This Year

Blessings for a different new year. Well, "new year" itself speaks for a different year.  But this year, this year you hear God clearer. This year you follow Holy Spirit more. This year you love Jesus through loving others.  Come on. This year you walk more into your destiny. This year you recognize your gifts, your abilities given you by God, and you walk in them. This year you walk your path and not that of another.  Yes, this is the year - your year to bring God into your decisions, your questions, your communications. This is it. It starts now as God's mercies are new everyday.  Blessings for a God led new year! enough for now.

Receive Your King

Merry Christmas! Let earth receive her King! It was yesterday- the celebration of the birth of Christ. For a few days leading into the day we heard"Merry Christmas."  Yesterday we were greeted with "Merry Christmas"! Now today, one day later- we hear nothing.  How soon we forget. Let us make the effort to celebrate the birth of Jesus every day. When we celebrate we renew the excitement of what that birth means. You don't have to say the words, but let that joy flow from your heart. Receive your King. enough for now.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! Blessings of joy, renewal, restoration as you draw close to the true celebration of this season. Hold your gift of life precious as it is a gift. Celebrate the birth of Jesus and recognize that this precious birth enabled your rebirth. enough for now.

Get Recharged

My laptop does not hold a charge as it once did. I find myself having to charge more and more. Today is a charge day, and I had to think about how that applies to my life. I find myself having to charge more and more through reading scripture and communication with God. It's different though. The more I read and pray, the more I want to read and pray; the more I want to be in communion with God. When I get away from that I run down. I miss my re-newness. Yes, that is my new word.

There is so much in the Word that I discover each time, but then the Word is dynamic, not static. How about you? You do everything to make yourself better- more fit. Don't miss your spiritual fitness. Have a talk with Jesus. Listen. Then obey. Study the Word. Your spiritual health is equally important as your physical health. You are able to handle stress is a stronger way. Go ahead, try it. Get recharged. enough for now.

Yes He Will

Yes! That is the response to the question, "Won't He do it?" And God continues - to do it. Because of God's love for you - yes He will do it.  His love for you. That is the trick.  Not your love, my love, but His love. We don't even know how to love like God. But His love. God's love never fails.  And what we do must be to watch what God is doing.  Watch for it. Watch. enough for now.

Won't He Do It?

"Won't He do it?" Yes! This term of acclamation is short but real on what God will do when you let go. Many times the situation may not change but something has changed with you.  Think about it. Most of the time the change is a reality adjustment.  Your reality is adjusted.  When you let go you are positioned to hear Holy Spirit. You are positioned to follow guidance of Holy Spirit.  When you follow you can indeed rest knowing that God IS.  You can rest knowing that your story is wrapped up in God"s story; and yes He will do it.  enough for now.

Don't Let Go

Yesterday was a rough day with a part time position. I almost let go. I almost quit. Why? Because petty people got on my nerves.  It is so terribly sad that this awesome season is so misused by arrogant, selfish, petty people who have missed the point of celebrating the birth of Jesus. Let's not leave it there, many believers act the same way.  Oh I know, I was one.  You see, I reacted to the stupidity, so I was wrong also. I should be able to let the love of God shine through me in spite of - in spite of managers who can't manage, in spite of people who have no clue.  I was busy praying for deliverance from that place when my role was to stand. Stand in spite of - stand and watch what God does. Aw But God. After the stupidity I had a quite a few believers who blessed me dearly. That break gave me the chance to regroup and feel the presence of God.  Then I realized that they too are loved.

Why did I share this?  Because the enemy will try to take your joy in so many little ways.  But Holy Spirit can guide you safely through the muck and mire of craziness, of confusion, of doubt, of despair, of __________; you fill in your blank.  There is more. You are more, you are more than conqueror- in all things. The key is to yield- not to temptation of retaliation, but to the will of God for your life. Allow me to use something you have heard before: If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Get back to celebrating the birth of Jesus, the life of Jesus, the death and resurrection of Jesus.  It is because of the love God has for you that there is the birth of Jesus, the life of Jesus, the death and resurrection of Jesus. And because of that - you have life!  You have life! Live it! Love it! enough for now.

Be Still Again.

To take a step into the rest that God has for you is indeed scary; but offers so much than you can imagine. It is all about moving more into a grander life. Be Still. That is how you start. Go ahead, try it. Take a few minutes to get still, physically, mentally, and invite God into that present moment with you.  Actually you have already been invited into the present moment with God.  You are just accepting the offer. Be still. Keep being still until you can master it. enough for now.

Walk in Truth

How can we get to the resolve of the Shunamite woman?  Throughout her time in scripture she maintained a peace that we all need. Her answer to her pain, her trials- "all is well" or"it's all right"   (2 Kings 4:8-36). We are on the backside of history, of the cross.  We have scripture and Jesus.  We have Holy Spirit to guide us. When we can recognize that our story is wrapped up God's story; when we can realize that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Rom. 8:28 NIV); when we can recognize that God has never left us nor forsaken us (Jos. 1:5); then we can rest in the assurance that we can rest, we can have the peace of God.

Yeah it is scary at times; and we tend to believe the lies that swirl around us quicker than the truth about us.  We are indeed more than conquerors. Over whatever! The truth trumps a lie any day. The Truth has Triumphed over all lies, so you can walk today in your truth. Go ahead try him. enough for now.

Rest Now

Yesterday I talked about peace in the midst.  One of the ways that we get weighed down is by the lies that keep us isolated and make us feel abandoned by God.  You know, we all find ourselves bound tight by the ways and craziness of find timing in life.  But that is not what God created for you. You can start today, it is not as difficult as we or even some churches make it to be. Just take the first step- to welcome Holy Spirit. And just rest there until you feel the shalom, the peace of God. You don't need to make an appointment or put it in your schedule. Jus do it now. enough for now.

Peace in the Midst

Do you have peace in the midst of storms? Oh I promise you can.  It is such a reachable goal. Come on, try it. What do you have to lose? You can learn to release by following God's will. That peace is attainable. enough for now.

How I Got Over

And life continues. . . Sometimes it is smooth, sometimes it's rough. But is that it what a journey looks like? Count me among those who would rather have smooth. Oh well. But that is not what it looks like.  I find that when I allow Holy Spirit to guide I have less stress, less worry. So I marvel through the completion of the hard tasks and look back and wonder, "how I got over."

My son just completed an ironman in Cozumel and I marvel at his completing 2.4 miles swim, 114 miles bike, 26 miles run. He trained, he trained his body, his mind, his heart, and relied on God.  My my, again "how I got over."

That old song of my youth, in my church means so much more now as I do wonder, "how I got over, and my soul looks back and wonder, how I got over."

Take time today to look back and realize that you really are not where you were.  Then thank God for your present moment experience as you have an opportunity to rest in God. enough for now.

Where is Your Rain?

Just as rain clears the air, from time to time we need to be cleansed by something.  I traveled to my hometown for a school reunion.  It was not about seeing how people have changed, although we all have done that.  This particular trip was different.  It enabled me to also be a part of a family reunion for a segment of my family.

This trip gave me opportunity to find myself.  To get back to what is important.  The trip allowed me to shake off the mental mud of the junk I encounter and to realize, in a different way, how special God made me. He had a plan long ago, before my birth and I keep that in front o me - even more so now. 

So where is your rain?  It is time for a cleansing, don't you agree? Watch for it.  Don't run from it. Let is wash all over you. enough for now.

A Different View

Hello friend. I did not realize how long it has been. So much has happened since I last blogged; yet all is well. I write from a different physical place with a different emotional perspective.  I do an experiential with students and clients in that they change their physical location in order to see something they had not seen before.  In life we must become more dynamic in that aspect in order to have a better perspective.  It does not mean that we are constantly moving (although some feel I am); it means that we get still, to shift, to hear from God.  Oh my goodness, God is dynamic, why do we act static? 

Shift your position, physical, mental. No it does not mean to change your mind (although some of that old junk needs to be expelled).  It does mean to be ready to become dynamic in order to hear from God.  It does mean to not close your mind, your heart, thinking that you have it all, you know it all.  it does mean to be ready for what God has for you; for what Holy Spirit is guiding; for receiving more of Jesus' love for you.  Get a different view for you, for self.  Release that old lens and see clearer. enough for now.

Concerned without being Consumed

So much going on.  Find one, pick one. Can you?  You can't and you may miss what is really happening.  My thoughts are with Baltimore and everything that the real deal means.  And with Nepal and so many who have lost their lives. And with the rescued women of Boka Haram. And with the over 2000 young people missing in Detroit. And with concerns for my family. And with my own concerns.  

You see?  You can have a lot going on and still miss that one thing that you should have been focused on.  I suggest strongly to shift your focus. We must shift our focus to what God is doing.  Oh yeah God is doing something; and when we can focus on what God is doing first in our lives, then we can better see our way to the concerns that are ours.  We can be concerned without being consumed.  And then, we can pray and stand.  enough for now.

Hold On

So much has been happening.  Too often we mistake what is happening for something not wanted or bad.  Usually what happens strengthens us for our journey. Yes it does - but we cannot give up.  There will be hurdles- to be overcome. There will be trials- to share the testimonies. There will be life. 

You are not alone. You never were, you will never be.  Hold on.  Help is on the way. enough for now.

I Am WIth You

I am with you.  I am with you.  How many times have you felt all alone?  I am with you.  How many times have you called out, didn't hear; reached out, no one reached back?  I am with you.  True - friends may not be there when you need them. Family may not understand that you need them.  You may not know what you need.  But Jesus! His promise is true- I am with you. 

Let that permeate your every being.  I am with you.  You are never alone.  You can hope because of His promise.  You can . . . you can make it . . . you can take it . . . you can get through it . . . you can get over it . . . because He is with you.  Stay with all day.  Then stay with it all night.  Then stay with it tomorrow and all you tomorrows.  I am with you.  I love it!!!! enough for now.

Recognize the Presence

Let this be a time of walking in contemplation, of listening.  Don't miss this time of your recognizing restoral. Two of the disciples missed who Jesus was as they walked toward the village of Emmaus. They were discussing all that had happened. All that had happened.  All that had happened.  They were so stuck in the past, although the immediate past, that they missed what was happening in the present. Jesus was with them in their present. As Jesus talked with them they still missed His presence.  It was not until they invited Jesus to stay with them that they got it.  At the table - when Jesus took the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave the bread to them- then they recognized Him, then He was gone.

Sometimes we get so caught up on what has happened to us, with us, around us that we miss what God is doing right now in our present. You cannot recognize what God is doing unless you invite Him in.  Don't get stuck in your past, recognize the awesomeness of The Presence. enough for now.

Celebrate Resurrection

Blessing of recognition on this Resurrection day. Recognize that the love of God and the obedience of Jesus makes it possible to know the freedom we have. We know the message of the cross collectively, but what does it mean to you individually? Celebrate!

Be Renewed

As you emerge from this Lenten season I pray that you emerge renewed, rejuvenated, restored, all from spending time with Jesus. Start now. Hear from Holy Spirit, receive your blessing in even that.  Don't worry about what is going on in another's life.  Watch what God is doing in your life. 

You are a blessing. Walk in that major realization. Peace. enough for now.

Are You Listening?

Did you know that it does not take much to hear? You have to want to hear.  You have to listen.  There is more. You have to recognize and trust that you have heard.  And then you rest in what you hear, you follow what you hear.  There is a great peace in following Holy Spirit's guide for your life.  There is peace in watching what God is doing in your life.  No, you don't sit and do nothing.  Yes you release fret and fear while you watch.  You see, you shift your focus from you and your stuff to wtching what God is doing.  

You need some peace in your life in spite of all the junk.  You need peace in spite of the foolishness at your job, your school, your church, your home.  Shift your focus and start watching.  When your start watching you can begin listening.  It does not take that much to hear.  It does take a willing heart. Go ahead, try God.  enough for now.

Stop Running Around

Watch!  Stop running around like a chicken with your head cut off.  Even if that running around is only in your head, and usually it is in your head. Get still and watch what God is doing in your life, this day.  And then when you get clear instruction from Holy Spirit- go with it.  Follow.  Rest in that guidance. enough for now.

TODAY

TODAY. TODAY. TO DAY. T O D A Y. TODAY. Today. today.  Today is your day- your day.  It has already been promised to you. The red carpet has been laid out for your.  It is yours no matter what comes.  Ups or downs - it is yours.  Take it, walk it, allow each aspect of it to sink in- soak it up. There are gems for you to collect- today. Watch for them.  There are gems for you to give away. Watch for the opportunities. Today.

Things will happen- it is how you let those things affect you that matters.  It is how you feel about happens. How do you feel about what I just said?  What do you feel about today?  Let me help to get you going.  If there is fear about today, that is a lie from the pit of hell. You see, "God did not give us a spirit of timidity (fear), but a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline (sound mind)" (2 Tim. 1:7 NIV). Let that be your joy today.  And say "no" to anything less than what God has given.  Shift your focus toward what God has for you and not what society has done to you.

This is your day- Seize each moment and live. enough for now.

No More.

No more.  Today I stop fitting into what others want for me. No more. Today I start living what God has for me. 

Let that be your mantra each day until you recognize that you are walking away from the people pleasing and walking into the Image of who you really are. TODAY is your day. Enough for now. 

No Box

Look within.  Look at how you have allow yourself to be trapped in a box so large that you didn't know you were trapped.  Ahh, but when you came to the border of the box you found yourself stuck by the same lies that you dealt with long ago.  Nothing changed.  Stuck.  You know you those lies - fear, feeling inferior, no one cares. . . what's your lie?  You see, the borders are not real.  You were not created to live in a box, but to free from the lies that plague. 

Have you recognized the lies yet?  You see, you have lived so long with them that you were comfortable in your 'plight'.  It would never get better.  You draw of the luck. LIES. LIES.  Come on.  When you recognize a lie, write it down, draw a circle around it.  Draw a line out from it and write what that lie has cost you, draw a circle around that cost.  What else?  Keep writing what that one lie has cost you.  When you are done, take a good look at the heavy cost in your life.  Can you continue to pay that cost? No, I didn't think you could.

Ask Holy Spirit what is the truth to that lie.  When you hear it - hold on to it.  God's truth will stand against any lie of the enemy. For every time you hear the lie hold to the truth.  Do this for each lie that is revealed. 

Do not be concerned with battling self or the enemy but stay with the truth.  Eventually you will not hear, nor be affected by the lie. Not because I said it, but because you were already free from the lies because of the love of God; the life, death, resurrection of Jesus; and the guidance of Holy Spirit.

Feel it, feel the sides of the box crumbling.  Walk free. enough for now.

Hurt People Hurt

I have so many opportunities to watch the woundedness in people and to aid in the healing of some. I had an opportunity to witness an upper level supervisor who did not have a great command of the English language to misuse a term in trying to tell me what she thought. It was so sad, because she misused the term, had no clue what she was saying, and bottom line - she spoke out of her worth wound. I realized quickly that she had worth issues. She needed help.

We all have wounds, it depends on whether or not we are seeking to heal those wounds. Too many hurt people hurt people. You have heard that before.  Make sure you are not one of those 'hurt people'. enough for now.

Judge Not

You have heard it before, but here it is again. "Do not judge a book by its cover." Let me take it deeper. "Judge not."  Got it?  Too many people have misjudged so many people and situations.  How abut you? Yes you have. Yes I have. And yes, you have even misjudged yourself.  Your judging leading to so much misjudging. Don't do it. 

In order to be clear ask Holy Spirit. There it is again- Watch what God is doing, and then rest in that. It will save you so much heartache, so much wasted energy. Rest in what God is doing. Trust and believe that God is handling it. I promise that you will be surprised- all because of God's promises to you. Don't judge- let it go.  enough for now.

Enough is Enough

How many times do you find yourself feeling 'stuck' in the same situation but with different events?  You know, when you 'stay in' a situation for whatever strange reason- and you do come up with strange reasons. You stay in a bad relationship because you don't want to be alone - your worth. You hang out with people who allow your codependency because you need to feel better about yourself - your worth.  You hold on to depressive or toxic relationships with people, places, or things because you have believed the lie that longevity is good.  You know, your bank sucks and has no thought about you, yet you love the fact that your checks have larger numbers on them. You stay at a church where you are not fed, all because of its supposed influence, yet no one considers your spiritual needs. You allow toxic people in your personal life - you are afraid of being alone, so you take all kinds of junk, abuse.

You don't have to do it. You do not have to stay in the mess you are in.  You can say 'no'.  You can walk out, walk away, close the door, you can breathe.  How? First you make the decision that enough is enough. When you are clear, then lament the wasted time in order to let it go. As you are releasing release hate, unforgiveness, bitterness. You must do that. You cannot carry the same junk. This is a new day.  Allow Holy Spirit to guide you into the truth an away from the lies that have bound you.

Go ahead- the first move is on you. enough for now.

See the More of you

In Smithsonian.com there is an amazing picture by photographer Alex Cornell of an iceberg that had flipped over.  I tried to send it but it is not working. I suggest that you see the photograph- to behold the beauty, the wonder of what the iceberg holds. 

Why look for it? Because we miss so much by seeing only the outside, the external of others and of ourselves. We miss who we really are, we miss our image as created by God.  We have allowed so much to misshape us that our beauty is many times hidden, from even us. 

As you view the photograph examine what you see. Then find a photograph of you, and examine what you see.  You are indeed a marvelously made person created for so much more that what you know.  Let's examine life together, to see more of what God has for you. See the more of you.  Enjoy your journey. enough for now.

Who are You?

I have been considering many things as I listen to the hurts of others. One major concern.  The problem of losing self.  Too many have become what others want.  You have lost who you are.  You have strayed from what designed for you.  It is time to recover, recapture you.  It will not be easy- but it can be done.  It is who you really are. You have a choice.  Be who God created or be who mankind dictated.  I'll walk with you.  Your choice. You begin by watching what God is doing.  Start there. enough for now.

Go Ahead

I am tired of hearing about making resolutions that you cannot or do not keep.  I encourage you to do one thing- watch what God is doing.  Do it one day at a time.  The more you watch, the more you will want to see.  The more you see, the more you will inquire of Him.  The more you inquire of Him, the more you will learn to lean on Him.  The more you lean on Him, the more you will trust.  The more you trust- whooo wheeee!  Look out!  The sky is the limit.  Bounds will be broken.  Lies will be revealed and crushed.  Your journey will become more purposeful. All because you learned to watch what God is doing. Oh yes, try it. You see, this encompasses your whole life. Go ahead. enough for now.

The New Year

Welcome to the New Year. Welcome to a new day.  Welcome to a new season. Start today with letting go: Let go of clutter in your life; you know, the stuff you have kept in your closet, in your house, in your life.  Let go of the things that make you sick- the toxic things in your life-the person, place, or thing.  Let go of the clutter in your heart - the remaining lies you have believed, the unforgiveness, the bitterness, those things that have done you more harm than good. Let go of 'lost direction'. You know, the things that caused you to run off in rabbit trails to nowhere. Let it go!

Now take on, you can because you have room. Get direction; you see, your direction and the direction of others for you has caused you to miss what God has for you. They don't know. They can't follow their own direction, how can they tell you?  How can you find direction?  Glad you asked.  Watch what Holy Spirit is doing in your life. Follow Holy Spirit's guide. Walk in love for self and for others.  It is that 'loving one another' that changes hearts, that guides you in obedience to God. When you lose direction, ask 'which way'? Oh Holy Spirit will guide you, (Won't He do it?) that is a promise to you.

Breathe. Your very breath is a gift.  Live in the fullness of the life God gave you, not in the crappiness from the gifts of the world. You are so loved by God that you can indeed live and love.  Take care of yourself, your mind, your heart, your body, your soul.  Welcome to a new season.  Now go live and love. enough for now.