Step Out On Faith!

Joel Osteen Ministries Understand that God sees your heart. If you step out in faith with a pure heart toward God, with the right motives, doing your best to please Him, then in His great mercy He will work out great things for you and take you to incredible new places.

Hmmmmm It seems every where I have turned in the past week or so, a message has been coming through loud and clear....... STEP OUT ON FAITH..... What does this mean? Well everyone who really knows me knows that one of my favorite sayings is "There are signs everywhere".... Part of seeing/hearing/feeling them is being aware, of yourself, your surroundings, and your faith.

I have to admit that I am one of the nosiest people I know lol, I do not like to be surprised (ok a little surprises, but that's it) and I always want to know what's ahead. But in growing and learning, in taking this walk of awakening, I have learned that faith is one of the most important elements in life.

I used to be such a worrier. I worried about everything. One day I was engaged in a very interesting conversation with my stepmother. She was telling me her story, how she came to be who she is. One of the things I heard so clearly is that you have to stop worrying. Have faith that God wants the best for you. Then she asked me a question, a very important question...... "Has he ever let you down when it really mattered?" ... And my answer was no.... of course there were times when I didn't get my way, or I thought that things should have or could have gone another way .... but all in all I have had a blessed, actually very blessed life. He has showed up and out more times than I have been disappointed.

I have learned to look at the miracles he performs in my life... I always say I get one a day. Sometimes it's nothing big at all. It has gone from finding great parking spot when I was running late to work, to a stranger buying me a cup of coffee just because.

I have since stopped worrying (lol OK,I don't worry nearly as much, but hey I am after all a work in progress) and I have noticed so many positive changes in my life. I choose faith, I choose to believe and step out in faith that all is well and divine order and right action is always taking place around me.

Here are some Quotes, and Affirmations that have inspired me!

MarriedToMe
Today's Affirmation Meditation: Today I am reaching the next level of my spirituality; increased is my walk by faith and not by sight and my understanding is not my own but the Lord's. In this I am humbled!
MD

Joel Osteen Ministries
Discover the freedom of trusting God. Release your frustration and release your worry. Walk in peace, knowing that God loves you and is in complete control.

Joel Osteen Ministries
2 Corinthians 6:2 says, "…now is the time of God's favor..." No matter your circumstance or situation, God loves you and His favor is upon you. Declare it and walk in it!

Alonda Cooper (via MarriedtoMe) Today's Truth
1 Peter 4:12-13 "Do not be surprised at the painful things you are now suffering. These things are testing your faith" (ICB).

Joel Osteen Ministries God wants you to live a life of great reward! "And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek him" (Hebrews 11:6 NLT).

New Year..... New You?

Every Year the first thing people say is "It's a New Year and I'm a New Me".... well what's wrong with the old you?..... See the point is not to reinvent yourself, but to expand yourself. Expand your spirit, your growth, your mind, your horizons, your life....You are a great you... No one else could be you. You have had your own experiences and life lessons and good times and bad times and those things make you who you are.

For the new year, I am embracing the years past and taking from them what I should, and letting go of what I no longer need. I am an imperfect, expanding, learning, growing, happy me! Now please don't get me wrong, there are so many new things I am looking forward to this year. And I am going to make it the best year ever, I am taking the same me into this new year and expanding!

Wishing you all the BEST YEAR EVER!!!!!! Peace, Prosperity, Love, Blessings and of course EXPANSION!

Are You Living A Happy Life?

Wow - so this morning I roll over and look at the TV that I left on last night (I know, I know, bad habit)... well guess what's on? Joel Osteen. I always tape his Sunday sermons juuuuusssstttt in case I happen to sleep late. So anyway, I am feeling great because it's still at the very beginning and as always he is opening with a joke so off I go to brush my teeth and start the coffee maker. And of course, I settle back in just in time to hear one of the best messages I have heard all year.

See I always feel like his messages are just for me, they are basically what I always need to hear at that moment, even if I had no idea I needed to.

One of the reasons I started this blog is because people always think I am so happy and inspirational. Lol I am happy for the compliment but I don't always feel that way. I don't make this stuff up but I learn from others and believe that if I needed that message so does someone else so I like to pay it forward, so to speak.......


Ok so on to the lesson, TODAY he spoke about being happy and living your life with joy. So much of what he said resonated with me! So many of us (me included) think that we will be happy once all of our conditions are met! I hear it all the time...Oh when I get my new car, my house, my new job,make enough money, when so and so starts treating me right blah blah blah...... But we don't realize that we have everything we need to be happy right now. HE SAID THE MOST AMAZING WORDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"YOU ARE WHERE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE RIGHT NOW"

He also said that you have everything you need to be happy, and once you find that self peace and happiness ... that is when you will see the advancement in your life that you wanted. Why would you be advanced if you can not appreciate what you already have? If you are not thankful for what you consider the least, how can you handle greater? Your Happiness is your choice! rejoice in who you are now and what you have NOW! TODAY!

All your desires will come to pass. You have them for a reason! HE put them there, but blocking your own joy and happiness leaves no room for him to work! You and you alone make that choice!

Make a conscious choice to Live A Happy Life!

Choose Happiness, Choose self acceptance, Choose joy, Choose you!

Be Blessed.... I am!

Life and Death

This morning I woke up early and the first thing I did was call my friend of 32 years to wish her a happy 40th Birthday. We chatted and laughed and firmed up the plans for her old school Jam tomorrow night. I got off the phone feeling great and excited and blessed to have her in my life. I thought of all the things that we did as kids and all the plans we have for the future.

After that I got out of bed and picked out the dress I would wear to a funeral this morning. A friend's grandmother died. And then it hit me....

I woke up this morning excited to celebrate a life and just within a few hours I would be morning a death. Boy when they say lessons are everywhere, they are not kidding.

Tomorrow is never promised. Yes my friend was mourning the death of her grandmother who lived a good long life, but that will be something she will always carry with her. In the last few years, I have noticed that funerals are coming all too often. Young, old, middle aged, No one is promised tomorrow.

Truer Words

My girlfriend posted this status today…..
“It is true that everyone has a voice BUT not everyone is saying something worth hearing. Gotta be mindful… NOT everyone smiling has your best interest at hand”.
Thanks Michelle!
In the past year I have had so many Ah ha moments and have grown so much as a person. The message above evokes two major lessons learned this year. The first about words and the second about negativity!
Words are so important. How many of us are aware of the things we say or how they affect others. So many times we may say something like “You are so stupid”, now this may be meant in jest but do you realize what kind of negative energy you are placing on this person? Words are used as a way to communicate and convey thought, emotions, and lessons to others. Use your words in a positive productive manner to really say something! Words are energy, both positive and negative. Do we realize the energy that we are putting out into the universe? It is said that by putting things out in the universe, you are essentially setting things in motion. Are we all aware of what we are putting out there? One thing I have learned is to say what I mean and mean what I say…. Guess what – thinking before you speak is not a crime, I try and make my words count. I don’t want to be one of those who have nothing worth saying.
Now…. NOT everyone smiling has your best interest at hand…. Again… truer words… Have you ever given someone some good news you received and they had a smile on their face, but darkness in their eyes? Those are the people you do not want in your orbit! Someone with a heart invested in your friendship or you as a person will always be overjoyed at your accomplishments, successes and always invested in your happiness. Please release the others from your space. There is a saying that everything (and in this case every one) has a reason and a season. Learn the lesson that was meant for you and let go.
Now trust that I know that it is easier said than done. There have been many instances where I was so wrapped up in the hurt that I was missing the lesson. But I have seen God show up and show out! We as humans, within any type of faith and/or religion have got to learn to adhere to HIS will. When a well has run dry, when the chapter has ended, when the leaves have fallen, it’s time to let go. When in doubt learn to turn inward and listen to your inner voice for guidance. Keeping negativity in your space, only allows that hurtful energy to grow.
Do not take on negative energy. Engaging a negative person or stooping to their level allows them to transfer their negative energy to you. Now you have it and they are released from it. Is it worth it? Take steps to block out their negativity. Deny the negativity and affirm your positivity and strength. If it is someone you must be around, just knowing within that you will not take on their negativity brings you a ray of peace.
Pastor T.D. Jakes has a wonderful message about friends. I have learned to apply this to people in general as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjnuvrhZ4FU


My wish for you… is Healing, Positive Light, Blessings and Always Love!

Finding My FOOTPRINTS

In June 2007, my whole world changed. My mother who had been in remission for 7 years from cancer suddenly came out of remission. She discovered this in April and was gone by June. This really made me think.
See my mother’s first priority was my sister, brother and I. She worked hard to make sure that we had all the things she wanted for us. She never complained, and was adamant about what SHE wanted for us. This was the kind of woman that would punish us if we even uttered the words “I can’t” those were curse words in our house.
I realized one major thing after she passed.I had been raised so well under the influence of my parents, that I had no real idea of who I was … what were my footprints in this world?
Being the oldest of three children I was always raised with specific expectations and particular roles in my family and by my family. Those will always be with me. But who was I … what was I here to do? What were MY likes and dislikes and MY views on society and MY place in it. As long as I was ok day to day, none of that really bothered me as it should have.
So here I stand, searching for my footprints in this world. Looking at where I have been, where I am now, and where these footprints will lead me.
Tomorrow is promised to no one…. So you have to do today what is for today. There is a saying “life is what happens while you are busy making plans” … I can definitely attest to that.
I am happy to say that although not an easy one, this journey is quite rewarding and eye opening. So many things have changed in such a short time. Spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically changes are coming faster than I imagined. I am thankful, blessed and humbled by the experience.
I also learned that so many of us are finding our footprints…. So many of us are on this journey…
So I ask you….. What are your footprints?