Celebrate Love

Valentine's Day is coming up this week and to be honest, I haven't stopped long enough to think of what I'm going to get my honey. It's not one of those HUGE holidays for us but we do like to celebrate it. We've been married for 13 years and were together for two years prior to that so this will be our 16th Valentine's Day together!

I'm reminded of one particular year (early in our marriage) when I thought my hubby forgot as I didn't receive anything at work all day. I even spoke to him on the phone once or twice and didn't hear a "Happy Valentine's Day" from him either. So, what can I say. I pouted when he picked me up from work. In my mind I was thinking, "He didn't even get me a card!" Of course he noticed my delightful attitude and simply said, "The day's not over yet." Well, we got home and to my surprise there sitting on our dining room table was a smorgasborg of Valetine gifts. He had given me the BIGGEST Valentine's card I think I've ever seen along with a bouquet of flowers, chocolates and a little bear!

So, you can probably guess how I felt. Yep, I was shrinking in yards by the second (and I'm not very tall!). I cried. I apologized. I smiled. My heart went from disapointment to delight in seconds. I wonder, have you ever been disappointed on a Valentine's Day? This truth is sure to bring you delight. Romans 5:5 (NLT) says,

And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Whether we have a significant other or not, or receive a bouquet of flowers or not, we are all blessed to share God's love with the people in our lives that we love and love us. So instead of focusing on what we DON'T have, let us focus on what we DO have. Whether it is something extravagant or something simple, CELEBRATE LOVE! We have much be thankful for.

The Best Card Ever!

I want to encourage all of you parents who wonder if your faith in God and your efforts to pour Christ into your children make a difference. Perhaps you feel like you're dragging your children to church or at times see them roll their eyes when you bring up God. Stand and believe God's promise in Acts 16:31 which says, "They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." (NIV)

Continue to be faithful because God's word does not return back to Him void. How do I know? Well, it was my hubby's birthday a few weeks and my oldest son Jalen who is 8 years old made him a birthday card. There was nothing fancy about the card. Just a black marker on white paper. I don't know if that's because he's a boy and not into the frilly fun stuff or more than likely, these items were just easily accessible to him. I saw him hand my hubby his homemade card and then a BIG smile came to my honey's face as he told him, "Thanks buddy. That was awesome." When I read it, I almost cried....and here's why:



This card so blessed me. I thanked God for the growing understanding my son has of who Christ is and who we are in Him. The words that we speak to him, the prayers we pray together, the support of our church's children ministry and our example are making a difference.

Maybe your kids are older or even out of the house, but God's promise is still the same. Continue to believe - be and live - your relationship with God in front of them and sow God's word in love. Your efforts will be rewarded!

Be Intentional in 2010

We are a few days into January and a new year and decade has begun. I'm not a big believer in resolutions, but I do believe in setting goals because they motivate us to work and achieve what God has placed in our hearts. Remember, dreaming without planning is simply wishing.

If you haven't set goals yet, here are some tips I share in my book "Living It Up!" to help you:

1. PRAY about what you feel God wants you to do or where He wants you to be. A simple check would be to ask yourself, “What is in my heart to do? What dream do I have for myself and my family?”
2. DECIDE what your long-term goal is first. Ask yourself, “Where do I want to be in five years? How about in two years?”
3. STRAGETIZE on how your short-term goals can help you to achieve your long-term goals. For example, if you want to do something completely different, as in a career change or go into ministry, begin to prepare yourself by going to school or volunteering in that type of ministry. Do your research and prepare.
4. WRITE DOWN your goals and place them where you can see them. Keep yourself driven toward your long-term goals and make checklists for your short-term goals. Each week I have a list of things to do that I need to get done, and the list helps keep me on track.
5. BE SPECIFIC. As you’re prayerfully writing down your short-term goals, be really specific. Don’t just hope for it, but specify something that you can measure with activity and time. For example, don’t simply write “Spend more quality time with my family.” Write “Spend one hour a day coloring, reading, or playing games with my children.”
6. SHARE these goals with one or two people who will encourage you and hold you accountable. Telling someone that you’re going to do something makes you feel more obligated to do it. Having someone ask you, “Were you able to spend the desired quality time with your children this week?” helps in keeping you focused.
7. ACT and follow through. Complacency and procrastination are the biggest enemies of you achieving your dreams. Notice that they have to do with you. Yes, there are other bullies out there that fight to keep you from your goals, but it’s mainly up to you to act and make the necessary choices to bring you closer to your goals.
8. PERSEVERE and don’t give up. Life has a way of throwing us curve balls that can distract or discourage us from our goals, but don’t stop planning and strategizing. Sometimes, they just need to be revised. Be diligent to do what God has called you to do and to be the person God has called you to be. You can. Don’t stop praying, deciding, strategizing, writing, sharing,and acting on the goals you have in mind. Proverbs 13:12 (NLT) says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.” Faithful determined pursuit breeds a sweet reward!

Be intentional to aim and accomplish. Remember, each short-term goal you accomplish is a stepping-stone bringing you closer to your long-term goals. This is your life, your dream. Dare to bring it to pass!

Happy 2010!!

Just One Gift

About a month ago my husband and I received a sheet of paper from our two sons that included their “Christmas Wish List” of about four different video games for each. I found this very helpful considering there’s a montage of games to choose from. Then about a week ago my youngest told us, “Brother and I talked and we agreed that you and daddy can get just one gift for both of us.” He proceeded to tell us the name of the one Wii game they both wanted. Then my other son said, “Yeah, so that way you’ll have more money to get other people presents.”

I confess that I was a proud mom of my two thoughtful children. However, my "Aww" soon became "Oh, oh." You see, we had already done our Christmas shopping for them and guess what? The one gift they wanted was NOT one of them! Thank God for extended family. Uncle Chris is coming through with their “just one gift” request.

This made me stop and think. Would I be content and satisfied with just one gift? If so, what would that one gift be? I don’t know about you, but I can think of at least three to four things that I’d like to have sitting under my tree or in my stocking. However, if I don’t get any of them, for this one gift I am most thankful for: JESUS.

Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

More than anything that can be bought, wrapped or bagged, I have received the best gift ever, which is my salvation in and through Christ. The peace, joy, love and strength He brings cannot be measured in dollars and cents. It is eternal and cannot be taken away. If you have received this gift, too, then REJOICE! Jesus is a gift that we can unwrap not only at Christmas, but all year long as we discover more of Him day by day.

Merry Christmas my friends!!

Wisdom from the Wilderness - Part 3

As we wrap up this series, let's review. First, we learned that we can be "led" into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit who bring us here for a reason (of testing) and for a season (in God's timing and our obedience). We should not resist the testing but rather submit to it. God is always in the business of growing us up. Secondly, like Jesus, we are to seriously seek God, hear His voice and stand on His Word through every test. Hearing the Father speak to us is the most important thing to learn in the wilderness. Next, let's see what happened after Jesus passed the testing.

Matthew 4:11 (NKJV) Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

If you've been battling the enemy and feel exhausted spiritually, physically or emotionally, be encouraged that this shall pass. After Jesus stood on God's Word and the enemy knew that He would not be moved, He left Him. Keep standing on God's Word. Speak it out in faith. Whenever you overcome a spiritual battle, there comes a time of restoration. Even Jesus needed to be ministered to by the angels.

I remind you today that God will RESTORE you. His angels are ready to minister to you so that you will be replenished inside and out. Once Jesus was renewed we see that He left the wilderness "in the power of the Spirit."

Luke 4:14-19 "Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. He went to Nazareth...on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue...And he stood up to read.."The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Once restored, Jesus moved on from the wilderness in the anointing of God to bring God's life changing truth to the poor, prisoners, blind and oppressed. It was time for the next level of ministry.

Prayer: Lord restore me from the battle. Fill me with new vigor and compassion to bring Your good news to those around and may Your anointing flow in my life greater than ever before so others may experience You. I'm ready for the next level Lord!

Top 10 Reasons Why I'm Thankful

The holiday season can either bring out the best or the worst in us. If we are stressed by the hustle and bustle of the busyness or miss a loved one who has passed on, it may not be our favorite time of the year. Then there are those of us who seem to have a spring in our step just knowing the holidays are here. Whether you’re looking forward to the coming weeks or not, I hope my “Top Ten Reasons Why I’m Thankful” list will spark an attitude of gratitude in you:

10. A tough day at work means I still have a job.
9. I live in a country where I can go to church and “worship” without fear.
8. I have a testimony which means that I have PASSED some tests!
7. Endless household chores means I have a family who I love and loves me.
6. Though I have experienced loss, I have also experienced God’s comfort and strength.
5. Each “holiday” means I have a “holy day” to celebrate a holy God.
4. The existence of trials in my life is an opportunity for me to trust God.
3. Friends who choose to be my family.
2. Family who choose to be my friends.
1. No matter what I have or don’t have, I have Jesus and in Him is all I need.

Proverbs 90:12 (NIV) says, “Lord teach us to number our days aright that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Wisdom comes from knowing each day is a gift. So choose to be wise by being thankful. You will add not only joy to your day, but days to your life!

Happy Thanksgiving my friends!

Wisdom from the Wilderness - Part 2

So we know that Jesus was "led" into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tested by the enemy. I don't think any of us like to be tested. However, it is a part of the growth process and God is always growing us up. Let's take a closer look at Jesus in the wilderness and see what wisdom we can gain from Matthew 4:2-4 (NIV):

"After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry."

Notice that Jesus fasted. He was not just praying, but intensely seeking God to the point He denied His own flesh for 40 days! A question to ask ourselves is, if we realize we are in the wilderness, how serious are we willing to seek God?

"The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."

The enemy tests Jesus' identity and submission to the Father. The enemy knew He was the Son of God (and Jesus did too), but he was trying to get Jesus to act out of His flesh and not by God's leading and timing. How often are we tempted to do just that when we're in the wilderness? We need to check our motives and heart to make sure that we are not doing things our way, but rather submitting to God's ways.

"Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

The definition in the Greek for "word" above is "rhema" which means "that which is said or spoken, an utterance." This is not just the written Word on a page, but the Word that comes to life in our spirit. It was that Word that was alive in Christ that gave Him the victory over the enemy as He said over and over, "It is written..." Jesus was basically saying that His food was to be in communication with the Father. The most important thing in our relationship with God is the ability to hear Him speak.

Pray this with me: Lord, give me a holy hunger that I will seek you more than ever before. Holy Spirit, may I hear You speak, obey Your leading and trust Your timing. Even if the process is painful, it is purposeful. Therefore, my mouth will sing Your praise!!