Women's Month: Mary Magdalene's Devotion

 

Every once in a while, I find something that captures my interest. On my mom’s birthday which happens to fall during Women’s History month, my sister sent me a passage of scripture that caught my attention. I felt compelled to study. It mentioned that Jesus appeared first to ordinary women and trusted them with the most important news in history.

As I read the gospels depiction of the resurrection story, at first glance, it looked contradictory. So in the wee hours of the morning, I began to research and try to piece together, like a detective, the bits and pieces that each writer shared. I have to admit that it was fun. Since I’ve been surrounded by law enforcement for most of my adult life, I understood that each account would be different. It is just like when a detective is piecing together a story of what happened from the account of different witnesses. Each one will give their perspective and then the detective pieces together what happened based on all the stories they collected.

At first I was a bit baffled, but as I kept reading and studying, this is what I believe happened. My attention was mostly on Mary Magdalene because I found it fascinating that Jesus appeared to her first.

So let’s start with Mary Magdalene.

She was from the city of Magdala which was 3 miles from Tiberias. It was off the Sea of Galilee and was a fishing city. It was a center for trade and commerce. Capernaum, Jesus’ home town as an adult, was only a little over six miles from Magdala.

What’s interesting is that Mary Magdalene is mentioned 12 times in the gospels, so apparently the writers were impressed to mention her. They felt she was important. Unfortunately over the years, she was confused with other Mary’s mentioned in scripture.

When you study closely, Luke 8 explains that she had seven demons and Jesus casted them out of her. Her devotion and gratitude, could be plainly observed in how she followed him, supported him, endured watching him die at the cross and then went out first thing in the morning when it was still dark to anoint his body.

It makes you wonder why the devotion? Why such intense gratitude? It really bothers me when people have speculated that Jesus had something going on with her. It’s such a lie from the pit of hell that tries to diminish the finished work of Jesus the Christ. (I needed to mention that because there are so many speculations that are false out there.)

Now, imagine for a moment being tormented, because that is what she actually was. The gospels, give clear pictures of how demon possessed individuals acted. In Mark 9, it says that when the spirit (demon) saw Jesus, he threw the boy into convulsions. The father had just finished explaining to Jesus that the evil within his boy robbed him of speech. The boy could not talk or explain what was going on in him. This boy also foamed at the mouth, gnashed his teeth and would become rigid. He went on further to explain after the boy started convulsing that the spirit throws him into the fire and water to try to kill him. That’s a pretty scary depiction of this young man’s life and what’s heartbreaking is that it began as a child. Some will ask, how could this happen? We’ve read and heard of stories of how the authority over a child (parents or guardian) have made vows on behalf of their children to evil spirits and they get possessed. In this passage, there is no indication of that, but I thought I should give you one of many explanations for those of you who would have that question in mind.

Another story that the writers share is the man who had a legion of demons at the region of the Gerasenes in Mark 5. This poor man was chained over and over again but he had the supernatural strength to break out of them. He roamed the tombs and he would cry out and cut himself. That must have been a pitiful and scary sight for the people who lived close by. Unlike Mary Magdalene, this guy had many demons inside of him, so much so that when Jesus casted them out, they went into 2,000 pigs.

Now, let’s circle back to Mary Magdalene. She could’ve manifested any of the accounts that were described above. In both cases, it shows that they were tormented. She lived a life of torment and Jesus came and set her free. This began her journey with Jesus and she had much to be grateful for.

 

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Are You Too Emotional?

 In the quagmire of emotions, I often found myself trying to find the balance that is considered right and acceptable. The do's and don’ts used to always float inside my head. Did that ever happen to you?

• Don’t cry too much. You’ll come across as unstable and weak.
• Woman, you never cry. You come across so cold.
• Woman, you feel too much. You have to stop wearing your heart on your sleeve.
• Let him do all of the work. Don’t show so much love.
• You’re too sensitive. You need to become (fill in the blank).

All those outside voices required an apology and acknowledgement of what I needed to be or become.

But eventually I had to step back and look at me, emotional me, and I had to quiet out all the other voices. When I did, I began to realize that there was a season for all sorts of emotions. It came with the life happens that occur from time to time, like the stress of being a mom with young children; the pain of losing someone dear; the regret of wrong choices; the anxiety of too many changes occurring simultaneously; the risk of diving into the unknown; the betrayal of a friend; the burden of holding on or letting go; or the challenge of starting over (to name a few).

Emotional me discovered that tears were not necessarily a sign of weakness but often a display of love, happiness and yes hurt and pain. But to feel meant I was alive and not dead to my senses. It meant I was living and not existing. It meant that I recognized there were areas to heal and that acknowledgement is the first step towards it.

Emotional me recognizes that at times the feelings of the blues is my body telling me to slow down or stop so that I can nurture the inner girl. It forced me to seek and uncover where I lack. Perhaps I’m working too many hours, facing a hurtful situation, not treating the body right or having a hormone shift and in dire need of chocolate.

Emotional me assures me that whatever pain that afflicts me is temporary. She reminds of times past and urges me to find a friend when the cloud of blues lingers on a bit too long.

Emotional me coax me to apologize after an irritable moment and encourages me to choose future dialog that will build instead of tear down (internally and externally).

Emotional me is the chick that tricks me many times into believing I should dress beautifully and escorts me happily into the shoe store to buy pair number 75. Ah yes she reminds me to buy or give hubs a little something so that he doesn’t freak out on the latest purchase.

Emotional me, emotional you… Too often we chuck valid emotions as being too emotional. We beat ourselves up, drive ourselves crazy and sometimes become more emotional because of it. We feel we’re not allowed, so we become more depressed and become more emotional and it becomes a vicious cycle.

To acknowledge emotional you is to embrace the essence of who you are as a woman. It doesn’t provide an excuse to reign as a woman gone wild but offers the acceptance that you love deeper; you’re wired to nurture, are built with a 6th sense intuition and have tear ducts that activate at a drop of a hat.

When you understand that about yourself, you begin to learn, as with everything else in life, that there’s a need for balance. Don’t ignore, belittle, or get exasperated with emotional you. Find out what she’s trying to tell you…LISTEN.

Also see www.rozhumphreys.com/resources

Guilty Prayers - What Do Yours Sound Like?

What do your prayers sound like?  Are you constantly asking God for forgiveness, or during conversation with others. Example: God forgive me but ... and then you tell your story. Did you ever wonder why you do that? 

Why is it that we constantly ask for forgiveness when we're praying or explaining something that we are uncomfortable about, or know God would not be pleased? 

Do you think that we've been conditioned to think and talk this way?  

Your head is probably spinning with all the questions, but I bet it really made you think about the way your prayed, and how many times you say I'm sorry or God forgive me. When you think back, you may remember your parents doing the same, perhaps family members and even preachers. Those words have become an ingrained part of your vocabulary and, let's face it, probably soothes your soul....or guilty conscience. 

How do you get passed the guilt and religiosity, and enter into the freedom that God has given you? 

It's all about relationship. It's in relationship where you discover that God no longer holds anything against you. John 19:30 confirms that, but that passage will remain words on paper if you do not have an intimate relationship with Holy Spirit. 

How do you cultivate an intimate relationship with Holy Spirit? 

You talk to him like you do any other person you esteem highly and want to get to know. Perhaps to you that sounds too simple. That is because it is. 

The God-relationship is usually made complex when it's the contrary. Just like you speak to your significant other or a best friend, you can begin conversation and cultivate a relationship that will become intense and deep, if you so desire it. 

Here are some steps that can get you started. 

1. Invite Holy Spirit to be part of your life every morning. 

2. Ask his opinion whenever you're feeling challenged, confused or sad. 

3. Learn to listen. (Get my book Spirit GAL Hear.) - Click Here

4. Do what he says. (That's explained in my book as well.) 

Think of how often you look someone up that you want in your life and do the same. Yes! It's that simple. 

Next time we will be covering the following: 

Is guilty praying religious or is it considered being honest with God? 

Life's Too Short for Tantrums

You’ve seen it in every supermarket. You know what I’m talking about. It goes like this. Toddler wants something, gets denied and the fuss begins. Some toddlers will bypass the fuss and just throw themselves on the floor and will display a fit that will embarrass most parents.

Have you ever had that type of moment? I know I have.

I have resembled one of those toddlers  and let’s just say I’m glad God is not Puerto Rican.

A few years ago,  I was really peeved with God because he allowed my husband to have a heart attack. As time progressed, my anger became a toddler fit. I think God got more than an earful to be honest with you. 

I remember thinking, I want to be immune. There is no reason why we should go through problems or illness. I’m supposed to be special, your favorite….what’s up with that. (I know God must have been laughing at me at that point.)

God is so gracious. He knew that eventually I would shut up, and I would listen to him and get it. I needed to get a grip. Life is too short for drawn out tantrums.  So here are some things that I knew but didn’t want to hear during my toddler fit. I'm thinking they will help you too. 

1. You and I are not immune to anything on this earth; nada, zero, zip. Somehow we forget that there is evil in this world whose goal is to take us out.

2. All things work together for good. I don’t care how bad it is, God will always step in and will bring good out of any situation. It’s been my experience that the worst tragedy in life has brought the sweetest mending.

3. If you don’t get anything else straight in your head, get this one thing in case you didn’t get my first point. God does not bring illness or death. Everything negative is as a result of sin. It freaks me out when people say oh God took him. The last time I checked, the only person who was taken went in a chariot straight on up to heaven and he bypassed – and YES....waved as he passed the very shocked demon of death.

4. God is on his throne and he is in control. Some of you don’t get and this is why you live so frustrated. As long as God is on the throne of ‘your’ heart, he remains in control of ‘your’ situation.

5. If God is in control of the situation, no matter how bad it gets, it will – it has to turn out alright at the end. This will give you peace, no matter what the outcome is. You will always be rescued.

6. Here’s the big question…so why do bad things happen to good people? Go back to point one. You can sit and get lost in this question for the rest of your life…or…you can decide to make the rest of your life the best it can be by adjusting your attitude and expectation. Expect good even in the worst of circumstance.

7. Here’s a reminder. This journey here on earth is just a short stint. We are eternal beings. What drives the enemy insane is that he knows that…so…he throws in the misery factor in too in the meantime. If you want to fight right, be happy.

The one thing that stood out the most is that God allows adversity because it will always make you grow. It will put you in a place where you are more sensitive to hear, receive, learn, acknowledge and understand. It stretches and challenges you to become a better you and to depend on God just a bit more. Note I didn’t say God brings it – he allows it – and if he allows it, he has much trust that you can get through it.

The going through but the growth will always be invaluable. I still want to be immune but that’s okay because one day I will be…and that reminder always puts a smile on my face.

God's Voice Echos

A while back, there was a book I once read called “The Sacred Echo” by Margaret Feinberg. She had a realistic, down-to-earth way of explaining how God's communication can resemble an echo. She referred to it as an echo because He often repeats himself several times; not for His benefit but for ours. 

We often hear clearly but are cautious and wonder if it’s our Jiminy Cricket. However, a lot of us have discovered that when God wants something, He’ll continue to nudge until you reach that AHA moment and concede with God.

I learned from that book years ago and started to make note of how God spoke to me over the years. What I paid attention to was the different ways that God speaks and how we often miss it.

Years later, I compiled all that knowledge in my upcoming book, Spirit GAL Hear! which will be become available on June 30 on Amazon.

Many wonder why they should want to hear God and my question back to them is why wouldn't you? Why would you want to serve a God that doesn't speak back? Wouldn't that get boring after a while.

The book will answer all of your burning questions about God's voice. I pray that it blesses you deeply as it blessed during my writing it for you.

You're My Girl

Some times, I have the privilege to come along side one of the gals and become their cheer leader within part of their journey. The other day, one of my grasshoppers called and shared a story that warmed my heart. Like many others during this time, she experienced incredible economic hardship. I have to admit that there were times that I was at a loss for words and I even questioned God and asked why He couldn’t move faster. That probably sounds a bit daring on my part, but if you have relationship, real relationship, you understand that it is not done out of disrespect – frustration perhaps but never disrespect.

What is it that puts you in that place where you can question but trust God at the same time? It’s relationship…not surfacey relationship…not rescue me…but the real deep I can’t live without you type of deal. It’s when you get to the place of - Even if it gets real bad, it’s gonna be okay as long as you’re with me. That’s Mia. There were times where things were ugly and she would always come back after one of her rants and say but I trust God…it will work together for good. And I would reply many times, I can’t wait until the day you give me the good news of the miracle that God has done in your life. I would take it further and assure her that one day I would…and I did.

When I heard the excited voice on the other line, I knew. I had a smile probably as big as Mia’s on my face. She recanted about her interviews but what caught my attention were three little words. It just echoed in my soul. Before she entered into her second round of interviews where she was going to be bombarded with tough questions by six executives, Mia had taken ill. She pleaded and was desperate to hear from God. Right before going in, she heard His voice clearly. “Let’s go in there and show them what a blessing you are to them. You’re my girl.” Immediately she felt peace and her spasms subsided.

What is it that moves the heart of God to say “You’re my girl?” I think it’s the same thing that moved Him when he said “This is my son with whom I am well pleased."

Many of us feel that God can’t think of us in that way because we measure ourselves against our faults instead of His grace. But when you have relationship – true relationship – you can’t help but feel God smile upon you. You feel it each morning as you greet the creator of the universe. You feel it during the day through others. You feel it when you live your purpose daily. You can’t help but feel it as you say goodnight, grateful for another day.

“You’re my girl” reverberated in my soul. It reminds me that each day He celebrates me, even when I’m unaware. It reminds me that even when there is no rhyme or reason, when life sucks and things don’t go my way, I’m His girl. He didn’t say atta-girl or that’s-a-girl like some of my friends do. He made it very personal and said “You’re ‘my’ girl."

I love intangible gifts. They seem to stay with you forever. This reminder is one of the best of them and the greatest gift for me is that I got to write about it. =)

What are You Doing with Your Angels?

Angels are talked about often. Most times, people have been made aware of their guardian angel. However, the angelic realm goes far beyond that. 

In Jesus' prayer in Matthew 6, He mentions "thy kingdom come, thy will be done, ON EARTH as it is IN HEAVEN." That is a pretty good indicator that earth is to operate like heaven. Some may believe that statement was from the time that Jesus was on earth forward, but that is not the case. The moment God put Adam and Eve in the garden, He established government and since God created heaven, it is safe to believe that He established His government on earth the same as in Heaven. (Check out Genesis 1:26-28.)

What I find interesting, is that when you look at the people of Israel and were established as nation, they had no king. It was known that God was their king. Under his dominion, there were 12 tribes. Each tribe had certain characteristics and responsibilities. If earth mimics heaven in its establishment of government, there are then different tribes of angels in heaven, since they were the ones who lived with God before we (humans) came into the picture. 

Messengers
We often hear of the messenger angels like when Daniel was fasting and waiting for an interpretation or when Mary had the announcement of her being the mother of the Messiah. But, there were also warrior angels. 

Warriors
The angel that delivered the message to Daniel said he was delayed and so Michael had to intervene and do some fighting so that he could get through. 

There are guardian angels but we think of them as little floating babes when in Genesis the angels that were put in front of Eden to guard it had flaming swords. 

Ministering
There are ministering angels that we hear came to Jesus after his temptation and to Elijah when he was in a deep depression because Jezebel wanted his head. (Women can be evil at times. j/k...not) 

There is an invisible realm with lots of activity around us that we are unaware of, but God wants us to have more sensitivity to that realm. He wants us to be aware that we are not alone and that we have a lot of backing. We have angels at our disposal. (Psalm 103:19-22, Hebrews 1:14, Matthew 18:10, Exodus 23:20, Psalm 91:11-12) It is worth reminding you that 3/4 of the angels stayed behind and chose God as sovereign ruler. 

Your angels are not some floating, fat-little babies. There are some angels that look pretty darn scary. (Check out their description in Revelation.) They understand what is at stake and their mission is to protect, guard, fight and minister to you. So...what are you doing with your angels? Are you using them or boring them to death? Are you giving them a reason to worship God along side of you, or are they having to cover their eyes because you're not living a righteous life? Are you keeping your angels busy? Are you releasing them on assignments to tear down strongholds, break curses, or minister to a family member or friend? Again, what are you doing with your angels?

If we would ask God to open our eyes to see the spirit realm, it would be scary. Most of us would want to stay blissfully ignorant and blind to the reality of what is going on in the spirit realm. 

Many struggle in life because they don't tap into it. They don't believe that they deserve that type of protection because of behavior or thoughts that they participate in. Is that you? The truth of the matter is that you are assigned angels. How many you gain over the years depends on your activities in the spirit realm. 

We focus on what we see, but God puts merit and worth to the unseen. When you love, the ripple effects are established and experienced for generations, as a matter of fact, for eternity. Whenever you do something out of love that shows compassion or brings healing, it is a catalyst for change that's felt in the spirit realm all the way to heaven...not just around this earth. Your angels are patiently waiting for you to send them to resolve, fight or bring comfort and healing to those around you far and wide. Are you using them? 

You are not to pray to angels. An angel from the Most High God would not allow it. They give glory and honor only to Him and would not take it. Only demons would accept that from you. When you're decreeing and declaring, you're also commanding. You're commanding a situation to be, even though at the present time it may not be. We have been given dominion. It was restored when Jesus rose from the dead and handed dominion back to us. You have the right as the daughter or son of the Most High God to command angels to do what they so long and want to do for you. Are you using them? What are you doing with your angels?

My prayer today is that you get deep revelation, that you can see this unknown fact in a dramatic way that it changes your life forever. Your angels are waiting for you, and the more you put them to work, and the more you step up into faith, the more will be added to you. We often hear, new level...new devil. How about instead we focus on, new level...more angels. Put your angels to work today. They're waiting. 

Your Deadheading Girlfriends

I was pinching back, or what they call deadheading in the gardening world, the flowers in the baskets in the front of the house. If you've ever done this, you know that it can take a long time. The more flowers there are, the more you have to pinch off. You're not touching the healthy blooms. You're only pulling off the faded and dead ones.

I began to think about how our lives mimic these plants and the care that needs to go into them. You and I, need to care for ourselves and one of the greatest ways we can do this is by having an inner circle of friends...a tribe, that is not afraid to be one of your deadheading girlfriends.I know you're wondering what in the world is that?!

I imagine a deadheading girlfriend to be the one that tells you the truth even when you don't want to hear it. They're very careful though, not in the sense tip toeing around your feelings, but in the timing and delivery of their message.

In order for this to happen and since this within the sacred space of friendship, the women you choose can't be just any girlfriend. They have to be someone that can be trusted, loved and love in return. Your inner circle, your tribe is so important. They are the ones who will love you to your next step. This doesn't mean that they will agree with everything you say or do, but they will be your loudest cheerleader and your greatest support. They will also be your best critics and will tell you when you need to let go of the dead weight of faded yesterdays or dead hopes.

If you don't have some deadheading girlfriends, it's time to cultivate and nurture you some. It is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.

Love32 is a series of blogs, videos and posts that will raise awareness and will invite you to do life better. It will coax you to think or rethink certain areas in your life, and how you may want to change, embrace or do more. 

You can read more about the Love32 Series below or click on the Love32 Series link on the right hand side to see all of the blogs under this series.

There is Greatness in You 
Suicidal Thoughts
Goodbye Restlessness!
Your Healing Reality
The Unlikely Sabotager
Carelessness of Spirit
Disregard of the Most Important Girl

Subscribe to Roz' YouTube Channel

Disregard of the Most Important Girl

Did you know that the most important girl in your world is you? Yet, you disregard her constantly. Don't worry you're in great company. You and I are in that same boat.

If you're a mom, you put your kids first. If you're a wife or have a significant other, you put them first. If you have anyone that you take care of, you often put them first. For some reason we constantly put others ahead of ourselves.

Why do we do that?

We are nurturers and many of us are people pleasers...and yes I included me! I do have to say that I am getting better with trying not to please everyone because it's an impossible, up-mountain battle. You can never please everyone. Someone will always complain or murmur or point out what you didn't do for them. Soooo...

What about you?

We can be are our own worst enemies because of disregard. We disregard our appointments, our health, our wardrobe, our looks and we disregard our spirit gal. We go by the mantra of "I  am woman, hear me roar" but inside, we really sound like that whirly-pissed off cat who is annoyed with everyone, including ourselves. We can't seem to get it together because in our minds, we're supposed to "be all" and "do all."

It's a lie...a myth that many have bought into. You and I can't be all and do all, and the person who pays for it is...you guessed it is YOU. The disregard happens subtlety and over time and you get used to it. You gauge progress by what you've done and who you are to those important to you, but that gauge does not include you...the most important girl. By now you're probably asking...

How do I fix this?

Do not disregard you. Make an appointment for yourself in that busy schedule of yours and make it a habit to keep it. Keep up with your check ups. Make time for the bubble baths or (semi) long hot showers. Make sure you learn how to slap on a decent make up face in record time. Schedule time with girlfriends for coffee, movies, dinner or shopping, but most urgently needed, schedule time with Papa God. Talk to Him throughout your day and remember your faithful companion, Holy Spirit.

You're probably shaking your head and saying that's a lot. Honestly, is it?

We make time and priority for a mile-long list of things that are important to us or that need to be done. Here's a reality check. The care of you is part of the needs to be done. Don't disregard the most important girl in the world. Don't disregard you. Love you first, then all other things by default will fall into its rightful place.

Love32 is a series of blogs, videos and posts that will raise awareness and will invite you to do life better. It will coax you to think or rethink certain areas in your life, and how you may want to change, embrace or do more. 

You can read more about the Love32 Series below or click on the Love32 Series link on the right hand side to see all of the blogs under this series.

There is Greatness in You 
Suicidal Thoughts
Goodbye Restlessness!
Your Healing Reality
The Unlikely Sabotager
Carelessness of Spirit


Subscribe to Roz' YouTube Channel

Carelessness of Spirit

These are the topics that I don't necessarily like to write about because who wants to read or hear about them???? But reality is that we live in a world where we constantly need to take inventory of who we are, not only on the outside but the inside as well. We look at our physical health, our abilities - whether we are skilled enough or not. We look at finances and relationships, but we hardly look at the spirit person inside who is, in actuality, the real person that we are.

Our spirit is everlasting. God has placed part of His eternal DNA inside of us. Unlike Him who is eternal, meaning He is not a created being, we were created and given the gift of living forever. Your body will die one day and decay, but your spirit will continue. If that is the case, why is that we treat our spirit in a careless manner. Carelessness of spirit is something we all suffer from. Our spirit is often ignored, taken for granted or not cared for. We think that our conscientiousness is all we are comprised of, but there's another part of you that is longing for the attention so desperately needed.

Your spirit needs to be fed, needs to be exercised and needs guidance from a Spirit that is greater and wiser. When Jesus left, He sent his replacement, Holy Spirit. Often we think of Holy Spirit as a mystical mist that hangs around, but did you know that Holy Spirit dwells in you. His job is to make sure you care for your spirit in partnership with Him.

Notice I didn't say "the" Holy Spirit. I purposely said Holy Spirit without "the"  because that is His name. He is a person. He so longs to be part of your life and wants so much to see you thrive and live in abundance, but you gotta care for your spirit person. Feed your spirit the word. Grow the muscles by reading, listening and applying.

Let's not be careless about our spirit person. It's the only one we got  and your spirit will live forever and wants to look good when you get home.

(And yes, I know I used bad grammar twice, but you got the point!)

Love32 is a series of blogs, videos and posts that will raise awareness and will invite you to do life better. It will coax you to think or rethink certain areas in your life, and how you may want to change, embrace or do more. 

You can read more about the Love32 Series below or click on the Love32 Series link on the right hand side to see all of the blogs under this series.

There is Greatness in You 
Suicidal Thoughts
Goodbye Restlessness!
Your Healing Reality
The Unlikely Sabotager


Subscribe to Roz' YouTube Channel

The Unlikely Sabotager of Hopes and Dreams

When you hear the word sabotage, you usually don't apply it to, or think about it towards yourself. Usually, you are able to talk about it or mention it about another person. Let's face it. It's easier! :) But...did you know that we sabotage ourselves, sometimes daily, about stuff. That stuff can be important or minor in our eyes.

Your routine can sabotage what you're supposed to be really be doing. Let's say you were supposed to do a paper in two weeks, but you scheduled all sorts of activities that will not allow you the necessary time for research and writing. You may call that procrastination but you are also being the unlikely sabotager. I say unlikely because you probably wouldn't use that term or even consider yourself in that light, or should we say negative-truth.

Look at your life. Look at the different areas, hopes and dreams that you have not accomplished. If you would honestly take a good look at your do, you would see that you sabotaged making your hopes, dreams and goals become a reality.

Sabotage can look like watching more TV than you should. Being on social media for minutes that become hours when added up. Sleeping later than you should and not gaining an hour in your day to focus on doing steps towards your dream. Not picking up that book, or picking up that book and not reading it because you don't have time, when you know in reality, you're not making time. Not going to that class, that seminar or conference.

You and I are the unlikely sabotager of our hopes and dreams. We don't do it intentionally, but we do it each and every day. However, we can change that. We can become purposeful in our planning and then stick with it. We can become accountable so that we stay the course. We can want our dreams so bad, that we can taste it. We don't have to sabotage our hopes and dreams any more. Come on...let's do this!

Love32 is a series of blogs, videos and posts that will raise awareness and will invite you to do life better. It will coax you to think or rethink certain areas in your life, and how you may want to change, embrace or do more. 

Also Read: 

There is Greatness in You 
Suicidal Thoughts
Goodbye Restlessness!
Your Healing Reality

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel

Your Healing Reality

You won't hear anyone admit that a situation is hopeless unless it's really bad, but did you know that you could feel hopeless about something and not share it? You can feel hopeless about a child that does not receive correction. You can feel hopeless about financial messes that don't seem to end. You can feel hopeless about a significant relationship that is not giving you what you expect or deserve.

To live in hopelessness in one area, often spills over into other areas of our lives. It shows by how we respond or by how we live...as if there's a dark, stormy cloud circling over.

How do you move from hopelessness and into positive expectation?

It's all about mindset and what you will continue to accept as your negative or positive norm. You see hope will always spring up in your heart. It's up to you not to stop it from welling up until it overwhelms you. Sometimes guilt can creep up because you feel like you shouldn't entertain the feelings of hope, but did you know that those rays of sunshine are there to heal?

When you experience those rays within the crevices of your heart, it's your opportunity to widen the crevice so that more sunshine can pour through.

Often people are stuck because they don't put into practice the words that are on the pages of the bible. It's not enough to read, to recite, to claim or declare. You have to put into practice what is written. It's not based on feelings. It's based on knowing that God is a good God, and if so, He will make things better. Everything has an expiration date. Everything. Thank God for time.

It is my prayer that you have caught a glimpse of hope and that it replays in your mind over and over again until it becomes your healing-reality.

Love32 is a series of blogs, videos and posts that will raise awareness and will invite you to do life better. It will coax you to think or rethink certain areas in your life, and how you may want to change, embrace or do more. 

Also Read: 

There is Greatness in You 
Suicidal Thoughts
Goodbye Restlessness!

Goodbye Restlessness!

Look at your life. Is there a pattern of restlessness that you live with? I think that we are all guilty of that. Day after day, productivity is measured by what you do, but are you accomplishing anything, and most importantly, are you resting?

Restlessness is the constant go.When you're not doing, you feel useless, bored, fidgety and anxious. You do not know how to relax unless you're on vacation, and perhaps for you, even in a beach environment, you do not know how to shut it off. The brain and the body is wired for stimulation and the constant "do" or "go."

How do you step out of restlessness? 

First you have to get to the crux of the why you need to keep going. Does your "do" give you validation, value or self-worth? Does the fruit of your constant-toil give you great rewards? Are you seeing incredible results and that's your motivation? Or does the silence haunt you with all sorts of accusations and questions? Does guilt drive you to drown out the unanswered questions? Is boredom the constant knock on the other side of your quiet moments? Do you get anxious because you can't accomplish everything on your list? Are you a perfectionist because having control keeps order in your mind? Have you asked yourself the truth behind the why you live in the restlessness that you have created?

That last question bothered me too. but any situation that is contrary to the word of God, we have created. It was not circumstances or situations. It was our response and reaction. The word of God tells us that we are to trade our yoke to His because it's lighter, and that we should enter into His rest. If that is the case, then restlessness is the place where we believe that we need to have all under control, even our quiet time. That sounds like we don't need God. (ouch)

Did you know that your quiet time is the greatest opportunity for intimacy not only with God but with those you love the most. Your mind is quiet, your attention becomes laser-focused and you have the ability to give of yourself in intensity because there are no distractions. Rich and I decided not to put a TV on the main floor of the house so that we could encourage more uninterrupted conversation with our family. They complain sometimes that we should have a TV in at least the living room, but they have also realized that not having one slows us down and keeps us focused when talking to each other.

Slowing down is an art that takes practice over and over again. You have to intentionally choose to slow it down and shut it down. When restlessness creeps in, because it will, you need to choose not to entertain it and reassure yourself that you're doing the right thing. This is not an overnight change. It's a change you have to choose again and again on your day, hours or moments of rest...and yes you can do it.

Goodbye restlessness!


Love32 is a series of blogs, videos and posts that will raise awareness and will invite you to do life better. It will coax you to think or rethink certain areas in your life, and how you may want to change, embrace or do more. 

Remember...there is greatness in you.

Also Read: 

There is Greatness in You 
Suicidal Thoughts

Suicidal Thoughts

One would never think that simple words can be powerful. They can actually start a downward spiral unbeknownst to you. Did you know that the words that you say, create your environment? Seriously...they do.

Every negative or positive, creates what you see within your realm of influence. Tell your child they're bad long enough, and they will believe it. Tell them that they can do anything they pour their hearts into, and they will. Tell yourself that you're unlovable and you will attract significant others (yes plural) that can't love you enough. Tell yourself that you're fat and unattractive, and you will start dressing frumpy and sloppy and not care about your appearance. These repetitive thought-filled behaviors are enforced again and again, by you. It doesn't matter if it started by someone outside of you. It is your words that give whatever was said power.

What does this have to do with suicidal thoughts? Everything!

How many times have you said under your breath or in your thoughts, out of frustration, despair or even jokingly, "I can't do this anymore; I want to die; I don't want to live anymore; or I would've died?" All of those words lay down a thought-path that can be extended with additional thoughts and words.

Your reactions are not surprises. They are subconscious thoughts intertwined with behaviors that manifest because, you guessed it by now, you said it over and over again, perhaps over years and they began to take root and grow. Suicidal thoughts don't just happen overnight. They build off of constant disappointment, unshakable depression, rejection bombardment, the list can go on and on. When the pressure is too much to handle, the thoughts can gravitate towards the feelings of worthlessness and not being missed.

The reality is that you will be missed, and you're worth more than you can ever imagine. You are valuable beyond anything priceless on this earth, so much so that God sent Jesus for you. Perhaps those words mean nothing to you, but think back, just for a moment of the heartache of losing someone you loved. That is how God feels about you everyday when you're not with Him. The only way to get you back (your heart back) was to send Jesus for you. If you were the only person on this planet, He would do it again and anyway.

Suicidal thought can be captured by love. When you get preoccupied by the love thoughts like you are loved, you are valued, your worth has no earthly price-tag, and those who love you want you here - your presence as a present, it begins to shut down the suicidal thoughts. You are a gift to others and the fact that you're reading this is the reminder that you are so loved beyond what you can imagine.

P.S. There's a simple prayer to get your heart connected with Father God. You can pray it with me. Let me know if you did!

Father God, forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart and be the Lord of my life. In Jesus Name.

Love32 is a series of blogs, videos and posts that will raise awareness and will invite you to do life better. It will coax you to think or rethink certain areas in your life, and how you may want to change, embrace or do more. 

Remember...there is greatness in you.

Also read: 

There is Greatness in You 

There is Greatness in You

There is greatness in all of us, but it requires us to tap into the source. God has given us all...in each of us...the ability to do and to do in greatness. What you decide, determines the size of your greatness. If you do small, your greatness will be in the small. If you decide to go full force, your greatness will follow.

Choose Greatness
It is in the choice where greatness shines. So if that is the case, then the celebration of becoming should be ever-constant, ever-evolving and ever-present. You may ask, why evolving? It's because celebrations are not all the same. How boring and predictable would that be? We celebrate in different ways and for different reasons. Take for instance your birthday. The greatness, the significance of your day is celebrated, so is the greatness of you, your love and your presence. It's a celebration of you at that moment in time. With age, your celebrations evolve, change in order to make your greatness known and shared.

You are great and you have greatness within you. It's not based on a feeling but you can be blinded by a lie someone created of you,
and that you have created for yourself.

The shine of your greatness will always break through the darkness and will help you get glimpses enticing you to live the truth - your truth - the design within you deposited by Almighty God. That greatness within you is something that no one can take away. No one but you can relinquish this gift because of doubt, unbelief or self-loathing. The last one is hard to hear, but it's one of the main reasons why people give up their greatness. They get tired and dislike who they are. Is that you?

Self-love...self-love is an important ingredient. (Yes, I repeated it twice for emphasis.) How do you practice this? How do you love you and ensure that you continually live in your greatness?

Find out as we dive into the journey of Love32. 

Brush It Off Like Dandruff

Brush it Off like Dandruff

Let’s face it, we’ve all have had dandruff at one point or another in our lives. When we see it, we get annoyed and brush it off. Notice I said…when. You don’t often see it if you’re wearing light-colored clothing, but you can spot it immediately if you’re wearing dark-colored clothing, especially black. The worst is when someone points it out to you, or starts brushing it off for you! It’s the making for an awkward, embarrassing or annoying moment.

Sometimes you hear family, friends or even coworkers say, “Brush it off” and find yourself biting your tongue and having all sorts of colorful thoughts in your mind. You’re smiling now because you know what I’m saying is true.

Well imagine if you were in the middle of going through something relatively hard and you heard the Holy Spirit tell you, “Brush it off like Dandruff.” What would your reaction be? You’d probably say to yourself, I’m hearing things; God has an incredible sense of humor; or what the heck???? Which would you choose? You would probably choose the latter.

So indulge me for just a moment and just imagine you heard the words “Brush it off like dandruff” and read on and find out what that would mean to you.

Many of us are immersed in stress as the norm because we entertain negative thoughts of what may be that never happens. Imagine that your mind has shoulders. (I know weird-looking brain.) The shoulders are shelves where you put stuff on. That stuff represents things like doubt, fear, worry which (by the way) rolls up as stress.

The stuff on your shoulders starts out like small flakes. You can’t see it when death is forming in your brain because it’s hidden well. (Remember dandruff is dead skin – yuck!) Once it becomes uncomfortable (itchy), it begins to come off as flakes. At first, it’s ignored because everybody thinks that way (you know, negative thoughts) and the flakes are minimal.

You don’t notice at first (because of the light clothes), but eventually it shows up (on your dark clothes) as dark moods, sad thoughts, worry, unbelief, stress, etc. It becomes extremely apparent not only to you, but to others as well.

When you brush off dandruff, you don’t usually do it with a gentle gesture. As a matter of fact, if it increases your brushing becomes an annoyed clearing of those pesky flakes.

Life’s hindrances are just like dandruff and only you can clear out any of the negatives that have perched on your mind’s shoulders.

So here comes the friend or the (not-so-shy stranger) that may point it out from time to time. Instead of getting angry, you should be grateful. Those flakes are so unbecoming and are an apparent indicator that there’s an underlying problem that you are not fixing.

So, imagine if you heard those same words, “Brush it off like dandruff” when it comes to unbelief. Hmmm…that would be another great area to dive into. (To be continued…)

Abandon the Abandonment

When we think of abandonment, we often feel the sting for the other person because we probably know the sting ourselves. It may have been because we experienced it.

We abandon all sorts of ideas but we never look at it as abandonment. Then there is also the abandonment of self, where we totally immerse ourselves into someone or something. Although abandonment has many definitions, it’s often associated with the negative. It is usually the explanation of someone leaving their responsibilities. It creates hurt and unanswered questions. The wounded party often wonders…why?

Abandonment, if not explored, can be the breeding ground of distrust, resentment that can become bitterness, and the ongoing feeling of loneliness even in a crowded room. Why explore, you may wonder? Whatever you don’t question, will haunt you. The answer may never come, but then there’s a decision to be made. Do you continue to ask the why, or do you make peace with not knowing? It’s an individual journey, with individual decisions.

When my husband’s father became ill, the decision to treat him with love and respect was difficult in the beginning, but we knew it was a God-mandate. Here was the man that abandoned his sons, and didn’t actively look for them afterwards. To many outsiders, it looked like he washed his hands of his past. It no longer existed. Unfortunately that spilled over to his grandchildren, and my daughters experienced very little of their grandfather.

Forgiveness

My husband chose to forgive him, but he struggled from time to time on how a father could abandon his children. His way of not holding on to resentment or any of the ugly stuff that can come along with that experience, was to be the best dad he could be. He tried his hardest to be the opposite of what his father was.

During the time that we cared for my father-in-law, we discovered many things about him. You can say that the scales came off our eyes as we witnessed the truth of who he was. It broke both of our hearts and helped my husband heal completely as he served his father…who did not deserve kindness, but was granted it anyway.

Sometimes we don’t understand why people do certain things, how they could abandon their children, or why strayed so far, but God knows. I believe that’s why He asks us to love one another. It’s a hard ask at times, but He understands the human heart, the human condition, the fact that we miss the mark a lot. We tend to judge harshly but don’t want to be judged ourselves, cause let’s face it, we’re perfect. We make no mistakes. Yet there are times where our glass house can be easily shattered due to our temporary/momentary hypocrisy. This is where love covers a multitude of sins.

When God commanded us to forgive, it was because he knew there was healing in forgiveness, not only for the offender but most importantly, for the one offended. The greatest gift that Rich’s dad received before he left this earth was family…the love of our family that was unconditional. It was not because we are saints. It’s because we chose to honor God first and foremost, and we live by a rule in our extended family that we keep to. “Don’t sweat the small stuff, and everything is small.”

 A lot of times, we want the justification of being right. We want that pat on the shoulder, the camaraderie of acceptance but that’s not always the path to healing. Going against the grain and being the lone person that sings to a different tune is usually the one that makes the difference; the one who promotes healing and well-being.  

Just because everyone is in agreement for a seemingly good cause, doesn’t mean that their motives are right or even pleasing to heaven. We live in a world where the bible is no longer the standard and only feeling is the guide. That can get anyone in trouble because God’s not interested in opinions. He’s looking for obedience because obedience is what turns the tides.

Abandon the Abandonment

Abandonment can be a devastating experience, but God’s healing is ever greater. I challenge you to try God, I mean really try God. Be brutally honest with Him about what you’re feeling, but be ready to abandon the abandonment. What that means is that you will be faced with the choice to hold on to the feelings, or release it and bind God’s love to your soul. You may have to say “I release (fill in the blank) and I bind God’s love to my soul” 1,000x in a day for days, but know that God heals. He sent Jesus to restore you completely and make you whole again.

In Luke and Isaiah, it says that Jesus came to give freedom to the brokenhearted. If that is a truth that has become your truth, then your next choice is to believe.

What is a Sofon?

"He's a sofon Julie!" she screamed in frustration. "What?" Anna replied. "A sofon! You know like those big garbage cans in the projects that are filled with newspapers to burn for heat." 

Anna stared at her with a perplexed look on her face. "Anna, he's like that garbage can." Anna's brows began to knit together as she frowned. Her lips began to form a pout. 

"Don't look at me like that. You know it's true. As long as you feed into him, give him what he wants, he will burn for you and give you the affection you need. But, the minute you stop, he's like a sofon. If you don't keep lighting it up, eventually it will die out. And in case it's not obvious to you, a sofon always contains it's flame to one place. Girl you want a man whose a forest fire! You want him loose...to go everywhere...unconstrained. That's what true love is like. The man that loves you wants to be part of your family. He wants to meet your friends and most importantly, he loves you and looks for you!" 

Anna's anger grew with every word coming out of Julie's mouth. She spat vehemently, "You don't understand. He pays attention to me unlike Eric who never used to. You don't know what you're talking about! You don't know what it's like to have someone who finally cares and pays attention to me!" 

Julie thought for a moment and chose her words carefully, "But at what cost Anna?"

Perhaps you know someone like Anna or perhaps you were Anna. You were in a relationship where you were mistreated, you switched over into a new relationship and found yourself on the unbalanced side of giving, and giving and giving...again. 

Women, as nurturers, tend to naturally lean towards being all her man wants her to be. However, when the cost compromises her emotionally, socially and spiritually, she often misses her flag, her warning that she may be in a sofon relationship. The relationship is contained and remains within a happy balance as long as she's giving certain things, his way, most of the time. 

Why do women get caught up into an emotional sofon? Find out more next week.