Greetings!
I listened to a young preacher do her initial sermon today, and it made me think about the first time I spoke in public. I was a member of Toastmasters, and I was so nervous that you could see my legs shake through my pants. I had a written speech, but I couldn't even see the words. It was a mess, but thankfully I made it through without passing out.
Back then I dreamed of speaking all over the world one day and I still hold onto that dream. I believe through God anything is possible. During those meetings, at times, my spirit would feel so huge, but my flesh still felt so small. I learned to be patient with myself and I learned that it was going to take baby steps...
Speaking in public didn't come easy for me, because I was a background kind of girl. But I believe that God doesn't give you a vision for something without also giving you provision. The problem is the enemy knows who you are too, and he knows what God sees in you because he sees it too and his job is to keep you from it. God gave me a heart that loves to help others and I don't take that lightly, but I also know that He has called me to do more.
Taking baby steps means that progress may be slow, but you are making progress. It means that one day, you will walk boldly into that thing God is calling you to. Never give up. He is faithful to His promises. We serve a powerful, and amazing God. Keep pressing. Keep going. Keep believing. Trust that what He has created you to do...you will do.
Until next time...
Be blessed
Sunday, July 15, 2018
Sunday, July 8, 2018
Family
Greetings!
We had an awesome time at the park yesterday. God blessed us with the perfect day for a cookout. It was great seeing all of the family together again. My parents were big on family traditions and my mother prayed that we would all remain close. It made me realize how blessed we are to have family that cares enough to want to keep our family traditions.
When my father was living, he had Alzheimer's, so we started having cookouts so that he would remember who we were. I'm not sure he knew who we were, but he understood that we were family. And when both my parents passed away, we made a promise to do what we could to stay together and for the most part...we have done that. Do we always get along? No. Do we always agree? No. Do we have differences and still find a way to love one another. Yes. And that's the most important thing...
When God made all of us, He built us so that our gifts and talents would all work together, but He also made us unique. Everyone has a path to follow and my path may be different from yours. God designed it that way for a reason. And sometimes that means we have to agree to disagree so that in whatever we choose to do, God will get all the glory.
God is at the heart of my family...right in that place where my parents used to be. He blesses us individually and collectively. He keeps our family grounded and focused on the whole...not on the part. That is what has kept us together all of these years and with the Lord's help...will keep us together for the generations to come.
Until next time...
Be blessed
We had an awesome time at the park yesterday. God blessed us with the perfect day for a cookout. It was great seeing all of the family together again. My parents were big on family traditions and my mother prayed that we would all remain close. It made me realize how blessed we are to have family that cares enough to want to keep our family traditions.
When my father was living, he had Alzheimer's, so we started having cookouts so that he would remember who we were. I'm not sure he knew who we were, but he understood that we were family. And when both my parents passed away, we made a promise to do what we could to stay together and for the most part...we have done that. Do we always get along? No. Do we always agree? No. Do we have differences and still find a way to love one another. Yes. And that's the most important thing...
When God made all of us, He built us so that our gifts and talents would all work together, but He also made us unique. Everyone has a path to follow and my path may be different from yours. God designed it that way for a reason. And sometimes that means we have to agree to disagree so that in whatever we choose to do, God will get all the glory.
God is at the heart of my family...right in that place where my parents used to be. He blesses us individually and collectively. He keeps our family grounded and focused on the whole...not on the part. That is what has kept us together all of these years and with the Lord's help...will keep us together for the generations to come.
Until next time...
Be blessed
Sunday, July 1, 2018
It is not about our comfort...it's about His glory
Greetings!
Summertime is finally here and things are heating up everywhere...
People are cooking out and partying all night...whether the neighbors like it or not. Folks are coming out in all manner of dress...or undress. It's summer...it's to be expected. I don't know...I think that I am getting a little older and things that used to irritate me, no longer do and the things that didn't irritate me are really irritating me now.
I was pondering these thoughts when I realized that we all fall short. None of us are perfect. I know I'm not and I don't try to be anymore. I did for a long time, but that just made me miserable. Our path is set for us. The Bible says that God knew us before we were even born and He has a plan and purpose for all of us, but sometimes we need someone to point the way. We are not supposed to try to figure it alone. In Ephesians 4, it says the gifts God has given us work together to help build up the body of Christ, but we have to work those gifts. We can't be afraid to speak about God to those who do not know Him.
I watched this video recently of a young preacher who was standing on the street corner preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and all these people began taunting him and getting in his face, shouting obscenities at him and telling him that Jesus loved everybody. This preacher never stopped. It was that important to him. He knew that many in that crowd were lost, and his job that day was to point the way to Jesus Christ ... whether they wanted to hear it or not. I could feel myself getting angry just watching it so I know I could not have done that. That's why God wouldn't use me in that way. He knows what our gifts are and He knows how to get the best out of us.
We have to.remember that we represent God and when others see us...they should really see Him. If God needs to use us to show His love to our neighbor, then we need to step up to the plate. God gets the glory every time we turn the other cheek, give someone some grace, or bless someone unexpectedly. It really is not about our comfort...it's all about His glory.
Until next time...
Be blessed
Summertime is finally here and things are heating up everywhere...
People are cooking out and partying all night...whether the neighbors like it or not. Folks are coming out in all manner of dress...or undress. It's summer...it's to be expected. I don't know...I think that I am getting a little older and things that used to irritate me, no longer do and the things that didn't irritate me are really irritating me now.
I was pondering these thoughts when I realized that we all fall short. None of us are perfect. I know I'm not and I don't try to be anymore. I did for a long time, but that just made me miserable. Our path is set for us. The Bible says that God knew us before we were even born and He has a plan and purpose for all of us, but sometimes we need someone to point the way. We are not supposed to try to figure it alone. In Ephesians 4, it says the gifts God has given us work together to help build up the body of Christ, but we have to work those gifts. We can't be afraid to speak about God to those who do not know Him.
I watched this video recently of a young preacher who was standing on the street corner preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and all these people began taunting him and getting in his face, shouting obscenities at him and telling him that Jesus loved everybody. This preacher never stopped. It was that important to him. He knew that many in that crowd were lost, and his job that day was to point the way to Jesus Christ ... whether they wanted to hear it or not. I could feel myself getting angry just watching it so I know I could not have done that. That's why God wouldn't use me in that way. He knows what our gifts are and He knows how to get the best out of us.
We have to.remember that we represent God and when others see us...they should really see Him. If God needs to use us to show His love to our neighbor, then we need to step up to the plate. God gets the glory every time we turn the other cheek, give someone some grace, or bless someone unexpectedly. It really is not about our comfort...it's all about His glory.
Until next time...
Be blessed
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