This is my appeal. This is my prayer.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Breaking free from fear!
**Forgive me in advance for any grammatical errors. It's just me being imperfectly perfect**
I know that most of you don’t fellowship with me everyday and therefore don’t really know me intimately. I tend to not show myself freely because of fear of rejection. Yes, I admit it FB that is or (after tonight) WAS my fear and also one of my most challenging life test thus far. I also know that God does not give us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind so I’m pretty confident I will pass this test every time. I know I will be tried but God will get me through as He tells us over and over again in the bible “Do not fear”. With that being said, please know that I am fine with being transparent. There’s nothing about me that I ever feel the need to hide. I know who I am and whose I am and I love myself. I am about to become an open book so if you choose not to read you might want to stop right here.
My big revelation was that I cannot live behind the wall that I created because it’s safe for me. I have been guilty in the past of only allowing a select few to break through that wall. To continue to live this way is to reject God's assignment on my life. We are commanded to love! I was born with God's love in my heart (we all were) and it would be selfish of me to not pour it out to others because of my fleshly fears! When we come into this world I believe God's love is perfect in us. God sent us here with our own free will. We can choose to go down the road that leads to life or death. ("Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live”. NLT Deuteronomy 30:19). We can choose who to worship or if we will have a belief at all. With all of this free choice, we can also choose to love unconditionally or not. I was choosing to live my life in that "safe" place because of my own selfish fears.
As a child we come as our authentic self. We don’t know how to be anyone else. The thought of some people acting fake would probably perplex a child. Why would anyone not want to be who God created them to be? When life’s hard knock lessons beat us down we might find ourselves hardening our hearts. The same heart that had God's love poured in it from birth, we choose to harden and employ self-preservation! I believe we were born with natural instincts. Self-preservation is almost like protecting yourself from something that you don’t want to go through or accept. I don't believe this is an instinct. I think this is a learned behavior because of going through life's challenges and pain. It's a way to protect our hearts. It's a way to defend ourselves from something that we don't want to accept. I think it's a learned behavior derived out of pride? I don’t claim to know all the answers but what I do know is that life lessons come to help us grow and to make us stronger.
As a child, it’s hard to grasp this. When we don’t understand the why is when I think we self-preserve or harden our hearts. Some of those tough things we might have faced as a child might not have been God's will at all. My point is that when we come here with this innocent, unconditional love it gets tainted by this world, our negative experiences, or negative words that well meaning people spoke to us. The love that we all have in our hearts came with no judgment towards others. It’s so pure that it won’t even judge the ones that reject us. Since I believe it's God's perfect love, it only sees people through the eyes of Christ. Yes, that means the Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Catholic, Pentecostal (and whatever other Religion that is out there) believers are all LOVED through the eyes of Christ! No judgment, no condemnation, no debate, just pure love! He is a merciful loving God! That was one of God's many lessons taught to me as I vowed to always remain a teachable student.
For some reason I share ALL of me sincerely as if this community sees me as being anonymous. Sometimes I even forget that I’m not anonymous. It would be so much easier to set up an anonymous blog wouldn’t it? I actually did that recently because I was “fearful” of others judging me for my always positive attitude. This is who I am. I have always been this person. The people that know me intimately will attest to this. This post is because I have gone my entire life judged for being this way. I even went through years of “trying” to be someone else just to fit in. It didn’t even feel right! What I realized is that I’m not a good actress…LOL. I remember when I was younger I tried smoking cigarettes. Guess what, I looked SO ridiculous. I remember one of my friends saying, “You don’t even look right with that cigarette”. I’m sure I didn’t! I was only doing it to fit in.
Even as some might read this they will say that I am foolish for posting this and putting my business out there. I might have agreed with them at one point in my life but not for the same reasons they might have said it. I would probably be thinking, “Yes, you’re right! What if they judge me for being me?" After all, it is just “my beliefs." Who cares what I think?" I’m sure 99% might not care but that’s not why I’m choosing to write this. I am writing it because I feel led to (and trust me, it’s not easy). It might be just for one person or it could just be for me to put it out in the universe as an act of my faith. Who knows? All I know is that I have learned to be obedient to that tugging in my spirit. Yes, these are my beliefs and I choose to believe that God is love, He created us all in that love, His love abides in us ALL, and that love is what we will need to get through this life with peace, happiness, and joy (regardless of what’s thrown at us).
The truth is – I am who I am. Like me or not I can only be who God has created me to be and with that comes acceptance as well as rejection. You would be surprise how people can even reject you for naturally being an optimistic person. I think it’s more natural as humans for us (not everyone) to automatically doubt or label someone that's optimistic as an “impostor” because in their eyes the optimistic person projects “perfection”. (Prime example, that status that's been going around making jokes about the person that says life is great, I love my husband, etc). In reality what the optimistic person projects is authenticity and some might not know what that looks like.
I have been told many times before that I think I’m “holier than thou”. My response is always the same, “No, I don’t think I’m holier than thou, you think I’m holier than thou”. There is a difference. When I say that God has really blessed me with the ability to see others through His eyes, He has. I was not given this gift because I deserved it or because I’m special. I was given this gift because I asked for it in prayer! James 4:2 reminds us that "Ye have not because ye ask not." Psalms 37:4 says “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." At the time of my prayer I asked from a sincere heart and God granted my wish. Be careful what you pray for though, I had no clue what my life would look like to live this way. I had no clue prior to studying the life of Jesus it wasn’t a glamorous life. I might have his eyes but not his perfection. I make mistakes, I fall, and I hurt (just like everyone else) BUT I always dust myself off and get back up. I’m not perfect but Jesus was made sin for us so that we may become the righteousness of God. (Him who knew no sin He made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in Him - II Corinthians 5:21).
I’ve prayed for many things that have not yet been answered. Why did God decide to answer that prayer I often questioned in the past. I’m now realizing that the why is no longer important for me to understand. My life is already pre-destined and while I do have my own free will I think when we pray Gods perfect will for our own life, our prayers are immediately answered.
Can you really blame anyone from putting walls up when being their authentic self is constantly misunderstood or doubted? After all, I can’t actually be sincerely trying to live a life pleasing to God (being sarcastic). I do realize that there are many people that portray themselves as being “perfect” so I understand why some folks are skeptical. I think if everyone truly tried to focus on themselves and their own love walk, they wouldn't have time to be skeptical about what others are doing. My wish is that everyone would exercise their natural spirit of discernment to distinguish the “impostors”. Once you’ve identified them God has already given us instructions on what to do. Here it is: Love em'
1 Corinthians 13:1-8a and 13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails....And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (NIV)
I post this with no more fear of rejection. God said, “Do not be afraid” close to 365 times in the bible (according to the movie Facing the Giants). I think it’s safe to say that we ALL struggle with fear of something. Tonight, I break that fear over my life! For that possible one person this was also for, BE NOT AFRAID! One of my favorite songs which is what I rest in tonight is Kirk Franklin “The Appeal”. This was my appeal.
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. (NKJV)
Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? (NKJV)
Psalm 56:3-4 When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? (NIV)
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (NIV)
Isaiah 41:13 For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (NIV)
Isaiah 54:4 Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame; For you will forget the shame of your youth, And will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore. (NKJV)
Matthew 10:26 Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. (NKJV)
2 Corinthians 4:7-11 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. (NIV)
Philippians 1:12-14 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. (NIV)
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (NLT)
1 Peter 3:13-14 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." (NIV)
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (NIV)
I know that most of you don’t fellowship with me everyday and therefore don’t really know me intimately. I tend to not show myself freely because of fear of rejection. Yes, I admit it FB that is or (after tonight) WAS my fear and also one of my most challenging life test thus far. I also know that God does not give us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind so I’m pretty confident I will pass this test every time. I know I will be tried but God will get me through as He tells us over and over again in the bible “Do not fear”. With that being said, please know that I am fine with being transparent. There’s nothing about me that I ever feel the need to hide. I know who I am and whose I am and I love myself. I am about to become an open book so if you choose not to read you might want to stop right here.
My big revelation was that I cannot live behind the wall that I created because it’s safe for me. I have been guilty in the past of only allowing a select few to break through that wall. To continue to live this way is to reject God's assignment on my life. We are commanded to love! I was born with God's love in my heart (we all were) and it would be selfish of me to not pour it out to others because of my fleshly fears! When we come into this world I believe God's love is perfect in us. God sent us here with our own free will. We can choose to go down the road that leads to life or death. ("Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live”. NLT Deuteronomy 30:19). We can choose who to worship or if we will have a belief at all. With all of this free choice, we can also choose to love unconditionally or not. I was choosing to live my life in that "safe" place because of my own selfish fears.
As a child we come as our authentic self. We don’t know how to be anyone else. The thought of some people acting fake would probably perplex a child. Why would anyone not want to be who God created them to be? When life’s hard knock lessons beat us down we might find ourselves hardening our hearts. The same heart that had God's love poured in it from birth, we choose to harden and employ self-preservation! I believe we were born with natural instincts. Self-preservation is almost like protecting yourself from something that you don’t want to go through or accept. I don't believe this is an instinct. I think this is a learned behavior because of going through life's challenges and pain. It's a way to protect our hearts. It's a way to defend ourselves from something that we don't want to accept. I think it's a learned behavior derived out of pride? I don’t claim to know all the answers but what I do know is that life lessons come to help us grow and to make us stronger.
As a child, it’s hard to grasp this. When we don’t understand the why is when I think we self-preserve or harden our hearts. Some of those tough things we might have faced as a child might not have been God's will at all. My point is that when we come here with this innocent, unconditional love it gets tainted by this world, our negative experiences, or negative words that well meaning people spoke to us. The love that we all have in our hearts came with no judgment towards others. It’s so pure that it won’t even judge the ones that reject us. Since I believe it's God's perfect love, it only sees people through the eyes of Christ. Yes, that means the Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Catholic, Pentecostal (and whatever other Religion that is out there) believers are all LOVED through the eyes of Christ! No judgment, no condemnation, no debate, just pure love! He is a merciful loving God! That was one of God's many lessons taught to me as I vowed to always remain a teachable student.
For some reason I share ALL of me sincerely as if this community sees me as being anonymous. Sometimes I even forget that I’m not anonymous. It would be so much easier to set up an anonymous blog wouldn’t it? I actually did that recently because I was “fearful” of others judging me for my always positive attitude. This is who I am. I have always been this person. The people that know me intimately will attest to this. This post is because I have gone my entire life judged for being this way. I even went through years of “trying” to be someone else just to fit in. It didn’t even feel right! What I realized is that I’m not a good actress…LOL. I remember when I was younger I tried smoking cigarettes. Guess what, I looked SO ridiculous. I remember one of my friends saying, “You don’t even look right with that cigarette”. I’m sure I didn’t! I was only doing it to fit in.
Even as some might read this they will say that I am foolish for posting this and putting my business out there. I might have agreed with them at one point in my life but not for the same reasons they might have said it. I would probably be thinking, “Yes, you’re right! What if they judge me for being me?" After all, it is just “my beliefs." Who cares what I think?" I’m sure 99% might not care but that’s not why I’m choosing to write this. I am writing it because I feel led to (and trust me, it’s not easy). It might be just for one person or it could just be for me to put it out in the universe as an act of my faith. Who knows? All I know is that I have learned to be obedient to that tugging in my spirit. Yes, these are my beliefs and I choose to believe that God is love, He created us all in that love, His love abides in us ALL, and that love is what we will need to get through this life with peace, happiness, and joy (regardless of what’s thrown at us).
The truth is – I am who I am. Like me or not I can only be who God has created me to be and with that comes acceptance as well as rejection. You would be surprise how people can even reject you for naturally being an optimistic person. I think it’s more natural as humans for us (not everyone) to automatically doubt or label someone that's optimistic as an “impostor” because in their eyes the optimistic person projects “perfection”. (Prime example, that status that's been going around making jokes about the person that says life is great, I love my husband, etc). In reality what the optimistic person projects is authenticity and some might not know what that looks like.
I have been told many times before that I think I’m “holier than thou”. My response is always the same, “No, I don’t think I’m holier than thou, you think I’m holier than thou”. There is a difference. When I say that God has really blessed me with the ability to see others through His eyes, He has. I was not given this gift because I deserved it or because I’m special. I was given this gift because I asked for it in prayer! James 4:2 reminds us that "Ye have not because ye ask not." Psalms 37:4 says “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." At the time of my prayer I asked from a sincere heart and God granted my wish. Be careful what you pray for though, I had no clue what my life would look like to live this way. I had no clue prior to studying the life of Jesus it wasn’t a glamorous life. I might have his eyes but not his perfection. I make mistakes, I fall, and I hurt (just like everyone else) BUT I always dust myself off and get back up. I’m not perfect but Jesus was made sin for us so that we may become the righteousness of God. (Him who knew no sin He made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in Him - II Corinthians 5:21).
I’ve prayed for many things that have not yet been answered. Why did God decide to answer that prayer I often questioned in the past. I’m now realizing that the why is no longer important for me to understand. My life is already pre-destined and while I do have my own free will I think when we pray Gods perfect will for our own life, our prayers are immediately answered.
Can you really blame anyone from putting walls up when being their authentic self is constantly misunderstood or doubted? After all, I can’t actually be sincerely trying to live a life pleasing to God (being sarcastic). I do realize that there are many people that portray themselves as being “perfect” so I understand why some folks are skeptical. I think if everyone truly tried to focus on themselves and their own love walk, they wouldn't have time to be skeptical about what others are doing. My wish is that everyone would exercise their natural spirit of discernment to distinguish the “impostors”. Once you’ve identified them God has already given us instructions on what to do. Here it is: Love em'
1 Corinthians 13:1-8a and 13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails....And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (NIV)
I post this with no more fear of rejection. God said, “Do not be afraid” close to 365 times in the bible (according to the movie Facing the Giants). I think it’s safe to say that we ALL struggle with fear of something. Tonight, I break that fear over my life! For that possible one person this was also for, BE NOT AFRAID! One of my favorite songs which is what I rest in tonight is Kirk Franklin “The Appeal”. This was my appeal.
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. (NKJV)
Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? (NKJV)
Psalm 56:3-4 When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? (NIV)
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (NIV)
Isaiah 41:13 For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (NIV)
Isaiah 54:4 Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame; For you will forget the shame of your youth, And will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore. (NKJV)
Matthew 10:26 Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. (NKJV)
2 Corinthians 4:7-11 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. (NIV)
Philippians 1:12-14 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. (NIV)
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (NLT)
1 Peter 3:13-14 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." (NIV)
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (NIV)
Friday, October 29, 2010
Team Hoyt - Dick and Rick Hoyt
I can only imagine how this world would be so different if we loved like Team Hoyt. This video is so inspiring to me. God created all of us with the ability to love unconditionally. It's up to us to express and receive that love. Along with giving us HIS nature, he also gave us the freedom to choose. Free will! What do you will today? Do you will to show the world your smile, love, and kindness? As you bless others you will find that the reward is in the act of doing. The simple act of love and kindness is really fulfilling our very own nature which in turn gives us a sense of purpose.
This Beautiful Life
A few days ago I had to do blood work. Something has been on my mind ever since and I just feel compelled to write this. I was sent to the same place where cancer patients are sent for Chemo. As I sat in my comfortable, reclined, hospital chair listening to my headphones and partially reading my book I couldn’t help but to notice the patients there getting Chemo. As I watched the bravery on their faces mixed with a bit of anxiety my heart started to feel heavy. My eyes started filling up with tears because God started to show me the beauty in mankind. From the elderly man that has lost all of his fingers to the middle aged man that sat there with no one by his side to comfort him. I watched the wife that sat next to her husband with such love and care.
Today I went back to that hospital for a doctor’s appointment and as I sat in the waiting area I noticed someone in a wheelchair struggling to open the door. Without a thought I quickly jumped up to help him. He looked at me with surprise and said, “Thank you”. As I smiled and told him you’re welcome I started to wonder if acts of kindness aren’t often displayed to this man. As he sat in his wheelchair in the waiting area we began to talk. He told me everything from where he was from and what his profession was. As he reminisces on his past to me I listened and shared with him where I was from. This elderly, disabled, man seemed thrilled to have someone to talk to. I again began to wonder what has happened to the kindness of mankind. God has allowed me to see others through the eyes of Christ. We all need love. We are all connected. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. I see the beauty in us all. I am sharing all of this because my eyes have been enlightened to a particular scripture in the bible.
Hebrews 13:2
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.
I know that many of us show kindness or hospitality on a daily basis. For those that do I hope that this scripture becomes alive in you. Can you think of a time when someone was placed in your path and after your experience with them you thought, “Wow”. Sometimes life can be too busy focusing on the next task, trying to get to where we’re going, or just not being aware of our surroundings. I'm sure we've all been guilty of it at some point in our lives. What I have learned from it all is to slow down, take in the world and people around me, and pay attention. I no longer walk through my busy life like a zombie focusing on what I have to do next; I walk this life with an awareness of everything around me and seeing the beauty in it all! Life and everything in it seems so much more beautiful!
Here is a beautiful song link that reminds me of the possiblity that strangers can be angels.
http://youtu.be/ENwLytFFPP0
1 Corinthians 13:1-8a and 13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails....And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (NIV)
Today I went back to that hospital for a doctor’s appointment and as I sat in the waiting area I noticed someone in a wheelchair struggling to open the door. Without a thought I quickly jumped up to help him. He looked at me with surprise and said, “Thank you”. As I smiled and told him you’re welcome I started to wonder if acts of kindness aren’t often displayed to this man. As he sat in his wheelchair in the waiting area we began to talk. He told me everything from where he was from and what his profession was. As he reminisces on his past to me I listened and shared with him where I was from. This elderly, disabled, man seemed thrilled to have someone to talk to. I again began to wonder what has happened to the kindness of mankind. God has allowed me to see others through the eyes of Christ. We all need love. We are all connected. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. I see the beauty in us all. I am sharing all of this because my eyes have been enlightened to a particular scripture in the bible.
Hebrews 13:2
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.
I know that many of us show kindness or hospitality on a daily basis. For those that do I hope that this scripture becomes alive in you. Can you think of a time when someone was placed in your path and after your experience with them you thought, “Wow”. Sometimes life can be too busy focusing on the next task, trying to get to where we’re going, or just not being aware of our surroundings. I'm sure we've all been guilty of it at some point in our lives. What I have learned from it all is to slow down, take in the world and people around me, and pay attention. I no longer walk through my busy life like a zombie focusing on what I have to do next; I walk this life with an awareness of everything around me and seeing the beauty in it all! Life and everything in it seems so much more beautiful!
Here is a beautiful song link that reminds me of the possiblity that strangers can be angels.
http://youtu.be/ENwLytFFPP0
1 Corinthians 13:1-8a and 13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails....And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (NIV)
The Most Inspirational Video Ever!!! - "Hug for the World"
Hug someone today. It's a universal language. It can rejoice with, heal hurt, or warm the heart! Before my family goes to sleep each night, we hug. When we wake up in the morning, we hug. As much as my family might think I only do it for them, I also do it for me! I hope you enjoy this video as much as I do!
Sorry, I'm having a moment. Can I have my moment?
Sorry, I'm having a moment. Can I have my moment?
I love my family, my friends (which would include my blogger friends reading this), my children, the lady at my hair salon that is so precious, the guy at wal-mart standing by the door to check my bags, all of my clients and especially the ones that I have made a deeper connection with beyond real estate. I love that I will see Corey (my trainer) tomorrow morning. I love that I have to push myself to go. I love how this blog is probably not making sense. I just love it all! Life is great and I love everybody!
For those that might be going through something and you feel like life is not great for you right now, I have a word for you.
Life is a journey and as you walk your journey you have to pay attention to details. Do you smell the roses along the way? Did you notice that beautiful iguana you just walked by? What about that pink slip you just received from your boss? This is your journey and the end result is GOOD! You have to just allow the upsets along the way to not knock you off of your journey. You have to also embrace the victories but don’t let it distract you from moving forward on your journey to create new victories.
Regardless of what life throws at us, we all have our own journey. The point is, no matter what you walked passed on the journey you can’t stop and look back. You have to keep walking forward. Even if what you are looking back to is happiness. You have to take that happiness or memory with you on your journey and move forward. If it's upset or regret that you're looking back at, leave it and keep moving forward. Life gives you many chances and opportunities to mend the past while you are still moving forward.
I’m happy right now and I’m also on my journey so I will continue to move forward on my journey happy! Happiness and joy can stay with me on this journey. It’s my choice. Regardless of what happens in your life, it’s your choice. Is it easy? No! Can it be done? Absolutely!
At the end of this journey when we are old and wiser and God is ready to take us home we will understand it all. That is when we realize that everything we’ve been through in life (the memories of it all, whether it is good, bad, or ugly) was all a part of this journey. The most amazing part of this journey is that we have a road map (God’s Word) to guide, lead, and direct us to our destination. His plan was for us to walk the journey and make good choices, try to live a life pleasing to Him, and know His Word (our road map) so we can get to our destiny. It gets us to the destination that He has for us. Remember, He knows the end from the beginning.
I also believe that He wants us to bring friends and family along the journey. I picture it as a highway with multiple lanes of traffic. I’m not alone on this journey, God is with me. I can also look to my left and see my husband right next to me on his journey. Our journeys intertwine. I see my children, friends, and so on……
I have met many people on my journey that I know were meant to be there when they were. Most of you reading this have been a part of my journey to some extent. Thank you for being a part of it whether you wanted to be or not. Every relationship I have ever encounted, I have learned something from. So again, thank you for being a part of my journey and growth.
I really was just going to write a blog about how I love everyone. My blog was the first paragraph so I’m not sure how it turned into this but I guess I had a lot more on my mind ;) I don’t profess to be a preacher nor do I want to preach to anyone. I’m just a woman that’s sharing my own revelations of life. This is my view of it and I would normally keep it on my diary page but for some reason I’m typing it to the world. I’ll just trust that someone needs it just like I did when God spoke it to my heart.
I love my family, my friends (which would include my blogger friends reading this), my children, the lady at my hair salon that is so precious, the guy at wal-mart standing by the door to check my bags, all of my clients and especially the ones that I have made a deeper connection with beyond real estate. I love that I will see Corey (my trainer) tomorrow morning. I love that I have to push myself to go. I love how this blog is probably not making sense. I just love it all! Life is great and I love everybody!
For those that might be going through something and you feel like life is not great for you right now, I have a word for you.
Life is a journey and as you walk your journey you have to pay attention to details. Do you smell the roses along the way? Did you notice that beautiful iguana you just walked by? What about that pink slip you just received from your boss? This is your journey and the end result is GOOD! You have to just allow the upsets along the way to not knock you off of your journey. You have to also embrace the victories but don’t let it distract you from moving forward on your journey to create new victories.
Regardless of what life throws at us, we all have our own journey. The point is, no matter what you walked passed on the journey you can’t stop and look back. You have to keep walking forward. Even if what you are looking back to is happiness. You have to take that happiness or memory with you on your journey and move forward. If it's upset or regret that you're looking back at, leave it and keep moving forward. Life gives you many chances and opportunities to mend the past while you are still moving forward.
I’m happy right now and I’m also on my journey so I will continue to move forward on my journey happy! Happiness and joy can stay with me on this journey. It’s my choice. Regardless of what happens in your life, it’s your choice. Is it easy? No! Can it be done? Absolutely!
At the end of this journey when we are old and wiser and God is ready to take us home we will understand it all. That is when we realize that everything we’ve been through in life (the memories of it all, whether it is good, bad, or ugly) was all a part of this journey. The most amazing part of this journey is that we have a road map (God’s Word) to guide, lead, and direct us to our destination. His plan was for us to walk the journey and make good choices, try to live a life pleasing to Him, and know His Word (our road map) so we can get to our destiny. It gets us to the destination that He has for us. Remember, He knows the end from the beginning.
I also believe that He wants us to bring friends and family along the journey. I picture it as a highway with multiple lanes of traffic. I’m not alone on this journey, God is with me. I can also look to my left and see my husband right next to me on his journey. Our journeys intertwine. I see my children, friends, and so on……
I have met many people on my journey that I know were meant to be there when they were. Most of you reading this have been a part of my journey to some extent. Thank you for being a part of it whether you wanted to be or not. Every relationship I have ever encounted, I have learned something from. So again, thank you for being a part of my journey and growth.
I really was just going to write a blog about how I love everyone. My blog was the first paragraph so I’m not sure how it turned into this but I guess I had a lot more on my mind ;) I don’t profess to be a preacher nor do I want to preach to anyone. I’m just a woman that’s sharing my own revelations of life. This is my view of it and I would normally keep it on my diary page but for some reason I’m typing it to the world. I’ll just trust that someone needs it just like I did when God spoke it to my heart.
PS Sometimes you have to rack the "leaves" of fear, regret, even past victories out of the way to see the path clearer! Past victory is a tough one. You can sometimes live in that victory for so long that you have not had any new ones. Sometimes you can be so successful that you fear what it will take to maintain it. Move those leaves out of the way so you can continue moving forward on your journey! I'm in the next lane cheering for you b/c I want everyone to win! I really do and so does God!
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