He Lives...Happy Easter!

Wishing everyone a great Easter. Let us all celebrate that Christ loved us so much that not only did He lay down His own life on the cross for our transgressions; yet He rose up from His grave with all power in His hands, to be our living Lord and Savior so that we can live...now that's love! Aren't you so glad He lives!

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die (John 11:25-26).

Goal Setting 101 (Pt. I)

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We're well into the year and I'm sure many of us at the start of the year probably came up with a few goals that we would like to embark on and/or achieve. I think now is the perfect time to look back and reflect on/review (somewhat of a friendly reminder and motivator if you will) the areas of life that we're striving to grow in. However, it's also a perfect opportunity to seek out God's guidance on whether or not these goals of ours are aligned according to His will and purpose for our lives. As a result we develop a deeper relationship with the Lord, healthier relationships with family and friends, and a peace of mind that comes with a well- planned, God focused/God lead strategy to living life successfully.  

When we don't give serious thought to our goals and how to go about reaching them, our time, money, and priorities will usually be determined by others. So here are a few good tips to think about when setting and adjusting goals:

Getting Started

1. First ask God to guide you in the goal setting process so that  each goal will fit according to His purpose for your life. Never underestimate what God wants to do in your life through your goals. Therefore keep your mind and heart open to God’s desires for you. Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” This doesn’t mean you are not suppose to make plans and set priorities. However every now and again you will need to adjust your focus as God reveals His purposes for your life. So seek God out and ask Him about what areas in your life you need to set a goal/goals for. That way you are clear on exactly what you should do...which leads me to point number two...

2. Goals can not and should not be fuzzy, unreasonable, and unmeasurable.

3. Write out your goals and put a date on them to measure your progress. Get a friend to hold you accountable and periodically check up on your progress. If you don't reach your goal on the exact day/time that you set to reach it on this doesn't mean to quite and give up, keep striving until you do. Which leads me to point number four...

4. Make a commitment to that particular goal/goals that your striving towards. That way when it becomes a bit challenging you won't give up and you'll stay focused and motivated. 

5. Remember if your goals are set according to God's purpose and plan for your life He will enable you to reach/achieve them.

What Are Some Areas in Life That Should be Considered

1. Spiritual (developing a deeper relationship with God; prayer life; sharing faith with others; servanthood)

2. Family & Social (serving others; spending quality time/fellowship)

3. Career & School

4. Financial (tithing; debt; saving with a purpose)

5. Personal: (health; hobby/hobbies)

Why We Fail to Set Goals

1. We don't know how to

2. Mentally lazy

3. Lack of faith

4. Fear (afraid of failure)

5. Some think it's unnecessary

6. Some think it's unscriptual which isn't true (see Proverbs 21:5)

I hope that this will be of help and encouragement to all of you. Better yet I hope that you all can be among the few who end this year with more accomplished and less left undone.  

That's My King...

This weekend I had the privilege of visiting the church of two of my dearest friends. On that note I want to give a big shout out to Grace Orlando Church...I had a great time! As the pastor was teaching he jokingly wish that he could fully express his point of all of who Jesus is in His entirety and then some. Kind of like how an old southern preacher man would've done way back in the day...and today. So up popped this video. Before I knew it we were all praising the awesomeness of who Jesus is! Check it out.

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Ready. Set. Grow!

It's been somewhat of a life long dream of mine to someday have a garden. They seem to bring such beauty to a home. I shared this with one of my aunts who has a garden and she explained to me that there's much entailed in being a gardener. At the end of the conversation I concluded that one must put in great effort to tend to/ maintain a garden on a regular basis (often times on a daily basis) in order for it to grow and flourish.

Just as a garden, we are to maintain our relationship in Christ on a daily basis in order to grow and flourish. Believe me I know at times it's easy to get stuck in neutral. Stuck in a comfort zone and distracted by the  mundaneness of life. But the Lord has definitely made it clear to me that He does not want us to ever be satisfied with where we are in Him. So here are three ways to insure continuous growth and maturity in Christ:

Maintain the Revelation of God

Seeing who God is and viewing life from His perspective requires us to continuously investigate, search, and study His word. Meditating on it day and night (Psalms 1:2-3) and putting it into practice (James 1:22-25). Only then will this allow Christ to dwell and remain in our heart, mind, and spirit as He so desires to do. Only then will  he reveal more of Himself to us. Only then will the noise of this world be dulled out so that we can actually hear Him when He is speaking to us.

Maintain Your Responsibility to God

If Christ is dwelling within us we have a responsibility to inform, influence, and inspire those around us. To be the light in this dark world. To be the salt with savor. Remember folks...

"You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

  "You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. "
(Matthew 5:13-16)

Maintain Your Relationship with God

When it comes to being in a relationship with someone you often spend a lot of time with that person. You probably talk/communicate with each other on a daily basis, probably multiple times a day.We tend to do this because we desire to know more about that person. More so, because of the love we have for the person and because we're just  simply in love with them. God desires the same when it comes to having a relationship with us. He wants to be first priority and our first and only true love. Hmmm...how might I spend time with the Lord? Glad you asked my friend. Keep in mind these three simple words and you'll be set...Prayer. Praise.Worship. Told you pretty simple.

I hope/pray that this nugget of goodness has served as a bit of encouragement and inspiration to some of you. I'm so happy that I was given the opportunity/privilege to encourage and inspire. Happy growing everybody!

The Quiet In The Stillness

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"Sometimes our pleas may go unanswered for reasons we can't understand. We might even feel singled out by God. The truth is it's possible that we have been singled out so that God can reveal Himself to us in a new way. Unanswered prayer does not mean prayer refused or ignored. It may instead indicate that the Lord is at work on a much larger scale that we can know or imagine, because He indeed 'is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think' (Ephesians 3:20) "
                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                        ~ Ginger Garrett

Lows & Highs | S.O. ft Leah Smith

I love this song. It's by the Christian hip-hop artist, S.O. (Seun Otukpe). And yes people, I listen to Christian hip-hop. I'm sure that many have their reservations about it. But hey, God isn't partial to who or how He chooses to get the Good News Gospel out, so why should I be ? So take a listen...a good listen...meaning listen past the beats/rhythms but to the message.

hx

Verse 1:
Uh, here goes an odd moment when my heart bleeds, pen cries/Tears rest on my eyes, proceed to accept signs/speak and not let slide/decrease and detect sighs/Cease and accept I, its time/(I tell myself this) Over months I was struggling trying to love Him/Paying a high price but thinking that I could budget/Wanted I had to covet/Lusting and try to ruffle in/Who would have thought that depression would keep coming in/A suicide mother didn’t know either/That other side just let me go deeper/And so you get the message, I’ll put it in perspective/I was waking up at night asking am I still elected/Or rather was I ever, wanting to die since that’s better than living life as a hostage in time/Am I crossing the line?/Here’s some thoughts in my mind/This the lowest that I’ve been caught up in a rhyme/


Chorus:
I get low
I get high/
But I keep my hands to the sky/
I won’t break down, not this time/
But I keep on running, even through the lows and high/
Hold me God, pull me close and show Your nigh (x2)/
My lows and high


Verse 2:
I’m sitting talking to Stephen about the days when/I was dazed, sin had me so afraid had my world up in a maze/Was ashamed and amazed/Was caught up in her gaze/Wasn’t I over this phase/Hadn’t Jesus broke the chains/(because it seems to remain here), that’s what my heart say/And this is more than some dark days or lessons I was getting/Man who can see the blessing am I messing?/No I am talking facts back to back what is in question/Is my soul though, and I know/Right now it is so cold, I’m at a low/I write don’t what I don’t show, as though these verses are my journal/I’m a solider simply trying to please the colonel and so to speak/I wipe my tears off my pastors sleeve/Like can anybody here see what I can see/I disappear if I could/Move back to the woods/But these lows never leave, how I pray that they would/

Verse 3:
(So I ask myself) Why are you downcast my soul, hope in the Lord/See Him hanging there on the pole for the filthiest thoughts/The most wicked of hearts, He died for you S know it/This is truth, objective how do you then blow/Repentance and faith, bear fruit man show it/Have that cross up in face endure and know Him/Be strong in the grace that’s found solely in Him/Satan will pray tricks by reminding you of your sin/But He died for them all, remember Calvary again/Never let it leave your brain/and things will never be the same/The Lamb of God was truly slain, rose up from the grave though/And justified in His name up the praise go!/Yeah, and that will never change/This that high up on the ride that I better crave/My help and my God who is centre stage/And His Spirit in I no better way/

Food For Thought...



source: yfc.tumblr.com



"But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence."

(Jeremiah 17:7)

These words are so simple and sweet. Hmmm, why do I feel like we make some things that God has made so simple so complicated? But it really is that simple. What a privilege and relief it is that the sovereign God of everything/all things said that we don't have to rely on our own limited strength, abilities, intellect, resources to solve a problem or conquer life. That's what He's here for (Proverbs 3:5-6)! I mean, I much rather trust my life in the hands of He who knows all, sees all, controls all rather than my own. We will be a lot happier if we did so, "...those who trust the Lord will be happy" (Proverbs 16:20).

Growing Pains

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:3-5).

This summer has been a season of both personal and spiritual growth. It seems as though the Lord thought I needed to be "summer schooled" in a few areas of my life. After all the challenges faced, I was able to see just a little bit more of who God is, His ways, and what He is doing in my life...in particularly my heart.


Out of the many lessons learned this summer I would have to say that patience (which I thought I already had a lot of...apparently not), servanthood, and humility were those that were continually showered out upon me. I now realized this was God's way of saying, "oh no baby girl there's more to learn, you said you wanted to go higher in me, desired more of me, want to become like me...right?"


Thankfully I knew that I wasn't facing these challenges alone and Christ was there all along the way to help me remain focused on Him and on the bigger picture. However, I must admit that at times I became a little distracted by my circumstances which caused me to become a bit discouraged in my responsibility to not get discouraged in always striving to do what's good so at the appropriate time that great harvest of blessings will come to pass (Galatians 6:9-10). Note: Here's were the lessons of patience, servanthood, and humility kicked in.

Oh and about that bigger picture I mentioned, well that picture is this, life  is truly less about me/us and all about Christ. More so, me/us becoming more and more like Christ...patient, a servant, and humble. But of coarse there are so many more attributes of Christ than the three mentioned,  so I can rejoice in the fact that there will be more "lessons" to come while in the continual process of sanctification in Christ.

Give Me...

I'm loving the song, "Give Me" by Kirk Franklin ft. Mali Music! It really makes you think about the awesomeness of who God is. How He works and reveals Himself in our lives. And how we need Him. This song encourages you to hunger/thirst for more of Him. It just tickles your soul to say something (and feel that need for God) that's already been there all along: "Give me...God. Give me that joy I can't explain. Give me that extra peace that'll ease the pain...that hope and love that will never change...as much of You, oh God, that I can take!"

In a way I am reminded of Psalms 63:1-5... "¹ You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. ² I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.³ Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. ⁴ I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. ⁵ I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you." Take a listen for yourself...

Invest Time Don't Just Spend It

"So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do" (Ephesians 5:15-17).

Time is a gift from God and we're intrusted to be good stewards of it. We must make the most out of our time by using it the way it was intended to be used. That is to align our life and schedules to His will/purpose. 

Often times we invest our time into things that are quite frankly a waste of time. Pure laziness/ unproductiveness, working towards the worlds view of success( fame, power, and wealth), and living life to gratify ourselves are all typical time wasters we often fall victim to.

 

So how have you been investing your time? We all will be accountable for how we used the time intrusted to us. Use it wisely and make the most of every opportunity.

*photos sourced from favim.com*

Speak To Me

Now, more than ever I find myself  continually asking questions like, " okay Lord what are you working on now? What do you need me to do? What are you trying to get me to see and learn? How can this situation/circumstance allow me to grow more in you/more close to you? Can you please speak to me...to my heart...I really need to hear from you?" I'm most certain that being placed in this position of seeking to hear God allows me to realize/remember that I need Him. I am totally dependent on Him. And that there's a deep desire to hear from Him constantly.

The awesome thing is when you ask God to speak to you He will. With the right message in perfect timing. For some reason this is one thing about the Lord that amazes me. How neat is it that God speaks to us personally through his word, our prayers, our thoughts, conversations with others, and even our circumstances.

Are you longing to hear from God ? Just as it was for myself, it's possible that you're hearing Him already. He may be the one giving you that longing to hear Him.  

National Day Of Prayer

What: The 60th Annual National Day of Prayer. Millions will unite in prayer at thousands of events from coast to coast. The theme, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”, is based on the verse from Psalm 91:2 which states: “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”  

When: Thursday, May 5, 2011.

Who: You. Me. Anyone & Everyone. So, spread the word to your family & friends! 

How: Take a little time out of your day to pray for yourself/each other, our families, our churches, our president/leaders, our soldiers, and our nation/world as a whole. Check out this awesome prayer guide (courtesy of intouch.org) to encourage you to know exactly what to pray for regarding each of the areas previously mentioned.  

For more information regarding the National Day of Prayer check out the official website http://nationaldayofprayer.org/

Happy Easter!

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.  And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" {Jesus Christ - John 11:25, 26}

What an awesome privilege it is to celebrate and rejoice in the fact that Christ loved humanity so much that He decided to give His life for ours. He could have saved himself and got off that old rugged cross, but nope he decided to stay there and save me/us instead. Yes that's right folks He deliberately made the choice to remain nailed to a cross through all the pain, agony, mockery, and abandonment. Now that's love! 

Thankfully this act of love doesn't end here, yet Christ decided to rise and live! Now my life is forever changed. I've been transformed and given new ever-lasting life in Him. Handed the many promises and blessings that are possible due to our Savior Jesus Christ's tremendous act of love! 

Happy Easter Everyone,

Pam  

Chosen Vessel




{source}

 

The Master was searching for a vessel to use;
On the shelf there were many which one would He choose?


"Take me, cried the gold one I'm shiny and bright,
I'm of great value and I do things just right.


My beauty and luster will outshine the rest
And for someone like you, Master, gold would be the best!"


The Master passed on with no word at all;
He looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall;


"I'll serve you, dear Master, I'll pour out your wine
And I'll be at your table whenever you dine,


My lines are so graceful, my carvings so true,
And my silver will always compliment you."


Unheeding the Master passed on to the brass,
It was wide mouthed and shallow, and polished like glass.


"Here! Here!" cried the vessel, I know I will do.
Place me on your table for all men to view."


"Look at me", called the goblet of crystal so clear.
"My transparency shows my contents so dear,


Though fragile am I, I will serve you with pride,
And I'm sure I'll be happy in your home to abide."


The Master came next to a vessel of wood,
Polished and carved, it solidly stood.


"You may use me, dear Master", the wooden bowl said.
"But I'd rather you used me for fruit, not for bread!"


Then the Master looked down and saw a vessel of clay,
Empty and broken it helplessly lay.


No hope had the vessel that the master might choose,
To cleanse and make whole, to fill and to use.


Ah! This is the vessel I've been hoping to find,
I will mend and use it and make it all mine.


I need not the vessel with pride of itself;
Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf;


Nor the one who is big mouthed and shallow and loud;
Nor one who displays his contents so proud;


Nor the one who thinks he can do all things just right;
But this plain earthy vessel filled with my power and might


Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay.
Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day.


Spoke to it kindly "There's work you must do.
Just pour out to others as I pour into you."


Author Unknown

Within My Heart Dwells...A Song Of Thanksgiving!




{Photo by Swin}



100th Psalm: A Psalm of Thanksgiving

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!

Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy.

Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his.

We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,

and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

I've heard my pastor say, "Everyone should have a song to sing. No matter what season of life you're in...there should be a song sung unto the Lord." For as long as I can remember it seems as though a song of thanksgiving has permanently been engraved into my heart. Yes, there are many other songs I sing and desire/love to sing but eventually my soul always sings a praise-filled melody of gratefulness unto my beloved God.

When I'm joyous I sing my song. In the middle of  the not so "easy-breezy" moments of life, His Holy Spirit within me drives me even more to sing my song. A song I know only the Lord God could have placed within of my heart. I'm just glad that He's blessed me with such an awesome privilege to sing it unto to Him! 

Not Alone...



{source}

 Recently, I was graciously reminded of one of God's awesome promises. He simply whispered onto my heart that I am not alone and He is with me always and forever. Despite what's going in life, He is here. Despite the mistakes, He is still here. Best of all not only is God with me to help me through this journey called life but he cares and delights himself in every detail of my life. "The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights himself in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand" (Psalms 37:23-24).

There is no better place than to be in the Lord's grasp/hand, there I will be with him and he with me. Protected, loved, strengthened, of use, and victorious. "I have called you back from the ends of the earth so you can serve me. For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Don't be afraid , for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you.  I will uphold you with my victorious right hand...I am holding you by your right hand---I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, don't be afraid. I am here to help" (Isaiah 41:9-10, 13).  I love this verse because it has definitely been proven in my life.

Although I was on the search to hear something else from the Lord, I did not expect to hear what I thought I already knew. I am thankful for this unexpected reminder. Unexpected but o' so sweet and very much needed.

L.O.V.E What Does It Mean?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

As followers of Christ we are commanded to love one another just as Christ loves us...selflessly, understandingly, forgivingly, and sacrificially(1 Corinthians 13:4-8). You guessed it people...this means that love is an action not just a word. Our love for one another is what set us apart from the world. It's a distinguishable identifier/characteristic of a child of God (John 13:34-35).

 
Not only are we supposed to love one another but we are to love our enemies (Luke 6:27 -35). This allows the world to see through us who God really is...love. There is no one greater or nothing greater than God and His love, which is forever.

"There are three things that will endure---faith, hope, and love---and the greatest among these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13)."

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone...With Love,

Pam

Food for Thought



I can't remember where I saw this, but I think it serves as an awesome reminder of how blessed we are. I'm glad to know that because of God's goodness, we benefit from many rich blessings given to us, from Him-one gracious blessing after another (John 1:16 NLT).



Genuine Friendship...Do You Have It?

There are "friends" who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother

(Proverbs 18:24).



(Fiona Muirhead-Friendship)

 We meet people everyday. However, the people we meet and fellowship with aren’t necessarily friend material. Now a days, when it comes to the type of relationships we have it’s usually about quantity rather than quality. So what kind of friendships/relationships do we need in our lives? The types that will help us reach our full potential in God. The types that will last no matter what. Ultimately, the types that possess the attributes of the greatest friend one could ever have, Christ. 

Genuine Friendship Attributes                                                                                  

• Builds your confidence in God (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
• Gives you encouragement.
• Motivates you to do and be your best.
• Stimulates you to greater creativity.
• Energizes you when you are weary.
• Comforts you when you're hurting.
• Defends you when you’re criticized.
• Forgives you when you make mistakes.
• Loves you when you act unlovely (loves you unconditionally).
• Accepts you as you are.
• Confronts you when you're wrong.
• Someone who is patient with you.
• Someone with Godly character.
• Someone who prays for you.

**Note: the above attributes are those that you should strive to possess also...I'm just saying**

Negative Friendship Attributes                                                                                 

• Dims your vision spiritually...influences you to see and go through life from a fleshly/worldly viewpoint (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
• Discourages you from being what God desires you to be (draws you away from God).
• Drags you down.
• Defeats you.
• Ultimately, negative "friendships/relationships" will destroy you...harsh but true.

Bless The Lord (Son Of Man)

Early one morning I heard the song, Bless The Lord | Son of Man by Tye Tribbett for the first time. It's been on my heart ever since. I immediately thought of Psalm 103. Before I knew it my hands were stretched high and my voice was full of praise and thanks to God for who He is and all He has done. What an awesome way to start the morning...

Psalm 103

¹ Bless the LORD, O my soul and all that is within me,bless his holy name! ² Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,³who forgives all your iniquity,who heals all your diseases,⁴who redeems your life from the pit who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy...²⁰Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word obeying the voice of his word!²¹Bless the LORD, all his hosts his ministers, who do his will!²² Bless the LORD, all his works,  in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!

        


Lyrics                                                                                     
Son of man, Son of righteousness
King of the earth for sinners slain
I was lost, in darkness found
You ransomed my heart and I will sing(repeat)


(You are )my Strength, (You are)my Deliverer
The One who rescued me
(You are) my Hope, (You are)my redeemer
Your love has set me free
(That's why I will)
Bless the Lord oh my soul (x4)


In the splendor of Your Majesty
from deep within my spirit sings, holy holy (x7)
Holy holy (x3)

Bless the Lord oh my soul (x12)