Thoughts and Reflections of a Beautiful Soul

Quote: Redefining Me.....

2012-01-01T05:12:00.000-05:00

Prosperity arises the dawning of a new day.....cheerlessness and distress left in the shadows of despair. A substance of contentment submerged into flawless evolvement........in my element so pure. An abundance of mere humbleness and gratitude taken with each step.....loving this place.....this space I'm in.....redefining me.... ~Sass~

Quote: Bittersweet Symphony......

2011-12-27T20:16:00.000-05:00

"An a capella melody.....with no script. Exquisite music is the tune of my dreams. A bittersweet symphony is the arrhythmic beats to my soul......A splendid ballad enumerates lyrics to my instrumental..........engulfed in pure vocalism." ~Sass~

Love is........

2011-12-23T13:20:00.000-05:00

Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being "in love" which any of us can convince ourselves we are.

Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two.

Written by British novelist ~ Louis De Bernieres

A Love So Divine.....

2011-08-05T07:00:00.011-04:00

The two of us on a rugged journey have come to restoration, with love being the important factor. The moments of emptiness, sadness and pain without our attachment.......all those broken pieces this divine love has mended.

Our hearts are so free, the two of us giving into love. We've come to a place of contentment, a peaceful love that dwells in our souls. The comfort found in our arms, has reassured hope. As we reach for the sky, we've come closer to our imperfect dream.

We've reached our peak.....a love so divine.....you will always and forever be mine......nothing can ever separate us no matter the distance....no matter the time. Together we will be until the very end of time..... ~Sass~

Photo By: Darius A. Townes

Up-Townes Photography

townesdbe2011.carbonmade.com

"I will wait for you" by Official P4CM Poet JANETTE…IKZ

2011-08-04T08:07:00.000-04:00

Quote: Love Letter.....

2011-07-06T19:06:00.000-04:00

Daydreams of a love that’s soul deep.......so lost in the sweet scent of Lilies as they bloom over a pasture so green. To YOU my dream…..the truth lies in my love, so never doubt it. To YOU my future…..with a heartbeat the same as mine…..I need your faith in me. The power of my love inspires you to conform, never feeling insecure. To YOU my inspiration…..I am embracing the poetic vibes in my soul. A love that yields to the highest degree…..bitter sweet surrender…..a living proof of God’s love changing an untamed heart. Beyond defeated, a war I can no longer fight…allowing love to be my guide. Intimate moments calm the storm of the raging sea, as our two souls turn into one, we overflow with anxiety and expectations….thankful you became my imperfect dream…… ~Sass~

Being a "Good Man" isn't enough! By: Todd Covington

2011-07-05T18:33:00.000-04:00

I always admire growth and maturity, I pray that this post blesses you as it did for me! - Becca

Being a "Good Man" isn't enough!

Written By: Todd Covington

A good man is.....

A good man isn't hard to find! There are good men throughout the community. In churches, schools, homes, jail, and right in front of you.

Question is how many men are willing to become unselfish, righteous (not religious), and live their lives as a model?

I know a good man when I see one because I see myself everyday in the mirror. I have a great voice, beautiful ideas and thoughts to resonate with others, but something is missing from the mirror.

Hidden behind the handsome image, quality conversation and beautiful body language is a man while good, lacks spiritual relationship to heed his own words.

It's one thing when a man knows the truth, but it's another when he knows and ignores it to become the reality of his lies.

As men we need to become the model of what other growing boys need to see. They need a blueprint into what they are to be one day. Women need to see what a real man looks like so she can understand what to expect and look for when she seeks a relationship.

Men lets be very clear. Often we do not realize we are a vision of God that others look to. We have to be able to come forward and admit in our selfishness that we let people down that mean the most to us.

We cheat people out of choices, voices and lie to the person they have come to know and love. They need to know who we are by our consistent life, not the mistakes we lead.

I can admit in selfishness I have let friends, family, and my daughters down. They expected me to do what I said I would, and instead I chose to look out for myself. Men I know it can be hard, but if we hold a spiritual relationship we must believe through faith that God is shaping us into the pillars of strength that will hold up our character.

Gentleman. it's okay that we want people to look at us as men, but we have to act as a real man! They have to see the God in us when we are doing what we are supposed to do. We need to stop knowing who we shouldn't be and start asking God who we should be!

The longer we go without spiritual accountability, the longer we will be permitted to operate in a place of fear and insecurity.

No woman wants an insecure man that she cannot feel safe with, respect or trust. We are losing our title as men because we aren't living up to the "good" we show.

Ladies a good man isn't hard to find! A man who is comfortable with his heart, soul, and who he is, is ready to be a consistent part of your life. Empathy and compassion are what drives his will to want the best for you, first.

In selfishness some men have blinded what they believe into an alternate life of truth, twisted into lies.

We often fear being honest. Gentlemen we have to realize we make mistakes, and they are correctable if we speak up!

Men we can no longer run toward irresponsibility only to fall into a pit of the reality of our ego. If we choose that life we choose a life of failed relationships, blame, insecurity, fear, lost friends, divided family, and not being able to let the people in that God has for our lives.

I want to see men as a model of what real men should be. It starts with you young man. It continues with the men who can repent and ask God what he needs to do.

It starts with honesty, accountability, and the confidence that God has all we need when we keep a consistent growing relationship with him.

Let's be real with the people that we care about! We have a choice to live according to fear, or we can live in reverence to what God has promised and reach Him to reach others.

Women want to see the model of a real man! Gentlemen it takes more than being a good man to make others a consistent part of your life. What do you want them to see when they think about you?

Let us choose righteousness, and not a personal religious battle.

Amen Todd!!! Really proud of you!! - Becca :)

Quote: Therapy......

2011-07-01T11:47:00.000-04:00

Lightning strikes on rainy days.....happiness is not for free. A virtuous Belle nurtures a hurting soul in hiding. Therapy to the lifetime of valueless agony. A love with no limits......hassle free.......never lost.......sweet beautiful release...... ~Sass~

Quote: Faded Memories......

2011-06-30T15:46:00.000-04:00

Faded sweet memories revealed in a deep rooted consciousness.....tender moments that tip-toe on your soul. A contagious laughter and unforgettable smile. A love that needed a helping hand....faded memories never to be forgotten......delayed time would be sweet serenity....new moments to cherish......never letting go.....~Sass~

Quote: Journey.......

2011-06-29T16:16:00.000-04:00

"On a divided journey of tribulation, two jaded hearts convey turmoil........A delightful conviction designs a path......guided footsteps.......a light in darkness. A love that harmonizes rapid waves of the sea......Two souls on fire, longing for sweet peace.....never walking alone.......~Sass~

Quote: Rekindled.......

2011-06-24T15:23:00.000-04:00

"A passionless fury forsakes two hearts distressed. Careless acts of selfishness result in divine emotions taken for granted. Even in the midst of a war, butterflies can flutter by so delicately. A peruse of empathy educates two hearts to fight for the love and not each other. As tears cleanse the discomfort it inclines a forgiveness so sincere....A love that laughs through the pain and cries in the wind.........it harbors a bond deep as the ocean. It's a love that covers a multitude of sins.....It's a love not in vain..... ~Sass~

Quote: Consciousness.........

2011-06-22T11:24:00.000-04:00

"A stimulating force of dominance overrules an emotionless heart.....In the deepest despair is a safe haven through the rain. An echo of adoration demands in a deep-seated consciousness......habitual thoughts progress through my mental agility.......subconsciously......" ~Sass~

Quote: Commitment......

2011-06-21T11:00:00.000-04:00

"When love demands it brings on pain, a real love is an unconditional commitment to an imperfect person; a commitment without a guarantee. It's a love that gives all and expects nothing....." ~Sass~

Quote: Believe.......

2011-06-14T15:54:00.002-04:00

...

"Dreams of anticipation of a love never faltering........words of assurance.....written in stone. Heaven rains down upon a love so personified. A worthy love bestowed.....with two souls hand in hand. A prevailing love, royal as rubies and pearls with a splendid release.....love can be yours if you truly believe....." ~Sass~

Quote: Harmony.....

2011-06-10T12:18:00.001-04:00

"Aspiration of emotion in the midst of a motionless ambiance......a substance of blessedness basks in the luminosity of the sun. Two weary souls embracing the harmony of the wind. The cascade of a waterfall out pours abundance of pure intoxication......baptized in love....." ~Sass~

Quote: Gravity........

2011-06-06T21:52:00.000-04:00

Unfluctuating affection heals and restores undeserving affliction.......companionship paints a picture so serene. Unfailing gravity devitalizes a soul making it powerless, reaching your zenith. A devoted attachment with a taste of Heaven.......this is love.......A love set free ~Sass~

Quote: Inspiration......

2011-05-22T22:18:00.001-04:00

Mesmerizing thoughts embraced this inkling within her soul. A noteworthy inspiration harmonized the poetic remedy as she bares her soul. A sacrificial devotion never waivered to the amount of what her soul is worth. Inspiration is the poetry to her soul.....endlessly bound to you. An undying zeal worth fighting for....as her words pierce through your soul...... ~Sass~

A Peace That Lies Within.....

2011-04-13T08:29:00.000-04:00

Prayer is how we talk to God and spend time with Him in an intimate setting, even someone who is not familiar with the Bible can pray. When a relationship with God is truly nurtured by prayer and constant communication, there is a sense of peace that you receive. There is comfort knowing that someone is listening and cares about you and your situation.

God gives peace to those who are quiet before him. When you cast your cares at the foot of the cross....you can experience peace like never before. It is this desire that will impact growth and maturity. When we have taken the relationship with God to an intimate level it bonds us not only to His presence but also to His strength.

Be at peace with all....you can't change the person all you can do is handle your part through God's Power....you will never regret forgiving someone who doesn't deserve it....

Are You Ready!?

2011-03-21T23:13:00.000-04:00

Sept 11 (NY)

Jan 11th (Haiti)

March 11th (Japan)

Luke 21:10 Then Jesus said to His disciples: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from Heaven. 'Jesus says for behold I come quickly....so ask yourself.....are YOU ready!?

Quote: Purest Element......

2011-03-15T05:11:00.000-04:00

A reflection in the mirror shadows a tender silhouette that is soft as a feather..... and as sweet as honey. Earth discovered a precious gem....a diamond that shines in the darkest of days....a rare find with unspeakable worth....one of life's purest elements. At the slightest touch...be mesmerized by a spell......it will always and forever be.....Heaven's noblest belle. ~Sass~

Quote: Flaws....

2011-03-14T07:00:00.000-04:00

"Never be ashamed of your flaws....someone will love you past your hurt, mistakes and pain. That's unconditional love" ~Sass~

Quote: Dream......

2011-03-13T04:25:00.000-04:00

There is no limit to what your imagination can envision. No matter how steep the climb.........No matter the obstacle. From the strength within YOU......there lies HOPE.........WISDOM......and COURAGE.......Never be afraid to DREAM. ~Sass~

Quote: Flames......

2011-03-12T09:15:00.000-05:00

"As the spark ignites.....incomprehensible chemistry engulfs in Scarlett flames, leaving an irrepressible aroma. As the smoked-filled atmosphere dwindles away touching the heavens.....there lies two souls breathless intertwined tip-toeing on clouds" ~Sass~

Quote: Storms......

2011-03-11T07:00:00.012-05:00

"In the midst of my storms...I sit in perfect peace because God is sitting with me" ~Sass~

Quote: Tears.....

2011-03-10T14:00:00.000-05:00

"In a puddle of tears....shattered dreams fade away in the deepest of night. As a ray of sunlight lay upon your face.....a tremble in your soul awakens. Dandelions flutter by in a summer breeze over an open meadow in a moment of stillness. Overwhelmed with sincere joy....your heart embraces the melody of doves....as they soar across a sapphire sky" ~Sass~

Quote: Raindrops.....

2011-03-08T07:00:00.005-05:00

"In an imperfect storm raindrops can still glisten on a window pane. As the sun rises......a heart overwhelmed with ceaseless serenity eludes in the midst of clouds....entertaining angels"
~Sass~

Quote: Heavenly Surrender......

2011-03-07T19:58:00.000-05:00

"Sweet heavenly surrender of yesterday's sorrows impels the matters of the heart today. A convicted soul intercedes in the deepest despair.........leaving footprints in the sand." ~Sass~

Quote: Limitless.......

2011-03-06T22:18:00.000-05:00

"No valley too deep lies limitless possibilities. A multitude of admiration touches the highest peak beyond what the eyes can see. A burning desire intensifies upon a fire blazed horizon.....in a sky with no limits." ~Sass~

Quote: Reflections Of A Soul.....

2011-03-05T00:02:00.000-05:00

"Immense thoughts......immeasurable reflections as the intensity arises.......deep endless obstacles......the devotion within. Boundless sweet whispers flow through my spirit shared consciousness" ~Sass~

Quote: In A Deep Thought......

2011-02-28T19:12:00.002-05:00

"Soft as the wind blows.....gentle as the sea flows....the magnitude of my soul speaks volumes" ~ Sass~

Love Embraced the Pain Deep Within My Soul..

2011-02-06T15:25:00.000-05:00

Love is Patient..Love is unselfish....it's not Boastful, nor is it proud....

This love is not a product of human thoughts or emotions. This love is unique.....it's a divine gift. It's freely described as a selfless kind of love that involves giving without expecting anything in return.

A Sacrificial love that is not based on a feeling but determined by act of will. A love that loves as God loves. A love that has the power to consume. It's the highest and purest form of love.

The essence of this love is self-sacrifice.....a love that is pure. A love that is peaceful in the midst of storms....it's not in vain....it's never lacking.

This soul may have been confused about a lot of things in life....but loving this love wasn't one of them.....

This soul was able to experience the devastation felt when life was pictured without this love....

This soul was able to love this love who was incapable of giving and receiving love.....

This souls eyes were windows to your soul......seeing right through you......

This soul was in need of encouragement and refuge....a place to hide and heal......

This souls reflection of love can be a shelter from any storm.....

As this soul grows...it knows that things will get better in time.......

This soul is filled with love......never walking alone....

As this soul embraces the peace that lies within...she is basking in the agape love that has overcome her soul....she is preparing and purifying herself for her king to come.....

To YOU my lost love........I Thank You.....

I humbly bow out.......

In A Growth Process....

2011-01-29T07:11:00.002-05:00

A person can have a positive outlook on life, but going to church does not make them grow. There has to be a need or a desire within a person to want to grow stronger in the Lord, and this occurs when you want to build a stronger relationship with God. Simply put.....this is Maturity.

Healing is so important......there are wounds from childhood that we carry into adulthood, that allows us to suffer from personal insecurities.

There are some things in us that we must be honest about. Why are we fighting?........What are we so afraid of losing?........Truth is were not even in control. We've become so selfish that we have allowed our sinful situations to be passed onto others. What we fail to realize.....in the midst of all this, God comforts us in the sin and helps us to see who we really are.

As messed up as we are, God can use us to help with someone else....

Yes we mess up.........but we learn....

From the mistakes...........were able to teach others....

From the pain........we are able to uplift, provide comfort and inspire..........

Yes we hurt...........but in time we heal......

If your not doing what God wants you to do, YOU are blinded. God does not want to beat us to hear His Word. Ungodliness is a waste.......God wants us to be clean and pure for His Will, so what does God have to do to move YOU?

We are still learning and maturing in some areas......it's a process, but never be ashamed for mistakes made during growth.~ Sass~

Are You Glorifying God?

2011-01-27T11:06:00.007-05:00

Are You Glorifying God?

When we say that we are glorifying God, we are truly saying that all praises and honor belongs to Him. Our thoughts, our words, and our actions are examples that tell others who God is to us.

We bring God glory by the way in which we live our lives, which should be according to His standards. When we live life this way, it is an example of how the impossible is possible. It shows others who do not know Him, exactly what is possible when living for Him.

Those things that they could not imagine conquering or controlling, those lonely and desolate times, unbearable pain and suffering that they experience, all these things should look differently in the life of a person who knows God. Your response is different, your attitude is different, your demeanor is different, your character is different, YOU are different.

God gets His glory when others see Him take impossible obstacles that you perceive to be impossible and turn them to your advantage. On;y the Creator of all things can do this, and we glorify Him with how we live our life.

In short, God gets the recognition for your life, not you. It is the God that is in us that allows us to walk in true divine spirit. It is God that speaks to us and gives the courage, strength, wisdom and knowledge to be used for His will and to fulfill His purpose. We don't just owe Him the glory, we owe Him our life.

The Harden Heart

2011-01-12T13:30:00.046-05:00

The Harden Heart

When you harden your heart, you are unable to receive the spiritual fruit that you are in need of to grow. You have blocked out and shut down anything that even comes close to your heart, that you miss out on the things that are beyond important in life.

When our hearts are harden we lose spiritual sensitivity of God, and when He speaks to us we can not focus on what He has to say. We become spiritually blind and deaf, so we can't perceive it.....we can't hear it......we can't see it.....

If we respect God.....we must respect people. Relationships and friendships filled with love break up because the hardness of the heart and no relationship will work until that personal relationship with God has been repaired.

The heart that you have will be the same unless the heart changes. The heart that needs to be of flesh.....will be of stone. The heart that needs to be filled with warmth.....will be ice cold.

A heart that is not right can not reach others nor God and He can't move in a hard heart. When there is difficulty with an internal heart......the external reflection is dim and dark and it does not glow.

A harden heart that is desperately wicked can only be cured ultimately by the grace of God. We must allow God to do the spiritual surgery that is needed, to take out the stone and add some flesh.

If you keep doing the same things that you did last year.....nothing will change for YOU this year.

Man Up

2010-12-31T14:56:00.000-05:00

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

2010-12-16T20:02:00.000-05:00

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........

2010-11-18T00:07:00.000-05:00

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

2010-11-16T22:26:00.000-05:00

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......

2010-09-15T22:17:00.000-04:00

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.....

2010-09-05T23:29:00.000-04:00

"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.....

2010-09-01T19:35:00.000-04:00

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......

2010-08-23T23:50:00.001-04:00

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......

2010-08-21T03:38:00.000-04:00

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....

2010-08-13T19:19:00.000-04:00

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)

2010-07-25T02:43:00.001-04:00

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

2010-07-15T18:01:00.001-04:00

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

2010-07-13T17:40:00.001-04:00

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

2010-06-28T22:26:00.008-04:00

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??

2010-06-16T06:52:00.008-04:00

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

2010-06-01T10:34:00.007-04:00

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......

2010-05-07T11:34:00.006-04:00

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"

2010-05-02T20:45:00.012-04:00

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.....

2010-04-07T21:24:00.014-04:00

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.....

2010-03-30T09:11:00.008-04:00

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.....

2010-03-24T00:41:00.006-04:00

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

2010-03-18T08:56:00.009-04:00

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!

2010-03-15T09:23:00.014-04:00

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....

2010-03-12T08:38:00.008-05:00

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

2010-03-11T08:20:00.007-05:00

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....

2010-03-09T08:54:00.006-05:00

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...

2010-03-09T08:34:00.012-05:00

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!?

2010-03-06T07:30:00.013-05:00

*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...

2010-03-05T02:39:00.010-05:00

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.

Love who you are.....-

2010-03-04T08:44:00.007-05:00

"You have to learn love yourself, for if you don't, how can you expect anybody else to love you? Don't be in doubt...Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do. You are who you are so why compare yourself with others? No one in the entire world can do a better job of being you than you. God loves you and He looks beyond your imperfections and you should too!" You must love yourself before you love another; by accepting yourself and fully being what you are....your simple presence can make others happy" ~ Sass~

Reflection

2010-03-02T14:02:00.003-05:00

"Loving yourself is not the beauty you see in the mirror.....that's just the surface...Look deeper....Look at your soul...Just because you are beautiful on the outside, doesn't mean you can't be ugly on the inside...sit back and reflect make sure they match" ~Sass~

A thought to reflect...

2010-02-27T15:26:00.006-05:00

"You can love someone....but what does that love really mean if your not connected at the soul?" ~Sass~

A Love that's Soul Deep......

2010-02-27T03:04:00.017-05:00

"Soul Meets Soul on Lover's Lips"

My soul yearns for you, but yet my heart is heavy, the feeling of emptiness is bitter sweet.....I long for your touch....at the connections of our souls, we share tears. Your mere presence would make my body quiver....my heart flutter...you'll become the air I breathe....you'll become the love I need. Heart races....breathing is heavy and deep....a kiss from ya lips would make my body weak.

As I look into your eyes and see the hurt, I want to embrace you...hold you....love you past your pain. Us together will never be a loss it will always be a gain. Two souls intertwined with an unbreakable bond, we can take this love that's soul deep...far and beyond.

Step by step...breath by breath...we take on this journey called love. I pray for you....I pray for me....I pray for us as a whole, hoping one day will be.

This is what I feel....could this love be real?? I love him down to the depths of my soul...but where is his love?.....it still feels cold. Anxious for the day we meet, but slowly dying inside....because my soul is still incomplete. *sighs*

~The pain passes....The beauty remains~

Originally written 11/28/09 5:34 am

Quotes to feed your Soul.....

2010-02-14T02:18:00.019-05:00

"It isn't the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out, it's the pebble in your shoe." - Muhammad Ali

Lord, I'm going to hold steady on to You and You've got to see me through. ~ Harriet Tubman

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

The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life. ~ Muhammad Ali

Character, not circumstances, makes the man. ~ Booker T. Washington

The soul that is within me no man can degrade. ~ Frederick Douglass

It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. ~ Frederick Douglass

"I shall allow no man to belittle my soul by making me hate him." -Booker T. Washington

"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear." Martin Luther King, Jr

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

Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it. ~Colin Powell

Stumbling is not falling. ~ Malcolm X

There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time. ~ Malcolm X

If you stop struggling, then you stop life. ~ Huey Newton

Failure is impossible. ~ Susan B. Anthony

I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand. ~ Susan B. Anthony

Independence is happiness. ~ Susan B. Anthony

No man is good enough to govern any woman without her consent. ~ Susan B. Anthony

Writing is the only thing that, when I do it, I don't feel I should be doing something else. ~Gloria Steinem

Beauty of whatever kind, in its supreme development, invariably excites the sensitive soul to tears. ~ Edgar Allan Poe

We must believe that it is the darkest before the dawn of a beautiful new world. We will see it when we believe it. ~ Saul Alinsky

We can tell our values by looking at our checkbook stubs. ~ Gloria Steinem

If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all. ~ Noam Chomsky

Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby. ~ Langston Hughes

Hold fast to your dreams, for without them life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly. ~ Langston Hughes

When peoples care for you and cry for you, they can straighten out your soul.~
Langston Hughes

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.~
T. S. Eliot

Habit is a cable; we weave a thread of it each day, and at last we cannot break it.~
Horace Mann

It is well to think well; it is divine to act well. ~ Horace Mann

Let us not be content to wait and see what will happen, but give us the determination to make the right things happen. ~ Horace Mann

One of the reasons people stop learning is that they become less and less willing to risk failure. ~ John W. Gardner

Our problem is not to find better values but to be faithful to those we profess.
John W. Gardner

"People don't change when we tell them they should. They change when they tell themselves they must."--- Michael Mandelbaum

Forgiveness....

2010-02-09T08:38:00.012-05:00

I chose to find God. And I experienced freedom like I never knew before. Spoken forgiveness, no matter how heartfelt, works best when we do not demand the response we want. Forgiveness brings freedom - freedom from being controlled by the past, freedom from the emotional ties to the offender. Forgiveness doesn't make the other person right, it makes you free. Forgiveness is the only way to break the cycle of blame and pain in a relationship. So choose to forgive someone today and release that burden. Love is an act of endless forgiveness. God forgave us with out any merit on our part, therefore we must forgive others.

Love, Life & Relationships

2010-02-04T10:53:00.009-05:00

In relationships we tend to choose who we want and fail to consult God first, than we wonder why it doesn't work, God created you to be in healthy relationships, but He didn’t create you to be alone, that’s why it is important to find someone that you spiritually connect to, because God doesn’t want you out there by yourself. We should never put a man or woman on a pedestal where God should be, that will lead to nothing but failure and a broken heart. What most people fail to realize is that God is a jealous God and He should always be at the highest priority in your life and relationships. Any choice that you choose to make, that is not Gods choice for you is a poor choice. Love should never be rushed...true love awaits those who have patient souls and if God joins two souls together, He will never let that love perish.

Every person comes in your life for a purpose, but it may not be for you, it may be for them, that is why it is necessary to evaluate all your relationships. Evaluate who you are dating, family members and friends. It’s best to surround yourself around positive people and things. If you are having difficulty loving or relating to an individual, take him to God. Bother the Lord with this person. Don't you be bothered with them and leave them at the throne. It’s only so much you can say to or do for a person, but you can’t change them, God only has that power. Never under estimate the power of prayer; it has the power to move mountains, therefore be humble and faithful in your prayers, with a sincere heart and pray for that person.

One thing I learned in my walk was that if they are not receptive to what God is giving you to say to them, then don't keep forcing it. You have to love them enough to let God deal with them how he wants, even though it can be painful to watch. God can use you to speak into their life, but if they are not ready to receive it, it won't matter. If they are not ready to listen to God about it, they certainly shouldn't be listening to you. I feel that people should take certain steps to heal, before you try to get deep with someone. You have to learn to love yourself enough to know who you should keep in your life and stop making excuses for people.

The Power of Prayer gives us Strength to Heal

2009-11-01T16:16:00.015-05:00

My name is Becca, I am a 26 year old single parent, I became a mother at a very young age, so I had to grow up fast.I come to you today to share some inspiration and some of my story with you.I hope that youcan take something from it.

I learned things the hard way in life trying to do my own thing, Pride stood in the way of so many blessings for me. But when God wants your attention, he will do what he has to do to get it. He broke me down literally to my knees, to where I could not depend on no one but Him and for that I am forever grateful. All my past hurts, pains,experiences have helped me to be forgiving and show love and compassion with a heart that used to have concrete walls built around it. All my trials and tribulations, I look at them as a lesson and how can I apply it to my life for the better. Everyday is a struggle but I seek God for strength to make it through. I have hurt people and people have hurt me. But I serve a forgiving God.

We sometimes look at the material things in life and we forget how really blessed we are, we tend to judge others so quickly that we fail to stop and listen to their story. When you give them a chance, you come to realize that you have walked similar footsteps and have shared some of the same experiences. We all are not perfect,we are all a work in progress. Whatever you are going through God knows all about it. Look to Him for healing and Guidance.

My Life Verse: Isaiah 40:31"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary,they shall walk and not be faint.

Life Song- "He Kept Me" - Kurt Carr

Healing starts with prayer, please embrace these words from my heart.

The Power of Prayer gives us Strength to Heal

Prayer: It does not judge, it’s where you can come to God in your darkest hours, humbling yourself with open arms. It’s where forgiveness is sought, it’s where the pains, the hurts, the sins are revealed and much needed answers are received. Prayer is a cry out for help in the midst of life’s storms. It’s where you can be alone, one on one with God. Feeling his presence…...feeling his warm embrace. He hears your every call……he is listening….He knows the desires of your heart.

Prayer: It’s where trust is built, it gentles your spirit. It’s where tears can trickle down your face, for it is a good cleansing and will give you peace in your soul. God has no set time for your prayers. You can call on him in the early morning…..You can call on him in the midnight hours. When in prayer, God looks beyond our imperfections, when in prayer he gives you strength to have a heart that forgives. God is the Ultimate Comforter. Prayer is when you talk to God; meditation is when you listen to God.

In Life we all have to endure hurt and pain, for that is what defines who we are. We tend to hold onto those past hurt and pains….oh what a burden that is to carry. It’s those burdens that cause bitterness….hate….anger…sleepless nights. It causes a heart to become heartless, a heart that is so cold, that it’s afraid to love and except love in return.

Well today is a day of healing….
Release those burdens today….for they are not yours to carry…
Hug someone today….because they need it….
Forgive someone today….set yourself free….
Cry today…it’s ok….let those tears fall…..
If someone loves you…..let them love you….
For those who hurt you….forgive them….then forgive yourself….
If you doubt Jesus cares….remember his tears…

Today is a New day…..yesterday is far gone….focus on today…Embrace Life’s little moments. Remember you are blessed…to be a blessing to others…Ask God how he can use you.

I leave you with this quote:

“It matters not if the world has heard or approves or understands, the only applause we are meant to seek is that of the nail-scarred hands. *Amen*

God Bless!

*Becca*
*EpitomeOfSass*