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