ANYWAY

Stand Strong no matter what you are facing.
Walk in Quiet Confidence and Not in Pride.
Be Sure without being Stubborn~
Firm without being Unteachable ~
Enduring but not Discourteous~
Full of Truth balance with Grace~
People are often unreasonalble and Self-Centered ~ Forgive Them Anyway.
If you are kind people may accuse you of ulterior motives ~ Be Kind Anyway.
If your honest people may cheat you~ Be Honest Anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous~ Be Happy Anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow~ Do Good Anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may not be enough~ Give your Best Anyway.
For you see, in the END, it is between YOU & God.
It was NEVER between You and THEM.

I got this from someone at work and I have read it over and over. I need to read
it DAILY. It's so easy to just REACT to people, situations, circumstances, etc....

Resting in Jesus

Like the Dew in the morning gently rest upon my soul....

REST JESUS!

 I wish I could say that I NEVER worry or fret but that would NOT be the truth!!

I REALLY do have FAITH in God.  Why can't I just sit back and RELAX while

I am waiting ....WAITING...and WaAaaiiiTTTing ????!!!!

I KNOW HE is up to something BIG concerning me. 

I have been spending alot of 'quiet time' (during the moments

that I can) over the past couple of weeks;

worshipping, praying, seeking and attempting to LISTEN

for His voice;  awaiting direction; needing some 'tidbit' of assurance that He

IS listening and HE IS working all things out to the GOOD for me !

Life is SO loud...work, traffic, people, media, kids, obligaitons, bills, sickness,

guilt, fear, confusion, betrayal....Sometimes ya jus gotta TURN IT ALL OFF!!!

Get in a QUIET place, b r e a t h e....and LISTEN.

 a n d .be.reminded...

'HE is the Master Builder'

'Peace in the Midst of the Storm'

'For I know the thoughts and plans I have for you'

'When you pass through the waters I will be with you &

when you walk through the fire you will not be burned....'

'TRUST and Believe that HE IS a rewarder to those who seek him diligently'

(I could go on and on!)

These words resonate within my heart and brain constantly.

So since I know all of this..what's my problem?

Why do I let the enemy plague me with fear?

God has NEVER let me down yet!

HE has NEVER failed to show up on time!

Character is developed in the presence of adversity.

O.K.

Lord, I pray today that whatever it is that You are trying to perfect in me that I

fully allow you to accomplish it!  I know that the longer I resist, question,

argue, cry and pout I am only prolonging the process.

I truly desire to EMBRACE this situation and move FORWARD.

I don't know how to cope with the fracture of a 20 year marriage!

I just DON'T. 

Speak Lord -- I'm Listening.....

Ya know sometimes, God doesn't always answer right away, but He IS listening!

I feel such a blanket of SILENCE above me right now that it's unreal.

To watch the enemy violently destroy someone whom I loved and trusted

for over half of my life is painfully unbearable.

Yet it HAS happened.  As Job so stated:

'the thing I've feared the most has come upon me'

STILL I WILL TRUST HIM

Yesterday, as I was loading my groceries in the back seat I

heard the gentle whisper of the Lord saying..

'REST IN ME'

I'm telling you, it stopped me dead in my tracks!

.........d e e p s i g h..........

HE IS LISTENING....HE WILL ANSWER

REST IN HIM

The Most List

I SHOULD READ THIS EVERYDAY!!

The most destructive habbit - WORRY

The greatest joy - GIVING

The greatest loss - SELF-RESPECT

The ugliest personality trait - SELFISHNESS

The greatest shot in the arm - ENCOURAGEMENT

The greatest problem to overcome - FEAR

The most effective sleeping pill - PEACE OF MIND

The most crippling failure disease - EXCUSES

The most powerful force in life - LOVE

The most dangerous pariah - A GOSSIPER

The worst thing to be without - HOPE

The deadliest weapon - THE TONGUE

The two most power filled words - I CAN

The most worthless emotion - SELF PITY

The most beautiful attire - A SMILE

The most prized possession - INTEGRITY

The most powere channel of communication - PRAYER

The most contagious spirit - ENTHUSIASM

The most inportant thing is life - GOD

 PASS IT ON.....

A Prayer

My mom gave me this and I thought it was great...

God You know my feelings are going haywire;
they scream and shout that this situation is
terrible and that there is no jope. God,
I hope in YOU.
I can't see what you are doing, but I trust
that you're working this situation together
for good.
Thank you that you have promised to use it
to make me more like YOU.
This is what I want; it just doesn't feel good
today! Give me the strength to focus my
eyes on YOU and not on what I can see.

My Thought for TODAY

God knows how to take a MESS and turn it into a MIRACLE!
If you're in a mess, don't be too upset because God specializes in
cleaning up messes.  God is saying some definite things about women
being set free and delivered to fulfill their purpose in the kingdom.

When the Lord gets through working on you, ALL your adversaries
will be ashamed.  ALL your accusers will have to take it back! 
ALL the people who contributed to your sense of low self-esteem
will have to admit they were wrong.  When God gets through
unleashing you, you won't have to prove anything.  God will prove it! 
When HE gets through showing that you've done the right thing
and come to the right place, ALL the naysayers will drop their heads!!!
T.D. Jakes

All I can say is AMEN and AMEN!!!!!

I read this today as part of my morning devotion.  It spoke to me
so deeply!!! I hope it blesses and encourages YOU too!!!!

I Bless You,
Chele   =)

Sorrow without Seed

If you are reading this today and your life has been 'RANSACKED',
I have to tell you something; the first thing you need to do is
evaluate your relationship with Jesus.

When we are in 'right' standing with HIM we have a guarantee
according to HIS WORD that HE will supply ALL that we need.
Now, we know that there is a great difference between
'wants' and 'needs'.  He is our most gracious, loving, heavenly
Father, and he LOVES to give good gifts to His children.
However, HE does know what is best for us, so there are
times when He says 'NO' and there are times when we just
have to WAIT.

Now, if you are like me, You DO NOT like that word!!!!!!
Unfortunately, because I do not like that word, HE has
taught me and IS STILL teaching me many lessons regarding
waiting on HIM!

You can forget about setting your watch or marking your calendar
with God.  HIS timing is absolutely NOT our timing. 
I have wailed and groaned until (like David) I have become
so weary with my own groanings...I make by bed to swim...
trust me, there are MANY bottles in heaven with MY tears in them!!!!

However, it is NOT NEED that moves God.  It is FAITH.
It is VERY difficult (for me) to have faith in times of EXTREME
desperation.  I don't mean the "oh my, I've got a run in
my pantyhose" kind of situations. 
I mean the out of work, overdrawn, out of gas, out of groceries, the utilities are being
cut off, the rent is due, the car note is PAST due (many times
over) and there are NO SOURCES of which to draw from;
NO ONE to turn to!!!  You've been terribly hurt by those
you deemed 'closest' to you,  relationships have gone
sour....your family is distant and doesn't understand, and your friends are
praying fervently: God PLEASE PLEASE HEELLLLLP!!!!
You are SO ALONE and literally SICK inside.....

That's when MY cry goes UP and OUT to the Almighty One.
(usually after I've had a huge pity party!)
Whom have I in Heaven besides HIM?
All that I NEED (and want) TRULY comes by and through Him.
We cannot look to OTHERS to fulfill us, to provide
for us, to 'be there' for us.....it's in those moments
that we must LOOK UP!!! 
Grab on to whatever SHRED of FAITH you have left and
just STAND and BELIEVE.....maybe you are reading this
and you don't even understand what I'm talking about...
trust me...JUST TRY IT!!!   Just say: Lord, I believe but
please help my unbelief!!!!

My point is we are not to lose our minds and stress out over
these things.  (YEAH RIGHT!!!!!)

Yesterday, was a HORRIBLE day for me, and I am ashamed
to have to admit but I was doing 'just that'.
Totally STRESSING.  I dont' know why, because
God has NEVER failed anyone yet.  (especially ME)
I was 'freakin out', pacing, literally wringing my hands...but
some how I managed to 'grab that shred'....and guess what?
The answer was right on time!!!

My life has been totally and completely RANSACKED
and RAVAGED by HELL these past several years--the
GOOD thing is that I HAVE learned to lean on
THE WORD, MY ROCK;
That's what it says right? 
When my heart is overwhelmed lead me to The Rock!
I have held it, carried it and have even slept with it on
my chest!  I have placed it on my head!
It DOES bring a peace that passes all understanding!

Anyway, yesterday it was kind of comical because,
(and I kid you NOT)
the very first scripture I set my eyes on was
Philippians 4: 6--- Be anxious for nothing, but in everything
by prayer and supplication, with Thanksgiving , let
your requests be make known to God....
hhhuummph.....and a little further down:
verse 19: and my God shall supply all your need
according to His riches in glory....

OKAY............

then here comes a little tidbit from Pastor
T.D. Jakes: 
If you're going to bring forth anything in your career,
your marriage, or you life; if you're going to develop
anything in your character; if you're going to be a fruitful
woman, it will come through the things you SUFFER;
You will enter strength through SORROW.

Man on Man....I wanted to send the flippin
thing sailing .....(only momentarily =// ....)

Oh and it doesn't end there.....
flipping over to Psalm 40: 1-3
God is our refuge and strength, A VERY
present help in time of trouble. Therefore, we
will NOT fear, EVEN THOUGH the earth be
removed, and the mountains be carried into the
midst of the see; though its waters ROAR and be
troubled, though the mountains shake with its
swelling.

WHEW.... Powerful stuff, huh?

That tells me that when ALL that can be
shaken IS shaking and life is in COMPLETE
TURMOIL and there just seems to be NO
REST, NO REPRIEVE, NO RESPONSE....


HE is THE CONSTANT, NEVER CHANGING
SOURCE...He is the master of the wind, the
maker and MOVER of the MOUNTAINS!!!!

SO all of this being said: Do NOT let the enemy
give you sorrow WITHOUT SEED!
The SORROW is NOT the object; it is simply
the canal through which THE OBJECT comes!
Any time you have sorrow, it is a sign that God
is trying to get something through to you!!!
You are a vehicle, an expression of blessing.
Be CAREFUL what you allow to come through you.
CLOSE the doors to the enemy. 
When sorrow is multiplied it is a sign that God is getting
ready to send something to you!
Don't become so preoccupied with the PAIN that
you forget to PUSH the baby.
When the pain is at it's peak that is when you have to
PUSH.  IT's NOT the time to give up!
Don't settle for the pain and not receive the benefit.
Hold out for the PROMISE.  Understand that God
has promised some things to you and He WANTS
you to have them, but you WILL stay on the table
until you get to the place where HE desires you to be---
Do your best to 'embrace the process'.
My Pastor recently said to me: "you don't
have time for the pity party, we will have
it later...right now you've got to PUSH!!!"

No matter what your situtation is...finances, divorce,
sickness, deliverance etc....Keep PUSHING --
After all, the PAIN is forgotten when the baby is born!!!!
 The PAIN WILL bring THE PROMISE

Hang In There!!!!
I Bless You
Chele.

Food for Thought

Although we must be careful not to become trapped
by the past, we should look back and thank God for
how he kept us through the struggles. 
Celebrate who you have become through HIS
assistance. In everyc ircumstance, rejoice that
HE was with you in it!
T.D. Jakes
 

Drained Woman

I did NOT write the following....
I read it this in my morning devotion and once again I wanted
to pass it on....Be Blessed!

I don't know anything about the woman with the issue of blood.
She could have been any woman. She could have been every
woman. Perhaps the Lord referred to her in such a generic manner
so that any woman could relate to her and put her name in her
place.
An issue of blood is normal for a woman. This woman's problem
was that her issue of blood lasted too long. It didn't go away.
Have you ever had a problem that stayed too around too long?
Have you ever said, "I'll surely be over this by such and such a date.
I'll have come out of this by then. I'll surely have had children, I will
have entered fully into my ministry, I will have accomplished what
God created me to do"?
Problems that linger too long are problems that drain away your life.
That's what happened to this woman. She had had an issue of blood
for 12 years, and her life had drained away from her.
When a problem stays around too long, you end of with 2 problems
instead of one. You've got your original problem, and then you've
got the problem that your problem won't go way. The fact that
you've had the same problem for so long begins to grate on you.
Your problem will begin to speak to you: "I'm here to stay.
You might as well get used to me because I'm not budging.
Everything you've tried has failed. Nothing is going to work. I am
your problem for the rest of your life!
Your problem will remind you of a pattern of failure in your life.
It will remind you of how you grew up and give you all the details
of every negative thing you have ever experienced. That's because
it is engineered by the devil. The enemy loves to brag about
how long he has been around. Your issues may not be blood.
Whatever it is, however, it is like this woman's problem if it is
draining the life out of you, diminishing your vitality, your sparkle,
your energy, your enthusiasm for living. If it isn't money, it's
the children. If it isn't the children, it's your marriage. It if isn't
your marriage, it's your lack of a marriage. It is isn't that, it's
something else. Your issue may be a secret that involves somebody
you want to keep secret. Your issue today may be a NEED---
a need to touch Jesus for salvation. It may be a need to touch Him
for healing in your body, for your marriage, your family, or your ministry.
I don't know what your issue is, but I know this: EVERY woman
has one. There's always something. Look long enough, listen hard
enough, be sensitive enough....you'll discover it. You may be in
denial about your own problem.
Look deep into your own heart, listen to your own talk...and you'll find it.
It is your life-draining issue that JESUS wants to heal.

Taken from the Woman Thou Art Loosed NKJV Bible....TD JAKES

....BUT GOD

I am of a thankful heart today and feel privileged to see another
beautiful day!
I have awaken today to the realization (once AGAIN) that I can
do NOTHING without God. I AM NOTHING without God!
The only way I can get through each day successfully is to
COMPLETELY rely on Him for strength and guidance.
HE IS MY PEACE.
I am determined today to identify my 'Peace Stealer's' and
remind myself (once AGAIN) that God has a PLAN for my
life and that the enemy is seeking to see that plan ABORTED.
I must not and will not give any room to the enemy to allow
that to happen! I cannot allow my mind and my life to be
polluted by negativity and doubt! I have also realized that
although I claim to be 'thankful' for all that I have yet I am
at times clinging to the memory of things that I now NO longer
possess and that my focus is TRULY on ALL that I DO NOT
have. Is that genuine thankfulness? It was brought to my
attention this morning in devotion that IT IS NOT.
I have been allowing myself too much liberty in COMPLAINING
and murmuring, which is a pollution of my mind, spirit and
LIFE! Therefore, I cannot move beyond or rise above where
I am currently in God .(or in life)
I will seek refuge today in the ALMIGHTY...He will hide me in
His pavilion...I will count my BLESSINGS...I will remind myself
that No Weapon Formed Against Me Can Prosper because as
long as God is FOR me so WHO (or what) can be against me?
I must remain determined that NOTHING shall seperate me
from God!
Circumstances may seem overwhelming and hopeless...
Finances may be lacking...
Family may distant....
Friends can be too busy...
and on and on it goes!
I must be 'KINGDOM MINDED' and keep the 'God FACTOR'
in place at ALL times...add BUT GOD to the end of the
above thoughts and EVERYTHING CHANGES!
....BUT GOD is my HOPE AND MY ROCK!
....BUT GOD is my PROVISION and my HELP!
....BUT GOD is ALWAYS by my side!
....BUT GOD is a FRIEND that sticks close at all times!

I leave this with you today and pray that you are
encouraged in YOUR heart & life and/or current circumstances.
Don't look AROUND...DO NOT LOOK DOWN!....Look UP

Have a Great Day! I Bless You!
Michele

Where Do I Go?

I have been reminded this week of the old song
"I Go To The Rock"
The verses pose these questions:
where do I go-where do I go? when there's no one else to turn to....
who do I talk to? when the winds of sorrow blow....
is there a refuge in my time of tribulation?
where do I go - where do I go? when there's no foundation stable...
who do I lean on?
well, my mind is bad...the memory is going...I have botched it
pretty good but you get the gist I hope!
the point is ... we can talk and talk and talk to people, friends,
family, co-workers, preachers etc....the ONLY one we can
get a TRUE answer and direction from is THE ROCK...
His name is JESUS!!!!

I find myself almost six months into this year 2009 STILL weary!
This journey of life is taxing to say the least. To be a true Christian some
days is a real challenge. When the fiery darts from the enemy
pierce our hearts it's not easy to always offer the other cheek also!
I have been put to the test more than once in the past couple of
weeks, and I am proud to report that I have FINALLY learned
to 'temper' myself. (some anyhow :)
But I will admit that the ALWAYS POSITIVE - LOOK AT THE BRIGHT
SIDE perspective that I possessed early in the year has WANED just
a bit!!!!!!!

I'm sorry, NO-- I'm NOT ....I am human and I am STRIVING DAILY
to maintain and possess those wonderful Fruits of the Spirit....
I don't ALWAYS make the mark. Who does?
I don't apologize for that....The important thing is that when I am
KNOCKED DOWN...I might be winded at first...take a moment to
process/filter....but do not fear... I WILL GET UP!!!!!!!!

The Word says not to be weary in well doing...I don't know exactly
what that means...but I AM weary...I am tired...I am stressed...
I am TIRED of being TIRED and STRESSED!!!!

Pastor preached this past Sunday about how we are in Gods Hands...
Those hands are loving and protective...caring...forgiving....but OH
when they begin to SQUEEZE our lives....NOT SO LOVING it seems!!!!
We just want to be let go and left alone.
I am in a contemplative state at this moment. I have so many questions
that need answers....everything pretty much in my life that can be shaken
HAS been shaken...I have been SQUEEZED painfully....
I have been lied to and betrayed by those dearest to my heart....
Where Do I Go? Where Do I Go? I feel no foundation is stable!

I WILL GO THE THE ROCK...I KNOW HE IS ABLE.....

God In A Box

Do you keep God in a Box?
We had the most awesome service yesterday at POM!
Pastor Kerry Grant brought such an amazing and
powerful word from God!
"GOD IN A BOX"
There were card board boxes placed all over up front....interesting.....

The point being: do we keep God in a box or do we REALLY believe
that HE is able to do ALL things?
It's true....we DO sometimes forget that HE IS the Great I AM and
with HIM NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE!
Bro. Kerry had a jack-in-the-box toy and it was humorous but true....
he would wind the box and when jack would pop out he would shove
him back in the box and say 'not now God...I've got this...' and so on....

How many times in our everyday lives do we do this to God?
Sometimes when we have been through long droughts spiritually
or severe storms its SO easy to become STUCK there.
We just get used to the mundane...we don't EXPECT anything
to change or get better....we figure God knows where we are
and when HE gets ready He'll do something about our
situation/circumstances!
But it's OUR lack of FAITH that keeps God BOXED in!

Well, I want to let you know that my husband and I danced
all over one of those cardboard boxes together!
We are unleashing our FAITH and letting God OUT....
We KNOW that there are GREAT things in store for our future!

The Dawning

I love to pass these wonderful tidbits on to you....
I hope they encourage and strengthen you as they
do me.
I have been heavy hearted these past few days...
(awww poor me!)
I have been forced into situations that I cannot
control and that has caused me tremendous frustration
and agitation!

But once again, my friend and comforter "Jesus"
spoke to me through his word this morning :)
and I am encouraged that all will be well and
that in HIS time HE will perfect all that concerns
me and my life.
I BELIEVE.

So....if you are in the funk today or just slightly
weary, I hope you receive a little pep from this
Or, if all is just 'rosy posy' in your world and this
doesn't speak to you, trust me, keep living, ONE
DAY it will...so copy it down and tuck it away
safe somewhere or hey...do a good deed and
just pass it on!

HERE GOES:

You are a woman of excellence. You are strong and powerful
in your own right. Occasionally, if God so wills, He sends to
an excellent woman an excellent husband who has the grace
to be a lover and the anointing to be a friend.
Occasionally, He will send a strong arm to wrap around
a weary body and give you a moment of rest and tranquility.
But none of these experiences will ever take the place of the
ultimate experience. For the greatest MORNING you will
ever know is the dawning of faith in Jesus.
No matter what sorrow life has brought to you, don't stop
until you see morning, because morning DOES come!
It is at the end of every tragic divorce, but it does come.
It is at the end of setbacks, betrayals, delays and denials,
but when they are all over, MORNING DOES COME!
I challenge you, my sister and my friend, hold out for the
morning. It DOES come.
Do not allow the tragedies of life to so depress you that you
lose your hope. do not allow the bitter disappointments and
losses you face to rob your expectations of daybreak.
Wake up singing hallelujah in the morning.
Breathe in the fresh air, expel the stale air of your past and say
"I can fee the breaking of day." And it WILL come.
Overcome obstacles with confidence. Rise above trauma with
triumph. Feel solace through sorrow. Know comfort in the
midst of crisis. The MORNING DOES COME!

Psalms 57:1-3
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!
for my soul trusts in you; And in the shadow of Your
wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have
passed by.
I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs
ALL things for me, He shall send from heaven and save me!

I Bless You!

now i gotta go to work!

Women Celebrate!

Every woman who walks with God walks through storms,
winds, and rain. O woman of God, your life is filled with
challenges and victories, smiles and tears. You are like a
sweet salve mixed by an apothecary You are a careful blend
of life's many spices. Your personality is a potpourri of so many
different things that years of knowing you will not reveal everything
that makes you who you are. You are carefully concocted and
slowly simmered, stirred patiently by the Lord.
It is amazing how deliberate God is in preparing you for your destiny.
He knows exactly how long it will take. He knows who to send into
your life. He knows what events it will take to bring you to a place
of maturity in Him. He is your Lord.
It does not take long to realize that though you may have many
admirers, friends, and family, none will ever take the place of your
Lord. His place in your life is the foundation of every success you will
every enjoy. He will be there in every moment of pain and glory.
He is the force that brings all the pieces of your life together.
It is His tender love for you that keeps your mind from breaking under
the stress of life. And when all is said and done, no one can comfort you
or hold you like He can.
You may be prosperous in your business, secure in your relationships,
confident in you who are, but it is all because of HIM. It is knowing Him
that gives you the grace to endure transitions, to withstand opposition,
and to deflect the ammunition of the enemy. He enables you to know
when the day is at its end. He will watch you through the night and
His kiss will bring you out of your sleep come dawn. He is your Lord.
So know Him and love Him and worship Him.
Of all the men on earth no one can ever speak to your spirit or heal
your heart like your Lord.
T.D. Jakes

I know that I cannot do ANYTHING without the Lords help!
I cannot be the mother, wife, employee, friend, or Christian
that I should be with out His guidance, help and strength!
I cannot build my photography business without HIM!

Little is much when God is in it and I BELIEVE.....

Why I Go To Church

Yesterday in our Sunday morning worship my Pastor
posed this question to the congregation:
"What are you doing here?"
So, it got me thinking about why I really take
the time week after week to get dolled up and
drive 25 miles to attend church every Sunday
and Wednesday. (not to mention special events/
prayer meetings etc...)

Well, first of all the Bible plainly states in the book
of Hebrews chapter 10 verse 25, that we should
"forsake not the assembling of ourselves
together..."
I guess that's reason enough right there!
But it goes beyond that for me....

I go to church because I know that when I arrive
I am going to be greeted, hugged/kissed and loved by
sincere God fearing people who genuinely care about
me and my family.
I go to church because I love to sing and worship God.
I go to church because I love The Word of God.
I go to church because I BELIEVE The Word of God.
I go to church because I receive strength.
I go to church because I feel better when I leave than
when I got there!
I go to church because there is NOTHING like a loving
church family to support you and cheer you on during
difficult trials!
I go to church because it brings me joy!
I go to church because it brings God joy!
I go to church because God is the peace that passes
all understanding!
I go to church because there is POWER in PRAISE!
I go to church because when praises go UP - the glory of
God comes DOWN!
I go to church to Bless the name of the Lord because of
HIS EXCELLENT GREATNESS!
I go to church to Give THANKS!
I go to church to repent and ask forgiveness for my
sins & selfishness!
I go to church to try to help someone else along life's
journey...
I go to church to GROW...
I go to church because the Bible says in Psalms 22:22--
"I will declare Your name to my brethren; in the
midst of the assembly I will praise You! "
I go to church because I was taught as a child to do so!
I go to church to set an example for my daughter.
I go to church because there is no where else I'd rather be....
I go to church to see people baptized in HIS name!
I go to church to see people receive the gift of Gods Spirit!
I go to church so that my daughter can have wholesome
friends and social activities!
I go to church because it is my 'reasonable service' unto God.
I go to church because I was fearfully & wonderfully made and
created for the sole purpose of worshiping HIM.
(Psalms 139:14)
I go to church because HE is the giver of all things good.
I go to church because HE is my burden bearer.
I go to church because HE is my heavy-load sharer.
I go to church because HE is my Rock!
I go to church because HE is my Friend!
I go to church because HE is my Provider!
I go to church because HE is FAITHFUL to ME....
I go to church because HE is an ever present HELP in a time of trouble!
I go to church because HE is my Deliverer...
I go to church because HE is my Healer.
I go to church because HE is the re-newer of of spirit.
I go to church because ONLY HE can rejuvenate my soul....
I go to church to make a DEPOSIT into my Heavenly account!
I go to church to seek direction and guidance!
I go to church to support my Pastor and other leadership.
I go to church to help build GREATER the Kingdom of God!
I go to church because 'heaven & earth will pass away'
and ONLY
what we have done for Christ will remain!

If you live on the North Shore and you are looking for
that 'special place' -- We Have a Place For You!
I can say with calm assurance that
at The POM, (Pentecostals of Mandeville)
you will find a loving congregation -- anointed,
lively praise, worship & singing, and powerful/
inspirational/life changing messages....
Come check it out!!! You won't be sorry....
visit our website:
http://www.pentecostalsofmandeville.org/

and just in case you didn't know it--
HE, HIM, HIS = JESUS!

A Word For You Today

Make a decision TODAY to bury anything that has you
pulled down, held you back, kept you in despair, limited you,
deceived you, or made you vulnerable. Throw it into the
coffin! Lower it into the ground! DECLARE it FINISHED
in your life!
T.D. Jakes

I read this this morning and it spoke SO directly to me so I
wanted to pass it on to you. We walk sometimes through
each day with a spirit of heaviness upon us that most times
we don't even realize it's there. We have grown so
accustomed to it's company that it has become a part of
us. I think at times we may even nurture it! How? With
thoughts of hopelessness, despair, doubt, negativity,
fear.....feelings of anxiety, resentment, anger,
confusion....do I need to go on....? I know it's not just
me! If we are really honest with ourselves, I think we
can agree that life has become such a challenge that to
be challenged or confronted with anything extra is
just simply too overwhelming and exhausting!

I am one that usually sees the glass 'half-empty',
and I am challenging myself, (a DARE so to speak)...
to CHANGE--
To weigh my speech--To speak more positively--
To refuse doubt/negativity/defeat and anything
else that weighs me down! --and ya know what?
I have been feeling SO MUCH better!
I can do ALL things through Christ as
he strengthens me, Right?
That's what His word says! Philipians 4:13

I am CHALLENGING YOU to do the same!
Life is going by so fast. We have no promise of
tomorrow! Lets be ALL that we were created to be
by Gods DIVINE DESIGN!
Striving for EXCELLENCE, not perfection.
Let's pass on to our children a promising way of life!

I DARE YOU..... :)

I Believe

My sister-in-law Tracie sent this to me,
and I thought it was great! PASS IT ON!

I BELIEVE
that just because two people argue doesn't mean they don't love
each other and just because they don't argue doesn't mean they
do love each other
I BELIEVE
that we don't have to change friends if we understand that
friends change
I BELIEVE
that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you
every once in a while and you must forgive them for that
I BELIEVE
that true friendship continues to grow even over the longest
distance... same goes true for love
I BELIEVE
that you can do something in an instant that will give you
heartache for life
I BELIEVE
that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be
I BELIEVE
that you should always leave loved ones with loving words
It may be the last time you see them
I BELIEVE
that our background and circumstances may have influenced
who we are, but we are responsible for who we become
I BELIEVE
that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret...it could
change your life forever
I BELIEVE
two people can look at the same exact thing and see something
totally different
I BELIEVE
that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who
don't even know you
I BELIEVE
that even when you think you have no more to give, if a friend
cries out to you... you will find the strength to help
I BELIEVE
that the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon
I BELIEVE
that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being
I BELIEVE
that you can keep going long after you think you can't
I BELIEVE
that we are responsible for what we do no matter how we feel
I BELIEVE
that either you control your attitude or it controls you
I BELIEVE
that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it
needs to be done regardless of the consequences
I BELIEVE
that money is a lousy way to keep score
I BELIEVE
that my best Friend and I can do anything or nothing and
have the best time
I BELIEVE
that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're
down will be the ones to help you get back up
I BELIEVE
that sometimes when I am angry, I have the right to be angry,
but that doesn't' give me the right to be cruel
I BELIEVE
maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had
and what you've learned from them...and less to do with how many
birthdays you've celebrated
I BELIEVE
that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others
sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself
I BELIEVE no matter how bad your heart is broken the
world doesn't stop for your grief
I BELIEVE
that the happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of
everything, they just make the most of everything

Strong in The Broken Places

To become strong in the broken places in our lives demands that
we do two things, 'hang in there' and 'let go.' To somehow dig
up the courage to keep going is the very courage that allows us
to scoop up the broken pieces of our lives and lay them all at the
feet of One who would do more in us than just get us through the
storm.
As James Means said, HE would take the fire that blackens our
horizons and warm our souls with it. HE would sharpen our vision
in the darkness that oppresses us. HE would use the despair of
standing at a grave to deepen our trust.
This we cannot do for ourselves. Perhaps because our brokenness
brings us to the end of ourselves, it is here, in these jars of clay that
we offer ourselves up, and God's all surpassing power is made known
and HE indeed makes us strong in our broken places.
By Verdell Davis
taken from: Joy for the Jouney

In my broken place I would always pray Psalms 138:8
The LORD will perfect all which concerns me...

Know This: God NEVER starts somethings he does not
finish! You are his divine creation and He WILL complete
the work according to HIS plans for you.
So 'HANG IN THERE' and 'LET GO' and 'LET GOD WORK'

:) :) :)
I Bless You!

The Mountain

I'm a 'fixer'. I want things my way, (don't we all)
and I want it NOW.
Patience is not a virtue of mine, so needless to say,
my mountain was really high!
So many times during my trek up the mountain I
would try to stop and figure things out. "Maybe if
I do this, or go that way...." "Maybe if I hadn't done
that....THIS wouldn't have happened...and on & on
it goes...!...!

This poem spoke directly to me when I read it:
I want you to face the mountain so that you can see,
when the mountain is out of the way all there is left is ME.
Only I can move the mountain, only I can push it away,
only I can conquer the problems that you face today.
Your only job is to believe, to listen to My voice, and when
you hear what I command obedience is your choice.
I will not make it too difficult for the victory is already
Mine. I will fill you with My spirit and through you My
grace will shine.
Not when you are perfect, like you think you need to be,
but when your heart is willing to become more and more
like ME.

author unknown

I was blessed to have people around me that helped push me
up my mountain when I needed it, they cheered me on,
held my hands up, nurtured/nourished me, and loved me.
(even when I was unlovable)

Keep Going....YOU CAN MAKE IT! I KNOW YOU CAN!