Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

Catch 22...Between a Rock and a Hard Place???

I have found from my experience that the decision is just as important as your mentality during the decision-making process. Lately, I've been deciding between some things that a pros-cons list won't help. In fact, after making the list, there were exactly the same number of issues on both side. But...

Amazingly enough, I've been able to stay calm. It is ESSENTIAL that in times of crisis and confusion that you HOLD ON TO YOUR PEACE! It doesn't hurt to have friends that can give sound advice, input, and most importantly pray about it with/for you. Now, no worries! If you don't have anyone that you can honestly call friend, I completely understand---been there!

And I know you don't always want to hear that "there's a friend that sticks closer than a brother". But, TRUTHFULLY speaking, YOU DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Give Jesus a try! Seriously, I would even say don't trust Him w/ your whole life at first if you don't want. BUT, I PROMISE YOU just one try - one prayer, one "help me God", one chance - and YOUR LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME! He's the ONLY ONE that get us through our ruts.

So, if you happen to be going through a tough time tonite, know that somebody understands and remember:

1- Until you reach your decision, Keep your Peace!
2- Trust Jesus! (whether you have good friends or not)

Blog Back, one

Dear Reader,

I have a friend who has a friend and he's really having difficuilties. Let's say his name is Tom. Tom and my friend, *Johnny used to be roomates back in the day and had a ball!!!! They always talked about wanting that 'tightness' back. They got older; their friendship matured; they talked about going to separate states and broadening their horizons. Now, conversation about them being back together (ACES) is all just a joke, a thing of the past, a "nice thought".

Here's the problem: Johnny is actually in a position now to make that 'joke-once-reality' idea actually happen and Tom doesn't really care. They're still great friends. But, Johnny feels like Tom is just saying okay; but, the excitement behind being friends, being close, being housemates, and being together again just wasn't there. Now, Johnny is moving, reconstructing his life, and wanting to make room for his best bud, but Tom is simply not overjoyed. Here Johnny thought that even though he was moving into a place where he knew so many, that he would have his best friend there most. Now, it seems like, even with knowing so many, he's alone because his friend doesn't care as much as he'd hoped. It hurts.

Answer this: If you were Johnny, how would you handle your emotions:
a. Act like you're just moving to a new place by yourself.
b. Include "Tom" in your plans anyway and risk more hurt if the answer's no.
c. Ignore the whole situation and try to act like it doesn't bother you.
d. Make "Tom" want to be with you.

I'm pretty sure the answer is NOT 'd'. But, I'm open. What do you think???

...Should have a tag

Have you ever walked up to a retail salesperson and asked the price of an item in your hand? And as they reach for the item, they say "Well, let's see...it should have a tag..." Now, instead of me saying, "Look woman, would I have asked you the price if it was on here?!" (lol), I follow her to the shelf to find a similar item with a tag.

Check yourself. Is your value obvious?

Allowing yourself to be abused, harassed, disrespected, lied to, and avoided hide who you really are. Take care of yourself - inside and out.

We're not perfect and we have those 'don't-feel-like-it-days'. No one's asking you to be thin, but be conscious. No one requires that you wear the latest and most fashionable, but be presentable.

Find something precious in you that motivates you to be all that you can be. YOU ARE SIGNIFICANT! There's something in you that we all need. There are dreams in you that must be fulfilled. And there are ways that you can impact the world that NO ONE ELSE can!

IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR YOU TO BE ALL THAT GOD HAS CREATED YOU TO BE!!!!!!

Don't be ashamed. You have value! Show your tag!

Does your church fit?

Please be advised~

Church is not simply a social network in which you log in and log out when you feel like it. It's not a place decided upon by demographics, list of activities/event , or the crush you have on the one in Bible Study. Church is what my friends and I like to call our "lifeline". It is where we must remained hooked in to gain knowledge, give thanks, and leave encouraged.

Let's go deeper~

It's so unfortunate how we as Believers can go to Church and leave untouched, unfulfilled, and underfed. Now, quite honestly, continuing in sin on a regular basis with no remorse can keep you "out of the loop" when it comes to the Church experience. You know - those times when everyone around you seems to be "gettin' a word" and you remain lifeless? That's definitely a symptom of being out of the will of God. However, if you're living a holy life as much as can be expected - making efforts to refrain from sin - and you know that God has called you to worship/serve in a particular Church (REGARDLESS OF DENOMINATION- that's a whole 'notha blog:)), then you should never leave without getting what God wants to reveal to you.

Know this~

People, we've deceived ourselves! After Church sometimes, we've left saying, "Well, somebody got what they needed today" or "maybe it just wasn't my day". LIES!!! LIES!!! LIES!!! heehee, no....seriously....

If He's called you to that Church, then He'll speak to you in that Church and use you there, every time you go. GET ALL THAT GOD HAS FOR YOU!

N.O.W, I

Nuggets Of Wisdom, one

You can't be yourself with EVERYONE!

Don't get me wrong. I'm all for being real, transparent, and authentic (in the words of a close friend of mine). But, it has been my experience that everybody can't handle it. So many times people only allow you to be the person that they expect you to be and nothing more. Other times, in an genuine attempt to be yourself, people make it so uncomfortable to do so. Unless Jesus Himself tells you otherwise, it's okay to keep some things to yourself. And think about it - Do you really want to have to go through all that explaining when they find out what you really used to do?? :)

Self-esteem, Self-help, Self-motivation, Self-improvement -

first word-----SELF!

Aside from Christ, self-esteem, self-help, self-motivation, and self-improvement involves SELF. Stop comparing yourself to others to heighten your esteem level. You can't wait on someone else to hand over help on a silver platter, there might be times that you just have to help yourSELF. Unfortunately, you can't depend on someone else to always ask how you're doing or check in on you. Trust ME, there will be days that you have to motivate yourSELF. And understand that no one can just make you do something. Change, outside of Christ, is self-induced. Improving and making yourself better is important as we revolutionize into the person God has called us to be.

WORDS 101

from the simple words/phrases: "can" "won't" "want"
to "boyfriend" "engaged" "i got u"
-----------------------------------------
Call me old-fashioned, but Words mean something to me.

Let's address these:

"can" - (i.e. I can make it work.) Well, since you have the ability, try it. Don't sit idly by with ability and do nothing with it. Life's treasures are for those who use what they have to get what they can, instead of sitting around complaining about what others won't let you do.

"won't" - Don't keep asking. Don't keep tempting someone to do something - drugs, smoking, pre-marital sex - that they continually say the WON'T do. Peer pressure only has power when we give in and lose our "Won't"!

"want" - I haven't met anyone that would rather be needed than wanted. Need is often a sign of helplessness and sometimes, insecurity. It relies on someone to make things easier for them. But oh the goodhearted feeling we have when someone wants us! That says I'm not relying on you to make my situation or circumstance better; instead, I want you just because... Maybe this doesn't apply to you. But, I desire to be desired.

And, you'll find that some of the things we consider complex are really not as complicated if their spoken from a heart of sincerity--

"boyfriend" - I'm not saying that you have to commit to one another (boy/girlfriend) for eternity. But, at least while you're together, could you try (sarcastically said) not to stare at the girls passing on the street; or at least act like you care about only her. If you no longer have feelings for a person, have the common decency and respect to speak to them directly and explain.

"engaged" - Don't give the ring or accept a ring with question. Engagement doesn't mean "I'll think about it" or "Sure I'll marry you, unless a better offer comes along". Be committed!

"i got u" - Do you really? When a baby falls and a mother reaches down and says, "Come to mommy sweetie, I got you", it means they are there. It means they'll try to keep you from falling again. It means they care. It means they want you to trust them. It means they are willing to do what must be done to protect your body, your heart, your soul. It means they don't want you to cry from hurt, especially at their expense. Consider that next time you say or hear someone say "I got you" (or for those outside of the associated colloquialism - I have you):) Can you really uphold its meaning? If you have a friend that's not willing to do the above, they may not deserve the title. (see the Friendship Uncut blog)

WORDS MEAN SOMETHING! So, mean something when you say them!

Friendship Uncut

I took the time to consider aspects of my life today and thought this would encourage your heart.
So many times, we hear about how people can affect our lives. But, have you ever taken time to think about how we affect the lives of others? We all know the sayings, "Be kind!" "Walk in love!" and the most famous one, "You might be the only Jesus anyone will ever meet/see!" These are all true......

But, then there are those persons in your life already....
God has special plans for all His people. But, some of those plans don't include you! I received a forwarf via e-mail from someone on my buddy list that said, "Some people are in your lives for a reason or a season..." It's true...It's actually true.

Everyone that God puts in our lives are there for a reason. It is important, though, that as we stay connected to them that we keep God as the center. If He puts them in our lives, we've got to stay in tune to Him to keep that relationship in tact. When we don't, we lose focus of God's plan and purpose for our friendship/ relationship connection. Then, we end up holding on to someone we should release. Now, this is not for ForeverFriends. But, if you have FRIENDS in your life that don't deserve the title, read on:

Understand this--
It's not always about us. When we hold on to someone, we are holding THEM back. We are holding them back from THEIR place in God, THEIR destiny in God, and THEIR anointing!
DON'T BE SELFISH!!! God's plan for some people that are in your life goes beyond you. One person once said, "truly loving someone is wanting them to be happy in life even if their happiness means you're not a part of it." Let people go!!!! Not just for you; but, so that they can be the person GOD DESIRES FOR THEM TO BECOME!!!