Attitude Adjustment Needed!

So this morning I was in a funky mood. I woke up because of God's grace since my alarm certainly did not go off like it should have done. Then I forgot that I had to go get some gas before I started my commute to work, so I was about 10 minutes late getting on the expressway.  The drizzling rain did not help lift my spirits at all (or move traffic along, for that matter).

I arrived to work with the work coming to greet me as soon as I walked in the door. I mean, can I get my coat off first, please? Yes, I was starting on work items - that weren't even my normal responsibilities - before I logged onto my computer. My bad attitude was turned all the way up. I was so not feeling today.

While doing the other person's job (they were blessed to be off today), I happened to ask one of my co-workers how they were doing just to make conversation. Listening to her response literally made me  feel like the most ungrateful, selfish person on the planet.

In comparison to her, I was experiencing bliss! She was going through real issues and if anyone was entitled to be a little sour, it was her. Yet she still had a pleasant smile on her face. There was no trace of anger, attitude or crabbiness in her voice.

I immediately repented of my bad attitude and made an internal adjustment. Thinking about things later, I had to admit that I allowed that mood to overwhelm me. I woke up upset, but I didn't choose to put a stop to it and take on the joy of the Lord. Instead I wallowed in it, and probably made some room for it's growth as the morning went on.

So, I am going to work to give thanks in all things. Life is a blessing, and I  should give praise at every opportunity. With all that Christ experienced and does for me, I should always strive to reflect His light no matter what's happening. How can I reach someone if I'm walking around wrapped up in a funky attitude?

Lord, help me to be a better person even when things don't go according to plan. Help me to realize that if it's happening, it's a part of your Master Plan. You still have everything under control, so I can just rest in You. Thank You for Your forgiveness and grace.

Verse of the Day: Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. James 1:2 (NLT)

**Did anyone else catch that I said I woke up because of God's grace, but I still had an attitude? Lord, help me!**

Refreshed!

This year I am taking the initiative to invest in myself. I have so many talents, dreams, aspirations and plans for myself that I know I need to invest in some training and education in order to fulfill these things at the best possible level.

One of my training initiatives included attending a youth leader training conference. I just returned from said conference this past weekend. It was amazing!

Surrounded by people who are working in the same field, experiencing the same challenges, feeling the same frustrations... It was so encouraging to know that I am not alone! Plus, to receive practical, credible, real tools to help make me a better youth leader was priceless. I have so much material to chew on, I will be riding this high for a while and reaping the benefits for a lifetime!

A lot of times we can get caught up in the doing of something, that we don't take time to improve on the doing. Usually it takes a crisis or some other negative reaction for us to change course. The if it ain't broke, don't fix it mentality... But imagine finding out that there are a plethora of other shiny, fabulous tools that can do so much more for you that what you're working with!

God has blessed you to be the fabulous you that you are. Yet, He has also blessed other people to help you to be a better, more fabulous you! He's given them wisdom, experience, and insight to help your journey to destiny go a bit more smoothly.

Take advantage of those gifts! Search out the opportunities! Spend the money to get the value added to your life! You are worth the investment. In fact, investing in your success is the best investment you can make. You are so worth it!

Verse of the Day: Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. Proverbs 3:13

Conferencing...

Hello all,

I'm away at a conference and having a wonderful time! God has met me here and I am grateful.

Can I just encourage you to take some time out to get renewed in your walk with God? Whether its for your personal or ministerial walk, it is good to have a time where you are poured into. I certainly can attest to the benefits!

Enjoy your day today! I'll be back blogging tomorrow.

Tiara

Thanksgiving Friday!

Hey All! It's Friday!

I'm so happy that I made it! I (literally) just finished a paper, and now I can relax!

This weekend I'll be attending a leadership conference. I'm trying to invest in myself this year, and I'm so excited at this opportunity. It's looking to be really promising. I have to give God thanks for my church family who sent me off with their prayers and financial support for the weekend. I am truly blessed!

Before I get down to being ministered to, I'll be celebrating one of my girlfriend's upcoming nuptials. It's so nice when you can celebrate a friend. I'm so happy for her. Plus, I'm excited I get to sow some seeds of love that I will definitely be reaping come my turn!

Lord, I give you praise for my family and friends who add so much richness to my life! Thank you for blessing me to be surrounded by so much love and happiness. I am so grateful for how you've blessed me!

Have a great weekend everyone. I'm out!

Verse of the Day: The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends. Proverbs 14:20

Did You (Really) Pray For Me?

We've all gotten the request: "Pray for me."

Usually the hearer quickly says, "No problem! You know I will." They muse for a moment over what caused the petitioner to ask for prayer and then go about their day.

Yet, how many actually stop and say a prayer?

Sometimes I myself have asked for prayer at then end telling a story of difficulty. At those times I really did need prayer. Other times I simply made the request to shift the focus off of my questionable behavior: "Girl, you know God's still working on me! Pray for me!"

I've also been guilty of rattling off a quick "I'm praying for you" as a signal of my concern and well-wishes about someone. Yet my omission of follow-through with an actual prayer only made my statement hollow and worthless. It would have been better for me to have said nothing at all.

Prayer is so much more than some words strung together to make us feel like we've done something. Prayer is a moment where we are privileged to go before GOD and have a personal conversation with Him! This is nothing to play with.

When we ask for prayer, it should be with sincerity. Don't take it for granted. When someone asks for prayer, take them seriously! No matter the situation, we all can benefit from lifting up another person before the Lord or being lifted up ourselves.

Who knows what God could be waiting to reveal, block, eradicate, or fulfill if we just took our own selves seriously and really took time to pray for each other when asked?

Verse of the Day: I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men... 1 Timothy 2:1

Keep The End Goal in Mind!

Today, folks, I am tired. TIRED! I have been going at full speed for several days, and it's starting to catch up to me.

Yet, I am going to just grit my teeth, have another cup of tea and keep pressing. Why? Because I have a goal in mind. Waiting in front of me, shining like a glistening jewel, is my weekend...

It awaits, sparkling and free of responsibilities, work and deadlines. This weekend I can relax both mentally and physically. I can kick back my heels and partake in some engaging activities that don't require my leadership or assistance.

It can all be mine for the low price of non-stop work until Friday afternoon. Can I do it? Yes, I can!

When you have a goal that is of real value to you, you'll gladly sacrifice your comfort and put in the hard work to obtain that goal. When you truly get your heart fixed on something, you find the drive to get to that place, no matter how high the price may be to arrive there.

Often we say we have goals and aspirations. Are they truly goals? Or are they just wishes? Do we really aspire to possess those places of promise? Or are we just day dreaming again?

Everything that we want will not just run into our paths as we go about life. Sometimes we have to take the journey to arrive at our place of promise. And not every path is well paved and easily travelled.

Consider how Abraham obtained favor with God and as a result was made a wealthy man and the father of the nation of Israel. He had to step away from everything he knew, travel to a place without prior directions, and fully rely on God to show him when he arrived.

Imagine how much faith that took to make the first step! Imagaine how much faith it took to keep walking and not turn back!

God has shown you some places of promise that He wants to take you to. Have you taken up the charge and stepped out on faith despite the difficulty? Have you kept walking even when doubt, fear, and trials came knocking?

Keep your eyes on the ulitmate goal! Grit your teeth and take another step of faith. Obtaining God's promise for you is well worth the temporary struggle of the journey.

Verse of the Day: Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him... Genesis 12:1-4a

If It's From God, You Can't Be Stopped!

On one of my calendars, I have a daily scripture. I always keep these for my own personal meditation, but today’s scripture popped out. So, I decided to share and write on it today.


The verse references the instance when the apostles were just beginning to preach the gospel with vigor in public. The Jews were trying to silence them and brought them before their leaders looking to have the apostles killed.

Yet, one wise expert of Jewish law – Gamaliel – stood up and made this profound statement:

So my advice is, leave these men alone. Let them go. If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God!” Acts 5:38, 39 (NLT)

As time progresses, each generation brings its own vision, flavor, and method to the church. Sometimes the newness is embraced, other times it is ridiculed and blocked. With the secular world changing and evolving so much, the church is scrambling to keep up and keep the lines of communication flowing in order to reach the lost.

We cannot afford to dismiss new innovations as a body of Christians. Just because something may be foreign and unfamiliar to us, does not mean that it can’t be from the Lord. Like Gamaliel said, if it’s not from God, it will be overthrown. But, Lord help us if we find out that we’ve been fighting His inspiration!

Maybe you yourself have been given a vision that you know is from God. Maybe you’re afraid to step out because it’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen or heard of before.

Remember Abraham who struck out on his own away from everything he had ever known. Remember Noah who built a boat having never seen rain. Remember Naaman who decided to follow the prophet’s instructions and dipped in dirty waters to obtain his healing.

Go with God! If you’re following Him, you can’t be overthrown!

Verse of the Day: Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19