Get Out Of Your Way!

   (Photo courtesy of Karenkenney.com)

There are times when I find myself holding back the best in me.

I don't know why it happens, but it does.

It's like a fear of success and fear of being able to keep it up once successful.

     (Photo courtesy of erikpopp.com)

It's like I know what to do but I can't move!

No one truly has the blueprint to how their life is suppose to go. I sometimes feel the urge to do something inspiring and innovative and the idea flows into my brain and then with no actions it flows right out again. This makes for a bad combination.

Having these moments of inspiration are like the light shining in a dark room. I see the room with clarity. If only for a moment  I have a flash of brilliance.

What I learned about inspiration 

The word inspiration as defined by webster's means

:a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation.

What I personally learned was inspiration means "In Spirit". 

Where we receive our inspiration.

James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].”

James 1:17 AMP

http://bible.com/8/jas.1.17.ampx

What to do once you receive the inspiration 

Well the word of God says to write it down and make it plain. 

Habakkuk 2:2 “The LORD answered me: “Write down the vision; write it clearly on clay tablets so whoever reads it can run to tell others.”

Habakkuk 2:2 NCV

http://bible.com/105/hab.2.2.ncv

This scripture can sometimes be taken out of context but I'm sticking to the script get it! (LoL) As the scripture reads further it says in verse 3.

“It is not yet time for the message to come true, but that time is coming soon; the message will come true. It may seem like a long time, but be patient and wait for it, because it will surely come; it will not be delayed.”

Habakkuk 2:3 NCV

http://bible.com/105/hab.2.3.ncv

This is your moment, your time for action!

"Do it now" should be your new motto.

I read some where that if it will take less than 2 minutes, do it now. It's about ceasing the moments as they come. I've had moments that just seemed out of my control that caused me to feel helpless.

In that helplessness we lose focus and the reality that we have power, the power to respond the way we choose to in the moment.

  

The challenge is that most of us react rather than respond to life. 

"All my life I had to fight" this is a quote from Sophia from the color purple. That line is how most of us react to situations in our lives. Reacting, fighting our way through things that happen in our lives. Feeling like you don't have a moment to breathe and pray to ask God for his wisdom as to how to respond to any situation that may or has occurred. 

Having a Relationship with God

Having a relationship with God gives us a chance to come to him in that moment for wisdom and guidance allowing us to remove our reactions and respond through his Son Jesus Christ.

When we are able to truly get out of our own way of doing things and allow God to move through us we will see Gods manifestation of love, beauty and wisdom flow through our lives. Transforming ourselves and all things that he touches through us. Remember Jesus (The Way) is the bridge to God (Love). Be blessed and transformed Daily!

Be Bold...Not Everyone is going to like you or what you stand for!

Be bold 

The statement of being bold for me means to be confident and strong with no fear or doubt. There was an old Sunday school song that reminded me and it plays over and over again in my head as I write this post.

The hook goes "Be bold be bold be strong be strong for the lord thy God is with thee x2. I am not afraid I am not dismayed Because I'm walking in faith and victory come on and walk in faith and victory for the Lord thy God is with me!"

This song was a childhood reminder that I had to be bold for the days and years to come. 

There will be a time to stand. 

As a child we always want to fit in with the crowd and never wanted to be on the outside. As an adult in Christ I've learned that the crowd doesn't love you, let alone like you. My belief in Jesus Christ as my Lord and saviour has caused them (the world) to hate me (for his name sake).

The news is a constant reminder of the battle with Christianity and secular belief systems. 

There are two churches that I see in the world. The world church system "Those who are in the business of having church." Now don't get me wrong there are churches out here that are really doing God's will and have been successful in the process of doing his will. Greater outreach centers and people willing to go out and do the work.

The other church,

It might be the church that you attend. The church that looks good but ain't doing nothing.

  The church is the people not the building I want to make that clear.

These two churches are in the same building . The church of the Christians and the church of The True Believers. Let me clarify what I'm saying because I'm making enemies as people read this and that's okay. These two churches exist in our minds and In our bodies (flesh) because of the sin that was committed in the garden. 

Now I don't want to lose you!

When I say the word "Christian" there is a sense of judgement that rings with it. Like if I say I'm Christian people automatically look to judge my life. And then there are the multiple denominations to further complicate the matter. Being divided up separates us. It makes us unstable.

The word of God states in Matthew 12:22-28

A House Divided Cannot Stand

22 Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and[a] mute man both spoke and saw. 23 And all the multitudes were amazed and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”

24 Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub,[b] the ruler of the demons.”

25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. 28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Contextually this chapter is about Jesus and the Power of the Holy Spirit and by what power Jesus was using to cast out demons. 

The point that I want to make clear is that  we as Christians aren't to just look at Christianity as a function. " Oh I just go to church because it's Sunday." Acting out the functions of the business of church and not living it out in your daily life.

Picking up Jesus Sunday morning and laying him down Monday morning.

True believers make their relationship with him a lifestyle. Everything we do and everywhere we go we represent Jesus.

James1:6-8

“Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord, [For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides].

And the rich [person ought to glory] in being humbled [by being shown his human frailty], because like the flower of the grass he will pass away.”

James 1:6-8, 10 AMP

http://bible.com/8/jas.1.6-8,10.amp

My point is this remain steadfast in your belief in Him not wavering in doubt or disbelief. 

The world will love you if you're in agreement with their ways. I found that very conflict lies at every believer's doorstep. Will you seek fame in the world for a temporary time or stand for Christ even when it's not the popular choice.

Temporary creature comforts are not worth your eternal soul. People not liking you is not worth giving away eternal life. Relationship with God is sacred.

Man's hearts grows wicked and cold in the absence of God. 

More and more they try to pull God out of our daily lives, as they do more wickedness is seen in the world. Who will stand for Christ in a world that loves sin. 

I will because he first loved me!

Photos used for educational purposes only.

Understanding Your Abundant Life

God's gifts are often taken for granted. 

The beauty of his nature is normally robbed by our lofty agendas. Pressing meetings and our much to do about nothing behaviors.
God is a supernatural giver, yet we fail to see his currency. He gave His only begotten son first that we might be saved. Identifying WHO His son is will give us a good clue of the currency that we have with Him.

Jesus Christ said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me. (John 14:6 NCV)

So when He gave us Jesus He gave us "The Way" a point of contact, a way of living. He also gave us "The Truth" Jesus is the truth, He is the word of God! Ask me how I know!

He is also "The Life" this is the amazing part this is where we can die to our old soulish ways and live through him.

Identifying  "In the beginning there was the Word. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were made by him, and nothing was made without him. In him there was life, and that life was the light of all people. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overpowered it. (John 1:1-5 NCV)

True beauty is in the fact that my life, your life is his light shining through us. Gods currency is everlasting.  So Jesus should be our first currency. God I'm thankful for your gift of Christ! 

Currency can be spent wisely or wasted foolishly. (Money) Time currency is afforded to most of us and it is one of the most valuable of currencies. It's given freely but could cost you dearly. Spend quality time with Christ and for him working the mission he called you too.

This is spending time wisely. Spend time in Christ, reading his word. This is how we experience the abundant life that flow through him. Knowing his word is knowing him and speaking his word commands the alignment of all things to which it is applied.

Enjoy your time in Christ be present "in the here and now" This is were we can enjoy him as our true gift. Moving backwards thinking about your past won't help or worrying about your future or what could happen. Being in the here and now is what God desires from us! God bless!

Photos used for educational purposes only.

Open Criticism Is Better Than Secret Love...Are you a Frenemy?

This post is a examination of self and how we move and treat others in our lives.

Let's define this word Frenemy

It is defined as a person with whom one is friendly despite a fundamental dislike or rivalry. (Google.com)

Seems pretty clear, here is another 

Definition : is an oxymoron and a portmanteau of "friend" and "enemy" that can refer to either an enemy pretending to be a friend or someone who really is a friend but also a rival.^[1] The term is used to describe personal, geopolitical, and commercial relationships both among individuals and groups or institutions. The word has appeared in print as early as 1953.^{[2] (Wikipedia.org)}

Let's just face it!

Not everyone means well by you. Nor have you meant well by everyone either. We have all been there. Until we have learned to look at ourselves and make adjustments we may have been or still may be a Frenemy.

Scarcity feelings are felt

•Jealousy 

•Envy

•Resentfullness

To put it in a biblical term "Covetousness"!

Wanting what another person has or desiring status or power over another person.

These feelings lead to behaviors that are not worthy of Gods presence.

•Backstabbing 

•Gossiping 

•Lying

•Stealing

Now we may not have done all these things knowingly.

If we've been on this earth long enough we have.

We have done all these things. Even though our intentions may be good (for self) we still may be considered a Frenemy. 

This is an old problem

This is a problem that even Jesus Christ had to endure. Christ had to endure knowing that one of his diciples was going to betray him. Being here on earth and in the flesh I believed Jesus had feelings about this whole thing.

How he dealt with those feelings 

He dealt with knowing and still walking in love with the person that was destined to betray him.

The betrayal is recorded in Matthew 26:14-16

This is when he agreed to turn Jesus in to the Jewish high priest for thirty silver coins. Then Judas looked for and waited for an opportunity to turn Jesus over to them.

WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?

I know we are all familiar with the acronym WWJD

Well WDJD? 

What did Jesus do? 

Well Jesus being in obedience to God knew that the plan was for him to die for mankind's sins. 

Even before the betrayal he spoke of this to the diciples in John 6:70-71

“Then Jesus answered, “I chose all twelve of you, but one of you is a devil.” Jesus was talking about Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Judas was one of the twelve, but later he was going to turn against Jesus.”

John 6:70-71 NCV

http://bible.com/105/jhn.6.70-71.ncv

Jesus let them know that he knew

 Lowering himself by washing his diciples feet. 

Becoming a servant of all.

He responded in kindness and graciousness towards Judas.

The bible states in John 13:21-27

“After Jesus said this, he was very troubled. He said openly, “I tell you the truth, one of you will turn against me.” The followers all looked at each other, because they did not know whom Jesus was talking about. One of the followers sitting next to Jesus was the follower Jesus loved. Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus whom he was talking about. That follower leaned closer to Jesus and asked, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “I will dip this bread into the dish. The man I give it to is the man who will turn against me.” So Jesus took a piece of bread, dipped it, and gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered him. Jesus said to him, “The thing that you will do—do it quickly.””

John 13:21-27 NCV

http://bible.com/105/jhn.13.21-27.ncv

Jesus chose his diciples.

We should take great care in who we choose as friends. Those who will walk with you share your experiences your love joys and pains. He loved Judas despite his actions toward him.

This is where I'm encouraged!

I'm encouraged because even in our wretchedness he chose us. Choosing to love us and forgive us with an irrevocable love despite our flaws.

Self examination is needed.

We must examine ourselves daily and be willing to die to our old ways everyday. Even as Christ forgave us we must forgive and love those who would persecute us too.

“Where jealousy and selfishness are, there will be confusion and every kind of evil.”

James 3:16 NCV

http://bible.com/105/jas.3.16.ncv

(All photos used for educational purposes only)

Pressure...Stress Love motion

This post is about your Work.

The Pressure stress love motion that you go through everyday to take care of yourself and your love ones. 

How many people feel like they are on a treadmill in life?

Daily we wake up to perform a certain function at your place of work. Depending on the way we look at it, we may like it love it or loathe it. It pays the bills and puts food on the table but does it fulfill you and align with your purpose?

God designed us with a certain purpose in mind. We tend to move so far out of alignment and never truly find our purpose. For a long time I was out of alignment in my life. I was chasing money and not focused on my divine purpose. 

Other people can see your purpose 

I learned this lesson the hard way. I was working on my trade as a machinist and the master machinists that I worked under noticed my purpose. I didn't receive what he was trying to tell me at that time. Why because he was telling me that my purpose wasn't in machining it was with people. It wasn't what I wanted to hear at all. He later broke it down to me. He said that he noticed what I did on my lunch breaks like helping people learn how to read and encouraging people to go back to school. Helping others study for their GED exam. 

Young unfocused energy.

God wants us early in our youth so that he can shape and mold us for greatness.

But we tend to get involved in what we call Peer Pressure when we're young.

We can call these distractions and rabbit trails. Moving through life with little idea as to what we are designed to do. We do what we think is right by how it makes us feel. Everything that feels good isn't good. Falling in line with trends that maybe happening in your environment, age range, race or culture.

These pressures can cause the notorious S word to happen.

Stress can sometimes leave you feeling like throwing in the towel and giving up on life. I've learned that stress can build you up to make you stronger or tear you down to nothing. 

Let's talk about those two stress.

The first being the stress we all know and loathe 

•Stress this is the feeling and emotion that can cause damage to your mind soul and body. Anxiety, depression, frustration pain, and sadness. 

One big ball of stress.

The second  being a less commonly known stress called

 • Eustress this is the stress that makes you rise to the occasion when necessary and overcome obstacles and challenges. This stress helps you grow.

Motivation inspiration and enthusiasm and fulfillment.

Learning to find stress relievers are key to your survival. 

Prayer and meditation are good ways to relieve stress. Now I'm not going to tell you how to pray but I can give some advice about meditation.

Meditate

I was taught by a gentleman that I call my fellow brother in Christ. What he told me was nothing esoteric in theory. He shared with me how believers should meditate. 

He gave me an instance where King David stated in the bible that he meditated on God's precepts (commands). Psalm 119:15-16 "I want to reflect on your guiding principles and study your ways.Your laws make me happy. I never forget your word."

My brother in Christ shared that I should read God's word and think about the passage through out the day and focus on Gods ways. This will bring enlightenment and relationship.

When I hear the word Relationship I think of LOVE!

To be in relationship requires a bit of intimacy, a closeness that will give you a sense of knowing.

We know what we love and that is connection and family. We do a lot for the ones we love and this motivates us to move forward.  

LOVE helps us to do when we feel like there is nothing left inside to give.

God is LOVE!

1John 4:8 "But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love."

Love is a sustainable emotion.

Love truly is the only sustainable emotion. If you are angry can you stay angry forever? No you can't sustain that emotion forever. Since God is love all these other emotions really lack sustainability. 

The Feelings Wheel is a wonderful tool 

To use but I'm using it here as a visual at this moment. I will demonstrate how to use this wheel in another post very soon.

Love motivates us to move

Love causes us to get up every day and do what we have to do for ourselves our family and friends. Love is not only an emotion it's an action.

Love causes motion!

We move because Gods love is an action a force that can be felt. When we feel like giving up and stopping his love picks us up and carries us through our tough times. 

There have been plenty of times when I felt like quitting everything my job, this life times get hard. God gives us enough momentum to carry us through.

It might be that one thing that changes it all.

That brings us back from the edge. He knows his plans for us and they are good. 

God is truly amazing!

My nephew when he was a baby sang this little song to me that he made up. It saved my life when I was in a deep depressed moment. He sang "Don't give up you'll see why!" That one little line was enough to bring me back to shore. Out of the mouths of babes right! It caused a ripple effect that moved me to a greater place in God.

Manage the stress through Prayer and meditation. God is love the force that motivates us into motion actions beyond expectations!  

His plans are great for you!

God bless you!

Photos used for educational purposes only.

Pushing through boundaries, limitations and comfort zones to a place called Destiny.

This post has been lingering on the fringes of my mind. Why?, because I was actually going through my lessons. I received the title before the lesson. Wow it is amazing how God works.

My best friend called me one day out of the blue ("you saw the color blue didn't you") He told me that God wanted him to call me and share this message with me.

So being obedient he called and shared this story with me. 

The story he shared was eye opening and changed my life for the months/ years to come ("yes it took that long don't judge me! Lol") 

My best friend has a daughter, she is his only daughter and youngest child. Now I don't have any children but I heard that having one or more than one is a life changing experience. Well she is his female doppelgänger they are so much alike. You gotta love them! 

Anyway back to the call and story.

The message that he had for me was simple "Have Faith"! He went on to explain that he is a full fledge cheer dad. Meaning that he supports his daughter and her cheer leading team at events and practices local and on the road. He explained

When your a father
Your children make request of you that they have no doubt you can fulfill. He explained that his daughter expressed that she wanted to participate in the travel event for her team. Now this event was in another part of the state that they live in, not close at all. She jumped in the backseat of the car and said "Dad I want to go to Tallahassee with the team". She said this with confidence and no doubt that she wouldn't be front and center with her team, No Doubt or Fear just expectation (Faith)

Being the father
This means that the how and the details of the trip was left solely up to him. How they would get there, where they would stay and how much money would be needed to make the trip successful.
He explained that we to are to be like this with our Heavenly Father (God).

We have a Dad that loves us.
He wants us to walk in the steps he orders and take joy in it. (Psalm 37;23) He also says to live by believing and not by seeing. (2 Cor. 5;7) Here is where I missed the lesson before. It took a strong curve and left me on the side of the road. I had not developed my spiritual eyes (understanding). People always said "Seeing is believing" which is contradicting The Word of God. I understood what that meant as in "Show and Prove" in reference to people not God. Believe and he will prove that his Word is true.

In obedience and expectation.
Faith in God and not in what the details or circumstances may show us. I have come to this understanding by his Holy Spirit. I am truly thankful.


Living in our comfort zones
We love to play it safe in life and not take to many chances. Most of our decisions are based on our comfort. Life isn't always gonna feel safe or comfortable.

Life is like a roller coaster

(Pic courtesy of Roller coaster tycoon)
First thing you may notice there is no steering wheel. Meaning you are on a track that we are gonna call Life. To some degree you may feel out of control and that is true. 

(Picture courtesy of Picgif.com)

We strap in for this ride that carries us through a gambit of emotions.

Some of the first emotions you may encounter is 

• Fear 

• Anxiety

• Anticipation

(Picture courtesy of Hk-phy.0rg)

When you feel God's control in your life

Once you start feeling the breaks being applied in certain areas you start to understand and then enjoy the ride. Feelings like 

• Excitement

• Exhilaration

• Confidence 

Become your experience.

We see the whole roller coaster but we don't see our whole Life. 

Seeing the whole ride provides some assurance of your arrival. Knowing that it ends at some point brings about a certainty of peace. 

The way we see life is like Hills and Valleys.

This is similar to the roller coaster, but you can't see everything at once. This is where your faith in God must be present.

We have these hill and valley moments in our lives and they take use through those same emotions the roller coaster does but at slower speeds (sometimes). 

When I'm on the hill

I feel excited and its bright, my future is within view and I can see the next few steps to my journey easy. I can feel the sun shining the warmth of Gods love around me. And then...

I descend into the valley.

The valley is dark cold and I feel loneliness, sadness and despair. Not being able to see where my next step should be makes me feel fear and depression. We all have these valley moments in our lives. 

This was the setup for a season of P.U.S.H. 

This is how you climb out of the valley and back up the hill.

"Pray, Until, Something, Happens!"

I am reminded of this scripture I learned as a child.

A promise from my Father. 

“The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green pastures. He leads me to calm water. He gives me new strength. He leads me on paths that are right for the good of his name. Even if I walk through a very dark valley, I will not be afraid, because you are with me. Your rod and your shepherd’s staff comfort me. You prepare a meal for me in front of my enemies. You pour oil of blessing on my head; you fill my cup to overflowing. Surely your goodness and love will be with me all my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.”

Psalms 23:1-6 NCV

http://bible.com/105/psa.23.1-6.ncv

The Word of God assures us that he is with us always! 

Jesus is with us as we make believers in this world (disciples)!

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All power in heaven and on earth is given to me. So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything that I have taught you, and I will be with you always, even until the end of this age.””

Matthew 28:18-20 NCV

http://bible.com/105/mat.28.18-20.ncv

So coming out of our comfort zones for Christ gives us an assurance!

We will meet the Lord at our destined time. At a place called Heaven (Destiny)

(All photos used for educational purposes only)

Pardon me, I have some place I have to be. When life is standing still all around you......run!

This seem like a weird title, but it's a true one.

As I was growing into a young man I noticed that there were things that I wanted, and I went after them. I wanted to drive, I went after my driver license and  got it. I wanted friends, I showed myself friendly and gained friends. I wanted a relationship, I showed interest in a young lady and started making investments towards an exclusive relationship. These things were not hard to acquire looking back. While in the moment of living through them it was difficult, so much emotional content that you almost fail to see the process.

Process vs Content

Have you ever heard the cliché that "The devil is in the details". Details being the content these are the cares of life. I love to look at the opposite as God being the process. We tend to go on our emotional roller coasters getting caught up in the feelings and throws of life. Instead of looking at the process. Keeping our minds clear and focused on God.

I'm saying all this to say that,

If you want something you have to go for it, you have to move! Moving forward in life can be confusing and a bit scary because you don't know what your doing or where your going. 

Get a Clue!!! You need to have an idea....

We tend to think in pictures. That's why if I say to you don't think of a blue elephant you'll see a blue elephant in your mind.

We must have a picture of our desired future.

This is true, you must have a vision of what you want your life to look like. All the bells and whistles! Visualizing in detail things that you would like to learn see attain and achieve. 

Don't be hard on yourself because you don't know the how.

The how is not our job! We are to visualize and pray for God's will to be done in our lives. God is the author and finisher of our faith. You heard the cliche "If you believe you can achieve" Well its true along with other such as 

• Do or do not there is no try. - Yoda
• Regrets are the past gripping you in the present.
• If you focus on what you left behind you will never be able to see what lies ahead- Gusteau
• Your mind is like water, if you allow it to settle the answer becomes clear.

There are many more that could be written and there are levels of truth in them all.

The Chef Gusteau saying stands out for me...

"If you focus on what you left behind you will never be able to see what lies ahead"

although this saying was made famous in a movie about a rodent (Ratatouille) It was most true to my situation. When I started growing in areas of my life I noticed that others around me were not growing, not everyone but ones I truly care about. I started to notice the distance growing further and further apart from them. The picture that I saw for myself was coming into view. I thought I saw them in it but as I got closer they faded away. 

Grief and loss is felt when we lose people.

This is also true when we lose relationships in our lives that we thought were forever. Reaching and failing because the distance is to great. 

Distance in mind states will change your physical position in life.

You will now travel in a new circle of friends people and understanding. It is necessary for your season of growth. These new individuals will teach lessons or be apart of your lifetime.

This reminds me of the parable of the talents. Matthew 25:14-30

God gives you everything that you need to fulfill your purpose in life. It's up you to take the talent he gives and use it, multiply it and grow it for his glory.

We have an obligation to make something out of the life and talents that God gives us. So no excuses of trying, just do it, if your scared do it scared until your not scared anymore. 

“If you worry about what might be, and wonder what might have been, you will ignore what is.” -Unknown

Dream Think Create Innovate!

All photos used for educational purposes only.