You're good enough

You have a dream and no matter what obstacles or negative comments you endure.  You are good enough to see the dream come true.  People want us to face reality but the truth is our dream is more important than our circumstances.  We are good enough.  What we possess is good enough.  Our gifts are one of a kind, no one can do what we do.  No one and nothing can stop us from seeing our dream fulfilled but us. 

• Hold onto your dream. 
• Never give up. 
• Keep believing. 
• Keep pressing forward. 

Your dream will come true.  You are good enough!

The power of a refrigerator

I had an amazing discovery this morning; the power of a refrigerator. lol. Every time I open the door the light is on. Even though I don't see it while closed the light is on. It's purpose is to preserve food that would otherwise perish if left out.

It reminds me of my heart when I open my heart I am enlightened to what I possess no matter if I use it at that time or not it remains there until I need it. Every dream, word, vision is stored in my heart for if left out it would be forgot or lost. When I open my heart I find what I need when I need it. When I am hungry I open my refrigerator to find something to satisfy my hunger. When I open my heart I find things that satisfy my desire for more in life. What I need I already possess I just need to open my heart to find it. Have a great day. :)

www.EyenGardner.com

Following my heart

Sometimes it is hard to socialize with people. Everyone has opinions on how you are suppose to live. “Don’t eat that, Don’t wear that, Don’t listen to that, Don’t read that, Dont’ write that” Who made you the king of anything. lol. It is not that I don’t listen to wise advice because I do. It is that most advice I hear is fear based. Especially religious people want to give advice that does not promote faith and love but fear and hate. I don’t want to live in your box of fear. I thank God for my own relationship. I don’t understand how we can say we are not perfect but we think our advice is perfect. I meet people that are so confused on what they are supposed to be doing in their life because someone told them what they loved to do was not good enough. The great thing about life is that no matter what has been said that we followed, we have the opportunity to change our mind. The uncommon voice that speaks leads us to truth about ourselves. It inspires me to be better than I been. It pushs me to workout when I want to be lazy. It encourages me to write when I want to quit. I am happier now than I have ever been because I know that love awaits me. I can discover all that I love and much more by not following opinions but following my heart.

repost from my personal blog www.enjoyinglifenow.wordpress.com

Embracing my dream! Thoughts

I can't give up on my dream.
It is greater than just me.
I have to keep pushing forward.
No matter the resistance, no matter the temptations, or struggle.
I can't waste my time living in "what if" my opportunity is now.
I am not be afraid anymore.
I will embrace my dream.
I choose to live not simply exist. 

A moment of silence for a busy day

We need a moment of silence. In the busyness of the day we can fall into the trap of hurrying through all that we do. By the end of the day our face is stressed, our bodies are fatigued, and we are looking for the nearest couch to rest on while we allow the television to distract us from all that we experienced in the day. We don't want to communicate with our children. We don't want to talk to our spouse. We just want to be left alone to enjoy our evening in silence.

The problem that we encounter is we miss the most important time with our families because we don't know how to handle the busyness that life presents to us daily. We don't need to get away from our families we need to get out of being so busy. We need to relax and breathe in spite of what is going around us we can become an influenue of peace to our surroundings.

I don't like to rush through my day but sometimes I allow what is happening to get me to rush when I desire to relax. Yes we have responsibilities that cause us to meet deadlines and be on time but no one like a product that is half done we all want the best. Believe it or not but when you give your best people will wait for it.

God spoke to me "you don't need more time, use the time that you have" When you have time it works for you not against you. Use the time you have to give your best. Take your moment of silence, breathe and relax for your best it is worth waiting for. Have a great day.


original post 01/10

Challenge yourself

One thing I share in teaching sessions with teenagers is.  "Everything you need is in you."  I have been saying this for years but today it really hit home.  We are conditioned to look outwardly for what we need. 

We see things and begin to desire them, thinking they will satisfy us. But they don't.  We try diets because the experts tell us they work and will give us the "perfect" look.  We listen to the fashion experts tell us what we should want to look like. We live like a yo-yo going up and down according to the so-called experts telling us how to live the best life.  The problem is, life is not supposed to be based on how someone believes you should live it is based on you living and making your own choices.  Experts are not there to tell you what to do but rather guide you with their wisdom.  Don't look for them to answer all your questions and make all your decisions.  You are unique trust your heart and allow the advice of others to aid you not make you. 

The crazy thing is makeovers are temporary.  They illuminate your outward beauty but only you can discover the beauty that is inside of you.   Experts don't have to live with you, but you do.  Make decisions that you can live with.  Make choices that you will be happy with.  You don't have to live hiding behind your fears, your weight, your addictions, your relationships, your insecurities.  You can choice today to push yourself like you never pushed yourself.  Challenging yourself to find out what you beyond who you see in the mirror.  You don't have to be who you been, you can change now.  Everything you need to is inside of you.

Sifting process

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Luke 22:31-32

This scripture was brought to my mind this afternoon. Satan wanted Simon.  Satan got Simon but Jesus prayed for Simon that he would still believe even though he was with Satan. 

Have you ever felt like God has left you in the hands of Satan and begin to doubt if God was real or loved you?  I have.  The sifting process is never easy.  Nothing seems to be going your way.  It seems as though every aspect of your life is being tested and what you believed to be true you are tempted to doubt.   Satan actually is sifting/stripping the things in your life that will not profit you.  When the sifting process is over the person you are transformed in to will be able to strengthen those around you.  Your life will inspire so many people when you are transformed if you hold on to your faith.  Don't let go of your dreams, purpose, gifts because it seems they will never happen.  Keep believing and trusting in God for your journey will give hope to others that come behind you.

Creating a Door

One of the biggest obstacles to reaching our dreams is we don’t see a door. Many hope that their dreams come true but few actually believe they will. Most don’t realize that what they see when their eyes are closed is more real than what they see when they are open. If you truly want the dream to come true, simply believe the dream.


Your faith creates a door to a world full of things deemed impossible. Faith is more than just positive thinking it is seeing beyond sight. It is connecting with what is in you and not allowing what you see naturally to blind your spiritual vision. You are a powerful being and when you begin to connect with that power nothing will stop you from seeing your desires and dreams manifest in this world.

blog from my http://enjoyinglifenow.wordpress.com/2010/09/12/creating-a-door/

First things first.

Today I choose to change my mind.  Today I choose to be happy.  Today I choose to love. 

One thing about life is that it goes on.  No matter if you sit on the sidelines or you play in the game, it goes on.  It is your choice where you end up.  So many times we neglect the things we love.  Love never frustrates.  If you find yourself frustrated it is time to turn back to love.  If things are stressing you out, it is time to turn back to love.  When we set our minds on love we find life and peace. 

Don't let your distractions rule you.  Turn back to what is truly important.  Turn back to what you love to do and do it.  Reconnect with your spouse, children, parents, yourself and your passions.  No matter where you are, it is never too late to love.

Love goes beyond need

When I am faced with a need.  Many times I concentrate on the need to the point where I can't see beyond it. 

Recently I have been overwhelmed by an issue that just seems to not go away.  The more I see the problem the frustrated and stressed I become.  As I am writing this blog the thought came "love goes beyond need".  My needs are temporary but love is eternal.  Nothing can separate me from love not even the issue that is in front of me.  I don't have to be afraid or angry at my circumstances. When I focus on loving the moment in front of me it makes living in my present circumstances a lot easier.

I am learning to love what is in front of me.  How about you? 

Walking on a rocky road.

A lot of times I can lose my way by following someone else’s path. Their path seems smooth and tried while mine is rocky and long. I have found that no matter how many times I try to walk the path of others I never get to where I want to be. No matter how far I stray from my path all I have to do to find it is turn around. It would be nice to walk on a paved road. It would be nice to travel on a road that is fast and easy, but what happens when I get to place of the person I followed. They are home but where they live is not my home and they don’t want me to move in with them.

Every step I take on my path is painful, yet it brings me closer to the place I can call home. It may not be pretty it may take a little longer to get there but it will be worth it in the end.

I am inspired and encouraged by others expressing their gifts and talents. No matter how great they are I can not do what they do and be successful. True success is within me. Only I can reach my full potential. I am learning to appreciate the greatness in others but also recognize the greatness in me. That keeps me focused on the path before me. It may be painful and lonely but I am well equipped to travel this road.

Commit to your path. Only you can walk it.

The unknown

I am really embracing change now. It has been so hard to go beyond the walls of my comfort. I don't like feeling afraid of the unknown, but the more I do things I have never done the more I feel alive. New horizons, new experiences, new relationships all are in front of me and I am learning to embrace the freedom of the unknown holds. I know what I have done but what I have yet to experience has scared me but now I am moving forward in spite of my fear.

Timeout!!

In life sometimes we need to take a timeout to be refocused and refreshed. When I watch a basketball game sometime I see my team executing the game plan to perfection and then suddenly the other team makes a play and they take control of momentum. When the coach sees that his team has lost momentum and confidence, he calls a timeout. The coach is able to refocus his players to execute the plan and give them a short rest before they go back into the game.

When I lose focus of my priorities and my circumstances are draining my confidence and passion. God calls a timeout. A timeout refocuses me to what is inside of me and it gives me the confidence to do what I was made to do. I can't lose if I trust what is inside of me. I don't have to focus on my issues but rather look inward for strength and peace.

Don't allow your circumstances to get the best of you. Call a timeout and get refocused and refreshed for the journey ahead. Have a great day.

Framed by opinions

If I took a survey asking people if they care what other people think about them. A majority of the people would say "no I don't care". If we are honest though we really do care. We care how people view us. Who wants to be viewed as useless, confessed, evil or stupid? Not me. But the problem is we say we don't care then we live contrary; worrying what others might think or say. We don't want to be different we want to just be normal to have their approval. To be different means to risk having people not like you and say mean things about you. What kind of life do you want to live honestly? Do you want to live framed by the opinions and beliefs of others or do you want to live a life framed by your beliefs? Freedom is not in what others think of you, it is in what you think of yourself. You are a leader but my opinion means nothing if you don't believe it for yourself. What do you believe? You see opinions change; they are temporary.

I was told not to get married at 20 for I was too young and that I would regret it; it would not last. I was told not start my business that it would be a mistake and to just get a job like everyone else. But do you know the same people that spoke so strongly against my choices were the same ones that praised me for not listening to them. It is not about what people tell you it is what you believe.

There have been times where I listened to people and I remained stuck somewhere because of the advice they gave me. When I realized that it was not what I really wanted to do after years of being stuck I was finally about to move forward. Sometimes you have to ask yourself why am I doing what I am doing? Is it because I desire to do it or is this what I feel is the "right" thing to do? Am I afraid to do what I desire? Why am I afraid of? Is this what God wants me to do? A lot of times it is what God what you to do but sometimes you realize that it is not God but rather the opinions of others or your fears that have prevented you from being you.

I am not saying I don't listen to people I am just saying their opinion is secondary to what I believe in my heart. I don't want to live the life others want me to live. I want to live the life God wants me to live. Have a great day.

The choice (writing)

Thinking of how little I know yet my hand claims to have all the answers, the world that I live in is nothing but a barrier of fear empowered by my belief in it. I compete with time to create a future that I don't believe I will ever see. Is the remedy to my problem in my hand or in my heart? To fill one is to empty the other. The choice is mine.

Same subject a different level

I was thinking about the subject of patience I taught my class yesterday. It is funny how much you can grow if you are willing to learn. I have written and taught about patience, love, faith, relationships, peace, forgiveness and other subjects many times but no matter how much I learn and share I receive new insight on the subjects. It reminds me of school. You take science, math, reading, english and much more but after you have mastered one grade level you move to the next level and learn more about the same subject beyond.

Whenever I think I understand love God elevates me and shows me more that I have not learned. I love it. Life is a process. A process that is layered the more you uncover the more you realize the depth of what is in you. Just sharing. Have a great day.

Random thoughts from my heart

You don't know what is in a person until they have nothing left to give. That is where you see the true intents of a person's heart.

Where do you hold your confidence? How bad do you want to see your dream become a reality? You are different for a reason you were not made to be like other people so don't let your circumstances determine your destiny. You are not made to live according to your fears but according to your beliefs. Hold on to what you believe and don't give up no matter what. What you believe could be the difference between you "directing a movie or watching it". Your dream is possible only if you believe it. It is not determined by what others believe it is what you believe that matters.

Why is my PJ Morton CD skipping

Today as I was taking my children to school. I turned on the cd player and started listening to a PJ Morton cd. After a couple of songs the cd started to skip; no matter what song I played it would not play. So I had to turn off the cd player and listen to the radio. Usually I would think something was wrong with the cd and just put a different cd in the player but I just got the cd a day ago so it could not be the cd. A thought came to mind "Many times it is not the product that is flawed it is the instrument that needs to be cleansed"

A lot of times we blame the product when the true problem is the vessel (us).

Think about this. God has a cd(word) He desires to listen to in His cd player (you). When He puts cd(word) in the player(you) He loves what He is listening to then the cd(word) starts to skip and does not reflect the sound(result) He intends to hear. He knows the cd(word) is perfect so He turns off the player(you) until it is properly cleansed (until all filthy doubtful, faithless thoughts are removed). God cleanses until what has been put in us can properly be expressed out of us. His Word works but until we believe His Word it will not serve its intended purpose in our lives.

Only one plan (Plan A)

Recently I saw a video of Will Smith and he was sharing some amazing insights about his outlook on life. The wisdom that he shared was so simple and from the heart. One of the things that very inspired me was there is no plan b only a plan a. He does not focus on a back up plan because he fully believes the plan he has will work. He fully commits to Plan A.

For me that is truly remarkable to fully believe in a plan to the point that you are willing to sacrifice everything even your life for the sake of the plan. For most, that is risky and reckless but for those "crazy" enough to do it, they see the fulfillment of what they believe. When we create a Plan B we are saying that we don't trust Plan A fully and we are afraid to commit and fail. That faithless mentality will not get us to the fulfillment of our dreams it will just get us wishing our life was different.

I have to put 100% of myself into the plan in my heart not regarding the obstacles and fears but moving forward by faith into all that I have been destined to be. To be successful you have to commit to the plan; not doubt the plan. If you know your "Plan A" I want to encourage you to attack it with all that you got. Don't be afraid of what people may think or what may happen; just concentrate on moving forward with the plan and leave the results up to God. Have a great day.

The secret to losing weight

This morning I was reflecting on the direction I should go with my workouts. This thought came to mind "walk by faith not by sight". You see the reason many of us fail to reach our desired weight is we are to focused on what we see. The first couple of weeks of working out it is exciting to see your weight drop pounds. When it happens we think "if I keep this up I will be at my desired weight in no time".

Then your body hits the wall and you don't see any results for weeks. You been doing everything right according to the plan but still no results. So you blame Denise Austin, you blame Billie Blanks, you blame Julianne saying their plan does not work. They are not the problem you are. They did not put the weight on you, you did. That person in the mirror that you have been ignoring is to blame.

It starts with you. No matter how much you try to hide who you really are that person inside is not going anywhere. I know first hand what it is like to ignore and hide from the real me. The real me had wounds and fears. The real me was broken and ashamed. The real me was lost because I did not want to deal with my issues I hid him. Even though I had issues I wanted to see the real me again and when I looked in the mirror I did not like what I saw. I did not like what I had become and I tried to change but I found myself with more weight than I started with.

I want to let you know that losing weight is not a one month thing it is a process. It is a process that starts with your heart. When you deal with your heart a transformation happens from the inside out. You become strong inside even though it make take months, years to see it on the outside when you get to your desired weight the strength you have gained inside will sustain you for a lifetime. Working out, eating right, living stress free will be apart of your lifestyle not just a diet or a 60 day workout plan.

So I want to encourage you as I encourage myself. Make the choice to live by faith not by sight. Don't look for the scale to tell you what you are doing is working. Believe what you are doing is working. Don't get discouraged for if you stay committed to the plan of changing from the inside out you will become a new person. I am not a weight loss expert but I believe the way to losing weight is in you, you possess the key to person you desire to be. Have a great day.

stepintofold@yahoo.com

Stop trying!!

One of my biggest problems is when I try to get myself out of a situation I don't like. If it is a finanical one I will try to my best to find ways to make money. If it is an illness I will try my best to avoid the pain or effects of the illness. Whatever I don't like I try to get out of. The problem is that the more I try the deeper I find myself in the pit I am trying to get out.

It is a hard lesson to learn but I am learning it is not by my efforts that my situation changes it is by surrendering to the One that can get me out of the pit. I know Him as Jesus. Jesus does not need me to work my way out, He needs my hand so He can pull me out. When I surrender to Jesus I come to Him with empty hands. I come to Him with no agenda or plan but I trust and believe that with Him my situation will change. I let go of what I am holding and let God place me where He wants me.

The crazy thing about surrendering is you don't know what God is going to do. Some times He pulls me out a situation, some times He leaves me where I am but gives me a new perspective so I can overcome the situation. When I surrender I don't control what happens but I trust that what happens is what is best for me.

Surrendering is not a one time thing it is a process. It is a process of learning to put my trust and faith in God in every situation. It is a lesson I learn everyday.

Have a great day!!
E'yen A. M. Gardner

My portion forever

Check out this scripture I just read. "Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever." That is so powerful. The first verse talks about God being everywhere; in heaven and desired on earth but the second verse is personal. It talks about the God inside of a person heart. No matter what happens on the outside, no matter what the circumstances be. God is in me and His strength last forever. Everything in this world is temporary but God is in me and He is my portion forever. I have been given the greatest possession in the world and it can not be taken from me it is mine forever. He is not just my portion He is your portion. He is in you. Praise God. I love Psalms.

Freedom to create

To create something unique you have to look within yourself. It has nothing to do with anyone else it has everything to do with you. To express yourself in a creative way you don't need structure you need an empty mind. You don't need boundaries you need an empty space. That is the art of being creative. To go where no one has gone before you must be stretched beyond the boundaries of your mind. By doing so you reach the essence of what you are created to do. You reach the greatness in you that separates you from everyone else.

I don't want to leave by someone else's standard, for opinions change. I want to live by reflection of God that God made me in. If I am in His image I don't want to cover it but expose it. To do so I must journey where no man has gone before; my heart. I must find what is in it and leave the results up to God.

One thing that I realize now is I have to be myself not what people label me as. The truth is in me and I have the freedom to create based on the Truth I believe in.

Confessing negative thoughts

Have you ever had a bad report that just change your entire mood? That is how I felt today. Bad reports seem to weigh on your mind and they are hard to shake off. As I laid in my bed wondering "why me" Maia invited me to take a walk with her. I did not want to walk. For some reason I just wanted to sit in my bad thoughts. In spite of how I felt I got up and went on the walk. As we walked we confessed our feelings about the circumstances that are confronting us. As we bluntly released our feelings we got to the core of who we are. We got to the core of what we truly believe. Which is that God is good and He has already handled our situation through the life of Jesus Christ. We don't have to fight but rest in what Jesus has done for us.

By confessing what was bothering us we were uprooting the negative thoughts and getting to the root of our life. Which is Christ. We are victorious through Him and knowing that makes us rest in peace in spite of the situation. I am encouraged now to continue to enjoy and live the life God has made just for me today. I thank God that confession leads to salvation and deliverance. I feel so much better knowing that God is with me and He will not allow anything to happen that will not work for my good. Have a great day!!

Trust Him & Believe New Music From Maia

I am so excited to share with you that my wife Maia has just started a myspace page.

www.myspace.com/maiagardner

She is a songwriter and a music artist check out her first song "Trust Him & Believe" and look for more updates in the near future.

Live the life you were made for. Don't let anyone or anything keep you from acting in what you know you are suppose to be doing. Have a great day and don't forget to live in the moment.

Believe in Yourself

If no one believes in you, believe in yourself. If you don’t believe in what you possess you will never fully understand the power that you carry. God has gifted you to stand out in a crowd. You are not a mistake rather a treasure.

God spoke to me when I was in a pit of insecurity. He said “E’yen I believe in you more than you believe in yourself.”

God believe in you more than you believe in yourself. He expects more out of you than you expect out of yourself. You can do it. Do not worry about what people think, their opinion does not matter. Just do it. Don’t be afraid to express yourself. Whatever comes out comes out. Do not worry about the result concern yourself with acting in the gift that you know you possess. No one has to tell you that you are gifted you know it; you feel it now just walk in it.

Just Me

I love writing blogs. I have enjoyed the journey God has taken me on the past year when I first started this blog. Now I believe in my heart that God wants to push me even further by expressing more of my heart through the blog.

I am excited and afraid of where God is taking me right now. I have been writing so much(books) the last couple of months and the things I am learning and discovering go beyond the boundaries of religion and the comfort zone I live in. It is like God is on the other side of the street and I am afraid to cross it because I am afraid of getting hit by a car while I cross. I have been told that it was dangerous and I lived under the fear but what I see now on the other side is so amazing that I can't ignore it anymore. The more I write the more I am enlightened to the lie I have lived and accepted as truth. I am more than what I have been and it is time for me to live the life I have been created to live.

I just want to share with you whatever is in my heart. Not to teach you or change you by giving you principles and a new doctrine but to encourage you to live beyond what you see. I am excited, I don't know where this blog is going but I know that God has something special in store. Have a great day!!

Book Excerpt from HSTC - Turning from our "Eliab"

Excerpt from HSTC - Turning from our "Eliab"

TURNING FROM OUR “ELIAB”

For others, unfortunately, it is bewildering and upsetting to see us changing while they are not. They devalue our growth in God, and try to “chip away” at our spiritual armor. Their goal is to see us revert back to our old self and our old ways, so they can justify that ultimately, we have not changed.

“And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause? And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.” (I Kings 17:28-30)

In this relationship between brothers, Eliab did not see the greatness in David. He just saw his little brother; in his ignorance he devalued the future King of Israel. Eliab actually witnessed David being anointed by Samuel to be King (I Samuel 16:13), but he wanted to keep David in the position He had always known him to be in. Eliab was blinded to David’s relationship with God, and for that reason, he confused David’s confidence in God for youthful pride. Through David’s response, we see that Eliab most likely made a habit of accusing David of being mischievous and having a naughty heart. Nevertheless, David had no time to justify himself to his older brother; Eliab would never understand what God was about to do through David. David had to prepare himself for battle, so he turned away from his brother and turned towards his destiny. Little did they know, Eliab and the rest of Israel were going to see God’s delivering power through a “ruddy” young man that was after God’s heart.

We must turn from our “Eliab” and set our faces toward our divine destiny. Our lives can not be consumed with trying to justify ourselves to others, but it must be in submission to our relationship with God. God had communed with David so much (in the wilderness while he was watching the sheep), that David had time to see the power of God. Eliab looked at David’s job of watching the few sheep in the wilderness as something small and insignificant, but David was not alone he was with God.

Though others might place a reproach on the things we are doing, it is fortunately an opportunity for God to commune with us alone. He places us where our relationships and their influence have no power, which allows us to meet Our Father and learn to depend on Him solely. Our parents can’t come to the rescue in the wilderness, and our friends can’t give us their words of encouragement and support. We are alone with God as He unravels our past and shows us our destiny in Him. He shows us that our importance does not come from the relationships we have with people, but it comes from our relationship with Him.

For more information or to purchase your copy of "Humbly Submitting to Change - The Wilderness Experience" go to http://www.eyengardner.com/

A Great Coach makes the difference

No matter how talented a team is, if you don't have a great coach you won't win the big game. I have been on teams that on paper were great but once adversity came we would buckle under the pressure and turn on each other, playing as individuals. Losing when you know that you are more skilled and more gifted than your opponent stings. It is very hard to recover from those losses. I have also been on teams where we were the underdog and we would beat the 'better" team. When I think about it now I can see that it all started with my coach.

The coach places the team in position to win. The coach knows the strengths and weaknessess of every player and understand how to get the best out of them. The coach pushes the team to the breaking point and pushes some more. They understand it is not about talent solely it is about passion and drive. The coach brings the mindset that the team is a family no matter how different the players are. If the coach can get the players to buy into the gameplan and their role in the plan. The team will be hard to beat. By putting the players in uncomfortable situations during practice the players learn how to face adversity and press through it. The coach does not focus on the opponent but on the execution from his team. The coach stresses the team not the individual. That is a great coach.

In life we all want to win, but to win we must work together. God is our coach. He has a plan that can't be defeated. It is not about us as individuals. The moment we make life about us we cause others to lose. Yes we may be great at something but we need each other to win. We all play a part in God's master plan. Everyone is important and the enemy is real.

The enemy does not want us to work together so he tempts us with his plan of independence. He tries to separate us by revealing the weaknessess and differences in others but we must not listen to him. He is not our coach.

If we believe the lie of the enemy we will be defeated but if we believe our Coach we will win. Victory lies in trusting the plan of God. No matter how bad it may seem we must focus on our role and do our part in fulfilling the master plan. We have two rules to keep.

Love God with all our heart, mind, soul, strength
Love others as you love yourself.
Love can not be defeated. Our coach wants us to love each other and believe His plan. This is our key to success. Be blessed

His love surrounds me

The wounds that hurt the most are the ones that come from the people we love.

I won't quit giving my heart to God though. He never fails me. He never lets me down. He takes time to appreicate me as a person. What comfort I have knowing that God loves me for who I am. He is truly all I have and He is more than enough. He wipes away my tears and He listens to my heart.

As I grow silent to the world around me I know that His love surrounds me.

Artificial Praise

Right now I just feel led to write. In spite of the disappointments and the trials that I face, when I get the opportunity to write it bring peace to me. A thought comes to mind. Is God more concerned with my honesty or does He want me to artificially praise Him? Is my artificial praise for Him or me?

We can say God is all powerful and His goodness is amazing but our lives profess contrary. We hate the situations He puts us in. We hate feeling empty and unfulfilled but we cover our feelings and confess a praise that we don't even believe. To praise God is more than a phrase that you recite it is the authentic truth confessed from your heart.

It is true that God is good. God is amazing and powerful. He is our friend and will never leave us alone.

He does not want you to confess something you don't believe. He wants you to confess what you believe. Confessing our hearts like "I hate this has happened" "I don't like them" "I don't understand" "I am hurt" "I am afraid" (is a religious no no) but it reveals where we are and allows us to see the need we have for God. God does not want you to cover your feelings He wants you to expose them to Him. If you can't be honest with God you won't be honest with anyone.

In the midst of your honest confession you will find the Truth of God and you are able to testify of His Goodness and Greatness. Our experiences are for our good, not to destroy us but to make us stronger and more conscious of God in our lives. It is not enough to praise God with our lips it is time to praise God from our hearts. Be blessed.

We need you Lord Video

I have been singing this song for the last couple of days. I am so thankful for the realization that I need God. I need God in everything I do and this song speaks to the simplicity of life. Enjoy.

Unyielding

One of my favorite sporting events to watch is the kentucky derby. It is so exciting to watch the horses races to the finish line. Rarely do you see the horse that first leads the race win the race. As they turn the last corner a horse comes charging through the field and races to the finish line to victory. The unyielding strength of a horse that was in a place of certain defeat to press through the crowd to win inspires me to not give up. Yes the odds may seem impossible to overcome but I have an unyielding spirit that yearns for victory. I can't quit but I must endure until the path opens for me to run to the finish line.

In life we are faced with many obstacles but I want to encourage you Greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world. Don't yield to your circumstance but press through your situation for victory awaits you. God has placed His wager on you. He believes in you more than you believe in yourself. Don't give up you are a winner.

Not Guilty

While I was driving on the freeway a police car merged into the lane with me and immediately I made sure I was driving the speed limit. The question came to mind. What is it about police cars that make me so cautious and feel so guilty? I am not breaking any law but when I see a police car I don't feel protected I feel guilty though I am innocent.

I realized it has nothing to do with what I might be doing but what I have done. My past mistakes hide my present innocence. I once had I reason to be afraid of the police for I was guilty of breaking many laws. I would cover what I was doing so I would not get caught but the moment they left I went back into what I was doing. But I am not that person anymore.

Though I have changed, my mind is reminded of my former mistakes. The issue is not the police it is me. I have to accept the new person that I am.

In life we all have made mistakes but through the grace of God we receive salvation from all of our sins. We can live free from the guilt and shame that reminds us of who we once were. We are free to live and enjoy the journey that is set before us. We have nothing to be afraid of. We don't have to live in what we have done but in what Jesus Christ has done. Through Jesus Christ we are not guilty.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2

Live to Love

We can spend so much time trying to make an impact in this world. Trying to fulfill our dreams but the key to living is loving. When we live to love others we help to fulfill other's dreams. We help encourage and motivate others to never give up. We become the gateway for the hearts of others to be reconnected to God(Love). Living to love is a life consumed in positively impacting the lives of others by filling their needs. In this day let us seek to love, let us seek God, let us cherish our love ones, let us show kindness to strangers, let us smile at the store cashier, let us not waste our day loving to live but let us seize this moment and live to love. God bless you.

Expect Great things

I was talking to my wife today and I saw a bag in our living room that read "expect great things". For me it is the little things that make such a difference. A bag that has sat in my living room for months reminded me today that in each day to expect great things to happen. What a motto to live by. It challenges me to look beyond what I see and know. It pushes me to focus on the positive instead of the negative. It reveals that God is at work in my life.

No matter what has happened in our past our future is brighter. Today I want to encourage you to Expect Great Things!!

With Open Arms

As I slip into deep sleep. My mind ponders the events that just happened. Could it possibly be any worse. All that I have been is lost in a moment. All that I have possessed taken in an instant. Is this the end? Will I live again? Will I be released from the sleep that has captured me?

If I could just live again. I would be different and not conform to the world that I just left. As I reflect on who I have been I realize that who I have been is not who I am. The life that I have lived was no more than a mask covering the real me. What has happened was not to kill me but to reveal me.

We can live our entire lives covering who we really are to conform to the world that surrounds us. The lie must die. We have to be who we are. We were not made to be religious, riotous, rude, or prideful. We were made to love. Conforming hides the beauty of who you are and it makes us carry a burden that can be unbearable at times. When we get tired of carrying our mask we find relief in the true identity of who we are. Accept who you are with open arms.

Just Because

When you meet the love of your life, you tend to do things for them. Their reply is Why did you do that? Why did you get this for me? The answer we give is Just because. We appreciate them being in our life so much that we do things just because of who they are to us. It is not because they did anything specific for us but for the relationship we have with them.

In my relationship with God He does not do things because of my merit but because of I am His son. He loves me. I am the love of His life and He cares deeply for me. As He does you. He loves His children and loves when we are aware of His presence.

When I do something for God I don't do it to get something in return I do it just because. His love fuels my existence. He reachs beyond my imperfections and blesses me with His presence. I love Him because He first loved me.

I praise Him just because. I laugh with Him just because. I talk to Him just because. I write to Him just because. Just because His love is so awesome.

Finding Life and Understanding

Open to new experiences but closed to the truth. I have purposed in my heart that I know all I need to know about you. I am afraid of these questions that continue to reside in my heart. I rather avoid confrontation than allow them to flood my heart. Is this new life leading me to freedom or to bondage? I can not fulfill what is asked of me although I try. I have this curse hanging over my head and I don't know why. I gotta get free.

Then you found me. Covered in ignorance you enlightened me. The poison of my beliefs you purged from my heart as you filled me with unconditional love. Thank you for revealing the truth of who you are. No longer blinded from you I now can put my trust in you.
Jesus Christ is the answer to all our questions and it is through a personal relationship with Him that we find life and understanding. God bless you.

"The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints" Ephesians 1:18

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In the Mud!!

Trying to defy gravity but to no avail. Is it meant for me to always be subject to the ground. I want to fly but I have no wings. I am tired of this dirt for it is an unforgiving pain. When will it rain? As I search for a place away from the Son. The rain comes and now I am stuck in mud. Wasn't the rain my way out? I cry, as I sink deeper into the ground. Now I am consumed in this mess and I can not see a way out. The Son I was running from now I yearn to see, as darkness consumes me. I desire to be free from this muddy cell as I am pressed against the wall.

In that very moment I hear a call. A call that rings into my ears and my eyes are filled with tears. The call is for my release as I breakthrough the ground. I look to the Son and see a new day. I don't resemble what I used to be. I have branches yielding fruit growing out of me. This is the place that I yearned to be, standing strong as The Son's power strengthens me. An unmoveable tree is what I have become. If it was not for the dirt where would I be? Thank you Lord for planting me so that I can become your tree.

"For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit." Jeremiah 17:8

"And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." Psalms 1:3

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Out of the low dungeon

"They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me. Waters flowed over mine head; then I said, I am cut off. I called upon thy name, O Lord, out of the low dungeon. Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry. Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not. O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life" Lamentations 3:53-58

When all hope is lost there we find our Redeemer. Our lives are filled with pain and anguish, some of us are even wounded and scarred by the hurt of others. As we cry in the darkness with our lives shut off from freedom we plead for the help of a redeemer. We don't want to die in this dungeon but we want to live. Saturated by our tears, our heart begans to drown in anguish. We can not leave this prision even if we wanted to. We cry but hear only our echo. Then from the pit of our soul we cry out to God. We are hurt, vulnerable and scared, the Lord speak to us in our darkness. Fear not. I am with you. I am pleading for your soul. I have come to redeem you from your dungeon. I know that you have endured many wounds but I am here to mend and heal every scar. I have come to replace your pain with joy. I have come to replace your fear with hope. I have come to replace death with life.

When I wanted to give up You came and rescued me. When I thought my life was over You shined Your Love in my heart. Now God I know that You can do anything. You are worthy to be praised. You are my Friend and my Savior. I depend on only You to lead me out of my darkness.
God is working on my heart as I write this. I am drenched in tears and so thankful for God's love.

KNOW that He loves you. He hears your cry. He has been waiting for your cry of desperation. He waits to redeem and deliver your life as He is doing for me at this very moment. You just have to let go of control and cry out to God right now. Give your all to God. Give him your addiction, your sickness, your fears and He will give what you have been yearning for. Love! His Love is what I and you need. Receive it in Jesus name for this is the day of your breakthrough. We are leaving our dungeon for God has redeem us. Let us rejoice and be glad for what God is done and is doing in our lives. God bless you.

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Embrace, Release, Receive

Embrace every moment
Embrace this time
Embrace your emotions
Embrace your signs
Embrace your failures
Embrace this opportunity
Embrace your pain
Embrace your fears
Embrace your weakness
Embrace your life
Embrace Release

Release your emotions
Release your fears
Release your pain
Release your weakness
Release your regrets
Release your failures
Release your life
Now Receive

Receive happiness
Receive joy
Receive peace
Receive love
Receive forgiveness
Receive abundance
Receive change
Receive a new beginning
Receive Jesus Christ
Receive Salvation

What we embrace, release and receive is our decision.
What are you embrace?
What are you releasing?
What are you receive?
We must be empty first to receive what God has for us.
God bless you.

Clean by Thy Word

Today I thought about something that would occur while I was a child. When I would play outside I was very adventurous. I always found a way to scrap some part of my body. As I came to my parents to treat my wound. They did something that I never understood. They would put rubbing alcohol on my wound. It would burn so bad and sometimes felt worst than the scrap. As a child I sometimes would be afraid to show my scraps and bruises because I did not want the alcohol I just wanted a bandaid. They would always say "The alcohol cleanses the wound so that it won't get infected and the wound can heal." Though it was painful it was necessary for my healing and to be protected from infections.

Are you wounded? Are there scraps and bruises that you are carrying? God wants to put some alcohol (His Word) on your wounds. Though we expect God's word to always make us feel good when we are wounded and infected, His Word can sting not to hurt us but to fight against what is trying to destroy you. An infection that is not dealt with can kill you. Give God your pain and allow His word to purify and cleanse you from your pain. The word purges us from all the inpurities that have taken root in our lives. The word pierces our heart and heals us from our mistakes.

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, Ephesians 5:26

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Psalms 119:9

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. John 15:3

When my parents said my wounds were clean. I believed them. I went back to playing and enjoying life. We must believe God and what He has spoken to us. His word will clean us, it will give us peace, it will give us joy, and heal us. Receive His word, don't be afraid if it stings for it is pulling something out of you that was meant to destroy you. You are Clean by God's Word. God bless you

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Can these dry bones live?

1The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, 2And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. 3And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. 4Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. 5Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: 6And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. 7So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. 8And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. 9Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. 10So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. Ezekiel 37:1-10

Are you in the valley of dry bones? Have you watched everything in your life die? Have you lost hope in God? Now you stand wondering what is next. You see no hope for your future. God has a question for you. Can these dry bones live?

What do you mean can these bones live? They are dead and You left me alone in this grave of bones. I am angry Lord. Everything that I have cherished lays in ruins. But God thou knowest.

In spite of our pain and frustration will we tell God that you know if these bones can live. We have nothing to lose to trust God. Our relationships, our finances, our homes, our jobs lay at our feet. And God is ready to resurrect them. Not to their former state but to a newness of life. A life fueled and filled by His spirit. Without the Spirit of God our bones will remain in the valley but With God our bones can live. It is time to leave the valley and surrender our bones to our Father.

God desires to breathe on our bones. God is shaking our bones and their is a heavenly sound that yearns to be uttered we just have to open our mouths and allow The wind of His spirit to breath into us. Will we leave our valley and allow His spirit to transform us into the great army that He has designed us to become. God has a position for you in His army but He is waiting for your responds. Will we speak life over our bones and let God's Spirit quicken our lives? It is time to speak in the valley. Let us place our bones in His hands and He will transform us into a new creature. Let us enter into His kingdom as the new creature that will bring joy, peace, hope to those that are lost. Can these dry bones live? Yes they can. God bless you.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." II Corinthians 5:17

The Blame Game

"And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat." Genesis 3:11-13

Do you see the issue here? The first words out of Adam's mouth after he sinned was it was the woman's fault. The first words out of Eve's mouth was it was the serpent that made me do it. Neither accepted responsibility for their actions. We fall into the same trap today. When we make mistakes we place blame on anything and everything but never seem to accept that we just messed up. When my children make a mistake they always blame why they did something wrong on the other one. Why is it so hard to accept responsibility? When my children are honest that don't get in as much trouble as they do when they place blame on their siblings.

Adam said the woman that you gave me. Adam found a way to blame God and Eve. So many of us have this same spirit working in us. The spirit of pride. We blame God for what is wrong in our lives we blame our spouse/love one for making us sin. This pride will always corrupt the gifts that God gives us. The woman was created for Adam to be a benefit to him. But when he messed up the fear in him provoked him to respond in pride. Don't think that you or I are any better we would have eaten the fruit to. We blame Adam for our problems today. "If he would have not eaten the fruit we would not be in the state that we are in." We are not lying but it deflects the blame onto Adam and we avoid taking responsibility for our actions.

Stop living in the blame game it time for us to be honest with ourselves and with God. God is not to blame for our mistakes. We are. Our family and friends are not to blame for our mistakes. We are. When we live in intergity it leaves no place for pride to destroy our fellowship with God. Until we are honest the mistake will be over our heads. It will stain our garments and it will permeate our lifestyle. Let us break the wall of blame and allow God to refine our hearts and cleanse us from our ways. Our spouse is not our enemy. We are our greatest enemy. We have to stop thinking everyone is against us it is our flesh that is destroying us. We need God. He is the only way and the only One that can defeat our flesh. Give your life to Him today.

Whatever you have done wrong confess it to God and allow His grace to cleanse you. It is time to recreate our marriages, our relationships, our lives by walking in love, humility and intergity. God bless you.

Seize the moment

If this was your last day on earth what would you tell the ones you love? Tomorrow is not promised to anyone. So seize the moment in this day and take time out to share your heart with others. God does not want us to waste our day. When we love, our eyes are concentrated on life not death. We experience joy and peace that the world can not give us. Loving every moment, everyday allows us to appreciate life and the people that God has placed in our life. Make it a desire to make a positive impact in the life of someone each day. When we take our eyes off of our circumstances and consider each other that love is contagious. God's love is contagious which can easily flow into the hearts of man. Spread God's love and watch your atmosphere change. God bless you.

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my diciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:34-35

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Not ablity but availability

I was listening to a testimony of a man that has a disease that affects his whole body. He can't speak clearly, He can't walk without help, He can't do what most us normally do everyday. He was told that he would never have children. He was told he would never get married because he was not a real man. He was told he would not make it as a preacher because he could not speak clearly. He has been preaching for 35 years, He has been married for 27 years and He has four children. In spite of His affliction he refuses to live life feeling sorry for himself. He said something during his testimony that has stuck with me. He told God I can't preach because I can't talk and God told him I don't call you by your ability but rather by your availability. Wow.

In this day let us stop looking at our problems and become available to God so that He can be seen through us. God has not called you by your ability but according to your availability. Where are you Moses, Joseph, Esther, Ruth, David, Jacob, Peter, Mary, Paul? Are you available to God so that He can reach the world through your life? God bless you.

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Learning to Forgive

"For if ye forgive men their trepasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trepasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:14-15)

Learning to forgive people that have hurt and wounded us is a very hard thing to do. How can we possibly forgive someone that purposefully inflicted pain on us? Most of us can forgive someone if they step on our foot on accident, jump in front of us on the freeway, even if someone speaks rude to us we can learn to forgive the simple follies that occur frequently in our society. We might be angered by others but we do forgive them. What about the drunk driver that crashes into your loved one's car and kills the one you love the most? or The man that abused your innocence when you were a child, the teacher that purposefully tried to scar you by calling you dumb or stupid, the parent that left you at a young age, the woman that seduced your man and he left you for her. Do these people deserve forgiveness? Their actions are wicked, wrong and hurtful but they are very people that we must learn to forgive. When we don't forgive we allow bitterness to take root in our heart. Everytime we see the individual that hurt us we become enraged and emotionally distraught. Just to hear their name can turn our mood. The bitterness that we carry is a slow poison that destroys our soul. We inflict and hurt those we love most because we have allowed the bitterness to affect our heart. In nature the most dangerous animal is the wounded animal for they might not naturally be dangerous but because of their wound and pain they inflict pain on those that try to help them. Forgiving is a painful process when the bitterness has joined itself with our heart but the bitterness can only be purged through forgiving. Jesus was spat on, He was beaten and flogged, His body was torn, He was betrayed, He was wounded, He was bruised, He was lied on, He was rejected, He was left alone, He was pierced in his side, He was hung on a cross and crucified, He was mocked. Jesus suffered and died because of our sins. He died for you and me not because we deserved life but because while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. Hewas taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:2-12

God has forgiven our sins and has forgotten our trangressions. Forgiving is a form of love that many of us don't appreciate. Will we forgive so that God can mend our wounds or will we continue to scrap off our scabs? God has paid the price for our healing. It is a healing that goes beyond just when we are sick it encompasses our mental and emotional health as well. We must forgive so that God can cleanse our hearts from the poison and we can live not die. Remember forgiving is a process and God desires to free us from our pains but we have allow God to work on us. When God forgives us He does not hold past sins over our head we have a clean slate. We don't do that when we forgive it is not in our nature to do that. So we must lean on God's unconditional love to forgive not our fickle conditional love for true liberation is in His love. We can't love if we don't forgive. Let us move forward and not dwell in our past. In this day let us walk in God's love and forgive our debtors. God bless you.

Are we content?

"Not that I speak in respect of want; for I learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Phillippians 4:11-13)
The writer of Phillippians spoke something so profound that many of us our ignorant to. Are we content in the state that we are in today? What is your prespective of your circumstanes that you are currently in? None of us are perfect but as the writer states what is our responds to what we go through. Have we learned to be content in the midst of affliction and lack or is our happiness based on what we have or don't have? We must learn to be content in our good times as well as our bad times. We want to be strengthened by God but don't want the pain of being hungry or empty. God wants to strengthen us but it comes to those that are content in Him. Contentment has to be based in our relationship with God not things. For circumstances changed but God remains faithful through whatever state we may be in. If you are in pain, lost, depressed, confused take your eyes off of what is going wrong in your life and begin to focus on the gifts that God has place in front of you. Being content is a choice that we must make everyday. Recognize that God wants to strengthen you in each day and be thankful what you do have. When our perspective changes we are empowered through our circumstances not consumed by them. God bless you and strive to be content so that God can reveal His strength through you.

Family Time!!

I love my family. I can write about all the great things God has revealed to me this day but I just want to write that I love my family. A verse that comes to mind is "God setteth the solitary in families" Psalms 68:6. I am someone that can enjoy alone time. I am content being by myself for long periods of time but my family brings out the best in me. I would not know love without them pulling it out of me. It is amazing what you can learn from the people that see pass the facade of perfection that others see. My family sees my heart. They see the bad and the good in me and in spite of my imperfections they love me. Well I have to stop writing because my baby girl is having a temper tantrum. lol.

Be blessed and treasure the people that God gives you. They truly make you a better person.

Break Free by E'Yen A. Gardner; Maia R. Gardner; Katawi Cato (Paperback): booksamillion.com

Break Free by E'Yen A. Gardner; Maia R. Gardner; Katawi Cato (Paperback): booksamillion.com

Humbly Submitting to Change - The Wilderness Experience by E'Yen A. Gardner; Maia R. Gardner; Katawi Cato (Paperback): booksamillion.com

Humbly Submitting to Change - The Wilderness Experience by E'Yen A. Gardner; Maia R. Gardner; Katawi Cato (Paperback): booksamillion.com

Go in Peace

I have been thinking about a scripture that I read this morning. "Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." Luke 7:50 The story of Jesus forgiving the sins of this woman moves me every time I read it but today what really stuck with me was this verse.

In spite of her condition she recognized who Jesus is and she gave all that she had to Jesus. No matter what it may have looked like to the Pharisee or to anyone else she expressed her heart to the one she loved.

She could not change the facts of her past. She could not wipe away her sins but she gave her heart anyways. She was led by her heart not by her circumstances and her faith saved her.

Many times we try to come to God by trying to hide our mistakes or even try to fix our mistakes trying to appear perfect but God just wants us to give Him our heart. He has the power to forgive our sins and He does forgive us. Our faith in His forgiveness saves us. In the story people were like who is He to forgive her of her sins. No matter what others think God forgives those that have faith in Him.

"Go in peace" Whatever situation you may be in right now know that in God there is a peace that can calm any storm. A peace that can quiet the naysayers and allow you to enjoy the journey. You are not what people say you are. You are what God says you are. Have faith in God and go in peace. A new life awaits you.

the spirit of judgment

My heart has been troubled by some things recently. One of the biggest things is the spirit of judgment that we can so easily take on. We judge people for every choice and action they make like we are perfect.

The thing God revealed in me is that when I judge people they don't see love they see hate. It does not cause them to change but cover who they are. In my heart I would hate what people did and I would not accept them until they change to my standards. When I started writing God did not show me anyone else He made me examine myself. It was hard to see that my existence was a lie. I acted one way in front of people but lived a different way behind closed doors. I hated in my heart but loved with a lips. The more we judge and focus on others the more we miss our need for the same love that we preach about.

When we don't deal with ourselves it causes the next generation to live in the same bondage of pride and hatred that we ignored. I have to be honest with God and myself. I can't live a lie because you can not handle who I am. You can't live a lie because I can't handle who you are. Jesus Christ came into the is world to save us from ourselves. To redeem us and reconnect us to God. God is our Father and He loves us unconditionally. Our freedom lies in knowing who God is and who we are in Him. We are created to love not judge and condemn. We are created to show mercy and forgiveness. We are created to share and give to others.

When I see God I see Beauty, I see Love, I see Joy, I see Peace and I see You. God loves us let us love one another. be blessed.

Get a second opinion

I received some disturbing news from a so-called expert about a problem that I was having. The expert said he could not tell me what was wrong but assumed the worst and estimated the cost to be very costly for me. After I got off the phone it was hard for me to get his words off my mind. In my heart I knew that something was wrong with what he told me but I am not the expert so I allowed what he said to affect my mood. Then I got tired of fighting the thoughts in my mind so I confessed my thoughts to God and I received such a peace about the whole situation. As I prayed the next day God put in my heart that I must get a second opinion so I did and when I went to the other person that was in my heart to go to he stated some of the same issues but he said it is very fixable and not that costly. I received what I needed for a tenth of the price of the expert gave me. God takes care of us when we allow Him to have His way in our lives. I could have accepted the opinion of the expert but God allowed me to see that in every situation He is an ever present help.

You may have received a bad report in your life. You may be faced with life altering decisions that you will have to make today. Know this God is with you and He has placed your situation in front of you to reveal a side of Him you have never seen. Allow God to work in your life today give up control and watch Him put the bad opinions of men under your feet. Shut your ears to the words of men and open your ears to the inner voice within. God's report works for our good we just have to accept His plan and walk in it.

I thank God for delivering me. He is so good.

Back on Track

My son told me "When you lose track of God and His ways God will get you back on track to following His way." The truth of a child is amazing. When we are lost we need a guide to lead us back to path we are created to walk. God will not let us perish in pits that we fall in. He lifts us up and places in our hands our purpose. He reveals the importance of our life for our children and spouse. He ignites the fire in us to do what we are created to do. You are more than what you see. You are more than what you have done but you need God to place you where you can grow and succeed. Listen to the voice calling out for you. God will use a child, a movie, a song, anything to get your attention and bring you back to the path of life. Listen to the Voice within you and let the Voice lead and guide you towards your destiny. Be blessed.

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Your treasure

I watch a lot of movies that deal with someone searching for a treasure. I love the ups and downs that come with the adventure of finding the treasure. Today I want to share with you that no matter what treasure you find in this world it can not compare to the treasure that is inside of you. The adventure to discovering the treasure inside of us is worth the journey. We don't have to look in a tomb or a cave to find another man's treasure we can looking within our hearts and find the greatness that we possess.

You are great. You are wonderful and you are loved. Take the journey to knowing what you carry only you can discover what you possess. Be blessed.

Your heart speaks

Hello my name is Maia I love you very much. I am so grateful that I am here and alive today. God is so good. He blesses me contiunally and He shows me grace and mercy everyday. There is no one that compares to Him. I can't live or breath without Him. Without Him I am nothing. Without Him I cannot exist. I would not know what to do or to say or how to even live.

I asked my wife to sit down and close her eyes and just type from her heart and this what came out. Truth is simple. We can complicate so much by not listening to our hearts and try to make sense of the things that we see. Closing our eyes to our surroundings and just allowing our hearts to speak brings so much clarity to what is truly important in life.

Let your heart speak don't let your mind get in the way of what your heart wants to speak in this day. I am a witness that a heart confession can cleanse a thought life and bring freedom to enjoy the day. In Proverbs it says "as a man thinketh in his heart so is he" How can you know who you are if you never listen to what is in your heart. It is not about what you think in your mind but in your heart that defines who you are. Our minds can be influenced by others and our surroundings but our hearts always reveal the true us. What is in your heart today? Only you can find out. Let your heart speak. Be blessed.

A Moment of Silence for a Busy day

We need a moment of silence. In the busyness of the day we can fall into the trap of hurrying through all that we do. By the end of the day our face is stressed our bodies are fatigued and we are looking for the nearest couch to rest on while we allow the television to distract us from all that we experienced in the day. We don't want to communicate with our children we don't want to talk to our spouse we just want to be left alone to enjoy our evening in silence.

The problem that we encounter is we miss the most important time with our families because we don't know how to handle the busyness that life presents to us daily. We don't need to get away from our families we need to get out of being so busy. We need to relax and breathe in spite of what is going around us we can become an influenue of peace to our surroundings.

I don't like to rush through my day but sometimes I allow what is happening to get me to rush when I desire to relax. Yes we have responsibilities that cause us to meet deadlines and be on time but no one like a product that is half done we all want the best. Believe it or not but when you give your best people will wait for it.

God spoke to me "you don't need more time, use the time that you have" When you have time it works for you not against you. Use the time you have to give your best. Take your moment of silence, breathe and relax for your best it is worth waiting for. Be blessed.

Taking Action

I remember when I interviewed for a job at Blockbuster Video my senior year in high school. I was desperate to find a job at that time. I love movies so I knew that it would make the job easy. During the interview the manager asked many questions and I told him what he wanted to hear. I spoke how I was going to commit to working hard and being on time etc. I spoke like the perfect employee that just need the opportunity to work. I convinced the manager and I got the job. Well that was the easy part. I talked myself into my position but now I had to be trained and actually live up to the potential that I protrayed.

Training is not easy because you don't know anything and you are subject to the knowledge the trainer is willing to share with you. They never teach you everything just what you need to know at the moment. For me to really master the position I had to learn on the fly. I had to learn by experience and I had to adapt how I handled the different personalities of customers and co-workers. I had to take action to really grow and develop as a worker. Everyday presented different obstacles and I was challenged to overcome those obstacles with a smile. I had the worst hours (6-3AM no parties for me), I had the worst pay and I had the most responiblilities but in spite of all that I loved that job.

The potential that we possess inside of us has to be challenged and acted on for us to recognize the power that we have. We are stronger than we look. We can have great dreams but if we never act on those dreams they are meaningless. Your job is not a mistake it may not be what you always wanted to do but if you commit to doing your best in spite of the challenges you will recognize what is inside of you and it will prepare you for doing what you are born to do. Stop complaining about the hours, the boss, the work and commit to doing your best today. It will make it more enjoyable and allow you to tap into the potential that is waiting to be used. You are gifted and talented, use your gifts where you are they need you. Take action today towards being great at what you do. Take Action and Enjoy life.

Shadows in the Dark

Sometimes the hardest thing is to trust the plan of God. God positions things in our lives that can be uncomfortable for us. We are in the dark(ignorance) and the shadows we see look like frightening images that will cause us trouble. We can't seem to find rest and we feel all alone but the truth is we are deceived by our eyes. We are not alone, we are not in a room full of issues and problems we are where God wants us to be. In the midst of darkness we don't have to fight shadows we just need to call our Father He turns the light on and we see clearly the beautiful things He has surrounds us with that we can enjoy when the time is right. His presence calms us and allows us to take rest in the dark no longer afraid of what surrounds us for we know that it all things work for our benefit.

When life seems to be falling apart and you feel like you are going to be consumed by your circumstances. Call on Jesus. He is the light(knowledge) that shines on all darkness(ignorance). Be blessed.

My Son's Sticky Fingers

As I fed my 20 month old son pancakes this morning he could not help but to get his hands sticky from the syrup and before I knew it everything he touched he left with his sticky prints. My son does not mind get sticky while he is eating but he does not want his hands to be sticky afterwards so he tries to get it off by touching things and in his mind it makes sense. As a dad I know that his hands need to be washed so that he enjoy the freedom of playing without getting stuck.

So many times I get into sticky situations I can try to get out of the sticky situation but all I do is cause a bigger mess. I can try to ignore the situation but it does not change the fact that once I touch something else it will have the residue of what I am carrying. The only solution for me is to take my mess to God. Like I do with my son God cleanses me from what is trying to stick to me. It allows me to be free to enjoy living without the weights of my past.

Our past has a way of sticky to us and it causes our present to be frustrating and unenjoyable. When we give our lives to God, He takes all of our mistakes, wounds, issues, fears, and doubts and gives us a clean hands to grab a hold of our present. We can't throw away what as happened we can't changed our past but we can give it to our Father. His love allows us to be free to be us in our present. Don't let what is sticking to you keep you from enjoying life give it to God. Your new beginning starts right now.

Changing Directions

Have you ever found yourself travelling in the wrong direction? You are on the road but the more you move forward the further you seem from your destination. There is no point in moving forward if you are going in the wrong direction. Turning around is the only solution. No matter how far we have traveled in the wrong direction the moment we turn around the past is behind us and our destination is before us.

When we get off course it is not time to quit it is time to turn from our mistake towards our solution. It is hard to turn around for it accepting that we were wrong and we need to follow a new direction. The road is full of people going in the wrong direction stop following the car in front of you they are lost just like you. It is time to follow what your heart is telling you "turn around". Your life will follow your beliefs. Change directions and follow guidance of the spirit that is in you. The spirit in you will not lead you the wrong way but lead you into all that God has prepared for you to enjoy.

If you are having a hard time and you are frustrated with the direction your life is going change directions and follow your heart. It will change your prespective and your life. Be blessed.

A House that can't be shaken. A testimony from Haiti.

I was talking to my dad who has been to Haiti numerous times over the years with a missions group to build houses for those that are in need. The Missions team has built over 150 houses for families in Haiti. After the earthquake occurred where many tragically lost their homes and love ones. Not one of the houses that were built by volunteers and missions team were destroyed. Not one. That is amazing. The orphanage is was not destroyed either.

This missions group has been in Haiti years before the earthquake they have been working with the people of Haiti to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet their needs. They have invested so much in building up Haiti and the earthquake could have destroyed all evidence of all they have done, but God. God does not let us do anything in vain. Those houses were not just built they were built in love and in love they stand.

Whatever you do in love can not fail for God is love and He can not fail. Let us stand with those in Haiti let us pray in love let us give in love and let us show our love. It is our time to build our lives in God's love. A House(life) built in love will not fall. Be blessed.

If you would like to help in relief efforts in Haiti go to www.lifeline.org

Erasing the past - Step Into Fold's MySpace Blog |

Erasing the past - Step Into Fold's MySpace Blog