Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Currently I am in transit back stateside, but I wanted to be sure to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! It isn't until we find ourselves away from all of the things that make our lives life that we begin to realize how blessed we truly are. Often we find ourselves spending more time focusing on what we wish we had, wish we would have done, or wish we were, instead of acknowledging what we have and where we are right now. Maybe your present situation is not what you had hoped for, but the fact that you can even dream or hope is enough to give thanks for. I know we hear it all the time about how we should not wait until Thanksgiving to give thanks, but that we should continuously thank God on a daily basis. This is very true, as I even talk about this in my book Knowing The Struggle Is Over! But today I'm not going to point out what should be, instead together we can decide what will be. So start this Thanksgiving as you normally would, thanking God and everyone around you, but when you wake up tomorrow (even when fighting in line at the Black Friday Sales!) do it again! Spend tomorrow thanking God, and everyone. Remember the bible tells us, "In everything give thanks for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus"(I Thessalonians 5:18) I challenge you to continue the spirit of Thanksgiving after today! Thank you for reading! Have a blessed day!

Knowing The Struggle Is Over

A God Of A Second Chance

The sermon on Sunday was, "A God Of A Second Chance." As I sat listening, I began to think of all of the times I had so obviously been given another try. Oftentimes we find ourselves in situations and of course we have no idea why they are happening. While we are going through, we may become worried, confused, and even frustrated. Each obstacle seems to be harder than the next and you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders.

So you begin to turn away. You become caught up in life's issues and forget the issue of life. You make mistake after mistake until the pressure of correcting them is more of a burdon than remaining in error. Then you feel yourself sliding deeper and deeper back into the place where you once came from.

See the beauty about God is that unlike man, he will forgive you. No matter how many times you mess up, no matter how many mistakes you have made, his love is unconditional. He will offer you his grace and mercy to bring you through. God loves us so much that even though we may have made some mistakes, he still considers us his child.

The next time you have made a mistake and you feel yourself slipping backwards, go to God in prayer. Approach him with a clear and sincere heart, as humble as you know how, and I assure you won't walk away comfortless! Have a blessed day!

Who Do People Say You Are?

Have you ever wondered what people think of you? I'm sure you have. Though you probably say that you don't care what others think. And I'm not asking if you care, but I'm asking if you have ever wondered? My curiosity has gotten the best of me lately, it seems that when people find out that I have written a book, that I maintain a blog, or that I am a Christian Life Coach in training they are somewhat surprised! My curiosity is in why are they so surprised? I must admit that mostly that has only happened since I have been deployed, but it is still a curious matter. So that's when I begin to wonder, "what did they think of me before they found that out?" So maybe the question here is more appropriately, "who do they think I am?" When Jesus was traveling around Caesarea he asked his disciples, "Who do people say I am?" He knew that everyone had been talking about him, and he wanted to know what they were thinking and if they were receiving the message he was trying to deliver. The disciples told Jesus what the people were saying, and that they had never seen anyone like him, and did not know what to think of him. But Jesus was more concerned about those who were close to him, his disciples, and he then turned to them and said, "But who do you say I am?" Although those on the outside may be unsure as to who you are and what you represent, there should be no doubt with those who are close to you. The starting point of our faith is knowing who we say Jesus is. Once we are sure who he is, then we can know who we are in him! So maybe others on the outside are not sure who you are because they are not used to the Godly love and affection that you are capable of showing because you know who Jesus is. Just continue to show that love, and know with conviction who Jesus is and who you are in him. Those around you will eventually know too! Have a blessed day!

NAnoWRimo Update

I wanted to provide you with a little update on my progress. First of all this is NOT as easy as I first imagined it would be! What was I thinking???? Breath. So I started off pretty well, I stayed on target with my word count, and my story began to flow. Then I had a lot to do at work. Then I was tired. Then...etc.. etc.. etc.. I just wanted to let you know that I am trying! My word count is definitely falling behind, and I'm not even sure what my story is about anymore, but I do plan to keep on typing! Pray for me, cause I need all the prayer I can get in order to make through this month of writing! I really would love to achieve the goal of 50,000 words, but the odds are dwindling down...I will just remember Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." So whenever you find yourself in a situation where you are thinking that you can't do something, just remember GOD CAN!! Have a blessed day!