tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90282260745320722362024-03-05T04:30:42.949-05:00The Spirit SpotThe Spirit Spot offers positive and uplifting views and advice on everyday life. A modern day, casual, spiritual spot for you to blog about God, marriage, life, kids, and society. Remember we are here to uplift one another, so please be mindful of others.Shonda Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822308822032209821noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028226074532072236.post-59461353162252950972016-04-10T21:06:00.000-04:002016-04-10T21:33:34.377-04:00Turned Upside Down!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We’ve all heard the quotes, “When life gives you lemons,
make lemonade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When life throws you
punches, don’t give up!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We often see
other people’s issues and problems but, we never think it’s going to happen to
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life has a way of turning upside
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can force you to put certain things
in perspective! I’ve always been a family girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I love my husband and kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We go
on trips, to the park, have family night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ve always been a forgiver when it comes to my family despite how difficult
it can be at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My husband and I are
forgivers…because we know that God has forgiven us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is even more so important, when life
throws us lemons and punches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life can
simply change at a blink of an eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I find myself now struggling to wrap my mind around the
diagnosis that was given to my mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My mother and I have always had a strange relationship, or for some, the
typical mother daughter relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
would argue and make back up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes,
it would take a little longer to make up, depending on the circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite the rough patches, the little girl in
me thought my parents would live forever (my heart smiles).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know they are both alive now, but one isn’t
feeling so well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Some Christian friends are saying, “Don’t claim the diagnosis!”
While others are saying, “This is the opportunity for God’s glory to shine
through healing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite what anyone
says, our life is forever changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
find myself asking, “Is it better to watch your parent slowly die or is it
better to be taken by surprise?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know
neither is good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My husband and cousin
both said, they would rather be in my situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have time to say, I love you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have time to take her to get her nails
done, laugh, play, and cry together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I keep telling myself that we are all dying each day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, her situation is no different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one really knows the day or the hour of
the coming of the Lord. I’m learning how to find comfort in that. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that even possible? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe in the afterlife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our afterlife is supposed to be even better
than this life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is supposed to have
mansions, no pain, and no sorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
what we as Christians believe God for, eternal life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t help but ask, why is it so hard to let
go of the people in this world? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially,
if we know that heaven will eventually be our home…. I’m still meditating on
that question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As of right now, I’m still hopeful and prayerful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m taking each day one day at a time, being
mindful of self-care, time, and relationships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My advice to you is to live each day to its fullest. Enjoy one another. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If individuals aren’t adding to your life LET
THEM GO!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reach for the stars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leave a legacy…people will always remember
you for what you stand for. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Shonda Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822308822032209821noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028226074532072236.post-3421302020182828922014-12-24T19:02:00.002-05:002014-12-24T19:04:13.315-05:00What a Difference a Year Makes! <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Life is filled with many wonderful experiences! Toward the end of the year, we start to reflect on those experiences and how the year went. Some things we may not understand. While, others we recognize was a calling or an urging from God to go in a particular direction. In all things there is a lesson to be learned. Once, we receive the lesson, we must take it and apply it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When, I look back over this year! I have been truly blessed! I realized that the GOOD far outweighed the bad. But, the one bad thing is often what we focus on! It's not worth it! It is often a distraction to take you off course. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On my previous posting, I mentioned my trip to St. Louis and how I discovered how RESILIENT I truly am! Through the ups and downs of childhood, I'm here. Getting ready to receive my Master's Degrees! Getting ready to open a Counseling Center. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, this year didn't stop there. In June, my husband and I RENEWED our wedding vows in celebration of our 15 year anniversary. He is truly one of the best gifts God has given to me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, we took a trip to West Virginia with my College Professor. We didn't have to pay for anything. He took us to his home church and this church looked just like the vision we have for our church. The color of the walls were the same and even their church theme was similar to ours. We took it as a sign from God. God was telling us that our VISION can and will happen. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In October, I went to the Women Thou Art Loose Conference. The speaker spoke about being different and how he didn't fit in with the rest of the pastors in his area. He didn't hoop like them. He didn't preach like them. He didn't dress like them. It was okay to be different! Once, he realized that God began to elevate his ministry. God began to open doors! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On November 7, 2014, we took a trip to Disney World to celebrate our 14 year Anniversary without the kids. I had always dreamed of going to Disney World. I have been to so many places, but never to Disney World. It was everything I thought it would be. Totally amazing! God began to show me that DREAMS do come true!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Despite the ups and the downs! God said focus on the positive. Focusing on the positive is a choice! Being Positive is a choice! I have been taught to look for God in everything! <em><strong>This year God has renewed me, showed me that our vision is <u>not</u> TOO BIG, dreams really do come true, and that I am resilient! I can over come anything, with God as my help!</strong></em> </span><br />
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Shonda Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822308822032209821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028226074532072236.post-22422516036325558722014-06-08T23:20:00.000-04:002014-06-09T21:43:53.601-04:00RESILIENCEResilience-the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.<br />
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Recently, I went to an American Association of Pastor Counselors Conference in St. Louis. I had never really participated in any of the conferences offered by my Seminary. Usually, I'm just really busy with school work, kids, and church. I applied for a scholarship and received more money than many of the students. Most of the students didn't understand why, but I would say it was God's divine favor. <br />
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As my family drove to St. Louis, I began to pray and ask God to have a word for me. Whatever he wanted me to learn, I wanted God to have it right there. I didn't want to miss it. I wanted God to speak to me. I needed a break from everything at that point in my life, I was totally exhausted. At times, it can be very difficult being a co-pastor and counseling, because individuals are constantly pulling and your pouring out. This trip was self care for me. <br />
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So, we get to the hotel and its absolutely beautiful. In a couple hours, I will go to my first class. My first class was taught by Suzanne Mayer. She taught on resilience and our ability to overcome life's hard times. Some people are born with resilience, while others have to learn it. But, we can survive physical illness, hardships, loneliness, and mental illness. She mentioned "power of the positive" which is building individual strengths that help people overcome difficulties, achieve happiness and attain life success. This requires a shift in our thinking. We are often focused on the negative and have a hard time viewing the positive in our life or difficult situation. <br />
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She used the story of Maya Angelou as an example of resilience. As many of you know, Maya Angelou was brutally raped as a child. After the rape she became a mute for 5 years. Her mother was on drugs and was a horrible parent to small children. Maya eventually, spoke again through the encouragement of a teacher and family friend. Maya overcame life's obstacles by becoming an world renown author, poet, and received 30 honorary doctoral degrees. <br />
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Here are some of the quotes:
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "Brush Script MT"; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Brush Script MT"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: white; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“If you don't like something,
change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain.” </span></span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: white; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
― Maya </span></span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: white; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Angelou</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: white; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If
you’re going through hell, </span></span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: white; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Keep
on going, don’t slow down. </span></span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: white; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If
you’re scared, don’t show it. </span></span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: white; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You
might get out, </span></span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: white; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Before
the devil even knows you’re there. -Rodney Adkins</span></span></div>
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<strong><em>What did I learn?</em></strong><br />
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I had the opportunity to reflect upon my own life and I now realize how resilient I truly am. I have overcame so many life hardships. I learned to appreciate those hardships because they have made me who I am today. Life isn't easy, but it can be easier if you allow it. Sometimes, you have to reflect on the blessings that God has given, that we often take for granted (trees, grass, flowers, and air). We have to look at our hardships and see what we can learn from them. Look at the difficult situations and see God in them. What is God trying to teach you? What success is God setting you up for? How does this play into the vision that God has shown me? Does this situation set me up for future success? My answer after this trip to the last question, was a simple: Yes! </div>
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You can be resilient too. Shift your mind set. Think positive! </div>
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Challenges come to make us stronger! Be resilient and overcome! </div>
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Shonda Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822308822032209821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028226074532072236.post-22862331402451844152013-02-13T11:07:00.003-05:002013-02-13T11:07:51.687-05:00BATTLEFIELD OF MIND-CHAPTER 6
<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Be careful for nothing but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let our requests be made known until God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
the peace of God, which passeth all understanding shall keep you hearts and
minds through Christ Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Philippians
4:6, 7 KJV <o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Joyce states immediately that she was having a hard time
believing certain things that she previously believed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t understand what was wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, her unbelief seemed too had been growing
in leaps and bounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She began to
question her call and lose her vision God had once given her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She kept hearing the words “mind-binding
spirits” in her spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, she started
a time of intercession and began to pray against mind-binding spirits in Jesus’
name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a few minutes of praying she
felt a tremendous deliverance come to her mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Joyce states that whenever she has received deliverance it has
been through believing and confessing the Word of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John 8:31,32 Jesus said, “If you hold to my
teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the
truth will set you free.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Psalm 107:20 He
sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Joyce felt that something had happened to her mind because
within minutes she was able to believe again in areas she had been struggling
with just prior to prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of my
favorite quotes from this Chapter is when Joyce says, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Pay attention to the condition
of your mind and keep it free, peaceful, and full of faith.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></span></strong></div>
<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">
</span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">We pay so much attention to our outer appearance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
make sure our hair looks nice and that our clothes are cleaned and
pressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, it’s time to give more
attention to the inner man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have to
give our mind some attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY</i> to examine the
condition of our mind often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Philippians
4:6 simply says God can give our mind peace that passeth all understanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we
are in constant worry and never take the time to pray and quote God’s word back
to him, there is no way we are going to experience the fullness of God’s
peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The attack of the enemy usually
starts with our mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because if our
mind is under attack, our actions will soon follow what the mind is telling our
body to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is this simple: If you
believe you are a loser, you will act like a loser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you believe that you will never get out of
debt, you will never take the steps to get out! <o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">
</span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Pay attention to the condition of your mind and keep it
free, peaceful, and full of faith. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stay
in the presence of God, by reading, and praying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you are praying quote God’s word back to
him and stand on his promises! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
hard to stand on his promises, if you don’t know them! So read!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be sure to mediate on these scriptures that
Joyce has provided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe God is
going to give you peace in your situation today!!<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
Shonda Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822308822032209821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028226074532072236.post-10424276945544543732013-01-22T12:50:00.001-05:002013-01-22T12:52:13.438-05:00Battlefield of the Mind - Week 5/Part 2 of Chapter 3<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This week we actually made it through the last couple pages of Chapter 3 and Chapter 4. I will first discuss the last part of Chapter 3. Chapter 4 will be discussed later this week. So, please check back.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let's start by looking at <em>Deuteronomy 1:6-8:</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Lord our God said to us in Horeb, You have dwelt long enough on this mountain. <span class="text Deut-1-7" id="en-AMP-4900">Turn and take up your journey and go to the hill country of the Amorites, and to all their neighbors in the Arabah, in the hill country, in the lowland, in the South, and on the coast, the land of the Canaanites, and Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates. </span><span class="text Deut-1-8">Behold, I have set the land before you; go in and take possession of the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to them and to their descendants after them.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you recall the journey to Canaan for the Israelites was only suppose to take 11 days. What was suppose to be 11 days took the Israelites 40 years. The Lord told the Israelites, they had dwelt long enough on this mountain, it was time to move and take possession of their promise! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Based upon the scripture, Joyce ask these two powerful questions: Have you dwelt long enough on the same mountain? Have you spent 40 years trying to make an eleven-day trip? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She goes on to say that she woke up and realized that she was going nowhere. That she was a Christian without victory! She had many wrong mindsets and mental strongholds that had been built up over the years. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Personally, I can see myself in this scripture and in Joyce's testimony. Sometimes life's obstacles can keep us in the wilderness and dwelling on the same mountain. For some it is debt and for others it can be a relationship or sickness. It doesn't matter the issue, what matters is that you recognize it! Once you recognize it, you can go into battle! It is time to come down from the mountain and enter into the Promiseland! It is time to let go of poisonous mindsets and strongholds that are meant to keep us from God's promises. Keeping a wilderness mentality can keep us in bondage. Scripture tells us that God came to set us free! God is willing to break every curse, chain, and stronghold off of our life! But, we have to be a willing vessel!</span> <br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Are you willing? Are you like the Children of Israel still dwelling on that same mountain? What will it take for you to really stand and believe God for his promises?</span> </em><br />
<em></em><br />
<br />
<h2>
</h2>
Shonda Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822308822032209821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028226074532072236.post-2494160220577929092013-01-15T20:47:00.001-05:002013-01-15T20:47:19.536-05:00The Spirit Spot: Battlefield of the Mind-Week 4<a href="http://lashondanicole.blogspot.com/2013/01/battlefield-of-mind-week-2.html#links">The Spirit Spot: Battlefield of the Mind-Week 4</a>Shonda Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822308822032209821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028226074532072236.post-13691911046032227552013-01-15T20:17:00.002-05:002013-01-15T20:31:20.955-05:00Battlefield of the Mind-Week 4<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sunday School Review, Battlefield of the Mind -Chapter 3-Part
1</span></strong> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This Sunday we read and discussed Chapter 3, pages
25-26.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The discussion was so deep we only
made it through a couple pages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first
scripture up for discussion was Galatians 6:9: And let us not lose heart and
grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at
the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage
and faint. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The title of this Chapter says it all, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Don’t Give up!</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In life we
are faced with many challenges, situations, and temptations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In class, we discussed how we have to stay
focused on God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can’t allow our
situation to become larger than God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
heard a Pastor once say, “Stop focusing on how big the problem is, but focus on
how BIG our God is!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is so much
bigger than our situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have to
maintain our courage and try not to grow faint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As Joyce Meyers states, “No matter how bad the condition of your mind,
don’t give up! Don’t have that old “give-up” spirit. God is looking for people
who will go all the way through with Him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isaiah 43:2 states: When you pass through the waters, I will
be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk
through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle
upon you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This brings to mind the story
of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the three Hebrew boys that had incredible faith
in God! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They did not give into
fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine being threaten with a burning
death and still not budging in your belief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Their story shows how God can protect us from death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How God is with us in the fire! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our fleshly mind will often demand us to go in the wrong
direction with the attempt to persuade us to doubt God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have to combat those thoughts with the Word
of God!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to have Radical Faith! Radical
Faith comes with reading and believing the whole Word of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah 43:2 simply states that God will be with
us; we will not be harmed or overtaken in our tough times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joyce
says, “It’s easy to quit; it takes faith to go through.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have to be willing to go through the Fire.
Then, TRUST that you will not be burned! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the same way, there is always a dark tunnel, but there is
also light at the end of it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
Are you ready to face tomorrow? Do you have that Radical
Faith like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If not, what changes are you willing
to make? <o:p></o:p></span>Shonda Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822308822032209821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028226074532072236.post-86961113034629709912013-01-07T18:56:00.000-05:002013-01-07T18:56:03.298-05:00Battlefield of the Mind -Sunday School Week 3
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><em><strong>Matthew 12:33- Either make the tree sound (healthy and
good), and its fruit sound (healthy and good), or make the tree rotten
(diseased and bad); for the tree is known and recognized and judged by its
fruit.</strong></em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Our Sunday school class really enjoyed this particular
discussion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This scripture allowed us to
see the importance of our actions, attitude, and thoughts as it pertains to our
life and how we are perceived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A tree is
known by its fruit, what kind of fruit are you producing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good fruit or bad fruit?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As a child of God, we should display the Fruits of the
Spirit: love, joy, kindness, self-control, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,
peace, and faithfulness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All these fruit
are visible spiritual attributes that our Christian life should display. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we can practice the Fruits of the Spirit we
will be representing God in a wonderful way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joyce Meyers pointed out that our thoughts bear fruit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we think good thoughts, the fruit of our
life will be good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think bad thoughts,
and the fruit in our life will be bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s like the old saying, “Where your thoughts go your actions will soon
follow.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we have to be careful about
what we allow to occupy our mind; because we want to produce good fruit and the
right actions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If you want to have the victory over your situation, keep
thinking positive victorious thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
thoughts will produce a certain fruit whether it is good or bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This particular verse serves as a reminder that we have a
right to judge each other’s fruit and if you are producing bad fruit expect to
hear about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take and receive the
truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The truth will set us free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we receive correction it may hurt, but
it also places us in position to get right with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It gives us the opportunity to change and to make
God proud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our goal as Christians is to
be a light unto the world by imitating Christ, so we can bring unbelievers to
Christ. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would an unbeliever want to
come to Christ? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My answer is the fruit
that we bear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Shonda Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822308822032209821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028226074532072236.post-42721054020541924562012-02-10T17:58:00.001-05:002012-02-10T19:11:27.427-05:00Valentine's Day Ideas<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Valentine’s Day is set aside to show that special someone
how much we love them! Couples expect romance on this day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even singles go out and snatch up a mate just
to celebrate this one day out of the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After years of celebrating Valentine’s Day and Anniversaries ideas and
gifts can get difficult to come up with, especially if you want to surprise
your mate or be creative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Women as well
as men get tired of receiving the same old teddy bear, candy, flowers, and
card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I decided to give you a list
of creative things that have worked for me and a lot of them are inexpensive! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be sure to read all the ideas, one might just
catch your attention! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If your mate like nuts go to Wal-Mart buy
several types of nuts in different containers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Put them in a basket along with a cute teddy bear or whatever their
interest maybe, such as video games, golf balls, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, wrap it and attach a cute note, “I’m
Nuts About You!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My husband absolutely
loved this one and he ate all the nuts! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Make a snack pack! Get Doritos, Pepsi or Coke,
M&M’s, Nuts, Fruit or whatever their favorite snack maybe, put it in a
basket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wrap it; put a bow and a sweet
note on it! I promise guys really like these, because it saves them a trip to
the store and they can watch t.v. and snack. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Love Coupons are really good! Make up different
things you are willing to do, like give a massage, take out trash, let him
choose, photo shoot, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They even have
free templates online.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Picnics are nice and if you have a fireplace
that is even better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Picnics are better
when your mate doesn’t know about them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Make sure you have pillows and good conversation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Candlelight dinner make sure you fix your
significant other’s favorite food! The table should be set, jazz music to establish
the mood, and make sure you are looking hot! Ladies pumps will always work! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is for the sexy couples! Blindfold your
mate and feed them chocolate covered fruit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Turn it into a game let them try to guess which fruit it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may also use whip cream instead of the
chocolate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Light music would also be good for this idea
as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lingerie is awesome! Women love it when their
mate go and pick them out something special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes, this is uncomfortable for men, but hey women love it! Also,
ladies some satin boxers would be nice for your man as well! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For the Sports Fans, you can buy them a ticket
to see their favorite team play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
brought Carl a trip to Arizona to see the Redskins play. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, he loved it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Try something different! Ballroom dancing is
always nice, fun, and exciting! If you haven’t been, I suggest you try it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lastly, buy them The Love Dare from a Christian
Bookstore or I love my wife tee-shirt or mug! We personally loved them! But, it
is all according to how you really feel about your significant other! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I hope these ideas bring a lot of happiness into your
relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember adding spice is
always nice! Don’t stress yourself out! Always have fun in whatever you do! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span>Shonda Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822308822032209821noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028226074532072236.post-62908501294126118412012-01-26T14:44:00.000-05:002012-01-26T14:44:08.444-05:00How to Be Successful! by Tyler Perry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/CqkKa3bDb2o?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<em><strong>This is a message by Tyler Perry! I thought this was awesome! What stood out to me is the part about "seeds" and water one at a time!! If you can't watch the video, you can read his message below:</strong></em><br />
<br />
There’s only one answer for that and I say this all the time in the press but people cut it out of articles or they don’t want to print it or they don’t want to say it. The truth be told, it was nothing but the grace of God. Nothing But The Grace of God.<br />
<br />
You can plant seeds all day long; you can go around giving your business cards to people. You can go around knocking on doors and auditioning; you can do all of that every day of your life and for most people nothing happens. When a seed is planted in the ground all you can do it water it. You can not control the sunshine. You can not control the weather and you can not control what <span id="more-177211"></span>the locus will come and try to destroy. All you can do is plant your seed in the ground, water it and believe. That is what allowed me to be in this position right now.<br />
<br />
I would not stop believing. I planted my seed; I worked really hard. I had one idea and that was to do a play and all that other stuff came. My only focus was to do one play and I knew if I could get that to work, everything else would come to pass. There are so many people who go into so many directions. This week they’re doing this and next week they’re doing that. Then the next week they’re they’re going to be in Real-Estate and the next week they’re going to open a salon. Those kinds of people are all over the place and I usually try to get them to focus. Focus on one thing –one area. Put all of your energy into watering one area. If you spread the water across many, many seeds you don’t have as much water for one seed. So focus on one thing, make it your priority and stick with it no matter what.<br />
<br />
No matter how many people told me no. No matter how many people lied to me. No matter how many times I put the show up and nobody came. I remember when I tried my very first show, I worked my butt off and saved $12,000 tax returns through H & R Block money. I worked hard and saved it myself. I rented 14<sup>th</sup> Street Play House; put that show up and thought that 1200 people would come over that weekend and 30 showed up and I knew everyone of them. But I didn’t stop; that didn’t deter me. That was in 1992. In 93’ the same thing happened -94’, 95’, 96’, 97’ up until 1998 the same devastation of nobody showing up in the audience. It was still one show a year working with promoters trying to get the show up and nobody showed up but I didn’t stop.<br />
<br />
What I say to you now, looking at me here, I am a human being; there is no difference between my humanist and your humanist. The only thing is if you’re trying to get there you can not stop believing in any way. No matter what anybody says, no matter what anybody tells you, you have to know it beyond knowing it. When something is for you, there is a feeling that is deep down inside of you that will not allow you to let it go. It will keep you going when you can’t keep even keep yourself going. That’s why the mantra here at Tyler Perry Studios is a place where even dreams believe because there comes a time in your life where you’ve worked and you’ve stressed and you tried to get there and you couldn’t on your own but you have a dream and that dream has to take on the belief for you because you can’t do it by yourself. So what I would tell you is this, don’t stop; narrow your focus to one idea –[only] one and make it work. That will give birth to all the others. All you can do is plant the seed and water it. God himself has to give the increase. Only God can make the sunshine. Only God can make it rain but if you planted the seed then you’ve done your part.<br />
<br />
I wish you so much success in 2012. Anything you want is possible. God knows I’m a living witness. Please feel me. Please hear this from my heart. Anything you want is possible. If I didn’t believe it I wouldn’t take the time to send this message to you. Take care of yourself.<br />
<br />
So, what you think? Do you think this is great information or just devine favor on Tyler's behalf? Shonda Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822308822032209821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028226074532072236.post-15025682414458899482012-01-02T18:33:00.003-05:002012-01-04T09:32:54.972-05:00CHANGES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/AsERpqjo8C0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Changes</u></span></em></strong> </div>
<br />
<strong>This is the time of the year that some of us decide to make major changes in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, do we really
like change?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although, we want it, do we
actually like it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We make goals to lose
weight, stop drinking, find a better job, and the list goes on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In reality, do we truly want the lifestyle transformation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all know that it is very expensive to
change our eating habits to something healthier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the beginning of each year our church goes
on a Daniel fast and I recall saying to Carl, “I never knew fruit and vegetables
could be so expensive.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see I was
ignorant to the reality of the full alteration that needed to be made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reality was that I had decided to start
eating vegetables and fruit 3 times a day and bags of fruit were vanishing like
clock work in our household.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It got very
expensive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></strong><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong>I also want to shed light on gym memberships that cost up to
$60.00 per month?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only to go for 2
months and they continue to withdraw the monies from your bank account for
another year. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fitness facilities do
automatic withdrawal for that sole purpose of collecting extra money from folks
who have gotten lazy or discouraged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
is nothing wrong with wanting a change in your lifestyle or to lose weight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My advice is to sit down and write out how
these changes will affect your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This may help you put things in proper prospective, such as time, cost
and how it will assist you in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Who doesn’t want better health, fitness, and eating habits?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></strong></div>
<br />
<strong>As a wife, I realize my husband’s goals and resolutions
affect me and visa versa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, if you
want to set a goal for yourself or your spouse take into consideration how this
modification is going to affect you both before making it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of times there is sacrifice involved on
both sides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I want to lose weight,
that means better eating habits for me and my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everybody is going to be eating
vegetables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure how my son, <st1:city><st1:place>Zion</st1:place></st1:city>
will feel about that considering he doesn’t like veggies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means I would need to come up with ideas
and plans to include him as well. </strong><br />
<br />
<strong>If you desire a change for your spouse, you have to be
willing to take part in that sacrifice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Meaning if you want your husband to stop drinking, you have to stop
drinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may have to put down that
one glass of wine that you occasionally want. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of times you have to change the people
you hang with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know you may not be the
one with the issue, but the issue and the transformation still affect you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have to be there to encourage and
motivate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you desire your husband to
lose weight, stop fixing unhealthy food, make better selections at the grocery
store and fix something healthier! It requires change in the atmosphere,
meaning lifestyle change for the whole family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, these things can be turned into fun, such as learning new
recipes and cooking them together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
can also go for walks, which can eventually turn into races, at least for our
family it does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong>
My advice is to start small and write everything out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make simple changes and then make bigger
changes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For instance instead of the gym
membership and losing money, try taking family walks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This saves money and allows for family
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of abruptly changing
eating habits, work them in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Start with
fruit for breakfast and baking more foods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then, each month progress and eventually you may have a gym
membership.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Change usually last longer
when it is done gradually and consistently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Try not to be hard on yourself, because everyone changes, nobody stays
the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, hopefully the “Change is
For the Good!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></strong>Shonda Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822308822032209821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028226074532072236.post-7577828697436400992011-12-21T14:53:00.003-05:002011-12-21T15:05:32.887-05:00The Gift that Keeps on Giving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Vo4jXmB8EwjyRWRfWnkV5FuPtnsxYRgRwjnvXuMN2MLpujUd0ee6w8b8xbMU-2-VPM9UexSN7TvUWauGEhbrntbvZsTYO4j18xSwZcfHEUVRSATM_6YG1nrqeWRJDOVbT7PCZg9N20g/s1600/present.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Vo4jXmB8EwjyRWRfWnkV5FuPtnsxYRgRwjnvXuMN2MLpujUd0ee6w8b8xbMU-2-VPM9UexSN7TvUWauGEhbrntbvZsTYO4j18xSwZcfHEUVRSATM_6YG1nrqeWRJDOVbT7PCZg9N20g/s1600/present.png" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 15pt;">The Gift That Keeps on Giving<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 15pt;">John </span></b><st1:time hour="15" minute="16"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 15pt;">3:16</span></b></st1:time><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 15pt;">-For God so loved the world that he gave his
one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have
eternal life.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>During
this time of the year we exchange gifts with loves ones, friends, and
colleagues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if we dislike the
person we still find a way to dig down in our pockets to buy them something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Alot of times, we</span> tend to place monetary value on love. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If someone buys
something expensive, they must really love us; if someone make us some homemade cookies, we feel like they are
just being cheap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We fail to realize the
love and time that was put into making those cookies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Time out! </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Ask yourself don’t we do God the same
way?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">A lot times we fail to realize and
appreciate how much God loves us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
will never appreciate a gift fully until we understand the true gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The true gift isn’t money, my husband, or my
kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The true gift is love, God’s
love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know some were expecting me to
say Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, Jesus Christ came from the
love that was gifted to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God had to
have loved us first in order to even want to give us such a wonderful
gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nobody can ever give you a gift more valuable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s gift of love is the gift that keeps on
giving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">John </span></b><st1:time hour="15" minute="16"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">3:16</span></b></st1:time><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;"> tells us
God gave his son so we can have eternal life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think some of us really don’t understand how big a gift salvation
really is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can’t lose sight of the
gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because when you do, we become
ungrateful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you love somebody
dearly you are willing to give freely to the point of self sacrifice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s love is not self centered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He paid dearly with the life of his son, the
highest price he could pay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God loved us
enough to save us from a burning hell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He gifted us with an eternal life of paradise, filled with many mansions
and cities of pure gold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In eternal life
there is no death, sickness, enemy, evil or sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no greater gift! God’s love is the
gift that keeps on giving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has set the pattern of true love. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The love of God surpasses all knowledge. God’s
love never fails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It s</span>omething that money
can not buy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Please remember t</span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">hat there is nothing that we can do that will separate us from the love
of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although we are ungrateful, God
still loves us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although we are
disobedient, God still loves us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although we are of filthy rags, God still loves us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, even you, God still love you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s love is the true gift! It is the gift
that keeps on giving! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>Shonda Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822308822032209821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028226074532072236.post-57348953407985758822011-11-02T09:32:00.000-04:002011-11-02T09:58:49.554-04:00Run the Race<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u><strong>Run the Race</strong></u></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Hebrews 12:1-4</span></u></strong></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
Runners work hard to build endurance and
strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some may lift weights,
practice run, stretch, and lose weight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Runners wear lightweight clothes and tennis shoes, so nothing weighs
them down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As Christians if we are going to run the race that God
has set before us, we must strip off the excess weight that slows us down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This race is our life and the weight is the
baggage that we pack around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span>We are too busy trying to run with debt weighing us
down..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span>With addictions weighing us down. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span>With unforgiveness weighing us down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span>We are running with family issues weighing us down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span>With our friends weighing us down. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p>Today is the day that we get rid of these weights and
run the race!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p>We can’t run with a bunch of baggage attached to us!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That baggage is going to weigh us down and keep us
from reaching our godly potential.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?
Because we are focused on the baggage instead of on God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scripture tells us to keep our eyes
focused on Jesus! How do we expect to run this race if our eyes are focused on
our mess!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is time to strip it off and
run the race!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Haven’t you seen people that have taken their eyes off
God and put their focus on their problems?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are tired all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
have just thrown in the towel and gave up on the race. They are weighed down by
the issue of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Examples: husbands
acting a fool, kids in trouble or not acting right<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p>As Christians we must remember that the goal of the
enemy is to destroy us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is going to
start with the closest thing to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
is going to attack your mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is all
a mine thing addiction, worrying, low self esteem, and some times
sickness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is all just a trick of the
enemy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember the devil does not want
you to succeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His purpose is to slow
you down by throwing everything at us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is not by happenstance, my car broke down, that I
locked my keys in the car, that I cut my tongue all in one day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The enemy wants us to throw in the towel and
refuse to finish the race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Never quit, have
determination!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Philippians 3:14, Paul says “I press on to reach
the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have to press our way! We have to press just like
Paul in order to receive that prize which is our salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p>Matthew 26:36-39<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup><span style="color: red;">36</span></sup><span style="color: red;"> Then Jesus went with them to
the olive grove called </span><st1:place><span style="color: red;">Gethsemane</span></st1:place><span style="color: red;">,
and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><sup>37</sup>
He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished
and distressed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup><span style="color: red;">38</span></sup><span style="color: red;"> He told them, “My soul is
crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup><span style="color: red;">39</span></sup><span style="color: red;"> He went on a little farther
and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible,
let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be
done, not mine.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have to press our way the same as Jesus did for us
in the <st1:place><st1:placetype>Garden</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename>Gethsemane</st1:placename></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Jesus was knew he was going to die. He filled with anguish and distress. </span>Ask yourself, “What Jesus threw in the towel
on us?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forget it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not dying for them. Instead he picked up
the towel and ran the race, and he died for our sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was pierced in his side for our sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They put nails in his hands for our
sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They put a crown of thorns on his
head for our sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus said, not my
will but your will be done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One thing we need to realize is our father is here to
help us run this race, just like you saw in the film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is time to give up on your will and let
God’s will be done in your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
is no way to run the race without him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let go of the weights in your life: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>Choose
friends who are committed to the race, wrong friends take you off course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>Drop certain
activities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>Get help
with addictions that weigh you down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>Get help today!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lastly today is a new day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is time to run the race!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Receive your prize of salvation!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our God has many mansions in heaven and we
will store up treasures that no man can steal or destroy! You just have to run
the race!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="77" src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 157px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 258px;" width="96" /></span>Shonda Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822308822032209821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028226074532072236.post-13181193289174933902011-07-26T00:00:00.002-04:002011-07-26T13:45:57.904-04:00Greener on the Other Side!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIeaxhPWngN5tAMaYx7LtqExUa5wv_xTFZd_cEvrAlj3ycXfjms6ZF1I2CerNN0Yvw8ydOjMqYpO1tjQhjczZY1jEun3GmXbsPuokVvcVeMMmTTEoUFwyvOsVt1gojoJ5SUoG4MlaFqms/s1600/greener-grass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIeaxhPWngN5tAMaYx7LtqExUa5wv_xTFZd_cEvrAlj3ycXfjms6ZF1I2CerNN0Yvw8ydOjMqYpO1tjQhjczZY1jEun3GmXbsPuokVvcVeMMmTTEoUFwyvOsVt1gojoJ5SUoG4MlaFqms/s320/greener-grass.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It is amazing how many people actually look at the lives of others and covet what they have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it human nature to always want more?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can people ever be satisfied with what they have?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter how much God bless us with, we can always find something else to ask for just from looking at the lives of friends, family, and strangers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some reason the grass always appear greener on the other side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> <br />
<br />
My mother recently decided she wants a new house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had a list of things that was wrong with her house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She went from it being old to the house having bad memories in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She couldn’t bring herself to find the good things nor any of blessings that are stored in this house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From her perspective everyone else has a new house, so she deserved one too!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I failed to tell you is that her home is paid for free and clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means no mortgage payment!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, to her the grass looks greener on the other side, but to me, it looks greener on her side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most families are working hard everyday to pay off a mortgage in order to provide a nice safe environment to raise their kids, in which my mother already has.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just wanted to use her as example of how we are quick to lose sight of our own blessings, while coveting others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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As the Bible states in Ecclesiastes 1:9, “... there is nothing new under the sun.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just like the Children of Israel we are never satisfied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These were God’s chosen people and they had everything they could ever need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, they still found ways to be unfaithful<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> to God, by chasing after other gods to worship, all the time believing they could find something better. The Children of Israel believed that the grass was always greener on the other side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">The grass is always going to be greener on the other side, especially if we are worshipping the wrong person, place, or thing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a friend appears to have a stronger marriage, fancier car, or bigger house, praise God for them and what he is doing in their life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, praise God for your marriage, house, or car that God has blessed you with! Because you can always go up, but you don’t want to come down! Someone, is always going to have more than you, but that doesn’t make you any less blessed! God will give you gifts according to his will, whether it is spiritually or physically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who are we to reject or be dissatified with God’s blessings?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">How can we be humble with the gifts we already have? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why does the grass look greener on the other side?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does it go away with our maturity in Christ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Shonda Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822308822032209821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028226074532072236.post-10731013939934645312011-07-18T22:02:00.000-04:002011-07-18T22:02:06.553-04:00Enlarge My Territory<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqsEWEfwB2Oe6yMw5PhtIH0r5O5_LXnoZi_tKZrNeMwZWdi_gWEgQ8_6cTLth-WMyVclWwoKGMvKosyi4pagIHJlR1MXCwRPhfr7KDT82ZLRtLJjxWm0mw3HxKpEaxKOaQmM0YsMb3Gc/s1600/prayer-of-jabez-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqsEWEfwB2Oe6yMw5PhtIH0r5O5_LXnoZi_tKZrNeMwZWdi_gWEgQ8_6cTLth-WMyVclWwoKGMvKosyi4pagIHJlR1MXCwRPhfr7KDT82ZLRtLJjxWm0mw3HxKpEaxKOaQmM0YsMb3Gc/s200/prayer-of-jabez-1.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>"Jabez prayed, Oh Lord that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain! So God granted what He requested." 1 Chronicles 4:10<br />
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This prayer that Jabez prayed allows us to see how simple our prayers can be. We do not have to use BIG words or pray some long drawn out prayer to get results. Too many times we think prayers have to be fancy and wordy in order to reach God!<br />
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Jabez simply addressed God, made his petitions known, and let God show up and do the rest. I do believe it was his HEART that God saw, which made God grant his request. Notice Jabez ask to stay away from wickedness, so he would not cause pain to others. This allows us to see that Jabez cared about the way he treated others, so it wasn't just a selfish prayer! <br />
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The Prayer of Jabez is a simple prayer and it really works. I prayed it last month and got blessed immediately! It is my advice for you to pray it everyday and just adapt it to your situation. More importantly pray from your heart, just as Jabez displayed in this prayer. What is on your heart? Have you hurt someone because of your sin? What do you need help with today? Ask God for help and continue to pray this simple prayer.<br />
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Is there a prayer or scripture on your heart that has helped you with your day to day life? Please feel free to share.Shonda Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822308822032209821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028226074532072236.post-90730434329707355562011-06-27T17:27:00.000-04:002011-11-02T09:16:40.611-04:00CALM IN A STORM!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajXupH7_OEldZC9Aqk9tOGCLXp3H26u031CgL_UwljXIVvhM9mwxoeSgRUziN0RPFEufPYvcuQoSpKo9pVdEWsNNjsJQdObokc-TPKt1wyP9I0xRJJYTyjGhvGbtC9CHUAZFOOriHN0/s1600/prayer-of-jabez-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajXupH7_OEldZC9Aqk9tOGCLXp3H26u031CgL_UwljXIVvhM9mwxoeSgRUziN0RPFEufPYvcuQoSpKo9pVdEWsNNjsJQdObokc-TPKt1wyP9I0xRJJYTyjGhvGbtC9CHUAZFOOriHN0/s200/prayer-of-jabez-1.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
As we know, problems occur in every part of life! These problems usually bring about a certain level of stress and anxiety. The Bible tells us that Christians will be tested, go through trials, and will receive persecution. As Christians we must be prepared to receive the storms of life. Remember it does not matter how good of a Christian you think you are, storms come to all of us. <br />
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At times pressure can build to the point, you can’t hear yourself talk. It is like someone is in your ear talking and someone is in the other ear talking. Someone else is in front of you talking. Everyone’s problems are on your shoulders including your own. There seems to be no place or nobody to run to who is experiencing peace. This is when we have to realize that God is the giver of peace! If you feel closed in, stressed, and weighed down, God is that person you can run to for peace in the mist of that storm! <br />
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Don’t give into the storm, by worrying and stressing! God has sent us a helper! His name is Jesus Christ! He will help you recover from your setback. If you just have faith in Christ, you can pray, trust, and move ahead! <br />
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When the strong winds of life comes your way, speak to that wind! Jesus said in Mark 4:39, “Peace, Be Still!” The winds were raging, the disciples were afraid in the boat, and God calmly spoke and the wind ceased. That is what God can do with our problems! He can simply speak to them and give you the peace you need! <br />
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Agree with me today that you will pray, trust, and move ahead! Knowing that God can and will give you the peace you need! Is there something you’re dealing with, that seems to big? If so, you can post it today, you don’t have to leave a name, and we will pray for you!Shonda Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822308822032209821noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028226074532072236.post-36977828759307375282011-06-21T22:38:00.001-04:002011-06-21T22:43:21.909-04:00Will Smith's Relationship Advice<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaQkV5nyfE_NZv7tV_KVVGkwYg_gTRpYw7JdSdzuG2wSdSk0iBRxPb_9rmQbOVgJayd_uEitqIHGBSXYc7efMzgrudhudBx-eE8HPX7UDm2SF3cDmlC1WpvZdULtaUxI2eOZ3uOOrDFk/s1600/jada-and-will-400x250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaQkV5nyfE_NZv7tV_KVVGkwYg_gTRpYw7JdSdzuG2wSdSk0iBRxPb_9rmQbOVgJayd_uEitqIHGBSXYc7efMzgrudhudBx-eE8HPX7UDm2SF3cDmlC1WpvZdULtaUxI2eOZ3uOOrDFk/s200/jada-and-will-400x250.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><em><strong>This a great interview between Will Smith and Essence about his marriage with Jada Pinkett Smith. I thought he gave some really great advice! The only thing missing is God! Overall, they looked to be very happy and in love! </strong></em><br />
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<strong>If You Marry Your Best Friend, You’re Good</strong><br />
Every man wants to marry his homie, Will explained. A lot of women will impress them, but it’s the one they can always laugh with and be themselves with that will ultimately impress them the most. If you can be yourselves around each other, 100 percent of the time, and they can make you life like no one else can, you’ll never have a dull moment together.<br />
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<strong>Remind Him of What He Has</strong><br />
When you start to feel that you’re nagging your husband to the point of no return and nothing you’re saying is getting through, Will suggests you try a new approach. Hold him close, look him right in the eyes, and tell him that you love him, you’re right there, and you always will be, BUT you need him to pick his socks up – right now. As Will puts it, it’s important to remind him that your request is coming from a good place, and what you want is a small thing in the grand scheme of things. Um, genius!<br />
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<span style="color: black;"><strong>All Men Need A Little Space</strong></span><br />
“If you don’t give your husband thirty minutes to himself when he first gets home he’ll stop coming home,” Will told me, straight up. (You’re thinking, no way, right? I did too!) When I asked Will when a wife was supposed to say her piece, he responded, “anytime after that.” Will reminded me that everyone’s home needs to feel like a happy place, and it won’t if you’re “greeted with negativity” every time you enter the door. Touché Will. Talk about a pause for the cause.<br />
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<span style="color: black;"><strong>Focus on Balance and Excitement Always</strong></span><br />
According to Will and Jada’s way of thinking about marriage, maintaining a happy union isn’t just about making time for one another, it’s about making the time count too. Excitement and mystery are everything, he said. Surprise them, let them know you love them, laugh together – whatever it takes to put a smile on their face.<br />
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<em><strong>What do you think about Will's relationship advice? Is he missing anything or did he hit the nail on the head? </strong></em>Shonda Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822308822032209821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028226074532072236.post-84199474382126800672011-06-15T17:11:00.000-04:002011-06-15T17:11:33.098-04:00God Made Me Who I am!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cZ-N8XHT0HLolyrKxDwGVrGozwUnjDRZIKgt-Y93P4Wd8urcMV-wFhZ67-Co4ojeLGLG3p7EPTzs0V9MfXf2O9f7GQMMv8RIlcDXhaGFAJMYphll7rgXog_b33eQ_BTCNC2-nGbTekM/s1600/God+made+me%255B4%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cZ-N8XHT0HLolyrKxDwGVrGozwUnjDRZIKgt-Y93P4Wd8urcMV-wFhZ67-Co4ojeLGLG3p7EPTzs0V9MfXf2O9f7GQMMv8RIlcDXhaGFAJMYphll7rgXog_b33eQ_BTCNC2-nGbTekM/s320/God+made+me%255B4%255D.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>L</strong></span>earning to see an individual for who God made them to be is a difficult task for many. I have learned that I can not change anyone, including my kids into something that they are not. God has made each one of us individually according to his purpose and plan for our lives. (Jeremiah 29:11) We are all different with different skills, likes, and dislikes. (Psalms 139:13-14) It is important to love a person for who they are, not for what or who we want them to be. Take time out today to admire and envision your friends and family for their own unique qualities and expressions. <br />
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I remember dating my husband, I was at his condo and needed to use the bathroom and he was in it. So, I decided to go upstairs and use the bathroom in the loft. To my surprise the loft was a mess. Stuff was thrown everywhere. Coins and clothes where on the floor. I just used the bathroom and came back downstairs. I teased him about it. Needless to say, that mess in the loft did not stop me from dating or marrying him for that matter. In my mind, I just knew I could change him. Boy did God have a lesson to teach me! I also thought there was potential, considering he always tried to keep the downstairs clean for me. <br />
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Well, here we are still in love almost 12 years later. Although, he does try harder considering we have 3 kids, my husband is still the same! There were times, I wanted to scream, be mad, and throw a temper tantrum. Okay, truth be told, I did! It took about 5 long years for me to realize I could not turn him into a neat freak. Because it is just not the way God designed him. So, I chose to focus on all the amazing qualities he does have like, his intelligence, cooking, barbequing, being a great dad, a good listener, and a loving husband. You see too many times we focus on the qualities that we don’t like, instead of the amazing qualities an individual is gifted with. <br />
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There is no time like the present, to start walking in your individuality! Be who God made you to be, the good, the bad, and hopefully not the ugly. We all have imperfections; it is up to us to try harder, all the while being proud of the amazing qualities and gifts God has appointed to each one of us. If you are unsure of your gift, ask somebody! When you are gifted, it is on display for everyone to see! Remember, God made you who you ARE!<br />
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<em></em>Shonda Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822308822032209821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028226074532072236.post-28130993024568303802011-06-13T22:15:00.000-04:002011-06-13T22:15:35.077-04:00The Spirit Spot: BEAUTIFUL MAN!<a href="http://lashondanicole.blogspot.com/2011/06/beautiful-man.html">The Spirit Spot: BEAUTIFUL MAN!</a>Shonda Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822308822032209821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028226074532072236.post-27735328848084804952011-06-13T22:10:00.000-04:002011-06-13T22:10:29.137-04:00BEAUTIFUL MAN!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5e-8t42GlijkyVAVTNDlmmghKNKBf3vAdSkyjkUgyj73DDuCG9N_rgp9sNh-GjI0ZmNGM58tAchBw9Lsde-C1Wmtq99NXEaVMYDPG4oQL9wSCL8raxwgD0evIQOpS0HumLpKMlFZNrI/s1600/myrtle+beach+2011+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5e-8t42GlijkyVAVTNDlmmghKNKBf3vAdSkyjkUgyj73DDuCG9N_rgp9sNh-GjI0ZmNGM58tAchBw9Lsde-C1Wmtq99NXEaVMYDPG4oQL9wSCL8raxwgD0evIQOpS0HumLpKMlFZNrI/s200/myrtle+beach+2011+009.JPG" t8="true" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJCVwqYJ2SM_J7zATLtq-Poya5cmQe6Hs1dIMsF8C00Z4C2SrMSm6exWbPZy_9rHrr3_3nYaUPy3bll7z5k2CN6YpePm0pxPDhgVCqkoSoUwPrTcMtSprWtMyKkvV6Ot72h4vf7CUaS4/s1600/myrtle+beach+2011+095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJCVwqYJ2SM_J7zATLtq-Poya5cmQe6Hs1dIMsF8C00Z4C2SrMSm6exWbPZy_9rHrr3_3nYaUPy3bll7z5k2CN6YpePm0pxPDhgVCqkoSoUwPrTcMtSprWtMyKkvV6Ot72h4vf7CUaS4/s200/myrtle+beach+2011+095.JPG" t8="true" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A</span>s I relaxed in a lawn chair by the hotel pool, I received this great inspiration! It was the smile on the face of my husband, Carl. He was just playing with my daughter, Ella. Carl was laughing, smiling and really overjoyed by being in his children's presence. This was a beautiful moment for me. Of course, he plays with our children daily, but it was just something about this moment. I never thought of a man as being beautiful! As women, we usually want a man that is strong and good looking. I've never really heard of anyone referring to a man as beautiful. Well, I'm just counting my blessings that God has gifted me with one! My husband is so beautiful on the inside, it seeps through his pores to the outside! I would like to dedicate this poem to him and all the great fathers out there! It is okay to be BEAUTIFUL!</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><u>Beautiful Man! </u></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Beautiful man! Beautiful man!</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>what did I do to deserve you, beautiful man!</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>I'm so glad things go according to God's plan.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>It's not whats on the outside</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>The beauty you have is buried deep.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Maybe it's in your heart that goes beat beat! </strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
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</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Beautiful man! Your smile will light a room.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>The grin as you play with your children. </strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>You are proud despite of a crowd.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>The joy of being a husband and father. </strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Maybe it is our heavenly father that dwells in you</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>That teaches you to be a provider. </strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Beautiful man, beautiful man! </strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Keep reaching out for Gods hand. </strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Your display of love will always stand!</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>The treasures in your heart are priceless, beautiful man.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Sometimes I feel so unworthy of your gems. </strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>I know God gave you to me and me to you,</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>So, I will continue to love you, beautiful man. </strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Beautiful man, again I ask what did I do to deserve you </strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Such a Beautiful man?</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><strong></strong>Shonda Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822308822032209821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028226074532072236.post-88808375645434267672011-05-24T20:49:00.000-04:002011-05-24T20:49:55.924-04:00The Spirit Spot: Where's the Foundation?<a href="http://lashondanicole.blogspot.com/2011/05/wheres-foundation.html">The Spirit Spot: Where's the Foundation?</a>Shonda Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822308822032209821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028226074532072236.post-45808683065921164762011-05-24T19:34:00.001-04:002011-05-24T19:38:51.855-04:00Where's the Foundation? <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/RvaoJQowr5A?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>The video above displays a 17 year old mother who tried to smother her own 4 month old baby to death! This young lady did not appear to be concerned, sad, or nervous in the process. She was very much aware of the situation at hand. She is quoted as saying, "The child's father was a deadbeat and wouldn't help with the baby. She was tired of being a single mother." Also, if you pay close attention to the video, she is making calls on her cell phone. Which brings me to several questions: Is there a conspirator? Where is the 17 year old girl's mother? When are parents going to stand up and take some sort of responsibility in their children's actions? This could have possibly been prevented. Some is thinking birth control or maybe a condom. But, I'm thinking attention from her parents. This 17 year old child was obviously hurting. If she was getting the proper attention, someone would have known this child was unstable. It is a well known fact that hurt people hurt others. <br />
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This story just sheds light on how far society has moved away from the foundation set by Jesus Christ. This 17 year old just displayed an act of attempted murder, selfishness, and hatred toward her child! As a parent, I understand that we can not control all of our children's actions. Although, it is a well known fact that parents have a major influence and responsibility in the lives of their children. We are not here to point fingers, or to degrade anyone, even though this display of evilness raises eyebrows. Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">As parents, for our children, we have to set a strong foundation that is built </span>on love, patience, self-control, and the other fruits of the spirit. I'm going back to Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it." In the end, God has placed the ultimate responsibility on us to raise and train our children to be a value to society, instead of a disgrace. I truly believe that God has equipped us all with the ability to train and/or keep our children on the right track. We just have to make sure our foundation is set in stone with him! <br />
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Our minds can indulge in so much negativity, which in turn can cause unrecognizable influences. The news is filled with teen moms killing babies, to the point some have become celebrities. There is YouTube filled with teenagers fighting at school, to the point it has made national news. You have teen mom shows on MTV, making young girls think it is cool to be pregnant, unmarried, and young. It seems as though, positive uplifting shows in the media just disappear. In the end, we can point the finger at everyone, but it is up to parents to be their children's best role model and to teach them a foundation in God.Shonda Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822308822032209821noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028226074532072236.post-39715939938509818882011-04-03T22:13:00.000-04:002011-04-03T22:13:00.998-04:00The Spirit Spot: A Special Place<a href="http://lashondanicole.blogspot.com/2011/04/special-place.html#links">The Spirit Spot: A Special Place</a>Shonda Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822308822032209821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028226074532072236.post-11774701632472476992011-04-03T22:00:00.001-04:002011-04-03T22:50:29.413-04:00A Special Place<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4kPrMtqNUX0R3OnTcJwSXrpyHD7_2VietPgkAX0V_82ky46XDVa2I7R0XZS-Nj-nPQNPsr1ArWQDTyRSa1qpTVo_sQOTBxbehzoHP9OuixN25QDOlKGBmsIQzqAIsSPeFzBOq0F3Zws/s1600/kitchen.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4kPrMtqNUX0R3OnTcJwSXrpyHD7_2VietPgkAX0V_82ky46XDVa2I7R0XZS-Nj-nPQNPsr1ArWQDTyRSa1qpTVo_sQOTBxbehzoHP9OuixN25QDOlKGBmsIQzqAIsSPeFzBOq0F3Zws/s200/kitchen.png" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As I swept the floor of the kitchen, I recall God speaking to me. It was a divine revelation and God giving me his instructions on my life. That day in the kitchen was a wake up call for me. I was in a place of transition. I was a stay at home mom and had just been laid off from a paralegal position. I had gone to college and graduated, but later decided that being a paralegal is not the career for me. My thoughts were everywhere. Should I stay home with the child it took me so long to conceive? How do I change professions? Lastly, what is everyone else going to think? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, I just started sweeping and talking! Then, I realized that I wasn’t just sweeping and talking, but listening! God was there to conversate with me. God’s voice was as clear as day. God said, “Open a consignment store.” It was a funny request, because I never considered myself being a person to own a store. At the time, I set a goal to open up a consignment store in some rundown property we had brought. We hired workers to drywall the walls, picked out paint, and even brought store racks. My mother and sister immediately rejected the idea due to the high crime and drug activity of the area. I would argue and fuss with them until my face turned blue. My goal was to follow through with the instructions God had given to me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Then one day, I’m placing an item online to sell and I received an email from Ebay asking me to open a consignment store. I knew God’s instructions, but I never thought it would be an online consignment store. I prayed about the store, spoke with my husband and he thought it was a wonderful idea. I got to stay home with my kids and have a small income coming in. Through this process, I realized something important! We all need a Special Place! That Special Place is something sacred and divine, which is what my kitchen was for me that day and many days to come. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Just last week, I was going through opposition with family. Again, I was cleaning the kitchen and God spoke to me! He said, Let it Go! Your to BIG to focus on something so small! This too shall pass! I made a decision at that moment to forgive. It is not easy being the bigger person. When I heard the voice of God, confirming what I already knew, I made the choice to submit and to trust. See I didn’t realize my kitchen was my Special Place until God kept showing up. I can just clean and let him speak to my situation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Now ask yourself, where is my Special Place? Am I allowing myself to hear God’s instructions for my life? Next, seek out your spot-that Spirit Spot! </strong></span><br />
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<strong></strong>Shonda Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822308822032209821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028226074532072236.post-56966159479519513082011-03-16T23:37:00.000-04:002011-03-16T23:37:01.932-04:00Teaching Children There is Power in Prayer!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/yum__DM_dWg/0.jpg" height="266" style="clear: left; float: left;" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yum__DM_dWg&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yum__DM_dWg&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br />
As I watched this 5 year old boy from the Potter's House deliver this unforgettable prayer, I instantly got excited! Then, I realized how so many churches are falling short in there teachings when it come to our youth. How do we as a church and as parents teach our kids to walk in the power of God? How do we expect for our children to find power in prayer if parents don't believe in the power themselves? To see a child pray with so much power and strength is by far rare this day and age. Considering the presence this child displayed, in this congregation of great size, shows this child has been taught the power of prayer. The average adult would have been afraid to stand and proclaim the Word of God before thousands. This child has brought glory and a change to the Body of Christ! <br />
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Children usually display what they are taught! The Bible tells us, "<span class="ft"><strong>Train up a child in the way he should go</strong>, And <strong>even when he is old he will not depart from it</strong>." Prov. 22:6 What are we teaching or training our children to do? Sometimes we have to examine our own actions. Because children tend to mirror their parents. I notice my two year old daughter, watching my every step and I mean the good, bad, and the ugly. She teaches me a lot about myself. She wants to be like mommy, but I want her to be a better me. In order for that to happen, I have to put my best foot forward and show her a positive example. That means, she should see me praying, praising, reading, and being a good wife and mother. </span><br />
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<span class="ft">If you want your child to have a great relationship with God start off by explaining God and Jesus to them. Children will ask, "Who is Jesus" and we have to be prepared to answer. Explain to them how they are created in his imagine. Then, I would suggest buying them a Children's Bible. Another great relationship builder is to teach your child to pray at night before bed and over their dinner aloud. We usually let our children take turns and we all hold hands every evening at dinner. Each day their prayers got stronger and longer, as the kids got more comfortable. This gives children an opportunity to do something positive for God, allows them to feel good about themselves, and puts children on a path to NOT be ashamed to pray for other or themselves in public. </span><br />
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Just imagine your child as an adult, praying their way through life issues and situations. There is no weapon greater than Prayer! It is our job as parents to equip our children, for the life that is placed in front them. The way to equip our children for this life is to teach them "there is Power in Prayer!"Shonda Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822308822032209821noreply@blogger.com2