Watch What You Let In

I write because I am imperfect, I write because someone needs to hear that whomever has held you back from what God has put in your heart to do, DO NOT let that stop you.  For the past couple years, I have been sort of lost in the mix of things … the world can corrupt you if you are not careful.  Do not let anyone’s harsh words or actions make you forget who you are in Christ, believe me, I am guilty of forgetting that I am a daughter of a King.  I have let people’s words (the world) get into my soul and poison the person who I once was.  The days are tough enough … let us build each other up, instead of treating people like pin cushions, after a while, people go numb and can’t feel the pricks anymore.  What a stale place to be.  We are not created to live like that, or be cruel people.

Do you remember the first time you became a believer, the time you were baptized, the time you were born again in the faith?  Do you remember the rush and how on fire you were to speak out to everyone about the goodness of Jesus?  Do not lose your fire because the devil is a liar. If your fire is dim, throw some wood on it, some lighter fluid, light a match, and reignite it! 

We as Jesus followers ARE supposed to strive to walk in his ways.  We try to live more like him, talk like him, of him, try to be model parents, or try to be the best husband/wife/son/daughter.  We are to LIVE a life where the non-believers see something inside us that turn them to be saved.  The difficulty of this is that … Jesus has a piece of character, we as humans, will never possess … Jesus was perfection. The point is, we can only make daily attempts and try our best to live life the way Jesus wants us to, yet we all sin, we fail, and sometimes we fail miserably, but the believer has something others do not, when we make mistakes … God does not see us, he sees Jesus standing in front of us … giving us strength to ask for forgiveness and try again, if we are blessed enough to get tomorrow. 

The WORLD will TEST you, watch out for demons who use words to tear us apart, words that darken our inner light, and words that harden our hearts.  Keep your eyes to the sky grabbing the Word of Light that will raise you, build you up, heal, and guide you on the right path.  In a cruel but beautiful world, watch what you say, and how you say it.   Make your words … positive and influential, be slow to speak, and do it with love. Remember … YOU are good enough, YOU are the daughter or son of a King. 

Lock Your Cage or Walk Out The Door

Today is the day I pick up where I left off from over a year ago.  This quote sent something perfect to my heart to write about.  This is all about the terrifying word FEAR.  So many things people miss and regret because he or she is too afraid to go forward ... I am guilty of that.  I have harbored resentment and a low level of hate in my soul for the past year and all it has done is kill my spirit. 

"You may be afraid to leave a bad situation, Do it Afraid, your life may depend on it."

As many of you all know how peaceful and carefree I was prior to giving up my life (family, friends, home, career, etc.) to step out of my cage (comfort zone) and run free.  I let my wild heart over-run my logical mind.  You ever had times where you wanted to experience things/life so bad you were willing to do anything to achieve it?  Sometimes that is a good thing, sometimes not so much.  I have somehow genetically inherited my mother's free spirit, self-reliant independence, and unfortunately my dads stubbornness to accept any form of good advice.  My whirlwind decision to drop everything, leave my life, and move across country on a whim ... eventually caught up to me.  I was unhappy in life so I thought change would cure that, I run, away from everything.  I suppose some of those cages in the above quote need to be locked down with a dead bolt. 

"You may be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, nothing grows there, Do it Afraid, or your life will stay the same."

If I would have viewed this quote 2 1/2 years ago, knowing what I know now, I would have locked my own cage.  I didn't realize that after making the decision to walk out of my wide open door, that I would come to realize that ... I really lost everything, most of all I missed my life line (the people in my life that let me shine brightly).  I exchanged that life, for one ... that has brought out the absolute worst in me, you grow with drastic change, or you crumble.  You let things go, or you let thoughts eat you alive.

"The most scary thing I can think of is Letting Go of Everything I lost, but it is just that, GONE. It will only come back better if I trust God to turn everything around, if you have lost faith.  Do it Afraid, your best days are not behind you, they are Standing in Front of You." Are you ready to move forward? ...

The reason I wrote this is because, for one, I miss writing, and someone told me I shouldn't because I am not perfect and until I could practice what I wrote, I had no business writing.  If you wait to be perfect ... nothing will ever happen.  What my point is ... If you have made a mistake in life, a rather large one, that you sacrificed so much for ... and in that time of suffering you changed someone's life for the better, God WILL NOT overlook that ... He did NOT forget about you.  If you just let go of everything that is gone, He will restore that.  If you have lost your faith, and find it hard to trust God, now is the time to look to the clouds and find your knees on the ground.

Finally taking my own advice ... Alice

Change Your Season, NOW!

 

This is a very empowering question, take this next bit as a wake up word of encouragement and praise.  Ask yourself, "Am I proud of who I have become?" Really think about it.  Think of all the positives about the struggles and trials you have been through, think of how it molded you into the person you are now.  Did you always take the right path in life, or did you veer off a few times, experiencing life lessons the hard way?

Guaranteed many of us have said ALL of the following comments at one point in life?  "Absolutely I am very proud of myself," "I guess I am proud of who I have become," "No I am not proud about who I have become."  I know I have.  Somethings I am very proud of, somethings absolutely not.  We all live, We all make mistakes ...

If you are the person who is saying "I am very satisfied and proud of the person I have become," good on you, keep pushing through, do not grow Prideful and Arrogant, stay Humble.  If you are the person who says, "I am not proud of the person I have become, or I do not like who I am," the only person who can change that is YOU ... YOU are the one standing in the way of changing for the good.  If you aren't proud of yourself right now, ask yourself, "How was I living when I was proud of who I was?"  Ask yourself, "What was I doing differently than I am right now that will change things?" Start correcting and start doing what was making your self-esteem rise, your self-confidence rise, and do what was making you proud of yourself. NOTICE I SAID "Do what was making you PROUD OF YOURSELF!!" Not if others were proud of you, that you are proud of you.

If you find yourself in a lull or a stand-still, use that time wisely to get a new vision of your next move. Go forward, focus on what is going to help you be the best you.  Sometimes you are your worst enemy, fight it!!! Remember, millions of people at times throughout life aren't proud of themselves, let alone like who they are ... but that lasts only a season, seasons change thank God. Change your season now ... don't wait.

Your Definition of Perfect only exists in Moments

I was messaging a good friend last night, someone I trust to give me a truthful answer ... My question was "If you could change one thing about who I am, what would that be?" His reply, "That is a serious question that I will not answer, as I am not in the changing game.  I want people to be who they are." That is the perfect answer to imperfect people.  "And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good."

My question has always been about people's acceptance of me, and I am sure I am NOT alone in this game.  I always ask, "If you could change me, what would you change," or "What is it about me that you like or dislike." Or when I am hurt, "What is wrong with me, why did they leave or pick someone else, what could I have done differently to change the outcome?" ... But why?  Do we all do this? 

"Was I not pretty enough, Was I not skinny enough, Was I not classy enough?" ... one question turns into a million and then you start doubting yourself, comparing yourself, and changing your whole outlook on yourself, just because ONE person decided you weren't who they wanted, or You weren't who they picked for a job position ... you get where I am going on this?  Rejection is tough, but sometimes necessary.  Rejection is a form of self-reflection.  When you get rejected, who doesn't question, the whys and what if's?  Even the strongest people question rejection.  But you have to be above it .. question it, process it, and rise above it, knowing that "And now that I don't have to be perfect, I can be good."

Are you perfect?  Do you have the perfect job, perfect home, perfect family, perfect body, perfect face, perfect personality?  Anyone who answers yes, they may well be living in their version of perfect ... but if anyone answers yes to believing they are perfect ... they are perfectly who they are, not perfect ... only one person holds that title, and if anyone other than God proclaims to be perfect, you can probably spot them from 5 miles away because their nose is so long.  Everyone has their own definition of what "perfect" means to them ... you can come pretty close to it, you can believe you live in it, but perfect only exists in moments. 

If you question what people think of you, If you ask "people" what they would change about who you are, STOP!! Maybe, just maybe, you should question YOU on what you don't like about yourself.  Then, change for you and not for anyone else!!!  We all have things we do not like about ourselves.  If someone rejects you for whatever reason, KNOW that that was not the right person for you or the right job, or whatever it is.  You will be right for the right person.  You will be the right choice for the right job position.  If you were rejected or weren't chosen, please know, that wasn't for you.  Do not doubt your abilities, qualities, or whatever it is you have to offer.  Believe in yourself, even when no one else does.  You are either your own best friend, or worst enemy ... Choose wisely.   

Thank God I wasn't sent here to be perfect, now I can be good, maybe even great ...

Build the Staircase Up and Out, Your Life Depends on it.

Pretty deep quote here.  I am positive hell is a place and I am certain hell is not empty, I do believe, it is running on a skeleton crew.  It isn't the devil that is amongst us, it is his tormented employees that do his dirty work, the demons.  They are spiritual killers and can gain control over the mind and body IF YOU LET THEM.  We ALL are in a battle to keep our mind and heart straight.  Some succeed and some fail and let the world destroy them.  So we fight to stay right with God. In the End, we all die but some of us do not have the courage to LIVE.  Not just survive, but Live Happily, Thankfully, like tomorrow isn't coming.

People claim to be fighting "their demons," whatever they may be. Some may claim they fight alcoholism, drug addiction, and guilt.  Some fight mental health disorders.  Maybe the alcoholic has a voice that whispers "Another one won't kill you, you have already lost everything, so why not have another." But in reality it did kill them (their mind, their health, their life).  The drug addicts silent voice "Just hit another line, it will kill the pain, it's an escape from reality." But this time was different, he escaped any reality on an accidental overdose.  What about the person suffering from Depression, all they want is to see the good but they cannot see past the bad to embrace the good, the voice says "Go ahead and pull the trigger, you will be fine in a second." But didn't think about how it would effect anyone who loved them.  What about the person struggling with being overweight and underweight, total opposites but the same outcome, when you cannot beat serious health issues, in the end, death. In the End, we all die but some of us do not have the courage to LIVE.  Do not be a statistic.

This quote is very accurate ... and very real ... people are so lost in the struggle, simple decisions are not clear.  The devil is the master of confusion, and he is a liar.  If you are feeling condemnation, know surely this is NOT from God.  You can feel convicted at times, but that is a safety net to do better, to change for the better.  Learn the difference.

Do Not let this world destroy you, Do Not let this world eat you from the inside out, Do Not let the world corrupt your spirit, or your life.  Fight it!  If you struggle from addiction of any kind, Do Not pick up what God told you to put down!!!  Leave it alone, walk away ... Whatever is bringing you down, leave it alone, walk away.  Fight to beat whatever you are going through.  If you are in deep depression or whatever it is, you already have a shovel to get that deep, so dig out some stairs and get out of there!! You have the Power to get past anything.  Find the Courage to Live Happily, Thankfully, like tomorrow isn't coming.  You Got this!  As hard as it seems at times, let the Good drown out the Bad ... FIGHT it!!! 

The Heart Struggles to Mind your Mind

Isn't it funny how the Heart feels and the Mind thinks?  They are like sibling rivalries, the Mind; is filled with wisdom and serves as the life warning system. The Heart; even though encaged, is wild and free roaming, chasing the high, the rush of feeling ... something.  The Mind is strong, realistic, and filled with reason.  The Heart also is strong, capable of forgiving, and allows a person to love.  The Heart pumps blood to the mind, as the Mind instructs the heart to do. 

The Heart is like a child, the Mind the parent.  The Mind teaches the heart lessons in life.  The Mind allows the Heart to make mistakes.  The Mind warns the Heart, hoping the Heart will prepare for heartache ... Even though the Heart knows and tries its hardest to prepare, the Heart still pushes forward hoping for the best, but in the end ... The Mind was right and the Heart is broken.

The Heart also teaches the Mind to store the bad experiences to serve as "red lights," so life doesn't get repeated.  The Heart needs the Mind like a driver needs GPS or MapQuest or the Heart will get off the right path, chasing temporary happiness, chasing the high ... The Mind screams "Slow Down, Fairytales to not exist."  The Heart hears what the Mind says, but is like a rebellious child, the Heart sneaks out of the cage and goes anyways ... The Heart doesn't care, it wants that high. The Heart wants to feel.

The Mind tries to keep the Heart in check ... However, the Mind loves the Heart ... The Heart of a Person is Beautiful if you let it roam free.  The Heart creates life, it beats ... It creates happiness, It creates Sorrow, It allows the rollercoaster.  If life wasn't lived/radiated from the Heart, If you didn't have Ups and Downs ... Your Heart & Mind would certainly die. Right?

Be Cautious of People on Pause

This has nothing to do with whether we are talking about a man or woman, this message is unisex, both can be clearly confused about life in general.  If you decide to go forward with a person who is lost in direction, be careful, be cautious, and guard your heart. 

The devil is the master of confusion, these people are on pause and "under construction."

Well, I suppose, we are all under construction, but some have built a house, destroyed it, and are beginning from ground zero all over again.  These people are daylight and darkness... they will take you on the rollercoaster high, then then change their navigational beacon without warning, leaving you with whiplash. Know that this is NOT YOUR FAULT, none of it ... NONE OF IT! 

Confusion is an awful place to be in ... It is like a mind fog, and if you are not careful, you will be in it as thick as a concrete maze.  You will sit at start, idling ... they will want to go forward, but are scared to make any step because they are afraid.  Afraid of failing again, afraid of making more mistakes, afraid to be hurt again ... Until they get their focus in the right direction, it is not a good idea to get involved, UNLESS you are a friend or are a counselor. 

For those that are confused with life ... there is an escape.  Prayer and good friends.  Remember things happen for a reason, sometimes you will NEVER know why things happened.  Just trust God has a plan for you, no matter how confused you are.  Be patient. If you are unsure about decision, pause and wait, if it is right, you will not be afraid.  Make sure you let what is behind you go before you go forward ... before you hurt everyone you come in contact with.

The Struggle is Temporary & So is Life

When I ran across this ... my first thought, well my action, was that I smiled.  I am reminded of how many times I have heard this quote in some form or fashion, from one of the constants in my life, she has reminded me several times of how we are still alive, despite the storms we never thought we would make it out of.  Some of us make it, some of us ... succumb to the world and let the world win.

We were born learners, fighters, sons, and daughters ... that grew up to be stronger, wiser, conquerors, and fearless to an extent. I am sure we have died a thousand times inside from the time we were teens to today.  Heartbreak and Heartache. Life and Death. Hurtful words that cannot be taken back, only forgiven.  "The only thing I know is this: WE are full of wounds but WE are still standing on our feet."

What would life be if everything was perfect ... how would that shape us? Would we be helpless children in adult form? I believe we would be.  It starts from the time we begin on the earth ... and ends when we return to it.  If your parents didn't allow you to fail, makes mistakes, let you fall again and again, how would anyone survive?  By chance, that is how.

Childhood can make us or break us ... Life can make us or break us.  It is OUR choice to rise above our situations as they are only temporary, they pass by like the days.  When you look back at the storms you have already conquered ... you could say "The only thing I know is this: I AM full of wounds and I AM still standing on my feet."

We Live, We Learn, We Love, We Hurt, We Cry, We Struggle but in the END ... "The only thing I know is this: I am full of wounds and I am STILL STANDING on my feet."

Storms are temporary ... Struggle is temporary & so is Life ... Love it, every moment of it!

Your purpose is to LIVE in "The NOW."

I know it has been quite some time since I have written.  Some people have told me that I shouldn't anymore, until I live more like how I write.  Then some tell me they miss reading what I post.  I believe everyone can be hypocritical at times.  All we can do is keep walking forward, forget negativity, and never look back.

I am sure many of us struggle with the fact that our past is no longer ours, we keep reaching back hoping that you can have it again.  Some may be able to touch your past but your past has nothing new to say.  You can go back, believing it will turn out differently, yet ... you relive it.  Living and hoping the past will change is like having an addiction, you want to let go ... you go forward ... then all of a sudden you find yourself wanting what you once had, what was once yours.  I sometimes wish that I would have been guided by the present moment instead of wanting my past to change.  Wanting what was once yours, is the best way to keep breaking your heart and make yourself miserable. 

I am sure many of us struggle with not being able to control our future.  The only future you can control is what you are doing right now, to "maybe" create your future tomorrow.  Notice I said "create YOUR OWN future," not someone else's.  You are in control of Me, Myself, and I ... not someone else.  Some people try and rush life,  and relationships ... recipe for heartache and disaster. I used to try and rush life, and relationships and it never works.  We all have a plan designed for us, but rest assured whatever your future is, you will surely get there. 

"Realize deeply that the present moment is all you will ever have." This quote is spot on, wake up and realize yesterday is your PAST, what you once had is no longer yours, do not reach for it again. Wake up and realize that tomorrow is the FUTURE and is not promised.  The best thing WE can do is enjoy every minute of the present.  Do not look back, Do not look forward.  Live right now!

Do Not Quit Now, Keep Going!

                This is to all the people who WANT to run back or LOOK back to the comfort zone.  You have taken that step in faith but when something goes wrong, or you have had a bad day, you want to RUN away back to what you worked so hard to leave, or tried so hard to start.  I write words of encouragement because I need words of hope myself.  Everyone who knows me, knows that I took a HUGE leap of faith last year and moved across country to start a new life.  For YEARS I talked about a change, dreamed about a change, and then one day I JUMPED.  I thought for some reason the move, transition, and adjustment was going to be Unicorns and Rainbows but I was SO VERY WRONG. 

                Each time something small went wrong, it amplified, so much that I wanted to RUN back to what I dreamt of leaving.  Not because I wanted to leave my friends and family, because I needed change desperately, and I got change alright (too much change, all at once). 

                The encouragement piece is … I realized that I didn’t come THIS FAR to go back.  Times will get tough; you will want to RUN back … You will want to quit, do not let the Devil Win.  God gives you the desires of your heart, if you take the time, fight through the bad and notice them.  Notice the Gifts from God, don’t run from them.  YOU DID NOT COME THIS FAR, TO ONLY COME THIS FAR!!!!  Keep going!!!

Step Outside Your "Safe Zone"

What would life be like if no one took chances, if everyone was scared about making mistakes? Would life be boring? Sure you may like the “safe zone” but would it be worth it looking back at your life in 10-20 years? What would your life story be? 

                If you could take a chance and do ONE thing right now what would it be?  What would the consequences of not stepping out and making the attempt to change your life for the better be?  You would stay the same.  What holds you back from pursuing life, chasing whatever it is you want, or taking a chance on a relationship?  Hello … the past is in the past … You may have taken a chance on someone, you may have taken a chance on a business that went south in the past and that is okay, that means you are living (life is not perfect)!!  BUT WHAT IF your chance, WHAT IF your Door of Opportunity is wide open in front of you RIGHT NOW … Pray about it, don’t let FEAR stand in your way. 

                We keep hearing “We are not promised tomorrow,” so very true … We aren’t even promised the next minute or second.  If there is something YOU want to pursue, DO IT!!!  If there is some place you want to go, GO!!!  If there is someone you have your heart set on, TELL THEM!!!  I have taken some pretty rotten chances, but in the midst of that, I was blessed with two beautiful sons.  Through chances, I learned who I do NOT want in my life.  One of my greatest blessings was from making an ABSOLUTE crazy decision to move across country on a chance of love, I now have wonderful husband and two amazing daughters. 

                Think on this …  We are every choice, chance, and decision we have ever made … That is who we are and who we will be.  We will keep making decisions, we will keep making choices, and we will keep taking chances!!!!  Live your life…Dare to take a chance, at least once.  You may surprise yourself!

Pursue Your Dreams

I am not sure how this will turn out since it has been MONTHS since I have written any form of motivation or inspiration.  People have so many life circumstances that block out good things.  I found myself overwhelmed during a continual life adjustment that I actually took advantage of stress counseling because I honestly did NOT do good adjusting or dealing with stress at all.  The life coach asked me “Alissa how good on a scale from 1 – 10 do you do handling stress?”  Before she could even finish, my reply “I don’t, period.”  She then laughed a little, and said “Alissa you do realize life would be meaningless and boring if life wasn’t like a rollercoaster.”  Not sure if that is great advice coming from a professional counselor, but today … it opened my eyes. 

My point is we all have dreams, or we once did, and we let life’s circumstances kill our drive and ambition.  Notice that I said, “We killed our dreams’” not anyone else.  So many people start pursuing dreams and as soon as they do not work, they bail.  They expect too much too fast, they want the dream but do not want to put the time and effort in to achieve it.  We were not meant to be mediocre, we were meant to LIVE.  If you did not wake up today with a goal in mind, you should’ve stayed in bed.  Dreams do not work unless YOU do!!! 

People take chances to follow dreams, people fail, some people quit … but some people PUSH ON … some people PERSIST to be successful.  Those are the people you should surround yourself with, people who pursue everything they have ever wanted.  Sure you will get discouraged at times, but that circle of people will keep you motivated. 

Do not expect to chase a dream without the mind set to succeed and do whatever it takes to get there.  Do not step out and take that chance with an attitude of doubt of failure.  Dreams do not happen with a negative attitude.  Pray to follow the path in which God leads you and pray for favor with people to help you reach your dream.  You may be scared to take that step, but do not let FEAR stand in your way.  Work for it!!!  Many of my friends are very successful, but they did not stop … they made their dreams become a reality.  Quit being complacent.

Perfect in an Imperfect World

“I am surprised to hear imperfect words come out of your perfect Christian mouth.”

People are hypocrites, well … ALL people are hypocritical at times, unless you are PERFECT & you’re not. 

People are judgmental, well … ALL people are judgmental at times, unless you are PERFECT & you’re not.

Sometimes in life people will attempt to bring you down, on purpose or unintentionally.  People will promise things that they never intend on keeping, all in hopes that his or her shallowness will never be revealed.  Perhaps that person does not care about anyone in their feeble attempt to gain power, utilizing you as a staircase for personal gain; especially if YOU have clout with a crowd, or if you have an “in” to a potential place they want to acquire.  If you are one of these people who consistently get stepped on, if you are one of the stairs to someone else’s success … Stop the cycle.  If you are a person who allows people’s awful words steal your happiness … Stop the cycle.  What you allow, will continue.

People will make mistakes, people will hurt you … primarily the people you are closest to, the people whose words or actions you will ultimately take to heart. You have the choice to forgive, go forward, and be content and happy.  Or you can let what he or she did … eat at you turning you into a sad, bitter, and ugly person to be around.  I know, I have been there.  We are instructed to Forgive every time, which is a terribly difficult task to accomplish at times, but Jesus forgave the world when he died for us, so the very least we could do is try and forgive like he did.  God can change you, if you allow him to. 

We can be BETTER than we were a year ago, a month ago, a day ago.  Life is a beautiful struggle.  I write because in the midst of OUR struggle of people expecting “perfection” from US, we can diligently attempt to focus on God who says “WE are righteous, WE are perfect in his eyes’” God says, “No matter who does not think you’re good enough, “YOU” are good enough for me.”  What a relief that is knowing that God is in your corner.  What a relief it is knowing that I am not perfect.  What a relief it is knowing that you are not perfect.  Let us not try and live up to “man’s” high standards, but be content and peaceful, in mind, that you are trying to live to a Jesus standard. 

You are Your Children's Hero

As I think back and imagine my childhood, my little kid days, I grew up with an amazing group of friends.  The kind of friends that when one of them received an “F” on his report card, we all packed our bags to run away with him … even if it was just across the street.  If I can remember correctly, 10 sets of parents were called to come get their children … funny thing is … our parents before leaving school, unpacked our bags to see what 3^rd graders were going to survive on.  They found skittles, shorts, candy bars, socks … no toothbrushes, no warm clothes, NOTHING of use to survive (this was the end of fall and it was COLD).  Very comical to remember … at that moment, we did not need our “friends” we needed our PARENTS.  Parents are who we desperately needed in the 3^rd grade, and we all had wonderful ones. Our parents shaped us into respectful children, they guided us, they led by example, and they were THERE for us, ALWAYS!

In my adolescent years, pre-teen to graduation, our elementary school merged with another district school, so we had (us) the kids who weren’t concerned with the brand of clothes we wore UNTIL we were mixed with the other school … some of us fit in perfectly, some of us didn’t so it was a struggle all throughout the rest of our (my) days in school.  I went from having close knit friends, to having a few friends that saved my life and didn’t know it.  They kept me afloat, making life tolerable.  Friends in that stage of life, struggle to stand up in fear of getting the same form of treatment because they themselves are trying to survive.  We didn’t need friends as much as we needed our PARENT’S love, support, and GUIDANCE.  Parents are who we desperately needed in our adolescent years, and we all had wonderful ones. 

                My point is, yes having great friends throughout every stage of your life is a huge blessing, but the most important piece to a child’s life is having amazing and loving PARENTS to help them through and guide them.  Parents are who we needed the most when we were younger, and parents are who we still need now that we are adults.  We never stop needing them, we never stop loving them. 

               Lord, let us be WHO we NEEDED when we were YOUNGER.  May we be the rock our children rely on, every day, always.  Let us have strength to be a powerhouse in their corner, even if it is chasing monsters from underneath their bed or from their closet.  Our children need our presence, not presents. Lord let us lead them, guide them, and love them unconditionally.  Many of us are parents, or play the role of a parent, let us be who we needed, let us be the PARENTS our children so desperately need in this hard world.  Let God place in our hearts patience, let us pay full attention to their lives, before they grow up lost and wandering. ~ Amen.

Gold is Located Underneath the Dirt you Throw

Why is it people gossip, point out mistakes, and make quick judgements on mere assumptions? Why do people make a great attempt to paint an imperfect picture of an individual before the other person has the chance to make his or her own impression of the “already labeled” person?  Why are humans so insistent upon recognizing all the negative about a person when they themselves are flawed?  We ALL have flaws … right now, I am sure individuals are reading thinking “Oh lord, here she goes again speaking about the bible, speaking about Jesus, when she is far from perfect.” Each of us were created, we were born innocently into sin, and were born again by the blood and grace of GOD.  We were saved and cleansed to lead and live more like our creator.  HOWEVER, do not expect us “Christians” to be perfect, we TRY every day to walk in his word, WE fail terribly sometimes.  We are vessels, and are supposed to be examples to the non-believer … but forgive us if we are not models of perfection, forgive us if we do not walk in a straight line 24 hours a day.  Our Jesus dwells inside our hearts, our light shines by giving, loving, and you can see it through our eyes.  At times, our flesh “earthly bodies” give in, it is in our blood from birth, but we fight.  Christians go through trials, we WILL acquire “dirt.”

Christians … you see … TRY to raise our children right, we TRY to watch our tongues, we TRY to love and forgive the way God does.  Some of us have different gifts that are not recognizable by the way we walk or talk, but by the way we love and give our time, maybe it is through prayer we live.  As I grow … I am accepting that more and more “Christians” have “DIRT” thrown in his or her face for not living a perfect life.  How about … loving us anyways?  How about … recognize the “gold” instead of throwing dirt in our faces? 

How about replacing “dislike and disappointment” with “love and forgiveness?” How about replacing “negative assumptions” with “positive possibilities?”  Let us look inside a person before pointing out the negative outside shell that fails daily, not just for Christians, but for non-believers.  Let us be slow to open our mouths of disappointment … assess our own being, prior to throwing words in the wind.  How about WE dig to find the gold, instead of focusing on the dirt we shovel to find it?  Or why throw more dirt on top of the gold underneath … kind of silly if you ask me J

Focus on the Good in people and let God point out the disappointment through prayer, amen.

PASS THE BALL, your teammate is WIDE OPEN!!!!

 

Imagine yourself at a sports event … You are a #12 fan in the stands.  Doesn’t matter if you are in a small gymnasium or huge arena, you are there ready to enjoy a great game.   You have your beer (or if at a kids event) your soda, your hotdog, and your game face on … You stand for the National Anthem and applaud afterwards, 3..2..1..it’s game time.  You are sitting on the edge of your seat cheering your favorite team on waiting for some action, but then get disappointed when you realize “ONE” person is running the show trying to outshine every other player on the team.  You find yourself yelling “PASS THE BALL, your team mate is WIDE OPEN!!!” This “ONE” player is taking all the shots, he is a ONE man team … the other players are non-existent except to pass to him so he or she looks like a superstar.  What was once a game you looked forward to attending, now is a game you look forward to leaving.

I completely understand this “ONE” player is good, but he or she would NOT be without the help of teammates.  You have a player that passes the ball in, players that set screens, players that block, players that assist, players that throw, players that kick, players that defend, all in order to help the TEAM to score points.  In reality, without teammates, that ONE person would be nothing.  The game would be forfeited without a full team. 

Each player has his or her attributes to the team’s ultimate mission or mutual goal (TO WIN) or have fun trying.  No ONE person has a more important position than the other, that is why they call it a team.  So what that some members on the team aren’t naturally talented as others, this is why again, it is called a TEAM.  Players with that god-given natural talent should help inspire and build the other team players skill levels up. 

God gave us each a natural talent and gift, but he also instructs us to GIVE that talent or gift away … This means to help others shine … help them to see what is amazing about them.  This life is NOT always about You, it’s about being a vessel of inspiration for God.  What will you do with your god given talent, keep it to yourself or give it away?

 

 

Freedom from Monotony & Routine? CHANGE things Up.

In reference to the message:

                Although I am not perfectly clear on what Alchemy is … none the less, I was searching for something good to share with everyone today.  As you look at what Paulo Coelho jotted down, I believe he meant to reach us by saying “If your life is monotonous and routine as to where you feel empty and drained, change things up.” “Change things up enough to be thankful, Change things up enough to realize you are still alive.” Sure life gets drab when you do the same thing, the same way, over and over … like Bill Murray on the movie Groundhog Day.  However, he had the chance, every day to change what he messed up the day before, to make it better.  That is the key, change. 

                Do you ever find yourself bored and lethargic-like in life sometimes?  You get out of bed, drag yourself to the shower, blah blah, etc etc … You go to work, you come home … same routine, different day.  Make dinner, get the kids showers, bedtime … same routine, different day.  All the while, not noticing, you are losing focus on what God placed in your life as blessings.  Sure, at times, we all lose focus because we get wrapped up in routine.  But we live a "real life" Groundhog Day, and we can break the routine of “BLAH.” Every day we can choose change … instead of dreading to wake up, be GLAD you are still breathing, thank God.  Then look to the other side of the bed, if you have a husband/wife, smile knowing you have another day with them (or at least a morning) … if you aren’t married … smile at the other side of the bed anyways because it is just good faith in waiting.  Hug and kiss your kids before you leave, if you wake them, who cares!!!!  Pray for them, pray for your spouse, for your family, for your friends.  CHANGE into a person with a purpose of being thankful and watch how peace and happiness follow.

                If you have a set time for prayer … never let that fall to the side, never let it fade … We need to be strong spiritually to be free of idle minds, and idle lives.  Prayer keeps our minds on all things positive and good.  Prayer helps guide us, prayer and a relationship with God makes us whole.  If we find ourselves in the midst of monotony and routine, and we have allowed ourselves to lose focus on the most important and highest blessings ... We need to CHANGE things up.  Find prayer.  Find thankfulness. We have today, so find the strength to find your way out into the happy JJ

DO as I SAY, NOT as I DO

Have you heard the saying “Do as I say, not as I do.”?  Have you scolded your children for not making their beds or cleaning their room, but open your bedroom door and it is a total disaster area?  I know I have.  I am guilty of the “Do what I say, not as I do” phrase.  How do I expect my children to keep their rooms clean when I am leading them by a bad example?  This holds true for any negative example; cussing, smoking, drinking in front of your kids.  “Well mom and dad do it, so it must not be that bad.” What about when you make an important rule, then make exceptions to that rule the next day … how CONFUSING that must be for your child.  I am pretty sure mine stay confused because I lack consistency.   Where I am consistent with love and affection, I fail in leading and guiding.

Consistency is defined as … unchanging in achievement or effect over a “period” of time.  Hallelujah, as parents, we have time to redeem our failures from not only leading and guiding our children but our personal/working relationships as a whole.  Redirection takes time … new “positive correction” habits take at least 22 days to form and take hold.  But thank GOD we can correct our mistakes.  Also remember consistency does not happen overnight, so drop that expectation now. 

Did you know that consistency establishes your REPUTATION? (Good blow to the parental ego). Wonder why your child disregards what you ask of them to do or not to do?  Lack of consistency on rules, on consequences of actions, on punishment, on warnings of punishment (that is why they buck the system).  If we lack in these area as parents, no wonder why our kids look at us with blank stares and confused facial expression.  If I were them listening to me, I would be clueless.  God says “Sparing the Rod, Spoils the Child,” this is 150% percent accurate.  When I was a child, I KNEW what was expected and could guarantee the punishment was the same each time I made a mistake.  No talking myself out of it, no whining or crying because the punishment got worse.  My mother was CONSISTENT, she never faltered, she never caved in, and taught us one of the most important lesson in life, RESPECT. 

Our children need us to be consistent so they believe what we say.  So they can truly trust us in that we say no to things for their protection.  Let’s eliminate unnecessary confusion and provide them with clear direction.  NO means NO.  Establish rules with firm consequences for breaking them.  No exceptions, no freebie card (get out of jail free passes, lol).  Rebuilding consistency takes time … but your children will thank you for it later on in life, trust in that.

Lord, please let us parents take the time to guide our children by consistency.  Let us be strong, stand firm, and lead them by being a great example.  Help us to create a peaceful home without confusion.  Please let us set aside anger and frustration as we guide our children into a new better way of life.  ~ Amen.

 

 

Be Courageously Brave to "LET GO"

In reference to the picture quote:

I write today not about being courageously brave in living life, but to  be courageously brave enough to “let go” of life (either yours, or someone you love) when the time comes for God to take you or them home.  God calls us to celebrate life and to be thankful of the short time we have here on Earth. 

Life is like a breath, you will look for me and I will be gone.  We are like the morning fog, it floats around thick in the air but by noon the fog has disappeared.  I believe God wants us to know our time here is short.  You NEVER know when life will be taken from you, so treasure things (people) in your life that money cannot buy. 

I read stories on Facebook, mostly friends and family posts, and many have went through trials and sorrows … some are fighting everyday PRAYING for their life or the lives of loved ones.  Some of my friends have lost parents … I sometimes forget that I am not young anymore, our parents are getting older, I forget that they are not as youthful as they were at my age …I do not want to believe they are growing old because I could not imagine my life without them even though I live thousands of miles away. Some of my family and friends have lost a child, and that chokes me up just thinking about it.  Some of my friends right now are fighting for their lives, just to have another day. 

I see friends whom have received tragic or fatal news (medical diagnoses) either for themselves or from family members who confidently and fearlessly face their foes with triumph – Psalm 112:7.  They confidently trust the Lord to care for them, to give them rest, peace … They do NOT give up, they fight. Oh what an inspirational example from the people who are hurting the most, who are suffering the most … to still have a joyful heart in the midst of their circumstances.  You’re light of fight does NOT go un-noticed by people. 

My fear is not about getting old, or getting diagnosed with a traumatic disease, it is about not knowing what Day God will call me home.  I may not get to kiss my husband and kids goodnight, or tell my parents and best friend that I love them again.  As I get older, the importance of “family” grows, the importance of “true friendship” grows. We are only here for a little while and then we are called home. 

Lord, may you protect and guard my friends and family who stumble to find strength to get through today, lord please hold their hand.  I pray for you to give them the right words to speak in times of sorrow. God let them live in your strength so they do not grow weary, let them walk and not faint. May you brighten the darkness that is nearing towards them.  Lord comfort them, heal their hearts, and most of all give them your everlasting peace. ~Amen.

To my friends and family whom are going through a battle to stay alive or are praying relentlessly to keep a loved one alive:  YOU motivate me and inspire me to be a better person … to PRAY harder and to LOVE harder. 

 

Brave Knights & Heroic Courage

In reference to the message: 

Children’s delicate minds are very sponge-like; they absorb information by sight and sound from birth.  Parents eagerly await for their child’s first words, hoping for “Mommy or Daddy,” and those words might be so at first … They do not know what the real world is like, and we, as parents, were given these precious gifts to protect and guide.  We have to protect their eyes and ears, yet teach them to not be naïve in certain adult situations they may find themselves in at an early age (drugs/sex/violence.)

I never quite understood my mother’s words when she would say “Alissa, you will understand why I do the things I do when you have children of your own … I guard your eyes and ears to protect your innocence, and I do not allow you to do things other parents allow their children to do because I love you.”  Now that I have children, I completely understand her, and what I was put on this earth to do.  I also find myself saying the same exact words to my children.  I would lay my life down in a heartbeat to protect them.  I will do anything to keep them innocent for as long as possible.  THIS is a difficult task, our parents had it easier because we did not have cell phones, or a google search engine on the internet … they have a world of information at the push of a key (get one letter off on a google search ) and our kids could be seeing pornographic material.  Rated R in the 1980-1990s is probably considered PG now.  The G rated movies cuss and have adult humor, PG13 should be rated R, and the R rated movies should be rated XXX. 

This is not the only way innocence is stripped from our children … My kids ask if there are such things as monsters, and from an early age, my reply has always been “Yes. Not in the way you view monsters that hide in the closet or underneath your bed.  Not big scary monsters with fangs, but real life monsters that look just like you and me.” These monsters are covered with human skin, have sick and twisted minds, these monsters will do vile and degrading things.  I tell my kids the truth when it means saving their lives.  I tell my kids not to listen to any inner or outer voices that tell them lies that will crush their self-esteem, or any talk that belittles them … I tell them those words are from the devil and the devil is a LIAR!!!  We have schools taking God out of everything and teaching our children things that are not RIGHT, so we as parents, need to be a GOOD example in the way we live our lives … so our children can imitate what is right, contrary to what the world shows or tells them. 

Teach our children that it does not matter if a peer group accepts them, or that they do not fit in, that people tease them because they are smart, are overweight … teach them that NO MATTER WHAT, they are beautiful, funny, kind, and are ALWAYS accepted in God’s eyes.  They are ALWAYS loved by God. 

Teach them and prepare them for life’s trials and sorrows, as we know they will have many.  Teach them to turn away from anything that stimulates youthful lusts, and encourage them to pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love and peace.  Let the Lord be their companion, until the time comes, and their actions are pleasing to God (Marriage). 

Let us help them stay on their guard, teach them the importance of true faith, and how God’s strength can help them in any situation.  We can help save their innocence by shielding their eyes and ears from filth and lies … we can help them see and avoid real life monsters.  All we have to do is, give our children our time, isn’t that what we are called to do? … Guide and Lead them on the right path, protect them, love them …

Lord, let us show our children how to pray at night, and in the morning.  Show them how to give their worries and cares to you, so they can get rest during the night, and feel protected during the day.  Let them understand they are safe with you.  Let our children view themselves as brave knights with heroic courage, let them stand tall on your words.  ~ Amen.