Tag: Peace

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

Don’t Quit

I just want to encourage somebody today. Maybe that somebody is you or maybe it’s me. Either way here goes. ( Insert your name here)________You can start and stop but don’t give up. You can press play , mute or pause but don’t log off. You can wait your tun in line or wait on hold but don’t hang up. It’s ok to be mindful, plan it out, take baby steps, regroup, rebrand, let go, prioritize and be courageous as your confidence is being built. Bold movements are not always easy to take but they are worth it. Step out on faith, trust God and believe He will carry you through. You are capable of doing and being just what God uniquely designed you for.

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

Stop Scrolling

My mind is full of other people’s activities. I’m seeing and hearing lot of divisions between people over issues of racism, politics and pandemic plights. I have to remind myself not to get distracted or wrapped up in these activities. I can spend lots of time scrolling through my phone, scrolling through YouTube channels and TV channels as well all with people in the room or on Zoom with me. If I’m not careful to pay attention I might miss opportunities to be present, just listen, show love and respect, give honor to a deserving person, be challenged or be inspired. Being present while living this life on pitch is important because once we are gone that’s it. I know that God is in control of everything and does not need to be updated like we do. God hears, sees and knows. He is with us so that relieves me from having to figure out everybody and every issue. Live and forgive I say, and stay connected by being present with people who are right in front of you. I’m learning when I’m being fully present, there really can be joy in the midst of it all, light in darkness and peace in the storms of life. Prayer: Lord thank you for being present. You are always paying attention to what’s going on in my life. Please help me to be present and remove any distractions that will hold me back today.

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

Are You Working On Pause?

In April I wrote a blog post for a group I joined called Lady Boss Christians. You can check it out here. I wrote about pausing and getting rest during this season. While written primarily for women business owners it applies to all. My prayer is that you continue drawing closer to the God of peace and rest today. Some people are tired of being at home, some are afraid to get back outside, and some are working harder than they have before. Let’s remember whether we are being still or climbing hills, God is in control.

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS Uncategorized

Feeling Burnt Out

When you’re experiencing burnout it does not mean you leave God out. Resting in God is better than wrestling against Him. Philippians 4 reminds us to stand firm in the Lord, rejoice in the Lord, don’t worry about anything, think and dwell on praiseworthy things, let God’s peace guard our hearts, and allow Him to strengthen us in all we do. If you’re feeling tired, burnt out and need to take a break on the job, at school, in ministry, or even on your own personal mission don’t leave God out because I’ve learned that’s when you’ll really feel the burn.

Prayer: Lord I am nothing without you. Give me strength to continue in Jesus name and for His sake. Amen

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS Uncategorized

Celebrating Without A Party

I recently celebrated a birthday. I am so thankful for another year. I received lots of birthday wishes on social media , text messages and phone calls. It was a good day but not an over the top kind of day. Not the kind of day where you feel extra special and loved on by everyone. There wasn’t a big party in my honor, no fancy restaurant to have dinner with friends. There were no party favors, but there was favor from God. There was no cake or ice cream but there was a sweet fellowship with God. I had love from God and plenty of reminders of it. I was reminded when I woke up that God loved me enough to let me see another day. I graciously received the gift of new mercy. I was reminded of how much God loved me. I received the gift of life by being in the presence of the Lord. Psalm 36:5-9 got me thinking of how to celebrate without a party. I was reminded of God’s steadfast love, how precious it is along with His faithfulness and His light. I was reminded of how much God delights. For this party of one to an audience of One it felt like a grand celebration. No fancy venue, no special dessert or large group of friends were needed. All I needed to celebrate another year of life was God’s love and His presence. Share with me how you celebrate your special days?

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

In The Garden

I love flowers in the garden. I don’t have a physical garden in my home but I’ll admit sometimes I go to Home Depot just to walk through the garden section and see all the pretty colors blooming.  I’ll see someone watering the plants and flowers to keep them alive and fresh.  As I step in the garden I start to think, there’s hope for me if I just plant a seed. I may not have a green thumb but I have a garden of hope.  You also can have a garden of hope. When we decide to plant seeds of hope, trust in God and water them regularly by reading God’s word we come alive.  If we allow God to grow us up in faith, love, and truth we will see the beauty that surrounds us when we are in the garden. 

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

What’s On Your Plate?

I saw a commercial that asked a simple question to the audience of “what’s in your wallet?”  Today I have a different question for you and that is what’s on your plate? As I ate lunch I thought about how to live on pitch with so much on my plate.  I’m learning to take a few things off my plate. Specifically my worry plate has become full, but God’s word always reminds me not to worry about anything. My health issues, family concerns, job issues, personal issues and financial concerns are nothing to worry about. God will take care of me so I have nothing to fear. I have learned to pray for wisdom over worrying and use a smaller plate with compartments! The sections on the divided plate means only so much can fit in one compartment at a time, so there is no overload. I’ve learned that too many full plates can lead to empty and unsatisfied hearts. I don’t want to be so full that I’m no use to anyone. If I am too full I get stuck and can’t move or make progress.  My simple prayer is Lord, I desire to live on pitch for you on a full supply of your love, grace and mercy not full of fear, doubt or worry. Help me release and let go of things, help me to make progress. Help me not to take on too much so that I get stuck. Give me life, teach me your ways and fill me with wisdom. Amen

Now it’s your turn to answer the question, what’s on your plate? How full is it and what can you remove from it?

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TWO WORDS Uncategorized

It Depends

romans-12_18-verse

I have decided to put on some depends today and declare it’s possible to live in peace.  This scripture always speaks to me. Now that’s what I call living on pitch!

 

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TWO WORDS

Two Words of Encouragement

I have two encouraging words for you today and they are simply, “Don’t Fret!”

rest-assured

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

No Hot Date

I don't know how I feel about the sparkle... but I like the idea of a "pop" in an otherwise typical outfit:

All weekend long I was asked if I was going out on a date.  Not just any date but a “hot” date. I only changed one thing on the outside and that was my hairstyle.  People noticed my hair and makeup, my walk, my clothes and my personality.  Some even said I was glowing.  I smiled and just said, there was no hot date to everyone who asked me.  The outside appearance was different, but what really changed for me was mostly on the inside.  Truth is I had been on a date, in fact it was several dates. We’d met before but it’d been a good while since we last spent quality time together.  We re-connected and after spending time alone without any distractions, I realized I missed being in that old place, our place where I could just be myself.  I spent time getting a little closer, I laughed and cried, I surrendered and I gave in to the request to keep in touch more.  I was happy to be going out on my “hot dates”, it just felt good and right.  I felt refreshed and knew that’s what being in God’s presence would do to me,  it would fill me up, change my look and make me glow.  He was and always is my perfect date. 

2 Corinthians 5:16-20 ( MSG)Because of this decision we don’t evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don’t look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you.

Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank you for your presence in my life. Let others see the glow of God in me every moment I spend with you and every time I sit at your feet.  Amen