Half Way There!

So, today is July 1st and the first part of 2014 is gone. Finito. Kaput. Not coming back! lol! My goodness, time really doesn't wait for anyone, does she?!? 

I don't want to be all cliché-ish, but I find myself thinking about what I have accomplished during the first part of this year. Am I any closer to my goals than I was on January 1st? Do I feel that I have made positive steps towards my future? At first, I was getting a little down on myself, because  I felt like nothing is that much different in my life. However, the more introspective I allow myself to become, I realize there has been a definite shift in my life as it relates to my evolving paradigm. While things are not obviously different in my life from the outside looking in, I absolutely know that God has been doing amazing work on me spiritually. He has also allowed and is allowing me to go through a character and faith building season.  When I look back at the beginning of this year, God was requiring me to let go of some things which were not at all pleasing to Him. I was obedient. I'm glad I was was. And now I look at how He is leading me to a place of total reliance upon Him. I am learning to trust Him more and more, every single day of my life. I'm learning to be led by the Holy Spirit  and it feels good to trust Him and not waver or operate in fear. I rejoined the church which I have always felt at home in. I know that was by His design. I am becoming bolder regarding my career aspirations and I truly believe that He has gifted me to be successful.  I know I am good enough and that I possess the talent, skills, and intelligence to move forward to more challenging opportunities.

I am not in the same space that I was in on January 1st. I know that. I have a lot more growing and stretching to do, but I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in me, will absolutely perfect it. I really am excited and hopeful for what the second half of this year will bring. I trust God and I trust His process! Happy Half Year everyone!

Word-Filled Wednesday -- John 6:68

I love this declaration from the mouth of the Apostle Peter. At a time when so many were deserting Jesus, he turns to "the 12" and basically asks them, "what about you? are you going to leave too?" I can see this transaction so clearly in my minds eye. I can imagine the solemn face of our savior as he made this inquiry of the ones he loved. He wanted to know where they stood. Then Peter, ever the bold  one, makes a  profession of faith, by asking Jesus a question also. "Lord who else are we going to go to?" You alone have the words of eternal life. We believe and we have come to know that YOU are the Holy one of God." Every time I hear or read this scripture, it make my heart leap. If I were there, I would have "high-fived" Peter!

I often feel as Peter did, when I encounter various obstacles in my life which would seem to pull me away from God, or have me doubt my faith. My spirit cries out, "Where else am I gonna go??? Jesus alone has the words of eternal life!" 

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His words are life giving and life sustaining!

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There is hope in his words! There is love, joy and peace in his words! In him, I live, move, and have my being.

Give it to God

Whatever it is that may cause you concern or worry. Give it to God. Any doubts or fears, give it wholeheartedly, unabashedly to God. Even at this very second God is working on your behalf.
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He has heard your cries
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 and he understands your frustrations. He has paid close attention to your prayers. Please remember, there is absolutely nothing, NOT ONE THING, which is beyond God's control. Just release whatever has you in bondage, and He will set you free.

What's On My iPod

So, I have goo-gobs of music on my iPod. Here are tracks from one of my favorite playlists:

1. What Can I Do (Live) -- KJ Scriven and Tye Tribbett

2. No Gray & Moved By You -- Jonathan McReynolds and India Arie

3. For Your Glory (Live) -- Tasha Cobbs

4. Moving Forward -- Israel Houghton

5. Greater Is Coming -- Jekalyn Carr

6. 1 On 1 -- Zacardi Cortez

7. Incredible God, Incredible Praise -- Youthful Praise

8. The Worship Medley -- Tye Tribbett

9. Champion -- Tye Tribbett and Israel Houghton

10. Every Moment -- Forever JONES

11. Break Every Chain (Live) -- Tasha Cobbs

12. All I Have to Give -- Mali Music

13. Oh How He Loves Us -- New Breed

14. Revalation Song -- Kari Jobe

15. Indescribable -- Chris Tomlin

16. Yahweh -- Mali Music

17. Yahweh Reprise -- Mali Music and Tye Tribbett

I listen to this playlist mostly every morning. These songs really minister to me and God uses them to provide encouragement.

#ThingsGodMightSay

I saw this great post from Ron Edmondson today involving 20 things God Might say. You can find the direct link to his post here

Reposted:

Here are 20 #ThingsGodMightSay:

I thought about you today. A lot. #ThingsGodMightSay

I forgave you. Shouldn’t you forgive him? #ThingsGodMightSay

Don’t worry. I’ve got this. #ThingsGodMightSay

What do you think about the butterfly? Yea, I’m pretty proud of that one too! #ThingsGodMightSay

That love one another thing — I meant it. #ThingsGodMightSay

Did you miss the part about me being a jealous God? #ThingsGodMightSay

When you get time, can we talk? #ThingsGodMightSay

I wrote this book. Have you read it lately? #ThingsGodMightSay

No, it wasn’t a mistake. You just can’t see the whole picture right now. Just wait… #ThingsGodMightSay

I can tell — you’re worried again. You forgot about my promises to you, didn’t you? #ThingsGodMightSay

Have you thought about my son lately? Isn’t He wonderful? #ThingsGodMightSay

Restoring broken people. It’s kind of one of my specialties. #ThingsGodMightSay

Today’s a great day to follow me. #ThingsGodMightSay

I’ve loved you since the minute I thought of you — which was way before your time. #ThingsGodMightSay

Quit trying to be like everyone else. I’m pretty proud of who I designed you to be. #ThingsGodMightSay

Have you ever watched a child giggle? Yea, that gets me every time too. #ThingsGodMightSay

I love what you’re doing with Instagram, but you haven’t seen anything yet. #ThingsGodMightSay

Waiting doesn’t offend me. I’ve got plenty of time. #ThingsGodMightSay

You can trust me. Seriously. #ThingsGodMightSay

No matter how hard you try, or how good you are, this is NOT going to work without me! #ThingsGodMightSay

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Here is a link to Ron's website

Word-Filled Wednesday -- Philippians 4:6-7

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Total Reliance Upon God

What does it mean to trust God? I mean to really trust Him??? I have been struggling in this area of my life, off and on for quite some time. I have often times found myself in situations where the only provision which was afforded to me was my faith. It has always been enough. Being the single mother of three girls places a lot of financial stress on me at times. There are seasons of my life where I find that I have just enough to make it through. Then there are those times where it is glaringly obvious that I just don't have enough. Those are some of the scariest times in my life. I hate not knowing how things are going to work out, mainly because I have to keep it all together for the sake of my girls. I never want them to miss a beat, if I can help it. 

So here I am at another crossroads in life where I find myself stressing about my financial realities. I have had to make sacrifices and still I am concerned  those changes are minuscule in light of the bigger picture. For the last three months, I have been stressing and worrying about things which are not in my power to change. There are systems in place that are supposed to alleviate this burden, but those systems have failed. So now what?

At the beginning of all of these changes, I found myself tired and discouraged. I was simply tired of relying upon other people to do what they are supposed to do. Tired of the fighting.  I earnestly prayed that I would not have to depend on any person or system as it related to the well being of my children. It feels too much like a trap, and I was more interested in getting to a place in life where my ultimate source of everything came from God. This is what I prayed. Little did I know, God was leading me to a place where this trusting him for everything would come sooner rather than later. In the midst of what I am going through at this very moment

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God is leading me to a place of total reliance upon Him as my source and resource.

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Surprisingly, this is a decision that I have peace about even though I have no idea how it will all work out. I know that as He gives me strength, I will continue to work. I will resume my MBA studies in the fall. I will continue to seek Him first as my source of comfort. I will continue to be a good steward with what He has entrusted to me, my children included :-) I am going to move forward in life, while continuing to acknowledge Him in all of my ways. I will not lean to my own understanding and I expect Him to direct my path. I know that He has great plans for my life. I will not be bitter, but I will operate in the grace and forgiveness of God as a woman who knows where her help comes from. I trust Him.

Moving to a place of peace and freedom,

Word-Filled Wednesday -- Psalm 138: 7-8

Grateful this morning for the promises of God. He says that He will perfect those things which concern me.

Word of the Day

John 14:2-3:

In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

Word-Filled Wednesday -- Philippians 1:6

This scripture often reminds me to patient. I love the command here, "be confident of this." Such assuring words. It is comforting to know that God is in the "promise keeping" business. If God has said, then it really is already done! We just have to walk out our purpose in faith, knowing that we can always rely on the promises of God. Not only does God keep His promises, He also gives us the strength and encouragement to keep pressing toward those things we know He has promised us. He will complete the good work He began in us! Ciao! 

Virtuous Women -- A Post in Pics

Happy -- Tasha Cobbs

You make me happy     
     You make me whole          
          You take the pain away               
               I'm so in love with you                     
                    Everything about you is right                         
                         It covers all my wrong                              
                             Your life saved my life                                    
                                   With you is where I belong





~E. RaMona

Revelation Song -- Kari Jobe

Good God! When I first heard this song, my heart immediately cried out in worship. I love songs like this. Songs which get to the essence of worship, which is love responding to Love!

~E. RaMona

Greater Than

Oh my goodness! Mr Tribbett does not disappoint! A lot of people have been waiting on the latest album from Tye Tribbett, (I pre-ordered mine on iTunes). You know, there are just some artist, that I know without a doubt, will receive my support, by way of an album purchase. I love this album!

Already my favorite song is titled, "What Can I Do" featuring KJ Scriven, you can experience him here. Maaaaan! I can't keep still when I listen and I get frustrated when I listen to it in the car, and can't fully extend my arms heavenward in worship, (I gotta get a convertible, lol!). Some of the word to the song are:


I can't walk without you
     I can't talk without you
          I can't sing without you
               I'm nothing without you
                        I can't live without you
                                  I can't breath without you
                                             I can't be without you
                                                       There's no me without you


I wanna jump and leap and cry when I listen to this song. It's that serious! I can't wait to experience this in concert.....yeah, I'm going....whenever that's going to be!

~Peace

~E. RaMona

Though it tarry, Wait for It....

Some of us have believed the lie, that we're not good enough, not pretty, smart, or talented enough. We talk ourselves out of our dreams and desires before we can ever come close to accomplishing them. We fear not succeeding, so we never try. We fear failure, so we give up before we begin. Fear paralyzes us and holds our dreams hostage. We convince ourselves that because of X, Y, and Z reasons, "we could never really do that!" This is the part of adulthood that sucks. 

Whatever happened to that little girl or little boy who believed they could do anything, be anything, go anywhere??? That child was fearless, hopeful, and limitless. The enemy would have us live this entire life, however brief or long, never realizing our full potential or actualizing our dreams. His job is to try and abort the very seed that God has planted inside of us. But, he is the father of lies, doubt, and confusion.

If God has ever  given you a vision, or a glimpse of what is possible in this life, hold on to it! Get back to the place where you believed it was possible. There is absolutely NOTHING that is too hard for God to do! "He who did not spare his own son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also along with him, graciously give us all things." Romans 8:32.   It is time to believe what God has said, drown out the doubt and discouragement. Replace it with God's promises. Don't give up on your dreams. Don't turn your back on your vision. It may be taking longer than you thought it would, but don't give up. We have to be diligent in pursuing our goals and not compare ourselves to others. Your vision is exactly that, yours. God gave it to you. No matter what mistakes you have made, everyday that you wake up is another chance to "have at it."

God is a restorer. He can make it so that you feel no time has been wasted. Just don't give up or settle for mediocrity because it is never too late to become what you might have been. Keep dreaming and believing, but most importantly, start doing.

That's all folks...

"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do What you can." ~Arthur Ashe

~E. RaMona

Word Filled Wednesday -- Philippians 4:6-8

~E. RaMona

Ephesians 6:10 () 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. #Bible http://j.mp/dFea9Y

The Right Perspective

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 () 21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. #Bible http://j.mp/ewsqb6&name=2+Corinthians+1:21-22+

Thanks

Psalm 107:1 () Book Five 107:1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,for his steadfast love endures forever! #Bible http://j.mp/giYYf9&name=Psalm+107:1+

John 8:36 () 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. #Bible http://j.mp/eGJvfQ&name=John+8:36+