Makeup Aisle Ministry

This morning I ran out of my house and realized that I didn't set my makeup with finishing spray.  Normally, it's not a big deal but today I have a super long day and thought let me go get it so I could be cute all day.  Since I pass a Walgreens on my way to work I figured I would pop on in.  It wasn't a quick trip.  I searched the aisles for finishing spray.  First, I looked for the elf finishing spray.  I walked from the front of the store to where the nail items started then back again.  I walked past CoverGirl, Maybelline, Revlon, Iman, and many others but did not see the finishing spray.  I looked high and low.  Then I thought, let me look for any brand of finishing spray.  Again I walked the entire aisle and I looked in the places where I thought it would be, but could not find it.  So I went about my business and grabbed a few other items I needed.  When I was ready to check out, I noticed that the line in cosmetics was shorter than the normal check out counter so I skipped on over to expedite my exit.  As I walked to the cosmetics counter I looked in a different direction from when I first entered the store.  There I found the elf primer.  I thought "hmm, if they have the primer maybe they will have the finishing spray."  When I got to the counter, I asked the clerk if they have the spray.  She said "yes" and proceeded to walk me back to the aisle where I was originally looking but 2 steps farther from where I ended my search.  It was after the nail items. 

By now I am sure you are thinking "why is she going on and on about her trip to Walgreens?"  Well, as soon as I found my makeup I felt God say to me "Sometimes you have to look beyond where you think something should be.  You may have to stretch yourself or walk a few more miles to get there but you have to trust that if I said it will be there, then it will come to pass."  Well, ain't that something!  A word in the makeup aisle!  Now don't get me wrong, God didn't promise me finishing spray.  But He has many promises and I know that they will come to pass.  It may not happen when I think it should or where I think it should be but if God says "yes" then we have to believe Him.

People say God doesn't speak anymore because they don't see bushes burning on the sidewalk, but God speaks all the time.  We have to be receptive and listen for Him and maybe take a few more steps.

Life More Abundantly

I love how God can use the valleys to elevate you.  But we can't be defined by the valleys.  The valleys were used to groom you, to teach you a few things.  But you are not meant to stay in the valley.  Nor are you meant to keep on the weight of the valley.  When you get out of the valley, you must leave somethings behind.  Leave misery.  Leave doubt.  Leave guilt.  Leave shame.  Leave it all there.  God didn't come for you to continue to carry those things that He has delivered you from.  This dead weight stops you from living live to the fullest.  John 10:10 says "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

Thank You, God, for taking me out of the valley.  Thank You for raising me out of that mess.  Thank You for forgiving me for my part in making that mess.  God, I know that You see me as more than I can ever imagine.  Thank You for not seeing my faults.  Help me see myself as You see me.  Let me take off the mourning clothes and put on Your robes.  Help me to live life more abundantly.  I love You and thank You.  Amen.

Proverbs 3:1-12 Seeking Him

I have recently fallen in love with the Message translation of the Bible.  Like really in love...  I've been a King James or NIV girl, but I needed renewed eyes and a renewed fire, and the Message translation delivered. 

Here we are on the first day of the new year and let's be transparent.  We all have things that we are believing God for.  We all want a heavenly hook-up (I think I stole that metaphor from my pastor).  But are we really doing what we are commanded to do?  I know I'm not.  So this morning I thought, "let me start this year right! Order my steps.  Seek ye first."  And that took me to Proverbs 3:1-12. 

^1-2 Good friend, don’t forget all I’ve taught you;
    take to heart my commands.
They’ll help you live a long, long time,
    a long life lived full and well.

^3-4 Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty.
    Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.
Earn a reputation for living well
    in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people.

^5-12 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
    don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
    he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all.
    Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
    your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
    give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
    your wine vats will brim over.
But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline;
    don’t sulk under his loving correction.
It’s the child he loves that God corrects;
    a father’s delight is behind all this.

"Father, thank You for a new year to get it right.  Thank You for a new day to trust You.  Father, can You shout at me for a while?  I know that is a strange request but can You shout at me so I can be sure to not only hear Your voice but also follow Your word.  I don't want to do this year the same way.  I like to fix my problems on my own and not bother You.  But I know that You are not bothered by my pleas for help.  You find favor with those that trust You.  So shout at me so that I can remember to trust You and follow You.  I know You have things for me beyond what I can imagine.  Thank You in advance for being wonderful and holy.  In Jesus' name, Amen.  Amen."

The Lie of "I Got This"

I ran across this picture on pinterest.

This could easily be a page from my own diary.  I am an alpha-girl.  I take charge.  I make things happen.  But my alpha-ness is getting in the way of the Alpha & Omega.  I don't take it all to God in prayer.  Quite often, I try to fix the problem and if that doesn't work, then I take it to God.  I need to leave it at the altar first.  Let Him speak to the situation, then act.  Only then will my priorities be in order. 

More Than Enough

"Father, help me to remember that You made me and You don't make mistakes.  I am more than enough.  I am Your child so that makes me great.  You are so awesome and all I need to do is to trust YOU.  You will not lead me astray.  I love You and thank You.  In Jesus' name, amen."

Help Me Run The Race

Father, Matthew 24:13 says "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."  Please give me strength not only to endure but to thrive.  Help me to get a second wind & fresh feet to run Your race.  I am tired so give me a spiritual shot of endurance, of strength, of energy to make it.  I love You and thank You.  In Jesus' name, amen.

Walking By Faith

Last night my facebook friends were either transfixed by colorism or by the Grand Canyon.   Both topics were getting lots of comments and conversation.  This post will focus on the Grand Canyon.

If you aren't aware, Nik Wallenda walked across the Grand Canyon on a tightrope without a safety net.    And he did it live on the Discovery Channel.  So, by know you are scratching your heads and wondering why I even care... Here's why: As Nik walked across the GC he gave honor to God.  He walked and praised and walked and praised.  Now, some of my friends say that he is an idiot to put himself in harms way and then call on God to assist him.  But I disagree...

Who is to say what God told Nik to do?  God has given some seemingly crazy assignments to people in the past.  Don't believe me, just open your Bible.  But beyond that history lesson, what about the fact that this man went on his job and gave glory to God.  He wasn't embarrassed.  He was talking to Jesus.  How many of us would do that?  Not only that but he was praising and witnessing to folks on live tv.  Some folks watching may have never stepped foot in a church but may have been moved by his praise.

And are you ready for a real kick in the butt?  How many predicaments did you get yourself into and then turn to God to get you out of? I know I am raising my hand.  Are you really going to make me call roll?  From "God, I know I shouldn't have slept with him, but please let this period be on time" to "Jesus, I know that she was ratchet, but please do not let her be pregnant" to "I know I have had too much to drink and there is a cop behind me but Jesus I swear if you keep me out of jail I will never do that again."  Are you raising your hand now?  We ALL get into predicaments and then ask for help.  Even if Nik hopped up on that tightrope without any divine nudging, who are we to judge him?  Don't we do the same daily?

I don't know Nik, but I do know that I was moved while watching him walk.  Imagine if all of our "faith walks" were as strong...

#MyriadPrayer - Don't Get Sidetracked

On Sunday my pastor preached from Galations 5: 1-7.  (You can watch it here.) The last line smacked the mess out of me.  "⁷ You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?"  Well, dang.  I was running a good raced but what (or who) stopped me from obeying the truth?  Did that smack you too? 

So when I got home I had to expand the chapter.  What did the Word say after verse 7?  Well, it said a lot.  Here is a snippet:

⁷ You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? ⁸ That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. ⁹ “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” ¹⁰ I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.

That person or thing that is stopping you from obeying what God has called you to do is like a little yeast.  You have to move biblical metaphors.  A little yeast changes a whole batch of bread dough, right?  Just a little time with the person that is distracting you from purpose can change your whole life.  Makes you re-evaluate your habits and folks in your life, huh?

"Father, please help me to clear out all the distractions that are keeping me from drawing closer to You.  God, please remove the people and things that are in the way of me being exactly where You want me to be.  God, remove those distractions no matter how much I want to hold onto them.  Take them away - far away- so that I may not be tempted or distracted by them again.  Father, I trust that You know best.  I love You and thank You!  Amen.  Amen."

#MyriadPrayer - Proverbs 29:25

About a year ago, I attended a small workshop at church and the ministry leader said that whenever you need guidance turn to Proverbs and the date.  So today is 6/29/12 and I am reading Provers 29.  The part that jumped out at me was Proverbs 29:25 "Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." 

I've battled fear for a long time.  Fear of what?  Fear of success, fear of failure, fear of not being good enough.  I know what I am good at doing.  I know that everyday I am learning that God is stretching me to learn more and do more.  And I wonder what would have happened if I trusted that feeling, that inner voice that said I was "bigger than my current situation" a long time ago.  Fear makes you complacent.  Fear makes you think that just enough is ok.  Fear crushes dreams.  And let's be honest, half the time it is fear of what others will say.  But who cares what they will say?  The proverbial "they" are already talking about you, right?  And why are we more worried about what "they" will say instead of focusing on what He will say?  I want to hear "well done." 

"Father, help me to lean on You and focus on pleasing You.  This fire that You have placed inside of me to stretch, grow, learn, be needs to be nurtured and fed.  Today, I refuse to feed fear.  Today I will press on toward whatever dream, vision, plan that You have shown me.  I will trust You even when I don't see the entire picture.  Father, thank You for trusting me with a piece of the kingdom.  I love You and thank you.  Amen.  Amen."

#Myriad Prayer Jeremiah 29:11

Jeremiah 29:11" For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

I love this scripture.  Why?  Because it says that while you may not always see it, God sees it.  He knows what is around the corner.  He knows when the breakthrough is coming.  He knows when the storm will be over.  He knows.  We have to trust Him.  That trust will keep you walking even when you don't see the next step. 

The prayer for today is "Yes, I will go.  Amen."

#MyriadPrayer Gifts and Guidance

"Father, thank You for today.  Thank You for Your gifts and guidance.  Father, please shift my perspective on situations.  While I know that 'all things work together for Your good,'  I have to admit that when bad things happen, my first reaction isn't always a positive one.  Please help shift my focus so that I worship and praise first.  That will leave no room for worry or panic or complaining.  Father, I know that I don't have to like negative situations but I need to have peace in them.  Send Your Holy Spirit to envelope me and keep my fire going.  In Jesus' name, Amen.  Amen."

#MyriadPrayer - Let God Be In Control

"Father, thank You for today.  Thank You for giving me a glimpse of how wonderful life can be when I allow You to have control.  You have given me the blueprint and it is up to me to obey and follow it.  My mistakes are what are causing me turmoil and I have to submit to You to fix them.  I love You and thank You for the clarity!  Amen."

#MyriadPrayer - Praying Strength

"Father, thank You for being my strength.  I try to follow what You want for me and so many times I fall short.  Thank You for being patient with me.  Thank You for having mercy on me.  Father, re-ignite my passion in so many areas.  Please help me to continue to not only do what You want me to do but to do it graciously.  Father, I love You and thank You.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

#MyriadPrayer - Prayer Time

"Father, thank You for today.  Thank You for the power of prayer.  Thank You for providing us with a vehicle to speak with You.  Thank You for being receptive to our cries, our moans, and our words.  How often we forget that everything gets better after a conversation with You?  It goes beyond 'casting my cares' on You.   It is listening to You when You speak to me.  Thank You for thinking so much of us that You listen to us.  You care about us.  And You want the best for us.  Father, I love You and thank You.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

#MyriadPrayer - Open Doors

"Father, thank You for always being ready to welcome me to You.  Father, I want to just thank You for Your patience, mercy, forgiveness, and love.  Please order my steps this week so that I am a good steward of my time.  Father, give me the words to say as I move closer to the purpose You have for me.  Father, I love You and thank You.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

#MyriadPrayer - Freedom

I woke up this morning feeling free.  I know it is the Fourth of July and it is all about America's freedom, but that's not what I meant.  I woke up this morning feeling freer, lighter.  The quote "Free Indeed" kept floating around my mind.  So I turned to John 8:31-36:

³¹ To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
³³ They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”
³⁴ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. ³⁵ Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. ³⁶ So if the Son sets you free,you will be free indeed.

Everyday, I have to wake up and remind myself of this freedom.. this freedom in Christ.  With that freedom comes responsibility and a world of possibility.  So today, I am free indeed!

"Father, thank You for freedom that can only be found in You.  Father, thank for the freedom to live, love, laugh, worship.  Thank You for the gift of Your son.  That gift frees me from a life of sin.  Father, I love You and thank You.  Amen.  Amen."

#MyriadPrayer - I Love The Lord

"I love the Lord, He heard my cry. And pitied every groan. Long as I live, and troubles rise, I hasten to His throne" You're singing along now, aren't you? Now stop singing and actually say the words.. 

"I love the Lord." I really love the Lord. Not because of the next line, but I love Him because He is God. Yes, I get impatient. Yes, I don't always act right. Yes, things don't always go my way. But I love Him - everyday! 

"He heard my cry." Let's be honest, He's God. He really doesn't have to come down and deal with me and my mess but He does because He loves me back. He listens to me. He corrects me. He loves me inspite of my mess and responds to my cry. Not because I am special but because I am His. 

"And pitied every groan.." Every groan. You know we complain alot. Humans complain from not winning a race, to the red light staying red too long. We are a whiny bunch. (Notice I said "we.") But He takes the time to listen to every complaint. Now He could really say "well looky here.. you got yourself in a pickle, didn't you? Now you knew good and well that what you were doing was wrong but you had to do it anyway, didn't you? Ummm hmmmm. I left you the Bible to guide you and you were too busy reading Essence or Facebook to crack open the book to see which way to go.. and now you wanna call on Me to fix it. I should let you go to hell, shouldn't I? Maybe then you'll believe that fire burns." That's the message that I should have gotten many times, but did He say it? Nope. 

"Long as I live and troubles rise.." Job 14:1 says "Mortals, born of woman, are of few days and full of trouble." Trouble happens. Satan attacks. You mess up. Things happen. But the next line offers a course of action.. 

"I hasten to His throne." We have a place where we can seek refuge. Where we can go and get our minds right. Let's be real. Where ever your mind is, that's where your attitude is and normally your behind is too. If bad things are happening and you are counting "it all joy" then you are going to have a great attitude and find a way tomake it through. But if you start thinking "woe is me", your attitude is going to sink, then your behind will be in more trouble. 

This morning I had to hasten to His throne. I was running behind on someplace I needed to be, and when I got there I had to spend a little time alone. Me and my ipod and .... well, wait. It was me and God. So I wasn't alone. And that is yet another reason why I love the Lord.