I Know...

These past few months, I've made some decisions to make some changes in my life. I decided to exercise more. I decided to eat healthier. I decided to spend more time with the Lord aside from just preparing for ministry.

So, how many of these things have I done?

Not. A. One.

I'm really embarrassed about the third item.

It seems to be a pattern with me. I know what I'm supposed to do (exercise), I'll see the negativity of my not doing the said thing (getting a bit soft in the middle), yet I still will not change my behavior. I'm wondering my own self what it will take for me to change....

But I already know the answer to that.

It takes a made-up mind. A determined effort. A will to succeed.

It's amazing how many things in life we will make up our minds to accomplish. Since I've started back in school, I have stayed at work a couple of hours late daily to make sure my readings are complete and my assignments are finished. As much as I love getting off at an earlier time, I love getting A's more.

Soooo.... I need to have a "come to Jesus" moment. If I don't make a determination to change, nothing will change. I can sit and shake my head at myself and sad how sad I am all I want. It changes nothing. I have to make some moves that will make the difference.

Are you making the effort to change what you know needs to be changed in your life? Have you made up your mind to succeed?

Let's not have a list of things we never got around to doing. Let's go out and succeed!

Verse of the Day: For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. Romans 7:15

Thanksgiving Friday: Never Forget...

So, my school had a prayer service in honor of 9/11 this morning, and I was surprisingly emotional. Usually I'm more collected, but listening to one teacher's story just brought everything all back.

I was in D.C. on 9/11. You could see the smoke from the Pentagon from my dorm. Just remembering that day and all of the fear, chaos, death, and confusion... It was all so sad. I'll never forget that day.

What's striking me now are the stories of the survivors. The workers who are still haunted by those they couldn't save. The dispatchers who still wonder if they really did all that they could do. The children who have lost a parent. They all are still hurting.

This week I'm thankful that our nation is staying strong. I'm thankful for those who survived and their courage to continue on. I'm thankful for life.

As tragic as that day was, it could have been worse. We could have lost more. So, I'm thankful that God shielded us from the maximum impact. I'm thankful to be an American, part of a God-fearing country that still shows Him honor despite our shortcomings. I know that our acknowledgment of Him is helping us to stay out of greater dangers.

Let's not forget the families who were impacted on 9/11. Let's remember to pray for our nation's safety and wisdom for our leaders.

Verse of the Day:

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High

will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

This I declare about the Lord:

He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;

he is my God, and I trust him.

For he will rescue you from every trap

and protect you from deadly disease.

He will cover you with his feathers.

He will shelter you with his wings.

His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,

nor the arrow that flies in the day.

Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,

nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

Though a thousand fall at your side,

though ten thousand are dying around you,

these evils will not touch you.

Just open your eyes,

and see how the wicked are punished.

If you make the Lord your refuge,

if you make the Most High your shelter,

no evil will conquer you;

no plague will come near your home.

For he will order his angels

to protect you wherever you go.

They will hold you up with their hands

so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.

You will trample upon lions and cobras;

you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.

I will protect those who trust in my name.

When they call on me, I will answer;

I will be with them in trouble.

I will rescue and honor them.

I will reward them with a long life

and give them my salvation.”

Psalm 91 (NLT)

It's Not Working

As you all know, I love to observe American politics. Listening to NPR, hearing the political news, and reading updates on Washington keeps my blood pumping.

Lately, however, I haven't been too plugged in to what's going on. Frankly, I'm turned off by the amount of stubbornness and lack of cooperation that I'm seeing from every side of the equation.

Every person or party thinks their plan is the only way. Even folks within parties are fighting over what they think is best. No one wants to give an inch to the other side. Everyone wants everyone else to follow their lead.

It just doesn't work like that. And the proof is starting to manifest in the state of our nation.

I don't get it. We teach our children to share and compromise. Why can't our nation's leaders do the same?

Saints, let's continue to keep our leaders lifted up in prayer. Our nation is in the midst of a struggle, and only God can help us navigate through.

And, even as we pray, let's make sure that our attitudes are right with the people we interact with as well. Are we listening? Are we willing to compromise? Do we work in a manner that breeds cooperation?

Have a great day!

Verse of the Day: Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another... Romans 12:10

Bubbly...

There's an older woman who works in my office that I can only describe as...bubbly. She's always willing to help others out and goes the extra mile. She keeps a smile on her face and walks around humming a happy tune all day. She's bubbly...and not in the annoying way.

I am not bubbly. Granted, I have been more prone to smile since I am actually enjoying what I do right now. But bubbly I am not.

But one thing I can't help but notice is that her bubbly attitude puts mine in check. Whenever I talk to her, I can't help but walk away feeling brighter. I'm kinder to her than normal, because you can't help but be kind to such a warm, happy person.

Now, that's food for thought. You do get back what you put out. The kind words we share, the smile we give, the extra help that we offer... people do notice and will give us back what we put out.

So, let's challenge ourselves to be a bit more cheerful today. Let's pull up the joy of the Lord and allow that to be our strength instead of succumbing to those negative moods that easily overtake us. Let's see how many lives we can brighten by being a bit more bubbly!

Verse of the Day: A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Friends... How Many of Us Have Them?

I consider myself to be a loner. I prefer to keep to myself. Interacting with a large group of folks usually doesn't appeal to me.

I really don't care to have random conversations. I don't call to just call. It's usually because something happened... or, I'm really bored. I like to work out my problems on my own instead of hashing out questions with others. I prefer to figure out my own business rather than have everyone else know what's going on with me.

Yet, God has blessed me with a wonderful group of friends. They get me, and still love me anyhow. In those times where I need strength or encouragement, they are there to help me out. And I gladly return the favor. They all have their own individual strengths, and I am grateful for their input. Plus, they also have eyes of the Spirit, so even when I try to stay mum, sometimes the Lord prompts them to pull what's going on out of me.

The Lord encourages us to surround ourselves with people who will strengthen and uplift our lives. No matter how much we may think we have it together and can fend for ourselves, there is added wisdom with the voice of a friend. Especially a friend who knows the Lord.

Take time to celebrate your friends today. Pray for them and give them a call of encouragement. If you honestly don't have anyone you consider a friend, ask God to send someone your way. He won't leave you to yourself.

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

Thanksgiving Friday!

Gotta love free food!

Good morning! It's a beautiful, hot, sunny day over here in Chicago! I hope you have sunny skies in your corner of the world as well. If not, you can be the sunshine that you seek.

God has blessed us with another great week. I'm so grateful that I am alive and enjoying life. It seems like days are flying by, but I am enjoying every one of them!

This week I'm thankful for generosity. I was blessed with a couple of lunches, a movie, and a dinner all this week! They were all pleasant surprises and most definitely appreciated. It feels good to get a return on all the love I've been pouring out lately. You definitely reap what you sow! (Galatians 6:7)

I'm also happy to be back in school. This leadership class is allowing me to see some biblical people in a whole new light. I'd never thought on the leadership skills of Joseph, but this class has me looking from a different angle. I'm glad I have the opportunity to get some added wisdom.

What are you thankful for today? Give God some praise!

Verse of the Day: IT IS A GOOD THING TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, AND TO SING PRAISES UNTO THY NAME, O MOST HIGH...For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. Psalm 92: 1, 4

Flashback!: No Stuntin' and Frontin' Necessary

I was going through the blog this morning, and I ran across this post from earlier this year. It's one of my favorites, so I wanted to share it again. It's nice to know that God knows the good, bad and ugly about me, and still loves me just the same.

Sometimes I think about things I've done or thoughts I've had, and I can't believe my own self. Yet God is aware and knows that I am but dust. He understands that I'm a human born into sin.

He also knows that I'm redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, and I have the privilege of being close to Him and spending all eternity with Him. Because of my acceptance of His Son's sacrifice, my sins of scarlet are white as snow.

Have a great day!

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Believe it or not, we all are highly skilled actors. From our facial expressions, the way we dress, and our tone of voice, we humans have perfected the art of masking how we really feel.


We act professional at work in order to keep our jobs. We act respectful with our parents because... well, they're our parents. We act like everything's good when we're out with our friends because we don't want to bring the party down. We act like we have money when we're drowning in debt. Some of us act holy in church because... Let me just back away from that one. You see I could go anywhere with this.

It is rare for us these days to show our true selves to people. We set up our facades to make ourselves look better to others and keep our negative, embarrassing, or painful feelings to ourselves. Very few people (if any) get the privilege of seeing how we truly are.

Yet there is someone who knows every moment of our lives, and He knows our real feelings. He knows every single minute thought. He's seen every outburst of anger, heard every cry of fear, witnessed every pang of insecurity, and bottled up every single tear.

And He still loves you so much.

Isn't it amazing to know that there is Someone who truly accepts you for you? Not the "stage" you that is the talented actor, but the real you who He created along with your most inward parts. We have no reason to front with Him, He already knows all of us and keeps on reaching out for us anyway.

Take some time to meditate on the fullness and richness of God's love for you today and let Him know how much you appreciate His love.

Verse of the Day: ...for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. I Samuel 16:7b