Ready, Set, 2010 here we come!

Ladies, are you ready? I know I am. And the thing about it is that I am not ready for something EXTRAORDINARILY great (even though I know that is in store for 2010) but I am ready to experience something new. 2009 was a year of rollover. You know rollover from cellular phone usage? When you haven’t used up minutes from one month they rollover and attach to the minutes you receive for the upcoming month. Well, for me, 2009 was a rollover for 2010 and it just wasn’t the best rollover. Experienced things that one should never have to experience. But goodness, if I am not excited about experiencing something New for the New year.

Let’s get ready—to experience something new. Let’s get set—in a direction ordained and anointed by the Holy One. 2010, here we come!

Peace and Blessings!

Forgiveness

Ok, so I have been hooked on Kevin LeVar's song, "A Heart that Forgives." It convicts my hard heart EVERY time I listen to it. Even though the video is powerful, I don't even need to watch it; the words are enough.

I was listening to it this morning and I had a picture of someone's face in my mind. When I thought of the hurt that this person caused me, I just cried because I don't want to let go of the sin that she did against me. My anger IS righteous. I have been disguising my unforgiveness of her as "caution." I'm saying I'm just being cautious but truthfully, it's unforgiveness. But Scripture says, "For if you forgive [people] when the sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive [people] men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins" (Matthew 6:14,15).

At the end of his song, he says over again, "Lord you can have it...cause I don't want it no more."  Unforgiveness is real. It can keep you locked into a hell that is unimaginable. It can keep you broken when healing is your desire. It can keep you imprisoned in a vicious cycle of pain and hatred when freedom is your true choice. Jesus has the key...but we have to be willing to let him unlock us from unforgiveness.

Blessings!

Love and Sports-Part 1

Recently I had a conversation about Love. What is real love? Who is capable of Love? What does Love involve?

While watching the Sunday football games, I thought, Love and Sports are the same. Both require skill and discipline but being good at both comes from the heart. There has to be an inner burning to push you to try harder, be better, get stronger. So maybe Love and Basketball...Love and Football...Love and Tennis...Love and Sports go together.

Attitude is Everything

Attitude is Everything
You know, I have really been acting in such a way that is so not ok.. Angry, complaining, resentful…just plain mad. I have been taking it out on my family whom I know love me to pieces (even though sometimes they don’t always show it ;-) ). I have been taking it out on myself like I really have sole responsibility for some of the situations I am in currently. I have even allowed my attitude to trickle over onto those whom I care for by not being completely emotional available to them. I told myself this morning, just stop it. Even if the feelings and emotions are legitimate and valid, even if they are real, this is no excuse or reason to have an ugly attitude.
This truly is the day the Lord has made. The joy of the Lord really should be my strength. Allowing my circumstances to take over my attitude is just a cop out for truly allowing myself to live free. There will be no one missing out on my freedom but me…and maybe my children. Attitude really is everything. The Bible says, “A joyful heart is good medicine but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” I work in a hospital and the it is not just a scripture but truthfully scientifically proven that patients with good attitudes heal faster and better than those who are depressed and anxious about their illness or injury.
Don’t be scared to be happy. Don’t be afraid to have a positive attitude. It may feel weird to have a positive outlook on your negative situation but attitude is everything. How you perceive your situation either helps or hinders the outcome. Dare to believe in the best in a thing. Dare to be joyful in your spirit…regardless.
Take the walk with me to have a great attitude.


Blessings!

Toot Your Own Horn

Toot toot! Hey, Beep Beep! Sound of a familiar song but today I would like to signal something else for you...Toot your own horn.

This morning, after I had gotten myself dressed and ready to start my day of work, I looked in the mirror and was like, "You are too cute, girl!" I mean really. I texted my girl friend and was like, "I look too cute." And I started laughing about it. I mean, I made my ownself feel great. Then this was a cue to me to share with the rest of the ladies out there.

Like King David, we must encourage ourselves sometimes in the Lord. We must tell ourselves that we are awesome and wonderful. We were carefully made in the image and presence of the Lord. It is not about being conceited or not humble but it is merely lifting our own spirits when they may have been knocked down by someone or some circumstance.

Girl, toot your own horn. Blow your own whistle at how amazing and FABULOUS of a Gem you really are.

Blessings!!

Believe

Allow yourself to believe in the impossible. I know it may take all the energy inside of you, it may take all the time in the world, but if you TRULY believe in something and that it is yours...then believe. Believe that it will happen, it will come to you, it will be good.

And while you are waiting for the impossible and the difficult to happen...enjoy the life that it is in your hands now. Prepare yourself for whatever it is you are believing for. So when it happens, when you get it, you'll handle it with care.

Believe.

In a Few Years

I was thinking this morning about all the junky things in my life at present. I began to feel so discouraged and downright sad. But then the thought came to my mind...in a few years, all this sadness and pain will be gone. I even reduced the time as I thought more and more of the great things in store for me. I thought, "No, in a few months, good things will come to me." At that moment, I began to feel better. Do I know what is going to come to me that is good? Not really. I mean, I can make something good come to me. I can go buy something I really want. I can make a new friend. But what I am expecting good to come to me is a little less superficial. I am expecting some life changing good thing to come to me. Something deeper to touch my soul.

As Fall is here and the holidays are approaching...expect something good to come to you that will be for a lifetime.

Be Fabulous to the Gem that is You!!

Morning Cup of Joe

Ok, so I am having one of those mornings where I had to pull myself out of bed. It was just that the emotions I was feeling (loneliness, sadness, abandonment) were just weighing heavy on me. Have you ever had one of those moments? Did you this morning? Well, I did and I have been quite often. But then I think about how my life is so much more than just the moment I am living at the present. My life is filled with a story that is to be embraced by me and others. My life is filled with promises that have yet to be fulfilled but sure enough will me. That's the hope of glory. It is not just getting to Heaven, but it is also experiencing heaven on earth.

Love to you!!

A simple word...

I am walking through this life with faith. Faith in knowing that, since I am a daughter of God, my life is great. Even in the tough times, the painful times, the confusing times, my life is great.

It's about perspective. It is as simple as that...trust and belief that the God of the universe is in control of EVERY situation and the chidren of God WIN!!!!

Be blessed.

God is greater

Believe it or not--God is greater. God is greater than the recession. God is greater than poverty. God is greater than sickness and disease. God is greater than marital strife. God is greater than attitudinal and wayward children. God is greater than everything. So with this knowledge, go to God when you are having any sort of problem. God is going to listen to you and move to work it all out for your good. I've seen it happen in my own life and in the lives of others. God is greater. God is all powerful. Trust in that as you are waiting for your breakthrough, miracle, deliverance.

Being Fabulous

What is being fabulous? Being fabulous is being the YOU that you were created to be. It is not about putting on a persona of someone else; it is about fully being just the way you are with no apologies. Now this is not permission to be a rude disrespectful woman (those kind make me want to vomit). It is simply allowing the world to see the fullness of your personality as it is without apologizing for it. It is about walking confidently in the goods and bads of who you are. That is fabulous. Being excellent. Excelling the rest of the best. Shining. Being exuberant. Being vibrantly YOU. I struggle with being fabulously me. I get shaken in my fabulosity (as Kimora Lee would say) when I am rejected. But make no mistake about your identity. It is wrapped up in a loving Creator who knew you when. You think your family knew you when. No! GOD knew you when. In fact, God created you. So be Fabulous. The fabulous YOU.

Trust God

I am going to trust God to answer the big prayers I have. It will be hard because I am so used to wanting what I want right here and now. And when I want what I want, I will attempt to get it myself. But this time, I am going to follow the Word of God and let God establish what the Word says. In the depths of my soul, I believe that God is real. I believe that God is in charge of the entire universe. And, I believe God is with me and has my back. So I am going to make my requests known to God according to the Word and watch my requests be established.

I know I will get discouraged but I am going to believe that God is still working on my behalf. God said that he hears the prayers of the righteous and if we have faith, we will receive...as long as they are according to the will of God.

"So Lord, give me a clean heart and a right spirit so that I may know what is the good and perfect will of you."

Find your Place of Worship

Each day has its set of worries and struggles. Each day has its own set of demands for your time, attention, and energy. Sometimes you lose your rational thinking and just blow up and go off. But what do you do if you don’t want to do that? You go and find your own special place to worship. Worship in spirit and truth. There you will connect with the Divine and find rest…rest for your soul.

So many times we want a human touch or a human voice or a human ear and so many times we are disappointed. Human beings are fallible. They are limited. Only God can truly supply all your needs. Only God can shelter you in the time of storm. Only God can comfort you when you need to be comforted. This is where you need to live. This is where you need to go to…the shelter of God. Pour out your fears, pour out your sorrows. This is where the Lord is and is waiting to take care of you and all that concerns you.

Find your place of worship. Find that place where you can meet God and transcend to another dimension of hope and glory. It is in this place where you can be completely honest and completely yourself. You can release to the Almighty God the weights you are carrying. God loves to meet with you. God wants to meet with you…in your special place. Find a place in your space to meet God every day. It will make all the difference in the world.

Trust God with the Details

There are some prayers that I have been praying for a long time. There are some prayers that I am praying right now. And as I'm saying, "It doesn't look like my prayers are being answered" I instantly heard the Spirit say, "Trust God with the details." That is a scary thought. I always feel like since God gave me a functioning brain I should be able to figure out my own dilema. But truth is, my wisdom will always get it wrong. God is the best one to figure out the details of how to get a particular and specific outcome. It is scary but it is best. Trust God with the details of your life. Trust God with the how and the when. It is only then can the best outcome happen.

Start the Day off Right

Ok, so I am like, I need to start my week off right. I need to clear my head and be positive. So I did. I got off my head the things that were weighing me down. I started my day off right. I took care of myself this morning...first. I let everyone sleep until I was together. I did the things that were important to me...like clean my kitchen.

And...I am going to make sure I de-clutter this evening. Can't get distracted. Key is to know what will distract me and avoid it at all costs.

I just thought of something. What would it really take to surrender completely to God? If the price was right, would we? I keep coming back to the same answer when I ask questions of how to get something. How do I get over this? How do I get this? How do I get into that? You get the idea. Well, the answer is always the same...God. Go to God. God is the answer. If you're upset, go to God and vent. If you're confused, go to God. God will make it clear. If you're in need of fulfillment, go to God and trust, you will be filled. The Word of God is clear on the principle of receiving what we need when we go to God. Search the Word. Pray to God.

But remember what I asked at the beginning. This is the hard part in my opinion. I know some feel that believing that God has all the answers but I beg to differ. Even the unbeliever is aware of the power God possesses. But it is in surrendering of ourselves and our wills to go to God and trust that the answers and the help we receive will work.

Lay aside every weight...so hard but it is so necessary in order to run this race and succeed.

God is in Control and Cares about me

I have been angry with God. I have wanted God to answer specific prayers I have had but the prayers have not been answered. I can not for the life of me wonder why not. I would ask, What is bad with me that God will not answer my prayers? But at the end of the day, God is in control. God is Sovereign. And God is good. And I have to trust that. I have to trust that. It is hard and difficult to trust that. But I have to. Something in me is gently telling me that I have to trust that God is specifically invested in me and my life and is working things out for my good.

I can't see it but I know it's true. Something deep inside knows that God is real and is inherently concerned with the affairs of my life. God does not like pain. God does not like seeing those who believe in pain. That is a deeply rooted belief in Divinity. God is good and loves all things good. Because there is evil in the world there will be things that are not good, but at the end of the day, GOD--IS--GOOD.

I just told myself that I have to pull myself out of the world and the doubts the world has and believe in the Sovereignty and the goodness of God our creator. Believe that my friends. The pain and suffering of the world has been overcome by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That is a deep theology to believe in but it is true any how. It is not about being able to float around town but it is about not being consumed with fear or doubt or worry. It is about living free from the suffering of the world. There will be pain but there does not have to be suffering of the soul. Hearts will break but there will be no suffering. (Lord have mercy)

There will be strength to stand up against every evil and wicked thing that comes your way. There will be strength to proclaim the good things that God has promised all who believe. Yes, my friends, it takes strength to believe that your tears will be smiles of joy. It takes strength to believe that life will be better. It takes stength to live the best life God has for us. It takes strength for that my friends.

But know that God is good. God sees exactly what you are dealing with. A chapter in my book is titled "God Knows". God knows what you are feeling. God knows what you are struggling with and is not far from helping. Not far at all. It is just a matter of time. But we (I) must be careful to let God be God and be in control. God has a greater plan with all the drama going on. God's plan is greater than anything we can ever come up with. Remember, God does honor the Holy Scripture. What is in there is true, so trust that. Everything good will be established. Trust that. Trust God. Amen.

Trust God with the Outcome

My Godmother told me what she has been saying these days, "Trust God with the outcome." Trust God with the outcome. What does that really mean?

Never alone

God is the greatest. My heart is filled with joy in knowing that I will never be alone. I may feel lonely at times but I will never be alone. The Spirit of God will always be with me. No matter what I do...God will be with me. Comforting me, encouraging me, lifting my head. There is no greater friend ever. There is no greater lover. Period. The End.

So why don't we allow ourselves to live fully in this knowledge? Why do we allow ourselves to believe the lies we hear that God is not fully present with us? Why are we doubtful when the Word of God tells us that God will never leave us nor forsake us? Why do we retreat into our flesh and act out our insecurities in the most demeaning of ways? Truly there has to be a way to keep us believing that God is with us.

There has to be a way.

Finding My Way

I am finding my way. I am walking through my days in a daze. But it's okay because I'm finding my way.

Finding my way to the real that is me.
Finding my way to the truth that is me.
Finding my way to the wholeness of me.
Finding my way through the day.

I am finding my way. I am falling over and over again. But it's okay because I'm finding my way.

Finding my way to the joy of real love.
Finding my way to the long lasting hope that is above.
Finding my way to the strength of security.
Finding my way through the day.

I am finding my way. Leave me alone. I am finding my way. Let me be. I am finding my way. Go away. I am finding my way.

Finding my way through each and every day.

Love YOU

I was thinking yesterday about my own opinion of myself. There is always someone else who is thinking who you should be or how you should act but do we really ever take the time to think about what WE think about ourselves. I realize that I really do like myself. I may not be all that I want to be or all that I know I can be but I do know that I like who the Master created.

I have been said to be too sensitive. Well, I am. But I'm hard too. I have been said to be too bossy. Well, I am. But I'm a pushover too. I have been said to be too dramatic. Well, I am. But I am calm too. And the list goes on and on.

But the thing is, I am me and I am good to humankind. The good and the bad that make up me, make this world all that more interesting because I bring color to the dull and boring of life. I bring a sense of newness to the old and worn out.

When you are being critiqued (or even criticized), don't let it get you down. Don't let it make you second guess yourself. Just roll with the punches and keep it moving. You are the only one who has to live with you. So love you.

Connectedness

Call me whatever you will but I am someone who needs people. I need people who are connected to me. I need intimacy. Not sex-intimacy. I need a connectedness between me and someone else. Right now, I have contact but no sense of being connected to anyone else. My connections have been broken for various reasons.

God I know that you are with me. Just let me know that I am not alone.

Exhaustion

Hi All! I haven't blogged in a while and shame on me, right? Writing is and has always been therapeutic for me. So why have I stopped? Is it because I wrote a book and I think all that needs to be said has been said already? Is it because I have so much to say that writing it down would make me say more? Who knows. Maybe it is both those reasons and more. I just know that I need to write...

So today, exhaustion. I am thoroughly exhausted. I am a hospital chaplain and after week 7, I can say that I am tired. I am on E. My supervisor and others have asked, What do I need? I couldn't answer them then but after reflecting, I need to be filled up. But what kind of filling? Emotional? Spiritual? I don't know. But what do we do when we are exhausted? Sleep. I've tried but that doesn't seem to work. That is why I think there is something else that I am empty of. Maybe it is love. Maybe it is companionship. Maybe it is intimacy. Whatever it is, I am empty of it.

Tomorrow, I am going to get my hair done (probably cut) and get a pedi. This should at least make me feel pretty. I am also going to clean my house and car. This should at least make me feel responsible. And then, after that, nothing. I have an obligation this evening that I am going to follow through with. But after that, nothing. Sigh...oh the thought of doing nothing. I may even have my son spend the night with family. lol.

The One True and Wise God

There is only one true and wise God...and it is not us. I know we seem to think that we are in control because we have been given by God to think and analyze and rationalize...and so forth. But in all honestly, the greatness of our thinking is nothing compared to God's. He God is the only one who is True and God is the only one who is Wise to handle all of our mess. And mess it is.

Seeking the face of God is the only way to really get through the muck and mire we find ourselves in. Being captured by the Spirit of God is the only way to be comforted in our fears. Let's leave the control to the Lord. Let us just rest in the decisions the One True and Wise God has made for us.

Amazing

Why is it so hard to believe that we are amazing? I'll tell you why...the Enemy of our souls does not want us to believe that we are great. Because if we think that we are great, we will do great things. If we do great things, lives will change...for the better. The Enemy does not want lives being changed for the better.

Having great Self-Esteem and Self-Worth is key to living the best life possible. Partner with me to not only have great Self-Love but to make sure every woman and little girl has the same. Tell every little girl she is special and a princess (whether you like pink or not). Tell your sister friend that she is amazing. You never know, she may have a hard day. Tell yourself that you are great and lovable, likeable.

You are amazing. We are amazing.

Confidence is Key

So, I'm reading Joyce Meyer's book, The Confident Woman. It is absolutely wonderful. Now I don't know if it is wonderful because I need a confidence booster and anything speaking to the topic or because it really is good. Nevertheless, it's what's up right now.

What I revisit in my mind is that the foundation of a woman's confidence is the Lord. If you are connected and in relationship with Jesus Christ, then you should always have confidence because He is the truth. With Christ, all things are possible. If all things are possible and nothing is impossible, then we can live in confidence that we can do anything. God tells us that we were created good and we are wonderfully made, so we can walk with our head held high and not down in low self-esteem. Right?

The enemy, from day one, has attacked women. We are still being attacked whether physically or mentally, emotionally. If we are taken down and out, then there goes creation for life passes through us. Without us, there is no way for the world to continue. So if our confidence in living is damaged, then Satan's plan worked.

But we have our confidence in a God who is great. Confidence is Key...it is found in Christ.

Blogging

I never really knew what "blogging" was all about. But then I realize, it is a great way to share with the world your thoughts and see what they say. So here goes...

I'm planning an event in May for 10 Jr. High & High School girls. It's a lunch. Why am I doing this? I want them to experience something they may have never experienced before. I want them to eat in a nice restaurant with waiters...not a value meal. I want them to be surrounded with years of heartaches and heartbreaks, bumps and bruises, trials and errors...and learn. I want them to glean from the stories and successes of the city's finest female professionals...and be inspired.

Our daughters are too precious to continue to be bamboozled by the tricks of the world lying in wait to steal their hidden gems.

Much love,
rell