Monthly Archives: July 2013

Why don’t we change our sinful and self-destructive ways?  Even when we realize sinning is not the thing to do and it doesn’t help in our everyday lives, we continue anyway…Same thing same results, what does it take?  Why do we have to stare death in the face before we will do something about a devastating situation or something that can become one?  Why do we only call on the name of the Lord in bad times, why don’t we mention God’s name or thank him when times are good?  Why do some claim Christ doesn’t exist, and when in trouble seek his advice?  Why are we so quick to do wrong any chance we get and have to be prodded into becoming helpful?  Could it be convenience or whatever floats our boat?

“But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions).   James 1:14

Why do we blame Christ and others for all the wrongs we do, never giving credit to those who try to correct them?  We should know by now Jesus didn’t do it, and he is not of this world; and the world is also considered it to be an enemy of his.  Why are we so quick to jump on some we can overpower by lashing out and promoting or producing vengeance, violence, and mayhem.  Clearly we are aware of the fact that they are not the root cause of our problems?  Could it be because we are so self-centered and mean we refuse the Spirit of Christ in our hearts?

“Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God; for God is incapable of being tempted by (what is) evil and He Himself tempts no one.”   James: 13

Why do we ask these questions of ourselves and why don’t we stop doing harm to others?  Could it be because we don’t know any better or don’t want too?  Some of us are so out touch I am wondering if we forget as we do unto others they will do it unto us.

I weep when I hear of children being shot in classrooms, patrons in a movie theater, and the perk or perks go home as if nothing happened; to sit and watch on TV the drama that unfolds.  Never accepting the truth about us or our ways; it’s always somebody else fault or the Devil made us do it.  Could it be because we can’t see the error of our ways or don’t want too, because of unaddressed hatred, or a lack of Christ in our lives?

Why, when our attitude suck we have a tendency to say to another, ““I don’t like your attitude?”   Why do we bully others?  I call it passing the buck when we push our pitiful selves on the lives of others.  Is it because  someone is preying on us.  It seems to me as if the smallest of all catch the biggest rifts.  Do you think some of us may be cowards to the strong, causing us to become oppressors of the weak?

When we realize our fears are real and still we go against the grain, ignoring our internal wit, how can we know these things and still do nothing, always complaining about nothing seems to change.  Could it be because some don’t make an effort to make a change on their own?  Why are we afraid of the world we live in or afraid to live period?  Some of us are afraid to raise our hand in a classroom and know the answer.  Being afraid of our own selves and that dreaded word change is keeping us attached to the same ole same ole.  For sure, if we seek Christ, we can enter a better world with better assurances on things to come, like confidence.

For me it took forever to stop sinning on purpose.  There were two reasons why I was doing what I was doing: one is I liked what I was doing and didn’t want to stop and the other was I didn’t know how even if I wanted too, and both were habits.  Still, I was quick to tell someone else what to do in case of… Never taking into account “for every action there is a reaction.”  Even when a reaction is not warranted or worth a reaction, it’s still a reaction.  Why do we think nothing can happen to us?  We need to stop now and readjust our thought patterns because something is happening to us; that’s why we complain and we may find it stems from a lack of training on how to live a Christ-like existence, and how to conquer most sins.

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avail much.”   James 5:16

Why does God allow suffering, why can’t we resist temptation and why do we lose all self-control; what is it with us?  The fear of not knowing or a fear of knowing too much; we all need answers and sometimes when we receive them, they are not acceptable.  Could it be because those answers are not what we want to hear or do, right or wrong?  From my experiences, what we need is Jesus, maybe that’s the problem, want Him or not.

“You must submit to and endure (correction) for discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons.  For what son is there whom his father does not train and correct and discipline?”     Hebrews 12: 7

Often when we make bad decisions they are not necessarily the ones that hurt others; at times we can be our own worst enemy.  I have found myself in the mirror and not liking what I see, and because of that self-destruct reaction my attitude was affected, causing others to feel my raft.  I needed someone to blame.  For some reason we cannot see pass ourselves; it was the dressmakers fault that caused me not to look my best, when I gained weight, etc.) she should be fired.  I had to understand that breaking all the mirrors was not the answer either.  Something was bothering me and it wasn’t the clothes.  Could it be a lack of self-worth causing me to think if I look better the world will see me in another light?  I found out the world only recognize how I look to see if it is worth taking what I have.  I say give the world a Christ-like look and see how pretty things can really look with the Gospel of Jesus surrounding us like a magical cloak.

Why things don’t work out the way we plan them?  When it comes to our plans it doesn’t matter about circumstances, conflicts, health, power, importance, and misunderstandings are for others; quick to proclaim “I know what I am doing.”   Sometimes we can have everything in order including the things that have not happened yet.  Surely I know what is to come.  Learn from the past, live in the present and trust Christ for your future.  Believing in that may be just what Doctor Jesus ordered to get us on the right path for a respectable and fulfilled life.  Once we can understand and receive the Word of God, we may be able to conquer some of these issues.

In my heart, I believe Jesus is like a best friend walking behind us to give a push forward, and clearing the path to success by proclaiming “no weapons formed against us shall prosper.”

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone boast.”    Ephesians 2:8                                                                                                                                                                   So why don’t we give credit to its rightful owner?

“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth: Tell Me; if you have the understanding?”   Job 38:4

I am always looking for answers to questions.  Why don’t we respect our elders?  How come we don’t want to work hard for the things we desire, and why are we mad at the world when we know what we want has to be earned to be rewarding, causing us to be fulfilled.  Self-contentedness, desires, temptations and our tendency to be self-centered may be the cause of all our problems; but for sure if we are without Christ; THERE IS YOUR ANSWER.  

“When one is with Christ a whole new world opens up, and dark shadows fade into the light.”  Thank you Jesus!  We love you Lord!

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“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness, and let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”   James: 2-4

Experience has taught me a thing or two, and some of what I experienced would take more than a little while to realize.  Some I learned face to face and some along the way.  The thing is I didn’t learn anything the same way twice.  Each experience had its own unique design and purpose.  Some were lessons taught over and over until I realized their importance, and some were to give me directions for a better life.

The experience reminds me of deja vu; a feeling something has happened before.  Sometimes feeling as if it happened in another life and time.  Personally, I think deja vu is God’s way of bringing a lesson back into our consciousness; the ones we did not comprehend the 1st time.  Like a joke I have been hearing for the most part of 20 years that was not funny, now has become funny.  In Truth I finally got it.

Power is something most of us desire, but what good is it if we don’t know how to use it?  “Power is holding someone else fears in your hand and showing it to them.”   I can’t tell you how many times I have watched the nicest person on the job get promoted only to become everyone’s worst nightmare.  The Precious, (power) can change some of us for the worst, causing us to become overly enthused.  Instead of trying to improve a situation we seek revenge or personal gratification.  With the power, we can invoke pain or joy on those that surround us.  Choose to be a leader, not a dictator.  We “reap what we sow,”  payback is a… And all could be lost because of control issues coupled with the lack of leadership capabilities.

At times I didn’t have the ability to listen to others and sometimes I was not able to keep a civil tongue.  Having an attitude proclaiming “you can’t tell me anything, I already know all I need to know and who are you to try to tell me any different?”   This type of thinking tried to drag me down the educational totem pole; I had to change my way of thinking in order to learn.  “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.”   S.R. Covey   There were times when I wanted to out scream whoever was trying to over scream me.  Now most times when I can’t get a word in because of the tone of the conversation, I back off, while listening and remaining civil, this is not easy.  I now know there is such a thing as mental bulling and I am guilty as charged.  I know if I want to be heard I will have to listen.  Believe it or not there is a difference between listening and hearing.  Learning that almost took a lifetime, now I am wondering what else did I miss?

Success may be the culminating goal, but at what price?  I thought success was the salt of the earth.  To be looked up to by my peers was the goal.  Never caring how I achieved success, only that I do.  Gaining or losing success is usually won or lost by our own hands.  I thought success needed to be seen in the eyes of others for me to be truly successful.  We all have our quirks; sometimes thinking more of ourselves than we should, (self-love) and some not realizing it may be a fault.  Little did I know, my greatest achievements are when I hit rock bottom and get up.  Now I understand in part what some may see in me.

Judging a book by its cover is almost as bad as reading the ending first.  I would choose the mighty over the week, and as time passed, I realized when I needed some serious help it came from the ones I thought to be the weakest.  The ones I looked down on were the ones who came without reserves, the true Christians.  The fact is; it was me who is weak.  When I saw someone for the very first time, I was quick to state,  “I don’t like how they look, something about them ain’t right.”  Most of the time they would end up becoming one of my best friends.  “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged:”   Luke 6:37

Envying others, boosting on ourselves or looking for praise is a sure way to lose friends and what we have.  Never trust a person that envies you or you them, both wants what the other has.  It would be hard for another to covet what you have if they are not aware of you having it.  Bragging and showing off will net you more hardships than the praise is worth.  Keep it up and you might come home and find the TV gone.  Boosting about all our achievements, wasting time swelling our heads and bragging about things that are only important to us, will only gather an army of envious haters.  What Christ has for you is for you, and nothing can change that but you, the choice is ours.  

Angry at the world, including everything in or out of it, will not solve our problems.  It’s not good being a hot head or out of control.  Most times anger stems from self-guilt, being caught or found out.  If anything, this type of suffering will become overbearing, just the way Satan likes it; no time for rational thinking. Some shoot up McDonald’s instead of taking it to Christ.  Experience with the Lord will help us find our inner self and peace.  If there is a fire we can run out or we can help someone else out.  Life is only what we make it.  That little birdie or your first mind is neither or.  It’s called the Holy Spirit, placed in our hearts by God to give guidance.  If our heart is in the right place more than likely our life will be also.  I got in touch with myself by listening to my heart where the Holy Spirit lives. This practice helps me to eliminate some bad decisions that were causing me to become unhinged.  “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger rest in the bosom of fools.”   Ecclesiastes 7:9.            

Experience is the greatest teacher of all, next to Christ.  As we live and learn experience will teach some of us what is important and what is not.  On the practical side what good is stealing or coveting things that are not ours?  We can’t brag or show them to anyone.  For sure we won’t sneak our way into heaven because of it.  If we had everything where would we put it and what would we hope for next?  Understanding the error of our ways is what is important to grow.

Living is enough for us to gain experience and with that we build character.  Pride is a killer of all things hoped for.  Afraid to show any type of weakness is a downfall.  We need our families, friends and cohorts to survive.  Man was not made to live alone.  Proclaiming I can do all things by myself is a delusion.  We came from the womb helpless and probably will die the same way, praying someone will have us buried.  We should pick through the adventures already experienced in life, tossing out the bad and building from the good.  Learning from our failures as well as our successes may gain us the satisfaction we are seeking in life, to be happy, healthy and put a roof over our heads.

Experience has taught me a thing or two when it comes to the little things.  The ones so easily missed are the most important.  Don’t waste time or money, neither one is good; but money is meant to be spent, waste or not.  Time is irreplaceable… Don’t be at war with yourself… When there is peace in the heart most problems will heal or be resolved in time. Spend your time talking or discussing things you are sure of and… “Only take the advice from a person who has experienced the situation.”   We all have our days and have walked a thin line.  We have offended and been offended.  In order for us to move on we must become the bigger person.  Something most find so very hard to do.  Compassion is the ticket, something we rarely dispense.  “Give, and it shall be given unto you.”   Try changing the I to us and me to you.

Great moments are earned because of great opportunities and they don’t come often.  Take advantage of, you may not get another chance.  Learn what it takes thru experience be a winner; by giving more than you have and make it count.

“This is the day the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it.”    AMEN

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PURPOSE: to intend or plan; the intent to get something done.

PREPARE: to put things or oneself in readiness; to provide or arrange.

TESTIMONY: a declaration of truth or fact; a witness.

My walk started long ago; it was the road I chose that was lengthy, regardless the choice was mine.  It’s not what I did or didn’t do, this is about what happened along the way.

My purpose is to be a Prophet of truth, testifying about what God has done for me, not a Prophet of vision; “For no one knows what’s on the morrow.”   James 4:4

To tell the truth about the journey and give Testimony to events that led up to finding my purpose.  The very thing that would save my life.  If you can’t handle or don’t want to know the truth, “Don’t ask me.”          

We all have a purpose; our job is to find out what that purpose is and it all starts with a first step.  The one that was designed to prepare us for what is to come. “I knew thee before I formed you in the belly.”   Jeremiah 1:5

“Failing to prepare is like preparing to fail,”  and  “luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”  But by having Faith: something believed in unseen or proven is what we need to change things around, no matter how great or dire the situation.

In January of 2008 my father passed.  In February and March my mother had devastating strokes.  In April I was laid off work called back only to be laid off again in May; also in May I was diagnosed with 3rd Stage Breast Cancer, and after all that I had 30 days of Health Insurance.

Was I prepared?  NO!  But I knew Christ and He knew me.  One Sunday a pastor preached on James 1:2;  “Blessed is the man who preservers under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

With Cancer that sermon sounded like it was scripted just for me. This wasn’t a little bump in the road and it would take time for things to improve.  The peaceful season was over the cancer was real and the layoffs were worldwide.  Instead of waddling in self-pity and allowing panic to set in.  I chose to Praise God for all the life I had before this, and what was left of it.

I am no stronger or exempt from the rest of us; “it is was it is.”   But since I knew Christ and His love for us was engraved in my heart, no matter how bad or good I had been, I believed it since childhood.  I believed it because it’s what my mother said, so as far as I am concerned it is “The bottom line.” 

I witnessed my mother enjoying a Christ led life. She had planted the knowledge and the Spirit of the Lord in my heart, so that I would know I have a choice.  This would prove to be my saving grace and one of the most important decisions, and test of my faith and life.  So insecurities were not an option.  My attitude, towards cancer would determine if I live or die.

I relied on what she and the church taught me to get here.  I used my knowledge of Christ believed in his teachings, and turned to face this disease.  Thinking about my mother, I accepted what I thought was my fate as I prepared to do all I could, with what I had.  “I know I am going to live I have plenty of Faith,”  is what I told myself.

2008 is also the year Wall Street crashed.  I had been in the work force almost 45 years before it took most of my savings.  Fortunately, I am the type that takes an umbrella in case it rains.  Some would say I saved money in cans, then I buried them.  I told you all I believed in; “Be Ye Prepared!”

“Chance favors the prepared mind.”

When life throws us these unsuspected cruelties we need all the Faith we can muster.  The courage to possess a quality to become brave coupled with enthusiasm; causing us to be eager, full of zeal and intent on reaching our goals.

During this time the whole of the World seems to be crying; “Why me Lord?”  I wanted to but I am a follower of Christ only.  I learned my lessons early, on the “Life and Times of Jesus Christ”  while forced as a child to attend church.  I am not complaining, that knowledge I gained as a child helped save my life.  I learned there are over 800 promises in the bible one text said there are over 3500.  I am not here to debate, however many the number, just know that these promises are for the tragedies beyond any worldly cares;

“But He said. “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”   Luke 18:27

God’s promises are not exclusive anyone can access them.  It’s how, that prove to be the problem.  With knowledge we can and must prepare ourselves to receive them; they call for Faith and some preparations on our behalf.  We can start by taking care of how we hear and obey the Word of God.  Romans 10:17 tells us; “Faith comes by hearing.” 

The 1st thing I had to hear was to be quite, coupled with calm, clean and humble.  So I can listen to God.  Communication and meditation are necessary; I joined a Bible Believing Church with a preacher who was qualified to teach the word, so I could understand what God is saying.

Knowing the Words and Promises of Christ in the days of our worst nightmares is a comfort.  But if we don’t, then we are not prepared and all can be lost because of a lack of education, concerning the Ways and Words of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

“Be Ye Prepared,” is required of those that hear the word preached, that they may listen with diligence, preparation and prayer, is what I was told.  Then I was supposed to reference what I had heard with the Bible, to be sure I was receiving the truth.  The next thing I had to do was meditate on the words, sharing with others and retaining what I had learned in my heart.  This way the experience could be useful in my life at any given point.  All that preparation left me thinking “THE LIFE I SAVE MAY BE MY OWN.”

I learned by reading the Bible, listening to the preacher, and paying attention to how it pertained to my life.  Now I am not claiming I was conscious of that notion all the time.  But if I did something and got negative results twice, the third time I did something different.  “I CHANGED IN ORDER FOR THINGS TO CHANGE.“

“Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own self.”   James 1:22

When I started to listen to what I was hearing in the word, I was better prepared for whatever this old world had in mind to upset my apple cart.  Like that test in 2008.

After I realized most of our life is a test, I was blessed to be alive, just so I could  tell you that, and maybe help others understand how to access God’s  promises;

“For I know the plans I have for you,”  says the Lord.  “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.   Jeremiah 29:11

Thank you Lord for what you have done and for what you will do.  In Jesus name we pray.

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