What If?

What if you were told you had one month to live? This prognosis would not include that you were sick in anyway, just that in one month your life would be over. This question may sound ridiculous or impossible, but I suspect that most of us would probably want to change our perspective or do something different from what we are currently doing. I believe that we ought to LIVE like this could be the case. Why do we make long range plans, when we know that tomorrow is not promised to anyone? It is necessary and Biblical to be good stewards over what God has blessed us with, but just how much we should be "saving" should be determined by the plans that you have for your future, not by the plans of others. If your desire is to retire with wealth, then you would need to save very aggressively. But be careful not to spend your entire life saving for the future while not enjoying your "now". If your desire is to provide for your family when you are gone, then by all means, buy a life insurance policy. It is really not wise to pursue "things" or wealth only to leave it all behind when you are gone. If you choose not to pursue things, then you will need to pursue something or better yet someone. I would like to suggest that you pursue the righteousness of God. As you seek righteousness, it will drive you to live peaceably with others. Read God's revelation to mankind- His word, The Holy Bible. Reading it will cause you to live in obedience to God. I found that when I decided to live in "subjection" to God it caused me to humble my-self, my plans, and my wants to God's will. I encourage you as well to lay aside your some of your plans and trust in God to make your journey through life more enjoyable and fulfilling. Try to find time to enjoy the simple things in life. There is but one advantage you and I have over a dead person--we still have hope. Where there is life, there is hope. I certainly do not look forward to death because I am too busy living. Do what I do, stop to smell flowers, look up to see the formation of clouds in the sky. I have begun to watch my husband and daughter as though I am looking into their souls. There is a difference between spending time together and actually enjoying time together. Hug, kiss or smile with those that you love and even with those that you don't because they may need it more than you know. Finally, if you need a hug, kiss or smile ask for it--most people are not mind readers. "You have not, because you ask not." I ask again, "What If" you were told that you had one month to live? What would you do differently?

Weight Loss Encouragement

Hello All:

I pray that All is well with you all. I have been very busy of late with so many things. I really wanted to be able to post every week, but as usual plans do go awry.

A little over three weeks ago, I decided to join Weight Watchers after following the advice of my doctor. She knew that I already had a good diet and exercise routine but it was only allowing me to maintain my weight. After only 3 weeks, I have lost 12pounds. I have a long way to go, but I am determined to continue until I am at healthy weight. I am sharing this with you all to encourage someone to take control of their health. Even if you are not overweight, that does not mean that you are healthy. For those of you may not have heard, in July of 2009, after my annual physical showed that I was pre-diabetic, I changed my diet. Three months later, I re-tested and my glucose levels were normal. I credit the book "Reversing Diabetes Cookbook" (can be ordered online through Amazon.com. for around $11) In this book, it advises replacing the sugar in our diet with the following: Stevia, Xylitol, Brown Rice Syrup and Agave Syrup. The writers of the book also warned against things like Splenda and other artificial sweeteners which are not natural. I also started using Steel Cut Oats (soak overnight before cooking) instead of Rolled Oats and my husband who was diagnosed with high cholesterol--saw his numbers decrease to normal levels. There are many other valuable tips and recipes in the book to attain overall good health, it is not just about reversing diabetes.

A word about Weight Watchers for anyone wanting to try it. I have been able to lose weight rapidly because I have incorporated my lessons from the cookbook into the program. WW program is not considerate to those who were "pre-diabetic", they are into weight loss. I mention this as a caution, because many of the snacks that they offer for sale contain corn syrup, sugar, dextrose and other ingredients that the cookbook states not to eat. It would make no sense for anyone to lose weight and then end up with diabetes.

I thank God for my family and friends who have encouraged me ever since I shared that I was joining WW. God bless you all--and I look forward to having all of you see the NEW me in a couple of months. Be encouraged and pray for me as I pray for you.

New Year New Possibilities???

I know many people who plan every New Year to start new projects or to make new year's resolution. If you are one of those persons, stop for a minute and meditate on how often you did so and failed. There is an old adage that says "if you keep doing the same thing the same way, you cannot expect a different result". Because I heard this some years ago, I decided never to make such declarations. I learned that it was better to purpose in my heart to DO what I can and to pray that I stay in God's will for my life.

The possibilities that we have in a new year are no different from what we have each day. We can do something that we have never done before everyday. We can live each day with purpose. Plan it and then DO it. Stop blaming others for your lack of success but remember those who have helped you if you are successful. Get busy preparing yourself if you haven't already for your next step. Life is truly a journey and preparation makes your journey much more pleasant.

Be prepared and encouraged everyday to walk, run or soar above all the issues of life and keep your focus on enjoying each day---one day at a time.

Why didn't your mother abort you?

This is the provocative question that my friend Pastor Michael Woods asked during a recent Sermon. In discerning your purpose in life, think about the grace of God that kept your mother from aborting you. We are all here for a purpose. If we consider the many experiences in our life that didn't end our lives--we would start to see that God allowed us to survive many things when others didn't. I don't believe that it was luck that allowed us to survive, because luck isn't a biblical concept. I believe in destiny. We are all destined to do something. The amount of time it takes for that "something" to come to fruition is determined by how soon we recognize our purpose. If we live each day allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our paths, then and only then can we truly say that our purpose is being lived out. God created us with "free-will" so he is not surprised when each day we rise only to ignore His will and put our will into play. How about that? What a wonderful God! I certainly appreciate that God would allows us to be ignorant by choice, but I am also thankful that He forgives that ignorance once we realize our mistakes. Hopefully as you consider what is your purpose, I pray that you will be assured, that what He has for you to do is just for you. Never try to live out anyone else's purpose. Be encouraged that God is able to help you discover and walk in your purpose. Pray today for discernment and listen for His voice, His answer, His calling..........

Proverbs 3:5-8 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding, In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight, Be not wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and turn away from evil, It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

Do You Really Want to Hear the Truth?

It has been awhile since I have written. I have been working on an ongoing project. Today I ask the question, "do you really want to hear the truth?" If you ask someone to tell you the truth, why is it when they do, you go into denial upon hearing it? Is it possible that most of us do not even ask for the truth anymore? Let's take going to the doctor for instance, if your doctor tells you the truth about health issues, do you: 1) Take it serious and make lifestyle changes immediately 2) Ignore what the doctor says, or 3) Start making excuses for why you can't or won't make changes? The truth is we must start holding ourselves accountable for the choices we make after we hear truth.

How many times have you heard what the Bible teaches and left church, Bible Study or Sunday school only to return home even more emblazoned to keep living the same way? The truth is that we grieve the Holy Spirit when we hear the truth and "exchange it for a lie" (Rom.1:25) The lives we live demonstrate to God whether or not we really trust His Word as Truth. If we live contrary to His teachings then we send a statement to God that our will for our lives is better than HIS!!

The Bible teaches that "if we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us" (1 John 1:10) We however, must never choose "to continue to sin that grace may abound".(Rom. 6:1) Lying is sin, truth is NOT sin. When we live our lives in the TRUTH of God, we choose not to surrender to the bondage of SIN. That's right, sin is bondage, it keeps us from living righteously in freedom and the opposite of that, is living unrighteously in the bondage of SIN.

If you wonder sometimes why it seems so difficult to live right, check your relationship with God. Have you fully surrendered to His leadership? Or are you still holding on to hurts and issues which do not allow you to live with contentment? It is much more fulfilling to trust Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to give you daily direction.

Be encouraged that Christ died so that all who trust in Him may live eternal and that eternal life begins while you are still here on earth. Why waste a moment of time living a lie when you can live in truth?

Greetings

Hope all of you are doing well!!

I have been extremely busy doing exciting things.

A close friend and former professor of mine Dr. Michael Woods is launching a Community Bible Study this week and I am thankful for what God is leading him to do. I plan to be there with my family this Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at the Willie Watkins Events Center to be fed the Word of God from the man of God. My prayers are with you Dr. Woods. If you are in the Atlanta area you are invited to come as well.


Have a great day everyone.

Be careful in your approach!

Yesterday, I was at my nail salon when a Caucasian male entered selling Christian children's books. I immediately took one of the books from him and asked him what ministry was he with. He answered "Activated Ministries." My nail tech who is also a personal friend and the father of three month old twins stood up to leave and I asked him to look at the books. He stated that his children were too young. The man then stated that "those people always turn away from me." I responded "wow, be careful in your speech." He then stated that he can judge them based on the scripture- "judge not that you be not judged, for what measure you judge it shall be judged unto you." (Matt 7:1-2) He also said that he had been doing this for 30 years and he always had the same experience with "those people." I stood up and pulled him aside (there were four other customers present). I told him that I was very concerned with his approach. I informed him that if in fact my nail tech was unsaved, the Bible teaches that he was condemned and therefore he had no right to judge him. However, I knew that was not the case, he was saved and if he had no interest in buying his books, that should not be seen as a rejection of Christianity. I then went on to tell him that he absolutely needed to change his approach because it was impossible for him to know the "spiritual disposition" of anyone based on their actions. I also shared that he had no idea who he was speaking to. I told him that I too was a born again Christian, and a Seminary graduate and that I did not agree with his interpretation of the Scripture. I told him that the Scripture did not give him a "right" to judge anyone. That scripture is a dire warning not to judge. Jesus will judge the living and the dead and that "right" is reserved for Him and Him alone. I also told him that the example he should follow is the pattern of Paul, he preached that Gospel and did not get discouraged or judgmental if those who heard it would not receive it. He then apologized and thanked me for "checking" him. I then asked him if I could pray for him and he said yes. When I was finished he also prayed for me. We then hugged and then stepped outside the shop. I then asked my nail tech who was standing outside (smoking) to show the man his "cross" on his chain that he wore. I then shared with the man that two years ago after admiring the marble cross for over a year that my nail tech gave me one as a Christmas gift. The cross was made in North Vietnam just for me and brought back by a family member. I also shared with him that after two failed "in-vitro" attempts by my nail tech and his wife to have a baby, that I had asked his wife (who is Buddhist) to allow me to pray over her womb that God would make the next attempt successful. She agreed and allowed me to touch her and pray. My prayer was answered and they now have fraternal twins--a boy and a girl born February 2, 2010. My family was invited to eat with his family on the celebration of the one month birthday of the twins. I was introduced to his entire family as the woman who prayed to THE God of the Bible for the birth of the babies. I was so humbled by the warm reception of his family and the abundance of food that was prepared in honor of the birth of the babies and our presence. Mr. E. Williams (the man) had tears in his eyes after I had shared all of this with him. He asked if he could call me and I told he certainly could. He apologized again and then left. I did purchase two his books (one as a gift to the twins-"Jesus and Me"--one for my daughter "Dino's Tales" six stories on courtesy, obedience, healthy habits, manners, and forgiveness.)

First, I hope that in my sharing this incident with you that it is apparent how God moved in this situation. Be careful in your approach! Whether it is your daily living or an attempt to share Christ through the selling of Christian books, we must be careful in how we approach others. Second, I am thankful that the Holy Spirit had me in the right place at the right time to be used to show this one servant that after 30years, he still needed to be careful in his approach. Finally, never mis-use Scripture to justify anything that you do. Be careful in your approach!!!

Be Blessed.