This I recall to my mind; therefore, I have hope: God is Faithful!
This I recall to my mind; therefore, I have hope: God is Good!
This I recall to my mind; therefore, I have hope: If God be for me who can be against me!
This I recall to my mind; therefore, I have hope: God loves me!
September 17, 2009
September 11, 2009
I need a Word from the Lord
By Kathy Gaillard
Recently, feeling overwhelmed, I dropped everything and knelt down to pray, then I read the Word of God. God blessed me so much and put me in a place where I felt His love, peace and so much joy that I just wanted to linger and languish in His presence. Sometimes, in our busy lives, all we need to carry us through is a Word from the Lord.
There was a time that I struggled with memorizing Bible verses, but after years of reading the Bible, going to Bible study and hearing the Word of God, I now have some Bible verses tucked away in my heart for whenever I need or want them. I don’t always recall the addresses of the Scriptures, but I know the Word of God, and how to look up Scripture.
A Bible teacher once told me that it’s important to memorize Bible verses so that when you’re in a situation where you can’t (physically or emotionally) access a Bible, you have something ‘stored in your pantry that you can pull off the shelf.’ I thank God that I listened, and that I have a Word from the Lord for every circumstance life brings my way. I have a Word I can stand on when I’m weak, “I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) I’ve got a Word for when I’m sad, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5) I’ve got a Word for when I’m concerned about my future, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) And, I’ve got a Word to encourage me when I feel that I’m not getting through to my grandchildren, “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he grows up, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
The Word of God sustained me when my mother passed away. My father was too grief-stricken to take on the responsibilities of making the funeral arrangements. He and my mom had been married for almost 51 years and her death was emotionally crippling for him. All he could manage to do was hand me an insurance policy and a handful of crumpled money and I had to take care of all the details. She was his wife and she was my mother, but since somebody had to take care of the details, I knew it would be me.
I’d never met with a mortician, and I certainly didn’t know how to plan a funeral. I recall entering a showroom in the funeral home, being surrounded by caskets, and experiencing the reality of my mom's death. I had to return to the hospital where my mother died to sign for and pick up her personal belongings. Walking through that quiet hospital corridor was one of the loneliest journeys I’ve ever taken. I organized the funeral service, wrote the program, and decided what she would wear. But, throughout the days leading up to her funeral one Scripture gave me strength, peace and comfort: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” When I reflect on those dark days, I know God and His Word got me through. I also have personal knowledge of what it means to have God ‘carry you through.’
If you have ever felt overwhelmed, discouraged, lonely, hurt or hopeless, call on God for help. He will give you whatever you need--healing, comfort, guidance, peace, strength or love. There’s nothing quite as comforting as knowing that God has your back. A Word from the Lord can make a seemingly unbearable situation, bearable. It makes all the difference in the world.
Click link below to play Vickie Winans' "We Need A Word From the Lord"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBBehsH0Wlk
Kathy Gaillard is a Christian writer for examiner.com. Visit Kathy’s home page for more great articles at http://www.examiner.com/x-16376-Norfolk-NonDenominational-Christian-Examiner~y2009m9d9-Sometimes-all-you-need-is-a-word-from-the-Lord
September 2, 2009
If a man wants you nothing can keep him away. If he doesn't want you nothing can make him stay. Stop making excuses. Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you from heartache. Stop trying to change yourself for a relationship that is not meant to be.
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You are worthy, precious, valuable, and beautiful. Do not settle for less than God's best for your life. What God has for you it is FOR YOU. No one can take what God says is yours.
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Slow down. Wait on the Lord. Breathe. Rest.
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"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1)."
Sisters
A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot, humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting with her mother. As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter "Don't forget your Sisters,'"she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass.
"They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need Sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them. Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women... your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too. You'll need other women. Women always do."
"What a funny piece of advice!" the young woman thought. "Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!"
But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact with her Sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, Sisters are the mainstays of her life.
After more than 50 years of living in this world, here is what I've learned:
Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors...
Careers end.
BUT...Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you.
A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach. When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end.
Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you...Or come in and carry you out. Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family all bless our life!
The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other.
I thank God for my Sisters!
"They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need Sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them. Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women... your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too. You'll need other women. Women always do."
"What a funny piece of advice!" the young woman thought. "Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!"
But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact with her Sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, Sisters are the mainstays of her life.
After more than 50 years of living in this world, here is what I've learned:
Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors...
Careers end.
BUT...Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you.
A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach. When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end.
Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you...Or come in and carry you out. Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family all bless our life!
The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other.
I thank God for my Sisters!
August 7, 2009
Imagine if all your conversations for the past week had been recorded, then played back over a bullhorn for the entire world to hear. Would you be proud? How about God? What comes out of your mouth reveals who you really are and where your heart is. …for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45).
DeniseAugust 5, 2009
The Real Secret!
"Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you." (Matt. 6:33)
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Denise
August 2, 2009
Singles Searching for Love
By KATHY GAILLARD
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Reality shows are part of today’s pop culture. There are reality shows on dating, relationships and families. There are reality shows about survival, dancing and becoming an American Idol. There is, however, one reality that seems to have escaped this phenomenon—the reality that it is possible to be single and satisfied. Believe it or not, there are women (and men) who have jobs, homes, families and friends, who are not looking for relationships to define, enhance or "complete them."
Here’s a bit of reality: Nothing on the external—relationships, money or material possessions— can make you happy, if you are not happy with yourself. Too many singles are allowing the world to define their happiness. They watch soap operas and reality shows, and use those unrealistic portrayals about life, happiness, relationships and marriage as a gauge of success. Too often, these same individuals are the ones who, when their reality short-circuits, or doesn’t live up to the hype, end up in divorce court, or miserable in marriages.
Marriage or being in a relationship does not make or define a person. In this hi-tech society there’s the acronym GIGO, which means garbage in, garbage out. Simply put, if your personal house—mental, physical and spiritual—is in shambles, no one or nothing will change that. You get out of life, what you put into it.
Marriage should be rooted in biblical principles. It can be a wonderful experience when it is what God intended it to be, but it’s not for everyone. There’s a rude awakening awaiting those who enter into marriage with the expectation that "someone" will make them happy.
The center of a person’s joy can come from having and nurturing a personal relationship with God. The joy of salvation is an untouchable, unfathomable, unspeakable happiness that supersedes the reality of any earthly relationship. It’s a joy and happiness that allows one to fellowship and enjoy friendship, in the face of adversity. It enables a person to remain grounded and rooted, when his world may appear to be turned upside down with trials and circumstances. Relationships fail, people disappoint, possessions dwindle or depreciate, but faith and a personal relationship with God can provide that ever elusive joy.
Christians who are waiting for Mr. or Ms. Right should relax. Instead of throwing pity parties or putting life on hold with the expectation that joy and happiness come only with marriage, do what needs to be done to make yourself happy! Don’t allow the world to define happiness for you. Don’t miss out on the pleasures of life by going through it searching for love, but rather, learn to give love and love yourself. Don’t buy into the hype!
Kathy Gaillard is a Christian writer for examiner.com. Visit Kathy’s home page for more great articles at http://www.examiner.com/x-16376-Norfolk-NonDenominational-Christian-Examiner
Here’s a bit of reality: Nothing on the external—relationships, money or material possessions— can make you happy, if you are not happy with yourself. Too many singles are allowing the world to define their happiness. They watch soap operas and reality shows, and use those unrealistic portrayals about life, happiness, relationships and marriage as a gauge of success. Too often, these same individuals are the ones who, when their reality short-circuits, or doesn’t live up to the hype, end up in divorce court, or miserable in marriages.
Marriage or being in a relationship does not make or define a person. In this hi-tech society there’s the acronym GIGO, which means garbage in, garbage out. Simply put, if your personal house—mental, physical and spiritual—is in shambles, no one or nothing will change that. You get out of life, what you put into it.
Marriage should be rooted in biblical principles. It can be a wonderful experience when it is what God intended it to be, but it’s not for everyone. There’s a rude awakening awaiting those who enter into marriage with the expectation that "someone" will make them happy.
The center of a person’s joy can come from having and nurturing a personal relationship with God. The joy of salvation is an untouchable, unfathomable, unspeakable happiness that supersedes the reality of any earthly relationship. It’s a joy and happiness that allows one to fellowship and enjoy friendship, in the face of adversity. It enables a person to remain grounded and rooted, when his world may appear to be turned upside down with trials and circumstances. Relationships fail, people disappoint, possessions dwindle or depreciate, but faith and a personal relationship with God can provide that ever elusive joy.
Christians who are waiting for Mr. or Ms. Right should relax. Instead of throwing pity parties or putting life on hold with the expectation that joy and happiness come only with marriage, do what needs to be done to make yourself happy! Don’t allow the world to define happiness for you. Don’t miss out on the pleasures of life by going through it searching for love, but rather, learn to give love and love yourself. Don’t buy into the hype!
Kathy Gaillard is a Christian writer for examiner.com. Visit Kathy’s home page for more great articles at http://www.examiner.com/x-16376-Norfolk-NonDenominational-Christian-Examiner
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July 9, 2009
Who am I...
Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
June 27, 2009
Stay Marketable!
In the July issue of Black Enterprise Magazine, Kevin Warren, CEO of Xerox Canada, offers advice on staying professionally marketable through this economic downturn.Three-point attack plan:
Results: Consistently deliver outstanding results. If you cannot do that, the conversation ends there.
Behaviors: Recognize that corporations are social institutions. How do you interact with your manager? How do you interact with your colleagues? Do you make the work-place a better place to work? Do you add to the organization?
Competencies: Manage your portfolio of skills. Add to your skill set. Go back to school. Make a commitment to lifelong learning.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” (Colossians 3:23)
June 25, 2009
Tribute: Michael Jackson
"Somebody should tell us, right at the start of our lives, that we are dying. Then we might live life to the limit, every minute of every day." - Pope Paul VI
Baby, Pray!
The best advice my mother ever gave me, and all of brothers and sisters for that matter, is to pray. She used to say, “Baby, when things get hard and you don’t know what to do, pray. You go and talk to God like you are sitting here talking to me. Go somewhere and shut the door and pray”At my mother’s funeral, her best friend said that my mother was a praying woman. She said they would often pray together, and my mother always prayed for each of her children (there are nine of us), especially for my brother Glenn
Glenn was a drug addict who shot heroine for over 30 years. However, God delivered him from his addiction at the age of 50! To see him, you would never have imagined that he ever used drugs at all! My brother passed away four years ago in car accident. However, there is no doubt in my mind that God kept him all those years while in his addiction because of the prayers that my mother sent up.
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16).
I used to be in an abusive relationship. One night we got into an argument, and he shoved my face into a wall so hard that it split my bottom lip completely open. I had to go to the hospital and get stitches. I remember coming home and contemplating taking my life. I was beat down physically and psychological. I felt worthless and that I had nothing to live for. I was completely broken.
But in the midst of all that pain, my mother’s words rang out: “Baby, pray!”At the time, I did not know Christ, I did not know the Bible, I did not know to confess the Blood of Jesus, but I did know that I could talk to God and He would hear me. “God please help me!” Sitting on the bathroom floor, crying, I begged God to please get me and my children out of that situation.
Not long after that incident, I moved out of town, out of that relationship, and have never looked back. God opened doors that I could have never imagined. Prayer really does change things!
I thank God for a praying mother, who not only prayed for her children, but who taught her children to pray.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
Denise
June 24, 2009
How Long, Lord?
How long will I be in this state? How long will things be like this? How long will I be alone? How long until you move?
I will allow the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to answer:
“I come to say to you this afternoon, however difficult the moment, however frustrating the hour, it will not be long because truth crushed to earth will rise again. How long? Not long because no lie can live forever. How long? Not long because you shall reap what you sow”
How Long? Not long. Today you are one step closer to receiving what you have been waiting for. How Long? Not long. Continue to confess and stand on the Truth of God's Word. How Long? Not long!
"God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: has he said, and shall he not do it? or has he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19)"My word, which comes from my mouth, is like the rain and snow. It will not come back to me without results. It will accomplish whatever I want and achieve whatever I send it to do." (Isaiah 55:11)"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7)
Denise
I will allow the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to answer:
“I come to say to you this afternoon, however difficult the moment, however frustrating the hour, it will not be long because truth crushed to earth will rise again. How long? Not long because no lie can live forever. How long? Not long because you shall reap what you sow”
How Long? Not long. Today you are one step closer to receiving what you have been waiting for. How Long? Not long. Continue to confess and stand on the Truth of God's Word. How Long? Not long!
"God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: has he said, and shall he not do it? or has he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19)"My word, which comes from my mouth, is like the rain and snow. It will not come back to me without results. It will accomplish whatever I want and achieve whatever I send it to do." (Isaiah 55:11)"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7)
Denise
June 19, 2009
Take Your Seat!
"Rise Above the Nonsense"
It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience.
We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It's a wonder God didn't lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us.
Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then He picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah. (Ephesians 2:1-6 Message Bible)
Denise
June 18, 2009
Complete In Christ
Most of us can point out certain areas in which we hold a low self-concept. We criticize ourselves, negatively compare ourselves to others, and are not accepting of who we are.
A lack of self- confidence is the belief that you are missing something, incomplete, cut off from life. A lack of self-confidence is the belief that someone else has what you desire or want of life. You believe that your life is incomplete and dependent on something or someone. A lack of self-confidence is the belief that you are less than other people.
Colossians 2:10 tells us that we are complete in Jesus Christ – nothing missing and nothing taken away. I like to say “No – thing”. All that you need has been provided.
If you believe in Christ, then you have to accept that your life is whole and complete: nothing can be added and nothing can be taken away. You are perfect in every way because the Great One lives inside of you – the Christ, the Anointed One, the Divine, the Father!
Stop listening to the lies of the enemy. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Walk in the Truth of who you really are. Life is too short!
Denise
A lack of self- confidence is the belief that you are missing something, incomplete, cut off from life. A lack of self-confidence is the belief that someone else has what you desire or want of life. You believe that your life is incomplete and dependent on something or someone. A lack of self-confidence is the belief that you are less than other people.
“And you are complete in Him…”
Colossians 2:10 tells us that we are complete in Jesus Christ – nothing missing and nothing taken away. I like to say “No – thing”. All that you need has been provided.
If you believe in Christ, then you have to accept that your life is whole and complete: nothing can be added and nothing can be taken away. You are perfect in every way because the Great One lives inside of you – the Christ, the Anointed One, the Divine, the Father!
Stop listening to the lies of the enemy. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Walk in the Truth of who you really are. Life is too short!
Denise
June 17, 2009
I'm a psych major, and while learning about the different perspectives and theories of psychology, I always go back to the Word of God to apply a Biblical Truth. I recently had to do research on operant conditioning and the effects of punishment versus positive reinforcement on changing behavior.
I found that punishment definitely has its place; however, not in relationships!
Too often we try to change our spouse’s behavior through complaining and nagging, which normally does not work. Research studies find that positive reinforcement, such as complimenting your spouse for doing what is right, instead of punishing him or her for doing what is wrong, is much more effective in producing change.
The Bible says:
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4)
If you want your spouse to change, try changing your approach:
Change your perspective - Focus on the positive qualities of your spouse instead of the negative. It is so easy to take our spouses for granted and only look at what they lack according to our expectations, which are usually unfair and unrealistic!
Denise
I found that punishment definitely has its place; however, not in relationships!
Too often we try to change our spouse’s behavior through complaining and nagging, which normally does not work. Research studies find that positive reinforcement, such as complimenting your spouse for doing what is right, instead of punishing him or her for doing what is wrong, is much more effective in producing change.
The Bible says:
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4)
If you want your spouse to change, try changing your approach:
- Express appreciation - Let your spouse know how much you appreciate him or her.
- Reinforce and affirm appropriate behavior - Let your spouse know how thankful you are for the things that they do, such as taking care of the family, working hard every day, washing the dishes, etc. Say thank you!
Change your perspective - Focus on the positive qualities of your spouse instead of the negative. It is so easy to take our spouses for granted and only look at what they lack according to our expectations, which are usually unfair and unrealistic!
- Speak Life - “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21) Watch what comes out of your mouth! The words that you sow, you will reap.
Denise
June 16, 2009
The Kingdom of God is Righteousness, and Peace, and Joy in the Holy Spirit. Jesus said the Kingdom of God is within you (Romans 14:17). Matthew 6:33 tells us to seek first the "Kingdom of God".
"Preach the Kingdom of God, if necessary, use words!"
All that we need is inside of us. "Kingdom" is the Greek word basileia which means "realm" and is taken from basileus which mean "foundation of power".
Live and operate in the Kingdom - the inner realm of True Authority and Power - of God that is within you!
Denise
May 26, 2009
May 9, 2009
Happy Mothers Day!
I pray that you have a wonderful mothers day. I want to share one of my favorite songs with you "A Song of Consecration" by the late Ron Winans. I love this song. I tried uploading the video but I kept getting an error message. Open the link below.
Oh, now I see
it's you I need
and with your help
deny myself
I put my hands in yours
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awWtq8-7T_E
Oh, now I see
it's you I need
and with your help
deny myself
I put my hands in yours
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awWtq8-7T_E
May 6, 2009
Welcome!
I have finally gotten around to joining the world of blogging. I am truly beside myself! I literally just set this blog up minutes ago and have not yet decided in which direction to go, so stay tuned.
However, in the meantime, I can quickly catch you up on wants been going on in my life...where should I start? Well, I am now officially a Chicagoan. That's right, my husband and I relocated to Chi-town, and I am loving it! Yes, this winter was brutal! I sort of went into shock over the extremely, frigid, cold weather. Did I say frigid?
Overall, we are enjoying the city and can't wait to see what great things God has planned for us here. In addition to the move, I am now a full-time student. I am FINALLY finishing my undergrad and looking into graduate programs - Northwestern here I come. I graduate next Spring - Yoo Hoo! All I can say is that God is good!
Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check back for updates. Have a blessed day and be sure to walk in the Spirit!
However, in the meantime, I can quickly catch you up on wants been going on in my life...where should I start? Well, I am now officially a Chicagoan. That's right, my husband and I relocated to Chi-town, and I am loving it! Yes, this winter was brutal! I sort of went into shock over the extremely, frigid, cold weather. Did I say frigid?
Overall, we are enjoying the city and can't wait to see what great things God has planned for us here. In addition to the move, I am now a full-time student. I am FINALLY finishing my undergrad and looking into graduate programs - Northwestern here I come. I graduate next Spring - Yoo Hoo! All I can say is that God is good!
Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check back for updates. Have a blessed day and be sure to walk in the Spirit!
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