Man Up

Written By: 

Minister James Ellerbe 

In this Christmas season many men will receive gifts like cheap ties, socks and shirts to wear around the house. But, one gift that the man of the house would loved to have gotten when he was fifth-teen was a set of weights. He would lift the weights to gain muscle, then show off his new strength by flexing and arm wrestling, to attract girls. Now, he is not trying to attract girls or women, but something more important, his family, and how to handle their issues. He finds that the muscles in his arms cannot handle the difficulties of life that take a soft word or a tender heart. This man needs a new set of weights, a bible complete with good study for application. Now let’s flex.

  

Luke 11:21  When a strong man, fully armed guards his own palace, his goods are in peace (NKJV).

  Jesus in this scripture tells of the strongman keeping his palace and the goods of his palace. The goods of his palace are not worldly possessions, but are the goods that truly matter, family and loved ones. These are the goods of the strongman’s palace that God is most concerned about, and the goods the strongman has the most influence. The family will tell just how armed the strongman is. His strength will be shown by his fruit and his family in their fruit. 

      Every man is a strongman, as far as God is concerned, but every man is not armed. God gives us the workout if we choose. It is the Word daily and learning his ways to protect and guide the goods of the palace. Physical workouts can be relegated to three to four times a week and get results. Spiritual workouts should be at least that many times a week, depending on how much strength is needed. This will arm the man. It does not take intense workouts, just consistent workouts and a true look at self. These are the type of workouts that allows the strongman to be armed. 

      The true look at self is difficult and is the greatest challenge in living God’s Word. Implementation of the Word of God increases the integrity of the man and shows his strength to all. It is an outward display of muscle, although the flexing is not in the physical mirror. The spiritual mirror is reflective from the inside out and is seen by others before it is seen by the strong man himself. He will see the results of his workouts as situations arise and he has to react. The change of his reactions is result of the workouts and is the time he will notice the difference in self. God’s Word is designed for us to study and arm ourselves for our lives and the goods of the palace. 

      The arming of ourselves as the heads will allow us to be strong in many of the life circumstances and situations that occur daily. There is always some one with a problem, if not the strongman himself. The arming of the strongman and the obvious keeping of his palace goods is the way he can keep peace. Peace is kept through the deflective nature of the Word, giving assistance to the handling of life issues, and keeping out some of the spiritual attacks that may otherwise affect the family. In his spiritual strength, without him knowing, he can keep the peace through the exhibition of love.

      In the sixty-six books of the bible there are multitudes of examples of how average men became strongmen in their palaces and the affect it had on those around them. The affect of an armed strongman in his palace responsibilities go into the world, wherever and whenever the goods of his palace engage themselves in any type of communication. His trademark stamp of influence will carry throughout the lives of the goods of his palace, they are his representation.

Prayer: Father, I thank you for the opportunity to lead you creation into life and show them the way to your kingdom. Lord it has been a difficult road and along the way I have placed value in everything outside of my palace and not in the goods you have given me. Father, please forgive me, for not staying the course and infusing the goods with the love and kindness of your word. Please teach me how to love them into submission, not of my voice, but of Your will that they may have peace. Also, allow me to arm myself with total submissiveness to Your Word in my life. Amen.

Assuring Hope

When life caves you in, you do not need reason’s….you need comfort. God is a Comforter, bringing to mind useful things at times when we need them the most. At times we feel the woes of life and we can’t seem to find a way out, but I want you to continue to be encouraged.

When we face weariness, confusion  and hardships, we do not need to pray for an easier lives, we should pray to become stronger men and women of God. Every test and every trial we are to gain renewed strength. It is God’s grace that sustains us, each and every step in our lives.

Jesus does not come to us with an explanation…..He comes to us with His Presence. When you stumble and cry out to God in your distress and your shame, He inclines His ear to you and  when we can not stand, He will bear us in His arms.

“In the shadow of His hand we find spiritual refreshment, for there we feed on His Word. Under His protecting hand we are safe from every evil that would assail us. The shadow of His hand affords peace and rest. Because we are hidden in the shadow of His hand, no foe can alarm us, no harm can befall us. In the shadow of His hand He hid me…….”

Something To Think About........

I didn't write this....but it is Just DEEP on ALL Levels! I felt I needed to share....please take the time to read it! Love and Blessings! *hugs* 

Becca

When I first heard of the movie "For Colored Girls" I got so excited.  I had the idea of getting as many women together that I could think of to go see this movie.  I had visions of group discussions and moments shared with one another that would lead to healing and growth; I guess I kind of imagined a Women’s Empowerment Conference type of setting.

Well after I shared my idea with a few women, reality set in and I  realized that so many of us wouldn't be willing to participate for various reasons: You don't like me, you don't care for somebody I might invite, you only hang out with certain people, you don't understand the big deal about Tyler Perry making yet another movie about black people and our issues for all the world to see, you don't like crowds, so n so is too ghetto, such and such is too uppity  etc... It has ALWAYS amazed me that we as black women are each others biggest critics.  We are the quickest to bring each other down, find each others faults and nit pick at a sister until she has nothing left, nothing left to give and then we step over her and call her worthless.  We take the prettiest women and tear them down for thinking "they are cute" but turn around and dog the average sista because "she know she should take better care of herself than that - can't believe she got a man!" We call strong women female dogs and accuse weaker women of riding somebody else's coat tails. We tell a big sista to put down her burger and turn around and criticize a skinny woman for not picking one up. We ride the loud mouth woman for "talking to darn much" and likewise torment the quiet woman for "Being too quiet and needing to take up for herself"  Sad part is we don't discriminate, we talk about everybody!!!

I've watched women dog out everybody from Oprah for catering to white people and Halle Berry for not being able to keep a man to young Willow Smith for acting to darn grown in her recent video. All of these females are successful and there is something about each one of them to be proud of but a lot of us can't seem to see that.  I have to wonder since we all share a common thread (whether we want to admit it or not) is there something about ourselves that we don't like, what has happened to us that we cannot seem to get along. Why is that we fight amongst ourselves, backstab & steal each others men (only to find out we should have left him where we found him). We cannot seem to be unified to support and stick up for one another. Everybody seems to be out for themselves while other groups unite against us but nobody else has to bring us down because we trample on the spirits of each other daily.  

Even if you live in a mini mansion, drive a luxury car, have good credit, rich handsome husband etc, this does not mean that should look down your nose at the woman with 4 kids, no husband, living in income based housing struggling to keep her lights on. We ALWAYS think the grass is greener on the other side, I had a woman who's child father is MIA tell me that I should never complain because I receive a decent amount of child support and I laughed and let her know that I would gladly give every dime back if he would come relieve some of this overwhelming pressure of feeling inadequate as a parent.  If I could get just one full night of sleep or not always be on the verge of losing my job because I’m the one that has to call off or leave work for one reason or another to accommodate my child - yeah he could DEFINITELY have his money if I could have some peace!  Money alone doesn't make you happy (not true happiness), good credit doesn't keep you satisfied, beauty doesn't make you any less insecure, fame doesn't make you less vulnerable or cause you to be a good judge of character and being stuck up and mean doesn't keep you warm at night or prevent you from being lonely.

You don't know how the sista sitting right next to could have carefully put on her make up this morning to hide the beating from last night. The teacher you handed your child over to this morning could have sent her children off to school from a dark house with empty bellies.  The teller you just got rude with at the bank could know that today is her last day on her job and have no idea how she is going to survive past next weekend.  The sista at the office that appears so busy could be typing her goodbyes to all the people that she loves because she plans to blow her brains out tonight after she tucks her babies into bed. The woman you pass in the hallway could be on her way to have an abortion because she fears what others might think or how the woman that sent you this e-mail may drink an over abundance of alcohol every night to mask the nightmares of an abusive childhood.

Ladies we HAVE TO DO BETTER!!! I'm not suggesting that we all like each other and be phony, but I am asking that we all try to respect each other.  You HAVE NO IDEA what the next woman is going through, you don't know what past or current hurt and pains have shaped her into who she is today.  We spend so much time trying to be as strong and hard as we are expected to be that we end up cracking from the inside out piece by piece. If we would spend 1/3 of the time we spend tearing each other down to build someone up, encourage someone, show someone some love, we could truly make a difference and save someone's life.  PLEASE don't be the straw that breaks another woman's back. Believe me when I tell you that there is a woman out there that needs your smile, your hug, your support, your prayer.

I hope that you read this and get something out of it other than a laugh and that you pass this on to as many women as you can to let someone know that you believe they are somebody special and that if need be you are available to listen. Nothing bad is going to happen if you don't forward this e-mail but I'd like to think that something positive will happen if you choose to pass it along.  May favor be extended to each and every one of your lives, keep your head up and know that someone somewhere cares!!!
 
Know that I appreciate you all and love you.  Let's share this with the ladies (young and seasoned) in our lives and love each other as Gods’ precious creation.  Have a happy and safe holiday!

Worry....Don't Let it Steal Your Joy

 Many tend to walk around with this attitude that they won’t allow anyone to “steal their joy” but why do we allow worry too? Have we lost our trust and faith in God that He won’t provide us with all we need? Fact is when we worry, we actually are calling God a liar.
 

Worry is a disease….a sickness that leads to stress and depression. God said that He will never leave us nor forsake us, We must trust God in ALL that He has said, because what God promises, God will provide.

We all have carried worry in our lives, but we must allow God to be in control of our problems and our circumstances. With every test and every trial, we gain strength and our faith becomes stronger. We learn to trust God that He will see us through. Every burden that we have is not ours to carry. Give everything to God and stop allowing worry to steal your joy…..

A Cleansing For Your Soul......

There comes a point in time in our life, where we just become weak and tired trying to win this war called LIFE.....but we know deep down inside we can't win by ourselves. What is it that we are trying to prove?......and whom are we trying to impress? Are we that prideful and stubborn, that we rather suffer and miss out on the true happiness that God has intended for us?

The hurt and disappointment that we all carry from so many people has caused us to lose TRUST, a word that we don't even know what the meaning is, we even lost all hope in that word even when it pertains to God. We have completely shut down, so scared, we don't even know who to look to. Our mind is telling us one thing and our heart and soul is telling us something completely different.

The answers that we need sometimes are right in front of us.....but FEAR steps in because were so afraid of loosing whats left of the control we have. We were told to be strong, continue to fight, don't lose yourself, don't show emotion.......don't cry. If we stop for a moment, we will soon figure out that this battle we seem to be fighting, is not against the world or the people around us...this battle is within YOU.

We wake up everyday and don't even have the strength to smile, we even lost all the energy that we had left because of the restless sleep we had the night before. Constantly battling with ourselves because we know deep down there is someone or something that is just missing.

Stop allowing your past....the mistakes made and the shame, hold you back from whats truly yours....an opportunity to be FREE. What's in the past is the past. God will make a future out of it. He will waste nothing. Don't worry about others and what they have to say. God says in His Word: "Out of the same measure that you judge others, you will be judged with the same measure of judgment" We weren't created to be a people pleaser, we were created to please God.

I encourage you today....right now.....at this very moment to just LET GO....fall on your knees with tears in your eyes and surrender. God says that " If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature...old things are passed away and behold all things become new".

We needed to go through some things in our past to get an idea of where we are going. We have to look back and remember where we have been and reflect on God's goodness. Who we were then is not who we should be today. When we have been brought out of sin, we must know that we were not brought out by ourselves.

Stop fighting this battle within yourself....if you don't find God....trust and believe.....He will find YOU.

A Fearless Love.....

"There is no fear in love, perfect love drives out fear...the one who fears is not perfect in love"

 

A fearless love is a love that goes beyond what the eyes can see it has no boundaries...it's powerful and thorough....it takes risk.

 

 A love that looks beyond imperfections, a love that exceeds all possibilities. Words of love to leave you speechless....irreplaceable moments that take your breath away with careless sweet whispers that speak to your soul.

It's not a love full of fears, worries, doubts or confusion. A fearless love is never unsure, It's where two souls can be open and free with out any reservations. It doesn't judge, it brings strength, patience, fire and passion. It's never a feeling of emptiness, it's a fulfillment of two souls becoming complete.

A fearless love is an unconditional love with flaws and all. The feeling of being adored, the tears of happiness and joy. The eyes of a fearless love twinkle so bright. The sincere kisses, sweet caresses of their touch, their lovely embrace, feeling the warmth of their gentle spirit.

The connection of these two souls spark a flame, that leaves a burning desire of this love deep within. Nothing can ever separate this love.....no matter the distance.....no matter the time.
 
A love created by God before we even knew it existed. It's heaven sent...it's a bond that is God-given. A love that is pure in it's essence with two hearts that beat as one....

A love that is honest, not full of secrets......it's a friendship....not built on lies. God is the solid foundation...It's a love that values what God values. It heals all wounds.....it comforts...and it forgives.

When this love is to be seen, the reflection of God shines through. These two souls shimmer and glow, showing the world the power of love and how two souls became ONE.....

A God-centered love is a love that is sure to last a lifetime....

Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Matthew 19:6

The Patient Soul.....

Alone time with God is the only place to find strength to press on. When you allow God to work on your soul....YOU will learn patience. 

This soul is patient in taking time to heal. It has learned that hurting people hurt people because of the reflection of the pain they are holding inside. 

This soul is patient in prayer....it knows that God will answer in His time, for His plan. It's even patient on the prayers that they pray for others. 

This soul is patient.....it waits for God's time in everything. Allowing God to work on this soul, molding it......sculpting it.....forming it into this beautiful image that shines so bright. God gives this patient soul the power to leave an impact that lasts a lifetime on each and every soul that it touches. 

This soul has been hurt.......and it has learned patience....

This soul has been broken....but it has learned patience....

This soul forgives....because it has learned patience....

This soul has loved and will love again.......because it has learned patience......

This soul is patient in love.....it allows God to be the Author of it's love story. With God's perfect touch, designing each detail of this unbreakable love. Teaching this soul to be humble, teaching them to forgive. This soul allows God's love to break down barriers that they have built. Showing this soul the power of love and the true significance of it's meaning.

Because this soul has learned patience it has gained renewed strength. This soul walks so close to God that there is no room for anything to come between. This patient soul is on a spiritual high, nothing can even touch it....not even the slightest delay. 

This soul has grown.....through patience this soul has developed perfect maturity. When dealing with patience this soul has learned that when you allow God to work things out on His behalf it will become prosperous beyond the desires of it's heart.  


Never underestimate the value of one soul....who has learned patience.....

The Lost Soul......

You walk around as if the world revolves around you, but the reality of it all is the weight of the world is on your shoulders. You feel the need to have all this power and control over the people and things around you, but you fail to realize you will lose yourself in the process.

This soul is lost.....it's bitter, vindictive....it's spiteful. When this soul feels threatened or sees any sign of losing power, it tries it's hardest to break people. This soul will always reap for the harm it has done to others. The motives of this soul are so wicked that even the slightest grin or smile will never reflect joy.....it will always reflect pain.

This soul is in bondage, it is tired and worn out, it doesn't even know what it is like to be free. Daily walks in darkness with no sense of direction on a path that never ends. No matter how much power or control this soul absorbs, it will always have a feeling of emptiness....never fulfilled.....never complete.

This soul is lost....it's lonely, it stands solo out on a limb. Disappointment is never to far away from this soul. The strength that this soul carries will never know the true significance of it's power on a broken foundation built on self.

Never think that you are to powerful to be broken. It's never to late for this soul to embrace the grace that God has already extended from above.....

I'll pray for this soul because it's a reflection of who God is in me.........

The Restless Soul......

In life we all have been disappointed by some people and things, but we shouldn't allow that to break us. Don't spend your whole life worrying about how someone did you wrong, let God deal with that. We must know that God makes use of the disappointments in our lives.

When things don't happen the way that we want we become restless. We try to fulfill our restless soul with material things, when God is the only one that can fulfill that need. When we don't deal with our restlessness it will haunt and hurt us. When we do what God tells us to do, restlessness steps aside.

Keep an open mind, know that everything that you are going through it is not permanent. When you are going through difficult times, don't turn your back on God, for that is the worst thing that you can do. YOU have to desire God's presence. The farther away you get from God, the harder it is for you to hear Him.

A Healing For Your Soul....

Don't let someone break you. You can hurt, cry and be sad, but you can also keep it moving. You can't fall apart. They didn't put you together, so they shouldn't be able to pull you apart. If you lose yourself to every person you are with and they have the power to pull you apart than you need to be by yourself.

We all fall hard for someone, and when you lose yourself, you allow them to take a piece of you with them. Stop looking for someone to complete you, when you don't feel comfortable in your own skin. You can't make someone happy if your not happy with yourself. Loving yourself is not the beauty you see in the mirror for that is just the surface....look deeper than that....look at your soul....reflect.....than heal.

We all have those open wounds that are in need of closure, that's why we have a hard time trying to heal. You can't get over the hurt until you admit the pain. Pain is never easy...we all go through it..try to focus each day on taking back a piece of YOU.

Unhappiness comes from the poor choices we make.....don't run from suffering...embrace it! God can restore your heart, mind, body and soul. A heart that is broken is never to broken to mend. Take your brokenness to God and He will make you heart like new.

When in a healing process don't go back to the source of where that hurt came from, until you have completely healed.

Your Decision.....By Lois Mowday Rabey (The Snare)

You can begin to win the battle of immorality only by having a new or renewed relationship with Jesus Christ. This is not a decision assuring that you will never be tempted again. But it does show that you desire to put the relationship with Christ above your own desires. 

Just as there is a process that leads to immorality, there is also a process that leads away from it toward a godly lifestyle. The first step of the process back to God is to make the relationship with Christ number one in importance in your life. The decision is not to stop immorality, but to follow Him. 

Decide now to commit to Jesus---or decide not to. If you claim to belong to Him, decide to make that relationship a priority. If you don't want to do that, stop claiming that you belong to Him and stop further degrading His name by your behavior. 

Jesus said, "He who is not with me is against me....." (Matthew 12:30). When you say that you are with Christ, you are making a commitment to make your relationship with the living God the number one priority in your life. 

The difference between this commitment to Christ and any you may have made in the past is that this time you are putting your relationship with Him in the forefront of your awareness. The first time your commitment may have been to gain eternal life. But with this commitment you are saying to the Lord of all you say, think and do....the Lord of your life. 

If He is first, then relationships with others will only be fulfilling if they are ones He would approve of. If Christ is Lord of your life, there will be a power present to begin the process of turning from situations that are ungodly. When you decide to establish ( or re-establish) a relationship with Christ, you have taken the first step in the process back to godliness. 

Are You Living a Life of Holiness

We are called to show God's Holiness in the way that we live. When we live a life of holiness, we should be pure and show love, honesty and generosity towards others. Living a holy life is pleasing to God and a sign of the believers true commitment to God.

When we live a life that is not holy it is described as "uncleanness" which is the opposite of living according to God's plan. Everywhere we turn people try to influence us but the Word of God is where we can learn to act like Christians.

Living a holy life not only helps us but it helps others as well. If we are living as God calls us to do it makes our commitment to Christ stronger, therefore our lives serves as a witness to others. 

Always remember that you represent God and you have a godly responsibility to display godly character to the world. The best way to do this is to love others as you love yourself. 

The Unseen Christ By @SoulSupply

The words from this post were so deep and profound. When words speak to my soul, they need to be shared.

The UnSeen Christ 

Dawn had broken, but the early morning cool had not lifted. Unhurriedly he sat and prayed, knowing that very soon the pace of his day would change.

Silently a bare foot appeared, motionless at his window. The blind was down- approaching the floor, so the remainder of the visitor was unseen. This foot stood alone. There was no second one beside it.

Neither good-will nor ill-will was indicated by this foot, only mystery.

This foot demonstrated no emotion and indicated no pain.

In an almost fearful stillness he sat, consumed, peering at the window and wondering what the foot would do.

He did not give even a minutes thought to opening the blind so as to reveal the foot's owner. This was advantageous because to see more would only bring him terror. There was in fact no more to see.

Many have come to the foot of the Cross. Many have refused to look up and expend any effort to grasp its meaning. Surely terror too would ensue for them if they did.

So many had approached the Cross, seen its foot, but ignored He who was above and affixed on it. They had walked to the foot of the Cross, but would never grasp the suffering above it.

The foot of the Cross is not to be gazed upon - the owner of the Cross is.

Please take the time and follow SoulSupply on twitter  http://twitter.com/soulsupply and read some more amazing posts on their website titled "Soul Supply" http://www.soulsupply.com/

Self-Reflection

How you treat others is a reflection of yourself. You always will reap what you sow. Bitterness, negativity and misery are a disease that you should keep in your own world. Just because you are unhappy with your life doesn't give you the right to interfere with someone else's.

Be wise with the choices you make when you try to bring down others, you could be digging your own grave. You want to disrupt other people's lives when you need to evaluate your life because you are not living right.

You wake up everyday and choose not to thank God.....YOU need to self-reflect

You make someone else's life a priority over yours......YOU need to self-reflect

You are so judgmental and always having something negative to say about someone or something.....YOU need to self-reflect

You carry yourself as if you are better and above everyone else.....YOU need to self-reflect

You are sneaky and have foul motives towards people......YOU need to self-reflect


The same people that you mistreat, will be the same ones that you may need one day. It's in you best interest to keep your misery to yourself. Work on your own soul before you try to tip toe on someone elses and  YOU need to self-reflect!

Are you Afraid of The Truth??

 

Are you tired yet? Are you weary, run down and drained? Are you running from problems and people thinking that they will simply just disappear?

It is time to wake up, the decisions and choices that we make affect those around us. The people who love, care and look up to us. It's time to stop being selfish and think before we act. Ask yourself what is it about my behavior that is affecting other people??

The time is now to get your life in order. We spend countless time trying to please others when it's only God's approval that we are meant to seek. We have put our dreams and goals on hold to make others happy that we have lost sight of our own true happiness.

The things that look so obvious many not always be God's will for you. Allow God to order your steps, He will never put us in a place short of His Will for us. I am having a hard time grasping how many people can walk each day with out God in their lives. If were not focused on God life indeed will be confusing.

The Prideful Heart

We need to learn how to move with God when He blesses us. Without humility, your faith will be very superstitious and pride will come up. Pride will prevent you from following Jesus and God will crush those full of pride and arrogance.

We all carry pride. We allow our tempers to get us in trouble and pride is what keeps us there. A prideful heart is a major burden to carry. When your heart is full of pride we block blessings, we choose not to forgive others so we hurt people. We hold onto hate, anger and animosity to those who hurt us, that our hearts have become so cold and full of pride that we even lose out on love.

We need to deal with our heart motives as God deals with us. The reason why there is no room for God in your heart is because it’s too much of YOU in there. If your lost, stuck and having trouble finding your way than bring yourself to God, not the problem or circumstance….bring YOU. Ask God to change your heart.

Stop being so shallow, what good is the beauty that’s on the outside, if the inside reflects rebellion?? Learn to humble yourself before God before He has to humble you. When God wants your attention, He will do what He needs to do to get it and He doesn’t need your permission.

Carrying a prideful heart is fruitless and not healthy for you or those around you and it will not get you anywhere. Give your heart time to heal and let go of that pride. Allow yourself to grow, evaluate your heart motives……because in order to have true riches, the motive of your heart must be to bless others.

Just some inspiration......

Without forgiveness from us there can be no forgiveness for us. Some of us are holding onto hurt and pain and it's holding you back from moving forward. When you’re in need of healing you are never alone and the Lord wants’ to restore, heal and mend your brokenness. Today is a Day of healing; choose to forgive those that hurt you, than forgive yourself because God's forgiveness is healing....to heal is to learn how to forgive, no healing is complete without forgiveness.




Psalm 103:2-4 (New Living Translation)


2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.
3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.
4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies

"The Power Of Words"

When you speak negatively about your situations you can have what you say and believe. Many underestimate the power of words and what type of impact that they will have on someone. We allow our emotions to get the best of us at times and fail to think before we speak and regret words that we can't take back.

We need to learn how to pick and choose our battles wisely, but most of all humble ourselves and learn how to bridle our tongues. We are so quick to think that we have to have the last word in everything but what some of us fail to realize is that we can have a more powerful affect if we remain in silence.


Let's learn to focus on less talking and more listening in life. Listening is not a sign of weakness, it's a major part in gaining wisdom. At times we tend to get way above ourselves trying to dictate and compromise with God trying to determine what He can and can not handle. We need to stop and humble ourselves because listening to God is way more important than giving Him your ideas.


Words are powerful, but God's Word is full of creative power. Don't allow your words to defeat you because life and death are in the power of your tongue. Remember God created the universe by speaking it into existence, words are very powerful, choose them wisely make sure you think before you speak.

Breaking Deadly Cycles.....

We need to learn how to break deadly cycles in our lives. God does not want us in cycles. We have become so numb to the daily issues, problems and trials that we face that we have gained a slave mentality. We have instilled in our minds that we are waiting for someone else to set us free. We are so focused on the dependency that someone has to help us with our problem. Cycles are deadly and they have no room for growth in our lives. We have become so accustomed to the cycles we have gained comfort zones, we even have cycles on how we worship God.


We need to break the cycle of ignorance. Don't get caught up on meaningless conversations and debate, feed your mind on things that are full of wisdom and knowledge because mental stimulation is key. We have subjected ourselves and our minds to the negativity in this world that we have lost our focus on God who is perfect in His wisdom and timing. We our so self-absorbed that we become burnt out and mentally drained that we have lost all energy and motivation to better ourselves.




We have deadly cycles within our relationships.Some of our greatest hurts are within our families. We allow people to divide us and separate us as a unity, families are breaking up because of selfish people that we have lost the true meaning of what love is. If we can't respect, love and uplift one another what is it that we truly value? We have a God that loves us in spite of our sins, who consistently shows us grace and mercy everyday, but we have come to the decision that God's love is not good enough, because we still tend to beat and degrade each other down. Sin shows us what we don't value. God is a God who values love and respect for one another and if we don't value what God values our lives will never turn around. Believing in God's ways will determine your values, priorities, your will to act right and to carry yourself in a respectable manner.

Just Be Still.....

I am a very deep thinker, so my mind is always in deep thought constantly. I decided to go to a park that over looks a river and I am most certain that God lead me there. So as I am sitting by this big body of water and I stop for a second to watch the quiet still waters flow. I overcome with a calmness and peace within my soul. I hear God say.....Rebecca "Just Be Still" so I decided to write....




Some things in our lives are just not suppose to make sense right now, and instead of trying to figure things out and wrecking our brain to make sense of it all, we sometimes need to just be still and let God work.


When things don't happen the way that we want, there is no reason for you to get down and out about it. Instead you should be praising God because you have no idea what He has kept you from. What many fail to realize is that God is a healer, a lover of all, a comforter and a protector. He doesn't need your permission to intervene! He will do what He has to do to protect His children at all cost! Faster than the eyes can blink without hesitation!


God has planned our lives long time ago with us in mind. Now it's our decision to choose to follow Him and allow Him to use us for that perfect plan. At times we can fall short and can be thrown off track, which will cause a delay is God's plan for us. That's why it is important to stay grounded and rooted in the Word and continue to keep your focus on God.


God will not send us on stony paths without providing us with strong shoes. Stop trying to figure out what God is doing in your life, it's not made for you to figure out. Just continue to count those blessings, continue to be obedient and faithful, full of trust that God is in complete control of every aspect of your life. God will not fail you.....He never has.


Peace of mind is available to you when you give God everything, and when God is in the center of your life you can rest. In your mind full of stress and worry.....Just STOP..open your mind and then your heart and focus on God's promises. Stop trying to figure out God's plan for you and let Him guide you. You can't pray and worry.


Where God has placed you......He has a purpose. Whatever your situation, circumstance or trial.....He has a purpose. It is God that girdeth me with strength.....so where does your strength lie? Listen to what God is trying to tell you and for a moment if you can....take a deep breath......and "Just Be Still"

A Change.....

God has a beautiful way of bringing good vibrations out of broken chords. Today is my 27th birthday and I am blessed for another year to walk graciously on God's beautiful earth. This past year has been full of many hard trials and tribulations, bumps and bruises, heartache and pain.....but I survived. Who I was at 26 will not be who I am at 27. In October 2009, I decided that I was going to make a change. I was very unhappy at how things were going in my life and I chose to seek God for answers. I decided to do a 90-day Daniel Fast to draw closer to God. To Fast is to take you to a whole other level of spirituality, so high that nothing could even touch you. In the midst of my storms I sat in perfect peace, because I knew God was sitting with me.


Everyone wants to change, but change demands desire and discipline before it becomes delightful. I have grown stronger spiritually, physically and emotionally. I feel so free from all of life's burdens that were weighing me down. I definitely can say that my Fast was a "Healing" process. I look at life from a different perspective and I have such a positive outlook on everything. I don't carry bitterness, hate, negativity, anger or regret, but each day I choose to continue to pray....to inspire....to smile.....to love and love unconditionally. I walk each day with out fear, with out doubt, trusting and knowing God is my main focus who will lead me and guide me and continue to direct my steps.


I am happy to say my life is coming together in order with God at His highest priority in it. I am blessed for those who are in my life who continue to have such a postive impact. I am grateful for new friends to share so much and make me laugh. For those who didn't make it into my future, nothing personal, out with old...in with new. A change was needed and old things have washed away. Some people are just scattered pieces of your broken puzzle that just don't fit. I am not afraid of change, because change is good and with that change blessings continue to overflow.


I am growing spiritually and while we are growing we should share what God is teaching us. I am a very loving, caring, passionate person. I help all who reaches out to me and somehow provide comfort the best way I know how. I have a contagious personality and love to laugh, crack jokes and smile. So.....if you want a piece of this positivity I suggest you grab a piece of it and embrace it!


I am Blessed beyond measure....


HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!

Acceptance of Closure Brings Order

Shouts to my girl Ree for this post. She came to me with a open and humbled heart about a situation she was dealing with, As I was listening to her, I was taking mental notes and told her I would dig deep in my soul to write her a blog. As my promise to her, I delivered and she approved. Sending mad love her way! Love you mamas! xoxo ~Becca~


Acceptance of Closure Brings Order


I tend to say, "close one door before you open another...because there is nothing cute about baggage" At times those doors are closed, we just fail to or refuse to accept that they are closed, so afraid of letting go.


We all have suffered from hurt and pain from a loved one, whether it was a family member, friend, spouse or dating relationship. Thoughts come to mind of how someone we loved and trust so much with our whole hearts could betray us in such a way that we become broken. Part of the problems of why we remain broken, is because we don't take the time to heal.


We have become damaged goods, that continue to carry alot of baggage into next situations, relationships and friendships.
But not all baggage is bad baggage and it shouldn't be viewed in a negative way. Sometimes we look at our baggage as if there is no way out.


But for reasons we don't know, our gracious God will put people in our paths to help release some of that baggage. They are placed there to help us grow, to help us become better. The Bible says "Judge Not" so don't be afraid to accept someone’s kindness, because not everyone has foul motives. We tend to push people away because were embarrassed or ashamed of that baggage we carry, but you have to learn to loosen the reigns of that prideful heart or you will continue to be in bondage.


Humble yourselves and open those eyes full of pain and tears. Stop trying to determine what people can and can not handle. Just let go and let it be and trust God in the process. If you stop for a second, you may come to realize that person is right there staring you in the face.


You should never be ashamed of your flaws, someone will love you past your hurt, mistakes and pain because that's unconditional love and at times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person, make sure you embrace that and cherish them.

Stop complaining and start doing!

Twitter has been an awesome tool to connect to some amazing people. I like to introduce a Guest blogger who has been a great inspiration to me. His name is Todd Covington @t0ddalexander is his name on twitter, follow him and take a moment to check out his blog. http://flashinthedays.com/




My inspiration is the fulfilling of nourishing words from my testimony. I have come to the conclusion that through my words I will gain victory from those things that have plagued my right to be heard. I couldn’t speak out loud so I wrote down these words…


Todd Covington grew up in the Northern lights of New Jersey, only to realize the root of it all came from his college experiences at the University of South Carolina. Throughout his time in South Carolina he learned the real meaning of “southern hospitality” His interest in helping those without, led him to find God in 2009. After this “Love Experience” Todd was able to look back at the past and appreciate the lessons, people, places, and things that molded, and shaped him into the man he is today. His writing has touched his life in a way that has resonated to his heart in only the past 7 months!




His writing is genuine and heartfelt. Emotion, spirit, and mistakes paint the portrait of an imperfect man, in a surreal and imperfect world. Perfectly speaking Todd Covington speaks from the dark (heart) to introduce to you a flashlight in the daytime!

Complaining is toxic! 



It hands the power over to the people or circumstances you complain about! Complaining is what we do to avoid facing, dealing with and solving a problem. In essence it is what we do to look like we are helping a situation by adding our two cents!


When you think in diminished thoughts your ability to think of solutions is tainted. The more problem focused you become the more problem oriented you become! The mindset you have is based on negative conditions, and blunts your ability to receive creative ideas from God.


“When you complain your Spirit gets overwhelmed!”


“Positive outcomes don’t grow in negative soil! You cannot complain and create at the same time!


The moment you choose to utter a complaint you have given a verbal command to a negative belief. If no one pays your words attention,. Guess what? You do! You cancel out positive intentions and confessions, seamlessly rendering your powerless to reap the benefits that God has promised you.


In complaints you focus on the past that you cannot change. You are stuck in neutral because you have not allowed yourself from yesterday. You will always play the ‘blame game’ searching for past hurts to use as an excuse to use as to why you complain the way you do!


In your looking back to yesterday you let today’s time slip away! If you don’t realize why people aren’t a part of your life anymore wake up!


Complaining invites other people around you into your toxic environment! Your mate, family, friends, co-workers, your environment gets infected by your disease of flashbacks! You in essence polarize your relationships by turning people negatively and they flee for the positive!


Your tongue has the power of life and death!


Your attitude will be overwhelmed to a place not because of what comes against you, but because of the self-inflicted products of your own complaints.


Be wary of complaints!

Grateful....

Sometimes we need to take a seat back on our fast paced lives and humble ourselves with a grateful heart. First for God's grace and mercy for us and second for the amazing people He has placed in our path on this wonderful Journey called "Life" .


We are emotional creatures and we come to that breaking point in our lives where we have our moments of emotional breakdowns, tantrums, our need to vent, scream, cry, flip out or our unexplainable rambling.


We take so much for granted, when we need to stop and focus on the little things in our lives that make a major impact on us......the love and care of the people around us. Keep supportive people around you, you can't always make it alone, if you fall who will be there to help you up?


For God's grace and mercry......Be Grateful


For the friend who cries instantly when they see you cry and don't have a clue what you are crying for......Be Grateful


For the ones who show us how to love, even when we don't know how......Be Grateful


For those we hurt and push away and in spite of our pain love us anyway......Be Grateful


For the ones we try and hide things from, but can read us like a book......Be Grateful


For the ones who have a "secret" crush on you, who will still hold you while you cry from a broken heart of another....Be Grateful


For the ones who are there for you, when you need them at any given time.....Be Grateful


For those who want to love you....let them love you and.....Be Grateful


For those who are patient and forgiving....Be Grateful


For the ones who won't turn their back on you and walk away when you need them the most....Be Grateful


For those who love you and still are praying for you everyday.....Be Grateful




God has blessed you with an amazing gift. The presence of beautiful people. If some one makes a positive impact in your life and brings you joy....tell them how much you appreciate them. The love and care of people is "Priceless".....never, ever take their love for granted.

Letting Go

This is beautiful. Read it to the end...the message is awesome!!!


By T. D. Jakes


There are people who can walk away from you.


And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you:
let them walk. I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone.


When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left.


The bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19]


People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay.


Let them go.


And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead..
You've got to know when it's dead.


You've got to know when it's over. Let me tell you something.. I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye.. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay.


Let them go!!


If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to......


LET IT GO!!!


If you are holding on to past hurts and pains ........


LET IT GO!!!


If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth.......


LET IT GO!!!


If someone has angered you.


LET IT GO!!!


If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge......


LET IT GO!!!


If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction.... ..


LET IT GO!!!


If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents


LET IT GO!!!


If you have a bad attitude.... ...


LET IT GO!!!


If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better......


LET IT GO!!!


If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him..........


LET IT GO!!!


If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship.....


LET IT GO!!!


If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves......


LET IT GO!!!


If you're feeling depressed and stressed ............


LET IT GO!!!


If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying 'take your hands off of it,' then you need to.......


LET IT GO!!!


'The Battle is the Lord's!'

Open Your Heart....

Some food for thought...


Giving is important. Sacrifice is significant. But loving God and others needs to be the focus of our lives. And when we truly grasp this concept - everything else falls into place.

The Power of Love...

Even though someone chooses not to forgive you, they can't stop you from loving them and praying for them.  The more they try to hurt you and push you away, the more you need to let the power of your love over rule their hurting soul. It's not that they don't want to be forgiving...sometimes they just don't know how. When you carry a lifetime of pain, it can seem like it could take a lifetime to heal.


Never underestimate the power of love, to love and to give love is to gain, and with that gain comes PEACE....comes COMPASSION.....comes POWER.....comes RESPECT. Don't let a person in pain change who you are. In spite of their hurt you love them anyway. They may be broken, but don't allow them to break you. God will heal and mend their brokenness.


A wounded heart takes time to heal....you can't put a band-aid on a wound that requires stitches. When that hurting person looks at you and sees how bitter you are, they see a reflection of themselves. Let the reflection they see, be of peace and love.


Don't stunt their growth, plant that seed of love within them, for we our made for relationships....we can't grow with out each other in our lives. Rich is the person who has a praying friend, let the power of your love for them continuously over flow.


Don't let it consume you, pray for a peace of mind. Forgive them for not forgiving you, than forgive yourself. Forgiveness doesn't make the other person right, It's sets you free.




Humble yourself and love them.....
Humble yourself and pray for them....
Don't let the lack of their love mistreat you...
Don't let their pride defeat you....
And at the end of the day....fall on your knees for them......
With a humbled heart and pray.....

When does the negativity end!?

*Vent*


When does the negativity end!?


I am so tired of the disrespect of people toward one another.....I came across a few things this week that I am not pleased with. Certain situations that were brought to my attention and what i saw this morning, has put me over the top....


I mean has life dealt you such a bad hand, that you can't seem to find one ounce of joy in your life!? You feel the need to degrade others to make yourself look good!? I care not to entertain such non-sense. Negativity and bitterness is a burden that so many people carry for a long time and can't seem to find a way out.....*news flash* How about you start with God!?


Men << Who do you think you are that you think you ride on this high horse to where you have the audacity to fix your lips to degrade a woman with cruel words and kick her down when she is at her lowest. There is nothing man about you! You are just some lost little boy stuck in your childhood memories and pain, using that as a lame excuse to treat people the way that you do. A women should be treated with respect. Yes some women fail to show respect for themselves, but what right is it of yours to determine what "colorful metaphor" that she should be called. Upgrade yourself, your vocabulary and your lack to communicate! Blowing all that hot air out your mouth and no one is listening! You have the nerve to say you are grown <<< What!? Boy<<< Please! #GoSitDown


Women << Who do you think you are, to feel that you are better and above a man. It's a fine line between having class and being straight stuck up. As women we must set high standards for ourselves but be humble! A good strong man is required to be a head of our home, because God holds him accountable to. Just like us, men have issues and that requires a strong woman to hold him down even when he is at his lowest. A lot of these females walk around here with their noses up and have the audacity to call themselves a "Boss" thinking that they don't need a man, but will lay on their backs for one for free <<< Girl Please! #GoSitDown with your foolishness, talking out your mouth side ways and to the left.




Remember: If you entertain foolishness,you become a fool too. Listen to Wisdom,you'll become Wise. ~ Tony Gaskins




Now on to me....Who am I...Well let me tell you in this beautiful fine print...


I am real and raw when I need to be. I carry myself with class. I demand respect and will except nothing less than that. I walk in my deliverance, but I will step out if need be..to tell you about yourself...I show love to everyone. I surround myself around positive people and things. So if you would love for me to shower you with this positivity and love, with all do respect please do and EMBRACE it! I suggest you come into my world and get on this positivity train. If not than the ride for you ends right here my friend.


I am sweet as pie, but please do not take that for a weakness. Please recognize my strength, these shoulders of mine have carried burdens that some could not even bear. I am not a "YES" chick, I will ride for you if you ride for me. When you step to me, please come correct or don't come at all...I don't carry myself as if I am some 2$ dollar hoe and I will not allow you to do the same. Negativity, bitterness are burdens and I will not be consumed......So *Poof*......be gone!




Be beautiful if you can, wise if you want to, but be respected - that is essential. ~Anna Gould


This message is #SassApproved


*Vent Over*






If we lose love and self respect for each other, this is how we finally die. ~ Maya Angelou

Patience is bitter.......but it's fruit is sweet...

We should have patience with all things, but chiefly we should have patience with ourselves. We as a people lack patience. We look to God for immediate answers, quick responses and fast results to our trials and tribulations in our lives and some of us can't even fall on our knees to pray. Know that everything works in God's favor....God's time...and for His purpose. We block so many blessings with our selfish desires, sinful pleasures and our impatient needs to fulfill our empty souls, but yet we are still incomplete.


Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned.....and that is a lesson that we risk to learn the hard way. God's patience is infinite! He is a faithful gardener ready to cut off the things in our lives that don't bear fruit. He knows what we lack, what we need and with whom we should keep in our lives. God is perfect in His wisdom, His ways and His timing. We need to reflect back on the moments of our lives where God's patience, grace and mercy had to intervene in the midst of a storm because we were disobedient.






The lack of patience shows where are main priorities lie....in ourselves


The lack of patience allows us not to think before we speak and regret words that we can't take back.


The lack of patience allows us to lose out on Golden opportunities that God had in store for us.


The lack of patience shows what we truly value...the need not to be dependent on God.


The lack of patience in love allows us to spend countless time with the one that God has not chosen for us.




Learn to be more sensitive to God's presence....be patient and understanding. Life is too short to be vengeful or malicious. Know that the testing of your Faith produces patience. Remember that God's patience is Infinite! God hasn't given up on you. He can still do great things for you, in you, and through you....believe me when I say...Beloved, whatever you are waiting for or believing for, God will not be late. Trust God at His Word...let Him reassure you of His all-sufficient power and love and let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.