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