BE YOURSELF!

But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’”  (Romans 9:20)

The video being presented below provides encouragement from the perspective of a young minister of music.  Kris Dillard is an anointed gospel singer/songwriter/musician who travels, proclaiming the name of the Lord in song and worship, in a way that all can relate, while making sure all glory goes to God.  This particular message deals with knowing, and liking who God made all of us to be.  Give a listen, and allow yourself to be blessed today!

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - "SPEAKING A DREAM"

Today we commemorate the birth of a man who made amazing leaps of change, showing all of us how dreams can never be too impossible to grasp.  His name, The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., has remained such an historical figure.  Quotes have spread abroad for decades that he was able to speak during a time of ugly despair, dealing with being approached by hate-partisan groups, and the struggle to finally obtain the right to receive fair, human, civil liberties, but not without taking pain or discontentment himself.  

After all this time, where do we find ourselves now?  The issues that were fought for, without functioning in a violent manner, Dr. King exemplified what walking in the light of the Lord, in the Word of God, and being lead by the Holy Spirit, looks like.  According to Matthew 10:22, Jesus spoke, "You will be hated by everyone because of Me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."  Dr. King knew too well what it meant to do what was required of him by God, yet he was determined that what God revealed to him, in the midst of extreme turmoil and strife, the DREAM would become a reality.

All of the esteemed words that were spoken by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were, and still are so compelling.  We should be persistent, taking all of them to heart, literally, as we practice and forge ahead, based on the principles he learned to establish.  Instead of certain words that are still used today in jest, that have such an inhumane-sentiment background, they should be replaced with positive, constructive and optimistic forethought.  

 We need to return to allowing ourselves to step into progressive movement, knowing that we will see victory, no matter how rough it is right now.  Everything that Dr. King stood for, using intelligence instead of ignorance; self-respect and dignity instead of vulgarities; tasteful decorum or, as some say today "swagger," instead of tackiness.  Not just today, but every day that the Lord reveals to us, we should consider this thought:  "What would Martin do or say?"   Let us pray that the young pay strong attention to, and learn from the older.  As the wise teach what God brought them through, how they continue to walk in the liberty that was fought for, lives being sacrificed for, and certain  acceptable amenities being ensured of reception.  We should continue to pay homage  to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., keeping in mind how we arrived to this  place, and who was instrumental in guiding us, and who his confidence relied on.  

People, pick up the torch, and follow true leadership!  Blessings and peace to all!

PRAYING FOR NADYA and TED

 

"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." (James 5:16)

Upon watching television earlier today, Suzy Orman confessed to Nadya Suleman, the young mother of 14 children, that the only person who will be able to help her out in her situation is GOD! Can we seriously pray that the young mother will seriously consider calling on the name of the Lord for direction, and HE will move on their behalf, in EVERY AREA! 

Later in the day, I read an insert where the "now famous voice-over sensation" Ted Williams, who was found homeless by accident, and became an overnight star, is having some serious issues, with habitual tendencies, and family problems.  Ted has been given a gift in his voice, which is a real blessing.  We know that  Proverbs 18:6 tell us that "A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men."  So much is true about how Ted's life has suddenly spiraled, while he has things he needs to get help for, things that have had him in bondage for a long time. 

Ecclesiates 10;;10 tells us:

"If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success!"

We should include Nadya, Ted, and family members in our prayers, as well, so he will not be consumed, but be set free from whatever he has been dealing with deep inside, throughout his whole life.  God is still able to make the crooked ways straight and the rough places plain.  Let us pray:

Father God, we are declaring for Ms. Nadya Suleman salvation, deliverance, a sound and made-up mind, peace, to know that she is LOVED by Our God,  through Jesus Christ! Father, in the name of Jesus, show her YOU, touch her, fill her with Your Spirit, shower her with Your mercy! Yes, YOU, FATHER, are able to do the impossible, in all of our lives, and you are not a respecter of persons! Thank you, Father, for what you have done, what you are doing, and what you WILL DO, IN JESUS" NAME!

As for our brother, Mr. Ted Williams, Father God, I KNOW you can cover Him with Your protection, continuing to let him know that YOU are there for him, and WHEN he calls on YOUR name, YOU WILL ANSWER him! Touch him, Oh God, and let him see Your mighty hand, let him feel Your loving touch, show him YOU! Let him know that when you sent your only begotten Son to die, that HE was included, and that through the blood that was shed, he can become  new in You.  Old things that we have done, what we have said that hurt others, or even where we have been, you are able to cleanse us from them, and they are passed away!  There is NOTHING TOO HARD for YOU to do, in ANYONE, Oh God! 

We believe, and count these things as done, in the name of Jesus! NOW!  Thank you, Father God!  We believe this to be done!  We count these things as done, and we give YOU all the glory, honor and praise! We thank You, Lord God, and declare these things in Jesus' Name!  Amen!

WHAT WE SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE ON HAND

How We Can Be Reminded That WE ARE LOVED -

Ingredients:

Toothpick                 Chocolate Candy Kiss                 

Pencil                       Bandage                                         
Mint                         Chewing Gum

Rubber Band             Tea Bag

Eraser

Here's why:

Toothpick -        

To remind you to pick the good qualities in others!

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.(Matthew 7:1)

Rubber Band -   

To remind you to be flexible, things may not always go the way you want, but it WILL work out! 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.(Romans 8:28)

Band-Aid -        

To remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours or another person!

 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. (Colossians 3:12-14)

Pencil -              

To remind you to list your blessings, EVERY DAY!

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)

Eraser -             

To remind you that everyone makes mistakes, and it's okay!

When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?”  So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died:  ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said.  But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?  You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.  So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.  (Genesis 50:15-21)

Chewing Gum - 

To remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything! 
I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.  (Philippians 4:13)

Mint -               

To remind you that you are freshly made new daily, created by your heavenly Father!

"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”   (Jeremiah 31:25)

Chocolate Candy Kiss -     

To remind you that everyone needs a kiss or a hug of love, allowing them to feel they really do matter - every day!  

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7)

Tea Bag -         

To remind you to relax, remain calm daily, and always remember how what we speak affects someone's day, because we are constantly kept in the midst God's blessings! 

A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit! (Proverbs 15:4)

What Brings YOU Joy?

In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.  
(2 Corinthians 8:2)

While everything seems to be getting off on a weird note so far this year, I find myself more now than ever, relying on what keeps me sane and hopeful.  Now please don't get me wrong, as I am not complaining at all.  But, in the scheme of things, there are a few preferences that remain constant, as far as what normally puts a smile on my face, and joy in my heart, getting me through the rough patches of the day.

One is preparing wonderful dishes, whether cooking tasty meals, such as Seafood Fettuccine, Mexican Pasta Casserole, and Grilled Chicken Tetrazzini,  or baking tantalizing desserts, like Strawberries and Pineapple Cream Cake (pictured).  The other is knowing and believing what God has told me He will continue to do in my life, so that I can soar like an eagle, and will help to supply me with love to counterattack moments of frustration.
 

I can remember being 6-years-old,  when I first felt a strong desire to learn how to cook.  My father was an amazing connoisseur in the kitchen, especially since he was a chef part-time, and I was always excited about watching him work.  But what really helped to motivate me  into the deciding factor of wanting to grasp the concept as early as possible, was when I spent a day with my older cousin, who was fifteen at the time.  She knew absolutely NOTHING about cooking -  including her inability to boil water!  My cousin tried to prepare some rice in a pot.  However, after finding out she did not know how to operate her stove top, she spooned the wet, uncooked stuff into a bowl, and poured Bosco chocolate syrup on top of it.  Yuck!  Right then and there, I made a vow to myself, that as SOON as I was able to reach the stove, I WOULD LEARN HOW TO COOK!  No one else would make me  eat anything like that again!

Well, from the age of nine, to the present time, building and mastering my culinary skills has been quite uplifting for me during an otherwise gloomy moment of the day.  Utilizing different  flavors, comprising ordinary edible items, and finalizing with such a delectable, personal touch, brings sheer happiness, every time!  And, I love when my children come over, during a special day or holiday, and sit in the dining room, enjoying every morsel.  I become bright with ecstatic joy watching them!  As a matter of fact, when they were all much younger, we would get in the kitchen together and work on a repast project, where the finished product would result in a magnificent masterpiece.  They can all still prepare delicious food dishes themselves, for their own families!  Amazing!

Now, in the way of relationship with my True Source of Strength, through  quiet conversations, reading, studying and acknowledging the Word of God in my every-day existence, keep me grounded.   Good music (well, REAL good music), always provides a sense of exhilaration, freedom and peace, collectively, at the same time.  I love taking opportunities to sing songs of inspiration, comfort, love and what my expectations will become.  When an old melody comes to mind, or while in a store I overhear a beautiful tune, sung by a true artist, it always seems to make me feel elated.


Even though there is so much turmoil, strife, envy and ugliness of how people treat others different from their very nature, I am thankful that I have someone to lean on, who never lets me down.  Those alternatives make me realize that all is not lost, and there is still unfailing optimism available in what we have, or who we have in our lives.

What about you - how do you muster good, positive, love-inspired brightness during your hectic day?  We all have something that gives us joy in a good way, without bringing another down in despair.  Where does YOUR joy come from?  How do you manage your moments?