Simply Redeemed

Good morning family. Wow, we've come to another Friday. "What a feeling". It may seem small to some or just another day, but any day that we live to see is great. It's so refreshing when we're able to start/begin again. There are so many people who aren't in their right mind this morning, so many who have lost their freedom, who have lost the will to go on but I'm so thankful that I'm not one of those people. So thankful that "He woke me up this morning and started me on my way". Tears of joy this morning as I enjoy "praise and worship". I wonder how many of you woke up frustrated and annoyed over some small detail. I wonder how many are taking their "freedom walk" for granted. I wonder how many have made choices that didn't fit God's will. I wonder how many woke up this morning with feelings of regret/aggression. For anyone who finds themselves struggling this morning or at anytime, remember, our "Redeemer" lives. He will take a "wounded" heart/spirit and make it brand new. My prayer for each of us today is that we realize that we're "Simply Redeemed". Luke 1:68, Romans 5:8, Hebrews 9:22. 1 Timothy 2:5. Luke 15:7

Don't Wheel Me Around

Good morning family. I figured out why I dream so much, using the TV as a night light. Have to break that habit. Work is busy as usual, so much to do, so little time. Lord I am thankful for the business and even more thankful for employment. Lately I've been reading about the "state" of our great nation. There are still so many people without jobs, some by choice and some are just not able to find "good" paying jobs. I avoid complaining about my daily grind because I could be one of those people standing in the unemployment line. So, I had a dream a couple of weeks ago. It shook me up a little because I didn't like what I saw, didn't know how to process it. Fortunately, I didn't let it go, it's stayed on my mind, stayed with me until I understood what it meant. In my dream a person comes to the door partially exposed, with their pants undone. Later in the dream I see this same person in a wheel chair. Yesterday it hit me, when you're not transparent you cripple your chances of succeeding or meeting your goals. So many times we cover up who we really are because we're ashamed. We feel we should be farther along in life than we are, so we pretend to be something we're not. We need to show others who we are, let the world know that we need help, we need God. Some of us have this imaginary "wheel chair" that carries us everywhere because we're afraid to walk in faith. We want to be wheeled around, pretending we're happy when nothing we touch is growing. 

Use Words Wisely

Good morning family. Praising God for getting us through yesterday's monsoon. I don't think anyone was expecting rain like that, but in all things give God praise because we could be living through a drought. I thought a lot about conversation yesterday. I make my living by speaking to and with customers, internal and external. Over the years I've learned to choose my "words" wisely and to understand that every conversation isn't for everybody. This morning I'm praying for you as I pray for me because every now and then we all need a reminder that "words" can make or break a person, words can inspire or destroy dreams, words can start or end wars, words can begin or end relationships. Father God, thank You for waking us to a day that wasn't promised. Thank You so much for wisdom and courage. Father thank You for reminding me that my words shouldn't be used to hurt others. Lord my words should be a tool used for encouraging and praising. We sometimes feel that saying what we want to say when we want to say it is a sign of courage. Lord I know this isn't true because sometimes our words are used to cover years of pain, years of heartache and disappointment. Father God, let use be reminded that we have to choose the right words based on our audience. Some words are to strong and some are to weak for those we speak to/with. Lastly Father, we should always pray about "intended" conversations before they start, understanding that we won't always get the response/results we want. Lord we live in a time where social media affords us the opportunity to send messages/words electronically, while I love this technology, it sometimes gives us to much freedom to say what we want to say when we should really "hold" our peace. Feeling thankful for what You're doing in my life and for my family. Living an awesome life. AMEN. TeamUSEWordsWisely. Bblessedloveyou. Proverbs 12:18, 15:1, 18:21, 21:23, Matthew 15 vs 10-11, James 1 vs 26, 1 Peter 3 vs 7-12. Glory to His Name.

Loss But Not Lost

Good morning family. It's "hump day". Every since the commercial with the camel aired, people have been waiting for Wednesdays just to ask "what day is it?". To funny, love those commercials. It's wonderful when you're able to laugh while you're working. Not everyone is blessed to have that experience on a daily basis. Thanking God this morning for my family, friends and my peers. A dream I had this morning reminded me that sometimes we loose people/things/jobs in order to move forward, get better. I was also reminded that as we grow/move forward that we have to be mindful of how we leave things/people behind us. There are some who blow through life, stepping on people, destroying things and not looking back until they find themselves alone, devastated mentally. Experiencing loss has a way of reconnecting us with the One who made us and with those we thought we'd never need again. As I think about my dream I thank God for everyone who stood by me during my time of loss, when I didn't have much and when I didn't think much of myself. Father God, thank You for all You've ever given, for the people You've placed in my life and for always providing for me. Lord, without Your grace and mercy, life is not worth the living. Thank You for peace and healing, thank You for the strength to move on when we find ourselves on the "outside" looking in. Thank You for all the opportunities that come our way. We are blessed to receive and even more blessed when we understand that what we receive can be taken away in the blink of an eye. Lord, I am in awe of Your word, Your direction. Simply Perfect. AMEN. TeamLossButNotLost. Bblessedloveyou.

Psalm 34:17-20,Isaiah 40 vs 1-31, Philipians 4 vs 19, 2 Corinthinas 12 vs 9 

Wisdom

Good morning family. We had a nice weekend in Atlanta. It was good watching Daryl play. Back to the reality of another mass shooting. There are so many damaged/hurt people in the world. I have to say again, you don't know who you're sitting next to at work so stay prayed up. Praying for the families who are living with/through yet another tragedy. Praying for our country/leaders as well. Thinking about how blessed we all are. Sometimes it gets to be to much but as long as we have breath, we have to keep praying and moving. Heavenly Father, thank You so much for Your grace and mercy. You've kept us safe from harm, allowed us to see another day. Lord I am so humbled by the love You continue to show us. We can be so arrogant, running off at the mouth, looking down on others and taking what doesn't belong to us. Father God fill our hearts with praise when we want to complain. Let us first look at what we have before we go down the road of frustration. Lord, give us the will to overcome those desires that will never satisfy. Lord, You know what's best for us. We are blessed beyond measure, yet we seek out those things that keep us in bondage. Father, we continually lust after things/people that cloud our vision and get in the way of Your will. Father, I ask that You fill our minds/heart with more of You, we need You. I am forever grateful for the growth my family is experiencing. Wisdom Lord, wisdom, trust Father, trust, one day at a time, one prayer at a time, You are awesome. Amen. TeamThankfulForWisdom. Bblessedloveyou Proverbs 2:1-22Ecclesiastes 7:12Proverbs 4:1-27Matthew 7:7-8Proverbs 20:15

I Won't Complain

Good morning family. Up, feeling refreshed. Thanking God for allowing us to enjoy time with family and friends. Don't miss the opportunity to visit one another. It is through fellowship that we learn how to manage relationships. Reminding myself as I remind you, what you refuse to appreciate, someone else will. Whether it be a spouse, a child, a friend, a church, a home or a job, there is always someone waiting in the "wings" to pick up what you throw away. The "clean up women" is waiting on you to give up on your marriage so he/she can step in and pick up the pieces. That couple who can't conceive is waiting to adopt a child that has been "thrown away" by someone who was blessed with conception. For that job you don't appreciate, there's a person sharpening their skills, getting the needed education so they can be ready to replace you. I could go on and on. The bottom line is, learn to appreciate what you have as opposed to always complaining. God has provided so much and as long as we're faithful, thankful and putting in the work, blessings will continue to flow. TeamIWon'tComplain. Bblessedloveyou

Imperfection

Good morning family. It's a beautiful day in my "hood". I'm feeling extremely blessed and filled with so much gratitude. My family and friends are well, living life. There's a song I love that says "perfection is not my friend". It reminds me that the word "perfect" is thrown around a little to much. For me, perfection, is temporary. The perfect moment doesn't last forever and I'm okay with that. Trying to apply "perfection" to everything would drive me crazy. I feel blessed to achieve/reach those temporary moments of perfection. Those moments give me something to hold on to, to remember when things aren't going well or when my imperfections get in the way of progress. This morning I pray for you as I pray for me, Father God, I'm thankful for who I am. I love that You love me no matter what I look like and no matter what mood I'm in. Lord I thank You for the ability to smile even in those imperfect/uncomfortable moments. Lord, You alone are the "Perfect One". I'm so grateful for Your words for without them I would not understand or accept why things couldn't always be perfect. Lord, I pray that anyone seeking approval from this world, stop. Understanding that we need only look to You for approval and guidance. When this is done, life falls into place, we find peace/acceptance and we become more like You. Last but certainly not least, thank You for our wonderful children, Lord, watching them grow has taught me so much about who I am, reminded me that youth shouldn't be something you leave behind, it should be embraced and carried forth as we mature. Lord thank You for the opportunity to laugh, play and enjoy our days. In Jesus' Name, AMEN. TeamImperfection. Bblessedloveyou. Ephesians 2:10, Proverbs 28:26 ,Proverbs 16:4