A RAWC Star Romance
Love is in the air!!! As evidenced by the influx of wedding related articles, posts and updates in the media including Facebook and Twitter, it is definitely a popular season to walk down the aisle! There’s something refreshing about a summer romance that is simply intriguing to the heart strings. Walks along the beach, sharing an ice cream sundae, holding hands at a family barbeque are just a few tell tale observations of the prelude to a summer romance! But before you begin to think that I’m on the verge of writing the next best selling romance novel, let me reel you back in! LOL But let’s first ponder for a moment. You meet someone you are fond of and as you spend more time learning, discovering and growing with one another your attraction towards them deepens beyond external and physical factors and before you can blink, click your heels three times, you’re falling in love. You’re communicating with this person every chance you get via phone, text, IM, Facebook, Twitter (you get the idea!) Not only are you falling in love but you are falling pretty hard, fast and feverishly. Chances are your primary concern is that the object of your relentless desire feels at least remotely close to the same way about you. Can anybody out there in the “blogosphere” relate? Unfortunately many of us have also experienced the devastation of the abrupt yet inevitable end of what would be called the “classic perfect romance”. While there may be a handful of blessed few who are still basking in the glow from that initial “summer romance” chances are, if you’re reading this you are in the large majority who has partaken of that bumpy roller coaster ride of a temporary romance at least one time in your life. But here is a thought…What if you fell in love and that love lasted forever and ever? What if the romance never goes stale (I mean providing you put in the time, effort and communication to cultivate that relationship?) What if you knew that your heart was 100% safe at all times and that you would never be betrayed, forsaken, abused, disrespected or defiled but rather loved unconditionally and fervently as your every need was provided and even your heart’s desires were met. This type of “romance” might sound unrealistic to most but this love truly does exist and I am happy to reveal that I am falling in love right now…with Jesus. The thing is that I fell in love with Him several years ago, committing my life to Him, serving Him unconditionally. It was a “summer romance” indeed as it occurred during the month of August. The natural relationship that I was involved in (engagement to my former fiancé) had completely dissolved, I had been physically ill for several years with no clear diagnosis and to top things off my grandmother had passed on August 6th of that year. I must admit, I was clearly vulnerable but I allowed myself to fall, I needed to fall…deeply in love with the one person I knew I could trust with my whole heart. Over time, I must admit that the romance seemed to fade but during those times I can’t honestly say that I put in the time, the effort or the communication with Him that would cultivate that guaranteed security that He promised me. He’s never once gone back on His promises and neither have His words returned to Him void (Isaiah 55:11.) He basically places the responsibility in my hands to ensure that we keep our romance fresh, exciting, and refreshing by staying in constant communication with Him. He’s a great encourager and lifter up of my head when I hang my head down low (Psalm 3:3). When the issues of life try to overtake me, He always gives me a “Word” that somehow fills my spirit with the confidence of knowing that He is with me and will not leave me no matter how hot the fire, deep the waters, heavy the burdens (Isaiah 43:2 and Hebrews 13:5.) He loads me daily with benefits (Psalm 68:19)… even better than a 401k plan! Sometimes He even gets a bit jealous and says I spend too much time on Facebook and Twitter! LOL But you know when I make the required sacrifice to devote to Him, He never disappoints!! Sounds like a fairytale romance doesn’t it? Isn’t it time you had the ultimate romance? Falling in love with Jesus is the best thing I’ve ever done…
Joy & Blessings!!!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Encourage Yourself
Hello RAWC Stars!!! It’s always good to have someone who you can talk to when you’re “going thru”. It’s a blessing to have that special person who will say “you can do it” or “don’t give up!” But there comes a time (or times) in everyone’s life when one must stand alone. Your best friend may be preoccupied with wedding plans/new baby, your Pastor/Priest may be away on a much deserved vacation and your mother may live too far away for you to have that personal one to one conversation. Even the dog may be too preoccupied with burying bones to listen to you babble on about the issues of life. Times like this require us to go inside of ourselves and pull out that inner strength that indwells us, tap into that “power” and even bring to remembrance some of those words of wisdom imparted into us from our loved ones, spiritual leaders and mentors. Sometimes you just have to encourage yourself! The other night I got the most wonderful treat and was blessed to hear Ms. Sheri Jones-Moffett sing live (and I do mean SING) as she ministered one of my favorite songs entitled “Encourage Yourself”. This song is a reality check as much as it is an encouragement because when you think about what it is that motivates, inspires, encourages, draws out, cleanses, relates, empowers and presses us to move forward, it mostly comes from something internal as opposed to external. The greatest tool that we have is on the inside of us. The power of God is available to all who believe and it’s not found in your bank account, in your degrees, social status and it’s not on Facebook, Twitter or MySpace. In fact at the very moment you need it the most, it comes from the source that is often looked to the least. We underestimate our own strength but one of my favorite scriptures in the bible comes from II Corinthians 12:9 which is God gently reminding us that “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." So even at my very weakest moments, I am still encouraged because I am not only resting in the arms and wings of the Almighty but I am tapping into my ultimate source of strength right on the inside of me! Can I get a “Hallelujah”!
So with that said I want to give you all some encouragement today and some scriptures that will breathe life into your dead situations as you rise up and encourage yourself on THIS day that the Lord has made. Speak life and not death into your situation when you’re going through troubled times.
1. I am the head and not the tail. I am above and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13)
2. I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)
3. I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)
4. I am more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37)
5. No weapon formed against me shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17)
6. Greater is He that is within me than he that is in the world (I John 4:4)
7. The joy of the Lord is my strength (Nehemiah 8:10)
8. If God is for me who can be against me? (Romans 8:31)
Speak life and not death into your situation when you’re going through some troubled times. Stop negating your entire world by speaking "death." Let’s rid ourselves of phrases like “if it’s not one thing it’s another” and “nothing is going to ever change." Always remember that we serve a God who is very resourceful and has all power and might in His hands. Just knowing that He’ll never leave me nor forsake me gives me that extra boost of reassurance (like the hymn ‘Blessed Assurance’!) When I have dealt with financial struggles in the past, I would always go back to Psalm 23 which begins with “the Lord is my Shepard, I shall not want”. In times of illness I proclaim that by His stripes I am healed. When I think about His faithfulness I realize how true His word becomes as soon as I apply it. Sometimes you have to talk it out, or even walk it out but don’t give up or give in. Believers go through adversity and hard times just like everyone else. We are not exempt. But the difference is that when the storms of life hit us hard, we have an advocate through Jesus Christ who is interceding on our behalf to our Heavenly Father. Most importantly we have the power to overcome and land in victory! When I think about all of this, I can’t help but be encouraged so if you are in need of a little “pick me up” today… know that all of your dreams, hopes, prayers, and desires lie within YOU. Encourage yourself! (Sing Sheri!!!)
Joy & Blessings!
So with that said I want to give you all some encouragement today and some scriptures that will breathe life into your dead situations as you rise up and encourage yourself on THIS day that the Lord has made. Speak life and not death into your situation when you’re going through troubled times.
1. I am the head and not the tail. I am above and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13)
2. I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)
3. I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)
4. I am more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37)
5. No weapon formed against me shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17)
6. Greater is He that is within me than he that is in the world (I John 4:4)
7. The joy of the Lord is my strength (Nehemiah 8:10)
8. If God is for me who can be against me? (Romans 8:31)
Speak life and not death into your situation when you’re going through some troubled times. Stop negating your entire world by speaking "death." Let’s rid ourselves of phrases like “if it’s not one thing it’s another” and “nothing is going to ever change." Always remember that we serve a God who is very resourceful and has all power and might in His hands. Just knowing that He’ll never leave me nor forsake me gives me that extra boost of reassurance (like the hymn ‘Blessed Assurance’!) When I have dealt with financial struggles in the past, I would always go back to Psalm 23 which begins with “the Lord is my Shepard, I shall not want”. In times of illness I proclaim that by His stripes I am healed. When I think about His faithfulness I realize how true His word becomes as soon as I apply it. Sometimes you have to talk it out, or even walk it out but don’t give up or give in. Believers go through adversity and hard times just like everyone else. We are not exempt. But the difference is that when the storms of life hit us hard, we have an advocate through Jesus Christ who is interceding on our behalf to our Heavenly Father. Most importantly we have the power to overcome and land in victory! When I think about all of this, I can’t help but be encouraged so if you are in need of a little “pick me up” today… know that all of your dreams, hopes, prayers, and desires lie within YOU. Encourage yourself! (Sing Sheri!!!)
Joy & Blessings!
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