Replace Me

Good Morning Beautiful Women of God

This morning I was reminded of Psalm 138:8  

The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands. (NASB)

God will perfect that which concerns me!
All of us are going through something...
Many times we beg God to change the situation but He is waiting to change us in the situation! (Selah)

I am asking God to replace me (with more of Him) today
And I'm doing the same for you.
We have SO much to be thankful for! We are truly blessed!

Take Columbia SC for example, many people lost everything!  It makes our problems seem very minuscule in comparison to that...
So today I'm praying that we all take a step back from our circumstances and realize WHO is truly in control.
God's love for us is unfathomable (cannot be fully understood) 

Let us rest in His Love today!
We are His creation and He will take care of us according to His Will.
Amen!

The Day the Hats Came Tumbling Down

Well, I guess it's about time for a 2015 post...
Wow is it really the end of July already??!!!

To say that I have been busy is really an understatement.  Since my last post, my husband and I celebrated our church's official One Year Anniversary.  Yes, Freedom Ministries Church & Outreach officially opened its doors February 2014!  Valentine's Weekend to be exact, what greater way to express the Love of Our Father.  I am raising four kids, ages range from 3-19.  I recently experienced the oldest (who is my Bonus Child) leaving the nest.  My husband works full time, and I am a WAHM or a Mompreneur (I like that term better).  I am a NC Real Estate Broker/Realtor®.  I (just like most of you) wear many hats!  Yes, God blessed me to be able to run my home and to still be able to bring in some income - Just like I desired - Ain't it funny how we tend to lose sight of that at times.  

Let me tell you, there is something to be said about truly trying to raise your kids the right way read being led by God.  It's not easy (see my "Motherhood Is Not For the Faint at Heart" post) and a lot of times you find yourself looking right in the mirror at your own self...I know I do!  I just had one of those MOMents.  My kiddos are home for the summer with me, and can I be real with you?  Sure I can, this is my blog...Let me tell you, Honey, some days are definitely better than others!  Can you relate?  Some days I find myself in this groove; doing it all and doing it great!  I'm able to balance all of these hats on my head like no other.  This is what I've prayed for mind you.  But then (GASP), there are those dreaded days when I can't seem to prevent my hats from toppling to the ground!  And you should see me too; grasping frantically, panicking, and striving to keep them all on!  But you know what, it's in those Graceful Moments that I realize WHOSE I am, and WHY I am doing what I am doing (in the first place).  

This morning I am reminded of WHO I am working for.  It's not so my husband and kids will praise me (although it would be nice every now and then).  It's not so my clients will write raving reviews about my business.  It's definitely not so the church members will place me on some sort of pedestal.  No, it is simply what I signed up for when I surrendered my heart to God.  I am reminded this morning "to do my work as unto The Lord and not man".  I read Colossians 3 and was quickly humbled.  Who exactly am I trying to please here?  My husband, kids, church, clients, myself??!!!  I am reminded of the quote, "You can please some of the people all of the time, you please all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time"  

It's true that in all of our striving, the one that we should truly be striving to please is God.  So whoever you are, wherever you are, whatever you find your hands doing...Whether you're a Working Mom, SAHM, WAHM, Mompreneur, Single Mom, Whatever!  We are all servants (Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, Luke 22:26) and we should be serving with One Purpose and that is to Love with the Love of Christ and allow His Peace to rule in our hearts (Colossians 3:15).    

Lord, I thank you right now for my sister who is reading this right now.  Lord, I ask that you show her exactly which areas in her heart that she needs to allow Your Peace to rule over.  Let Your Grace and (most importantly) Your Love overtake us.  Your Love covers a multitude, Father, so I ask that you cover us and give us the proper tools to use; the wisdom and discernment to know when to Rest and when to Go.  Strengthen every eye who beholds this blog on today, and let us not forget to be Thankful! 
(In Jesus Name) Amen

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15)
         
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24 NIV)

Mary vs. Martha

Intention: 

1. an act or instance of determining mentally upon some action or result.
2. the end or object intended; purpose.

Question>
What would happen if we became More Intentional in our Relationships (i.e. with God/Spouse/Kids/Ministry/Business)?

Intentional is a word that has been burning in my heart for the past two weeks.  I have a confession to make...I must admit to you that being a wife, a mother, a pastor, and an entrepreneur has seemingly pulled me away from my very own relationship with God.  I (just like you) have a lot on my plate, and I can't help but feel like the last few weeks of my life have been wandering aimlessly by.  

Why am I feeling this way you might ask?  I have come to the realization that I have become more devoted to service than to Jesus Christ Himself.  In other words, I am quick to serve others (via my family, ministry, or business) in the name of The Lord...but when was the last time I just stopped to worship God simply for who He is?  

Luke 10:38-42 (The Message) 

Mary and Martha

38-40 As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. “Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me?
 Tell her to lend me a hand.”

41-42 The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it
—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.”

Jesus described Mary's actions as "Essential" and "The Main Course" in verse 42.  Let me ask you, What good is hosting a Dinner Party (doing all the work that comes along with that) and not having the main course?  On the other hand, what good is it for us to have The Main Course and nothing else...nobody to serve it to?  We can all learn something from these two sisters. 
I must admit, it pained me at first to realize that I have subtly become Martha instead of the Mary I once was.  At one point in my journey, I didn't have as many responsibilities and all I did was sit at the feet of Jesus (just like Mary).  But now I find myself on the other end of the spectrum, I have become so focused on serving others. Neither one of these are bad things or sin, however I just can not be so focused on serving that I lose sight of the one that I serve. The answer, my friend, is that dreaded word 'Balance'.  There is a time to sit and there is a time to serve.  Neither one of these women were wrong in what they were doing or their motive for doing it.  

I (personally) can not ONLY SIT, nor can I ONLY SERVE. So it is a must that I find the proper balance between the two. Now that I am a wife and a mother of four in ministry with my own business, I have to make time for God.  If I don't make time for God, then how else am I going to be everything that I need to be?  I don't ever want my service to become all about me.  How else can I serve?

I have to become more Intentional in my relationship to Christ, then He will take care of the rest.  You may be the same or you may need to become more Intentional to serving others.  Where ever you are:
 I pray that the Holy Spirit would blow on the embers of our heart for Christ and that God revives our vibrancy for Him once again.  Set our hearts ablaze for You, Oh God, and don't allow us to become complacent either in worship or service to you again.  Open our eyes to see things from Your perspective, and help us to find the proper balance that is vital for us to continue to serve/worship You in Jesus' Name - Amen!         

Pigs in Pearls

For the past few weeks, I have been hearing the Lord say, "Do Not throw your pearls to pigs"
Which comes directly from Jesus speaking in Matthew 7:6
"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces"

Most people know that pearls are made from oysters.  I decided to look at this process further today.
First of all, pearls take a long time to form...it is a long and uncomfortable process which originates from an irritation or a cut in the oysters mantle (or protective layer).  The oyster's natural reaction is to cover up that irritant to protect itself. The man­tle covers the irritant with layers of the same nacre substance that is used to create the shell. This eventually forms a pearl.  

I find it very 'interesting' that the word mantle is used to describe this organ.  Mantle also describes a cloak or garment regarded as a symbol of someone's power or authority.

Could it be that we have covered these irritants in our lives for too long?  Or that we are sharing our pearls of wisdom (what we learned as a result of the pain) with the wrong people?      
These same irritants that caused us to gain these 'pearls of wisdom' through pain, we turn around and give ourselves right back to them repeatedly? 
We sit silently and watch them take our pearls for granted time after time which in essence, slowly DIS-MANTLES us.
 

Proverbs 26:11 says it like this, "As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness"
Yes, as Christians we are supposed to Love...but no where in the Word of God does it state for us to become doormats for people to wipe their feet on or trashcans for them to dump their junk in.  No, it says "Guard your heart more than anything else, because the source of your life flows from it"- Proverbs 4:23
You can still love them and forgive them without being used by them. 
The source of your life flows from it...What does that mean?
Paul tells us in Acts 17:24-25, 27, 28 that "God himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.  God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find Him, though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being"

Could it be that God wants us to move out of the way so they can find Him?!  If they are constantly running to us, who is their true source? 
And what about us?  If we are constantly pouring our heart and pearls of wisdom into those who turn around and trample on them, then what happens to us over time? 
We become dismantled.  We are not God, so we end up weakened and feeling used.  We are not built to carry people all of the time.  It just will not work.  We end up depreciated and obtain callouses to our hearts.  Then we wonder what is wrong with us; why are we so tired, and unable to focus on God.

Matthew 13:15 says, "For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes.  Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them"

One more thing, Certain pearls are the most sought after gems in the world.  They are defined by their luster (or lustre) which is the measurement of the quality and quantity of light that reflects from the surface and just under the surface of a pearl.  The more lustrous the pearl, the more it shines and reflects light and images (SN: Jesus is The Light of the world & we are made in God's Image).  So let me ask you, what are you reflecting right now?

I love that February is deemed "The Heart Month"; just like we should be taking necessary steps to take care of our hearts in the natural, we should be giving our hearts spiritual maintenance as well.  What I want you to take from this blog space is that first we have to recognize where we are.  I am not by any means saying to stop helping all together or that you were in the wrong by helping.  However, I am saying that you can not go on helping those that do not want to be helped.  I am saying that you can not keep allowing people to drain you and leave you without enough strength to seek God for yourself.  I am saying that you can not do it on your own.  Trust me I am writing this for me and you!  This is not necessarily an easy pill to swallow (I know I have been at this all day as the first partaker); Nonetheless, I have personally deemed this month FREE-bruary and I know that I am not on my own.  Do you desire Freedom in this area?  Then, No More with this Lone Ranger mentality!  If your heart is screaming YES I WANT TO BE FREE, then I want you to first forgive the 'irritants' in your life.  Next, I want you to forgive the 'dogs and swine' who mishandled your pearls.  Lastly, I want you to forgive yourself for trying to give more than you possibly could on your own.  I want you to allow God to heal the damage of these constituents. 
After you've done these things, I want you to ask God to show you where you need to establish Healthy Boundaries in your life.  This is how we are to 'guard our hearts' and protect our mantle (authority).  

Father, I pray for those that are reading this blog right now.  Lord, I ask that you touch them even now and strengthen their hearts.  I ask that you repair and restore all that the enemy has stolen from them in the area of their hearts, Lord.  I ask that you open the eyes of their hearts, and allow them to trust again.  I pray that You would send forth people to help build them back up.  People who will celebrate them and catch the vision that You have given them.  I pray that you will send the Jonathans to your Davids, and that True Commitment and Covenant be established in Your Name.  I pray that you be glorified in their life now and forever more.  In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.  

References:

"How Do Oysters Make Pearls?" HowStuffWorks. HowStuffWorks.com, 07 May 2001.
            Web. 05 Feb. 2014.

"Mantle." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 05 Feb. 2014.

"Pearl Luster." Pearl Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Feb. 2014.

Motherhood: Not for The Faint at Heart

Over the past several weeks I've dealt with a bike injury to my son's mouth that led to a bacterial infection, my baby girl's last immunization until school (can't believe how fast she's growing up), the same son had a cavity which led to a pulpectomy and two crowns, and finally the dreaded pink eye! 

On FB I read two new Mommies' posts about explosive poop and teething! 

These are only a few things that us mothers deal with on a daily basis.  How in the world do we do it??!!

As mothers, we constantly worry about our children.  We try to make sure that they have the best pediatrician, the best school, we hover over them during playtime making sure they don't get dirty, etc. 

Children are a gift from God (Psa.127:3).  They belong to Him, and us mothers are supposed to take care of them and oversee that they fulfill His purpose.  Far too many of us are too hard on ourselves. We stress ourselves out by trying to have too much control. 

However, today I want you to simply rest (yes, i said rest) in the fact that God has these same motherly attributes (Gen.1:27), and also how much more does He want to care and nurture for His children?!  Matthew 7:11 says, "If you then, imperfect as you are, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Weymouth New Testament).  He placed the gift of motherhood in us, and He assigned these children to us.  Therefore, He knows what's best for them and us.  

Motherhood is an attribute of God. Genesis 1:27 says that 'we were made in His image'.  As mothers we are faced with lots of different issues each and everyday when it comes to maintaining our homes and caring for our children.  It is not always easy, but I want to remind you that you have a God who shares your heart. I think that we often think of God as just another man. We recognize His masculinity... But Genesis 1:27 says that God created us both (male and female) in His image.  Therefore, He knows our feminine heart, and He is there to strengthen us.  

I have four children whose ages range from 1-16. (I'm no expert by far but) Over time, I've learned to just let things go when it comes to them.  I can not control every single aspect of each of their lives. They belong to God, and the only reason that I want the best for them is because God put that in me.  I am also learning that we are their greatest Intercessors, so we can't be distracted by our own plans and/or devices.
 
Faint-hearted is defined as Lacking conviction, boldness, or courage; timid; cowardly; fearful.  There are definitely times when we are going to feel fearful or weak, and that's okay because of God's grace; when we are weak, He is strong (2 Corinth.12:9-10). These are the times that we rely on the strength of His Heart.           

By understanding all of this, even when I have been to the doctor for the 5th week in a row; I trust that I can lean on Him! I know that these are His children, and He will provide what is needed for them.  I pray that you will do the same.

Happy Mother's Day! Be blessed!

Get Back in The Game

I know, I know that Pastor hurt you. The last place that you thought you would ever experience hurt was in the church. You are not alone. They've hurt us too. But sitting on the sidelines is NOT the answer! It's time to be real; so that you can heal & heal others too! You experienced that level of hurt so that you would not fall into the same oppressive & religious spirits. It was just enough to keep you close to God. Now you hunger and thirst after Him (not man)! 

Now, I can not promise you that you will never experience that type of hurt again, but I can promise that our God is a Healer (Jehovah-Rophe is His Name).  He has come to set the captives free and to heal the broken. 

Today, I charge YOU to GET BACK IN THE GAME! There are people out here waiting to hear from you. Simply You. Not the you they tried to make you into. The You that you were designed to be. No more religious routines. Dare to be different; that's what causes Inner-Changement (Chosen). 

And as for the ones that hurt you, don't worry. God knows all and sees all. Let Him handle that. He is faithful and He will do just what He says. Trust in Him! For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus (Phil.1:6).

Free to Be Me

For many years I was never comfortable in my own skin. Too black for white kids, too white for black. I spent several years trying to find my place. No one person could ever understand the pain of rejection, the shame, the loneliness that I hid behind my smile. I suffered many years in silence from the guilt and shame of childhood molestation. Of which I clung to; it was the one thing in my life that even looked like acceptance. I didn't even categorize it as abuse until later on in my life when my healing process began.

However, today is a different day! I thank God for the freedom to be able to be comfortable with the image staring back at me in the mirror. Christ is the only one who understands the years of rejection, hurt, and abuse. It is through Him, that I now understand that True Beauty is way more than skin deep. It's a heart thing. A heart at rest is the most beautiful thing a person could ever have. No more striving or people pleasing! I am now living life on purpose, I am now free!

To this day I am still asked the dreaded question, "Where are you from?" in other words, WHAT ARE YOU??!!! Now I can truly smile and graciously respond that I am Jackie from a small town called Madison, NC. I am mixed/bi-racial/a half-breed. My Dad is black, my Mom is white, and I am beautiful, Beautifully Me.