I’d love some feedback on whether you think it made a difference. Look forward to hearing from you. Remember, Pray Before You Say.

About 15 years ago, my sister teasingly began calling me Wonder Woman, as I married, got pregnant and built a home. Later, my husband bought me a Wonder Woman bobble-head. I am NOT Wonder Woman, but I know that when God has a plan it often seems impossible to the normal eye. When God is in it, He sells and builds without blinking. When God is in it, you can sit back and relax knowing He is the WONDER with all the answers. No, I am no Wonder Woman, but I am a woman who serves a wonderful God!

Heavenly Father, we thank you and are in awe of your wonder. We seek you more as we realize our limitations or shortcomings. May we grow to truly understand that you carry us when we are weak. Amen.

You see, once you know God has brought you through, it builds up you confidence even more. A wise Believer takes their down-time and uses it as a time to rebuild or restore — knowing they come out of the storm better than before.

Don’t let your down-time get you down. Use your time wisely by preparing for your breakthrough. As the old-timers used to sing, troubles don’t last always.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the down-time. We ask that you help us manage it properly so we may stay on course. Show us how to bring others closer to you through our walk. Amen.

We believe this move is of God; therefore, we firmly believe God will provide ALL we need. The house has been on the market for perhaps a month, and I must admit it can be annoying leaving during showings and the open houses. I’ve had friends and family tell me how they believe burying a Saint Joseph statue in their yard helped them sale their homes. As people continued to give me this advice, I admit I had to evaluate how I felt about it.

I decided, I don’t know Joe, but I know Jesus. I mean no disrepect to my Catholic friends, but imagine someone coming to you who you have never heard from expecting a favor. Truth is Joe wouldn’t know me from Adam; however, I have a constant relationship with Jesus Christ. In my heart, I cannot rely on Saint Joseph — I have to rely on who I know. For I have been taught that I may ask anything of my Father. [Matthew 7:7-8]

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7: 22-23

Heavenly Father, I am thankful that I know you and realize I can talk to you and you hear and know me. Seeking to be patient knowing you are in control and provide for those who believe. Amen.

After surviving any tragic event or illness, many find themselves evaluating the quality of their lives and perhaps faith. I’ve found that I’ve personally experienced the most spiritual growth when I was my weakest physically. I’ve always been a spiritual person, but the quiet time that illness forced upon me allowed me an opportunity to build a better relationship with the Father. There are times now when I get discouraged because I’m not 100% and I hear the Father clearly say, “Are you serious? Surely, you haven’t forgotten how far you’ve come.” Then I straighten my back and go in peace.

It’s those time when fear or doubt sets in that I have to be reminded of how great our God really is. Through ICU, medical retirement, and adjusting to living with a chronic illness — God has provided and carried me and my family in ways words cannot express. When I begin to throw a pity party or get discouraged, I’m reminded of the spinal surgeon being amazed I was still walking! I get tired and winded, but praise God, I’m still here and better than they thought. When I hear a discouraging report, I take it to God and ask for his report. [Isaiah 53:1]

He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.–1 Peter 2:24

No matter your situation, God can heal you. It takes faith and boldness and God has deposited all that in each of us. Sometimes we do not allow ourselves to rely on the gifts of our Father. Don’t give up, seek Him even more. He is the ONLY answer.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the peace we find in you. We ask that you reveal to us how to tap into that peace as chaos surrounds us. We seek to bring peace with our presence. Guide us and keep us. Amen.

Later, I learned to stop and pray before making decisions, even shopping. Most times, I consult with God before going to shop, often asking which mall or store to shop in. If I’m a minute or so late on responding to something you said, chances are I used that time for a quick prayer. The more you seek Him, the more you want to make sure you are in proper alignment. That takes studying, prayer and a relationship. Once you learn to acknowledge and bask in his love, through remembering Him and His love, you will learn to walk in love.

As a child, I was taught the importance of treating others the way you wanted to be treated and I believe that’s a great way to begin. If you want folks to listen, start listening. If you need a hug, start giving out hugs. If you wants folks to be pleasant, bring your pleasant spirit around.

“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT

Heavenly Father, we thank you for each blessing, those seen and unseen. We seek more of you as we walk this journey. Help us to stop and see you through our daily living — a flowers bloom or birds serenade. Help us to be aware so we may appreciate the little things. Amen.

Whether you are a Christian or not, most of us don’t question the fact that spring always follows winter. It doesn’t matter how cold the winter, we know the bold colors of spring will return. With the return of warmer weather, we expect nature to celebrate by allowing the flowers to bloom, birds to sing, and bees to fly. Like spring, Easter is not a time to mourn, but a time of rejoicing. Our heavenly Father loves us so much that HE gave HIS only Son as a sacrifice to save us. Even though HE knows our innermost secrets, HE still found us worthy of saving – that’s something to celebrate. No matter what you’ve experienced on this life journey, the death and resurrection of Christ should give you hope.

Storms will come, but with Christ you have a contingency plan — prayer. You don’t have feel hopeless. If you choose, there is always the hope of your resurrection which can only come through knowing the Savior. Remember, HE is a gentleman and HE will not force himself upon you.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20

Heavenly Father, I thank you for your son, Jesus. Your sacrifice is a constant reminder of hope and the fact that we too can be reborn if we so choose. Father, we are not nearly what we should be, but we are so thankful we are learning and trying to get this thing right. As we face adversity, may we be comforted in knowing that although the process may be painful, according to your word and promise, you win in the end. We are blessed to know that when we slip, if we reach out to you, you will help us back up. Let us learn to love each other as you love us. Let us rejoice and share the good news! Thank you, Father for being with us through the good, bad, and ugly. Amen.

As the mom of a middle-schooler, I see how innocently our youth grab their hoodies, because they’re convenient temporarily for most weather conditions. As a teen, I collected sweatshirts of various colleges. Today’s trend is the hoodie. Heck, I too own a hoodie or two.

I know too well what it is like to be a minority. When my bonus-son moved in with us, we were amazed by the number of “suspicious person notices” we received. We have been stopped while driving while black and I cannot forget driving while black with a new vehicle. Yet when I cry for Trayvon, it is not because he is black. It is because he was a teen, like the teen I birthed and the many I love and mentor.

I cry for an America which often only sees in color. I cry for each child who walks through their neighborhood in fear. I pray for a world which seems to embrace fear-based tactics. I pray for us all. We all are Trayvon.

Father, help us to look beyond appearances. Convict us to be better Believers, learning to live in love. May we make conscious efforts to increase our love muscles. God forgive us for our fallen moments.  Amen.

I’ve found this past year that I’ve relied heavily prayer and learning to lean on God’s promises. It takes practice to walk in faith and light and even the best of us don’t always get it right. It is human nature to disbelieve what we cannot see. Yet when we submit to God, we are commanded to BELIEVE and walk in faith. In my daily study, I was looking at the word confession and what negative images the world has given this word. If you are candid, you might say the word brings up images of one telling all the bad things they have done.

Let’s take this word back and give it back it’s Godly meaning!

Open confession is good for the soul, is an old Scottish proverb, not a Bible verse. Yet, there are many examples in the Bible to back up the significance of the quote.  Confession of the mouth and belief in the heart is what it takes to be saved and enter the kingdom. [Romans 10:9] Confession is to speak God’s word as truth; affirmations of his promises. When I say, I know the Lord loves me, that is a confession. It is spoken to help me be reassured of God’s promises and to share them. I read somewhere that David made a confession before slaughtering Goliath. While running toward the giant, he confessed, “This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands…” [1 Samuel 17:46]

Affirmations didn’t begin with new age, the Bible gives us an abundance of promises. Don’t face your fears alone. Use your tools, affirmations of Gods promises. Practice speaking as God would have you speak. You can rely on Him, start today and don’t give up. It takes practice to learn to use our words to heal and remove obstacles.

As BELIEVERS we are to walk boldly knowing God will provide all our needs. Confession is indeed good for the soul; it is reassuring to our spirit and there is power in God’s word.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your promises. Knowing that you will never leave or forsake us. Thank you for the comfort of your word. Help us to see the beauty of confession. May your deeds forever be on our tongues. Amen.

Just when he tries to make me doubt or fear, remembering you are not the author of confusion helps me remember to tell him to back up off me.

Remembering our relationship and how you love me regardless, gives me the strength to stand up to him and let him know I KNOW my Father will work it out to my good.

Remembering who I am to you, gives me the courage to get up and dust myself off when I’ve fallen off course.

Submitting to your love, allows me to release myself of past pains or disappoints knowing that all things work together for my good.

Walking in your light, compels me to share your goodness with others in hope they’ll want to know more about you.

Transforming in your love, allows me to open up to loving others in hope that they will see you in me which inspiraes me to begin each new day.

Thank you, for each hectic moment which demands I seek you even more.

Just one of those days…