We have all experienced some form of heartbreak. As Believers, we should be about tending to each others wounds. We should be lifting each other up and providing Godly advice. However, in order to be restored, you must first reach out and expose the wound. Each of us has survived our own storm and from time to time, the winds of chaos are bound to kick up again.

Our best defense when the winds of life begin to rage is to pray and ask the Father with whom to consult. You see it is important to let the Father lead you, because He has someone just right for that situation. We survive the detours of this life journey so that we may be available to help someone else on their journey. We are to guard our hearts because all that we do comes from our heart. What we believe in our hearts is what we act out in life. If you hold on to pain, anger or fear, it affect the way you walk through life. Some of us are holding onto so much junk that if we saw ourselves with a spiritual eye, we would be amazed we’ve ever progressed. Holding on to the past perils of life will make you feel sluggish in dealing with current life experiences.

It’s time to do a bit of cleaning… heart cleaning. Time to evaluate your condition. See what needs to be rearranged or thrown away. If it isn’t helping you grow, let it go!

Father, we come to you forever thankful for your grace and mercy. We ask that you help us do an honest inventory of our hearts. Cleanse us of the residue that feeds off the pain we’ve experienced in this life. Show us our beauty in you and remove anything that keeps us from getting closer to you. Amen.

All that is good and lovely. Yet a part me wishes she would have gotten that support in life. I was not a personal friend, yet I sat with the world and watched her say she was her own demon, her own worse enemy at times. Those are the times she needed to know she was loved. I believe through all her pain, she never forgot her roots which were planted in her faith in God. [NY Daily News article]

Let us remember Ms. Houston by reaching out in love. Let us not give up on each other. There is someone out there who needs to know someone still cares. This life thing is not meant to be done alone, that was established in Genesis when God created man and woman. We are each others keeper and we need to get on our jobs. Pray and ask God to lead you to someone in need. I believe God allows us to survive this crazy world so that we can help others get through their pain.

Father, we thank you for your love. We long to be more than fair-weathered friends. We want to be loved and love like you, unconditionally. We ask that you chip away  fears from previous experiences which often unable us from accepting and giving love. We honor and thank you. Amen.

“We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.” ~ Mother Teresa

Although many will not admit it, I admit, I used to talk to myself. Now I direct those conversations to God. See, its that simple. You don’t have to recite ancient words or do a ritual, just open up the conversation. Nothing helps a relationship grow like communication. That includes our spirtual relationships. For example, my mornings usually begin with a “Good morning, Father! Thank you for waking me up.” As I move through my day, I might even discuss what I should wear, who I should talk to, what I should read, and so on.

Once you start practicing talking to God, like anything else, it becomes habit. A good habit! When I decided to focus more on what God wants in my life, I felt it woud be such a challenge. Then one day during prayer, God made me remember a childhood game we used to play commonly known as “Mother/Father May I?”. You see, ego has a tendency to make things appear so difficult. I want to share the simplistic idea that has helped me further my reliance on the Father. Although our spirituality is not a game, sometimes looking from a different angle helps explain things more clearly. Blessings!

In this game, a player is selected as the “mother or father.” This person stands on one side of the room while the players stand opposite in a parallel line.

Each player take turns asking “Mother/Father, may I ____?” and makes a movement suggestion. For example, one might ask, “Mother/Father, may I take five steps forward?” The mother/father either replies “Yes, you may” or “No, you may not do that, but you may _____ instead” and inserts his/her own suggestion.

The players usually move closer to the mother/father but are sometimes led farther away. Even if the mother/father makes an unfavorable suggestion, the player must still perform it. The first player to reach the location of the mother/father wins the game. That player then becomes the mother/father, the original mother/father becomes a player, and a new round begins.

Father, we are thankful to be able to come to you for guidance. Help us to be receptive to your desires for us. Give us the courage to look beyond our ego and rely on you. Amen.

As I progress through this Christian journey, I’m learning to let God work things out. It’s tough — sometimes I feel I have to mentally barricade my ego, so I won’t get in the way. The world tells us we have all the answers within and we do, because God’s spirit is within each of us. Therefore, we need to access that power by asking God how or when to proceed. In every decision, ask God.

It’s our ego that allows us to puff up and move without God-consultation…. because “I’ feel and “I” know… When we proceed in the “I” we are not considering our God-connection and how we effect each other. Love corrects and disagrees, but does so peacefully.

As we grow spiritually, we learn that it is in surrendering we are strong in the Lord. I’m learning to consult God before responding. Believe me, as a talker, it takes practice and patience and I don’t always get it right. When I fail, I hear my mom saying, “practice makes perfect.”

It is only when we admit we don’t know everything that we learn anything.

Father, thank you for each moment of this journey for they are all learning moments. We come to you seeking more of you. Help us to recognize “ego” and put it aside. Guide us as we learn and work on living in love. Amen.

There are a lot of people who love the Lord until it requires something… a moment of discomfort or sacrifice. There is a quote I came across years ago attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson that went something like this, “You actions are speaking so loudly I can hardly hear what you are saying. So, speak to me with your actions.” I guess my mother was preparing me, because I often heard my mom say, “love is an action verb. Show me you love me by being obedient and following family rules.”

Put action behind your convictions. Don’t be afraid. If God has put it on your heart, He will provide everything you need to accomplish it. He just needs you to start the process, take a step on faith. Matthew 6:34 says, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. ” [Read Matthew 6]

Don’t chastise those down and out –correct in love, help pick them up, show them God’s love so that when they have dusted themselves off they can share how God brought someone to help them come through. God’s love just multiplies when shared. How can you help? What mission are you supposed to walk out? I’ve found that most of us don’t move forward because we fear we do not have enough — enough  love, money, mercy, kindness, faithfulness, etc… Yet, God promises to supply our every need.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your love. We ask that you help us find the confidence to walk out our convictions and be examples of your love on earth. We ask that you remove our fear of not having enough, for your storehouse runs over. Amen. 

Each experience allows us the opportunity to fine-tune our life skills. Even better, with God’s grace we have the ability to start fresh with His forgiveness. Allow yourself to remove the negativity and chaos. Strive to be a better you — not for the world, your parents, but for you. Your are a child of the King and your life represents Him. It’s not about us. It’s about each person’s own relationship with Christ. Don’t allow fear, doubt or judgement to stand in your way.

You can decide today to ring in the New Year with a clean slate. Don’t be scared….

Father, we thank you for this opportunity to share our faith. We honor each day as another chance to be a better person. Thank you for forgiveness. Keep us in the present — appreciating each new gift. Amen.

Yet, with all the anticipation and planning, could you have forgotten the most important part, the guest of honor? No need for Ipads or phones, Beats or a Wii — but please set some time aside for Him just with you. He loves and misses you and wants to be in your midst. Wonder if He’s ever been included on the Christmas party list?

Please take a deep breath and give it some thought. How many birthday parties do you give without the guest of honor? Invite Him in, you’ll be surprised… Jesus is the true gift who keeps on giving!

Father, we thank you for another Christmas season. We thank you for the birth of you son, the beginning of our redemption. Let us not forget the reasons for the season. Father, thank you for Jesus! Amen.

Satan is a liar! [John 8:44 KJV] Thank God, I am still here. Not only here, but here and able to function without the aid of the portable oxygen concentrator that was assigned to me 6 months ago! I get tired and yes, I get winded — but because of God’s grace and my surrender, I am here and I believe better than ever!

I remember elders saying it, but now I know for myself, “You don’t really know the power of God until you experience something that you know only God could have gotten you through.” It is in our weakness we learn to surrender.

It is in our trials that we must decide how to go through. We can do it kicking and screaming or we can hunker down in the word and praise God through it. I used my down time for the later, and praise God, he is maturing me through it all. [Psalms 71:20] It hasn’t been easy by far… There have been many times I’ve prayed for my unbelief and each time, I felt God comfort me and give me strength to get back up.

One of the most beautiful things about the Father to me is that He is such a gentlemen. He doesn’t force Himself on you. He gave us FREE WILL. He lovingly stands by as our suitor, waiting to be chosen.

Don’t give up! This trial is processing you for better things! This trial will give you what you need to help others. It is giving you a testimony that will encourage others to keep up their PUSH (praying until something happens).  [2 Corinthians 1: 3-4] Don’t doubt Him and don’t give up!

I know God IS still able!

Father, we thank you for loving us. We come to you seeking more of you. We ask that you forgive our doubt and give us renewed strength and hope. Renew our belief. Amen.

Sure I will get items listed on my daughter’s Christmas Wish List, but as a family, we are trying to focus on the real meaning of Christmas. I joked this week that my all red outfit gave me the chance to witness that Christmas should be every day. Shouldn’t we revere the birth of Jesus daily? I mean, He is the reason for the season, correct? [Matthew 2: 1-12 kjv] It really shouldn’t be about us getting gifts, it is His birthday. What gift have you planned for Him?

I’m not asking you to be Scrooge, but I would like to suggest you also plan on giving the birthday guy a present. I believe the best gift we can give Christ is love. Reach out and help someone, a simple kind gesture goes a long way. You can even make this part of your family celebration, each one can think of an individual way to honor Christ for his birthday or vote on a group activity.

If you try it, we would love to hear the feedback on if or how it changed your Christmas. Email us at KeciasKorner09@aol.com. Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season!

Father, we are thankful for each and every blessing. However, we ask that during this time of celebration, we remember it is because of you we celebrate. Touch our hearts so that we may be pleasing to you. Amen.