Because I Chose You!!! How Do You Measure Success?

Just recently, I was pondering all of the challenges that I have faced and still sometimes face in my life. I know a lot of us probably feel that way sometimes - especially if we are truly allowing God to take us through the perfecting process - a breaking from self-motivations - so that we can be more fully used by God. 

Sometimes the challenge is the attacks by others. Seems like for no particular reason people choose not to be kind to us, choosing instead to give us a difficult time. Some will even put in extra effort attempting to goad us - trying to get us to act in ways that they think confirm that God is not with us or that we have small faith.

Other times, we are a challenge to ourselves, struggling to find the necessary amount of time to do those things that keep us focused, strengthened and obedient in our walk with Christ. Some of this is because of the energy we may mistakenly be putting into pleasing people. When we forget that no matter how we see others being elevated in the world, how many Facebook posts celebrate people's seeming path to 'fame and fortune," or how many likes we get for our posts, our true value to God has very little to do with the accolades of man. And that only through constant communion with God can we acquire both proper elevation and strength to move correctly within that elevation.   

I am in no way saying that it is not pleasing to be recognized for our personal achievements. I am also not saying that we should not work hard to expand our reach and our territory. But if public response becomes the measure of success or failure to us, we set ourselves up to be people pleasers as opposed to God chasers. Trying to please people can take us through emotional roller coasters where we question our value, our purpose, our action and most importantly, our God-given power and authority. 

But I just dropped in to bless you with what blessed me tonight; a reminder from the Holy Spirit: God chose us!

John 15:16 says; "You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you."

I have had many accolades, received many awards and promotions, been blessed to be the "first" in several arenas and worked in both positions of great authority and very little authority. But no position or award will ever compare to the joy of God letting me know that I am pleasing in his site and that He is doing something JUST FOR ME AND JUST BECAUSE. Also, nothing will ever compare to knowing that what you have planted through obedience and love of God, will remain.

It is a full-time job to chase worldly validation outside of God's purpose, leading and positioning.  When we pursue success and make decisions based on our own "brilliance" we can mistakenly be drawn into the bright lights and away from the covering of God. 

God has both validated us and selected us to do His will. In that space lies our ability to recognize the difference between Godly elevation and people pleasing, and to control the amount of emotional energy we waste on those bent on delaying us. Learning when to invest emotionally and when not to can truly bring us the peace that God has promised; along with great increase. God chose us and He's got us!

Rev. Dr. Nina Thompson Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nina.marie.315428

Rose of Sharon Ministries - Making Life Work Project and Yes to God Young Adult Ministry https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=yes%20to%20god

Author's Page: https://www.amazon.com/Rev.-Dr.-Nina-M.-Thompson/e/B07MVJ2THM%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

Great Opportunities Often Come Disguised as Threats

   

 

 It is strange, the emotions that we experience and the thoughts that run through the mind when it is faced with situations beyond its control; situations that threaten our very existence like COVID19. 

We live in a land premised on the idea that "hard work always pays off" and "sweat and determination are the ingredients to reaching goals." We live in a land that says our circumstances directly reflect our choices. Where we are - how much money we make, how much power we have or how celebrated we are by the world - is a direct result of poor life choices, good life choices or great life choices. We do the work, we succeed. We do not do the work we fail.  Period!

Most of us probably buy into this way of thinking sometimes. Even when we may outwardly reject the "isms" and all of the other categories that we use to place people in "slots," we can still find ourselves questioning why our lives, our journeys don't look a particular way. We question why things are not turning out the way that we thought and hoped that they would. 

But is it possible that we are making a very huge mistake. That we have allowed those with the most power and influence to lead us to believe that those who they present to us as successful, worthy, happy, and powerful, set the standard for what life should be like and how it should be lived?  

Yes, we do have choices. But all of us often make ones that could potentially hold us back. While hard work can increase the odds of reaching any goals that we have, some of us, because of who we are connected to, simply do not have to suffer the consequences of our choices. Some of us have family friends, aunts, and uncles, whose success protects and propels us. 

If ever there was a time to flush these "privileged" ways of thinking down the toilet, it is NOW! If ever there was an opportunity to examine and re-examine who we are, why we were created and what we would seek to change if the choice is merely based on what brings us joy; it is now. 

Our current situation is only a punishment if we chose to see it that way. We can choose to see it as a chance to slow down and examine our lives so that we alone can choose what we believe, what sustains us, what makes us want to work hard, what empowers us, and what is the "one thing" that we were created to do. It is an opportunity to let go of what you can't truly control, and begin to dig as deep as you need to in order to find your unique value to family, friends and even a blind world that possibly can't see it. 

Then we can step out and focus on fertilizing, growing, and offering to the world in confidence; just that.

 

 

 

Eyes Wide Open

    Sometimes when we commit to walking in the higher values of life modeled after Jesus Christ, we can grow weary. I salute those who spend much time in ministry but proclaim that they never grow tired. Even the trusted disciples who left everything to follow Jesus grew weary. Most of the people that  I know have at least brief moments when they need to refocus on God and life purpose or reach out to a trusted companion for spiritual uplift to be reminded how grateful they are for the call on their lives. 

    We are admonished not to grow weary, but indeed we do. Usually it is because we have failed to care for ourselves as we care for others. But it also happens when we fail to understand that NOTHING can or does happen without God ordaining or allowing it. 

    That may be a tough truth to follow for some. Many folks insist that God is not "in the details" of our lives; that God is only interested in the big stuff. But I know for a fact - meaning that it has consistently happened with me - that God is indeed interested and actively engaged in as much as we allow God to be.

    That's a challenging truth because when painful things happen, we hate to think that God allows them, but it is futility to try to place our human understanding into the realm of God's thoughts and mind. God's ways are not our ways, and God's thoughts are not our thoughts. That is where FAITH comes in.

    In Philippians 4:6 we are told to be anxious for nothing and through prayer, petition and with a thankful spirit, make our requests known to God. In Luke 12:7 we learn that God has numbered the hairs of our head and Romans 8:28 reminds us that everything in our lives works together for good if we love God and are committed to living out God's purposes. 

    

   But when we grow weary and lack understanding, life challenges can sometimes make us temporarily grow lax in focusing on God. We focus on our own mind and flesh. Our eyes have shifted in their view, and we must adjust them to get back on point and on purpose.  

   We need to see clearly in order to track and trace God's movement. We have to remember that God is working for our good, if we are committed believes and followers.  We must look past the dark, limited eyesight to track God's movement; acknowledge it, journal it, before we end up going deeper into the darkness. The strongest remedy for a weary heart is to: 

                    Open Our Eyes Wide and Look for God. 

Isa 26:3 - Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.

Matt 6:22-23 - The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. So, if the light within you is darkness, how deep is that darkness.

https://www.facebook.com/roseofsharonytg/videos/1474217936012575/

https://www.facebook.com/roseofsharonytg/videos/1921352318160787/  

https://www.facebook.com/roseofsharonytg/videos/345105496059446/

Is there a Jonah in us?

I have always thought of Jonah as a very foolish individual. How dumb would you have to be to run from God, right?

But over the past couple of months, I have begun to understand him just a little better, even in his foolishness. While any purpose assignment from God is both an honor and a blessing, as I move deeper into purpose, obedience, and full submission, I too am sometimes immobilized as I consider the daunting tasks that I am called to complete.

As everyone knows, Jonah is the unfortunate prophet of the Bible who was sent by God to render a prophetic word to an entire city. He not only chose not to do it, he chose to run toward another destination. 

Operating as a prophet is, and probably always has been, a very challenging endeavor. While many of those you are sent to will embrace your words, others think it absurd that you claim to know something about them that they haven't shared with you or anyone else. They interrupt throughout the delivery to smile and say "that's confirmation," to suggest that you know nothing that they don't already know. Or they argue with you when it is a word of correction, later calling you back and thanking you for it. All that aside, the pressure can be even more challenging when the Word that you are charged with sharing is a prophecy of disaster in the face of disobedience, as Jonah's was!

Of course it is the ultimate honor when we are on assignment for God but still, sometimes there are fleeting moments when we look at ourselves in the mirror and get a little nervous. Even while people are constantly telling you the truth you spoke, you sometimes can still feel insecure. If I am honest, and I am most of the time, while I know that it is truly God speaking through me, there are a few moments when I am prideful enough to think I can honestly mess up God's plans. I have never met anyone who did not have their share of insecurities and moments of pridefulness in doing work for God; even if they had yet to realize and admit that they carried them.

Jonah must have had some of those thoughts as he chose to defiantly disobey God. He must have thought over and over again about what the people might say. Would they even listen to him? Would he be able to remember what God gave him correctly, or mess it all up? Sometimes in the small space between receiving the assignment and moving forward to execute it, there is the enemy of doubt and a failure to completely rely on God. Fortunately the more often you obey, the easier it gets.

Have no doubt though, surrender in service to God is no small feat. The walk in purpose is a heavy mantle. You strive to be that servant all day, all night, every day, every night. It becomes the very foundation of your life. How challenging it can be to not only experience your own hurts and pains, but to experience that of others as well.

The truth is, most of us are no better than Jonah. He chose to run and hide, we choose to postpone, reword, avoid, reason away and a host of other things that in the end, are the same as running away.

As the Spirit of the Lord once shared with me: You did not choose me. I chose you. So it is with all of us, and while it is indeed an honor to be chosen to do ANYTHING for God, there also is nothing in life that demands this level of discipline and obedience than spirit-led purpose.  So, let's give Jonah a break!!!

Rev. Dr. Nina Thompson focuses on helping people, especially young adults understand who they are, why they exist and what they were meant to accomplish. She is a business owner, a minister and Public Relations practitioner, and a published author.
All four books can be purchased on Amazon.com at: https://www.amazon.com/Rev-Dr-Nina-M-Thompson/e/B07MVJ2THM/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1

https://www.facebook.com/roseofsharonytg/

A Sunday Morning Kind of God......

A Sunday Morning Kind of God......

I'm usually not one to speak doom and gloom. Even as an ordained reverend, I don't spend a lot of my time advising people of the actions that might both negatively impact their time here on earth, and also might cause them consternation when they finally go to meet their maker. I much rather prefer to demonstrate, hopefully by my own walk, the life altering, spiritually fulfilling, benefits of truly surrendering your life to God and trying to live as God requires.

Yet, I am so vexed by things that are happening today as we watch those of various denominations, who profess to be followers of Christ, but whose public lives seems to completely neglect and ignore Christian principles and concepts.

I know that I will take a hit, probably several hits, for this blog post, but so be it. I prayed. I was led and well, here goes just like it happened with my book on church hurt.

I know that we all fall short and none of us is good; just as the Bible says. I have to ask for God's forgiveness repeatedly throughout the day. But there is a huge difference between "not being good," and intentionally and purposely committing acts that are unquestionably evil or that have the result of persecuting others.

I'm not naive. I have worked at various levels of local, state and federal government; even within the highest levels of the political arena, serving as press secretary for a successful, national presidential campaign. I'm aware that tough decision must be made on a daily basis, and that none of those decisions will be popular to all of the people at any time. But I am also aware that as individuals we must make tough decisions about what we will and what we won't do for a job, financial security, love or whatever else we deem important. As Christians we are called to measure our actions against our beliefs, and strive to demonstrate what those beliefs require our lives to look like.

There are 2.2 billion professed Christians in the world; Christianity is by far the worlds largest religion. Yet, I am constantly amazed when a profession of faith and belief, falls from the lips of individuals who visibly choose to abuse and belittle others, sew discord and contempt among  brethren, lie, cheat, and behave in a boastful and proud manner, and completely disregard the love that we are called to demonstrate. 

Even more discouraging is how the masses will follow, support and completely adore, individuals that walk this way, even though these actions come no where near honoring God or Biblical precepts. Not only will the masses support these individuals, but they also will continue to confess a love of God, and be fully committed to church attendance, service in the community and all of the outward demonstrations. It is as if there is a space on our fireplace mantel where we place God Monday through Saturday, only to pull him off the mantel for show on Sunday or on those occasions that we choose to act like what we say we are.

Indeed it is a process, one that we walk out our entire lives. No I am not perfect; there are things I have said and done, as recent as today, that I will forever regret and seek forgiveness for. But I also know that the taste of my fruit is becoming sweeter as I daily commune with God, attempt to serve as I am led to serve, and slowly learn to yield my will in favor of God's will for my life.

If you are struggling because the person that you see operating throughout the day looks nothing life what God has called us to be, I challenge you to carry this verse, or any one that speaks to you and can correctly order your steps, with you daily for reference.

God wants all of us; not just our Sunday mornings.

Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them." Ephesians 4:2: 

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." 1 Peter 4:8: 

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." John 15:12: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."

“4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

If you're drowning, just RELAX! 

Every day we rise and set our minds on doing those things that we believe are necessary to our daily survival and our forward movement. Success, the world has told us, is achieved when we constantly position ourselves for BETTER; work hard, happily accept new responsibilities and challenges, meet and connect with as many people as possible, etc. Then we must support these hard work by maintaining and nourishing those connections and staying on the lookout for opportunity, even if it knocks at 5 a.m. or at midnight.

Some of the most celebrated ideas that tell us what to do to obtain success are:
-Work hard, and then work harder! 
-Success comes to those who are too busy to actually be looking for it! 
-The harder I work, the more luck I seem to have! 
-Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds! 
-There is simply no substitute for hard work when it comes to achieving a dream!
-If you have a dream, it is definitely achievable through hard work and sacrifice.!

Wow! I got tired just reading all of those.

Please don't get it twisted, I truly understand hard work. Nothing, and I mean Nothing has ever come my way by not producing or doing something. I serve as an instructor at three colleges and a university. I am a published author, ever aware of the pressure to produce that fourth book, that fifth book, and the one after that. I created and oversee a ministry that helps young adults navigate life by exploring who they are, why they were created and what amazing things they can accomplish. I also have a public relations company that I established in 2004, which is waiting to be re-launched,. I blog when I am discipline. I serve on an environmental board. I'm a public speaker and a workshop presenter.

I know that sounds familiar to a lot of you. Whew!

Somewhere though, between being all of that, plus a daughter, sister, friend, and pet-parent, I begin to answer my desire for an ever increasing level of spiritual focus, and a Holy spirit-led work ethic. I have begun to intentionally focus on thought patterns and habits that move me toward purpose fulfillment and that teach me when to move and how to move, and when to rest and be still.

Did you know that the worse thing you can do when you are drowning is to panic and flail about, trying to control what is happening? Experts tell us that our bodies will naturally float if we:

1. Yield
2. Relax
3. Put our bodies in an horizontal position
4. Look up to the sky and take a few deep breathes

Since our bodies are 72% water, it makes since that when we embrace who we are we not only survive, but we become more relaxed and at peace.

When you are overwhelmed, overworked and not seeing what you think should be coming to fruition in your life, just remember what to do when you are drowning. Don't panic. Be still. Place your body in a horizontal position and look up to the Creator. Take a few deep breaths, relax and allow God to lead you through a natural correction of your life's course.

Personal initiative is not and will never be a substitute for trust and reliance upon God. There is both power and security in God, and as we learn to "let down, cease or slacken" our efforts to fight in our own strength, we can acknowledge the power and security that our connection to God rewards us with. Life may let us down, but God won't let us drown.

Psalm 46:10 - "Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth."

 Learning How to be Still ......

When I was a child growing up in a church-going family, I remember being in church several times each week, and that's probably an understatement. The church was truly the place where our extended family lived; and that relationship, for the most part, was held in high esteem and nurtured.

Like most families with children though, being in church all of the time could be challenging for the parents; but even more so for us as children. We had the attention span of a child in church - probably because that is what we were, and that just didn't seem to work out well for us. Countless times after our "endurance" wore off, our mother would pat us gently on the leg, and tell us to be quiet. The second time she would look toward us and smile, and again admonish us to "be quiet." When patience really wore thin and we were causing too many distractions or making too much noise, she would look us in the eye, make a stern face, and say "be still," meaning don't move a muscle, don't talk, eyes straight ahead.

I hadn't even thought of those times until I found myself in a place to be reminded. Several very close confidantes (and my mother, of course) have been admonishing me to Be Still lately. The Holy Spirit also has been giving me that message. But, that's tough for me because while I know the scripture, "Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10), I evidently kept proving to myself and others that I have no clue how to live it out completely.

You see like a lot of us, I have also felt better about myself and my life when I am going in hard - being ambitious, using a lot of energy and challenging myself to complete and do well at something. During most of my career, I have been achievement and results driven; sometimes measuring success based on whether I got the contract, earned the promotion, won the contest, or earned an "A." I didn't see a problem with this because of course, that's how the world measures personal value, right?

Well, if I've learned nothing else since choosing to fully pursue my God-Ordained purpose, I have learned not to EVER use worldly activities as a measuring stick. God's ways definitely are not "our" ways.

During my path to purpose it became necessary for me to have much more of God - more wisdom, more Holy Spirit guidance, more knowledge - and to gain that, I had to have much less of "that" part of Nina. To live on purpose, I had to purposely live for God. That meant less focus on measuring my success in terms of what I could count and see, and more focus on measuring my success on how obedient I was to God and how much better I was at "watching and seeing" God's activities in my life. It also required me to build and strengthen my relationship with God through prayer, meditation, and Bible Study, while practicing "hearing from God" to gain guidance and direction beyond the general scriptures in the Bible.

Things like competitiveness, stress, worry, measuring our success through our own definitions and being overly controlling of life circumstances, can cause us years of pain and hurt because we are still relying on our own limited ability and not God's unlimited capabilities. Trust me I know this because I had to walk it out; and I am still being delivered from things that are of the flesh and not of the Holy Spirit.

I share this for all of you who truly want to discover who you are, why you exist and what you can accomplish. Take some time right now to learn to lean on God, and most importantly to BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD. 

Countless scriptures remind us of the benefit of that. Here are just a few of my favorites to  guide you....

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will act - Psalms 37:5

Be still and know that I am God............. - Psalm 46:10

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean to your own understanding - Proverbs 3:5

The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord established his steps - Proverbs 16:9

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing - John 15:4-5



Published Writer - Church Hurt Ain't No Joke (book and workbook), Where Have All the Young Ones Gone: Connecting and Reconnecting Young Adults to God and the church; Why Yes to God: Essays on Life and God by Young Adults

To purchase or to order discounted bulk or signed copies, please contact: 
Rev. Dr. Nina Marie Thompson at NICHEPR2018@GMAIL.COM. You may also order copies of all three books at Amazon.com.

Speaker - Positioning for Purpose, Getting to God, Why Yes to God?   

Workshop Presenter - Church Hurt Ain't No Joke, Say What You Mean, Why Do I Get Soo Mad?, Recognize Your Power, Plan Your Future, From Hurt to Healing



Rev. Dr. Nina M Thompson, 
Rose of Sharon Ministries, Inc.
314-550-2004 (for prayer)
https://www.facebook.com/roseofsharonytg/
roseofsharonnow@gmail.com

Bandages or Surgery?

            Life seems more out of wack than ever before, especially for those 15 to 29.  They seem to be involved in more serious crimes, taking larger numbers of their own lives or the lives of others, or stumbling through life making one mistake after another. We, collectively, are doing something wrong.

          Now, there are millions of success stories; stories of those within this age group focused on resolving their own special challenges, and even challenges within the larger society. These often go unmentioned and unshared. . But there are many others who desperately need strategies to help them put the spark back into their eyes, their lives, their futures. 

          As a college Oral Communications and English instructor and a young adult minister, I witness the daily frustration, self-loathing, and the loss for what to do. I spend a lot of time praying with them, helping them find solutions that work, and affirming their self worth. 

          But way too often we simply puts "bandages" in place, throwing dollars into solutions like job training, education and employment, and then throwing hands up in frustration when our target population does not "do what's right."  

           The truth is that in most cases, the failure is not theirs to bear; at least not alone. It is collectively ours because sometimes bandages don't heal sores. Sometimes they create even worse wounds that fester and create places and spaces in the body and mind that become raw, aching and excruciatingly painful.

        As children, if our scrapes or wounds became infected, our parents immediately applied additional ointments, let the wound "air out" or called a doctor to see how they could "take the infection out." Trusting only in the usefulness of bandages could have caused us to end up with scaring. 

          If the usefulness of bandages for bodily sores is limited, what makes us think the usefulness of them as a strategy to address huge, gaping emotional scars isn't limited? 

          Sometimes we have to perform surgery to address issues caused by outside forces, to relieve pain, to reduce the symptoms of an ongoing problem or to improve how our body functions. We have to employ reparative strategies that affirm the value of life, and prepare our young people to take full advantage of those traditional solutions. We must invest in programs that allow young people to discover who they are, why they exist and what they were meant to accomplish. Let's empower them to build emotional stamina and spiritual fortitude, improve interpersonal relationships and develop as leaders who are healthy, purpose-focused and who positively impact theirs and others lives. 

          Let's snatch off those bandages, and bear the pain. Surgery, while it might be more painful, often can bring a complete and total healing, not merely a cover up for a festering sore.

               

    






-http://www.bemagazine.org/changemakers-directory/43935/rose-of-sharon-ministries-inc/
-https://www.facebook.com/roseofsharonytg/
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7A4aOhpCU5Q

So...what's the deal with "church hurt"?

       In October 2011, I published a book and workbook titled, Church Hurt Ain't No Joke. The book  examined the causes and impact of being emotionally and spiritually hurt while attending church, and offered solutions for understanding it and growing from it. In its totality, the book takes the reader through a definition of "church hurt," describes how and why it occurs, suggests how pastors and church leadership can avoid and work through it, and how individuals can both survive and thrive as they victoriously walk through it.

       Little did I know that six years later some church leaders would still be responding to the phrase "church hurt" as if it unfairly chastises the church and hurts its reputation. What is interesting though is that the ones who consistently claim the inappropriateness of the term, are probably the same ones that have not objectively read my book or any other book about the phenomenon from cover to cover, spoken with church members, besides their own, to see what they think about the topic, held conversations with those who have chosen not to attend church, or worked to acquire any new perspective or clear understanding of why the term has become so popular and endearing to multitudes of individuals.

       One of the primary comments often echoed against the phrase is that other types of common hurt are not coined in the same way. For example, opponents of the term contend that since we don't say, "school hurt," "family hurt" or "beauty shop hurt," it is inappropriate to "target" what happens in church as "church hurt." My answer to that has consistently been that in NONE of those venues do we walk in as spiritually open and vulnerable, expecting and searching for unconditional love and acceptance.

       Another primary grievance registered against the phrase is that "churches don't hurt people, people hurt people." Technically that is true, but isn't it also true that the church is "responsible" to set the tone and agenda for its members? Or, at the very least, as church leaders we have a responsibility to hold up a standard that says "church hurt" will not be normalized. Church leaders also should be accountable to embrace a strategy that equips leadership and members to walk through it focused on spiritual maturity and growth.

       Maybe if we as church leaders could contain our personal sensitivities and keep our God-ordained purposes in mind, we could reconnect with the ever increasing numbers of individuals who daily decide to leave the church. If we could focus on raising up leaders and disciples, maybe the "church hurt" phenomenon could serve as the panacea that guides us toward building church strategies that address the residual pain and separation from church that this type of hurt can lead to.

        Ignoring the impact of "church hurt" is detrimental to our universal goals. It does little to position us to serve those with whom we are charged to serve, guide and mature in preparation for them to fulfill their created purpose.  More importantly, it takes away from the very important tasks of raising spiritually healthy and mature individuals, who are equipped to more fully surrender to God's will.

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https://www.amazon.com/dp/0991028716/ref=cm_sw_su_dp

http://www.stlamerican.com/entertainment/living_it/healing-from-church-hurt/article_26eba8c0-51ec-11e5-acef-4f1c0aa01852.html

The gravity of grace

So...I am very much overdue to post, but it has been a busy season. Lots has happened - I published a new book, performed both a funeral and a wedding, began planning for a young adult conference.....and so on and so on. But, one of the greatest things that happened is a confirmation or reconfirmation of my primary purpose.

You see, life can be rather difficult if you are just flitting around, moving from one thing that satisfies you to another. If we are honest, we would admit that what we like can rapidly change from one day to the next. Things become passe and as the rest of the world moves on, we sometimes feel compelled to move on with it. Unfortunately, that doesn't work so well if you have decided to join the Jesus crew and live your lives as sons and daughters of God. The responsibility of purpose is ever looming in your life.

As such, each of us has been given spiritual gifts and talents to use for both general and specific purposes. Generally, we are to: ¹⁹ ...go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19). But there also are scriptures that speak to more specific purpose as well through gifts and talents placed within us.  

Literally, we have been designed to provide support, one to another, as God has deemed needed and necessary to God's purposes. So ultimately, we want to end up hanging out with Jesus more so that we can know and understand what we have been wonderfully created to accomplish.

That might sound like a tall, boring order because let's face it, most of us were not raised in an environment that demonstrated hanging out with Jesus as anything fun. In many instances, we were accosted by a bunch of rules and regulations that either made us obsess way too much about sin, or made us move to the other extreme; "if I can't meet the requirements of being saved, then I may as well have fun. His grace is sufficient." Of course, we never stated it in those words, but that was the end result.

That's probably why when we discuss grace, purpose usually is not part of the conversation, although it should be. For many of us, our primary focus is on redemptive grace; the grace that allows for our sins to be forgiven over and over again by God. We go astray, sin, misstep and God redeems us by extending grace and forgiving us. That's the understanding of grace that most of us are consistently taught and that we often default to. 
 
But that type of attitude about grace is what has lead many Christians down some very dark allies, never to experience the utter joy of fulfilling their God-ordained purpose. It can become a merry-go-round of sorts if we never gain understand the true gravity of grace; its importance, its significance, even its weight in our lives.  

Grace is not an end game. It is not merely something that we avail ourselves of time after time, whenever we "slip" or "slide." Grace is a precursor. It maintains us over the long haul so that the Holy Spirit can complete its perfecting work in us, preparing us for both purpose and sanctification.
 

That is is the grace that empowers us for purpose and ministry through the Holy Spirit. That is the grace that calls for the greater sacrifice, the stronger yes to God. That is the grace that leads us to truly know and operate in our Holy Spirit given gifts and talents.

 Change your perspective about grace. Our flesh alone, even under the unction of the redemptive principle of grace, can't not get us to purpose. Purpose is only possible when the union between grace and the Holy Spirit is allowed to occur within us, working cohesively to move us into the perfect will of God for our lives, and our work.  Purpose often turns out to be our sweet spot. and most importantly of all, a blessing to both others and yourself.

God's ms. anyhow: The good things about life are the successes and t...

God's ms. anyhow: The good things about life are the successes and t...: The good things about life are the successes and the challenges. Nope, I didn't say failures. That's because I'm not sure anymor...

The good things about life are the successes and the challenges. Nope, I didn't say failures. That's because I'm not sure anymore that there is a such thing as a true failure. Yes, we may not achieve something that WE wanted or we may not attain OUR desired outcome, but we can often misinterpret results.

Say you work extremely hard, abandon your social life and become a recluse for a season -- only to invent a particular product you received inspiration to produce. During the very challenging journey to release and produce this "thing" your mind and heart imagine what the end result will yield. They both tell you that the completion of this effort will be monumental. This "thing" is going to be a game changer. It will finally realign your fate, and take you to a place in life that you never imagined. It will bring allow your sacrifices and hard work to finally be recognized.

When you complete the product, your anticipation is at its height. Just at that moment - when it becomes public - there is a pure joy that rushes over you; right before the nervous tension and doubt take over. When those two move in, your mind starts to present questions about the nebulous "they." Will they like it? Will they purchase it? Will they even understand the value of it?

You work yourself up so badly, that you begin to visualize an imminent failure, so when sales don't immediately take off, failure takes up residence in your mind. Yes it sold, but only to one or two individuals. Very few engage you in an enlightening conversation about what made you produce the item. No one really asks what was going through your mind when you created the product, or how difficult was the journey toward completion. No one even thought to ask how you felt when you were creating it, which was really the main thing you had been waiting to share.

What a failure right?  

Not necessarily. You believed that this thing was going to be a game changer. You believed that the completion of this effort would prove monumental, that your fate would be realigned, and that you would be taken to a place in life that you never imagined. Finally, you wanted recognition for your work, right?

Now go back with me to the moment when you FIRST completed the work  When anticipation was at its height - when that moment of pure joy rushed over you. Yes, right there. Go back to that feeling of total joy about what you were able to accomplish. Revisit that feeling of achievement that you brought to fruition a simple thought that was nagging at your spirit for so long. The joy of working hard, when you didn't have to, in order to producing something that would help others. 



That was the moment of victory; of success, but you rushed passed it. That was the moment when all the things that your mind told you would result, indeed did. You squandered it though; moved right on past it to a place where you lost track of what the entire journey was about.

When we produce something two things happen. First, we respond to "something" within us that has taken hold of us and will not let us rest until we produce it. Something so big, so consuming that we can no longer ignore it. It moves past realization to acknowledgement that we are indeed led by an inner spiritual wisdom that CAN guide and direct us, If we yield.

The second thing that happens is the ripple effect. First, reflection sneaks upon us and we start to realize how the journey has impacted, changed, and empowered us. Then, people we don't even know begin to be affected. It may be one, two, 10 or 10,000. We will never know for sure. They are the ones that may not buy the product, but saw your post about your journey to produce it, and became inspired and courageous enough to engage that thing that is sitting in their spirit. Then there are the ones who actually purchase the product. They express their excitement at receiving it. They are ones, usually just a few, who let you know that it is something that they have been needing or wanting forever. They may only buy one or two, but purpose oozes out of their purchases.  Finally there are those that purchase the product, but do not speak with you. You see them in the work that goes on publicly, and you notice that it is your product that helped them to complete that task.

So you see, failure only comes when we do not perform a duty or expected action. Every time that we choose to follow the wisdom and gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit within us and do something that is seemingly beyond our comfort and capacity, we succeed. Success abides each time that we are led by God to take a step into unknown, uncharted and sometimes hostile territory, and we do it anyhow.

In the end, we may not know exactly who has been helped or what purpose was served. It may have been something that was needed to be done by us and that only impacts us. Who knows?  What we do know is that the sweet spot, the moment of success happens in that brief period upon completion, when joy flows within us like a river, and we hear a soft whisper within our spirit that says, "Job, well done."

Interesting, how timely and relevant these blogs are that I posted years ago are now. This one is worth re-posting...especially for those who truly desire fullness in their relationship with God.....and it is an excellent reminder to me to tighten up my spiritual disciplines.


Okay, so it's been about a month since I last posted. Well to be fair to me, I am in the midst of TRYING to complete my first book and I've set this year as a deadline. So, right now, blogging is kind of taking second place. This book should have been written years ago by both God's request and my desires, but it has seemed like such an insurmountable task for me; even with the writer living inside of me.


Give me something quick and to the point to write, like a column or a blog, and I can knock that out every time. Ideas for these writing formats seem to come easily and before I know it, they have found themselves as words in a completed written work. But a book is different somehow. The book takes more focus. It feels like a stronger, longer term, more serious commitment.

It's kind of like the difference between getting baptized and receiving Christ as your personal savior, and choosing to live a God-filled and God-led life. One requires that you make Christ Lord of your life, and it is usually worked out in a limited manner; being baptized before witnesses, showing up for church on Sundays, supporting the church financially, following the 10 commandments as best you can, and repenting of your sins. Your actions are focused on "making it to Heaven." This is the "comfortable" journey that unfortunately leaves many headed to the grave having allowed little of their light to shine here on Earth, It's like the talents and the man who simply sat on his, hoarded them even, and produced nothing additionally beyond what was invested in him from the beginning. Somewhat of a waste if you ask me. (Matthew 25:14-30)


The other though, is like a book and demands a much longer term commitment. It requires that we go through the difficult journey of allowing and even inviting God to purge us of all of the "junk" that keeps us from being what he intended us to be.  It requires research and study about the character of God, consistent prayer, and even meditation, on a daily basis. At this level, we desire to know the unique gifts and talents that were placed in us from birth, and to use them for the work that God has planned for us to do. Yes, there is more pain than the first, more tears than the first and more work than the first, but it also delivers more joy, stronger faith, more peace and ultimately a stronger and more fruitful relationship with our maker. This path positions us to bless all of the people God had planned for us to bless when He made us; ultimately fulfilling our destiny on Earth. 

So, when I think of it like that, I should probably count it joyous that God even chose me to write this book. Also, because I am connected to Him, each time I obediently sit down to write, with prayer before I begin, he gives me the words.  Basically, all I must do is be obedient and set aside time to allow Him to use me to produce the book. Doesn't sound like such a big job that way.

And that's also the beauty of a life led by God. All of the tough stuff that we face on a daily basis, is much more tough when we face it alone. But, when we hand it over to God immediately and frequently in prayer, he will guide us and direct us. I'm not suggesting the we sit there and do nothing. God does require us to be active participants. I'm simply saying in all things, consult God and he will light your path.

So, will you write the story that God has placed on your heart and in your soul, fulfilling those things that he as asked of you? Or, will you waste your talents and gifts "pew sitting" and "gazing" and wasting opportunities to be in service for God?

 “Each one should use whatever gifts he has received to serve others,
faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

1 Peter 4:10

Commit your work to the LORD, and then your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:3

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, KJV)

 2Timothy 1:9

The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.
1 Corinthians 3:8-9

What God Can Do

Wow! It has been a long time since I posted. So much to share and tell, but suffice it to say that I am still God's MsAnyhow, doing whatever God says, going wherever He directs and trying really, really hard to be obedient when He is speaking.

That said, with all that has transpired in my life, and indeed all that has transpired in the world, I couldn't wait to share. It's a little overwhelming to know where to start: I helped to launch a church in Ferguson, MO; graduated from seminary with a DMIN degree; created a spiritual gifts and leadership ministry primarily for young adults called Yes to God; established Rose of Sharon Ministries, Inc. a healing focused ministry that helps people get past strongholds and get to purpose; and written three books:

-One that is the result of my doctoral research that deals with young adults and their relationships to God and the church, Where Have All the Young Ones Gone: Connecting and Reconnecting Young Adults to God and the church ( CreateSpace eStore: https://www.createspace.com/7200282 and Amazon.com);

-Another that is filled with enlightening essays about God and the world written by young adults, "Why Yes to God: Essays on God and Life by Young Adults (CreateSpace eStore: https://www.createspace.com/4494494 and Amazon.com);

-And a final book and workbook set actually was published first, which examines the effect of "church hurt" or any hurt on our journey as Christians or believers in God, Church Hurt Ain't No Joke (CreateSpace eStore: https://www.createspace.com/4699662 (workbook,

CreateSpace eStore: https://www.createspace.com/3650567 (book) or Amazon.com for both).

 

Also check out these articles, just to see what I have been up to.

http://insidethepew.net/i-am-second-short-film-highlights-jeff-fishers-walk-to-salvation/

Commentary on the Jeff Fisher article

http://www.bemagazine.org/profiles-changemakers-nina-thompson/

Profiles of Changemakers

I guess I must have really mixed up some spiritual dust back in 2010 when I first posted. :) I had so much going on  that I just stopped, but one day the Holy Spirit led me back. I was blown away that all on its own, my blog has accumulated 173 followers and 6 comments! Wow, did I miss out on some potentially rich, encouraging and enlightening feedback.

 

Well I'm back in the blogging game now with fresh insights and hopefully new ideas to share. But just as I did in the very first blog almost 6 years ago , I will continue to challenge everyone to see God in everyday, every moment and every second, and to share those sightings with me on this blog. 

 

I still commit not to chastise ANYONE for not knowing the appropriate scriptural reference. Or call you out because you were at the club drunk last night and posting about God's goodness today. I promise not to drag your name down because you were under the anointing on Sunday and under  Tyrone, Bobby, James, Moesha, Pam (or whatever that person's name was) on Monday.

Nope. We won't do any of that. The only thing we will do is celebrate God and make note of his movement in our lives. I want to talk about how God helps our dirty butts out when he should have kicked us to the curb. Or how he sent the rent money through someone we just said some really nasty stuff about. (And besides we went shopping with the rent money). Or how he cleaned us up and helped us get over the shame and disgust at some of the stuff we did last year, last month or last week.

In this blog I want to celebrate God and I want you to help me do that. Share, share, share with no judgment and no correction and for the purpose of lifting up God.

John 12:32
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all [men] unto me.(I didn't say you couldn't use scripture just that you didn't have to. Hey, we might all learn something accidentally)

 So hit me up and help me magnify. Praise God.

P.S. Oh yeah, a big thanks to and a shout to Pastor Jolinda Wade. Don't forget, when God commands you to do something, get your butt up (well she didn't quite say that), but she did say forget about your feelings, lack, attitude, beliefs, clothes, boyfriend, girlfriend, sister, brother, mother, baby's daddy, baby's momma, employment, unemployment - all of your issues and garbage that keeps you from obeying God and do it ANYHOW.

P.S.S. And another thing. You hear from God. You just don't know it sometimes. So don't go there.

All Love.

A Blog or a Book

Interesting, how timely and relevant these blogs are that I posted years ago are now. This one is worth re-posting...especially for those who truly desire fullness in their relationship with God.....and it is an excellent reminder to me to tighten up my spiritual disciplines.


Okay, so it's been about a month since I last posted. Well to be fair to me, I am in the midst of TRYING to complete my first book and I've set this year as a deadline. So, right now, blogging is kind of taking second place. This book should have been written years ago by both God's request and my desires, but it has seemed like such an insurmountable task for me; even with the writer living inside of me.


Give me something quick and to the point to write, like a column or a blog, and I can knock that out every time. Ideas for these writing formats seem to come easily and before I know it, they have found themselves as words in a completed written work. But a book is different somehow. The book takes more focus. It feels like a stronger, longer term, more serious commitment.

It's kind of like the difference between getting baptized and receiving Christ as your personal savior, and choosing to live a God-filled and God-led life. One requires that you make Christ Lord of your life, and it is usually worked out in a limited manner; being baptized before witnesses, showing up for church on Sundays, supporting the church financially, following the 10 commandments as best you can, and repenting of your sins. Your actions are focused on "making it to Heaven." This is the "comfortable" journey that unfortunately leaves many headed to the grave having allowed little of their light to shine here on Earth, It's like the talents and the man who simply sat on his, hoarded them even, and produced nothing additionally beyond what was invested in him from the beginning. Somewhat of a waste if you ask me. (Matthew 25:14-30)


The other though, is like a book and demands a much longer term commitment. It requires that we go through the difficult journey of allowing and even inviting God to purge us of all of the "junk" that keeps us from being what he intended us to be.  It requires research and study about the character of God, consistent prayer, and even meditation, on a daily basis. At this level, we desire to know the unique gifts and talents that were placed in us from birth, and to use them for the work that God has planned for us to do. Yes, there is more pain than the first, more tears than the first and more work than the first, but it also delivers more joy, stronger faith, more peace and ultimately a stronger and more fruitful relationship with our maker. This path positions us to bless all of the people God had planned for us to bless when He made us; ultimately fulfilling our destiny on Earth. 

So, when I think of it like that, I should probably count it joyous that God even chose me to write this book. Also, because I am connected to Him, each time I obediently sit down to write, with prayer before I begin, he gives me the words.  Basically, all I must do is be obedient and set aside time to allow Him to use me to produce the book. Doesn't sound like such a big job that way.

And that's also the beauty of a life led by God. All of the tough stuff that we face on a daily basis, is much more tough when we face it alone. But, when we hand it over to God immediately and frequently in prayer, he will guide us and direct us. I'm not suggesting the we sit there and do nothing. God does require us to be active participants. I'm simply saying in all things, consult God and he will light your path.

So, will you write the story that God has placed on your heart and in your soul, fulfilling those things that he as asked of you? Or, will you waste your talents and gifts "pew sitting" and "gazing" and wasting opportunities to be in service for God?

 “Each one should use whatever gifts he has received to serve others,
faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

1 Peter 4:10

Commit your work to the LORD, and then your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:3

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, KJV)

 2Timothy 1:9

The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.
1 Corinthians 3:8-9

Tis' the Season

 It is the season.


No, not the season of holly and folly, Christmas trees and presents. Not that anything is wrong with buying gifts, though it's better if that same love has been shown all year. 

But, the season I am talking about is the one in which the Lord is calling all of those who profess to love, follow and obey him to show themselves strong. To work toward building his Kingdom in a real way, not just through lip service.  I truly believe that this is a "put up or shut up" season of the Lord.


Some of us, as God's disciples, have wasted way too much time "desiring this and desiring that" and not being willing to use the skills and abilities he gave us to the fullest extent. Often, we have used our energy waiting for God to send someone to pay this bill, buy this item or do something else for us, instead of plotting out a course of action under God's direction to get these things for ourselves. 

God has planted both gifts and talents in us that we have failed to nurture; instead choosing to wait on him to perform some miracle to get us the things that we want and need. Not that he can't and hasn't performed miracles time after time. But we should not live our lives in a slovenly manner, wasting the talents and gifts he has given us because we are afraid of new territory, new experiences or even new successes. I believe God fully expects us to consult him, and then to nurture the talents and gifts, eventually using them for the benefit of our fellow human beings. 


Throughout scripture God speaks of the glory and benefit of hard work, so there should be no confusion about his expectations. 


Let's make a commitment this year to work as if we are working for God in everything that we do; whether it be for pay or as volunteers. Let's make a promise to work hard, and dedicate our time to building up some entity that is truly serving God's people, whether it be your church, an organization or an effort at your current place of employment. Let's ask God to allow his anointing to fall fresh each day so that every minute of our lives we can operate as the loving servants he called us to be. Let's do these things for unselfish reasons; just because God asked us to and we are being obedient. Let's leave our comfort zones and trust God completely; moving out into new territory and knowing that if we step out into the water like Peter, God will never let us drown, even if we lose our faith for a moment. 

Let's truly begin to act like disciples of God; going where He sends us, saying what He tells us to say, seeing what He shows us, being what He calls us to be, and sowing where He says to sow. Each of our efforts truly can change the world; especially if we learn to operate in the spiritual gifts and talents that God has imbued us with.
 
 Scriptures for further reading: Working
Proverbs 12:11
He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.
Proverbs 14:23
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Proverbs 21:25
The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.


Matthew 9:37
Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.


Hebrews 6:10
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

 Exodus 35:35
He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them master craftsmen and designers.

Endurance and the Strength to Press On

Most of us who are truly striving to live our lives directed by God are soldiers. We know to stay on the lookout for the attacks of an enemy who would deter our progress in the things of God. We know that there are many whom we meet daily, who gladly denounce us, the God that we serve, and any proof of God's actuation and presence in our lives. We are use to these naysayers, and we often are prepared through praise, meditation and prayer, to keep moving forward in our faith in spite of them. Actually, their attempts to belittle our efforts can often propel us to love God even more deeply, serve him with even more loyality, and to strive even harder to be transformed by His Spirit residing in us.

We can usually handle to attack of the identified and expected adversary.

But what happens when the adversary is in our camp; our primary source of spiritual support? Or what about when the enemy is in our own mind? Sometimes it's difficult to distinguish between these two, and sometimes God clearly identifies one or the other. In both cases though, allowing situations to make you take your eyes off of God can paralyze you, humiliate your efforts to serve God and render you less effective at exercising your gifts as prophet, exhorter, apostle, teacher, or any of the other gifts God so graciously bestows upon us.

If you are trying to understand why those who proclaim to love you and have your best interest at heart can sometimes hurt you the most, STOP RIGHT NOW. If you keep wondering why it seems that those you trust to guide and direct you are slighting you or diminishing the spiritual gifts that God allows you to bring to the table, STOP RIGHT NOW.  If you are trying to understand if the arrows thrown at you are actually from those within your spiritual camp, or a plot by the enemy to divide and conquer, STOP RIGHT NOW.

It doesn't matter what the source of your frustration and emotional hurt is. It doesn't matter if a brother or sister in your supposedly tight knit, Christian group is treating you with anything less than the love they proclaim, while you daily serve them, pray for them and love on them. It doesn't even matter if your pastor seems out to humiliate you, purposely undermine you or even negate your work, despite your attempts to identify any relationship issues or prove how much you appreciate them. Ultimately, it also doesn't matter if the enemy is at fault and is distracting you so that you won't complete whatever task God has for you to complete.

The only thing that matters is God. If you are not sure what is going on and your emotional state makes it difficult to get clear guidance from God on when and how to respond, just stop.  You can't battle an unknown enemy now can you?

Stay focused. Stay humble. Stay in communication with Him.  Pray, Worship and Mediate on those things that are pleasing in His sight. Get out of bed each and every morning thanking God and asking Him for instructions for that day, and retire each night thanking Him for the grace that sustained you during the day. Don't get caught up expecting perfection from individuals who are not perfect. Don't worry about whether you can trust them or not because many times you can't. But you can trust the God in them. Most importantly though, you can trust God and if He sent you there and has not released you yet, trust that He can and is making perfect those things which concern you. Know that God allows all things, even the tricks of your adversaries, to work together for the good of those who are called to serve Him.


Serve Him. Serve Him. Serve Him. Don't get distracted by the junk. You only end up wasting tears and wasting precious time. Know what he whispers in your ear is true, despite everything and everybody, and walk in that power every day, every hour and every minute. God's promises to you are yours and no human being, no matter what position they hold within your life, can take that away.

God's word to me several days ago from a prophet and friend was Endurance. How timely and how fitting. We can all abide in that one word alone and I receive it for all of you. Amen.


Scriptures for Endurance and further study
Romans 5:3-4
Romans 8:28
Romans 12:12
James 1:12-18
James 1:14Hebrews 10:36

Colossians  1:11

Hebrews 12:1-3
John 16:33

I know it's been a minute since I posted, but life has gotten a little busier or at least, it has stepped back up to it's usual pace. Let me explain.

I believe that for every challenge accomplished, every endeavor completed, there is another one just sitting in wait. God has given us so much skill and talent that I always feel compelled to do something more, or something in addition to just those things that pay the bills. Some of our most enriching experiences and greatest spiritual lessons have come from doing things outside the norm, and outside of our 9 to 5. Without the stress of our primary work, we can focus more strongly; paying attention while God moves and takes us to meet our full potential in His glory.

I have learned to do that; pay attention that is, and last week was not exception. God presented me with an opportunity to do something that I love to do, work as a tutor while I was actually looking for opportunities for another person.

Now the first thought that I had when I got the job was how tired I was going to be. I love tutoring, but I like staying at home more, especially during the winter. So, at first I pained over the long drive to the college campus as opposed to how easy it would have been to go to the one right where I live. Then I thought about the drive time, the hours that I would have to spend sitting waiting on students and the time that would be taken away from my schedule because I have a million things that I think I need to do.

After about 10 minutes of that, I happily moved back into my default mode; thanking God for the opportunity and anticipating what he would teach me or allow me to learn from others. And therein lies my testimony for this posting.  Opportunity. 

Oftentimes, we think of work as drudgery. We moan. We groan. We complain. We do everything, but get excited about what God is doing. And don't even mention how we feel about doing anything in addition to our primary work.

A dear friend of mine sent me an email that I thought was wonderful. "Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps. if you are not willing to move your feet." Amen to that. 

I chose to MOVE and because of that, he is doing some wonderful things with me, the college students, and even the adults in the lab. They are revealing themselves to me, I am revealing myself to them, and we have uplifting conversations about life and God; we encourage each other and whether you know it or not, encouragement is a valuable commodity.

Most importantly, together we are bridging the divide that often exists between generations. That alone was worth making the trip to the campus. 

So, while I could talk about all of the magnificent college students for the rest of the blog, and probably will once I get their permission, the point that I really want to make today is that we should always look forward to what God is going to reveal when he sends us somewhere. Our hearts should always be open to receive his direction and to be obedient to it, by walking through the door that he opens.

Opportunities abound to grow, learn, share, prosper and love, but we have to listen and then move. Most of all we must be OBEDIENT to His voice. Amen.

Scriptures for further study on Obedience:

Deuteronomy 28:1-14

Deuteronomy 30:1-10

Matthew 7:24 

Job 36:11

Romans 8:28