I'm not certain what is going on right now, but there has been a VERY interesting development which has occurred in the past 48 hours. Something I was NOT anticipating may have just presented itself, and I am excitedly--yet emotionally reservedly--considering a new potential option in my life.
Because it is so very new, I am not at liberty to discuss it openly...yet suffice it to say that it has not only inspired me to think, but to engage in contemplation about my life, my purpose, my future, and God's Ultimate Plan for my life.
Soooo, as I am prone to wax poetic, here are some thoughts:
"The Moment Has Come"
You, God, Almighty God,
Creator of Heaven and Earth,
My God, My Heavenly Father:
YOU astound me sometimes
All the time, every millisecond,
But especially in moments like
This moment.
I, sometimes I am reminded
How limited my vision is--
How little I know about the horizon
And what lies upon it.
You have seen it coming all along
Even when I felt lost, you knew
This was coming.
In these moments of "revelation,"
I realize how very small I am, and I am
Compelled to bow my heart in awe and wonder,
Amazed by your love for inconsequential me.
When I look up to the expansive heavens
I can feel your smile in my heart...
The moment has come.
Friday, August 12, 2016
Thursday, July 14, 2016
My Spiritual Bucket List: 2016
July.
It's July, and I haven't posted my annual Spiritual Bucket List.
So, here it is, what I'm asking God for, what I'd like to see happen in my life this year:
1. Start the nonprofit organization God put on my heart.
2. Begin working projects for the nonprofit organization.
3. Begin planning my next Mission Trip--perhaps in conjunction with the nonprofit.
4. Begin planning a trip to Israel.
5. Get my finances in order.
These are the basics for the rest of the year. I'm sure these will keep me fully occupied--though I reserve the right to make additions at any time!
God's will be done in my life, in all things.
It's July, and I haven't posted my annual Spiritual Bucket List.
So, here it is, what I'm asking God for, what I'd like to see happen in my life this year:
1. Start the nonprofit organization God put on my heart.
2. Begin working projects for the nonprofit organization.
3. Begin planning my next Mission Trip--perhaps in conjunction with the nonprofit.
4. Begin planning a trip to Israel.
5. Get my finances in order.
These are the basics for the rest of the year. I'm sure these will keep me fully occupied--though I reserve the right to make additions at any time!
God's will be done in my life, in all things.
"Do Not Delay": A Prophetic Word
Three Sundays ago, on June 26, we had a guest speaker come to our church. He has been there before many times (2 or 3 times a year). He is older and drives in from Tulsa, OK. He comes mostly when our senior pastor has to be out of town.
We all love him.
He is a perfect guest speaker. He is bold without being too bold, speaks the Word of God without apology, always gives a Word of encouragement AND challenge. But what makes him exemplary is that he does not lead with "ego," nor is he secretly vying for the emotional loyalty of the congregants. He comes to share God's Word. He is happy, congenial, friendly, totally appropriate.
He also has the spiritual gift of prophecy.
When he comes to our church, he will speak over 3 or 4 people's lives, generally. He has spoken over mine a handful of times--and what he says is always SPOT ON. In fact, one year he came, he spoke over a situation at my job--not knowing ANYTHING about it--and what he said happened within a couple of months' time.
May I reiterate that he had no idea of this issue--neither did anyone at church, really. That part of my life is rarely discussed at church and with my church family.
Three visits ago, he prophesied over me, the work I was to do. He had everyone stretch a hand toward me and pray with me over my calling. He didn't know what that call was. I did--and a handful of people did, too.
I went to work on this calling--I've blogged about the frustrations I've had with it--and found I was up against a seemingly insurmountable legal monstrosity. I resigned myself to the fact that I simply couldn't do it without miraculous assistance from "somewhere...".
But it's nearly been two years since God birthed the vision into me.
Honestly? I was afraid I'd lost the vision entirely. And here's the thing: I've felt it affect my spiritual life. I've hit a plateau. I've known it. And I'd beg God and sing with all my heart, "More of You, Looord..."
Yeah.
He wasn't impressed.
Two visits ago, this visiting preacher looked straight at me and--I could tell something flashed in his mind--but he said nothing.
That was interesting. (And I fully realize that I probably DON'T EVER want to know what God had to say about me at that moment.)
Three Sundays ago, he didn't specifically speak over me, but he looked straight at me and said to anyone and everyone, "If God has told you to do something, DON'T DELAY!"
"DON'T DELAY!" He said it loudly, firmly, with a fatherly corrective tone in his voice.
Yep.
I knew who he was talking to.
But it didn't stop with that. He kept saying it, over and over, reiterating that we must obey God.
It got so bad that I wanted to just stand up and yell, "Okay, okay! I get it! Please! Stop saying it!" But I didn't. Thank God.
Yet...
It has changed me, that word given.
Because I knew it was for me, I started asking God to affirm and reaffirm the Call. "God, if you want me to start this nonprofit, then please rekindle my fire and renew my vision for it!"
He is doing that.
I can "see" it again.
Two days ago, I got an email address for my nonprofit. You can email us already, though we are not official yet.
Today, I am ordering a book which will assist me with the legal procedure for starting my non-profit. I want to make sure I'm doing everything correctly--to the best of my ability.
I have composed my first letter, asking for two of my friends to consider being an incorporator, a Founder, of this nonprofit with me.
It has begun.
I can't wait to tell you all more about it as details happen.
It's all in GOD'S hands.
(Please pray for me, if you're reading this. I need His divine guidance and protection in all that lies ahead.)
Ciao!
We all love him.
He is a perfect guest speaker. He is bold without being too bold, speaks the Word of God without apology, always gives a Word of encouragement AND challenge. But what makes him exemplary is that he does not lead with "ego," nor is he secretly vying for the emotional loyalty of the congregants. He comes to share God's Word. He is happy, congenial, friendly, totally appropriate.
He also has the spiritual gift of prophecy.
When he comes to our church, he will speak over 3 or 4 people's lives, generally. He has spoken over mine a handful of times--and what he says is always SPOT ON. In fact, one year he came, he spoke over a situation at my job--not knowing ANYTHING about it--and what he said happened within a couple of months' time.
May I reiterate that he had no idea of this issue--neither did anyone at church, really. That part of my life is rarely discussed at church and with my church family.
Three visits ago, he prophesied over me, the work I was to do. He had everyone stretch a hand toward me and pray with me over my calling. He didn't know what that call was. I did--and a handful of people did, too.
I went to work on this calling--I've blogged about the frustrations I've had with it--and found I was up against a seemingly insurmountable legal monstrosity. I resigned myself to the fact that I simply couldn't do it without miraculous assistance from "somewhere...".
But it's nearly been two years since God birthed the vision into me.
Honestly? I was afraid I'd lost the vision entirely. And here's the thing: I've felt it affect my spiritual life. I've hit a plateau. I've known it. And I'd beg God and sing with all my heart, "More of You, Looord..."
Yeah.
He wasn't impressed.
Two visits ago, this visiting preacher looked straight at me and--I could tell something flashed in his mind--but he said nothing.
That was interesting. (And I fully realize that I probably DON'T EVER want to know what God had to say about me at that moment.)
Three Sundays ago, he didn't specifically speak over me, but he looked straight at me and said to anyone and everyone, "If God has told you to do something, DON'T DELAY!"
"DON'T DELAY!" He said it loudly, firmly, with a fatherly corrective tone in his voice.
Yep.
I knew who he was talking to.
But it didn't stop with that. He kept saying it, over and over, reiterating that we must obey God.
It got so bad that I wanted to just stand up and yell, "Okay, okay! I get it! Please! Stop saying it!" But I didn't. Thank God.
Yet...
It has changed me, that word given.
Because I knew it was for me, I started asking God to affirm and reaffirm the Call. "God, if you want me to start this nonprofit, then please rekindle my fire and renew my vision for it!"
He is doing that.
I can "see" it again.
Two days ago, I got an email address for my nonprofit. You can email us already, though we are not official yet.
Today, I am ordering a book which will assist me with the legal procedure for starting my non-profit. I want to make sure I'm doing everything correctly--to the best of my ability.
I have composed my first letter, asking for two of my friends to consider being an incorporator, a Founder, of this nonprofit with me.
It has begun.
I can't wait to tell you all more about it as details happen.
It's all in GOD'S hands.
(Please pray for me, if you're reading this. I need His divine guidance and protection in all that lies ahead.)
Ciao!
Monday, April 18, 2016
Lackadaisical & Other Sins
Let's be honest.
Because it's time for honesty, right?
It's time to "put it all out there,"
Because then I have to be accountable.
I've told the world I recognize it,
(The metaphorical Vague Pronouns of my life)
and I've got to do something about it now,
Before I stiffen and die--Right. Where. I. Am.
"Without interest, vigor or determination;
Listless, lethargic," the dictionary says.
(How long am I going to blame this on allergies?!)
Dare I list the number of days I've succumbed to this?
So, I have decided to make some changes,
Because I cannot spend another 12 months like this:
These are not the words that will define me,
They most certainly will not be my legacy.
I will fight it. Bought some vitamins.
I WILL find time to exercise.
I will not let the dream die--NO.
I WILL begin to live again.
Because it's time for honesty, right?
It's time to "put it all out there,"
Because then I have to be accountable.
I've told the world I recognize it,
(The metaphorical Vague Pronouns of my life)
and I've got to do something about it now,
Before I stiffen and die--Right. Where. I. Am.
"Without interest, vigor or determination;
Listless, lethargic," the dictionary says.
(How long am I going to blame this on allergies?!)
Dare I list the number of days I've succumbed to this?
So, I have decided to make some changes,
Because I cannot spend another 12 months like this:
These are not the words that will define me,
They most certainly will not be my legacy.
I will fight it. Bought some vitamins.
I WILL find time to exercise.
I will not let the dream die--NO.
I WILL begin to live again.
Saturday, March 12, 2016
"You Move, We Want More"
There's a song we sing at church
That says, "You move, we want more";
And that's a sentiment I hold right now:
I want more.
So much of life right now is a struggle--
If it's not one area of my life
It's another coming totally unhinged.
I want more.
I know I don't have to live like this--
This has GOT to be temporary.
No one should have to question it all.
I want more.
I believe in my heart that I have yet
To tap into all God has for me.
It will be more than enough.
I want more.
More, not less. Above and beyond
All I can ask or imagine--
Because His Word says so.
I want more.
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Another Project Gideon At Home
I saw the Twitter feed.
They're there--they're all there--
And I can almost imagine
The excitement, the energy,
The soul expanding experience.
All weekend, I can picture it all
In my mind's eye:
The worship, the lectures,
The preaching, the networking.
Even the late night movie-viewing.
We've missed three years now.
And each year I pray for the financial
Blessings we need to return again.
(God knows I need it badly--
My soul is thirsty fo rejuvenation.)
I wish to "glean behind the reapers,"
It is my dream, and I speak it now,
To all of cyberLand: It is my prayer
That we may afford to return again.
Let it be, Lord. Let it be (please).
I've Temporarily Lost My Destiny
The book.
I'm talking about the book.
Destiny.
It's gone and I can't find it.
Anywhere, everywhere--
I looked a dozen places;
Now I'm wondering if this
Is some Cosmic Sign.
"Misplaced Destiny" or
"Lost Forever Destiny"?
Some days, it's hard to tell
Which it is.
I'm still looking for it.
My Destiny.
I refuse to give up.
(It's got to be somewhere, right?)
I WILL find it.
Right?
I'm just not so sure how much longer
I can go without it.
Praying (again):
Lord, please please please:
Help me find my Destiny--
The book, and so much more!
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
He Who Beckons Me
He who beckons me
Beckons me onward,
"Pull up stakes and move,"
He says.
He who beckons me
Urges me to let go of the past,
My fears and my doubts,
"Go forward, my child."
I will have to leave the familiar,
Much I've become accustomed to,
But in my spirit, I am quite certain:
It is time to follow Him.
"Get your boots on," He says,
"It's time to travel.
This road will not be an easy one:
Move, one step at a time."
Please don't ask me where I'm going,
I haven't the slightest idea,
But as long as I'm with Him,
I'll be precisely where I need to be.
He who beckons me is calling me
To live the life I've read about,
To trust in Him as my Source,
To follow in Faith.
He who beckons me is able to keep me,
To keep us all, on this journey
That is to come...A Faith Walk.
And I will go where He beckons me.
Beckons me onward,
"Pull up stakes and move,"
He says.
He who beckons me
Urges me to let go of the past,
My fears and my doubts,
"Go forward, my child."
I will have to leave the familiar,
Much I've become accustomed to,
But in my spirit, I am quite certain:
It is time to follow Him.
"Get your boots on," He says,
"It's time to travel.
This road will not be an easy one:
Move, one step at a time."
Please don't ask me where I'm going,
I haven't the slightest idea,
But as long as I'm with Him,
I'll be precisely where I need to be.
He who beckons me is calling me
To live the life I've read about,
To trust in Him as my Source,
To follow in Faith.
He who beckons me is able to keep me,
To keep us all, on this journey
That is to come...A Faith Walk.
And I will go where He beckons me.
Snow on the Hilltop
There is snow on the hilltop,
I can see it when I open my front door.
It snowed there overnight.
It is cold where I stand viewing it,
Blue-white blanket on treetops,
I wish I were close enough to touch it.
I'd hoped it would blanket my front yard,
But it didn't make it to me...
We aren't close enough to the hilltop.
Down in the valley, we can look up and see
The snow capped hill in front of us.
We reside in a different elevation.
Yet there is something within me these past days,
Urging me to follow my heart and climb the hilltop,
There is a place for me there.
I must gather my thoughts--and my resolve--
And begin the trek upward...
A new plane of existence awaits us there.
Where there is snow on the hilltop.
I can see it when I open my front door.
It snowed there overnight.
It is cold where I stand viewing it,
Blue-white blanket on treetops,
I wish I were close enough to touch it.
I'd hoped it would blanket my front yard,
But it didn't make it to me...
We aren't close enough to the hilltop.
Down in the valley, we can look up and see
The snow capped hill in front of us.
We reside in a different elevation.
Yet there is something within me these past days,
Urging me to follow my heart and climb the hilltop,
There is a place for me there.
I must gather my thoughts--and my resolve--
And begin the trek upward...
A new plane of existence awaits us there.
Where there is snow on the hilltop.
Time to Move On
It's Spring now, almost Easter
And we never got snow.
It wasn't what we'd hoped,
But it's time to move on.
Whatever we thought the months would bring,
Whatever we dreamed would occur,
Whatever we felt in our heart would transpire,
Now it's time to move on.
Moving on--leaving it behind,
So many memories, so many hopes
And dreams seemingly unfulfilled.
But it's time to move on.
There will be those who do not
Understand, there will be those
Who assumed naught would change,
Yet it's time to move on.
The New Season is upon us,
And though I pine for times
With sleds and snow, I know
It's time to move on.
It's time, it's time,
It's time to move onward.
It's time, it's time,
To leave the past behind.
What was and is are different now
And what will be is a beckoning call;
Resolving to don Courage,
It's time to move on.
And we never got snow.
It wasn't what we'd hoped,
But it's time to move on.
Whatever we thought the months would bring,
Whatever we dreamed would occur,
Whatever we felt in our heart would transpire,
Now it's time to move on.
Moving on--leaving it behind,
So many memories, so many hopes
And dreams seemingly unfulfilled.
But it's time to move on.
There will be those who do not
Understand, there will be those
Who assumed naught would change,
Yet it's time to move on.
The New Season is upon us,
And though I pine for times
With sleds and snow, I know
It's time to move on.
It's time, it's time,
It's time to move onward.
It's time, it's time,
To leave the past behind.
What was and is are different now
And what will be is a beckoning call;
Resolving to don Courage,
It's time to move on.
Friday, January 29, 2016
Thinking about the Coming Year
Every year, I like to think about what it is I'd like to accomplish in the twelve months I am given. Without goals, without direction, I am allowing my life to be "left to chance," so to speak. And while I don't believe in "chance," what I do believe is that I must live a life of PURPOSE, a life ON PURPOSE, or I will spend an entire year doing day-to-day activities, never accomplishing anything more than what I'd accomplish on any given day.
I must do MORE than that.
Why?
For one thing, I'm a Child of God. I, like all of my Brothers and Sisters in Christ, in Jehovah, have been Called and Set Apart for a Purpose. I am not one who was meant to "spin my wheels" or "wander aimlessly" on this planet--I HAVE BEEN CALLED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I say that, but though I believe this 100%, it is ultimately UP TO ME to fulfill my end of the obligation. For instance, I have been Called, yes. But if I do not GO, if I do not DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, then I am worse than someone who never knew they were Called in the first place. Why? Because I'm refusing to heed, to obey, to fulfill the Call our Lord has Commissioned me to do.
I am passionate about this.
MAXIMUM IMPACT: This phrase keeps going over and over in my spirit. I do not want to spend my coming year having only a MARGINAL or PARTIAL IMPACT. I want a life of Excellence. My DREAM, my HOPE, is that Christ is able to say of me, as Jehovah did of Job, "See that girl? She's MY kid. She loves me. My hand is upon her. And no matter what comes her way? She still loves me."
I love Him with all of my heart, mind, and soul!
In addition to being a Child of The Most High God, bought and redeemed by the blood sacrifice of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I am a Project Gideon Alum. I am proud of that fact. I have been discipled by one of our generation's most inspirational spiritual leaders, Follower of Christ, Man of God: Bishop T.D. Jakes. God has allowed me to sit under this man's ministry, his mentoring, and I have been exponentially bettered because of it. With his help, I have allowed myself to BELIEVE and WALK IN the truths I've been taught. I now truly believe, and encourage others of Like Faith to believe, that "the sky is the limit"! Our God made the sky, this "Earth is the Lord's and the Fullness thereof"! It's His, all of it! If He says, "Look up! It's yours, my child!", then IT IS MINE!!!
When I look back on my life, even to childhood, I KNOW that God put within me a desire to continuously grow, develop, learn. My journey on this earth is one of PROGRESSION. That doesn't mean I don't fight fear or self-doubt, because I do sometimes. I am human, and the enemy loves to remind me of "how human" I really am, how limited, how UNABLE I am in my own eyes. Did you catch that? "IN MY OWN EYES"?
But with Christ, I AM ABLE, I AM CAPABLE. IN CHRIST, THERE ARE NO LIMITS!
And I refuse, in the coming months, the coming years, to believe anything else.
God WILL accomplish that which He has ordained for my life. It will happen. I am willing and able to do what He has asked. And no matter what He requires, I will HOLD TO THE WORD: "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me!"
Friends, I am not only writing this just as a Declaration of Faith for My Coming Year. I am writing this in the hope that it inspires you, too! Are you a Child of God!?! THEN YOU, TOO, ARE MORE THAN ABLE, COMPETENT, TO DO ALL HE HAS CALLED YOU TO DO!
Yes, I am a proud Child of God, a Follower of Christ, and a Project Gideon Alum. I am also a proud member of my local church, Poteau First Assembly, where I serve Christ in ministry under my Senior Pastor, Keith Williams, and First Lady, Cathy Williams. When I look back over my personal journey in the last 19 years I've been there, I cannot EXPRESS to you how vitally important they have been. They believed in me, in my journey, when many did not. They have spoken and sung the Word of God over me, despite what "appeared" to be Truth at the time. God divinely placed me here, in this town, and He divinely led me to this church body. I would NOT be the person of faith that I am today without their prayers, their devotion, their stubbornness to believe that "God's Will Would Out" in me.
As I go forward, I am fully aware that none of this would have been possible without divinely ordained friendships, my family, my parents and my grandparents. Too, every person who I've ever attended church with, including teachers who taught me God's Word before I could write paragraphs, has profoundly impacted my walk of faith!
I am thankful, so ETERNALLY THANKFUL, for this journey God has given me.
That's why I want to MAKE HIM PROUD in the time that remains.
(Who's ready to join me in this?)
I must do MORE than that.
Why?
For one thing, I'm a Child of God. I, like all of my Brothers and Sisters in Christ, in Jehovah, have been Called and Set Apart for a Purpose. I am not one who was meant to "spin my wheels" or "wander aimlessly" on this planet--I HAVE BEEN CALLED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I say that, but though I believe this 100%, it is ultimately UP TO ME to fulfill my end of the obligation. For instance, I have been Called, yes. But if I do not GO, if I do not DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, then I am worse than someone who never knew they were Called in the first place. Why? Because I'm refusing to heed, to obey, to fulfill the Call our Lord has Commissioned me to do.
I am passionate about this.
MAXIMUM IMPACT: This phrase keeps going over and over in my spirit. I do not want to spend my coming year having only a MARGINAL or PARTIAL IMPACT. I want a life of Excellence. My DREAM, my HOPE, is that Christ is able to say of me, as Jehovah did of Job, "See that girl? She's MY kid. She loves me. My hand is upon her. And no matter what comes her way? She still loves me."
I love Him with all of my heart, mind, and soul!
In addition to being a Child of The Most High God, bought and redeemed by the blood sacrifice of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I am a Project Gideon Alum. I am proud of that fact. I have been discipled by one of our generation's most inspirational spiritual leaders, Follower of Christ, Man of God: Bishop T.D. Jakes. God has allowed me to sit under this man's ministry, his mentoring, and I have been exponentially bettered because of it. With his help, I have allowed myself to BELIEVE and WALK IN the truths I've been taught. I now truly believe, and encourage others of Like Faith to believe, that "the sky is the limit"! Our God made the sky, this "Earth is the Lord's and the Fullness thereof"! It's His, all of it! If He says, "Look up! It's yours, my child!", then IT IS MINE!!!
When I look back on my life, even to childhood, I KNOW that God put within me a desire to continuously grow, develop, learn. My journey on this earth is one of PROGRESSION. That doesn't mean I don't fight fear or self-doubt, because I do sometimes. I am human, and the enemy loves to remind me of "how human" I really am, how limited, how UNABLE I am in my own eyes. Did you catch that? "IN MY OWN EYES"?
But with Christ, I AM ABLE, I AM CAPABLE. IN CHRIST, THERE ARE NO LIMITS!
And I refuse, in the coming months, the coming years, to believe anything else.
God WILL accomplish that which He has ordained for my life. It will happen. I am willing and able to do what He has asked. And no matter what He requires, I will HOLD TO THE WORD: "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me!"
Friends, I am not only writing this just as a Declaration of Faith for My Coming Year. I am writing this in the hope that it inspires you, too! Are you a Child of God!?! THEN YOU, TOO, ARE MORE THAN ABLE, COMPETENT, TO DO ALL HE HAS CALLED YOU TO DO!
Yes, I am a proud Child of God, a Follower of Christ, and a Project Gideon Alum. I am also a proud member of my local church, Poteau First Assembly, where I serve Christ in ministry under my Senior Pastor, Keith Williams, and First Lady, Cathy Williams. When I look back over my personal journey in the last 19 years I've been there, I cannot EXPRESS to you how vitally important they have been. They believed in me, in my journey, when many did not. They have spoken and sung the Word of God over me, despite what "appeared" to be Truth at the time. God divinely placed me here, in this town, and He divinely led me to this church body. I would NOT be the person of faith that I am today without their prayers, their devotion, their stubbornness to believe that "God's Will Would Out" in me.
As I go forward, I am fully aware that none of this would have been possible without divinely ordained friendships, my family, my parents and my grandparents. Too, every person who I've ever attended church with, including teachers who taught me God's Word before I could write paragraphs, has profoundly impacted my walk of faith!
I am thankful, so ETERNALLY THANKFUL, for this journey God has given me.
That's why I want to MAKE HIM PROUD in the time that remains.
(Who's ready to join me in this?)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)