Thursday Thoughts

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

Have you ever woke up and before you could get out of the bed the devil was on your head but something inside of you fought back said you have a destination. Don't let this minor set back get you unfocused. This too shall pass. Whatever your this is. It will pass. The lyrics below are by Tina Campbell.  They ministered to hard to me this morning. Yes. Let them solidify your purpose.

I've got a destination in my view
The road may be bumpy getting there
But I'm pressing through
I will enjoy this journey
No matter come or may
I'll become better and stronger
And wiser everyday
I've gotta a vision and purpose
A divine destiny it may not look like it right now but faith ain't what I see
It is the things I hope for
Believing that it will come
And no matter how long it takes
I know God's will shall be done
His will is that I prosper
His will is that I win
His will is that I fight on
His will is that I live
Ooohhh
He gave me what I needed
When He gave me His Son
He gave me hope and a future
He gave me the greatest love
And now that I've got Jesus
Helping me along the way
He's perfecting everything about this ole girl
Makin me brand new in every way
So I'm singing hallelujah I'm not what I used to be
I'm following Jesus every day to reach my destiny.

Wednesday Word

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

2 Peter 3:9 God isn't late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn't want anyone lost. He's giving everyone space and time to change.

OMG. That right there is something to be thankful for. I don't know about you but I still have a lot of areas to work on. God has really been challenging me about change. Change in my thinking, in my relationships, in my business, and in my worship. Change is NOT easy or fun but necessary to get to the next level. I don't want to be at this same spot next year and I am sure you don't want to be either. It is essential that we understand that God is giving everyone space to change but he will not wait forever. I have heard people say, "oh I have plenty of time, I will get it together" or "God knows my heart". Yes, he does but we are all on a race to death but none of us know where the finish line is. 

I am watching people of all ages in the obituaries every day. We do not know when our time clock will expire. 

Have you and I made the necessary changes to see God's face in peace or will he say depart I know you not? I don't love change but thought of missing heaven is way more frightening than my desire to stay with the comfortable. Change me oh God. Make me more like you. Help me to crucify my flesh. Everything that I want to hold on to only feeds my ego, my fleshly desires and my level of control. I need you to help me change. It is not just the work of Jesus. It is my work too. 

Until Tomorrow

#liveBlessed

Transformation Tuesday

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

Your past is supposed to guide you not define you. It is very easy to let your past mistakes and missteps be the homing beacon calling you, but instead it should be map that helps you avoid the pitfalls. We have all made mistakes. It is only when you don't learn from them that they become the chain holding you back from what is your destiny.
Go get what belongs to you. When you change your mindset you change your future.

Until tomorrow
#liveBlessed

Monday Motivation

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

We had an awesome retreat this past weekend. If you missed it, child you truly missed a good time. A few takeaways...

• Don't allow your past to pollute your future. 
• You have the choice if you will drag your baggage into your new place. 
• This is the year of completion. 
• What things will you give up to get to the place where you have been called to be? 
• Trauma comes in many different forms mine may not look like yours. Don't judge me. 
• My mind, body, and spirit have to be working together if I am going to be whole. 
• If words can change a molecule of water, what can they do to you? 

 Until tomorrow

#liveBlessed

Friday Focus

Good morning,
Grace and peace be upon you!

In the winter months, it is so easy to lose focus on our happiness when the weather is filled with cloudy, cold days. Today I just want to remind you to focus on the sun that is behind the clouds. It might readily be in view but it is there. What you are going through today is just a cloud. A vapor that is blocking your sunshine. Just wait for a moment, because it will pass and the sun will shine again.

Until Monday
#liveBlessed

Thursday Thoughts

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

Wow, we are almost done with January and it seems like it just got going good. I would like for us to go back to December for a moment. We experienced this movement called Kwanzaa. If you recall,  there are 7 principles to embrace during this week long festival of cultural awakening. How many people can honestly say that they have thought about one of those principles since?

The challenge went out to each of us live the principles all year long but do we? Are we unified in our economy and community efforts? Are we shopping black/brown businesses or at least local? Are we finding ways in which we can educate generations to come about our history, heritage, and rich culture? Are we dispelling the myths that the media has portrayed of the black man and family? Are we living the principles or were they cool to talk about as a way to "give it to the man"?

If we were serious about our commitment  to the principles and the enlightenment of the next generation what does that look like? How will you make a difference? 

Wednesday Word

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

Lamentations 3
21But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
    “therefore I will hope in him.”

I read lamentations and was aghast at the deplorable situation that find in the first part of chapter 3. A true cry for the conditions that the people of Jerusalem find themselves in. But then after 3 chapters of outcry we turn the corner and come to verse 21.

When the situation that you are facing at this present moment is horrific, just go back in your mind and recall all the times you have been blessed. So, it goes on to say because I can go back in my mind and recall good things. I have hope.

Your love never ceases, and I get brand new mercies everyday. He feeds me just what I need so I have hope. Great is his faithfulness. My God.

If you are going through a situation, I know I am, it is time to look to God for strength and help. It is time to tap into the power source from which our help comes from. He is faithful to forgive us and love us through our situation. Great is his faithfulness.

Until tomorrow
#liveBlessed

Transformation Tuesday

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

Wow, I was up pretty early this morning (not on purpose) and I started flipping thru facebook. While there I saw an interesting thing going on. Many people are attempting to lose weight and they throughout how much they have lost this week. Yeah if you have lost 2 Oz it's better then last week.

My concern is this. We are triune beings. Mind, body, and spirit. I don't believe that you can work on one part without the other two. I can not change my diet but keep the old mindset and be successful. I can't get my mind and body together without making my spirit ready to make a shift.

Weight loss is just that, a shift in lifestyle. If my lifestyle is shifting all parts of me must shift too. If not then I speak negatively to myself if I don't make weight, or I rationalize why this cake counts as a vegetable cause of the carrots, dairy because of the cream cheese. Not so, we are only cheating ourselves when we don't make the whole shift. All of us need to work on the discipline necessary to shift the negative out of our life.

While I am not on a true weight loss journey I am on a lifestyle shifting journey.   Make this your word for the week. SHIFT!

Until tomorrow
#liveBlessed

Monday Motivation

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

Happy MLK DAY!
Today we celebrate the life a legacy of the Rev Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. As I look at social media and the news a cringe to think that we are still having the same conversations about our world as Dr King did and he has been dead over 50 years. Friends we have got to wake up and stop talking about it. We have truly got to be about it. What is it?

Healthcare, for one. Our black population is dying from disease that are preventable at best and curable at worst, yet we die. Social determines of health are displayed on factors like racism in the work place that also play into lower birth weight babies that don't live past their first birthday. Which leads to mental health issues with parents that aren't quite sure how to cope with this loss because we have been told for years that black people don't go to therapy. Hogwash. You're  crazy if you dont. We don't mind getting insulin if we're diabetic, but we won't get therapy if our thinking is off? Come on.

Brothers and sisters I admonish us to start thinking of was to motivate our friends, family, and neighbors to take charge of their health. What you don't know might kill you. We want to live and declare the glory of the Lord. We want to share the heritage of our families with our children and start those conversations with they lived well into their 90's or 100's in good health. Use this day to talk to someone about getting on track with their health.

Until tomorrow
#liveBlessed

Friday Focus

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

I don't know about you but sometimes life  gets really hard for me. Every now and then I just want to throw in the towel, shoot the bird to the sky, and walk away from it all. It is in those moments that something or somebody will remind you that you we reade for this. You will be reminded that this too will  pass and that seasons must change. Yes, it is dark right now but the day light is coming. I know that sounds fine and good when you are not in the dark, but I just want to turn the light on for you.

You are loved and cared for. You have been equipped with everything you need to conquer this test. Put your big girl panties on and get ready for your miracle.

As we move into the Mlk weekend remember that your dream must be bigger than you or its not a dream. Be audacious in your thinking. Don't allow what you see to be the determining factor of your life. We walk by faith not sight.
Have a blessed long weekend. Do good to everyone that you can, as often as you can.

Until Monday
#liveBlessed

Wednesday Word

Transformation Tuesday

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

As we look at transformation in this new year, a friend challenged me to think of a word that I would focus on this year. My word is curious. I want to be open to asking questions and to not be so quick to draw conclusions. I want be open to what God is showing me without it having to fit in my box. I want to be curious. By definition curious means to be eager to know or learn something. We as are never too old to learn.

What will your word be for this year? What word will define what is guiding you through this year. Yes, only one word. Not a phrase, sentence, or paragraph. One word! Don't think to deeply. Don't try to force it. Today's the 15th and I just figured mine out a few days ago. It will come. What has already been happening in and around you?  That could be your word.

Until tomorrow
#liveBlessed

Monday Motivation

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

Who and what are you supposed to infect, affect, and effect in this world? Many people die and they have never really fulfilled their God-given purpose, and take their gifts with them to the grave. Some are unfulfilled because they don't believe they know what they are supposed to do to. Some are chasing everybody else's calling and not their own. Others are unfulfilled because have allowed their eyes to get off of the prize and let life totally distract them. Whatever the excuse, If this is you how will get back on track?

You see everyone has a sphere of influence and within that sphere, you have a duty to in part knowledge and truth to your tribe. As you give out someone will fill you. Sometimes it comes from the most unlikely source. Be curious and open to who is being drawn to you. Your biggest help might not look like what you expect. Blessing comes in a variety of packages.

As you bless others allow others to bless you. We are here to infect (in a positive way), affect, and, effect each other to greatness. 

Until tomorrow
#liveBlessed

Thursday Thoughts

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

I am only as strong as my core. Hum. What is at the core of you? Often we think of our body core or middle section as the place where our strength comes from. With a strong and tall core we can accomplish more. We will have better posture and strength to carry out day to day task. I don't believe that many of us think about the other things that are core or at the center of out lives. Without a strong internal system we can not function at peak capacity.

Last week I hurt my back as I was putting away the Chris ornaments. I lifted something, that was not heavy, but if shifted my back in a way that put my out of commission for a bit. I tell you this to say. I realized that even though I am in motion during the day, it is not the kind of motion that is building my core. My internal system was off so something that should have been no big deal has turned into a major deal. We have not only a physical core but everything that we do and say is based on a core belief or value?

What are your core values and beliefs? What principles do you balance your life on? It is only when we truly understand what we fundamental beliefs are that we can stand against those things that go against the core. I encourage each of us to take the time to fundamental discovery what WE believe. Not what we were told to believe, but what is truth for you?

A few questions to ask yourself?
How does that truth line up with my surroundings?
What people do I need to add or subtract from my circle?
What knowledge do I need to gain?
How will my interactions change with my new found understandings?
Who's responsibility is it?
How do I take ownership of mine and give others their work?
What and how do I contribute to the world? 

If you can build the strength of your core you will be unstoppable, mentally, physically, emotionally, socially, financially, and spiritually. It's all based on what you value and how you live out those values.

Until tomorrow
#liveBlessed

Wednesday Word

Good morning, 

Grace and peace be unto you!

I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Revelations 3:8

This morning I could just hear the Lord reminding me and you that he is is the door opener, and when he opens the door, no man can close it. Don't get distracted by the closed doors. If it is not for you let it go. This is not the time or the season to find a locksmith. Let it go! This is the season to move in HIS direction, not yours. The more that we lean into Christ, the more we will see the path more clearly. 

I also hear in this that God knows your works. The enemy will make you believe that you are a nobody and that all of the work you are doing is in vain. Not so, my sistah! Everything that you are doing is being seen by your father. People can be fickle, and they will see what they want to see and give recognition to even less. Stop worrying about people. This is the time to get yourself on track. Keep your own score and move as if nothing you do will fail. No matter what you will win. Pull the lesson out of every situation. The bad teaches you as much or more than the good. 

This is our season to reap what you have sown. You are walking in faith and favor with open doors. Go get what is yours. Claiming all that belongs to me in 2019. 

Until tomorrow. 

#liveBlessed

Transformation Tuesday

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!
As we transform our minds, bodies, and spirits we have to consider that once  transformed, it can never go back to the way it was before.
I don't know about your experience but I have never been able to put an item that has been unfold, back into the packaging exactly like it was when I bought it. While it is the same product bringing it out of its encasement allows it to open up in a way that it will never go back into the package the same.
This is the season where you are being taken out of the box. Once exposed you can never fit back in that same box the same way. It is time for you and I to start moving toward the plan that has been laid before us. No more being scared. You have direction it is now time to execute. Retreating is not an option. Remember,  you will not fit in the old space. You have been exposed to the life giving air that dies not allow you to fit in that square space any longer. You have been rounded.

Until tomorrow
#liveBlessed

Monday Motivation

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

Wow, we are into January and it is flying by already. This is a new week to clarify your goals and objectives for your life. Take a look at what you have written down. Oh, you have nothing written down. Friends, until you write it, it is just a dream. I need you to take charge of your destiny. Write your goal down, figure out what and who you need to accomplish said goals and then get busy.

No more time for excuses. Time to move. You are your own worse enemy.

Friday Focus

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

What would you do if you knew you would not fail? I'm sure all of the possibilities are poppin in your mind. The adventures, the businesses, and even the relationships. Stay with me for a moment... just do them.  Plan adventures and vacations of a life time. Build the business you want.

We get so caught up in finding the excuses as to why we can't that we don't see the possibilities.No my first adventure might not be Paris in springtime but it could a little road trip.

Take the limits off in 2019.
Until Monday
#liveBlessed

Thursday Thoughts

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

Are you speaking into your future? Many of us have been taught either overtly or covertly that we just have to life as it comes, but I choose not live 2019 like that. I am going speak what I want into existence , do the work it take to make it happen, pray for guidance along the way, and help as many people as I can.

Enough the woe is me I will just take the crumbs that fall from the table. No! Heck to the NO! I am claiming everything that belongs to me. If you have negative stuff just know you will be getting the ice. I have no space or time for foolishness in this season. If you want to run let's go.  No more hoping and wishing. It is time to make it happen.

Come along on this fantastic voyage.

Until tomorrow
#liveBlessed

Wednesday Word

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

Isaiah 43:18-21 “Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. Wild animals will say ‘Thank you!’ —the coyotes and the buzzards— Because I provided water in the desert, rivers through the sun-baked earth, Drinking water for the people I chose, the people I made especially for myself, a people custom-made to praise me.

I want us focus on two points. First, forget about the old stuff and stop rehearsing it's history. I will just talk about me so none of you get offended. I have a tendency to go over and over a situation in my head after the actual situation transpired. The after go something like. I should have said. I can't belive they said. I betcha they won't get at me like that again. Okay, maybe it's just me but I doubt it. I think these get under our skin the most and the play by play, if we are not careful, will change our attitude about the person simply by the crazy conversation in our head. They didn't have to continue the beef because it is all in your head. But the scriptures says forget it and don't keep going over it.

That takes work and discipline to stop rehearsing the wrong (sometimes real and sometimes made up) that has been done to us. In this new year we have to forget it and move to the new things God is trying to do in us, through us, and around us.

Which brings us to the second point, which is, I'm about to do something brand new. That is shouting ground right there. If you and I will stop looking at and playing with the old our Father will give us new. Cha ching. New mercy, open doors, an open heaven but we have to be willing to let go of what we had to get something new. Our hands have to be empty and our hearts and to be open. The new thing will not fit into the old space. In this first week of a new month and year, I challenge each of us to open the doors to our spirit and let out everything and everyone that has been held hostage. The weight of holding it is too heavy. Let it all go. Seek your purpose and plan minus the weight and  burden of that stuff we've been carrying.

Until tomorrow
#liveBlessed