecting on these parting words from our spiritual mentors. Men who lived the words they spoke about. Joshua, who had declared very early, that "As for him and his household they would serve the Lord" He spent his life sharing this good news and in his last days he gave these parting words, 'Cling tightly to the Lord..." Paul too, gave his life in service, he declared that the people who had come to follow Christ through his ministry were a joy and a crown for his work." His parting words..."fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.."
Living in a time where mentors, coaches and small groups are becoming a "hot commodity" again...If we polled the most successful people in the world, they would all acknowledge that they had support, parents/friends, wise counsel, pastors, teachers, mentors, coaches, people who believed in them. Someone who saw greatness/potential in them. It was never God's heart for men to be alone, and I'm not just speaking of marriage. No one would argue this truth, "two are better than one, for they can help each other succeed"
I was recently ask the question, "who helps you, who do you have in your life that will poor into you?" Having just come out of my "chair time" Those who know me, know this time is very precious to me. My time with Father! Never have I left His presence empty; however, I have wisdom enough to know that he uses people to perfect and bless my life. I am surrounded by wise counsel, people who practice what they believe. I am surrounded by coaches and mentors that push me towards excellence even when I want to resist or feel inadequate for the task. I have sisters who love and accept me and who can completely identify with me but at the same time if I'm "off" they will let me know "what's up!" I have a husband that believes I can do just about anything, so supportive and blind... LOL.
One of my gifts, is the gift of encouragement, from that gift came a Life Coaching Practice. One of the first conversations with a new client goes something like this, "Are you living the life you were purposed for?" Sadly, many people don't think about those things, life happens and they go with the flow. "I'm playing the cards, I've been dealt." Blind sided by their circumstances. Not to be sarcastic but the next question that follows..."How's that working for you?" "That "AHHA" moment, when they realize there can be so much more, that they have choices, that a "good life" is a reality...
Allowing someone else to come along side and reveal the blind spots. Truth be told, none of us can fully see ourselves, we need people in our life. People we trust, people that we know are "for us!"
Whatever the excuses, the reasons, the fears...We need people, we need a place to be transparent and free so that we can...LIVE... I pray that everyone, has someone!
Joshua 23:8 (NLT)
8 Rather, cling tightly to the LORD your God as you have done until now.
Philippians 4:8-9 (NLT)
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Monday, February 6, 2017
missing...
Good Morning Father,
With the 21 Days of a corporate prayer & fast behind us, praying that everyone will hold firmly to all that was gained in this 21 Day period. For some, this was the beginning of a new season of trust, a time to forgive, for others it was a time to let go of the past and press for what is ahead to know that good things are purposed for them. I'm sure amazing things happened in this season that no one knows but God, but this is the thing...whatever happens in private, ultimately will reveal it self in public. When God transforms a life, it cannot be hidden. It may take a moment for others to come to terms with the new person we are becoming, but time will make believers out of them. I am so thankful that God transforms people, it was those transformed people that revealed a loving God to me.
This is the thing, I was a rebellious child...deservedly, given the title "angry heifer." At the time, I did not understand why I was so angry, why trouble just seem to find me. It was the same thing with dirt, no matter what I could not stay clean. I hated baths. In hindsight, this is kind of funny. No one who knows me now- would believe I was anything other than a nice little girl. lol. We all have beginnings, there are things that happen in our life that are completely out of our control and honestly there are times when we intentionally make poor choices, making little 'to do' of the consequences of those actions.
For me, I finally grew tired of myself and my poor choices. At some point, I needed to take responsibility for my actions. The cycle of trying to be right and failing began...at the time I had know idea where this cycle would take me...The first thing that happen is that I started making new friends. I didn't know at the time that these were "good girls" "godly ladies" not perfect ladies, but daughters who had grown up in godly homes, with parents that loved God. There was something different about them. I imagined what it was like to be a "daddy's girl". They were daddy's girls. I was drawn to them and their families. Slowly, they began inviting me to church. I knew about God because my Grandmother went to church and I did see a transformation in her, but I didn't understand about a "relationship with God". Sure, I prayed to get out of poor choices, or pass a class that I was failing. But I didn't know that God could love me!
God loved me...GOD LOVED TINA. I did not grow up with a father, so I had no one to compare God too. I didn't know the love of a good father or a bad father... I didn't know what I was missing...
Blessed to say, I AM no longer missing anything...I have a Father who loves me...Everything in me desires to be attentive to his voice, to abide in his counsel..."I AM A DADDY'S GIRL"
There is a missing piece in every one us, a void that only one person can fill. Many will try in vain to fill that void, but there is only one way, one person that can satisfy an empty longing life...GOD! ...Father, Son, Holy Spirit!
Trust me when I say...no matter the gains in your life, it will be temporal apart from Christ...
Philippians 2:13-18 (NLT)
13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
14 Do everything without complaining and arguing,
15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.
17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy.
18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.
With the 21 Days of a corporate prayer & fast behind us, praying that everyone will hold firmly to all that was gained in this 21 Day period. For some, this was the beginning of a new season of trust, a time to forgive, for others it was a time to let go of the past and press for what is ahead to know that good things are purposed for them. I'm sure amazing things happened in this season that no one knows but God, but this is the thing...whatever happens in private, ultimately will reveal it self in public. When God transforms a life, it cannot be hidden. It may take a moment for others to come to terms with the new person we are becoming, but time will make believers out of them. I am so thankful that God transforms people, it was those transformed people that revealed a loving God to me.
This is the thing, I was a rebellious child...deservedly, given the title "angry heifer." At the time, I did not understand why I was so angry, why trouble just seem to find me. It was the same thing with dirt, no matter what I could not stay clean. I hated baths. In hindsight, this is kind of funny. No one who knows me now- would believe I was anything other than a nice little girl. lol. We all have beginnings, there are things that happen in our life that are completely out of our control and honestly there are times when we intentionally make poor choices, making little 'to do' of the consequences of those actions.
For me, I finally grew tired of myself and my poor choices. At some point, I needed to take responsibility for my actions. The cycle of trying to be right and failing began...at the time I had know idea where this cycle would take me...The first thing that happen is that I started making new friends. I didn't know at the time that these were "good girls" "godly ladies" not perfect ladies, but daughters who had grown up in godly homes, with parents that loved God. There was something different about them. I imagined what it was like to be a "daddy's girl". They were daddy's girls. I was drawn to them and their families. Slowly, they began inviting me to church. I knew about God because my Grandmother went to church and I did see a transformation in her, but I didn't understand about a "relationship with God". Sure, I prayed to get out of poor choices, or pass a class that I was failing. But I didn't know that God could love me!
God loved me...GOD LOVED TINA. I did not grow up with a father, so I had no one to compare God too. I didn't know the love of a good father or a bad father... I didn't know what I was missing...
Blessed to say, I AM no longer missing anything...I have a Father who loves me...Everything in me desires to be attentive to his voice, to abide in his counsel..."I AM A DADDY'S GIRL"
There is a missing piece in every one us, a void that only one person can fill. Many will try in vain to fill that void, but there is only one way, one person that can satisfy an empty longing life...GOD! ...Father, Son, Holy Spirit!
Trust me when I say...no matter the gains in your life, it will be temporal apart from Christ...
Philippians 2:13-18 (NLT)
13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
14 Do everything without complaining and arguing,
15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.
17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy.
18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.
Sunday, February 5, 2017
end game...
Good Morning Father,
Its day 21 of the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting...TODAY...We are charged with "Sowing for where we want to go, what we want to be, and what we will accomplish. What have we learned?" Meditating on the gains that we have made by the power of God, considering our resolve to W.I.N. (Walk In Newness), preparing our best seed and sowing it into the house of God. Remembering to water our seed with thanksgiving and continuing to live a consecrated life.
Simply stated, sow for where you want to go...we have been given SEED. The challenge here is to take full advantage of that seed. I wonder how many of us have hidden our seed, buried it in places that get no sun or water. Tucked it away somewhere; concluding someday... Someday for me is TODAY!
TODAY I WILL, sow my seed...I will accomplish all that God has for me. I will sow seeds of love, of hope, of peace, of forgiveness, of healing, of unity, of purpose, of acceptance, of greatness, of victory, I will sow until everyone the Lord places in my path has an opportunity to WIN...
This is me, my greatest joy, my "end game" comes from seeing others reach their full potential. To become ALL that God has purposed them to be, if I can be apart of that, then I have fulfilled my purpose...
What about you...what's your end game...
Its day 21 of the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting...TODAY...We are charged with "Sowing for where we want to go, what we want to be, and what we will accomplish. What have we learned?" Meditating on the gains that we have made by the power of God, considering our resolve to W.I.N. (Walk In Newness), preparing our best seed and sowing it into the house of God. Remembering to water our seed with thanksgiving and continuing to live a consecrated life.
Simply stated, sow for where you want to go...we have been given SEED. The challenge here is to take full advantage of that seed. I wonder how many of us have hidden our seed, buried it in places that get no sun or water. Tucked it away somewhere; concluding someday... Someday for me is TODAY!
TODAY I WILL, sow my seed...I will accomplish all that God has for me. I will sow seeds of love, of hope, of peace, of forgiveness, of healing, of unity, of purpose, of acceptance, of greatness, of victory, I will sow until everyone the Lord places in my path has an opportunity to WIN...
This is me, my greatest joy, my "end game" comes from seeing others reach their full potential. To become ALL that God has purposed them to be, if I can be apart of that, then I have fulfilled my purpose...
What about you...what's your end game...
thank you...
Good Morning Father,
Day 20 of the 21 days of Prayer and Fasting. "Thanksgiving Day" We are compelled to give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Reminded that in my distress I prayed to the LORD, and the LORD answered me and set me free. That the LORD is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Yes, the LORD is for me; he will help me...
Thanksgiving Day, one of our annual holidays in our nation, I love it when the nation has an opportunity to celebrate together. Yet, I long for Christmas, a reminder of the greatest gift ever given. The day I opened that gift, my life changed forever. From that day, to this day...I have reason to give thanks... I reflect on these two power words...THANK YOU! One of the first manners we teach our children is...say...THANK YOU when someone gives you something...
Feeling a little childlike this morning...Thank you that I can see, hear, smell and taste. Thank you for opening my eyes this morning so I can see your goodness, thank you for the breath of life given to me another day, thank you that I could brush my teeth and bathe my body, thank you that I could enjoy my breakfast, thank you that I have family to love me, thank you for a loving husband, that adores me as I am, thank you for sons that desire time with their mama, thank you for my dog, Simba who is never in a bad mood:), thank you for allowing me to use my gifts in service, thank you for laughter, thank you for joy, thank you for peace, thank you for my brothers and sisters in Christ who daily add to my life, thank you for a home to live in, for good food, for a body that can still run and jump, thank you for placing words in my heart that speak life and not death. Thank you for the assurance that You are for me...
No matter what, we will always have reasons to give thanks...
Day 20 of the 21 days of Prayer and Fasting. "Thanksgiving Day" We are compelled to give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Reminded that in my distress I prayed to the LORD, and the LORD answered me and set me free. That the LORD is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Yes, the LORD is for me; he will help me...
Thanksgiving Day, one of our annual holidays in our nation, I love it when the nation has an opportunity to celebrate together. Yet, I long for Christmas, a reminder of the greatest gift ever given. The day I opened that gift, my life changed forever. From that day, to this day...I have reason to give thanks... I reflect on these two power words...THANK YOU! One of the first manners we teach our children is...say...THANK YOU when someone gives you something...
Feeling a little childlike this morning...Thank you that I can see, hear, smell and taste. Thank you for opening my eyes this morning so I can see your goodness, thank you for the breath of life given to me another day, thank you that I could brush my teeth and bathe my body, thank you that I could enjoy my breakfast, thank you that I have family to love me, thank you for a loving husband, that adores me as I am, thank you for sons that desire time with their mama, thank you for my dog, Simba who is never in a bad mood:), thank you for allowing me to use my gifts in service, thank you for laughter, thank you for joy, thank you for peace, thank you for my brothers and sisters in Christ who daily add to my life, thank you for a home to live in, for good food, for a body that can still run and jump, thank you for placing words in my heart that speak life and not death. Thank you for the assurance that You are for me...
No matter what, we will always have reasons to give thanks...
Friday, February 3, 2017
...so unworthy...
Good Morning Father,
Its day 19 of the 21 days of Prayer and Fasting, It's "Petition Day"! An invitation to communicate with our Father, the desires of our heart. Simply put, a day to bring our prayer request. We are instructed to ask, so we can receive, to seek, so that we can find what we are in need of, to keep on knocking with assurance that the door will be open to us. This is not a day to demand what we want, after all we are not spoiled children, but its a day to discuss with our Father what he wants for us. Praying in line with His will is the key to getting what we ask for. To communicate with my Father, to have a discussion about those near and dear to my heart, to have confidence that he hears my prayers and that those prayers are pleasing to his ears.
The scriptures compare earthly parents, stating that earthly parents know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more will a heavenly father give good gifts to those who ask him. As a parent, I desire so many good things for my sons, I tell them often I long for great things for them, greater than they even desire for themselves. We communicate about the desires of their heart, the things they are working for and seeking after. As I listen, I know how to pray and intercede on their behalf, I watch for opportunities to connect them to their purpose. To encourage them along their pathway to excellence. I remind them, that God cares about the desires of their hearts, and no good thing will he keep from them. That everything that is good and perfect comes from Him!
Good or bad, our children will interact with God based on how they interact with us. If a child had a loving father, they will see God as a loving God, if they had a harsh, disciplinarian mother, they will see God as a harsh disciplinarian. When I was a little girl, I don't recall asking for much. As a teenager of course there were things I desired, but each request was met with opposition, a lecture of some kind, "do you think money grows on trees". How is it that every parent in the world uses that same line. LOL! Honestly, that thought has come to my mind a time or two.
It took me awhile, to learn how to come before God, to know that I was welcome to come in His presence and share the desires of my heart. Even now, most of my prayers are not for myself. My petitions are for those I love, for those I see sad and lonely, for those who have been rejected and abandoned, for those without power to defend or provide for themselves, for the elderly widows in my life, for the children without loving parents, for the victims in our world, that they would be victims no more.
As I type these words, I now understand that these are the prayers that please my Father, these are the prayers He wants me to bring before Him. Wow! The desires of my heart are aligning with my Father's will. This is the thing though...over the years of my life, all 53 of them thus far...all that I have needed, He has provided...many of the good things in my life, I never actually prayed for...seeking Him daily...added things I could only have imagined...
So Unworthy...yet so THANKFUL!
Its day 19 of the 21 days of Prayer and Fasting, It's "Petition Day"! An invitation to communicate with our Father, the desires of our heart. Simply put, a day to bring our prayer request. We are instructed to ask, so we can receive, to seek, so that we can find what we are in need of, to keep on knocking with assurance that the door will be open to us. This is not a day to demand what we want, after all we are not spoiled children, but its a day to discuss with our Father what he wants for us. Praying in line with His will is the key to getting what we ask for. To communicate with my Father, to have a discussion about those near and dear to my heart, to have confidence that he hears my prayers and that those prayers are pleasing to his ears.
The scriptures compare earthly parents, stating that earthly parents know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more will a heavenly father give good gifts to those who ask him. As a parent, I desire so many good things for my sons, I tell them often I long for great things for them, greater than they even desire for themselves. We communicate about the desires of their heart, the things they are working for and seeking after. As I listen, I know how to pray and intercede on their behalf, I watch for opportunities to connect them to their purpose. To encourage them along their pathway to excellence. I remind them, that God cares about the desires of their hearts, and no good thing will he keep from them. That everything that is good and perfect comes from Him!
Good or bad, our children will interact with God based on how they interact with us. If a child had a loving father, they will see God as a loving God, if they had a harsh, disciplinarian mother, they will see God as a harsh disciplinarian. When I was a little girl, I don't recall asking for much. As a teenager of course there were things I desired, but each request was met with opposition, a lecture of some kind, "do you think money grows on trees". How is it that every parent in the world uses that same line. LOL! Honestly, that thought has come to my mind a time or two.
It took me awhile, to learn how to come before God, to know that I was welcome to come in His presence and share the desires of my heart. Even now, most of my prayers are not for myself. My petitions are for those I love, for those I see sad and lonely, for those who have been rejected and abandoned, for those without power to defend or provide for themselves, for the elderly widows in my life, for the children without loving parents, for the victims in our world, that they would be victims no more.
As I type these words, I now understand that these are the prayers that please my Father, these are the prayers He wants me to bring before Him. Wow! The desires of my heart are aligning with my Father's will. This is the thing though...over the years of my life, all 53 of them thus far...all that I have needed, He has provided...many of the good things in my life, I never actually prayed for...seeking Him daily...added things I could only have imagined...
So Unworthy...yet so THANKFUL!
Thursday, February 2, 2017
motive...
Good Morning Father,
Its Day 18 of the 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. Today's focal point, "Ensuring Proper Motives". Motive links to the word "motivate". Motive tends to have a negation connotation, whereas motivate/motivation creates a positive reaction for the most part. Breaking it down even further...It's simply the "WHY". We are born asking why, little kids drive their parents crazy with the why questions. Those inquisitive little minds...so amazing. I believe God created us to be seekers, its like he invites us to ask, "Why God?"
His consistent response, "Don't Worry"; "Trust in the Lord"; "Take Delight in the Lord"; "Commit Everything you do to the Lord"; "Be Still in the Presence of the Lord", "Stop Being Angry"...WHY? Because, I GOT THIS! I GOT YOU!
One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:6-7, "Don't worry about anything, instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace..." One of my sisters put music to these lyrical verses, it is still #1 on my playlist. Real talk, we have grounds to worry everyday. Everyday something or someone gives us reason to worry. We worry about our relationships and the safety of our children, we worry that the desires of our hearts will not be fulfilled, we worry about those who are sick and suffering, we worry about finances, we worry about our government, we worry about the evil and hatred in our world... The problem with worry is that it drives our motives/our why. We often hear the phrase "hurting people, hurt people" How many of us have found ourselves angry/hurt about something happening to us or around us...Anger does not guarantee a "wrong motive"...but we must guard what happens from our anger.
Now, we can worry and be angry...OR we can PRAY...but we can't do both! "Ensuring the Proper Motives", requires much prayer. To have a kingdom mindset that ensures/creates a kingdom agenda/motive requires ALL QUESTIONS BE TAKEN HIGHER!
Motivated to go higher this morning...YOU GOT ME!
Don't worry about anything...Enjoy! https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=7Am161P_PsU
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