Where My Inspiration Lies

Where Does Your Inspiration Lie?

As a child, my dreams were endless… Aaahh, to be a doctor, lawyer, mechanic (don’t ask lol), accountant, actress… to be rich, famous, a star in my own world! No wrongs. No worries. Everything good brought my way.

A little older, I realized I can still have these wishes but I have to work towards them. That’s when I started re-analyzing my goals… doctor – well, too much school for me. Lawyer – wasn’t really my aspiration but more my mom’s for me. Mechanic – lol – no… you get the point.

A few more years go by; I see that even with “a plan” my road is not going to be easy, regardless of the goal I try to accomplish. Welcome to adulthood.

This is, I’m sure, a cycle we’ve all gone through or are still going through. Decisions are made and re-made. Plans are set and rescheduled. But through it all, focus is not lost.

God has given me many skills, talents, blessings of which I intend to use for His will. I intend to serve Jehovah-ra-ah, the Lord my shepherd. My relationship with the most high God will set forth a path for my children to follow.

A path of love and salvation.
A path that can only be placed by our Lord and Savior.

My foundation in Christ will set an example for others. My steadfast devotion to our beloved Father will ignite a fire within others to seek the tranquility and unconditional love that He provides. My words, spoken or written, will inspire others to build upon His rock. My actions intended or not, will exemplify His righteousness.

I’ve been down many roads.
I’ve traveled near and far in life’s circumstances.
Some bitter sweet.
Some that should’ve been avoided.

But in my travels I have found the path I was meant to tread. The path truly intended for me. My walk in Christ.

My inspiration comes from Him.

John 15:5
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

Isaiah 55:6-9
Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Thankful

THANKFUL:

FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.


FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.


FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.


FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED.


FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FAMILY AND FRIENDS.


FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.


FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE


FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING, AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME


FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.


FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION


FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.


FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH
WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.


FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE PLENTY OF CLOTHES TO WEAR.


FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES
AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.


FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE!!!.

Stressin

The summer is coming to a close and the kids & I are starting to prepare for school... ordering uniforms, buying supplies, etc. It's also time for registration for soccer, dance, tennis, piano, you name it! Added to the other stresses that life brings (financial, home/living, work). Oh, and did I mention I'm registering for 3 more classes this semester?!

Well, with all that being said, at times my stress levels seem to sky rocket. It affects my eating, sleeping, demeanor, everything. When I feel the weight on my shoulders I constantly remind myself that these stresses are not for me to bare. I am to lay my fears and worries down at my Savior's feet. He will see me through my troubles and dispair.


Psalms 9:9
"The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."

Psalms 55:22
"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall."

Philippians 4:6
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

1 Peter 5:7
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Acts 14:22
"strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said."

1 Peter 3:14
"But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."

Deuteronomy 31:6
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

THANK YOU LORD FOR BEING MY SOLE PROVIDER!
MY LIGHT IN DARKNESS!!



Psalm 31:7
"I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul."

Psalm 7:17
"I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High."

Insults, Rumors & Gossip

Article written for WeUsed2bu

“Did you hear? ...”
“You didn’t hear it from me but…”
“Someone told me that….”

We’ve all been there before, either saying it or listening to it. Gossiping, exchanging stories, talking about someone, whatever you want to call it. But what exactly did you get from it? Do you still see that person the same way, without judging them? Can that information be used to lift them up? Or did it damage their reputation? Hurt them? Or maybe hurt you?

… Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me…

We’ve all been here before too but how true is this statement? Let’s break this down:

Sticks and stones may break my bones… very true. That pain fades and the wounds eventually heal.

… but names will never hurt me… not true. Name calling or negative comments affect someone much longer than a cut, scrape or bruise. All it takes is for someone to say something negative, a sarcastic remark, discouraging word for us to be knocked down. It only takes one word to put a hole in your heart. For example, Karen Carpenter (from the popular 1970s duo, the Carpenters) died from anorexia at 32. Her obsession with her weight started after an article called her “Richard’s chubby sister.” 1 word had impacted her life and brought her to an early death.

What a lot of people don’t realize is that speaking badly to/about someone and gossiping, are sins. The bible clearly states that one of the steps we must take in order to stay rooted in His word is watching what or how we speak.

Proverbs 10:19
“Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.”

Proverbs 15:4
“Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.”

Our mouth is a weapon to be used with God’s intention – to uplift one another! To speak the Word, give Him praise, and share our testimonies with others. He did not intend for us to use our words to hurt one another, rather as a sword to cut at the enemy’s attacks. In this time of battle we must choose our words wisely. As Christians it is our responsibility to uplift our brothers and sisters, sharing in the joys that our beloved Father has given us. Rejoice in the Lord! Speak of His goodness! Help bring others to Him, leaving all insecurities, negativity, and problems at His feet.

Proverbs: 16:24
"Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones".

Please read: Psalm 34:13, Psalm 39:1, Proverb 13:3, Proverb 15:4, Proverb17:20, Proverb21:23, 2 Timothy 2:16

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