I REMEMBER JOSEPH

Chaste conversation...

2012-10-19T23:41:00.001-07:00

As I kept silent for several weeks, I had begun to wonder if my chaste conversation would ever amount to anything. It seemed as though I was being taken advantage of and I became angry on the inside while still holding on to His promise that Chaste conversation is more precious than contention and that it would yield favorable results. After several days of this Chaste conversation, I was told, "You have a beautiful glow about you." This was followed by many other compliments and words of compassion. As my husband began to take interest in me I realized that once again, God is a Man of His Word! As I allowed the Lord to bridal my tongue, He was winning the battle for me by His own strategy. There were so many things my flesh wanted to unleash, but the Lord's grace was sufficient enough for me to hold on to it. All the while He was working things out for my good. That moment came when I was able to express my concerns openly without fear of retaliation because the Lord had set the atmosphere for the exchange as only He can.

What's good for hair growth?

2012-07-27T16:16:00.002-07:00

Has anyone heard that anti-fungal cream used for yeast infection is good for hair growth?

LOOKING UP

2012-02-14T12:16:00.000-08:00

Wow! I am happy to say that I am looking to the hills from whence cometh my help. Whenever I would look up before, it seems like I would get whiplash from the wind gusts of doubt which demolished my own anticipation...and I would run for shelter instead of weathering the storm with my Maker! Well, things are looking up, as am I...with my Maker steadying my head with His hand. Peace! Be still!

Salt and Savor

2011-10-25T06:02:00.000-07:00

Matthew 5:13-16

13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Can your walk be classified as bland or are you sprinkling out the savour within you and causing everything around you to "taste" better?

14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

In Montgomery, Alabama there are cities with names such as Slapout and Pine Apple...these are odd names, but it causes one to ponder the meanings.

What would the name of your city be? Is it set upon a hill or somewhere down in the valley? Think about it? If you had to give your city a name, what would you call it? I hadn't given it a thought until the Lord chose this topic for me this morning, but I'm going to start with this:

I'm caught between Salt City and Savour City so, I'm combining the two and calling it Salt & Savour City...and you?

15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Is your candle on a candlestick or are you hiding? If you are the light of the world, it's time to come out of hiding. Why are you shunning those dark places and the people who are in them? I did this for years on my job. I called it, "keeping the peace". But I began to realize that I was avoiding the possibility of conflict because I was more comfortable, it was less-challenging and just plain easier to do. I would avoid going in the same room where a co-worker was just because she doesn't like me, or I would rather not be around her, etc. I would plan my day around doing things in that room when she was out doing other things. My job doesn't require that I spend too much time in that room anyway, so "technically" I wasn't neglecting my responsibilities, right? But I altered my behavior to appease a person, which is the same as hiding my light under a bushel! The Lord began to chastise me in my spirit and I came to realize that my Salt was losing its savour and my light was growing very dim! The Lord began to show me that the very thing I needed to do was the exact opposite of what I was doing! As I began to heed His warnings and savour the things that He desired, my light began to shine brighter and I began to see change. As I die to self daily, I continue to see change...all praise be the God and therefor, my light is so shining...

16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

I believe my Father is being glorified in the city of Salt and Savour...

In all thy getting

2011-10-24T11:38:00.000-07:00

Get Understanding...

Have you ever said these words? "Something told me to..."? Why do we say this? Who or what is that something? Is it an inner voice (as some would call it)? Is it a sixth sense (as others may say)? Or is it the voice of the Holy Spirit which quickens you in an instant and causes you to see, hear, know, feel or have a taste of His presence. Understand this; the bible says My sheep know My voice? If your husband calls your name, will you say something is speaking to me? No, you will address him by name, even if it's just in your spirit, you will respond with confidence in the fact that you know who it was that called you. If your wife beckons for you from a distance, you will address her the same because you know her voice. You know your spouse's voice and usually that of your family members especially your own children. I could go so far as to say we know the voices of close friends and acquaintences as well. What's more, is that you will not refer to them as something, someone, or that little voice will you? In all thy getting, get the understanding that He too, should be acknowledged and respected and more so than anyone or anything else. When you hear that warning from God or notice that one thing that was hidden from view because He uncovered it before it blew up in your face, say so! The next time the voice of the Lord is speaking, beckoning, chastening, etc. try responding with "Yes Lord", or even simply, "Here am I Lord". My favorite one of all is this, "THANK YOU LORD!" Stop taking His credit or giving it away to instinct...He deserves all the glory! In all thy getting...

Chaste Conversation...

2011-10-09T15:40:00.000-07:00

What is it that the Lord has called you to do? He called me to minister to women! I know this...I receive this and I believe He will use me mightily. Let it rain Lord!

My ministry is called Chaste Conversation...

Pure, Holy, Righteous speaking (in spite of your circumstances) which prepares you for the manifest blessings of God in your life! The Lord brought me from a place of outspokenness, rudeness, inconsiderate ways and (at times) down right meanness, to being submissive in His service and biting my life and death speaking tongue until I could taste the blood of Jesus which was shed for me to become better, not bitter!

It's time to share with others and birth a new generation of women who have staying power!

New Birth Date: 10 October, 2011: Montgomery, Alabama...
Need Information...just post your comment here on this site!

AS LONG AS I STAY UP...

2011-08-17T06:02:00.000-07:00

Seems like just yesterday I said I'll write that down tomorrow...
but tomorrow never came
As I found myself cascading down the slippery slope of doubt that anyone was even interested in anything I have to say.

Well...it's been six long months since my last post but...I'm up!
Doubt is down! Insecurity has taken a dive into the pool that leads to the slippery slope that goes on to infinity

As long as I stay up!

On Valentine's Day...

2011-02-09T06:11:00.000-08:00

IF MY HEART COULD SPEAK

If my heart could speak a melody
Even the suffering around the world
Would be stifled ‘til the song is done
Late night cries would not be heard

Its notes would rhyme with
PEACE, be still
Its chords would dance aloud
To a rhythm only we two could share
Though encircled by a crowd

Of those who can only witness our love
Who can only see with their eyes
And hear with longing ears
What they wish they could deny

That what we have is real
To us
Something to be envied
For they’ll never reach the depth of us
In their now, their dreams, or their pretending

If my heart could only speak
Words it would not say
In its rhythm alone
Is your house, your home
Love me…
I Love You
Always

The take off and the landing

2011-02-02T08:15:00.000-08:00

Just before my 11th birthday my family moved to Arizona. I remember sitting on the airplane next to my mom when the pilot began to speak. After he greeted us and explained a few things about our expected air time, and weather patterns we would possibly encounter he told the attendants to prepare for take off.

OMG! We're moving! Woo Hoo! This is exciting stuff. We taxied onto the runway and then Zing! Zing! I never knew anything could move so fast! Whoa! Whoa! The nose lifted, the tail shortly followed and just like that, we were above the ground. It was kind of scary but exhiliarating at the same time. I loved it; having no idea that this was one of the most dangerous parts of flight. As the buildings below appeared smaller and smaller the excitement wavered just the same. For what seemed like eternity we were in flight. As I looked out the window I couldn't even tell that we were moving. The 3 hour flight to Arizona was boring at best. We shook a little bit here and there which wasn't very exciting, but it never lasted long. Then I heard the pilot instruct the attendants to prepare for landing. That's when things started shaking up quite a bit. Okay, what's going on, I thought. This was scary stuff now. We seemed to dip to the left and to the right a few times as we were now ingulfed in the clouds. After a few more dips and turns things started to come into view. I could see the little buildings again only they were getting bigger and bigger. I could see small bodies of water here and there and mountain tops with snow on them. The fasten seatbelt sign lit up and I heard a couple of loud noises which seemed to come from directly underneath my seat; oh, it was just the landing gear; then within minutes there was another sound as we made contact with the runway. Zing! Zing! Whoa! OMG! Put on the breaks! Put on the breaks! Woo Hoo! This too, was exciting stuff, but kind of scary at the same time. Wow! How cool was that, I thought.

We suddenly slowed way down and taxied a little bit before coming to a complete halt. We were nearly the last ones to get off the plane, but then there was my dad waiting for us with open arms. Wow, what a feeling!

To this day I don't remember anything else about that first flight except the take off and the landing...

My coming to Christ can be described in much the same way as that first take-off. It seemed as though my heart began pounding as fast as the pilot had sped down the runway all those years ago. It was exhiliarating as I lifted off the ground leaving all familiar things behind and being thrust into flight where a renewed mind awaited me above the clouds. The first few years of salvation it seemed as though I was on a high. Nothing bothered me anymore, I felt light as a feather. Things once familiar to me became smaller and smaller as I began to move further and further away from the things which had me bound. It's like I was on a spiritual cruise control where I knew I was in unfamiliar yet safe territory. There was less turbulence (uncertainties) and far less interference (temptation to sin).

There above the clouds but under the safety of His wings I found a peace and serenity for a time but much like my first plane ride, I grew bored and I became complacent. The zing I had once experienced at take-off or the point of salvation and realization, was now just ho-hum. I had become all too familiar with my surroundings and lost the thrill of being in flight. So what was I to do now?

Just like a mother Eagle sores high into the sky with her baby in her grasp before releasing it to fall seemingly helplessly toward the ground, I felt the Lord begin to shake things up a bit in my life. My prayers were not answered right away. The favor of God, although it was following me, seemed to have lost sight of me. Although His wing span is far greater than that of a Boeing 747, I felt like I was dropped out from under His covering enough times to question His existence in my life yet He always seemed to catch me (just as that mother eagle does her young) before I would hit the bottom and take me soring high again. It took me a while to realize that He had been teaching me how to fly.

The turbulent times of trials and tribulations were necessary for me to grow my own wings. It is in these times that we soar high in our relationship with Him. We learn His ways as we cruise above the clouds of hopelessness and despair, then He releases us, not to plummet to the ground but to learn how to flap our wings and maneuver through the air; not just beating against the wind (praying about things)but allowing the wind to assist us in flight (commanding things into action knowing that we shall have what we say)! Although it feels as though we've been dropped sometimes, we can rest assured that the shaking and the dips are necessary for training and we can overcome them. The more we fly (pray and believe), the more we get acquainted with things in flight (spiritual warefare). As we put on our armor and prepare to battle the winds we must know that He has all power to calm every storm. No matter how shaky things are in flight, His landing gear will never fail us.

No matter how many air pockets we endure we must understand that we are pressed but not crushed, persecuted not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed. We are like pilots in training. I no longer fear the dips to the left and to the right, but I welcome them as being the much needed techniques to get me closer to the runway (my destiny in Him). As my new surroundings are coming into full view I focus on the buildings and I see His grace and mercy; the bodies of water being the Word of God all around me; and the snowcapped mountains are like the obstacles I know I have the power to conquer; and as for the runway...well, I'm getting closer and closer to it and I can see the lighted path illuminating the way for me to come in safely.

I'm no longer in or above the clouds but still safely in flight enduring the bumps and the shaking as I prepare for a safe landing, and as I stop and ponder I envision my Daddy's outstretched arms as I hear Him saying, "Well done, My good and faithful servant. You have flown well!"

Now, as that child boarding that first flight to Phoenix, I have a renewed appreciation and fascination for what is noted as the most dangerous parts of flying but there's no place I'd rather be! There will never be anything more satisfying or gratifying than coming to Christ and ultimately seeing the face of God! I like to think of it as the Take-off and the Landing! (Wow, what a feeling)!

This is not a drill!

2011-01-13T08:09:00.000-08:00

What is that I Sense? Why is there a stirring in my belly? I know I trust HIM! I know I also trust him, but there is something I hear from the spirit within me. Hmm...the Lord will not have me ignorant of satan's devices! Yes, that's it! That makes sense. Even though "his" motives are pure, I see a "strange package" which could potentially be a threat. Therefore what is my proper response?

All the years I spent in the US Military were filled with drills, training sessions and mission essential tasks. Due to potential threats from enemies of the United States, we were always on alert for suspicious activity. One thing that was emphasized over and over again was how we were to respond to a suspicious package. We were trained to be so familiar with our every day surroundings that anything unusual would stick out like a sore thumb. In reference to potential bomb threats etc. we were taught to report anything which appeared to be out of place to the SPs (Security Police) no matter what!

If I was walking down the hallway of the hospital where I worked (even during peaceful times) and just happened to notice a bag/purse/box or anything else unattended, my responsibility was to report it. It did not matter the contents, but that there was something out of place. In drill after drill though, there was always someone who would ignore the strange package, taking for granted that it wasn't out of place, but "part of the drill". Thanks to that costly error, the simulated result would be that the bag contained a bomb and ultimately BOOM!

I believe that our spiritual walk should be just as intense as my military training. Anything unusual in our lives should be treated as though it were a bomb in a black bag! Whether it's on our jobs, with our children or with our spouses we cannot ignore suspicous activity. However this is not a license to be "suspect" about every little thing, but discerning of those things which are out of place. When something new is introduced into your life and there's an uneasiness in your belly which you cannot really explain, you have a responsibility to treat it like a "potential threat".

Need I remind you that the thief cometh not, but for to steal, kill and destroy. It's his sole mission against us. Therefore, we cannot afford to ignore strange happenings. We "know" our spouses too well not to notice even the most subtle behavior change. We "know" our children too well not to notice a sudden change in their attitude, etc. We dwell with them day in and day out so why then is this new thing bothering us so? It's so out of place, that's why! It just seems strange all of a sudden, that's why! It sticks out like a sore thumb! Uh oh! That's discernment! Will you wait for the BOOM or diffuse the bomb?

How long will you entertain that suspicious package? I don't care what it looks like, what it says, or whether you're afraid it may start an argument. That sickness in your belly is telling you that there is bomb in there and the timer has started. Trust that "security Policeman" or Holy Spirit prompting you to report that suspicious activity. What is that new thing that you feel like you have to keep close watch on? Let me tell you this; watching a bomb and expecting it to not blow up just because you see it, is called insanity! The timer will still expire no matter how watchful you are, then BOOM! Who is that new person you feel uneasy around? What is his business with your wife? What is her business with your husband? Is there any visible sign that the door is open for the enemy to walk through? If the door is open, you can watch it all day long but at the end of the day it will still be open. Some people come into our lives without intention, without motives, and without a clue that the enemy rode in on their shirttails! Next thing you know, BOOM! There's the soul-tie. BOOM! There's the contention at home! BOOM! There's the peer pressure! BOOM! There's the fatal attraction., etc.

Wow! Why didn't the Lord warn me? I was watching and praying. How did I miss this? You didn't miss it. It was right there in plain view, unattended, out of place, and sticking out like a sore thumb, but you walked around it. Don't you know the Lord will not have you ignorant of satan's devices; those bomb threats are real. They may be in little black bags/purses/boxes or in human form but they are devices just the same.

I may no longer be enlisted in the Air Force but I am in the Army of The Lord and I believe the same rules apply! We wrestle not against flesh and blood but powers and principalities, rulers and spiritual wickedness, etc. No matter what the enemy is trying to tell me, that "Security Policeman" in may knower is telling me don't be the one who ignores the package. This is not a drill!

It Is GOOD...

2011-01-03T08:14:00.000-08:00

I remember growing up in Chicago, Illinois. The youngest of 7 children, daddy's girl and also the 4th of 4 girls. As I grew a little older, I noticed some things about my sisters and me that were somewhat different, by comparison, but we were all girls; we came from the same set of parents and we all shared the same room. Bunk beds in the corner for Michelle and me; Marva right next to us and then Deb in the other corner of the room. It seems strange now to consider that we were all able to sleep in the same room and much worse, share the same tiny closet, but we grew up that way. It was all we knew and it became a natural and normal way of life. It never seemed cramped to me, but then again, I was the youngest and smallest of the others, so experiencing this through the eyes of young adults like my sisters, must have been altogether different, but I can only imagine.

What I do remember most is that in Chicago everyone pretty much looked the same, we all had brown skin though some were lighter or darker than others. We all had kinky or nappy hair, though some seemed to have "the good stuff" as opposed to others; but for the most part there was no real comparison. As a matter of fact, even in my school, there were things that I simply did not notice because everyone around me was virtually the same as me, give or take a few pounds here or a few inches there.

So, what is the significance of comparison?

Just before my 11th birthday, my dad accepted a job transfer to a very far away place. It was nothing like Chicago at all. As a matter of fact, I don't believe I knew I was Black or that there were different races of people in the world until we moved to Mesa, Arizona!

OMG! Nobody looks like me! Nobody has nappy hair! What! What happened to the commercials? WGN News? We're not even on TV! What is this?

This is called...culture shock!

My eyes were opened to an entirely new dimension in time. I remember one of my sisters literally applauding as we drove around the city, each time she saw someone who resembled "us".

Not long after we settled in, it was time to register for school. Praise God that my first year at school would be spent directly across the street from my house, but my insecurity was even closer than that.

I went from an all black school, to being the only black female in the school. Thank God for one other black student who was a boy and one grade behind me, but wow, I had nothing in common with anyone!

First I didn't really "get it" that I was black, especially after fitting in with the kids in Chicago, now I'm not only black but even I KNOW THAT I'M BLACK!!! My skin was different, the way I dressed was different, my body structure was different! My nose was BIG! My lips were BIG! To top it off, I was wearing a "C" Cup at the time and even that was BIG in an all white school! I was teased and called Dolly Parton of all things! To make matters worse, their hair was long or at least at the shoulders, it moved whenever they did even slightly and unfortunately, I hadn't really noticed this until...

I was wearing my hair in the classic "little black girl way", you know, parted down the middle, from front to back, with one french braid (as we called it in Chicago)on each side, but I came to understand that the technical term was a corn row. Whatever it was I had it on each side of my head, joined in the back! Well, I looked really cute when I left the house one morning, and then...it happened...one of the "mean girls" says, OMG, do you have any idea what your hair looks like right now? All eyes are on me or should I say, my head, and I'm thinking, "Duh, it's french braids!" But before I could finish the thought my sub-conscience and self-conscience had teamed up and reached up to touch my beautiful quaff, only to find out that my braids were no longer french and didn't look anything like rows of corn, but yet unraveled and defying gravity! In other words...sticking out of my head in whatever position they unraveled in! No, it wasn't laying on my shoulders like unraveled braids do when your hair is a different texture, but just suspended in the air!

I can only imagine my facial expression then, but it only got worse. How about, I didn't know how to french braid! My sister had braided my hair for me...Ok, aaaand I didn't have a comb! Or brush! And WHO WOULD I BORROW FROM???

I had to look like a complete idiot the rest of the day. If you could have seen my head when I finally got home to face a mirror! I vowed never to french braid my hair again...and to this day!!!

I have never felt so humiliated, inferior or insecure in my entire life. In that moment I had adopted an inferiority complex which would stay with me for years. I tried to fight it and even hide behind my intelligence. I was always smart and that was the one thing that made me acceptable to others who were "supposed" to be. You see, it was unusual for black people to be smart, we were "supposed" to be unintelligent or at least labeled as such, so the fact that I was anything but, was somewhat of a "cool" thing within certain circles. It gave me acceptance in ways that most black people didn't get. But on the inside I was imagining myself with lighter skin and hair that moved. I was not secure in just being who I was, I felt like I didn't belong. I truly felt like an outsider, like the ugly duckling, or the BLACK STEPCHILD...ok, let alone red headed! I would have given anything to have just had red hair! But no! I was black.

So I always felt insecure and unfinished. I felt like something was missing and that I was never going to measure up to a certain impossible standard.

I had no idea "who" I was on the inside! I had no idea that I was fearfully and wonderfully made...and if I'm being honest, though I'm saved, sanctified and filled with the Spirit of the Lord, there are those times when I look at me and feel like I didn't get a fair spin on the Potter's Wheel. But, I have come to know that those demons of insecurity and inferiority are what causes us to compare ourselves to others and not believe the word of the Lord in a way where we are convinced and assured, secure and superior in Him!

Jesus was one hundred percent secure in knowing Who He Is therefore satan could not tempt him with the things of this world. Satan got the word, "in his face" whenever he tried to tempt Jesus. There was no insecurity in Him. The superiority of God in Him gave Him the strength to defeat the tempter even after He had fasted 40 days. There was no inferiority in Him! If Eve had been more secure in God, would she have allowed satan to beguile her? Eve told the serpent what God had said, in Genesis Chapter 3, verse 3 but then allowed him to sow doubt in the very next instance in verse 4.

3...God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

4...And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

Can you imagine her thinking at this point? "What? Why would God say that if it isn't true?" Even though she told him what God said, Eve was not secure in knowing that God cannot lie; the enemy tapped into that vein of insecurity and fed her an untruth. Because she had no real security in what she knew God had said, the enemy was able to trip her up. After that, he went in for the kill in verse 5...

...For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

When the enemy told her that God was simply holding out on her and didn't want her to be "like god" knowing good from evil, she felt inferior and wanted to obtain a higher status, not knowing that she was already superior even to satan in that moment. Therefore, the trickster won as she took the bait and the bite. There were the seeds of insecurity and inferiority sown, which still curse us to this day! What are we comparing ourselves to others for when we were made in the image and likeness of the Almighty God!

I get it now! I too had taken the bait and the bite. When my hair unraveled, so did my security and confidence in just being who I was. When the enemy used that girl to say, OMG, do you have any idea what your hair looks like right now; even though I reached up and touched it and felt that it was unraveled or disheveled, my response should have been, "Yes, just as it should!"

I didn't know the Lord at that time in grade school. But I know that those seeds were sown then and I carried them with me right into my adult life, right into my saved life. Those demonic spirits stayed on board even through salvation, sanctification, deliverance and the like. When we don't know what spirits have a hold on us they remain nestled inside. They take up residence in us and they operate almost in an undercover way. But, the Lord will not have us ignorant of satan's devices! Of that I am assured! I get it now! These devices have names. They are called Insecurity and Inferiority and they have been joined together much like the intertwining of the corn rows which used to adorn my head and join in the back. But this day, I declare they are permanently unraveled and disheveled. But they are not defying gravity and suspended in the air, yet cut off, fallen to the ground and trampled underfoot! I renounce Insecurity and Inferiority in Jesus' Name!

This day, I am on a personal quest to see myself through the eyes of God. In Him there is no comparison! When He made me, my big nose, my big lips, my full hips, and nappy hair He looked at the finished work and said, "It Is GOOD!"

Recommended reading: "Satan's Dirty Little Secret" by Steve Foss

The Lighted Path

2010-12-21T10:15:00.000-08:00

I remember when I received word from my husband that I was asked to read a scripture or two and talk about the birth of Christ for a Christmas program at a church in Opelika, Alabama.

I turned to him and said, "What?"

He reiterated the point and I said, "Wow, are you sure they said me and not you?" He assured me that I was "it".

Okay, I have never been more uncomfortable in my life. Have I ever spoken in front of people before? Yes! Was it awkward then? Yes, but at least the topic was one I was comfortable with or something I was permitted to choose. I have ministered with my husband about relationships. I have spoken to women who were discouraged in their marriage. I have recited poetry, and even led praise and worship (mostly in a back-up position), but I led nevertheless; however, this request was something altogether different. It wasn't a topic I was comfortable with and I thought my husband would have been a better choice.

Several times I thought I would turn it down and even defer to Troy. This was more of a topic in his comfort zone than mine. I thought of this path as dark, and dreary. Not because I didn't know about the birth of Jesus or what the importance of it was or is, but it was a new topic for me. My husband would have walked down this path with ease, I thought. But I remembered saying to the Lord some months back, that I would not turn down another opportunity to minister. The greater plan for me has to start somewhere so "here am I Lord, send me." I literally spoke those words, however, that monkey called "fear" jumped right on my back and dug his nails into my shoulders. He had a death grip on me. He was determined to pull me down to the ground and douse the fire once again. But, something rose up within me and I said No, not this time! Even if I fall on my face, I'm going to do this.

One of the sisters from the church called me to confirm that I had gotten the message from Troy and asked if I was okay with it. I told her honestly, "Sister I'm trying to be okay with it, but I can't lie!" However, I did express that I would be obedient and let the Lord have His way. She found this to be hilarious (thank God)! I thought, thank you Jesus, she understands and she also has a sense of humor. But that monkey said, "Ha, you're stuck now!" OMG! What will I say?

Wow! What "WILL" I say about the birth of Jesus, in a word? Lord knows, "ain't nothin' simple about Jesus or His birth, so what in the world will I say?" I hate being in an awkward place especially when I feel unprepared or rushed, and it seemed as though time was closing in on me. At this point I had just officially committed myself to step in with both feet. Again, I'm thinking, Wow! The birth of Christ summed up with one or two scriptures and a short talk. I didn't think I could do it, but as the Lord led, things began to come together. I selected a passage of scriptures to expound upon in my own way using practical examples of every day life. Now all the while I'm thinking, I'm not a preacher, I'm not loud or charismatic. I'm not Troy! They've heard him speak and surely they'll be expecting me to be charismatic and boisterous. How will they receive me if I simply talk to them? I just knew they would be disappointed. I thought Lord, I can't "do" this!

And the Lord said, "That's exactly right. You can't DO this!" God said clearly, I don't want you to "do" anything, but everything I tell you! I don't want you to try to please them but be a vessel of honor unto Me. No matter what comes out of your mouth, I'll be The One speaking. If no one claps, shouts or pats you on the back, I will be smiling upon you. Is that good enough for you?"

At that moment the Lord had put me in check! Why was I fretting over what I would "do" or what they would say about it? I worried that they wouldn't receive it or they would be let down if I didn't bring "a word" that they would talk about after it was finished. In mid-thought, a scripture popped into my head..."the steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord." This was an ordered step for me to take. It wasn't for Troy to take, or for the pastor of that house, it was an ordered step for Dee Towns!

I thought about other times when I had declined opportunities to speak before a group of people. I had reasons or excuses actually (if I'm being honest), all the while wondering why the Lord said He was going to use me, but He had not done it yet. The Lord had set many a path before me, but I didn't recognize the light for the dark thoughts that clouded my spiritual insight. I was expecting Him to use me in the way I thought He would, without giving credence to the fact that He would use me in the capacity in which He had chosen. Sometimes this looks and feels extremely awkward because we put God in a box and allow our opinions, reasonings and carnal interpretations of our own calling, to prevent us from walking in our destiny.

But God showed me my own uniqueness. He reminded me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made in His image and likeness not to be compared to any other. He also revealed the inferiority complex I had allowed the enemy to impregnate me with. I had not realized it until that day, but I had given birth to a stronghold of inferiority. That monkey was on my back but not because he had jumped on it, but because I was carrying him like a baby kangaroo in his mother's pouch. He was right at home. I had begun to see myself as inferior to my husband. I compared myself to him and lessened my own spiritual importance because I felt I would not measure up.

But the Lord says, "I know the plan which I think towards you, thoughts of good and not evil, to give you an expected end." I did not expect my ending to be a happy one. I did not expect my ending to be one that others would recognize or appreciate so I figured I would just step off the course and let someone else finish the journey.

But God! December 19th came and I woke up feeling good about the day the Lord had made. We attended the early morning service at our home church and later traveled to Opelika for the program. I was so sleepy, I almost got whiplash on the drive up. I tried to read my notes, but couldn't stay awake. My eyes remained closed for the majority of the trip. We went into the building, as the program was just about to start and as I took my seat, there that monkey was again...

I read the program, found "my place" and tried to enjoy everything that came before it as best I could. At last it was time and I silently cried out to God one last time. As I stepped up to the podium to speak, I briefly closed my eyes and took a deep breath. The breath of "new life" filled my nostrils and I could feel the weight of the now "dead monkey" on my back. I said, "use me Lord" and like a thud, that monkey fell to the ground as He poured out His grace upon me one more time. As I felt it travel down my forehead and cascade across the lids of my eyes, I opened them and there before me was The Lighted Path!

And...Quickly We Forget!

2010-12-13T09:08:00.000-08:00

What is the constant in my life?
His grace, His mercy, His promises, right?
Why have I forgotten His faithfulness? My experience?
I'm constantly juggling, struggling, delirious!
Though I hear, I hear, "daughter do you hear me?"
His voice, as a whisper coming nigh but I'm fearing
The resounding whoa... casting cares into doubt
Not upon Him Who provides the way out

Quickly the constant is belied
Shrinking back in agony I say I have tried!
Giving heed to doubt
That He stands by my side

Believing I am forsaken
I know it's a lie but my faith has been shaken
Even taken...to the enemy's camp
Can I muster the strength to take it back?

Lying down in my armor is just not enough
Angels are prodding...Get up! Get up!
They say, Speak! Speak with a loud voice!
Give us much to do...faith is a choice!

Select it like a choice arrow removed from its quiver
Direct it as an archer poised to deliver
The lethal blow to fall his prey
The battle's not over; it's hinged upon faith

Have you forgotten the many battles won
Have you forgotten your work is yet to be done

Have you forgotten your children?
Those to whom you prophesied?
Will they give up on God
Or believe that He lied?

That this was all coincidence?
Or worse...It was luck! Whatever that is?
He neither sleeps nor slumbers
Remember Joseph? Remember the others!

He sees you
He chose you
This is your test
The season is simply dry at best
Oh but when He comes is yet...

A prayer away; a shout or dance
The good work He's begun is not left to chance
It's an absolute fact
The same is He Who delivered you last

Quickly He came
Quickly He left
Leaving you with power to determine the rest

But constantly we call Him
Forgetting the power He gave us to walk in

Not speaking life But speaking death
We forget that He came right after He left
Expecting that He will fight in our place
While we hang our heads and pilfer His grace

Out of His hands from which He gives freely
Like little children we cry "Daddy don't leave me!"

Though the wealth of His presence fills us WE LACK
PEACE as a gambler who's just lost a bet.
Quickly is the constant
That keeps us in debt?
For Quickly we remember
And...Quickly We Forget!

Has your good become your God?

2010-10-06T12:54:00.000-07:00

Everything good certainly is not God...why else would the bible warn to "not let your good be evil spoken of?"

Right there in the word "your" I believe the answer lies. Your good, I believe, is when you are doing a good thing with good intentions but without God inspiring you to do it. Hence, it is called "your" good.

God said, "Ye are the light of the world." He also said, "Let your light so shine before men that they shall see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." That might appear to say that you can go around doing everything with good intentions and men will glorify God because of it.

But why would He say, avoid the "appearance of evil". Could it be that "your" good can become "your god"? When you idolize the good things you do and they become more important to you than the voice of the Lord, then your good has become your idol. What you idolize is become your god. Your light will attract even the unattractable if it's the light of love, godliness, integrity, noble character, etc. then it will be noticed for the good that it is, but when your light is dim, it's because you're ignoring that "little voice" on the inside of you that has probably said once or twice, "Okay, you need to introduce this woman to your anointed wife so she can minister to her", or "Hey sister, why are listening to this man's stories about his pornography addiction and not finding a brother at church for him to talk to", or how about, "you don't need to call him/her anymore, just to check on them...that's the soul-tie speaking to you"

You see, that little voice that you're reasoning with is the Spirit of the Lord saying, "this" good can be evil spoken of. It's helping you to see that what you're doing (although a good thing) can be or already is appearing to be evil, so give it up and give it over! But, when we wrestle with that thing, and allow that spirit of high-mindedness in and think more of ourselves than we ought to, we start saying things like, "People just need to mind their own business!" What are we really saying? How about, "Come on in devil, back off Jesus, I got this! The only reason my good is evil spoken of or that this appears to be evil is because of nosey people!"

I caution you my brother, my sister, what stinks is right under your own nose! It's the stench of your own rotten flesh! Your flesh is enjoying the doing of the good works. Your flesh has become god of the good thing.

The Lord was not being over-protective when He said to, "avoid the APPEARANCE of evil!" No matter what your good intentions are, the Lord would have you right and righteous at all times! Your witness is so valuable to Him that He doesn't even want you to look bad.

Are you sitting back saying, "People need to mind their own business!" Then I guess you need to tell your Lord and Savior the same thing! Listen to how that sounds. Just stop and say for a brief second, "Jesus, mind your own business!" Wow! Although that must sting quite a bit, I'll bet He would still say, "Son/Daughter, you are My business."

It is granted, people will be who they are, do what they and say what they say regardless of your good intentions but are you giving them something to talk about? How many times do you need to talk to that girl at the back table in the cafeteria? How many times will you allow that man to call you because he's struggling with something and you're a good listener? Don't you know that's what the devil is saying to you, while The Holy Spirit is saying, "that's enough". Have you rebutted the voice of Truth by saying, "I ain't doing nothing wrong. Let them think what they want!"

People don't care about how many souls you've witnessed to who actually gave their lives to Jesus or to whom you may have ministered while they were on course to commit suicide. I know from personal experience that they're not checking your Christian resume to find out how high you scored on the holiness exam! I've been linked up "by popular opinion" with some folks in my life because of my own stubborness and refusal to admit that I was flirting with disaster and my good had become my god. If I'm telling on me, and telling the whole truth, I wanted to think better about myself. While I was high-minded, the enemy was celebrating my foolishness and waiting on his moment to pounce. I can look back on it now and see where I chose to let my flesh rise up in self-righteousness and yes, I said "People need to mind their own business!"

But on the contrary we need to mind His business. The business of being light in the darkness, not allowing our light to go dim with the excuses that pacify our flesh. I believe the Lord would have us to be spotless, blameless and looking good to Him and everyone else, if we simply mind His business!

If you're like I used to be and you can relate to what I'm saying, do a self-examination and check out those "good things" you're doing. While they may be good, are they causing you to have the appearance of evil? If so, it's not the fault of people not minding their own business, but your unwillingness to heed the warnings of Christ and avoid the appearance that's causing the problem! It's hard to admit it! It's easier to point the finger at others, but what's pointing back at you are the three fingers which I began to refer to as Father, Son and Holy Ghost!

I don't write to chastise you, I write to share that I too, once had three fingers pointing back at me as I pointed toward someone who was "in my business". It took me some time and some repenting to finally say "It's me, it's me, it's me oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer."

Is it good to help people in need? Of course it is, until the Lord re-directs you! Is it good to witness to them about Jesus? Of course it is, but what if the Lord says he's no longer your baby, he's Mine! Is it good to ignore that little voice? Not when it's crying out to you.

Are people minding your business or are you minding God's? If you're minding His business, why are you so defensive? Hmmm? Has your good become your God?

Simon doesn't live here anymore...

2010-09-30T21:12:00.000-07:00

As a kid, I recall playing the popular game of Simon Says,
No matter what Simon said to do, if you wanted to stay in the game, you had to do it, but only if the command was prefaced by "Simon Says". If the command was given without the "catch all phrase" and you were the unfortunate one caught making a move, you were booted out of the game.

As I thought about how much fun it used to be to listen so astutely to the commands of Simon, and try to immitate anything he called out, I asked myself, what if Simon had said "Let there be Light?" No matter what, there would be no way to become or mimick light! Can you imagine people standing around a playground trying to become something with no power, no authority, no ability, or even grace to become it?

That would be a most miserable game! Everyone would lose! Can you imagine Simon looking around going, "you're out, you're out, you're out, you're all out!" Simon could only command you to look like or immitate a thing, but his words had no power to let or allow you to become that thing! Thank God it was just a game, but what about this life we live? This is certainly no game so lets take heed of the spoken word of God!

When the Lord spoke at the very beginning of creation "Let there be Light!" There was light! He had the power, the authority, and the ability to command light into being, but what's greater is that He gave us the grace to carry His light on the inside of us.

I believe that when the Lord said Let there be Light, unless He gave the command for light to cease, light must still be going forth! He never said, Light, STOP! Instead He said, "Ye are the light of the world!" He said, Let (allow) your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven!

It was never intended for light to cease! The Lord said Let there be light! Let means to allow. Then He deposited that light in us and told us to let (allow) our light shine...light is still moving (in us), light is still shining through us, light is still illuminating and igniting others to shine therefore!

When we share our light with our children, they shine
When we share our light with our friends, they shine
When we share our light with loved ones, they shine
When we share our light with our co-workers, passers-by (believers, non-belivers, atheists or agnostics)they recognize, honor, praise and glorify our Father in Heaven!

The Bible says so...Matthew 5:14-16

Is it not amazing that an unsaved man will recognize our light and glorify God! The Bible does not say that brethren will glorify God. It does not say that Christians or religious people will glorify God. It says let (allow) your light so shine before MEN... (This is not gender-specific but all inclusive!) ...that they will glorify, not the god of this world, not satan, not his adversaries, not themselves or others who may not know Him, but that they may glorify Your Father!

Who is your Father! I didn't say, "Who's yo Daddy?" This isn't a game like Simon Says, this is God Almighty, your Father! He is real and His word is truth. He cannot lie! If He says to Let Your Light so Shine that men will glorify Him, then it has to be so! What you say, what you do, how you appear before men can make the difference between life and death, salvation and hell fire! Your light can attract or distract. What are you doing with your light?

What are you doing with that power source? Jesus gives us the power to be or become anything by His spoken word! His word gives us the ability to become light! Without the power of God man cannot become light...Without a source of power behind you, before you, beside you and in you, you have no ability to become anything, especially light!

Simon can tell us to mimick a thing, act like a thing, look like a thing, but he has no power to transfer or deposit into us to make us become that thing...What if Simon was living on the inside of you instead of Jesus...? What if he was commanding you or giving you instruction? You would be walking around quacking like a duck not giving off light!

God said, Let there be light and there was, and there is, and there forever will be light!

Some of us have a Simon Says mentality. Even though God said let there be light, we don't understand the word let to mean "allow" or we have allowed our besetting sins to illuminate a strange light from our spirits as we mimick His commands and confuse the masses. Whatever is in you is what will come forth. Stop going around acting like light when it's obvious you haven't illuminated anything in a long time. Stop talking like you have a light, but gossip is on your lips! Some of us are trying to work up some light by simply quoting scriptures while the accolades of man make us feel good about ourselves.

The truth is it's not what goes into a man that defiles him but what comes out. If light goes in it cannot manifest or produce darkness, but when you mix it with impurities, what comes out is impurities! This is what prevents "men" from seeing the light of truth and glorifying our Father. What's coming out of us is a direct result of what we're putting in not what was deposited in us. That tv show about sex crimes or that bumping and grinding from your radio is not light. What about prayerlessness? If you're not edifying your spirit man, what's coming out of you is dead and dry!

Our lack of light is not the result of a bad day or oppression from the enemy. We have that little Simon in our heads giving us temporary ability to mimick something while snuffing out the power to transcend into the realm of being!

If you have light in you, allow it or let it so shine!!!!! Cut off those small foxes! Lay aside those besetting sins that God may be glorified, souls may be saved, this nation may be healed!

Understand in Whom the power lies. The power from Him is now transferred to you. Just because you have light switches on your walls at home, doesn't mean they will give off light, you better have a connection from the power company! You can flip that switch up, down or sideways until your fingers turn blue, but it will yield nothing without a power source to back it up!

God is your power source! He has spoken into you and given you the power to become that which He said. All you must do is "allow" it to come forth! If it's in you it has to come out! He said, "Let there be light!" You don't have to try to be light or act like light, just let it flow. Let that "little Simon" or small fox take a back seat! It can only cover who you really are and provoke you to pretend to be something else. Why are you trying to be what you already are? If you're trying to be light, you will only mimick the light of truth. Tap into that power source in you and watch The Truth transform all those around you. Watch them glorify God!

As a man thinketh so is he. What do you think? Would you rather "be" a thing or mimick a thing? I'd rather "be" the light of the world, than try to mimick what light looks like. I prefer Jesus! I prefer to follow His lead and do what He says. Jesus lives in me and He shall shine through!

When I was a child I spake as a child. I also did what my "little" Simon said...and with all my might I failed to be light and looked like a fool trying. Now I've got big faith in His power which "allows" me to be any and all things through Christ Who strengthens me, not by my might, not by my power but by His spirit.

I no longer recognize that "voice of a stranger"...little Simon, the intruder. If you come near my door expect to be blinded by my light.

Truth is...and I say this with BIG ATTITUDE! Simon doesn't live "here" anymore!

GO LIGHT YOUR WORLD...!

2010-09-25T16:45:00.000-07:00

Matthew 5:14-16 (King James Version)

14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

GO LIGHT YOUR WORLD!

There’s a light which shines so brightly
Inside me and you
So long you may have wondered
What, with it, shall I do?

You have heard the voice distinctly
Calling you to dance
But stepping forward on two feet
Was like waltzing on your hands

Now give heed to The Master
Who equipped you when He called
He knows you may be clumsy
Or even trip and fall

But there is a wick of hope
Extended beyond limit
Beckoning you to grab a hold
Of your candle and ignite it

To shine in the darkest places
Bringing hope where there’s desolation
Infusing life into dead spaces
Changing the course of this dying nation!

Spoken since the very beginning of Creation
Let there be Light
Was there to be cessation?
He never said to cease…
His spoken word lives on in thee!

Rise up!
Shine!
Create!
Replenish!

That the fire may continue to burn
Even when your work is finished

Your light upon the hill
Ignites the path for all to see
The legacy of The Father
Marked by you and me

Not hidden under a bushel
Your works shall bring Him glory
Let Matthew 5:14 thru 16
Become your vital quarry

From the chalice of flames within you
Pour that molten fire out
Like hot lava from a volcano
Cast out all fear and doubt

Loose the shackles off your mind!
Go forward! Unfurl!
I charge you, take your candle
Rise up!
Go light your world!

Hold up your light of truth!
Set the standard
Then raise it higher!
Now watch the world burn for Christ
Because you set the fire!

Today, I laughed with my children...

2010-08-28T21:52:00.000-07:00

With the man of god away on business
Doing his best and leaving me the rest
I had to start out early

So much to do
So little time
Before I knew it, it was time to unwind
But instead, I had to find new energy

There were 2 young ladies, pretty as can be
Waiting to spend some time with me
All of a sudden I heard, "Mommy, what are we doing?"

They were so excited to be with me
And though I was tired I had to meet
Their expectations or they would have been ruined

So I had to come up with a plan
I had to be wise and understand
That what they needed was mom to be into them

To be everything they needed then
I listened as they filled me in
On just about everything they could think to share

I took the time to enjoy them
While we cooked and baked and sang hymns
Thanking the Lord for answering my prayers

So many did not take the time
Now wishing they could push rewind
But days are gone that will not come again

I thank and praise the Lord above
For teaching me how to walk in love
So today, I just laughed with my children!

Last Night...

2010-08-27T11:00:00.000-07:00

The other night there was a shifting
From darkness to light
I asked him could we talk
Expecting there to be a fight

My expectations were not met
Although it was intense
For a while I wondered why I bothered
Then things began to make sense

He really does love me
He is really giving his all
Women and men see things differently
Though sometimes we want to climb the walls

It's always best to talk it out
It's always best to walk it out
It's always best to pray it out
It's always best to say it out

Loud...whatever the enemy wants you to hold tight
If I had held on to offense
My husband wouldn't have held me last night...

Hope in the WHEN...

2010-08-23T07:19:00.000-07:00

I have put my hands to the plow
No looking back so Lord what now
Where comes the fruit of my labor?

I've plowed and sown
Yet my seeds have not grown
Where comes the harvest of favor?

Promises are multiple and nigh
Manifestation is in the wondering why
But more so, in the wondering when...

Heart do not fail me
Faith do not derail me
Hope keep me 'til the end...

Though you are deferred
My vision blurred
I still look for you in the when...

FIRE!

2010-08-22T15:30:00.000-07:00

Is the fire real?
Does it burn?
Sometimes I watch as others squirm
Yet all I feel is slightly warm
I've never really felt the burn
So I tell the Lord, it's for You that I yearn

I want to be purged
but only by You
I do not care what the fire makes me do
But let it be real and not for show
If I drop and roll at least I will know
That the Spirit of the Lord doth slay me
And something deep within is being purged from me

I invite You Lord into my fire
It's in my heart where there's a burning desire
To quiet the voices that say to me
Man made this up
They fake the frenzy

I want to know if the fire is real
Will it burn me like a lit match to my heel?
Why am I different?
What am I missing?
In my mind it blisters
In my thoughts it's sizzling

Then there is a burning
But as I open my eyes it's just my heart yearning

And the enemy wins another round
While I watch the others roll on the ground
Shaking, panting, coughing and such
I wonder now if it's simply a rush...

Is the fire real Lord?
Does it burn?

If not, then I need to know
Are the others simply putting on a show?

It makes it hard for the rest of us
To be a witness and attest to this

So I ask you now Lord, slay me
Send your fire lest my heart betray me
But if Holy Fire does not Burn
Renew our hearts while there's time to turn

So that others are not led astray
But redirected to You as we repent and pray
Father, make us accountable for what we display

To all the babes in the midst of the choir
As we shout and dance and proclaim we have fire!

Why Me?

2010-08-03T06:03:00.000-07:00

I used to wonder Why Me...

I used to wonder why me
Until the Lord gave me eyes that I may see
I used to ponder why me
Until the Lord gave me peace within my dreams
I used to wonder why me
Until the Lord said, Daughter, why not you
I used to cry and kick and scream
Until the Lord said, Yea, "Me Too"
I know exactly how you feel
I Remember the cup before it was filled
Before I took the drink you see
In anguish I cried, "Let it pass from Me!"
But the Father poured out His love in that cup
And said, My Son You must drink up
Its neither an option nor a choice
Therefore I answered with only passion in My voice
Not My will, but Father Thine be done

Now Daughter, it's not "why me"
But Yes, I'm the one...

Now, this cup, my child will not pass from you
Just as I did, there's something left for you to do
Greater things than I
Greater things than He
Walk in My anointing
Signs and wonders follow thee
Lay hands on the sick
Speak life to the dying
In My Name you shall use the power I left behind

Represent me well in all that you do
Why Me, you say? Because I chose you!

What you looking for?

2010-07-19T18:19:00.000-07:00

He that findeth a wife findeth a good thing...

In this day when it's not unpopular to see women going after men, it can be easy to accept it as the norm. As a matter of fact, some women will encourage others to drop the bait; let him know you're interested and see what you reel in (by way of response).

While you're out there trying to bait one that's not your catch, you're missing out on valuable time which should be spent preparing yourself to be that "good thing" worth finding.

A wife does not become a wife simply after saying "I do" to the man whom she marries. She doesn't become a good thing when she crosses the threshold of her home as Mrs. "whomever", she becomes a wife as she begins to develop godly character. This is something that takes place whether you are being pursued or not! This begins to take place when you seek God and allow Him to work out those things in you that would draw the wrong type of man or cause you to throw a destined man right off course. What type of bait are you? Are you selfish bait intending to get what you want without any intention of being what he needs?

I believe preparation begins long before the courtship...

If all you have are good looks and a closet full of clothes you might want to learn how to pray. If all you have is sex appeal and coupons for a happy meal, you might want to learn how to pray and fast!

What are you looking for? Why are you trying to find a "good man" when you are not yet prepared to be his "good thing"?

Every good man needs a good thing. He who finds a wife finds a good thing. How can a man find a wife? Doesn't that seem to indicate a woman who's already married? That's what a wife is, right? Wrong?

God doesn't make mistakes! His word is truth and He's not an advocate of infidelity! Just the fact that He said, a woman can be a wife long before she ever says, I do, lets us women know that there is something different about a girl, a young lady, a woman, and a wife. Which one are you?

Study the word of God to find out what He says about a wife. A great place to start is Proverbs 31:10. Is your worth far above rubies? Not in the way that you see yourself, but in the way the Lord looks at you? Will your husband's heart safely trust in you? Will your children rise up and call you blessed? Are you ready to submit?

Until you can see past the mirror and look into yourself for godly character traits which are worth far above the price of rubies you might want to ask yourself, "what you looking for?"

I am, therefore, I MUST

2010-07-07T06:46:00.000-07:00

After a recent visit to Free Chapel in Gainesville Georgia, I keep hearing the words of Pastor Jentezen Franklin ringing in my head. His message was appropriately titled, "I am, therefore I must!"

I am the called of God and my life has a purpose to bring glory to the Lord on high therefore I must position myself to hear His voice. I must fulfill my destiny and purpose in the earth that He may be glorified.

As I reflect on these words even as I write, I say to myself I am...
I am tired of not being productive for Christ
I am bored with the day to day nothingness
I am unwilling to accept my present as an indicator of my future
I am trustworthy and accountable
I am the one He can use

Therefore, I MUST rise up
I MUST seek His face
I MUST humble myself and pray
I MUST turn from that thing or those things which keep me from Him
I MUST designate a specific time and place to get in His presence

Have you ever thought about how much planning goes into an event such as a baby shower or wedding reception? We know exactly what we're going to wear, what we're going to serve, whom we will invite, and the exact date and time of the event and nothing and no one will get in the way of that plan. If anyone calls us to entice us to go somewhere or do something other than that which we have planned, without hesitation, we say no, I'm busy that day and at that time.

When we're at the theater watching a movie, we turn our phones on silence or vibrate so we won't be disturbed while we watch our movie and eat our precious popcorn. We treat that time as if it is sacred and even become irritated when that phone lights up as a call comes in. If we choose to answer it, we speak quietly and do our best to hurry the conversation so we don't miss anything and so we don't disturb those around us.

But what about that prayer session you were just in? Even as you walked the isle and prayed, no matter how many times someone came up to you and said hello, you smiled and said hello, or even stopped an engaged in conversation and laughter as if you really were not doing anything important after all.

I don't say this to be offensive, but if we are in the presence of the All Mighty God and we are having important dialogue with Him, why do we not treat it as such? Why do we check our cell phones, stop to play with babies, pause to compliment someone on their attire, or just chat about meaningless topics? Weren't you just talking to Jesus? Where did He go? Can you visualize pushing Him to the side while you chat with your brother or sister then you turn back to Him and start again and stop again and start again, etc. That's exactly what we are doing! Think about it! We are so distracted by the goings on of man, that we forget that we came together to encounter God. That brother or sister will be there when this is over, even if you haven't seen them for a year; now is not the time!

If we had been alive during the days of the high priest who were the only ones who could even enter into the presence of God, we would all be that limp piece of lifeless meat being dragged out by a rope due to our unworthiness to be in His presence!

We come before Him halfheartedly, without reverence or fear and we do our halfhearted obeisance to Him while allowing anything and anyone to distract us in the process. Have you ever wondered what the Lord is thinking at that time?

When you are intimate with your spouse, it's usually behind closed doors, especially if you have children or other guests in your home. Why? Because that is private time, not to be shared with anyone but the two of you. You would not dare leave your bedroom door open and allow anyone to view or walk in an interrupt that precious time. You would not walk out on your spouse in the middle of intimacy to just say hello to someone or take a call, you would let that person pass by without so much as making eye contact and there is no way you're answering that phone! Unless there is an emergency, even the kids are ignored or sent away if they knock on the door. Why? Because some things are not meant to be interrupted. Some things are meant to be special, intimate, undisturbed, sacred, holy, reverential and worshipful. Isn't that what our intimate time with the Lord is supposed to be like?

The sanctuary of God is a holy place; a sacred place; a place where we are to reverence the Holy One. It's just like being in your bedroom with your spouse. Nothing and no one should interfere with that intimacy between you and He! The phone should go unanswered. The TV should not be on. The children will be there when your prayer time ends.

If we all begin to reverence Him and prevent anything or anyone from interrupting that time with Him, maybe that encounter with Him will not have to be a time of intense labor but a time when those miracles, signs and wonders are made manifest because we are once and for all on one accord intending to reach a common goal; ENCOUNTERING HIM and ONLY HIM!

The next time someone comes to you during prayer and taps you on the shoulder, just politely say, I'm sorry, now is not the time. Some will be offended at first, but I believe the end result will be well worth it!

In my home, our children know that when my husband and I go into our bedroom together, we are not to be disturbed. It took some time for it to sink in, and sometimes they need to be reminded, but we have taught them to respect our privacy and we also know that if they knock anyway, it must be of great importance. In much the same way, our time with the Lord can be established. If someone taps you on the shoulder during prayer, try saying, now is not the time. If it doesn't sink in, just remind them that I AM, in the presence of God, therefore I MUST get back with you.

Thank You!

2010-06-20T16:18:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've posted anything here. I took a short break as the Lord blessed me to finish the book I had been writing for some time now. I have finally finished it! The ISBN has been purchased! The cover has been determined and the "about the author" picture has been taken! ALL PRAISE BE TO GOD!

Stay tuned for an update on the date of release for "I Remember Joseph"!

It's a book which details my faith journey as I waited upon the Lord. Thanks to those of you who kept me uplifted! See you at the book signing soon!

You kicked the devil out, but you let him leave his bags!

2010-05-26T12:22:00.000-07:00

Okay, what's this I'm tripping over? I thought I threw this out last week, last month, last year? Why am I still stumbling over this same block? Could it be because you never fully removed it?

The thing that appears to be harmless is the very thing that is keeping us from advancing to that next step in our daily walk with the Lord. Have you stopped an ungodly relationship recently? It felt good, right? You finally conquered that temptation and vowed not to go back to it again. You take a breather and walk with your head held high until you get back home and the phone doesn't ring because you changed your number, your bedroom seems cold in the middle of summer and there's only one place setting on the table.

Then, that little voice (the tempter) says, what about those old letters he wrote you? It's harmless to just read them over again. Don't you need to feel loved? Therefore, you give in just a little and go find that old shoe box. Wow! Not only are there letters, but you forgot about all those pictures you took together. Now as you sit at your table in tears, you regret having changed your number and you're wondering if he's hurting! You want to call him just to check on him, but this time, "only as a friend!"

STOP! LOOK! LISTEN! You're about to cross a dangerous "high" way...There's a way that seems right to a man but the end thereof is death. This way is what I call the "high" way...it will take you up into a place of utopia and cause you to feel needed, and loved and wanted. You will be on such an emotional high, you'll wonder what ever prompted you to turn away from this to begin with. But spiritual death is waiting for you. Compromise is not righteous! You were made righteous by the righteousness of Christ! There is no compromise in that!

Just when you've kicked the devil out, you go find all his bags of stuff left behind. Is it okay to keep the shoebox? Why do you want it? Ask yourself this question. Those old letters are the small foxes which spoil the vine. They're the "weights" that doth easily beset you. It's not okay to keep the shoebox. It's not okay to check on "him" every now and then. That's what a soul-tie is; when you can't separate yourself from the tempter and the temptations. Whatever you allow the enemy to leave behind, will continue to taunt you. Those pictures, letters, gifts, etc. bring back all the memories of the "good" times which were probably the most sinful times of your Christian walk, but loneliness tells a different version of the story.

Loneliness is an open door for the enemy to come back. It's like when you take an extended visit to the home of a relative, you take your bags. Usually you don't unpack, but you live out of those bags, until the trip is over. Almost without fail, you pack up to leave, but there's always one little "something" that you left behind and every time you try to carry on without "that thing", you're reminded, "Oh I left it there". You think about it all the time and even make plans to go back and get it. Eventually, you're going back to that house and the first thing that relative does is brings "your stuff" to you. So it was a constant reminder to them that you left something there also.

Well, guess what? The devil leaves your house intending to come back to those bags of goodies he left behind, the lies, deception, sexual sin, depression, disappointment, paranoia, prayerlessness, etc. but he's not trying to take them with him, he simply wants to open the bag and sit in the floor with you and remind you of all the fun you had.

Well it's high time you kick him out and throw out the bags with him. That shoe box will fit in any dumpster ever made, deliverance is available in many churches. Even if not your own, find one where you can go to. Pick up some of Kimberly Daniels' books. She is one of the most gifted women with a serious anointing for deliverance. After reading Clean House Strong House, I went with a couple of friends of mine, to Kimberly Daniels' church for deliverance. It was the most powerful experience I have ever had. Deliverance helps you to find and renounce every piece of unclaimed baggage that's left behind in you!

Even though you may be doing the right things and you're trying to be free from a situation that has had you bound in the past, every now and then, you may trip over something that brings you back to that old dung from last week or last month. If you feel that urge to make contact with something that has been dead or dying. It doesn't mean that you're not saved or that the commitment you made was not real or genuine. It's just simply this...you kicked the devil out, but you let him leave his bags!