Man tends to treat all his opinions as principles. ~Herbert Agar

He does not believe who does not live according to his belief. ~Thomas Fuller

What matters is not the idea a man holds, but the depth at which he holds it. ~Ezra Pound

Happy Passover my dear FB friends........

God Promise # 1

God has made promises to us which many of us do not cash in on. Most of us do not know or understand his promises; therefore, we live defeated lives. We are depressed, anxious and afraid and continually speak negativity. These negative words bring upon our lives curses rather than blessings. We must speak life and ‘life’ is in God’s promises.

God wants us to live joyous and abundant lives. We are his children. This is no catch phrase this is a fact! And since we are his children what good father does a) not love his children and b) do absolutely anything for them? Well that’s our Father God who has made promises to us which he has every intention to keep. It’s up to us to follow through on what is required in order for us to obtain that promise.

He has seven promises which he has made to us and I will depict one at a time and will explain each thoroughly. God promised us in Romans 8:28 “all things work together for good to those who love and serve Him faithfully” In other words when are in the midst an adverse or painful situation and it appears that there cannot possibly be any good coming from this, we can trust that this negative will be incorporated into good.

So often we go through adversities in our lives not fully understanding why we are in the midst of this. Why this is happening to us! If we look for the promise that backs up our situation it is so much easier to go through this situation. When I have been thrust into the middle of my horrific circumstance and see that there is no human way out, I run to my word where God has a clear and specific promise for me. And that is what I hang on to through the process.

What better promise is there than ‘all of this nightmare will somehow work together for a greater purpose’? Someday I will look back and this nightmare of a circumstance will not only be a memory but I will see that, had I not gone through this I would never received God’s gift. I use is this metaphor … ‘Our lives are like quilts beautiful when viewed from a distance. All the pain from the needle pricks in the end are worth it, to behold the beauty of that quilt” Our lives struggles are difficult and God understands that. But as only God can do, He will make beauty out of ashes and reward us for each struggle. Hang on to his promises…all of these seemingly horrific circumstances God will stitch into good and to catapult you to where he wants to take you. This will always place of perfect peace in Him….

Generally the theories we believe we call facts, and the facts we disbelieve we call theories. ~Felix Cohen

Understanding Whether or Not You Are a Leader - Understanding whether or not you are a leader is important in knowi... http://ow.ly/16TfRb

What matters is not the idea a man holds, but the depth at which he holds it. ~Ezra Pound

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss

Originality is... a by-product of sincerity. ~Marianne Moore

Wherever you go, go with all your heart. ~Confucius

How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone. ~Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. ~Judy Garland

Trust only movement. Life happens at the level of events, not of words. Trust movement. ~Alfred Adler

I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts. ~John Locke

The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core of strength within you that survives all hurt. ~Max Lerner

Wisdom

I have been on this quest for wisdom. And wisdom comes from only one place and that’s God. After acquiring several degrees and on the journey towards more knowledge I have learned that this in no way ensures wisdom. There is a clear and distinct difference between the two. Knowledge is the gathering of specific information and the confident understanding of a specific subject. Wisdom, however, is the ability to discern truth, deeper insight, good judgment, wide outlook and the ability to make sound decisions and judgments. With wisdom you have knowledge but it does not necessarily work vis versa.

Wisdom is something typically attributed to the elderly. It not necessarily true there are many an elderly who have made a host of bad decisions and have very poor judgment. This is sad but true. Yet, there a young adults – adults that have that keen sense of understanding, make clear and sound decisions and do not rush to judgment. That is wisdom.

In my pursuit for wisdom I, of course, have been on a mission to seek out a deeper understanding. I want to full capture what wisdom is and how to obtain it to its maximum. Seeking to do all I do with precision and excellence I sought out how to find this precious stone called wisdom. Well this I soon learned comes from God only he gives it and the only way to obtain it is to ask!

I have learned that Solomon who was the wisest man who ever lived asked God for wisdom. And because he asked God for wisdom God gave him an impeccable sense of discernment. He had wisdom beyond anything imaginable. Well, to the point that to date no one has compared to his wisdom and knowledge. As a result, he became a well read and a knowledgeable man with incredible wealth. This does not mean that he possessed all knowledge. This does, however, mean that he had a supernatural sense for choosing the brilliant people he would surround himself with. That’s what I need!

I am continually asking God for wisdom and discernment. In all my endeavors I want wisdom. I can obtain all of the knowledge but even with my educational training I am limited and I need wisdom/discernment to carry me through. I need to know who to connect with and who to avoid what are the best decisions for my life. I will revisit this topic at a later date but wisdom is my daily plea to God these days. I need it and I need it desperately I cannot expect any success in my life without His amazing wisdom.

Man performs and engenders so much more than he can or should have to bear. That's how he finds that he can bear anything. ~William Faulkner

Turn your wounds into wisdom. ~Oprah Winfrey

We turn to God for help when our foundations are shaking, only to learn that it is God who is shaking them. ~Charles C. West

The Benefits of Relationship

Sometimes it is hard for us to understand that God cares for our every need and desire. This is especially true when we are in the midst of a difficult situation. I may be financial, sickness, divorce, a difficult time with your children, hard time with your boss a tough economy the possibilities are endless. We need to understand that God is our Father and his desire is to give us all that he has, and he has it all! Everything belongs to him. So, we would ask why am I in this negative situation. We do not realize that in order for us to benefit from all he has we have to be in relationship with him. When we are in relationship with someone we have the opportunity to benefit from all that they have. This can mean that if they have a beautiful home with a pool, great connections, job opportunities or money because we have a relationship with them we benefit. Many of us go to church are religious but we have ‘no’ relationship with the God of that church and/or religion, therefore, we do not benefit from all that is his and all that he has which is everything.

God our father wants to speak to us he wants to lead us he wants to bring us to all that he has but he wants us to be in relationship with him. This is clear in the 23rd Psalm. Let’s review it: If you are in relationship with him you can say as David “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want”. Your circumstances may threaten that you will have needs and wants but I can assure you from firsthand experience all of your needs will be met in ways and from places you never imagined. So if you are in a situation which is not pleasant you can rely on the fact that he is leading you “through” this. If you are in relationship with him “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters” in spite of your circumstances you have a calm peace because your assurance is in him and not in your circumstances. When you are spent “he restores my soul” when we lose our focus and allow the circumstances to consume us he repairs our emotional health.

God leads our steps all the way to the ultimate destination “He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake” every step we take if he is leading is bringing us to the place where God alone will get the glory because you could never have gotten there on your own. There are times when you don’t understand your situation or how you ever got there but you can know this “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Knowing that he is there oftentimes is our only comfort. But when we come through this we know that he will reward us for our suffering “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” He will restore you to over flowing, his anointing will be on you and you will be sitting in an astonishing place where all will watch and marvel.

Because he is such an awesome God and does not tire of lavishing us with his blessings he gives us this bonus “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD” he caps it off with living in his presence his “dwelling” in him forever. The benefit of being in relationship with him trumps any religious experience or awesome church. Relationship with God brings with it so many benefits that to be without is the ultimate impoverishment.

You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you. ~Walt Disney

Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn't people feel as free to delight in whatever remains to them? ~Rose F. Kennedy

If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere. ~Frank A. Clark

Do you listen?

It’s been a few days since I’ve blogged. I have been really busy and somewhat overwhelmed. I have been in the process of reconstructing and expanding my business. This is a very daunting task especially since this is the first time I take on such an enormous endeavor. So this has been my week as I proceeded, and to my surprise, have made monumental strides. I continually hear a voice telling me “are you mad? Do you really think that you can take on such an endeavor?” and “ok so you did that portion of the business plan with no problem, BUT, the next step you won’t be able to take without incident”. At times this can even paralyze an individual.
I forge ahead taking steps of faith. I take on the task one step at a time, slowly, carefully and steady. Each step I take has had very positive outcomes, yet, for the first time in years I awaken to some bizarre nightmare. I awaken at two or three in the morning shaken and nervous. Then suddenly I start the battle of the mind “Are you sure you can do this? At any time you will be stuck and who will you turn to? You are in this alone.” This negative voice is not the only one I hear I also hear the voice of my awesome Father God who talks to me through devotionals, the word and his peace. He tells me “Fear not for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am your God, yes, I will help you I will uphold you with my righteous hand” Isaiah 41:10
It’s about tuning your ear to God’s voice. He speaks to us continually, but oftentimes, with all of the noise in our heads and our efforts to sort things out we don’t hear him. This is why it is so important to listen for his voice. He speaks to us through a variety of ways, scriptures, a friend, a sermon, a song or life circumstances. He uses any means to communicate with us. He wants to speak, lead and direct us to our desires and dreams. He wants to communicate with the heart that longs to listen to him. His promise to us is “Your ears will hear a voice saying, this is the way, walk in it” Isaiah 30:21. Listen to his voice this will appease your anxieties, apprehensions and ease the struggle in your journey.

Sometimes the littlest things in life are the hardest to take. You can sit on a mountain more comfortably than on a tack. ~Author Unknown

I ask not for a lighter burden, but for broader shoulders. ~Jewish Proverb

A bend in the road is not the end of the road... unless you fail to make the turn. ~Author Unknown

If you're going through hell, keep going. ~Winston Churchill

Every evening I turn my worries over to God. He's going to be up all night anyway. ~Mary C. Crowley

Any fool can count the seeds in an apple. Only God can count all the apples in one seed. ~Robert H. Schuller

Chase down your passion like it's the last bus of the night. ~Terri Guillemets

We welcome passion, for the mind is briefly let off duty. ~ Mignon McLaughlin

Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome ~Samuel Johnson

Maintaining Ethical Business Practices - In a society is advocating for “every man for him” maintaining ethical bus... http://ow.ly/16OsVS

What's Your Name Worth?

Today I wrote an article for my business blog. I focused on integrity in business. Integrity and uprightness is becoming a thing of the past. People no longer believe that this is paramount in their daily interactions. We must have high ethical standards in all we say and do. A person who has honor will always be respected and will succeed. This may mean in many instances that you will have to take the long road or you will not do things that your co-workers are doing because of its lack of integrity.

Oftentimes your forthrightness, honesty, honorableness, incorruptibility, principle, and sincerity may not be fashionable. It may make you feel like you look foolish or that you are doing more or taking the long road in doing the right thing but for this God will reward you. How often have I helped someone and gone the extra mile. And when I have been asked to speak a lie against a peer I have refused. My lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will utter no deceit ~ Job 27:4. I have learned to live by this scripture and it has NOT gained me fame with friends, co-workers and supervisors. But you cannot look for people to reward you but God is the one who is looking at your honorability and He will reward you openly.

The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out ~ Proverbs 10:9. Knowing this makes it all worthwhile when you are not getting the pats on the back and accolades from others.

If a man hasn't discovered something that he will die for he is not fit to live ~ Martin Luther King

It is impossible to win the race unless you venture to run; impossible to win the victory unless you dare to battle ~Richard Devos

Faith is a living daring confidence in God's grace so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times ~Martin Luther

Having Proper Self Image

All the gurus are continually speaking about having positive self esteem. Self-help and building one’s self image books have their own section in bookstores. You read about thinking and speaking positive and how this develops in you a positive self image. My response to that….NOT! Yet to date people suffer from poor self identity.

There are no guidelines or books to help us construct a well balanced self image, hence, in the quest we suffer. We go the extremes. Narcissism and low self esteem are polar opposites and neither delineates who we truly are. And naturally we are driven to either side of the continuum. Even at that we put all of our energy on our strengths and don’t make an effort to work on our weaknesses. So how do we find the balance?

Most have no idea that in fact there is a blueprint. We are spiritual beings who need to tap into the creator for the ultimate understanding of who we are and clarity of our assignment in the universe. Yes, we each have an assignment. As spiritual beings we have the power to do anything we set out to do. It is not necessarily all positive however, we need to have a healthy balance to reach our full potential. Understanding what a healthy self image is the premium balance.

The key is not a good self image but a proper self image. Knowing our place and mission in the universe pursuing it and becoming successful. All the positive talk can lead an individual to narcissism and self absorption and will still not formulate the ultimate self image. Aligning perception of your self image with God’s brings you to understanding who you truly are and what you can do. Then you can speak whatever you desire and you will prosper. As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he ~ Proverbs 4:23

For God hath not given us the spirt of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind ~2 Timothy 1:7

For with God nothing shall be impossible ~ Luke 1:37

I like the dreams of the future better than the dreams of the past ~ Thomas Jefferson

As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he ~ Prov 4:23

I will lift up my eyes onto the hills from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heave and earth Ps121:1-2

The greatest discovery of m generation is that you can change your circumstances by changing your attitudes of mind ~ William James

High Maintainence Relationships...

I discovered how to find the ultimate low maintenance relationship. Take a listen........

Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside them was superior to circumstances- B Barton

Confidence

Being confident in this that he which began a good work in you will carry it to completion… Phil 1:6. Well the last couple of days I really needed to repeat this to me several dozen times. I have had very overwhelming assignments that instead of my taking it in bite sizes I want to tackle all at once. This type ‘A’ personality has its benefits but is also has great draw backs. When I find the responsibility is too huge to take on or that I cannot take it on I become anxious and upset. So I have had to learn to run to the word and bring myself down from the insanity.
So after much research and making myself sick I went to the word. And began to concentrate on each word of this verse…being confident…I have to build my confidence I cannot allow this assignment to take over my emotions and make me anxious. Then I go to the next part…that he which began a good work…so this means that what I am stressing about is something that is not even my ‘job’ because he began this work. And lastly, is able to carry it to completion…phenomenal which means I don’t even have to carry this burden. He started it he will complete it all I have to do is be confident and know that he will. Aaaaaaah, what peace!
Life can get very overwhelming! If we allow it, it will consume us. Especially when you have a strong will and a go getter personality, this is when you battle most with your inabilities verses God’s ability. Just to rest! Just to trust that he will take care of it all and all of the fuss I make is wasted energy that will leave me emotionally depleted. And in the end I will have to relinquish it to him any how so why not do it from the onset.

There is an eagle in me that wants to soar, and there is a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud ~ Carl Sandburg

Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome ~Samuel Johnson



Ronaldo(Ronaldinho) Assis Moreira

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are ~ Theodore Roosevelt

If your dream is BIGGER than what you have in your hand, you have to sow a seed in order to reap that harvest. ~ Mike Murdock

Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome. ~ Samuel Johnson

The fellow who does things that count, doesn't usually stop to count them. ~ Source Unknown

For what is the best choice, for each individual is the highest it is possible for him to achieve. ~ Aristotle

Never Compete, Never Compare, and Never Complain

Never Compete: Let me begin with competing. Oftentimes, we see others succeed and we want to mimic what they are doing but we do in a competitive manner. We become competitive even if it is nonverbal and subconscious. The only person you should compete with is with you. We should continually strive to do whatever we do better.

Never Compare: Do not compare yourself, your skills, and your accomplishments to anyone else. Come to terms with the fact that you can do anything you strive towards. Comparing yourself with others is a disservice to you because there is always someone who does things better than you. Learn from them rather than compare yourself to them.

Never Complain: Life brings many adversities this is a given. How you react to those adversities is what brings you to the ultimate success. Learning to be grateful amidst your adversities and finding a positive elevates you above your circumstances. Complaining only paralyzes you and keeps you from arriving to your ultimate destiny.

d JBCollinet Thx for the RT

Seed faith is: Sowing What You Have Been Given To Create Something You Do Not Have ~ Mike Murdock

RT @zakaraya: "Bad things are not the worst things that can happen to us. 'Nothing' is the worst thing that can happen to us! "
Richard Bach

Never Compete, Never Compare, Never Complain......

Don't Leap Before You Think....

Have you ever had a stressful situation hit you all of a sudden and you panicked? This happen when you want to take a situation that you have absolutely NO control over and you want to figure it out and handle it. Can you come up with at least several really good ideas? I am sure you can. I know I certainly can. But are any of these “great ideas” really all that great?

Today was one of those days for me. I came across a real plight today, something that I had absolutely no control over. I became sick to my stomach. I was anxious and immediately got a headache. My head was swirling with things I should do, ideas that would possibly get me out of what I perceive to be a horrific situation. The panic and anxiety alone were enough to give me heart failure, but the brain can actually bring me to a paralyzing state. Then all of a sudden I thought I had several GREAT ideas. I could not jump on them fast enough.

Then I realized I did not go to the main source…. God. Did I even ask him what he thought? Did I for at least one second put him on my list of ideas? Did I ever even consider that he would be the only one that can really take care of this situation? No! No I did not. And now I sit here wondering if what I did and what I jumped into is even reasonable. Like a kid who makes a grave mistake then goes to his parents to clean up the mess. Now I am coming to him and asking him to clean up my mess.

Isn’t this what Sara did when she panicked about her inability to give Abraham the son God promised her? She went into panic mode and gave him her maid servant Hagar. She regretted that move every day of her life. And now I sit here wondering if I will do the same. Oh Lord I need you every second of the day. Help me not to leap before I think! Prov. 11:14 “There is safety in a multitude of counselors” teach me to get counsel before I do anything, but not before I come to you Oh Father.

There is nothing to make you like other human beings so much as doing things for them. ~Zora Neal Hurston

You May Be One Person To The World But You May Be The World To One Person. ~vAnonymous .

It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome. ~ William James

A Uncommon Dream Will Require An Uncommon Mentor ~ Mike Murdock

Harmony and Love

Today was a busy but awesome day. I did some chores in the morning then early afternoon I went to my sister’s to celebrate my niece’s 7th birthday. We enjoyed all the festivities. But on my way home I reflected on how blessed I am. Do you know I actually love and enjoy my family? I would have chosen each one of them had I had that option. Each sister, cousin, aunt and uncle, parents would have been my exact choice. When we are together we are completely in sync.

Our sense of humor our conversation what we enjoy is all in accord. Like how does that happen? Our family truly has a special bond. We are close, we may not see each other every week oftentimes, not even every month, but when we are together it is as if there is no lapse in time. We are best friends, have great times, plenty of laughter, a lots of love.


Several years ago we had a huge family reunion. My sisters and I did most of the preparation of the reunion and in the process we prepared a booklet with a lot of details about the family. We had a genealogy with a detailed family tree, pictures of the great grand’s; it was loaded with hefty amounts of history. But in this information I also added this thought… my great great grandmother left a generational blessing on her family…much like a pebble that is thrown in a lake that has a ripple effect for miles ahead. My great great grandmother left the lineage of love for her children and grand children, harmony between her children and grand children, and her greatest inheritance - her relationship with her God. This ripple effect has gone from generation to generation. This is witness in our family gatherings big or small. Lots of love, very harmonious, lots of laughter and a strong sense of the God that has bound us together.

Easy Does It

I am a relentless “To Do” list kind of person. I write lists for everything and I check things off I highlight the important things….borderline OCD. By the same token I can be a workaholic. To some this may even be something to be proud of but I really dislike this about me. I can easily drive myself crazy with the details and getting everything on that list done. It is an awesome organizational skill but when it goes over the top it’s overdone. I have been trying to balance working and resting. But it has just been another thing on the list…and when I do take a break I am so exhausted I fall out.

Many American’s live this same identical way and this is not necessarily a good thing. So how does a driven person get things without it costing them their health, relationships and their sanity? I was directed to Genesis 1 earlier this week. I was a bit resistant to read it because I continued to tell myself I already know that story after all I have heard it since I was 3 in Sunday school, at home and in sermons. But as an act of obedience to where God was leading me I read it. And I read verse after verse at about verse 6 I started seeing the pattern. The creator of the universe did one thing and rested the next day did another thing and rested. And he clarified to me if I accomplished one thing a day and rested why don’t you do the same. No matter how hard you work you won’t be creating a universe at the end of your week. So I have had to learn the skill of doing what I can in a day and resting. You can get it all done, one thing at a time easy does it.

I find that with this nugget of wisdom I am getting a lot more done. I do a bit and I rest the next day I do more and I rest....as a result I have had a very productive week. What an awesome feeling to produce....oh and all the things on list, DONE!