Adversity … The Setup

Sorry but this post is a long one, I hope you get a though...

Poems: Refuge

When you're going through some dark days
Fear not, don't be afraid, be of good courage
For I'm only a touch away
When sorrow takes place, have faith
Let Me be your resting place
As the winds blow, I'll hold and rock you slow
Tho' the earth moves from underneath your feet
You're still within My reach
When the mountains shift out to the sea
Don't worry, for at your side I will be
As the tide rises high, towering over thee
Be still, for I Am with thee.

~E~

Prayer Corner: Prayers that God will not ignore!

“And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us: And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” ( I John 5:14 - 15 (KJV)

Ever waited for a blessing so long that you thought maybe God forgot? John lets us know that whatsoever we ask that is within God’s will we will have. What a privilege it is to know! Although it may take some time, but we will have it.

So remember the next time you kneel down to pray, think of God’s will for your life. Jesus did, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless, not My will but Thine, be done.” (Luke 22:42 (KJV) Jesus really wanted God to remove the cup from Him but God didn’t. That does not mean God didn’t love Him or hear his prayers. It simply was not within God’s will, and Jesus didn’t get the answer He wanted. Sometimes that was my case and maybe your case too.

I know God will not with hold any good thing from His children. And truthfully I'm glad that He did not answer some of my prayers ... Some of the things I asked for would have been disastrous =) Are your prayers within the Father’s will?

Take Your Life Off Hold

Michelle McKinney Hammond

Author

“I’m bored!” Well, whose fault is that? The only people interested in entertaining you are those who get paid for it; otherwise, you are pretty much on your own. Life is a party you create; don’t wait to be invited to one. I’m sure if we were on an episode of Family Feud with the question things singles are guilty of, we would hear the host happily quip, “Survey says … They put their lives on hold!”

Even I have to put up a guilty finger on this one. Thank heaven this season of my life is over and I finally got a clue. The only thing that should be reserved for marriage is sex (but we’ll talk about that later). Otherwise, it’s time to let the games begin. Stop waiting for someone else to make your life happen. There is an endless world of possibilities for pleasure and fulfilling living at your fingertips. Fortunately, as a single person all your resources are yours to invest into living the life you want without having to check with anyone else. This makes for options and opportunities that are sure to be the envy of your married friends. There is no time like the present to enjoy what you might not be able to do tomorrow because of different priorities.

What does a no-holds-barred life look like? It’s downright exciting. I repeatedly tell people I meet to finish this statement: “I’ve always wanted to _______________.” Well, what’s stopping you? Certainly your excuse should not be “Because I have no man.” Until that blessed addition to your life shows up to claim you, your life should be full of fulfilling activities and amazing experiences that broaden you intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually as a person. In other words, get a life. Get one that will make you interesting and intriguing to others. A well-lived life full of passion and interests is like a magnet. It will draw other exciting people to you. So go ahead and mix it up.

First, break out of your regular routine. In order to have new experiences, you have to do new things. If your weekly routine is work, church, and back home, there is a lot of room for improvement...

Take Your Life Off Hold - Part 2

Michelle McKinney Hammond
Author

If you’ve read any of my other books, you know my favorite Scripture: “He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet” (Proverbs 27:7).

If you don’t have a full and enriching life before you meet a potential mate, you will end up settling for someone you wouldn’t ordinarily desire because desperation will make you accept anything. But a full life that is already satisfying at its core will make you much more discerning about your love choices simply because you can afford to take your time and get it right.

Having a life doesn’t just answer the desperation question; it also sets the bar on the respect you will receive from a potential love interest. He will not take you or your time for granted because you had a life before you met him. You are now game waiting to be captured. A challenge. A prize. You need to make that man plot and plan how to get more of your time. Leave him wondering how to win you rather than hide from you. The fuller your life, the more fascinating you will be. The more stimulating conversation you will have to offer. The more he will love how he feels when he’s around you and want to be around you more.

When you have a full life, there is no need for games or manipulation। Your life will take care of making you intriguing. The balance here is in the presentation of yourself to him. You should always be delighted to hear from him but not have enough time to run after him. Got it? Make him feel desired but not required—there is a difference. One makes you interesting. The other makes you a pest...

The National Council of Negro Women Retreat!

Hello there!

I was informed of a wonderful event coming up October 31st from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Please click on the picture for more info. Let us continue to lift each other up!

Feel free to tell a friend =)

Eternal Riches: What's Your Retirement Plan?

If I were to take a pole and ask people do they have some kind of retirement plan or vision for when they retire, I’m certain many would say yes. Companies now offer 401K plans, pensions, and we can’t forget our social security allowance. I think it’s great to plan for the future.

However, do you realize we are planning for something that we may not live to see. But we can depend on spending eternity somewhere (Heaven or Hell are our only options).

What’s on your mind from day to day? Is it your bills, the nice things you want to have, the direction of your future... are you trying to keep up with your friends and family, or society’s standards? When you wake up every morning, what are you pursing in life? Is it success & riches or satisfaction?

All the earthly treasures that we pursue, such as a house, car, finest clothes, money, jewelry, luxurious vacations, status, & the list just goes on. All of those things that we drain ourselves trying to obtain, can’t transcend into eternity.

So many of us invest in the uncertainties of life and forget about what’s definite, our eternal state. Know that the things we have in this life is temporary, how much of your time, talent, & various resources will you spend investing in the Lord?

Please take the time to read the 24th chapter of Joshua. There you will find these words, “now therefore fear the Lord, and serve Him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:14 - 15 (KJV)

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Why Should I Pray?

Despite the universe’s imperative demand for the Creator’s attention, God desires to hear from us. Not on a temporary basis, when things are going bad basis, or when its convenient basis, but continually. His word says, “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV)

Here’s another interesting fact… Did you know God knows what you’re going to ask Him before you even ask? “For your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.” (Matthew 6:8b (KJV)

So why should I pray to God, all the time, if He already knows what I’m going to ask & what I’m in need of?

Well before we address that question, let me ask you this… Would you allow a stranger to spend unlimited nights in your home? I wouldn’t. I don’t know what they are capable of. It would make more since to get to know the person and their habits.

Prayer is a way you can communicate with God. God desires to have daily conversation with us. He wants to establish a relationship with His children. It takes active participation from both parties to develop a satisfied relationship.

He instructs us to “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” (Jeremiah 33:3 (KJV) Our Father wants to answer our questions & concerns. It doesn’t matter who you are, God has no respect of person. “For there is no respect of persons with God.” (Romans 2:11 (KJV) So call on Him continually.

If Heaven is your home, don’t wait until judgment day to find out the status of your relationship with God. He is available right now. Take the time to know that you are welcomed in His House.
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Learning 2 Press

As a Christian, I wish I could tell you that accepting Christ means your life will be easy. However, Sister Williams (from my Sunday School class), reminds me that suffering is a Christian’s training ground.

God has informed me, that obstacles are a scheduled part of our lives. He does not stop them from surfacing because they serve a purpose. As you’re going through your trials, please understand God wants the best for His children.

Trials and tribulations come not to hinder us. Instead it is one of God’s ways of getting our attention, so that He may draw us closer to Him. He breaks us down, so that He may lift us up. God exposes our weakness, so that He may strengthen us.
If you’re feeling weak through your trials, may the words of Jesus Christ comfort you…“ for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (II Corinthians 12:9 (KJV) We should not depend on our own strength to make it through. That’s what the Holy Spirit is for. Independent thinking will lead you astray. Philippians 4:13 (KJV) says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” I know when we are facing obstacles, we tend to depend on the things that are tangible, but this is where we have to put our belief in God’s abilities into action!

Remember God is more than aware of our situation, He knows our way out. David knew, “when my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path.” Psalm 142:3a (KJV); “The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me” Psalm 138:8a (KJV)
I will never forget the day God released me and gave me a new perspective. It was the shortest Worship Service my church had. Service started at 10:45am and ended at 12pm (if that). Pastor didn’t even have to preach, the Holy Spirit just took control.

He whispered to me soft and gentle, Experience.

"Experience what?”

What have you been reading?

“Joshua?… I don’t understand.”

I’m leading you to your River Jordon, so you can experience crossing it through steps of faith. I’m taking you to your Wall of Jericho, so you can experience victory through shouts of praise. While you’re in the mist of danger I want you to understand, the Son will shine on you until you reach your destination.

What an Awesome God!

INSPIRE Hire: Building Your Career

In the past five years, several employers have laid-off their employees by the thousands. Leaving many workers with no means of income.

Many of us have planned out our future goals and expectations of where we’ll be in a few years. However, our career might not be secure. So who’s building your career?

“Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.” (Psalm 127:1-2 (KJV) God truly holds our future. “There are many plans in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.” (Proverbs 19:21 (KJV)

We should place ourselves in the Lord and seek his counsel. Only then will our purpose be establish. “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. ” (Proverbs 15:22 (KJV)

Lets not labor in vain but with certainty. There would be much to gain. God has never broken a promise. Therefore we can depend on His word. He encourage us to, “Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.” (Proverbs 16:3 (KJV)
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I want to live with no regrets!

I've decided that life is too short to live with many regrets. So I'm going to "take my life off hold!"