#relationshipgoals

Ever ask why relationships are such a hot topic in the church?  Think about it….our entire world revolves around relationships.  How we think, feel, and act are predetermined by our relationships with our parents (if any) family, friends, co-workers, and even strangers.

The most important relationship we will ever have hopefully is our relationship with Jesus.  Just imagine for a second, we treat Jesus like our absent father who wants to rekindle a relationship down the road.  We ignore his phone calls, or we only call him when we need money.

How about treating him like an overbearing, but nurturing mother?  You only run to momma when you feel like your world is over, but as soon as a little light shines through your gone.  Running to your pleasures again and leaving your poor mother behind.

Maybe you treat Jesus more like that annoying co-worker, you pretend to listen to as they tell you about their weekend.  Or you abruptly end the conversation because they get on your nerves.  You’d rather spend time with anyone else than them.

Or maybe Jesus was like the homeless man you saw on the street and said to yourself, he  only wants my money to buy liquor and you pass him by without thinking twice.  Whether you have a super close relationship with Jesus comparing to the mothers scenario or more similar to the annoying co-worker it’s safe to say your relationship needs work.

The concept to grasp is that you want a healthy relationship with all five relationships, including Jesus.  The key to acknowledge is that the only way you can have a healthy relationship with those on earth is to first develop a healthy relationship with Christ.  This takes time!  Spend time with as if he were your BFF.  The love that Jesus has is not like your parents.  It’s so much more!

WEARY (TIRED, TAPPED OUT, EXHAUSTED, FRUSTRATED) in WELL DOING

Hi everyone!

It’s been a while since my last blog.  If you’re wondering why just re-read the title.  Yes!  I officially did exactly what the bible said not to do.  I became weary in well-doing.  So what happened you ask?  I’ll get to that in a sec.  I still want to keep my tradition and live up to the name short n’ sweet by keeping this blog as short as possible!

Long story short, I felt like Sarah, Abraham’s wife in the bible.  I believed God for a promise he made me a few years ago.  No seriously, I really did believe.  But after months turned into years, I started to question whether or not God was holding out on me.  I felt I was ready to get the blessing sooner rather than later, and that feeling quickly turned into anger and frustration when nothing happened right away.

After months, turned into years of praying and crying about the same thing, I became like Sarah, extremely frustrated and I decided to take matters into my own hands.  When it didn’t work out, AT ALL, I began to lose hope in what I was once believed so strongly.  Once the enemy stole my hope, I no longer had the strength to fight the battle of faith.  I quietly settled for defeat.

Even in my silent suffering, God never left me.  In fact, he was working behind the scenes I just did not see it!  My weariness had taken me out, so the enemy thought.  What the devil didn’t know is that even though I had lost my faith that it would come to pass soon;  A piece of me still knew it would come to pass, just not in the time frame I wanted.  Do you know God met me in my weary place?  Hallelujah!  Just like he met Elijah in the cave, God met with me!  He gave me the scripture we all know and love in Isaiah 40…they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.  They shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not faint!  Yes God!  Your word is life and like a fresh cold of water!  It snapped me right out of my coma!

Slowly but surely my faith is increasing, my hope is returning!  But the greatest lesson of all was learning about God’s grace.  I’ll never let myself get this weary ever again now that I understand more about God’s grace.  He gives us grace to endure!  Grace to love!  Grace to serve Him!  I am forever grateful for his grace!  I will ask for it every morning, because I now understand I need it every single day!  I was never meant to carry this life on my own.  That’s why on your journey with Christ, in the sand you’ll see two footprints instead of one.  Selah.

THE ULTIMATE TEST

We all have to face this moment with God at some point.  Whether it’s early or late in your walk with his wonderful son Jesus, it will leave an everlasting mark: emotionally and possibly physically.  The question that will explain what God put on my heart to share with you all (and first myself)  is this:  Do you love (it) more than you love me (God)?

God calls them idols.  We call them celebrity crushes, boyfriend/girlfriend, spouses, children, money, success (within self), fame (all about exalting oneself), beauty (vanity), parents, social media, food.  I only named a few but, I am certain there are more.  You can love/idolize memories, fantasies, and fetishes.  You can hold on to things that God says aren’t good for you, and in reality you’re telling God I want this more than you.

It can be as simple as a certain emotion.  You love being sad or down and out since it gives you the attention from those around you, you seek it from.  But God says I want to give you beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for sadness.  Instead of making the great exchange you’d rather keep that emotion because of that instant gratification.  Sadly, you never realize it’s only temporary, and this is why your happy on Tuesday and sad by Thursday.

If you can just learn to love God with your WHOLE heart.  If we all can just learn to let go of earthly desires and set our affection on Jesus.  Love him, seek after him like you would a guy or gal your interested in pursuing.  Talk to him everyday as if your getting to know each other.  Ask questions!  Wait for an answer.  Enjoy spending time in his word.  That’s how you get to know God!  It will begin to feel like your in a relationship because you are acting as if you are in one!  And you are; a spiritual relationship with your heavenly Father.

God bless.

THE GOOD THINGS TO ASK GOD FOR

I can amaze myself sometimes.  I’ve been in the game now officially 5 years and it feels like I am riding the Batman ride at six flags most days.  Just when you think you got all the answers God comes back and says you’ve got more room to grow.

No problem God….smh

One lesson that I seem to be reminded of constantly is learning to ask God for “good things” in his eyes.  We can learn from our ancient bible friends like David to ask for a clean heart and renew a right spirit.  However, there is nothing wrong with asking God for a baby, spouse, car, house, etc.  But there are things that make God smile when we ask and perhaps we forget about them because life seems to pull at us on every side.

What are these “good things”?  I’ll list a few below…

Righteousness….

Oh boy!  You will tug on the heart-strings of God if you ask for this right here!

His word tells us, “Blessed are those that hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6

Essentially what you are asking God is to clean you from the inside out; to make you whole.  You have heart and desire to be more like him.  To walk in the Spirit and not the flesh.  There is nothing more pleasing to God than this…besides the faith that goes behind believing this.

Peace…

The peace God gives will leave you in a place of tranquility.  Only God can do this!  No substance on earth can bring this kind of peace.  If we could just learn to keep our minds on Jesus we can have it.  Every single day!  No matter the situation you face!  I can remember a moment in my life where I should have just lost it.  My mother died in 2014, she was only 57, and I was 32.  I carried for months such a rest, a peace from God that I couldn’t even grieve my mother’s death until months down the road.  As a matter a fact I rejoiced!  She got saved a week before she died and that lifted my soul.  

Gifts of the Spirit…

Healing the sick, casting out devils, teaching the word of God, winning souls, missionary, pastor/preacher, etc.  These are gifts that you may be uncertain about, or you may have and don’t how to activate it.  These are good gifts from the Lord and should be used to bring him glory, not ourselves.  

 

God loves us so much and blesses us everyday, uniquely for each one of his precious children.  There are many things we can ask God for, but as we watch time and this world wind down learn to ask for “good things” in the Father’s eyes.

God bless!

THE THORN IN YOUR SIDE

 

Good afternoon everyone!  I pray your Tuesday is going well.  For some it’s a new day to get things done, and for others it’s just another day; going through the same old thing.

I have a question for you today?  Perhaps you’ve been asked this before.

What is the thorn in your side?

Is it a bad marriage, being single too long, health issues, family issues, or job issues?

Is it a significant death of loved one you can’t get over?

Is it massive debt, job loss, loss of a loved one?

Can you even mention the thorn in your side without your eyes welling up with tears?  If not you’ve definitely got a thorn deep in your heart.  An open wound that only God can heal.

Not even your closest, friend, lover, spouse, or family can heal this hurt.  It’s often something in secret.  Sometimes it’s hard to express exactly what that thing is.  But as soon as someone mentions it….or an event happens that reminds you of it, that wound is instantly tore open again.

Why won’t it heal properly you ask?  I thought it was over it! 

Just because you bury something in the dirt doesn’t mean it’s gone.  It’s still there, it’s just covered up!

One thing we can learn from the Apostle Paul is this:  Keep moving forward even with a thorn in your side.

Don’t give up on what God has purposed you to do, even with that pesky thorn in your side.  You never know if and when God will remove it.  He may just have it there to keep you humble.

 

I AM A MIRACLE!

The month of August has been an interesting time for me.  I can’t believe the year is almost over.  This year has went by so fast!  So much has happened good and bad!  I thank God for it all because it was all for my good!  I have hit some milestones in my life, some highs and some lows, but knowing in all of it I am a overcomer.

This morning I logged in to my Facebook app to purposely look for the “On this day” feature.  I love to look at the memories; how I have matured in Christ since November 1, 2012.  It reminds me that God is working on me.  Today I saw an old modeling photo shared in August of 2010, probably taken in my late 20’s in downtown STL.  It was a beautiful day out and the photographer I only worked with once.  I remember feeling so beautiful that day in a itty-bitty white bikini.

I left the shoot feeling accomplished.  I was pursuing my dream of being the next Twiggy!  The reality was, I was such a mess.  Modeling was the only way I felt beautiful.  Every other day, I felt ugly and unloved.  As I look at this photo today I see a broken girl, lost in the world trying to find herself.  I didn’t know who I was.  I was seeking male attention, affection, I just wanted to hear the words you are beautiful.  I substituted being sexy for being beautiful, not realizing it, and made it easy for emotionally unavailable men to be attracted to me.

When I see the then and now transformation, I can’t help but give God glory!  I am 5 years celibate only because of our savior Jesus Christ!  I remember the day when he called me out of darkness!  Only because at the time I was willing to hear God speak to me that day!  God wanted to use me even in my mess!  It was through a prophecy received that God said he need a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ from me, and a prophetic dream that made me cry out “YES LORD!”

Today I walk in victory!  Each day I get out of bed, still giving God the glory I overcome the enemy!  I walked away from non-Christian men and ran straight into the arms of Jesus!  I gave up modeling and with that small act of obedience God blessed me!  I have a new walk, talk, and style of clothes.  I have a new attitude about beauty praise God!  Inner beauty is illuminating, it’s attractive, it’s not abrasive and it is pure.  I thank God for giving me an inner beauty.  Yes I do believe I am beautiful on the outside, but I needed to be healed on the inside first.  Only God could do that!

I know that my walk with Christ is not by chance.  I have an assignment to encourage others and I intend to do so!  God is not through with me and he is certainly not through with you!  I am a miracle!  The devil did not want me to be saved!  God found me and turned my life around.  I owe him my life!  Just as he gave his for me!  I love him!  And I love you all too! God bless!

 

DUMP TRUCKS

Hey bloggers and readers I have a question for you!  Who are you allowing to dump their trash into your space?  It’s a hard question I’m sure, since you have to start looking at the people you love.  

Who are you allowing to dump negativity in your life?  Is it a spouse?  A boyfriend/girlfriend or BFF?  One more question, are you the dump truck?  

Some people are so used to complaining that they don’t know how to have a normal conversation.  Is the first thing you do when you call a friend/spouse/significant other is start unloading your problems? I was guilty at one point in my life.  People who are dump trucks dump their problems into your life on a regular basis.  Sometimes daily.  If you are the “dumper” let me tell you something that no one else has…you wear out people.  

The reason why is people often have their own problems and if your flooding their text msgs and phone with issues you overwhelm them.  Now the person is focused on your issue plus theirs!  If you are on the receiving end learn how to filter information.  Sometimes people need someone to pour into for a season!  Notice I said a season!  People who constantly find a familiar place to dump will continue unless you stop them.  

Dumpers need to learn to go to God.  It’s a perfect time to go to God in prayer and tell him the issue.  It trains you to go to the Father that makes all the possible.  Your friends family spouse can’t always help in certain situations or feelings.  Some things need to go to God.  Talking to God can be awesome experience when he responds to you.  Here is another short and sweet blog!  Have a blessed day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHRISTIAN DATING

 

This will be a quick an easy blog folks!  Just wanted to share some quick and easy ways to dicipher if you are struggling with lust or love for a potential mate.

Consider this:  You should always see your mate or interest as God sees them.  They are not an object for your affection, but a person.

Here are a couple of examples of what this may look like
How a woman of God thinks:

1. His worship is authentic.
2. Wow he can pray!
3. He is sooooo nice!
4. His personality is awesome!
5. He loves the Lord.

How a woman with lust thinks:

1. His eyes are gorgeous!
2. He got them kissin lips.
3. Look at his arms!
4. He must workout
5. I can imagine what he workin wit’.

Poor guy, ladies you already sizing him up!

How a man of God thinks:

1. She must love the Lord.
2. She has a great spirit.
3. She is so wise.
4. She is so sweet.
5. She is so giving.

How a man with lust thinks:

1. She fine!
2. I can think of 10 things I wanna do with her!
3. Look at her booty/boobs!
4. She so sexy!
5. She can have my baby!

Sorry fellas…A woman of God that knows who she is won’t care that you like these things about her. 

COMMENTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!  GOD BLESS

SEPARATION VS. PREPARATION P2

 

King James Bible
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  2 Corinthians 5:17

I don’t mean to brag, but I am the queen of moving on!  I can’t stand holding on to old junk.  To me if it’s broke don’t fix it!  Literally!  Just throw it away. Id rather have something that is fully functional than slightly dysfunctional.  E.g. slightly working flat irons, old clothes, old worn out shoes, even things I just don’t use anymore.  This is why yard sales do so awesome! You can make a decent amount of money getting rid of things you don’t need or use anymore. When it came to my personal vehicle, I was ready to toss it too.  As soon as a sensor went out I was done, because i didn’t have the patience nor the funds to deal with it at time. I was looking for perfection in a man made product.

On the other hand, there is something extraordinary about something that was once broken, torn, used and it’s restored.  Just ask the genius that invented rustic furniture.  At some point the scratched piece of furniture lost its visual appeal, but has been reformed and looks brand new. The good news is we can be the same way.  I am sure you have heard this before in your walk with God.  But what happens when you reach that place where you feel stagnant.  That you can’t grow anymore.  You’re praying for 30 minutes, you read your bible all the way through, you go to Sunday service: now what?  It’s time to stretch! You’ve prayed for 30 minutes for quite a while, try an hour!  You’ve read your bible all the way through, now try word studies!  You’ve been faithful to Sunday service, now join a ministry and serve in the church!

Being stagnant can only come from two ways….you’re not moving or you’re being blocked!

Higher levels require a lighter load!

Some things you just have to be willing to let go of!

1. FRIENDS

This one may be the hardest.  Especially if they are life long friends.  But consider this.  If you friend wants to move to California for their purpose and you want to move to Florida to fulfill your purpose.  Guess what?  You are already separated because your purposes are different.  It doesn’t mean that you both want cross paths later in life.  It just means for the time being you can’t help one another.

2.  OLD BAGS

Get rid of your old dirty thoughts!  Lighten that load!  Stop thinking and reminiscing about old boyfriends/girlfriends, old experiences, the “I remember when I used to”.  You don’t live there anymore.  Imagine standing on the cuff of the promise land and your still reminiscing about Egypt!  Stop it!

Separation is key to preparation.  God is trying to do a new thing and honestly your in his way!  Sometimes we spend so much time trying to repair broken things from our past we can’t embrace the new things.  The former man is gone.  That life is gone!  Disco is dead!  Move and prepare for greater!  See you at the promised land! 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

**COMFORTABLE SPACES**

IKEA is one of my favorite places to visit.  The showrooms are outstanding!  They are setup to make you believe you have that much style and grace, and can become a pro designer.  Separated by glorious kitchens, magical bedrooms, and comfortable living rooms; your fantasy home comes alive in IKEA as you can make your living space your own. For first time home buyers and small space apartment onlookers IKEA is a dream come true.  They have mastered the comfortable places look.

Comfortable places make us feel like we are in a place of peace.  We can be ourselves and no one can judge us.  

They are perfect places to hide and get away from reality.  The room pictured above would be perfect for a couple of home-bodies!

The problem with comfortable spaces with Christians is that we never want to leave.  We get stuck in a comfortable place.  Sound familiar?  Perhaps your finally caught up on the bills, making a decent salary and you stop pushing for that promotion.  Or you get to a place spiritually where you know the word, your serving, praying, worshiping God, but you stop stretching.  Perhaps you know God is telling it’s time to grow up, but you are comfortable sitting on the couch.  You don’t want to move because you are in a familiar place and you fear the unknown.  

God, if you can understand and grasps this, does not like comfortable spaces.  He doesn’t like boxes.  He is a magnificent God!  So why would he want his people to do the bare minimum.  When God does a thing or performs…he establishes it.  He makes it known to ALL!  He does it exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or think!  This is what a spirit of excellence looks like!  

David grew in stature!  From sheep herder to King!  He allowed God to groom him!  And in the time of promotion God judged and Saul was sat down!  God will do the same for you too…if you come our of your comfortable space….

To be continued…..