The Spirit Spot: Where's the Foundation?

The Spirit Spot: Where's the Foundation?

Where's the Foundation?

 

 

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.


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."

As parents, for our children, we have to set a strong foundation that is built 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!

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.

The Spirit Spot: A Special Place

The Spirit Spot: A Special Place

A Special Place

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?

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.

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.

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.


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!

Teaching Children There is Power in Prayer!

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! 

Children usually display what they are taught!  The Bible tells us, "Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it." 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.  

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.   

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!"

The Spirit Spot: Failure Does Not Define You!

The Spirit Spot: Failure Does Not Define You!

Failure Does Not Define You!

         Often times, people go through life afraid of failure, unable to realize life is about risk. You will never succeed, if you don’t even try. Step out of the box and stop looking at failure as embarrassment, shame, and defeat! Have you ever heard the old saying, “I would rather try and fail, then to have never tried at all?” The reason this quote is so popular is because people are so afraid of failure. People wouldn’t be so afraid, if they could see failure from God’s viewpoint. God looks at the failures in our life, as an opportunity to let his glory shine. This is God’s opportunity to show out! To make your shame and embarrassment into a TESTIMONY!


         I can promise that if you speak with a person with success, they will tell you they have also failed. The key to that person’s success is that person refused to let that failure define them. You have to understand that you are destined for success, in whatever God called you to do. God says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.” (Isaiah 1:5)

          Failure is not going to stop God’s progress. Look at all the people who failed in the Bible, David committed adultery and murder, Abraham impregnated the maidservant instead of believing in God’s promise for him and Sarah, and Paul had a thorn in his side. ALL of them continued to stand with the Lord and persevered. If we continue to stand despite our failures, God has no other choice but to bless us. Romans 8:28 tells us, “And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” This just lets us know despite our failures and shortcomings, God is going to take them and work them out for the good. As the song goes, “Get back up again!”

         A SETBACK is a SETUP for a COMEBACK! Pray and repent your way through the failure. We have to stop looking at our failure as something that is ruined, or something we can no longer recover from. We have to look at failures as a stepping stone towards our VICTORY!