Day 28-Transformation

I'm replaying the line of Lauryn Hill's song, "It could all be so simple/but you'd rather make it hard." I feel that is the human experience at times. All the good feelings and ways of being can be experienced in abundance but we humans make it hard. Many psychologists and counselor-types (and those who just get it) know that any way of being begins in the mind. The mind is a very complex organ but reacts in a very simple way. Our souls will it to think something and it does. Over time a certain way of thinking becomes primary thought to our brain. So what does this have to do with transformation? This:
Renewing your mind will transform your life. Changing your mindset will transform your behavior. Your behavior will sow into the world all that you want to receive back. Change your mind from hate to love, your behavior will begin to flow with and from love. The law of sowing and reaping, you will receive love back. Simple, right? Oh but we'd rather make it hard.
I know a lot about making living hard. During my 30 days of reflection, I have seen how I've made my almost 30 years so hard by staying chained to a certain mindset that really has gotten me nowhere but the land of misery. Joy is mine if I renew my mind. Peace is mine if I choose to renew my mind. Transformation is not an easy process but it is a simple concept: renew/change your mind/thought-pattern.

Be Blessed!

*Aurellia

day 19...truth and lies

I'm reading this book about the lies women tell themselves. It is information that I already know but need to read over and over again until I remember that I need to forget that I already know the information. Sometimes we can know the truth so well that we are easily susceptible to forgetting it and believing a lie that is told to us.

Yes, I know I am fearfully (carefully) and wonderfully (exquisitely) created by God the Creator, but as life goes on, I have moments, even days where the truth that I know is in far distant past and I'm living with the inevitable present of a lie. The Enemy of our Souls comes only but to steal, kill, and destroy every good thing God created. And do you not remember your Creation story where God said that humans were created good. Innately, we are good. Inherently, we are good. So, if we dispel the lie that the Enemy brings to us that says we are not good, we can walk continuously with our heads held high in victory and not low in shame.

I work with a bunch of girls in my church's youth group. Oh the lies that I am pretty sure they hear: You're not smart enough, You're not pretty enough, Athletic enough, Girly enough, enough, enough, enough. I am sure they hear it because I heard it when I was a pre-teen and a teen. I hear it now. But the truth WILL set us free...if we let it.

See that Scripture should have at the end, "...if we let it." The Truth will always be the truth but if we don't apply it, it will not act and set us free.

Yesterday, I meditated on Courage. It takes courage to believe and act upon the Truth. God's Word gives us the Truth that will set us free and living the abundant lives we are supposed to. Will you continue on the Journey with me and believe the truth instead of the lies?

Love you,
Rellia

Hidden Gem: Day 17...Boxing Gloves

Hidden Gem: Day 17...Boxing Gloves: "The fight is real no matter how much we don't want to admit. We are wrestling consciously or unconsciously against a darker side of life. Wh..."

Day 17...Boxing Gloves

The fight is real no matter how much we don't want to admit. We are wrestling consciously or unconsciously against a darker side of life. Whether we live in bliss and cotton candy days, there is still a match that we are involved in and if you don't have on your boxing gloves, you will lose the fight.

We wrestle not against flesh and blood, not against things we can see. We do not fight against people (even though some fights have very visual faces attached to them) but it is something darker and pervasive in this world that is attempting to steal your very soul.

I had to realize today that I needed to put on my boxing gloves and keep them around my neck when I decide to take them off because I will (eventually) need them again.

What are fighting against? Well, it depends on who you are. Some of us fight against negative thoughts (me). Some of us fight against addictions. Some of us fight against loss (me and probably the rest of the world at some point in their life). Depression, Anger, Abuse, Pain, and the list goes on. I say fight because it is not something we are dealing with for just one day but everyday and it bothers our daily living. There is a war that is being waged (using these tools) to suck the very life out of you. But you must put on your boxing gloves...I am.

So what do you fight with? Faith, Truth, Word of God, Righteousness, Love, Peace, Good News...Let's continue our journey using these virtues as our weapon and see our lives DRASTICALLY improve. Yes, that is it...let's fight the fight using these. Let's talk about it after it's over and see what the result is.

Yes!

Blessings,
Aurellia

Day 16...Commitment

She asked me what did I want. What do I want? That's why I'm meeting with you to find out what it is that I really want. What I want in the present, what I want in the future. What I want in love, in life. What I want...period. So then I started to think, "What did I want?" I know what I want in life but for some reason, the commitments I made in the past and in the present might be keeping me from getting what it truly is that my soul wants.

Commitments. Are there things, people, idea(l)s that you are commited  to? Should you continue to be loyal or should you break the commitment? Well, it depends on what it is. It really depends on what it is.

*Blessings to you from me, Aurellia

Day 11...Chasing

I never really was filled before I got married. I thought I was because I was secure and ok with being single. But after I got married, (as I reflect in hindsight) I wasn't filled. I was always longing for that completeness and attempted to fill it with family and schedules thinking somehow this was the way to happiness and wholeness. What it left me was more emptiness and brokenness.

As I lived out today, I have been thinking about the invitation to enter into a place of complete joy and liberty and victory. To accept that invitation is easy enough right? And some of truly believe we are in that place. But some of us, like myself, are not fully entered. I am one of the most transparent people I know. People may not like or agree with what I reveal but at least I reveal it and own up to it. The path to any redemption is first realizing you need to be redeemed.

I am excited to know that redemption is available when we come. Love is available when you come.

There is a soul in each of us and it's attempting to find a home the moment it leaves the womb. Some of us find it sooner than others. If you have found your home, awesome! If you aren't sure, take the journey with me to find your true soul's home.
 
*Aurellia 

Day 10...1/3 the way through...

I know exactly what I want. I want complete and total surrender to the will of God. I know that sounds so ambitious but as I was preparing for the Youth Leader Enrichment Seminar I'm facilitating this weekend, I realize that my soul only finds true rest when it finds its rest in the Lord. That is Augustine. Our lives are only truly blessed and fulfilled when they are wrapped up totally in God.

Now I know that my company and business are not religiously affiliated. I have it that way on purpose. I do not want to exclude any man, woman, race or creed. But I am very open about myself as the designer. Yes, I am a Christian. Yes, I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins. Yes, I believe that one day this world will one day return to its true home. That is who I am.

Now, who are you? That is why I created Hidden Gem. That is why I am excited to bring The Journey Lunch to you. That is why the anticipation surrounding the Hidden Gem Launch keeps me awake at night. I want to serve you through the struggles of mine. I am not perfect but Lord knows I want to strive to be perfect in God. I know the call on my life has to do with both me (as my pastor has told me) and others.

During these next 20 days there are going to be more revelations, more breaking, more purifying, more victories, and way more dancing. Continue on this journey with me...

*blessings to you and yours, Aurellia

Day 7...Love

The entire day I was thinking about Love. I was thinking all sorts of things: the one's who love me, the one's I love, the one's who don't love me, and the one's I do not love. I was thinking of the Love God has for me and the love I have for God.

Even at this moment, I am listening to the song "He Heals Me" by India.Arie. That's Love.

Over the course of time, I realize that I haven't understood the true and real concept of Love. But when I meditated on the definition of Love that is in the Bible, I knew that I wasn't capable of loving until I was years into my marriage. That is when the Holy Spirit took over because it is only then can you learn what unconditional love is. Then when I had a child, I learned a deeper definition of Love.

See, Love is unconditional committment and support. It is true witnessing of the Crucifixion day in and day out. Sometimes it is painful but sometimes it is pure celebration...because He rose.

You may not receive Love in return from the one you are loving but that doesn't mean that you aren't capable of Love.

I don't know, there is more reflection on Love to come in the next 30 days I'm sure...

*Aurellia

Day 6...The Playlist

So, I woke up today thinking about songs. Songs that I listen to from time to time to get me through the day. I called this day, "The Playlist." These songs I had on my mental playlist ranged from back country gospel to the most modern of hip hop. What is on your playlist?

So then I began thinking about the Playlist of Scriptures that are on my mind. You know, Scriptures you can pull from your back pocket in time of need or in time of great expression. What's on your playlist? Here's a few on mine:

"In the beginning God created..." (Gen 1:1)

"The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might." (Deut. 6:4-5)

"Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you...As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous." (Josh. 1:3, 5b-6)

"Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this." (Esth. 4:14b)

"But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head." (Ps. 3:3)

Psalm 27

Psalm 37

Psalm 41

Psalm 139 *Dedicated Scripture to The Journey (2008)

Proverbs 31:10-31

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven..." (Ecc. 3:1-8)

"Comfort, O comfort my people" (Isa. 40:1)

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you..." (Jer. 1:5)

"For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will you find me, says the LORD, andI will restore your fortunes..." (Jer. 29:11-14)

Ezekial 37:1-14 The Valley of Dry Bones

"Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house..." (Mal. 3:8-15)

"Therefore, I tell you do not worry..." (Matt.6:25)

"Ask, and it will be given you; searhc and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you." (Matt. 7:7)

"Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want." (Mark 14: 36)

John 4 Jesus and the Woman of Samaria

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Rom. 8:1)

1 Corinthians 13

"Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ..." (Phil. 3:7-9)

"I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection..." (Phil. 3:10)

"...one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 13-14)

"...and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:7)

"For we know that vengeance is mine, I will repay." (Heb. 10:30)

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Heb. 11:1)

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." (Rev. 22:12)

Day 5...Addiction

After worship yesterday, I realized that other things have had my heart. Other people have had my heart other than God. I woke up this morning drawn to the concept of addiction. Addictions come in various forms. Addictions are not only physical but they can be non-physical. Some people are addicted to cocaine or heroine. Some people are addicted to sex or food. Then there are those who are addicted to people or a need to please. There are various forms of addictions. This is why there is special training for professionals to help people with these addictions.

These next 30 days, I want to find out what I am addicted to other than God. Because there is a struggle somewhere in all of us that tries to stay connected to our Lord God but something very strong attempts to pull us away and reside with it.

Continue with me these next days to find out what has your mind, body, and soul which then leads you away from the Spirit of God.

Peace and Blessings to you...
Aurellia

Day 4...Worship

I spent all day thinking about this concept of worship. What is worship? Is it real? Worship has so many definitions and so many ways of expressing itself but at the foundation of it all, there is only one definition. Worship in the purest sense is devotion and dedication to an object. That object can be seen or unseen. It can be a person or a place or a thing. It is about what we ascribe worth and honor to and committing ourselves and our lives to it.

I think about whom or what I worship and sad to say, it's not always God. At any given season in my life, I may find myself worshipping things or people other than God. Why do we do that? How do we get to a place to do that? Isn't God enough?

On these next 30 days, you (like myself) may find things about yourself that you may not like. But just because we find out the ugly truth about ourselves doesn't mean that we are ugly or are a sinless wretched people with no hope for redemption. First step is always discovery. Next step is admitting.

Worship the Lord your God who is the only true God.

blessings to you,
rell

Day 3...Expectancy

At this very moment I am jamming to Bob Marley's "Waiting in Vain". Wow, that is like God saying, "I don't want to wait in vain for your love" but the sad thing is that we KNOW God will wait forever for us until it's all said and done. So then what are we to do with this knowledge? Keep God waiting until we decide to come? Life will pass us by. I know it has passed me by...

So, Day 3...I'm in expectation. Expecting what though? Shouldn't I just be making it happen, as we say? Sure, make it happen. Make the business dream come true. Make the money. Take the vacation trip. But there are some things that just CAN'T be done with human hands and will require expectation of a much great power and strength in order for it to come to pass. So then, we are left in expectation.

The Secret was a phenomenon. It was a work that compiled all the greatest "nuggets" of wisdom from the ages regarding happiness and how to get what we want. Simply, expect it. If you expect, it will happen.

"Think those things that are not as though they are..."

Day 3...I'm expecting. What will I expect?

*Rellia

Day 2...An Invitation

Shhh...can you hear it? It is the quiet voice of the One whispering, "Come." It's as simple and as complicated as just that...Come.

This morning as I got off the phone with my sister, the Spirit said simply, "Come." And you know what I did? I argued with the invitation. I replied, "I'm already here." The Spirit said again quietly, "Come to me."

When we think we are already there in that place of "home", the Spirit will remind us that we are not. We will continue where we are because we may not think that we need to be somewhere else. We will question the intentions of the invitation instead of simply accepting. We will wonder if there is better than here. And you know what the Spirit will say?

"Come."

...day 2 begins with an invitation...

blessings,
rellia

Trust

I am reading this book, Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God by Sheila Walsh. I didn't realize that I had such a severe trust issue with God. Like, I believe that God exists but totally trusting that everything, I mean EVERYTHING that happens in my life, good or bad, pure or evil, is not just seen but orchestrated by God. No, God does not WANT bad or evil situations in our life to occur, but they are all a part of the plan. Jesus said that there will be trials and tests in this life but we will not be overtaken by them. That is where I faulter. I think that I will be overtaken by the heartache and heartbreaks of life, by the rejections, by the letdowns, by the difficults, by the failures. I think that I must do EVERYTHING in my will and power to make something great happen. While this may be true, there is still at the end of the day GOD. There is the Divinity of trust. Letting go and completely surrendering to a God who loves like a human but is not human so then the love of and from God is completely pure and can be trusted. God is not a man that he will lie neither does he need to repent. Words to think about during these next 30 days...

The Countdown Begins...

I am jewelry designer and maker. An idea of a particular design will come into my head and I will then sketch the design on paper. From there, the magic begins.

That's a little like life. There was an idea that was created by the Creator of who you would be--from looks to personality. Then the sketch was put into cells and such. From there, the magic began.

I have been on a soul-break. Now, the countdown begins. 30 days until a new year and a new perspective on EVERYTHING. Will you take the journey with me?

30 days to see magic unfold before my eyes. Will you take the journey with me?

Do you like me need to see magic unfold before your eyes...daily? Do you need to revive yourself and wake-up to the newness of life everyday? Do you need to remind yourself to be grateful everyday? Do you need to end destructive habits and make new?

Well, take the journey with me for the next 30 days. Let the Creator show you your magical design in ways that you never knew.

Blessings,
Aurellia

Have a Good Laugh!

One of my wonderful pleasures is Saturday Night Live. I LOVE SNL. I watch missed episodes online when I can. I have bought DVDs of compilations of comedians from SNL. I LOVE SNL. What parody shows such as SNL do for me is bring into the world of laughter. Every now and then, we have to remind ourselves to just laugh. This really does help our help. It's been proven medically. Find some time to laugh, laugh, laugh. Life will wear you down if you don't allow yourself to have fun and laugh. Stress and sadness is not going to help anything. It will only hurt you in the long run.

Blessings,
*Aurellia*


Here is some information from health professionals with http://www.helpguide.org/ :

• Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
• Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
• Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
• Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

Read the rest of the article at http://www.helpguide.org/.

Vote YES on Prop L-O-V-E!

I read one headline on my web browser's home page "Tuesday Vote Could Shift Political Power". I am just amazed at how this day in America--voting day--can bring about the most outrageous of issues for the ballot. But there is only one vote I want to rally for today: "YES on Prop L-O-V-E".

I know, I know, it sounds a little cheesy but seriously, we in America and in the world need more people rallying behind "LOVE". True love. Hidden Gem blog focuses on loving the self and making sure that the woman's self person is taken care of. But there are two others that we are commanded to love: God and our neighbors. Jesus tells the religious leaders and teachers of his day that the greatest commandment, or law, is to love God with our entire being. I mean, really, what does that really look like? What does it mean to love God with our hearts, minds, bodies and souls? Really? It would be an interesting study.

Then, after we love God, it is already assumed that we love ourselves, but truthfully (me included) there are times when our actions towards ourselves does not signify that we love ourselves. What we may think is self love is actually self-hatred. This can be another study in and of itself.

Lastly, we are told that in this greatest commandment involves loving our neighbors. This should be the easiest to understand. Loving others. Doing for others. Serving others. Being kind to others. And so forth.

In all your voting today, make a vote in your heart to Vote YES on Prop L-O-V-E!

Blessings,
Aurellia

Broken Furniture

Periodically, I go through a massive clean-up. I look around and see what I can get rid of. I really hate trying to fix pieces of furniture and other items around my home that might need repair. I am always like, "Just get rid of it." But then the frugal guru in me puts that plan on hold and decide to get more life out of the bookcase by just repairing it with a little wood glue. But, there have been moments  (I admit) when my repair job just didn't work and I needed a professional. For example, when my car breaks down and needs repair, I attempt to do my remedies but eventually, I call in to the repair shop for help. But what happens when even the professionals can't repair the broken item?

Sometimes broken things can't be fixed. They must be replaced. After attempting to repair and fix it over and over again, there comes a point when you must discared it, throw it away, get rid of it. Detach all emotional sentiment and throw it away. Get a new one. Easy to say about a chair but what about life?

What do you do about the broken areas of your soul? Do you just throw away those areas if they can't be repaired? What do you do about a broken friendship or relationship? Do you do all to repair it and save it or do you just chuck it and say, "I tried" ? What do you do about a job that just isn't working anymore? Do you think about the economy and try to fix whatever is not going well or do you quit, say good riddens, and collect unemployment until you find another job? See, broken areas of life are not so easy to either repair or discard.

I have no solution. I have no Golden Ticket answer. But what I do know to be true is that the Spirit of God will guide you into all Truth concerning every area of your life. Seek the face of God and you will find direction for what to do with your "Broken Furniture."

Blessings to you,
Aurellia

Perfectly Flawed

As I washed my face this morning, I saw (once again) a horrible joke on an adult lady: adult acne with scarring. I'm like, Ugh! Really? This had to happen in my 20s? So as I'm washing my face, I'm thinking of all the things I could do to rid myself of this horrible problem. Laser surgery, skin bleaching cream, Tetracycline...and on and on. But then as I stared at the mirror into my eyes, I couldn't really see the scars. They were a blurred vision. And that's telling.

Ladies, believe it or not, we are perfectly flawed so we can remain true to the parts of us that are truly Golden and a Gem. What really matters is what is behind your eyes. What is the truth behind your eyes that will keep you grounded when you feel that you are about to float away? Hold onto that. Live in that. Remember, you aren't just flawed but perfectly flawed.


Blessings,

Aurellia

Let's Get Lifted

The best stories of triumph are the ones that are told. Your neighbor will never know how to overcome unless they hear or read stories of overcoming. This can be the stories of those from ancient times or blogs from a stranger or the 5 minute text chat with a friend. Today, your encouragement is coming from this blog: Let's Get Lifted.

You will never reach your highest height if you stay at your lowest low. There is a place God has called you to be: peace, joy, abundance (that's the promise). But you will never reach it (let me stress, NEVER) reach it, experience it, if you choose to stay in the pit of depression and despair. You will never reach purity in love if you stay at the low of hatred-for others and for self. Love and hate are at war with each other, both wanting to win, both strong and unwilling to bend. You are the factor that can make either side win.

I am in the process myself to not stay in the low place; I am encouraging myself and allowing others to encourage me to reach for the higher heights of life and not stay in the low places. For some it is as easy as snapping one's fingers; for others, it's not so easy. Sisters, join me...and let's get lifted.

Blessings,
Aurellia

Healing

As a hospital chaplain, I have seen some of the most devastating of situations. I have witnessed terrible effects of car accidents on little children. I have seen a diagnosis run its course. All of it begs the question, “Is there such thing as healing?” When I talk to a sister who is in anguish over the situation in her family or even think of my own emotional pain and sadness, I wonder, “Is there such thing as healing?” But when in doubt, I am reminded of those who are smiling even in agony. They must be healed somehow. So how do you know you are healed from a bruised? Here is what I found:


Signs that you’re healed:


• You’re able to enjoy time alone
• You find enjoyment in a new joke
• Your eating, sleeping and exercise patterns begin to return to normal
• You find a renewed sense of energy and purpose
• You can review both “good” and “bad” memories
• You can sit through a religious service without crying in sorrow or despair
• You begin to establish new and healthy relationships
• You find yourself organizing and planning for the future
• You look forward to getting up in the morning
• You begin reinvesting the energy once spent on your grieving in other projects
• You find yourself enjoying life’s pleasant experiences
• You can define your own personal growth from the grief process


So does this mean that healing is more of a state of mind than state of being? Maybe so. But we do know that healing is possible, in whatever form you’d like to think it takes place. Proverbs tells us that healing comes from words of the wise and trustworthy friends. The Prophet Isaiah tells us that when one truly devotes their souls to God, healing comes quickly. The pathway of healing can come in various forms, but the constant is that it is all Divine.






Blessings,


Aurellia

Solid as a Rock

There is this rock on my jewelry box with the word "Love" I wrote on it. I never think too much about the rock because it is a constant object in my room and is a part of my routine-Go select jewelry item to wear for the day, glance at the rock, and keep moving.

But this morning was different. After rising up from praying on my knees, I went to my jewelry box, put back a jewelry piece I selected, closed the box door, glanced at the rock...but stayed looking at the rock. I thought to myself, It says 'Love'. And a tear came to my eye. Love really is rock solid.

True Love is rock solid, can't be broken. Shouldn't be broken. No matter what element it is mixed with, it's composition will still be the same...same dirt that comprised of the rock in the first place. Ladies, how many of us want a love like that-Rock Solid?

Our hearts really do yearn for a love like that. Our souls crave for a love like that-never ending, always spending, never trending, always bending, always depending...Love. Take the Journey to discover that Love. It is calling to you...Come.

To be continued...

Blessings to your heart,
Aurellia

Putting God Back on the Throne

I have been guilty so many times of replacing God on the throne of my heart. Over the course of my life, I have had people, places, dreams and desires on the throne of my heart. But over the last year, I have been really convicted in my soul that I was dabbling in idolatry.

Now we may not think we are idol worshippers because we are not physically bowing down and verbally calling a statue image "God" but we are emotionally and spiritually identifying those other things in our life as our Lord.

For example, one may consider that their spouse or romantic partner or their parent is their Savior and whatever they need to be saved they go to that person, depend on that person...instead of Jehovah Jireh. One may consider themselves as God and worship who they are by constantly placing themselves on the throne of their own life. And of course, we know that money, cars, houses can definitely be worshipped.

Worship entails a sacred devotion to a person or thing. It entails an honor that is above any and every other honor. I truly believe that we can not worship the LORD God wholly when we have all these other "gods" on the throne of our lives. What would it be to only have the LORD God as ruler of the world? As ruler of our lives? One thing is for sure, it will require complete and total trust and faith that God is deserving of that title.

Modernity has so kept us blind to the fact that God is Sovereign. With technology of such things as baby makers and food growers, we feel at times that we don't need God to supply. But woe to him that thinks that. Let's bring it down a little from the extreme. With technology, we may feel that we don't need to depend on the LORD for relationships; we can create them ourselves. God is LORD.

Like I started this blog with: I am guilty of replacing God from the throne of my heart. It has grieved me at the fear I have had in letting God dwell there. Woe unto me! But when you know better, you do better. Pray with me as we put God back on the throne.

Blessings,
Aurellia

You Can't? Yes, You Can!

Today, I must say, has been a tough day. This Summer season has been a tough one for me. I have told myself that I can't do some tough tasks that I have been given to do. I am thinking of one such task that is my responsibility and I have felt inadequate or just not in the "right" place in my life to handle it. But as I was cooking dinner, the Spirit of God reminded me that when I am weak that is when God is strong. The writer/minister Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Corinth that the Lord said to him "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor 12:9). He was referring to an issue that he had been dealing with for quite sometime that kept him from fully being a perfect human being. Regardless of the issue he had dealt with, he knew that his problem made him lesser of the man he desired to be. But as he pleaded with the Lord to remove it, the Lord reminded him that He was all he needed in order to be who God called him to be. Paul did not mention the Lord saying anything about how to get rid of it or what the problem meant in the grand scheme of things. Paul simply states that the Lord let him know of His power and the role God's power played in his situation.

Even as I write to someone out there in cyberspace, I am digesting this information. In my limitations as a woman, a mother, a minister, a friend, a daughter, God's power becomes evident because it is "when I am weak, I am strong" (v10). I was saying to myself today (and all Summer) "I can't possibly do this or be that because..." but "Yes I Can." It is not just the political campaign slogan of the current US President. It is true for every follower of Jesus Christ. We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength because at the end of the day, it is not us who's working anyway.

My prayer is that my hardships and struggles and victories and triumphs help and encourage someone else. We may not know how we are going to perform a specific task or remain holy with our particular lustful desires but we can rest assure that Jehovah God does and provide power.

Blessings to you,
Aurellia

From my Heart to Yours

My heart is full but also heavy. It is full of the love I have for my sisters but also heavy from that fullness. I think of my own personal and professional struggles and it saddens my heart to know that there are many other women who have the same conflicts. I had a conversation recently with a friend of mine who was having emotional struggles with God and decided (that word was chosen for a reason) to dip back into some of the things he used to participate in before surrendering his life to the LORD. I told him that his pain should have pushed him further in to Christ instead of away from Christ. Ladies, how often do we find ourselves going in the opposite direction of salvation? How many times do we chose wrong instead of right? This is not to condemn anyone (I run in the wrong direction too); this message is to let you know that God wants you to draw near to His dwelling place. God's dwelling is where God resides, where God's kingdom is for those who chose to enter and remain.

As I contemplate many paths to take, I reminded of the Gospel of John. In Chapter 15, Jesus tells His followers to Abide in Him. That means to remain and live in Him. He will do the same and remain and live inside of them. We are tempted to find our peace, our treasure, our safety, our fame in everyone and everything else but the only true home is with God. God cares for all of us especially us Daughters. Choose to run into the arms of the Everlasting One...always.

Love to you,
Aurellia

Love and Basketball--Love is Always Right

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Love is never wrong. It may feel wrong because you may not be receiving the same love back. The recipient of your love may trample on it like pigs with pearls, but it doesn't justify you not loving.

I was watching the NBA Lebron James announcement yesterday and the backlash he received from his current teams owner. I mean, he put hexes and vexes and all the X's on him. He reacted to not receiving what he wanted. Love may have been hidden undernbeath all the anger, but you couldn't see it.

Now what about us? Don't we sometimes renig on our love to others, love to ourselves, and/or love to God when we don't "fell the love?" I know I have. But Sisters, love is NEVER wrong; it's always right! 1 Corinthians 13 in The Holy Bible tells us what love really is. Jesus himself tells us what love really is. We are shown repeatedly examples of what love looks like. And the greatest of ALL the virtues is Love.

So don't feel bad when your "Boo" isn't on their best behavior or when your children act ungrateful for the millionth time, love them anyway. Show them love like never before because that is when you know it's really love.

Peace and Blessings my dear Sister,
Aurellia

Intimate Conversations

Hello Friends!! This has been an interesting last few weeks. I have been looking for a job in a very specific field and it has been tough. Along with the bills coming like they are supposed to do, I have been having intimate conversations with God. Remember the book "Conversations with God"? Well, I have been having some. But it is interesting how they turned out.

They started out with me on my knees crying big huge tears with one-word statements such as "Why?" "How?" "When?" I have been sad, angry, hurt, confused, disappointed, and a whole bunch of other emotions. I got really intimate with God. I had to. My pain wouldn't allow me to do anything else other than get real personal and transparent. But how our conversations started is NOT how they ended.

My intimate conversations ended with me hearing God tell me how he really feels about me. They turned into God telling me what he really thought about some of past behaviors and attitudes. Only when you get into an intimate conversation can you really begin to be free in a relationship. All pretenses and boundaries are eliminated.

I am grateful that I had the time to get intimate with God. I can even hear Him calling me now for a conversation..gotta go!

Blessings,
Aurellia

Love is not a fight but it's something worth fighting for!

Hi Hidden Gem readers!! It's been a while...a long while. Where've I been? Well, I wish I could say vacation but the truth is, I've had writer's block. It's not because I haven't had anything to say but it has been hard to get it all out. There has been so much going on in my world that I have not had space to really put out a word to the Hidden Gem reader. But that season is over and I'm back. So for today, I'd like us to reflect on Love and what it is worth.

I have been watching the movie "Fireproof" repeatedly for the past week. Now, I am locked into the songs on the Soundtrack. The two that have been on my playlist are "While I'm Waiting" by John Waller and "Love is Not a Fight" by Warren Barfield. If you haven't seen the movie, I'd highly recommend you watch it (regardless of your marital status). The song that I'd like to reflect on today is "Love is Not a Fight."

I wrote a chapter in my book about this very concept except it was from a different perspective. It was from the eyes of a young woman who thought that in order to prove she was true in her love was to accept pain and struggle. This was her way of fighting for love. In my book, I combated this thought. And while this song doesn't speak against that thought-process, it is combatting that thought in the positive. It is saying What fighting for love actually looks like. It is letting all the good things in love be stronger than the dangerous aspects love can birth in some people.

Love is all the things that God is. It is truly patient and it is truly kind. It is truly giving and will make sure all wrongs are covered. It is truly sacrificial. Giving up one's self for another is how love is best defined and shown. There may fighting required in any love relationship/situation. You may have to fight against the urge to be selfish. You may have to fight to keep a right attitude towards the object of your love. It may require you to put your armour on to fight against the darts the Enemy tries to throw at you in the name of Love, but Love is not a Fight.

Love was never meant to be used as a weapon. It was never meant to be used to tear down anyone. It was never meant to hurt. Love was meant to restore. Love is not a fight but it's something worth fighting for.

Peace and Blessings,
Aurellia

PS Stay tuned for what's to come from www.aurelliacanderson.com

Celebrate

Don't you hate it when you have a song that you just HAVE to play over and over again? You hate it because the people in your car hate hearing the same song over and over again. Well, that is the case right now except my almost 3 year old is not paying too much attention to what I'm listening to on repeat. He is too busy playing his DS. Yes, I said it--his DS (visit my blog for mom's where I discuss that-www.workingmomstalk.blogspot.com). But others of age to really notice and care have mentioned it was time for me to switch songs. I just can't because my heart right now is in a place of a desire to celebrate the Greatness that is God.


The song is by Dave Hollister on his "Witness Protection" album. It speaks about dancing like David danced (2 Samuel 6:14). There is so much in that one chapter that anyone could preach on but the main point that I am sharing with you today is that it is time to Celebrate the presence of the Lord. Munday Thursday is tomorrow, Good Friday and Easter Sunday are approaching us. It's time for us to Celebrate who God is. When the presence of God is REALLY in your home, that is a time to get crazy and Dance. You're dancing, not for others but in praise to the LORD for being the LORD.


Someone is having God dry their tears or at least hold them while they fall. Someone is having cancer removed from their body or at least feeling the sun shining on their last days. Never give the presence of God away to someone else like David did but keep the presence of the LORD near you and CELEBRATE. Dance like David did!!!


Blessings to you this Resurrection Season,
Aurellia

Live out who you really are!

Good afternoon! I had a conversation with a young lady friend of mine and she was having a conversation with herself (and God) about her place in the world. She was wondering if she was in the right place in her church. She felt that there was more for her to do in Christian/Church ministry and the place she was currently attending church did not appear to be in full support of what she has to offer parishoners. So, she came to me and wanted to hear my perspective on the matter and, even though our conversation was cut short, I have a lot to say to her regarding her dilemna.

But to you, the reader, if there is a passion you have inside of you and you know that you are called to live it out in the world...do it! Don't allow traditions of the old and sad to stop you. God has a way of making the best out of not so great situations and old traditions will become new traditions and people will be blessed.

Blessings,
Aurellia

Who's Report will you choose to Believe?

I met the most beautiful woman today. She was with her mother who is a patient of mine. She has been with her mother 24-7 since she went into the hospital in January. Speaking with her, my faith was fulled. This woman expressed extreme faith in her mother's total healing. Statements such as "But God..." when the prognosis is poor from the medical team and "God is speaking to her" when she recounts times when she is communicating with her mother brought tears to MY eyes. I thought to myself, Who am I to tell this woman what the doctor's and charts say? She knows who's report she wants to believe. And that is fine by me.

Who knows what the final journey of this woman's mother will look like but God. I'm not so much concerned with the date of the final bow of my patient. I am more concerned with the faith journey of this family. This family believes God in the most radical way that I have not seen (nor practiced) in a loooonnnngggg time. In the most turmultuous of times I have personal experienced in my own life, I have to question my own faith. Who's Report will I believe? What statistics say or what the Bible says? What someone's mouth says or what my heart believes?

Who's Report will you choose to Believe?

Blessings,
Rell

Live Like You're Dying

It's been a long time blogger world. Well, I'm back and have a lot to talk about.

You all may not know this but I am a Hospital Chaplain and I am around illness and death on a daily basis. It can be overwhelming at times. Scratch that--it is overwhelming all the time. But even through all this it can be very inspiring and it gives me insight on what to share with others.

I met with one of our residents/patients and he was explaining to me the resolve that he has made with his life and the health condition that put him into long term nursing care. He says that this is what his life has become but is going to live each day like it was his last. I was pleased to hear him say this because often times he would speak words of despair. It got me to thinking, "Am I living each day like it was the last day for me to live on this earth?"

So as I'm going along making my rounds, I end my day speaking to a lady who was prognosed to have about 6 months left to live. Her attitude was one of resolve as well. She spoke about God and God being in the present moment with her so she had no need to be angry. She said as well that she is at peace with the way her health condition has affected her life.

Each day we are given an opportunity to enjoy ourselves, others and all created things. What are you going to do with the day you have been given? Are you going to live it like it was your last?

Peace and Blessings,
Rell

Turning 29

I don't know what happened between the time I went to bed last night on my 29th birthday and this morning when I woke but something must have happened. I feel 29. I feel older. It is not because anything miraculous occured or I was reminded that I am 29. I just feel and think older--29. Turning 29, for those of who have turned 29 before can attest to this, puts in your face a reality of change coming. I am about to turn 30 which means I can no longer get away with being a kid. 29 is a step away from true adulthood. And I feel it. But I embrace it. I'm okay with it.

A little Starbucks went a long way

Ok, so I went to Starbucks this morning to see what I could drink that was equivalent to coffee. See, I’m taking a month break from coffee and it is torture. It’s not so much the taste that I crave but it is the mood the taste puts me. I am in love with the feeling behind the taste. So I get to Starbucks and order my breakfast sandwich and ask what drinks taste similar to my old faithful Carmel Mocha but was coffee-free. They had something made from steamed milk. So I got that with Toffee syrup and it tasted pretty ok.




So what’s the point of saying all this? Sometimes the things we think are necessary in order for our lives to function better are not so much necessary but rather an addiction or habit. Our brains have just been re-wired to think that they are. My example is something as simple as coffee but there has been worse. This is a new year so how about laying aside some of those “necessities” and allowing the presence of God to provide.



Blessings!

Golden Girl

FEAR NOT

Dear Sisters…




My heart would employ you, encourage you to FEAR NOT! Most new endeavors and adventures, most changes that should be made are not ventured into because of FEAR! My push to you is to not allow for fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of the unknown to stop you from doing what it is in your heart you know it is for you to do.



Trust me, I am not preaching anything; I am speaking to myself as one you. This new year meant for me to not be afraid as our God has told biblical characters time and time again…our dear sister Esther and Rahab were not afraid. Mary was not afraid. We too are to muster up as much courage as we can and knock fear out of the way…and walk…forward. No one is saying run (at least I’m not, but God just might be); just put one foot in front of the other.



“Be strong and of good courage…” Joshua 1:6