My Turning Point

A new friend asked me yesterday how I came to know the Lord on a personal level.  I haven't been asked that question in a while and it was so nice to revisit that awesome life-changing moment so I decided to share it in my blog. Here it is...


I attended FAU and I had this job on campus. I was a work study student & another work study student who worked with me used to always, always, always invite me to this Bible Study she went to on campus. I would do ANYTHING to avoid her asking me about it!  My freshman and beginning of my sophomore year, I was really trying to explore the thrills of college life and that really didn't include anything that had to do with God, sadly. 


Anyway, the more I tried to enjoy the secular world, the more hurt and depressed I became. And one day, when I was really down (by this time my co-worker had gave up on me and stopped inviting me to Bible Study because I would always have an excuse) I actually approached her and told her I was coming. I finally got to a place where I knew no one and nothing could help me but HIM. The speaker that night actually called me out. He asked me to come up to the front for a special prayer because the Lord revealed to him that I was going through something. The first thing he asked me was if I was saved. I told him I really didn't know any more and that I wanted to rededicate my life to be sure. I rededicated my life and the minister said a special prayer over me.  That night was an awesome turning point for me. I thank God for it!


I soon joined the Bible Study by Catch the Fire Ministries.  I will always be thankful to God for using that ministry as a tool that really helped & encouraged me to to stay connected to HIM throughout the rest of my college experience.

Here is Sashanna Davis-Francis, my co-worker who led me to the Bible Study that changed my life! 

Here she is with her handsome son, Joel.

II Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, she is a new creature. The old has passed away and all things have become new.

Safety Net First

Acrobats set up their safety net FIRST and then they begin their act. That way, if there is an accident, they're covered. They can fall into the net and easily jump out the net and right back into the act.

Acrobats don’t just rush into their performance without taking the necessary safety precautions.  If they don't take these precautions, when they do fall; they will hit the ground and shatter into pieces.  They can’t set up a safety net after the fact trying to scoop their “jacked up selves” into the net that should have been there before hand. However; if this is the case and an awful accident severely injures the performer but doesn’t kill them, there is still hope.  The paramedics come with the stretcher & all the other necessary equipment and hauls them off to the hospital.  With time and care, they can recover and rebuild. BUT IT TAKES TIME.  Can this acrobat jump back into the act like the one who falls into the safety net??? NO!!  It’s impossible!  They need time to heal, time to repair, and time to learn acrobatics all over again.

Notice, when you go to the circus, the whole acrobat set up doesn’t just appear like magic. It takes a little time for them to set up. This part of the program is not so appealing because it takes time away from the show and the audience has to be patient, however; it is necessary.

Here is the point I’m making…

In order to build something that HE will honor, that HE will protect and that HE will allow to last, you have to TAKE TIME to build it on HIS WORD. HE has to be your firm foundation. HE has to be your safety net. And it’s going to take time away from your own show… Your flesh NEVER, NEVER, NEVER wants to take the time to build anything on HIM. Your flesh is impatient, it’s emotional and it just wants to jump right into the act… But this is not the way HE operates.  You have to seek HIM. You don't even have to try to figure out HIS will, you just have to seek HIM, honor HIM and allow HIM to guide you.  This way, when you do fall, you fall on HIM and HE takes care of you.  Or would you rather bypass building on HIM, fall and shatter into pieces and then runt to HIM in desperation having to start all over from scratch?  And remember, that's only if you survive the fall in the first place... Something to think about.

2 Timothy 2:19
Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his” 


****This was inspired by my viewing of  Cirque Du Soleil.  It's amazing how God can use just about anything to speak to you. It is an awesome show. Please go & see if you get the opportunity...  http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/welcome.aspx. 

Purpose vs. Ministry

I believe we all have the same common purpose; 
To bring God glory through our lives
by serving HIM
by leading souls into HIS kingdom 
through 
whatever ministry HE has blessed us with  


I think a lot of us are busy trying to figure out our "purpose"
When really we should be trying to figure out our "ministry"
We should be trying to figure out what avenue 
HE needs us as individuals to take in order fulfill our common purpose;
TO GLORIFY HIM


You're ministry is something God will confirm to you 
I believe it's something that your life experiences will prepare you for 
There has to be REAL/RAW testimony behind your ministry
There has to be an "I" in your ministry, not just a "you" 
How can you lead others to Christ without a testimony?

Exodous 9:16 But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you MY power and that MY name might be proclaimed in all the earth... what ministry is fitting to help you accomplish this?


Here I am below fulfilling my purpose through my ministry, Spoken Word. 

  

For Each Thorn Comes a Petal

The meaning of the word thorn is "source of continual irration or suffering/sharp spine on a stem".

Thorns come to distract and destroy
To torture
To take focus off the plans of God in your life

I wanted a specific thing so desperately
And when I finally got it,
At first, it looked and appeared so good
But because I accepted it in vain, 
Without seeking if that was exactly what HE wanted for me,
It ended up being a THORN
A sharp spine that caused irratioan and suffering

On the up side,
I thank God  for taking that thorn
And turning it into something good and pleasing to HIM
However; before things got better, they got worse
Out of that one thorn came many
A thorn of humiliation
A thorn of rejection
A thorn of abandonment
A thorn of depression
But as we know, at the top of a stem full of ugly, peircing thorns;
Is a beautiful rose
And for each thorn, a petal of that beautiful rose made up for it
A petal of joy
A petal of deliverance
A petal of restoration
A petal of renewed strength in God
I thank my God for turning my throrns into petals

Proverbs 15:19 The way of the sluggard is overgrown with thorns [it pricks, lacerates, and entangles him], but the way of the righteous is plain and raised like a highway.

The Purpose of Joy

Of course joy comes from our God.
Nothing and no one else can give it to us.
He is the source.
Why did He give us joy?
SO THAT OUR JOY CAN BRING HIM GLORY...

Joy is a choice
True joy can't easily be removed
It's not contingent upon your circumstances
It is everlasting
It is strong
It is pure
It is confident but humble
It doesn't worry about anything
It doesn't try too hard
It still remains through storms
Through tears
Through "pain"
Use your joy to give your pain purpose
The joy in you can find the good in your storms
In your pain
When you are able to find joy in pain,
It brings God glory
And that's the reason why He created you
So ultimately, the purpose of joy is to aid you in
Fulfilling your life's purpose
To bring Him glory...

Isaiah 51:11 Those who the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Me, my mom and my sis, expressing our "joy"

Regardless...

The other day,
I found myself trying so hard to prove to someone how much I care about them
Now, reflecting on the incident
Makes me feel so silly
Because I realize
That when someone takes the time to recognize and appreciate your character,
You NEVER will have to make even the slightest effort to prove anything about yourself to them

And then, an even more shocking realization hit me...
I was in the wrong for even trying to "prove" myself because that is a form of PRIDE

Once you know who you are in your GOD,
And you have showed people who you are and what you have to offer
If its not good enough for them,
If they can't accept it,
If they can't recognize it
Then...
Move on
And continue to love them
Regardless


SN: Just realized how much this post reminds me of my very first post "Convince". Guess you have to learn certain lessons a couple of times before they really sink in.

Arrival Point

GOD spoke to me this new year

And HE told me 

To stop searching for a “point of arrival” 

That I have already "arrived" 

Because I have made the choice to accept HIM 

To put HIM first

To make my home in HIS eternity

That I am already living out my blessings 

And all I have to do is continue to serve HIM

And walk in my season

That there will always be battles to get through at whatever point 
I am at in my life here on earth

To stop allowing battles and people to distract me from my main focus… HIM  

That HE will easily get me through each battle and each struggle with HIS grace   

Making it through a battle is beautiful but it is NOT a point of arrival 

Because there will always be more battles & struggles waiting for me 

My established relationship with HIM, 

My walk with HIM, 

HIS word hidden in my heart,

My obedience to HIM 

IS MY ARRIVAL

I no longer have to search for something I already have

If you also have already made the choice to make HIM your savior and you are searching and yearning for an "arrival point"; that is proof that you are clearly missing the point... STOP MISSING THE POINT AND LIVE