Spiritual Motivation and Insight

[oneinamillion]

I wrote this at one turbulent time in my life obviously before I found Mr. Right and married him!!!!!

HOW LONG CAN I WAIT

How long can I wait
for you to get your priorities straight
It doesn't make sense when you say you care but you can't get be there
this I ask how long can I wait
for you to have a change of faith
beautiful, sweet, and smart...I've been told I am a thousand times
but why do I keep trying to change your dumb-as$ mind.
you yourself see these qualities of me like everyone else
but toward being with me you still rebell.
Now I feel silly asking myself what do I see in you
your qood qualities compared to mine equal few
So again why in the hell am I waiting on you
could it be your looks, the parties, the wine money or the romantic sex.
Although this is not all that I seek you gave it generously to me
I know that all of this blinded me to see that you're really not the one for me
and once I let go and God sees
He'll provide the real Superman thats already waiting to pamper me!!!!

-written in 1999 by me...dayum I felt like I was writing a song for Mary J. Blige.-

[CrimsonTide4]

Thought for Today:

IT'S YOUR PEARL!


When something irritates you, how do you handle it?
Do you take it personal?
Do you stay in peace?
Do you take action?
Do you speak up?
Do you sit down?
Do you feel overwhelmed?
Or do you feel like you can overcome it?

When an irritation like a foreign substance gets inside an oyster, it produces a secretion. After months the secretion hardens and evolves into a pearl. Man dives dangerously in the deep seas seeking pearls. They are valuable sought after treasures. People actually pay for this "irritation"
that evolved into a pearl. When an irritation gets inside your spirit and life, you can either allow it to eat you up and develop ulcers, hypertension, back ache, head ache, stomach ache, heart ache or you can gain a pearl of wisdom from the experience. You can develop a new insight,
faith and a life lesson from your setbacks and pain. This pearl of great price that you've gained was once an irritation, an unwelcome intrusion into your life but now you see it differently. You come out of the depths of the
sea of despair, depression and discouragement. You can come out of the dark pool of water and rise to the surface and see the light. It's your pearl.
Turn your pain into pearls. --by Jewel Diamond Taylor


"We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all
things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those
who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. For
those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also
destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image
of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the
firstborn among many brethren. And those whom He thus foreordained, He also
called; and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made
righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself). And those whom He
justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity and
condition or state of being]. What then shall we say to [all] this? If God
is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our
side?] He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up
for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all
[other] things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect [when it is]
God Who justifies [that is, Who puts us in right relation to Himself? Who
shall come forward and accuse or impeach those whom God has chosen? Will
God, Who acquits us?] Who is there to condemn [us]? Will Christ Jesus (the
Messiah), Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead, Who is at the
right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us? Who shall ever
separate us from Christ's love? Shall suffering and affliction and
tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or
destitution or peril or sword?
36Even as it is written, For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long;
we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet amid all these
things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him
Who loved us. For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death
nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and
threatening nor things to come, nor powers, Nor height nor depth, nor
anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of
God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:28-39 AMP

[Afrochic]

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive the week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pains of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million people around the world.

If you can express your beliefs without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed that almost three billion people in the world.

If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the worlds wealthy.

If your parents are still married and alive, you are very, very rare.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer God's healing touch.

If you own just one Bible, you are abundantly blessed. 1/3 of the world does not have access to even one.

If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read anything at all.

[CrimsonTide4]

LOVING BACK WILL TEACH YOU


Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good luck.

Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly
pointless.

The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience, help to create who you are and who you become. Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious when you open your heart.

If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.--author unknown to me


"Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other." Romans 12:9-10 NLT

[CrimsonTide4]

LORD'S BASEBALL GAME!



Bob and the Lord stood by to observe a baseball game. The Lord's team was playing Satan's team. The Lord's team was at bat, the score was tied zero to zero, and it was the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs. They continued to watch as a batter stepped up to the plate whose name was Love. Love swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because Love never fails.

The next batter was named Faith, who also got a single because Faith works with Love.

The next batter up was named Godly Wisdom. Satan wound up and threw the first pitch. Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass: Ball one. Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked, because Godly Wisdom never swings at what Satan throws. The bases were now loaded.

The Lord then turned to Bob and told him He was now going to bring in His star player. Up to the plate stepped Grace. Bob said, "He sure doesn't look like much!" Satan's whole team relaxed when they saw Grace. Thinking he had won the game, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To the shock of everyone, Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen. But Satan was not worried; his center fielder let very few get by. He went up for the ball, but it went right through his glove, hit him on the head and sent him crashing on the ground; then it continued over the fence for a home run!


The Lord's team won. The Lord then asked Bob if he knew why Love, Faith, and Godly Wisdom could get on base but could not win the game. Bob answered that he did not know why. The Lord explained, "If your love, faith, and wisdom had won the game you would think you had done it by yourself. Love, Faith and Wisdom will get you on base but, only My Grace can get you Home.

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly."

[CrimsonTide4]

"Once you make a decision...Never look back."

This is my mom's e-mail signature and it is the sho nuff truth FOR ME.

[Honeykiss1974]

How to Change Your Mind


ACCEPTANCE
Accept what you feel without judgment or criticism. Your feelings are telling you something, learn how to listen.

WILLINGNESS
Be willing to change. Be willing to learn. Be willing to act. Be willing to listen. Be willing to be wrong.

FORGIVENESS
Give up what happened in the past for a change in the present.

CREATE
Look at what you do moment by moment, day by day. If what you are doing is not getting you what you want, STOP DOING IT! Create something new by doing a new thing.

What you focus on will become your reality.
Change your mind ...Change your Life



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http://www.innervisionsworldwide.com...hment.htm#time

[Honeykiss1974]

The Silent Years
=================

There are times when God will speak to you and then be silent
for an extended period of time. Silence does not mean you have
been forsaken by God. It simply means that God has spoken,
and now is the time to allow the word that He spoke to germinate
and come to pass.

Silence is not the same as peace. Silence is the absence of
noise, but peace is the presence of God! While you are going
through "silent years," you should focus on inner peace.

Inner peace produces outward confidence in the face of negative
circumstances so that we can go forward in the assurance that
even though tribulation is coming against us, we are more
than conquerors over it!

The Greek word for peace actually describes a spiritual
equilibrium no matter whatever may seek to upset us. The
biblical meaning of peace never denotes the absence of trouble.
Peace is not the absence of negatives but the presence of
positives. God's peace is inward and spiritual and never
predicated by contrary circumstances or negative events.

Poverty, sickness, death nor debt can override internal peace!

Silent years should indicate a time of reflection, introspection
and listening. The quieter we become, the more we hear.
However, we cannot rush the silent years.

Silent years are times of transition. Transition is always
uncomfortable and appears to last forever. We must ENDURE the
silent years! Whenever you see the word endure, it means that
there is no short cut through it. It must be endured.
You cannot circumvent what must be endured.

We are told to ENDURE unto the end. (Matt. 24:13)
We are told to ENDURE persecution and tribulation. (II Th. 1:4-10)
We are told to ENDURE hardness. (II Tim. 2:1-3)
We are told to ENDURE affliction. (II Tim. 4:5)
We are told to ENDURE chastening. (Heb. 12:7)

The key to being able to ENDURE is to see the END (ENDure).

Now, here are some things for you to question during the silent
years:

Is my life really submitted to God?
Am I submitted at home, work, church and to the government?
Have I learned my lesson?
What is God trying to teach me?
Am I humble enough to be teachable?
Has the fruit of patience been sufficiently developed in me?
Do I still have an appetite for the world in me?
Did I properly respond to the last thing God told me to do?
Have I attained a deeper faith?
Is my attitude right toward God and others?
Am I harboring unforgiveness?
What am I becoming?
Have I sufficiently developed and matured as a person?
Have I taken the time to minister to the Lord? (Acts 13:2)

During your silent years you should:

1. Practice and develop your gifts. Study.
2. Clarify. Define goals. Reorder priorities.
3. Serve (even while you are hurting).
4. Trust God.
5. Pray

Your silent years should change your life! You should come out
as a new person! When you come out, you should have a new level
of:

1. Knowledge
2. Responsibility
3. Authority/Power
4. Faith
5. Trust

Remember, problems never come to last, they only come to pass!

[LeLe]

I'll be happy when...
We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, when we are able to go on a nice vacation or when we retire. The truth is there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges.

It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with .. and remember that time waits for no one.

So, stop waiting ...
Until your car or home is paid off.
Until you get a new car or home.
Until your kids leave the house.
Until you go back to school.
Until you finish school.
Until you lose 10 lbs.
Until you gain 10 lbs.
Until you get married.
Until you get a divorce.
Until you have kids.
Until you retire.
Until summer..
Until spring.
Until winter.
Until fall.
Until you die.

There is no better time than right now to be happy. Happiness is a journey, not a destination. So work like you don't need money, love like you've never been hurt, and, dance like no one's watching.

This is somehting that I wanted to share especially since at this very minute are country is in a difficult position. I pray that every soldiers family be at peace with their place in this world and know that God will keep them and Bless them!!!

[Honeykiss1974]

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you . . ." (John 14:27).

There are times in our lives when our peace is based simply on our own ignorance. But when we are awakened to the realities of life, true inner peace is impossible unless it is received from Jesus.

When our Lord speaks peace, He creates peace, because the words that He speaks are always "spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). Have I ever received what Jesus speaks? ". . . My peace I give to you . . ." -- a peace that comes from looking into His face and fully understanding and receiving His quiet contentment.

Are you severely troubled right now?

Are you afraid and confused by the waves and the turbulence God sovereignly allows to enter your life?

Have you left no stone of your faith unturned, yet still not found
any well of peace, joy, or comfort?

Does your life seem completely barren to you?

Then look up and receive the quiet contentment of the Lord Jesus. Reflecting His peace is proof that you are right with God, because you are exhibiting the freedom to turn your mind to Him.

If you are not right with God, you can never turn your mind anywhere but on yourself. Allowing anything to hide the face of
Jesus Christ from you either causes you to become troubled or gives you a false sense of security.

With regard to the problem that is pressing in on you right now, are you "looking unto Jesus" (Hebrews 12:2) and receiving peace from Him? If so, He will be a gracious blessing of peace exhibited in and through you. But if you only try to worry your way out of the problem, you destroy His effectiveness in you, and you deserve whatever you get.

We become troubled because we have not been taking Him into account. When a person confers with Jesus Christ, the confusion stops, because there is no confusion in Him. Lay everything out before Him, and when you are faced with difficulty, bereavement, and sorrow, listen to Him say, "Let not your heart be troubled . . ." (John 14:27).

[CrimsonTide4]

RELEASE, RELEASE, RELEASE

Lightening your load also means knowing when to release things. One of the most dangerous things is to be shackled to your past. We all make mistakes, we all have regrets, but we must learn how to move beyond them. Life is too short to allow yourself to be an inmate in the prison of bad choices and weak decisions. The prison of previous mistakes comes with jailers of guilt and regret. Together they hold you captive, torturing you with images of what you could have been and what you could have accomplished had you not done this or that or the other.

What's unfortunate is that most of us don't realize that the key to release ourselves is within our own hands. Often, we are our own wardens, prolonging the sentence. Actually, many times we are the judge, jury, and prosecutor, giving ourselves a life sentence of misery, mourning and regret. What we
need to realize is that there is only one Judge, and He is forgiving.

"Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God for He will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:7 NKJV)

Yes, we all make bad choices at one time or another, but all we need to remember is that if we ask the Lord for His forgiveness, He will be merciful and release us from our sins. So if our Father releases us from our sins,
why do we remain in the self-imposed shackles of our past? Let us lift up our voices in repentance, and the walls of our prison cells will fall away.

I'm not saying you can just walk away from your mistakes. Sometimes there are consequences that we have to live with. However, when we make a bad choice, we need just to apply the three Rs: We need to repent, try to rectify the situation, and take responsibility for our deeds. But once we do
that, we need to move beyond the guilt. --by T.D. Jakes (Maximize The Moment
- God's Action Plan for Your Life)


"THE SPIRIT of the Lord God is upon me, ecause the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the
prison and of the eyes to those who are bound, To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion--to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit--that they may be called oaks of righteousness
[lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified." Isaiah 61:1-3 AMP

[Honeykiss1974]

I stumbled across my middle school's website and ran across this poem that was posted on the Special Education Teacher's page.

I just felt like sharing it.


Kids Who Are Different

Here’s to the kids who are different
The kids who don’t get all A’s
The kids who have ears twice the size of their peers
And noses that go on for days

Here’s to the kids who are different
The kids they call crazy or dumb
The kids who don’t fit, with the guts and the grits
Who dance to a different drum

Here’s to the kids who are different
The kids with the mischievous streak,
For when they have grown, as history’s shown
It’s their difference that makes them unique

[CrimsonTide4]

YOU PUT THE DEVIL OUT BUT YOU LET HIM LEAVE HIS BAGS!!!!

You got out of a bad relationship because it was bad, but you are still resentful, and angry
(you let the devil leave his bags)

You got out of financial debt, but you still can't control the desire to spend on frivolous things
(you let the devil leave his bags)

You got out of a bad habit or addiction, but you still long to try it just one more time
(you let the devil leave his bags)

You said, I forgive you, but you can't seem to forget and have peace with that person
(you let the devil leave his bags)

You told your unequally yoked mate that it was over, but you still continue to call
(you let the devil leave his bags)

You got out of that horribly oppressive job, but you're still trying to sabotage the company after you've left
(you let the devil leave his bags)

You cut off the affair with that married man/woman, but you still lust after him/her
(you let the devil leave his bags)

You broke off your relationship with that hurtful, abusive person, but you are suspicious and distrusting of every new person you meet
(you let the devil leave his bags)

You decided to let go of the past hurts from growing up in an unstable family environment, yet you believe you are unworthy of love from others and you refuse to get attached to anyone
(you let the devil leave his bags)

WHEN YOU PUT THE DEVIL OUT, PLEASE MAKE SURE HE TAKES HIS BAGS, TOO!!

[CrimsonTide4]

Usually two people start out together. One pulls ahead, the other drops to the rear. In some cases, the one in the lead can reach back and pull the other up to speed. In most cases, the one who reaches back gets slowed down, sometimes to a halt. Find your center and stay grounded in it. Know that you can still love a person who is running behind you, but if he/she starts walking, it is your responsibility to yourself to keep running.

[Honeykiss1974]

The Holy Alphabet



Although things are not perfect
Because of trial or pain
Continue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame
Even when the times are hard
Fierce winds are bound to blow
God is forever able
Hold on to what you know
Imagine life without His love
Joy would cease to be
Keep thanking Him for all the things
Love imparts to thee
Move out of "Camp Complaining"
No weapon that is known
On earth can yield the power
Praise can do alone
Quit looking at the future
Redeem the time at hand
Start every day with worship
To "thank" is a command
Until we see Him coming
Victorious in the sky
We'll run the race with gratitude
Xalting God most high
Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!