The sun illuminated the room as the shades were drawn. There was a brightness to the sunshine that the fluorescent lights couldn’t capture. As she opened the door, the wraparound porch looked so inviting this early in the morning. The sounds of nature, from the humming bird to the woodpecker seemed to invite her to the party of nature’s peace. Decor for the porch included the white wicker table and chair set that was ensconced in the floral pattern of spring flowers. Writing seemed to come natural here. The peace and décor represented just the right space to put pen to paper. After getting centered in the Word and making sure to put God first, the thoughts on gratitude seemed to come flowing forth. Who would not be grateful for all that the Lord had provided this morning? A place of gratitude from which to bless others and glorify the Lord is not always easily forthcoming.
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Month: May 2016
I Write Because…
I write because I love to read. I have been reading books since I can remember and love the stories told or the information given. I didn’t just read fiction. I just loved to read. I enjoyed how authors expressed themselves. I thought I was an introvert when I was younger but as I matured, I realized that I had a lot to say. Although I have not arrived in my writing, and not sure what that really means, it is because I have something to say and I want to encourage others.
I write because I find it easier to express myself. I like to think about what I want to say. Sometimes that is not easy in the moment, however, writing allows me to say what I would like to the way I would like to. Expressing yourself the right way – communicating for understanding – takes practice. While I do accept that others may not agree with me just because they understand, there is a deep satisfaction I get when I say what I need to the way it needs to be said. I write because it empowers me.
I write because when I go back and re-read what I have written it gives me a deeper understanding of myself. Sometimes just saying the first thing that comes to mind is not a good thing. If I am feeling a certain type of way, what I say may be misconstrued. Once words are spoken, you cannot take them back. You can apologize if the words were hurtful and rejoice if they were kind. However, writing allows me to really think about what I want to say and how I want to say it.
I write because in encouraging others, I write words that lift the spirit, dry the tears, motivate or inspire others. This means that I have touched humanity in a way that goes further than the immediate distance or the physical presence. Being able to reach and touch someone for the better in a different state or country is a blessing. Being able to touch someone faraway because you understand them or they understand you is an awesome thing. I find that when I write, and more importantly when I read what others have written, we have more in common than first realized.
I write because I believe it is a gift God gave me to glorify Him. I write because it empowers the spirit within me. When I write about the Lord and spread the Good News this way, I feel like I am in my zone. We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. We can speak to so many more people when we have a venue to write. How would we even be able to share the Gospel if it wasn’t for the written word?
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Mojo Phase
What phase are you going through? I love this one-word prompt because life is about the phases that make us who we are. As I go through my phase of rebuilding and receiving the revelation from God about His plans, I am excited. I look forward to my mojo phase. You know, where everything goes right and flows in the moment. We have all had those phases. They come so we can be prepared for the curve balls, darts or any other object that comes flying at our heads. Laughing out loud because I can see the agreement from many of you out there.
A phase lasts a period of time. Now, we all know that sometimes we want the challenging phases to be brief. God knows better and knows specifically what we need. When the phase becomes increasingly uncomfortable, we begin to wonder. What are we doing wrong? Did karma come back on me? Should I have made a different choice a month ago? Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. The bottom line is that no matter what phase you are going through, trust God. He knows how long we will and can last. Only He knows us so intimately that He numbers the hairs on our head. Have you ever thought about that? I lose hair daily (my current phase) so I can’t image counting to number the hairs. I would have to start over every day. Laughing out loud again. Today I feel excited about this phase. New dreams and new directions.
Mojo phase. When you are feel like you are on top of the rainbow and nothing can go wrong. I recently posted about the challenges me and my adult children were facing and the question was “How long will this phase last?” Well, when the mojo phase comes, we don’t ask that question. We just go with the flow. We’re excited, can’t seem to make a wrong choice at all. Wow! I am so excited about the mojo phase. However, I won’t forget the distance traveled to get to this phase. I believe that is why God allows the challenges, so we won’t forget what He brought us through. In all honesty, the reason why I am writing these posts. Because I believe that God wants to encourage those who are going through. It is a phase. It won’t last forever. Just make sure we get the lesson we need to from the experience.
As I enter this new phase of an empty nest, writing, photography and driving, I believe that God has some awesome things ahead for me to pass along. I would like to encourage those reading this to get excited about the mojo phase. Check out where you are and your understanding of what you need to get from the phase. Even if it is your mojo phase, what does God want you to get from it? Patti Labelle’s song phrases “when you’ve been blessed, pass it on.” The mojo phase is to pass on the blessings. I am excited! Amen and Amen! There is a joy bubbling up inside and I want to share. As believers, we should be excited. Rejoicing and celebrating in what the Lord is doing.
I have to highlight (https://thedaddyblitz.wordpress.com/2016/05/24/pew-shakers/) this article by The Daddy Blitz writer because as I was writing this and looking for something I came across this article. It is right in line with how I’m feeling. We should be excited. That is truly one of the things that calls others to question what we call “Christianity.” We should be an excited people! Excited about what He has done, doing, and is going to do and that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Rejoice and dance before the Lord like David. He loves us. So lastly, I’m excited and rejoicing! How about you?
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Today’s Thoughts_Monday, May 23rd
It has been over a week since my last post. I am still refining and defining my time management. I now have three driving jobs and need to make sure to keep everything in perspective. I miss my blogging community. I have tried to read and respond as much as possible. Although I will probably keep the three driving jobs as my occupation – need to make the money to pay the bills -I still have my focus on writing and photography intact. My relationship with Christ is a given.
As I was working, I saw some pretty amazing images and have included them here for you to enjoy as well. I noticed that as I release my dreams and goals to the Lord, He makes a way and gives me revelation about myself of which I wasn’t aware. For instance, I actually love driving. Probably the only way you can actually work three driving jobs. Another aspect of driving is that I get to see some pretty amazing images. I can’t capture them all but He has been blessing tremendously in this area. One of the goals is to purchase a Canon DSLR for my images. Later, I will be adding the telephoto lenses as soon as I can. There were some distance shots that I would have loved to capture.
I would like to say that in delivery driving, I actually get a good amount of exercise and I needed to add that to my time management. Since exercise is now included without the gym, I am grateful. The focus right now is saving the finances for the apartment to stay consistent in my other goals. Paul inspires me to be content in whatever state I find myself. Finding the right apartment and the right church are at the top of the list now. I appreciate all the support from those of you following Glorious Impact. Though things have been extremely busy, the Lord is working everything out.
I will be posting the book review for “God’s Gonna Make You Laugh” by Noel Jones in June. I hope you all enjoyed the review on “The Confident Woman.” It surely helped me during the challenges that I recently faced. I have a great deal of hope right now. God is building my strength and my hope in Him is not just for the here and now. I recently had an experience that showed me that we will not be complete until Christ returns and we are transformed. He also reminds me that even though we are working on things here, our focus must always ultimately be on eternity. Paul said that if all we have is the here and now, our faith is futile. It is in vain.
I am so glad the Lord is transforming me daily. I am glad that salvation is a free gift and the rest is in His hands. The work that we actually do is because of our faith. That work is believing and obedience. I will work on posting at least three times a week. In the meantime, I lift all my sisters and brother out there in the blogosphere in Christ. Stay focused on what is important, your relationship with Christ and the rest will follow.
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Today’s Thoughts_Sunday, May 15th
Today was a good day. I didn’t have to work and took the time to just relax in going about my day. I did plan to go to church but didn’t. I worked late last night and needed the rest. However, I have been listening to the spirit and understand more about living in the now than ever before. I don’t yet have a permanent address so I am not sure what church I want to start. The goal for the church I attend is a place to go fellowship, worship and hear the Word of the Lord. It’s coming.
After posting about the significance and importance of quiet, I have had some today. I am grateful to God for it. I must say that in the quiet time or in the spirit, I realize that I have changed quite a bit. One of the things that I realize is that I no longer have the desire or need to be codependent. Being a parent of adult children, sometimes we can fall into that trap without really trying.
One thing that I have accepted is that God loves my children more than I ever could. He has a plan and purpose for their lives just like He does mine. And, even when you have good information for them, they may not receive it from you because you are the parent. My adult children are individuals who have the opportunity to figure themselves out as adults just like I did. The great part about being here is the freedom that comes from knowing it is all in God’s hands. There is acceptance that I can still be a good parent by praying for them continually.
Another part of this experience is seeing them grow. I used to fear a lot for my children because of this crazy world. All the negative influences and the seduction of what the world has to offer, the emptiness and shallowness as well as the loss of the soul. Being a believer in Christ, accepting and believing God’s Word, has helped tremendously in this aspect. Reflection on my own parents also helped me realize that they probably had the same concerns. But as I see, my siblings and I grew up and became parents ourselves. There is the peace of God that I am always grateful for and there is a peace that comes from maturing and realizing that you will be just fine. You find strength that you didn’t think you had. You find talents that come from needing to improvise. You find that you can do without so many things that you once thought you would die without.
With all the information I have read about learning to love yourself, especially from the WordPress blogging community, it seems as if there is a place of resolve that I now have to let be God be God in this area and work on my own strengths. No, I don’t focus nearly as much mental energy on my weaknesses. It is part of the process of learning to love myself. Not saying I am ignoring what needs to be improved but taking a different perspective and road for my own development.
Today’s post is really about the Scripture spoken by Paul. That would be to be content in whatever state I which I find myself.
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Silence, A Necessity for the Soul
The cacophony of sounds was overwhelming. The constant whirring of the air conditioner and the microwave vent was very loud and constant but over that she could also hear the X-box game, the TV from the bedroom as well as the conversations of the other people in the confined space. Her appreciation of quiet was never more desired or needed than in this moment of time. Deeply inhaling a breath and releasing it helped her to focus on her breathing. She realized as she took another deep breath that she could at least ward off the irritation that wanted to take control of her emotions and body. The value of silence is now recognized as necessary. She thought about how God felt when He wanted to get her attention and the noise was blocking His whisper. The sounds of the world calling for the attention that was due Him.
The sounds from the television were evaluated. Reality shows that did not feed anything but the frivolous and shallow cares of a world that refused to recognize that the quality of what you feed the mind affects the quality of the results. She seemed to grasp in this thought process that many of the people calling for help in the world today may need to change what they fuel themselves with in order to realize a change. What would she be willing to change? Even though television had lost a great deal of the consumption of her time because of the financial costs, the other options used were still grabbing at the consumption wheel. Netflix and other options of choice were still available. She thought about the purging process of removing the things that were taking away from the intimacy with God. This was a part of that process.
Having the choice to replace television with other options is indeed a good thing for the most part. However, it has been replaced with (X-Box, Playstation) war games and other such choices that still do not contribute to soul’s well-being. The time spent fighting the virtual reality characters and dodging bullets, driving fast cars, manipulating to kill everything and everybody to score points is truly a noise that takes away from the additional work the enemy would have to do. She thought about how being consumed by the games keeps us unaware of the tactics of the enemy at work in the environment around us. How much more time could be spent in prayer or reading the Word of God? Or, just being silent to allow the Holy Spirit to minister to the soul? She thought about how many have been duped out of a deeper relationship with Christ.
Family and friends are very significant and valuable to our lives. However, in the moment of recognition that silence is also a necessary fuel to maintaining strength and sanity, she realized that she would need to make sure to find that time and place to feel the silence; to relish the moment when the only thing she could hear would be her own breathing. She also realized that the intimacy of her relationship with God would grow exponentially if she could practice even her own silence. This epiphany moment of realizing that silence is a necessary food for the soul brought a quiet inside of her that she truly appreciated.
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A Confident Woman_Book Review
Finally, the book review for The Confident Woman by Joyce Meyer. It has been a bit of time since reading the book. However, in dealing with the challenges that I was facing, the book truly helped me to keep my thoughts focused on the Word of God. Not only that, some of the information included was added to my daily spiritual declarations.
The book is broken down into two parts. The first part deals with confidence and includes historical information on the feminist movement. It is very interesting reading and includes contributions women have made to all aspects of life including education, science and politics. Joyce does a great job of breaking down things with simplicity and humor. She expertly applies Biblical principles from the Word of God to define what it means to be a confident woman in Christ. Her testimony is a catalyst from which she gives relative truth.
Continue reading A Confident Woman_Book Review
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Today’s Thoughts…Tuesday, May 10th
Capturing the essence of moments in time to be able to hold on to meaning for this life. Beyond the skies, there is a God who says “I love you more than you will ever know or conceive.” In the grand scheme of things, that is what is necessary to hold onto because that is eternity. The past couple of weeks have been a frenzy. Moving around because of circumstances, it is necessary to say that even in all the different scenarios, God was and is my provider.
What is my comfort zone? Now, it is trusting that wherever God has me, He has me. Over the last several years, I have desired stability in living my situation. That place called home that I can come to every day or night after work and relax. That place to refuel and strengthen myself for the next day. I still desire that. However, God has shown me that His arms are my real home.
Continue reading Today’s Thoughts…Tuesday, May 10th
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Chaos
Sometimes our lives seem to be in a place of straight chaos. The definition being utter confusion. It is “the unpredictable and apparently random behavior.” The definition goes on but I believe this certainly brings the point home. Some of the synonyms include unorganized, haphazard, irregular as well as all over the place.
My chaos seems to be in finding a stable living situation. I have literally lived all over the place here in Las Vegas. Over the span of my life, I have lived on the east coast, the west coast and in the midwest. All that said, I do believe that God will use the chaos of our lives for His purpose and glory. I do not like chaos, especially in my home. I am really good at administrative things because I like being organized. I certainly do not like looking for things in various places. Kind of why the last year has been so frustrating for me. My things have been all over the place. I own whatever part I played in this chaotic state but also understand that some of it was out of my control.
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The Soul
The struggle between the flesh and the spirit is real. The challenge to believe or not to believe is real and strong. The need to be at peace and content in a world that seeks more and more is ever present. No place or amount is good enough because we are never really fulfilled. What does it take to enjoy the day and be happy that you have what you need? Do our wants really define who we are? Do they help us in the long run? The focus on everything going smooth for a long period has some in distress. How long must we struggle to attain the things we need as opposed to the things we want?
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