Thursday, January 27, 2011

What Are You DOING!?!?


...I am not looking for an opportunity to prove myself, I am watching for the moment when God shows Himself *krbz*...

So often we are so caught up in trying to prove to people what we can do, who we can be and manipulating situations to work on our behalf that we forget GOD is able to turn one's heart in our favor (Reference Ezra 6:22).  Everybody is trying to prove to somebody that they are better than someone else, but did you ever stop to think that if you are doing what GOD destined you to do, you would not have to PROVE anything to anyone?  

This time around, let's let GOD be GOD and show Himself faithful to us as we show ourselves faithful to Him.  When we allow Him to be in control, we won't have to manipulate, coerce, maneuver, lie, finagle, push, or drag anything because He will PLACE everything where it needs to be in our lives.  


Tuesday, January 25, 2011

What is Your Reason for Living??

Another devotional from the Free Chapel website...This spoke to me and I wanted to share it with you.  Feel free to go to the website and read the devotionals for yourself, they are right on time...


Free Chapel Worship Center Daily Devotion
Posted on 
“But if it dies.” Jn 12:24 NKJV
One day a depressed woman jumped off a bridge into a river. Without thinking, a man standing nearby jumped in to save her. But “our hero” suddenly remembered that he couldn’t swim, so he started thrashing around and screaming for help! Hearing his cries, the depressed woman swam to his rescue, hauled him out, administered mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and saved his life. What happened? She found a need greater than her own, and in so doing she found a reason to live. Jesus said, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies [to self-interest], it produces much grain.” Christ had just gotten through saying, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing” (Lk 12:22-23 NKJV). Career success and material things cannot be your reason for living! You need a larger purpose, and God will give you one if you ask Him. Some of us are born knowing what God has called us to do in life; others discover it along the way. Some of us actually find it in our closing years. Indeed, some of us are awakened to it by tragedy and loss. What matters is that we find God’s purpose and pour ourselves into it. Helen Keller wrote, “When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which God has opened for us.” So, have you found your reason for living?

Sunday, January 23, 2011

A Stellar Realization


This year was the first time I attended the Stellar Awards and I must say...I enjoyed myself.  I think what I enjoyed most was seeing the wheels of creativity turning in the minds of those I was with.  You never know what will spark creativity in another...sometimes being in the right setting or around certain people is all it takes.

Daily we should aim to put ourselves in places and around people who will stretch who we are.  Cause us to think outside our norm.  This event (The Stellars) caused me to do just that... I saw so many who had a desire that met with opportunity.

The only thing standing in the way of your (my) accomplishment is YOU (ME).  Get outta the way and get IT done!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Rules for Living...

I absolutely love Jentzen Franklin and believe he is a wonderful teacher.  God has allowed him (Franklin) to help me understand the importance of fasting AND prayer.  Having grown up in the church, I had knowledge; however, he (Franklin) was able to put some things in perspective.  I was perusing his website reading the daily devotionals and found this to be very enlightening and wanted to share.  Feel free to browse other devotionals on the website for Free Chapel Worship Center in Gainsville, GA.  This devotional titled Rules for Living is one I thought would be helpful for any and everyone -


Rules for Living

“His…power has given us everything we need for life.”            2Pe 1:3 NIV
Here are three rules for living: (1) Learn to control the climate around you. Negativity is contagious; look out for its “carriers.” Love them, lift them, but don’t let them infect you. Filter what people say to you through God’s Word. “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power (ability and a can-do attitude) and of love (which always looks for the best) and of a sound mind (which is stable and consistent)” (2Ti 1:7 NKJV). (2) Learn to laugh at yourself. A woman who’d been given a lovely plant took it home, watered it, fertilized it and set it in the sun. A year later she discovered it was silk—and she still laughs about it. When you’re secure in God’s love and approval you can laugh at yourself; it’s a mark of spiritual maturity. (3) Learn to factor God in. Ever hear of the 90/10 rule? When 90% of the circumstances are uncontrollable, focus on the 10% you can do something about. Paul did that. “We were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. Nevertheless God” (2Co 7:5-6). Note the words, “Nevertheless God.” When you’re facing a mountain always remember: God can move it, He can level it, He can tunnel through it, or He can help you climb it. All you have to do is factor Him in by seeking His face and consulting His Word. “Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise” (See Col 3:16 NLT). Keep a rich deposit of Scripture within you and draw on it daily.

Hope you enjoyed and will commit to these simple rules in order to experience God's best for your lives.krbz

North, South, East or West


How many times have you reached a crucial crossroads in your life?  Ugghh the feeling of not knowing exactly what to do can be sooo frustrating...do I go to the left? Turn to the right? Sit down? Stand up or fight, fight, fight?  (lol)  

Standing at the crossroads of life and not knowing where to go has paralyzed many people, causing them to do nothing.  So many emotions and thoughts enter your mind as you decide whether to walk away or stay.  How do you know what to do?!?!?!?  If only it was plainly written the path for our lives...but that would be too easy, right?

I am reminded of the scriptures from Proverbs 3:5, 6 (NLT) - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend upon your own understanding.  Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." Read it yourself... This scripture says so much that can help when trying to determine your next move...first TRUST GOD! When asking for directions we will walk up to a TOTAL stranger in hopes they will lead us in the way we should go, requiring that we TRUST the information they give us.  Hmmm...so trust God with your WHOLE heart, believe He will lead you where you should go.  We can't rely solely on what we know (how many times has that gotten us in trouble?) but we've got to seek GOD in everything...and He will show us the path to take.  I SOOOO believe that if we ask Him, He will tell us...it may not always be what we want to hear (or do) but it is always what is best.  

Trust HIM!krbz





Monday, January 10, 2011

...a lil' Tai Chi please...

Last week I decided to attend a Tai Chi class and boy oh boy...it was nothing less than ...hmm well, interesting.

The class was free, because there weren't enough people attending during the day to warrant them paying an instructor (I was told this by the older lady who helps oversee the class).  Anyway, I chatted with a few of the ladies before the class started and noticed that all of them were considerably older than me.  I wasn't the only one making observation though as one of the ladies stated, "We have such a diverse group." At that point I couldn't see any diversity...other than ME...lol

So the class started and I a learned half of the short version, which is the beginning of the long version.  I know how to "pick the peas" with the "crane" and a few foot movements.  All in all I can not say I was motivated to attend again.  Not necessarily because of the people, as they were very nice, borderline overly.  But I just don't think Tai Chi is my cup of tea.  It is something I can mark off my list though, I tried it!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

...OH! It Hurts SOOO Bad...

Pain has always been an indicator of something.....  
Doctors have said certain aches and pains are signs of growth and others are signs of potentially dangerous situations.  Some pains we grow out of, others we try to medicate away, then there are pains that require medical attention ASAP.  Unfortunately, when it comes to relationships we do not always view pain in the same context.  We don't question if the pain being felt is due to growth (as an individual or collectively) or a potentially dangerous situation.  The same way our bodies send us clues that something isn't right, our relational meter notifies us when relationships aren't where ( or what) they need to be.  Far too often we do not heed the meter and we try to self- diagnose and medicate, then end up in a mess.

How many devastating circumstances could we avoid if we took our relationships to the examination room and allowed the doctor to thoroughly investigate.  While every headache we have may not send us running to the doctor, if we were to wake up one morning with a headache so bad we couldn't see, hear or think straight we would go to the doctor running and screaming.  So when a relationship is literally draining the life out of you, at what point do you go to the doctor or better yet remove yourself from the life-draining source.  If a leech was stuck to your arm, sucking your blood ...would you let it stay?  So why let relational leeches suck away your happiness, your ambition, your peace, your laughter, your ability to be you...?  If you don't have the strength to remove the leech yourself or simply don't know how...see the doctor.

There are way too many people in pain because they refuse to see a doctor (for whatever reason), their pain is intensifying and  they are struggling to make it...

This doesn't have to be you physically, spiritually or relationally because the doctor is waiting...call Him (I was told He answers Knee-mail;)

Personality vs Integrity

Who doesn't like a person with personality?  Someone who can make you laugh, gets along with "everyone" and drips with charisma.  When they walk in a room everyone lights up, heads turn and eyes sparkle at the "charmer" with all that PERSONALITY.  Aren't we all looking to have people (or at least a person) like that in our lives??  Personality has so long been sought after that in 1959 Lloyd Prince sang about it:

...'Cause you've got (personality)
Walk (personality) Talk (personality)
Smile (personality) Charm (personality)
Love (personality)
And cause you got a great big heart
Well over and over
I'll be a fool for you...

All because of PERSONALITY...

The question I pose is this - "Is personality worth more than integrity?"  Is anyone looking for someone who is honest and trustworthy? faithful? has values, morals, standards?  Or are we all after that fuzzy warm giddy feeling we get when we are being charmed (or hustled).

I ask this question as I look out on the scheme of life at various situations.  I see so many people and hear varied conversations about those who were wooed by the charm of personality only to be swindled by the lies of one with no integrity, yet the introvert diligent in whatever is placed in their hands is walked by every time.  Why do so many people prefer to be manipulated by personality instead of revered by the loyalty and truth that integrity exudes?  I am reminded of two people who had an interview with the same company, while their resumes were pretty much identical their personalities were different.  One person was outgoing and "cracked jokes" while the other person was professional and stuck to answering the interview questions.  Who do you think was hired? Of course, personality was and two years later personality had embezzled money from the company and engaged in several affairs.  Now, this is NOT to say that everyone with personality has no integrity or even that people with integrity have no personality...I am simply asking - What's WORTH more??  When the scales are being balanced in which direction do yours dip - personality or integrity?

Personality may be the key that unlocks the door but integrity will always keep it open.krbz

Monday, January 3, 2011

Get 'er Done

We are three days into the new year and many people have set goals for themselves that have already been broken.  Skipped sweets on day one, gave in on day two; exercised on days one and two and didn't feel like it on day three; ignored his/her calls on day one, even day two but day three--answered on the first ring...better yet responded to the text.  Why did you set a goal to work out and eat better, do you wanna be healthy?  There was a reason you wanted to cut them off, was she too negative? was he too disrespectful?  Then don't you deserve to be committed to achieving the goal YOU set to become a better YOU!  You promised God that this year you were gonna go to church and read your bible, where were you January 2, 2011?   Whatever it is, you decided to do, you thought you were worth it...so MAKE it HAPPEN! #2011 is your year, you just hafta do your part.  He or she is not worth the stress, your heart deserves the cardio and your soul needs that relationship you so long to develop with God.
Commit to being committed-krbz