Daily Prayer For the New Year

Heavenly Father,

I bless your Holy Name. This is the day that you hath made. I will rejoice and I will be glad in it. Because it is You whom I seek, it is You whom I serve. Therefore, I will not strive to please man and all of his ever changing ways. You, God, never change. Thank You, God, for being the same - yesterday, today, and forevermore. As I begin this day, I will work as if you are my employer. Prosper me in all that I put my hand to do. Order my every step. For the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. Thank you for Your Word and for your blessings this day - in Jesus' name, Amen.

Be Not Conformed - To My Sistas

Stop allowing the world to dictate how you should behave. As I was reflecting over the past year, I decided that I would let go of trying to conform to the images and ideas of mainstream America. No matter how hard I try, I will probably never be the super woman- mom - wife that the world portrays. I have spent too much time being frustrated , aggravated, disappointed and depressed all because my life does not measure up to my co-workers life, my classmates life, the life of someone that I read about, the life of someone that I heard about. I realize that I have put too much pressure on me trying to be the perfect this or the perfect that. I have come to realize that it's okay to strive for perfection . As a matter of fact, the bible admonishes us to press toward the mark...
However, we must understand that there is nothing wrong with us if we don't have dinner on the table at six.
There is nothing wrong with us if we don't look like Claire Huxtable or June Cleaver 24 hours a day-7 days a week.
There is nothing wrong with us if little Jessie or little Jenay don't look perfect all of the time.
There is nothing wrong with us if we can't bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan. Please understand me - it's okay to bring home the bacon and let somebody else fry it up in a pan. That's why there is a McDonald's. That's why there's KFC. So, sistergirl, free yourself in 2011. Be the unique woman that God created you to be and be not conformed to this world.

Discrimination In Auburn, Alabama

It greatly disturbs me to know that in 2010 that we still live in a society that continues to judge us by the color of our skin and in so many cases the texture of our hair. We, as Black Americans, face prejudices from non-whites as well as from our own kind. Recently, in Auburn, Alabama, a black basketball coach for the predominantly white high school has received much attention because of his stand against "his" players wearing braided or locked hair. The coach argues that his stand against braided or locked hair is about discipline. Please tell me,
"Are all black boys with unbraided or unlocked hair disciplined?"

"Are all black boys with braided hair or locked hair undisciplined?"

How ludicrous does that sound? I have two problems with this rule. My first problem with the argument is that the coach's rule only pertains to black boys - other boys do not typically wear their hair in such styles. Cornrows, braids, plaits, locs are signature styles of many blacks. Therefore, this rule discriminates against black boys. I would have no problem if the rule was against long hair in a boy's face that may prevent his ability to successfully play the game of basketball. However, that is not the rule. Auburn High's coach obviously has no problem with long hair since at least one of his players spends much of his game time fanning his long caucasian hair from his eyes.
My second problem with all of this racial nonsense is that Auburn City Schools clearly state that this is not An Auburn City School policy, but a policy of the coach. In other words, if this racial nonsense becomes national, the school system will leave the black coach "out to dry" and continue to stand on the fact that the policy is not a school system policy but the policy of one of its coaches. Can anybody see that this is a case of the white man using the black man to do his dirty work? Can anybody see that to tell a black student that his hairstyle which is a trademark of his race is considered undisciplined only perpetuates the lie that there is something wrong with all things that are uniquely black? Can anybody see that this attitude only fosters another generation of young people who believe that in order to get ahead you must assimilate into the expectations of white America?

Stop Trying To Get Everybody's Approval

Do you realize that other people have already formed an opinion of you? Their opinion might be good, bad or indifferent, but they still have an opinion. Do you know that many times you can not change the way others feel about you? Stop trying to please everybody! First, please God and then please the other important people in your life. Most people that you are trying to please don't even matter. They don't provide your sunshine or rain; They don't pay your mortgage or your rent; They don't put gas in your car or food on your table. So, who cares what they think?

Guess what? I had to realize that most of them don't like me anyway. Therefore, if they already don't like me, why should I care what they think?

Uniquely You

Be the person that you were created to be. No one can out-do you when you are being you. God made you an original, not a carbon copy.



Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Prayer For Today

Heavenly Father,
You are awesome, majestic and wonderful.
Today, gird me up with your might to face the situation that is before me. This situation is too big for me. This mountain – I can’t climb. This valley – I can’t cross. This tunnel – I can’t go through. I can’t face this giant alone. Your Word reminds me that you are with me always. Thank you for being with me. Thank you for ordering my steps. Guide me and guard me every step of the way. Bless my coming in and my going out. In Jesus’ name - Amen.

Remember:
If it is too big for you, it is just right for Almighty God!

FORGIVE!!!

How do you forgive someone who mistreats you when they never apologize and ask for forgiveness? How do you forgive someone that claims to be a christian, yet they mistreat you over and over again? How do you forgive someone that misuses their position to argue their point of view? How do you forgive someone that never admits when he is wrong?

I know that the Bible admonishes us to forgive. However, human emotions attempt to hinder forgiveness. Emotions have a way of preventing us from forgetting the hurt, embarassment, pain, degradation, humiliation, etc. Yet, we must forgive. If we expect Christ to forgive us, we must forgive the mean, low-down, perpetrator

-that inflicted the pain,
-that caused embarrassment,
-that inflicted physical abuse,
-that verbally degraded,
-that mentally tortured,
-that took advantage of the weak.

Prayer
Lord, I forgive _____________ for ________________. Show ______________ the error of his/her ways. To forgive is an act, not an emotion. Therefore, I ask you, God, to take away the pain, and all ill feelings that I have toward _________________. Your Word reminds me that if I forgive others , you will forgive me. Thank you, God, for forgiveness. Bless the one that has caused me harm. - In Jesus name, AMEN.

The Modern "Proverbs 7" Woman

The backstabbing, trifling evildoer is rejoicing because she thinks that she has deceived you. She has been scheming with

- her deceitful text messages;
- her face book affair;
- her midnight calls;
- her secret breakfasts, lunches and dinners;
- her pathetic pity parties and
- her attention getting cries for help.

She thinks that she has gotten away. She shows up on Sunday morning - playing church-attempting to fool the onlookers. Many can see through the pretense. Others can't. Be not deceived. She may fool some, but she can't fool God. He knows her tricks, her schemes and her antics.

Psalm 37 reminds us,

Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

When One Door Closes....

Check this out. I read this on silkychronicles.wordpress.com



One Door Closes..Another Opens

Revelations 3:8

When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go, only 1 of 2 things will happen, either He’ll catch you when you fall, or He’ll teach you how to fly! ‘The power of one sentence! God is going to shift things around for you today and let things work in your favor. If you believe, send this to someone you know and hope it blesses them as well. If you don’t believe, delete it. God closes doors no man can open & God opens doors no man can close. When you reach the end of your rope, you will find the hem of his garment…..

You Win!

The enemy has launched an all out attack against you and against yours. He has exposed himself in every way imaginable - in your home, in your health, and in your hope. The enemy appears to be winning in your life. Be not deceived! The victory has already been declared. Isaiah 55:17 reminds us that ,"NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST THEE SHALL PROSPER...". The enemy knows that he has been defeated. The enemy does not want you to know that he has been defeated.

Therefore, you must rejoice in the Lord today. In spite of your hurt and your hindrances, praise God in advance! The enemy's attack is menial in the light of God's counter-attack. Praise Him!

1 Corinthians 2:9
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Press On

Keep moving forward.
Keep pressing on.
It is a struggle, but you can do it!

You must finish what you started. Don't quit because you are tired. Quit because you are finished. God quit creating the world on the seventh day -when he was finished. He could have quit on the first day, the second day, the third day, etc., but He had more work to do. Therefore, God waited until the world was complete (finished, done, finalized), and then He rested.

Ecclesiastes 9:11 reminds us that,
"The race is not given to the swift,
nor the battle to the strong..."

The Raging Storms Of Life

Many of us are presently struggling to navigate our little boats through the horrific storms on the raging sea of life.

-At times,countless waves of despair and defeat ferociously pound against our boats. But,somehow, we continue to sail along.
-At times,currents of brokenness and loneliness drift us downstream like a boat without a paddle (no obvious direction, just going with the flow). There is still some fight within us. We don't lose hope.
-At times,clashes of thunder and downpours of rain filled with unimaginable hardships grip us with fear, even though we know that we are admonished to "fear not". Although, we are afraid and we have no idea what awaits us around the next turn, we press on.
-At times,the prevailing clouds of darkness looming in the atmosphere seem to overshadow the light of God's WORD.

This, too, shall pass. There is a beam of sunshine just behind the dark cloud. How do we know this?
Romans 8:28 assures us,
For we know that all things (this is all encompassing) work
together for the good of those who love God and to those who
are the called according to His purpose.

Just Right For God

Many of us are currently facing challenging situations in our lives - pink slips, layoffs, breakups, divorce, illness, injury, disobedient children, discord , depression or a troubled mind. Whatever the case might be, please understand that the problem at hand is just right for God. True, it may be overwhelming. True, it might keep you awake in the midnight hour. True, it may limit your ability to do what you would do if you were not faced with it. But, I need to let you know that my God has the answer to the particular problem that you are facing. When it is too big for you, it is just right for Him. He specializes in big situations. Just remember a few big situations in the Bible. Remember that it was God that caused Moses to part the Red Sea and pave the way for God's people to walk across on dry land. Remember that it was God that allowed David to have victory over the giant Goliath. Remember when Jesus gave thanks to God, He fed thousands of hungry people with a few fish and a few loaves. Remember that it was God who so loved this great big world that He gave his son Jesus to die and save this great big world filled with sin, degradation and every problem that you are facing from an eternal life in hell. What an awesome God we serve!

Why Did They Give Me Such Dumb Advice?

Many times, we get upset and/or hurt when others fail to understand what we are going through. They often give us poor advice concerning our situation. They even give us advice that they would not even adhere to if they were facing the same crisis or dilemma. The next time that this happens to you, try to understand and tell yourself that the person that you really want to understand your situation is probably incapable of sympathizing with you. Why? Simply put, he/she or they have no point of reference. It is very difficult to relate to a situation - let alone give advice or an understanding ear - when you have nothing in your life to compare with the situation at hand.

A Great Detangler and Moisturizer

Since I am in the process of transitioning from relaxed to natural hair, I have been in search of a leave in conditoner to replace the All Ways Instant Oil Moisturizer Leave In conditioner that I had been using for years. Apparently, the All Ways brand is being discontinued since it is now very difficult to find in stores. When I do find it in stores, I usually stock up. Although Kids Organics Shea Butter Moisturizing Lotion is advertised as a kid's product, it does an excellent job detangling and moisturizing my hair. I have been transitioning now for nine months. This shea butter moisturizer leaves my hair extremely soft, and it does not contain mineral oil or petroleum.

Don't Mess With Me!

For some of us, life really has us down, disgusted and revengefully angry. We are tired of being disrespected and taken advantage of. We are tired of users with their sorry schemes and pathetic lies. We are tired of lazy, trifling people dismissing their responsibilities and shoving them onto others. We are tired of patiently waiting like little "goody two-shoes" for God to fight our battles and bring down wrath upon our enemies. As a result of our tiredness, we are about ready to take matters into our own hands. We are about ready to do something or say something that will let them know that we are NOT to be reckoned with. WAIT! WAIT! WAIT! Just before you say or do something that you may later regret, "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord!" You and I must understand that this battle, this struggle, this dissention, this discord - the one that stares us eye to eye everyday, is not even our battle. It belongs to the Lord. The God we serve does not need our help. If we take our hands off of the situation, He will handle it for us. He does not need our help to handle His business; Nor has He ever needed our help. He is more than able to handle every impossible situation in our life. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD! (Exodus 14:13; 2 Chronicles 20:17)

Do The Right Thing

Find out what is right, and do it!

The Power Within

If you have stumbled across this blog, it is not by accident. I believe that God has given us, as believers, the power to stop maintaining misery, the power to overcome obstacles, the mindset to stop the madness in our life, and the persistence to transition from defeat to victory. You are here for a purpose, and that which you are going through is not your permanent situation, but it is a temporary assignment. Be reminded today that your troubles are temporary, and that "God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us".(Ephesians 3:21) Because of the power down on the inside, the dilemma, the pain, the tribulations and the trials are not in your life to stay, they are just passing through.

God Is Not The Author Of Confusion

1 Corinthians 14:33

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace,....

If you are experiencing confusion in your life, please understand that God is not the source of that confusion. Anything that attempts to rob us of peace, hope, joy, health, and prosperity is from satan. According to John 10:10, Jesus came into this world so that we can experience the abundant life, and satan came to steal, to kill, and to destroy. Identify the areas in your life that are filled with confusion and eliminate those things. If you can't eliminate those things, those people, and/or those situations, pray to God the Father for wisdom as to how to deal with it/them.

Girlfriend Poem (author - unknown)

A Poem About Our Girlfriends

Someone will always be prettier.
Someone will always be smarter.
Some of their houses will be bigger.
Some will drive a better car.
Their children will do better in school..And their husband will fix more things around the house.
So let it go, and love you and your circumstances.
Think about it! The prettiest woman in the world can have hell in her heart.
The most highly favored woman on your job may be unable to have children.
The richest woman you know, she's got the car, the house, the clothes~ might be lonely.
So, love who you are.
Look in the mirror in the morning and smile and say,'I am too Blessed to be Stressed and too Anointed to be Disappointed!
''Winners make things happen~~ Losers let things happen.
'Be 'Blessed' Ladies and pass this on to encourage another woman.
'To the world you might be one person, to me you are special!

Give Thanks Unto The Lord

I pray that your New Year is off to a great start. Although I am recuperating from an automobile accident, I still consider 2010 to be off to a great start. Some of you may be wondering how could that possibly be. Well, I am truly a walking blessing to have survived. I take each day as an opportunity to express my gratitude to the creator of the universe. Each day is another opportunity give praise to our awesome God. "Oh give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good : for his mercy endureth for ever". (Psalm 136:1)

STOP taking others for granted

STOP taking others for granted!

Remember to say "thank you" when someone does a deed. People don't have to do what they do. Too often, people are taken for granted just because others expect them to do things. My mom always taught me that people don't have to do what they do. I am so frustrated with others that assume that I should handle their responsibilities. Just because I did it once doesn't mean that I want to continue doing it - at your discretion. That may have been my assignment then. All temporary assignments don't become permanent duties. I don't mind doing things because I want to do them. I despise doing things when I feel that I have no choice in the matter.