THAT POWER

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to take a moment to share something with you that I've been pondering since last last week.  Be Encouraged!

On last Tuesday, my mom had to speak at her church and she expounded on the topic purity and not just purity in a sexual context, though it included that, but it was also about purity of the heart and of the mind and everything that we do and operate in.  She spoke about how when we walk in this purity our life becomes a magnet for attracting the unsaved, attracting the right relationships and allows us to operate in the full power that's within us through the Holy Spirit.  You know, that Power that when we speak and declare a thing it shall be done. That power, that when you lay hands on the sick they shall recover.  That power to resist the temptations of this world, that POWER….

I don’t know about you but, for many years a part of my heart has really desired to see God’s miracles performed, instantly, in a setting where the power/faith of God is fully active in the lives of the saints that were gathered together.  It takes much dedication and effort on our part but it’s totally possible otherwise HE wouldn't have said it in Ephesians 3:20-21 – “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

So in our daily walk with Christ lets continue to grow in allowing our hearts, our minds, our actions, our thoughts, our everything be guided by the Holy Spirit, so that every word and every promise of God for our life is manifested.  When we do, there will be nothing left on the table because we will surely consume all that he has prepared for us. IT’S TIME TO FEAST.

Let’s Get IT!!!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Until next time be blessed and continue to be a blessing.

Samiyyah W.

L.I.S.T.E.N. UP!

 It's Who I Am and Perfecting to Represent read on....

Last Saturday, was the start or should I say the outwardly manifestation of what I know God is doing internally in me.  On that day I attended my church's leadership summit and it was an amazing time of fellowship, sharing, opening up, breaking barriers and great teaching.  I had the pleasure of sitting at a table with a group of amazing, beautiful and encouraging women who pushed me to share a part of me with them and the entire leadership, which now compels me to be that much more accountable to my personal and spiritual development.

What I shared that day was something birthed from an assignment that my friend and I set out to do regarding our finances. The assignment was to write down the core values of our life - the things that were most important to us- and once we had the final list those things would help us to govern how our finances are spent and would also help us make those challenging decisions life will always require us to make, at some point.

On June 1, 2013, I sat at my kitchen table determined to complete this assignment. I started by throwing words on a paper that represented who I am, what I like to do and what is important to me; Christ, Family, Finances, Travel, Invest in others, Serve others. On from there I tried to come up with an acronym that represented all of these words which would be a reminder for me to continue to be a representation of that in the earth.  A few minutes passed and I couldn't find the one word to bring it all together but then it hit me, the holy spirit stepped in the room - you  know the phrase the light bulb just went off well that's really what happens to the believer when HE shows up.  :) Okay, so HE shows up and I realized I forgot to add the word LISTEN to my list.  Why listen, well because it's something that I discovered, over the past few years, that I'd rather do than to always be the one heard - that's the introverted part of me.  It doesn't just require me to listen to your speech but to your actions.  In listening you come to know so much about a person outside of the words their actually speaking.   So listen is added to the sheet of paper in front of me and then the process of me breaking that word down began to flow freely.

As you read a part of me be blessed and encouraged to begin/continue to operate from the place of your God given core.

The Core of Who I AM and What I Do is to L.I.S.T.E.N:

to be Led by the word of God

to Invest and Impart in others; spiritually, financially and relationally

to Serve with the love of Christ

to Teach by letting my life, in Christ, be the example

to Encourage and Empower our Youth of today

to Never be afraid to venture into the unknown and explore the impossible

Inspired on June 1, 2013 6:33pm

Until next time be blessed and continue to be a blessing.

Samiyyah W.

A Successful Relationship = The Right Person & The Right Time

Hello Everyone,

Today's post comes from a young lady whom I've had the pleasure of spending a week with in Haiti, during our mission trip two weeks ago.  She recently shared a post during our weekly devotionals and it simply blew me away.  These were her thoughts, and might I add very powerful thoughts, that I simply couldn't pass up the opportunity to share it with you.  For me, these words really hit me at the core.  See, I can pin point when I'm emotionally unavailable for a "serious relationship" but, never in a million years would I have thought there was a possibility that I could be emotionally unavailable for ONE that unconditionally loves me!  WOW!  

With that being said, please read on to explore the thoughts and encouraging words pondered by my sister friend in Christ, Sabine S.  

-----

Hello Beautifulssss,

"Being in a successful relationship boils down to two things- the right person and the right time. 

For the person to seem right in your eye would mean that there is attraction and the law of attraction means that like attracts like. So for example, I get along with you because I like something about you, I like something that you do, or that you emulate.  So technically, if we have God, we have found the right person and any time is always a good time to meet God and we like what He stands for, so then why does it sometimes feel like our relationship with Him is not successful or may not appear that we even have one? Are we not the right person? Are we not right for each other? Evidence shows that He thinks we are the right person because He wants to be with us, called us by name and knows if, when and where a strand of hair is missing.  So what’s the problem?

I have also learned that sometimes you can find the right person at the right time but you; you are in the wrong time because you are emotionally unavailable. Could it be that our relationship with God doesn’t look or feel successful because we are emotionally unavailable? Being emotionally unavailable means you will attract who or what is also unavailable. Like attracts like after all. Who are we attracting instead then?  Hmm? It's definitely not God when we are not worshipping. It can’t be God when we are not forgiving. It can’t be God when we are not caring, loving, helping...etc. So if you want a relationship with God, you can’t be emotionally unavailable, you can’t stop worshipping, praising or stop wanting to be in His presence. I mean, would you want to date someone who’s not giving you the time of day? Doesn’t even send you a simple hello text or call?  Only squeezes you in when his schedule is convenient to do so? Doesn’t that put you at the bottom of his priority list? God is available 24/7. I’m just saying. The person who cares always wants to see you, wants to hear your voice, your thoughts, how your day went…God wants a hello.

So this supposedly right person can come into your life and say I will never leave or hurt you and then he does just the opposite.  Then you begin to feel betrayed and you’re on your caution move for possible future relationships, if you even care to be in one.  However, with God, you don’t have to think about will the next god do the same because there is no other like HIM, no guy, no god, none!! There will be no other after Him. Do you understand that? That is solid guarantee and He Himself has promised to never leave nor forsake you. You don't have to read His mind or figure it out, He tells you straight up-I WANT YOU AND HAVE DIED FOR YOU. I want who I want, if only he or she would want me back in return…You have to feel wanted in order for the relationship to be successful. God wants you!

So when you have someone and you’re confident that he will not leave, you tackle your relationship issues or drama without thinking aw man, we’re breaking up. Instead, you look at everything like it’s just a phase, a moment of trials because in the end you know that the love you have for each other runs deep and there's no storm that can sink the ship that you have built.  So perhaps, if we first allow that same attitude/conviction to be present in our relationship with God, our self-esteem would sky rocket and we then begin to brag about having a Man that aims to please, provide, take care, handle and meet all of our needs and then some. God wants to be bragged about by you.

So let us seek ways to bring more success in our relationship with God and put a smile on His face. After all, what’s a successful relationship when you can’t bring the best out of each other?  God wants a worship smile.

Love ya,

Dazz

-----

Until next time be blessed,

Samiyyah W.

Are You Positioned to Receive What You Ask of HIM?

This morning, as I sat in my room, I heard my mom repeatedly asked (just three times) to borrow one of my scarves.  The final time she asked I got up put the scarf over the rail, ready to drop it down to her, and I called out here you go.  Her response was "ok I’m coming" and I replied you kept asking for the scarf but you’re not even there to catch it -of course I said it in a nice way.  It was at that very moment “the light bulb” came on.  We as people tend to ask God for a lot of “stuff”.  Some of the stuff we haven’t even positioned ourselves to receive it.  Let’s take these few scenarios as an example:

God give me a house - but then we haven’t positioned ourselves financially to sustain the house and still be able to LIVE comfortably.

God give me a husband – but we haven’t come close to mastering how to take care and nurture with HIS love, the relationships that God has placed in our lives.

God give me a job where I earn more money – but we haven’t mastered how to properly allocate and live off of our current resources.

Now I’m not saying don’t ask God for “stuff”, because I do believe in HIS favor and I do know that regardless of any situation HE is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all.  However, I am saying that in our asking for the stuff; let us not forget to ask God to show us how to prepare ourselves to receive our answered prayers. 

I heard a quote earlier this year from one of my financial mentors, Dave Ramsey, and it has really stuck with me and I just want to share with you to encourage you that when you think your prayers haven’t been answered ponder this “Gods not going to curse you by giving you something that you don't have the character to handle". Then turn around and ask for God’s wisdom and how you can do your part to position yourself to receive.  I’m reminded of two scriptures, the first is  Joshua 1:8 (NLT) Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.   The second is Matthew 6:15 (MSG) If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part.

Until next time, peace and blessings always!

Samiyyah W.

That PLACE....I've been there

I've been at that place where I devalued myself, because of the "love" I had for another, seemed to be greater than anything else.

I've been to that place where all I wanted was that "someone" to LOVE me as much as I loved them.

I've been at that place where I did things; drink, have sex before marriage, etc, just to make up for the emptiness that came with; low self-esteem, not feeling valued, not....

I've been at that place of isolation and in near site was the ABSENT voice of close friends to bring about encouragement.

I've been at that place when I've felt it would be much easier to end it all then to deal with the season of pain.

I've been at that place when I felt, "I JUST DIDN'T FIT".

I've been at that place when I felt, I'm ONLY wanted because of what I could do or give to another. A place where my own safety and well-being took the back seat to appease another.

I've been at that place when all that I wanted was to have a great relationship with my dad; to even feel the loving embrace of my sisters arms was an unfamiliar place.

That place that made me question, at times, is God even there.

I'VE-BEEN-THERE and now I look back and I thank God that he placed in me that fight to never give up.

See, had I given up I would've never discovered this place called Value. The place where I appreciate the awkwardness, the beauty, the uniqueness, the strength, the determination and the fearlessness of WHO I AM.

Had I given up, I would've never learned what it means to endure the storm until the sun shines again or how to ride the waves until HE speaks to the raging waters, peace be still. I was frequently reminded of a Psalm (30:5), weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.

Had I given up, I wouldn't have discovered the transformation of the things, after, that were present before the storm.

Most importantly, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to discover this amazing spirit of unfailing love, peace, patience, joy and victory. That spirit that was always ready to full me up, so that every empty area in me exists no more. Oh how I'm so ever grateful to my Lord for HIS forever renewing mercies and unfailing grace.

In no way is everything perfect in my life, but I've learned and continue to learn how to "SURF"- riding the waves until the end.

Having discovered that my life isn't only valuable to me, but to HIS Kingdom.  There's PLENTY of work to be done, so please be encouraged and know that your DESTINY is WORTH the FIGHT.

Soar like an Eagle,

S.A.W

Working Out Your Own Soul Salvation

I haven't posted in years lol I must get back to it, starting today.

So just recently, I was listening to one of Joyce Myers podcast and she mentioned how if we avoide dealing with our soul, the root of our emotions the place where our pain lives, our hurt, etc; the words that we speak may cause pain rather than encourage one who hears.

When she said that I just kept meditating on it. I pictured like a pyramid and since I love food, I pictured the process of marinating a piece of chicken (as if I'm a cooker lol) You fill a bowl with your special sauce, then you put the pieces of chicken in the bowl to marinate. for a few hours or a day. Then you begin the process of cooking the chicken. The longer you let the chicken marinate the more flavorful it will be when its all done. The savory juicy taste of that chicken is satifiying to the soul and we would say it "HITS THE SPOT" :)

So it is! You invite Christ into your life and the moment you do you are filled with HIS spirit. U soak up on the word of God and when you allow that word to cook in your life, your soul becomes free, free of pain, free of heartache, free of whatever is not suppose to be there and full of what is.... So now when you speak you speak from a place of healing, a place of joy and a place of peace and so now U become that person that's ready to encourage the next.

This my friend was a revelation, for me today of HIS word "...working out your own salvation...". Philippians 2:12

YOU gotta work it out, and remember not to forget HIM as the helper.
.
Working it out....

God Bless and continue to be a blessing...


-S
-------------------------------------
"LIFE IS TO BE LIVED ABUNDANTLY ALWAYS"

Sent via my BlackBerry Device

Loving You

For many this may seem to come easy, for many this is done through a journey of repeated heartaches, being abandoned, low self esteem, etc.

No matter what scenerio you find yourself in, what road you journey along You owe it to yourself to experience what it's like to love You, to embrace You, to celebrate You even if no one else does.

What perfect way to come to understand what Love is and what Love looks like other than looking at the one who is Agape Love, the one who first Loved us before even the foundations of this world, the one who loves us despite our hangups and mishaps, the one who is always ready to shower us with his presence. The one who understands when no one else understands. He is OH so awesome and OH so amazing.

For me I don't think this came for me until after my college years. Wow!, how many years I wasted, yet, I must say each moment played a significant role in who I am today. Would I change somethings, most definitely. Nontheless, I am owe so grateful for the grace and mercies of God and his promise that "All things work together for the good of them that Love the Lord and are called according to his purpose"


So if you haven't yet discovered what its like to love yourself, always remember you owe it to yourself to come and finally experience the Love that God has so freely shown you. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotton son .for you to live and have everlasting life, if only you would believe and call upon his name, Jesus."

Let's make 2009 be our year of walking along that PATH of truly loving ourselves, first.

May your day be blessed and may continue to desire to be a blessing!

S.A.W.
-------------------------------------
"LIFE IS TO BE LIVED ABUNDANTLY ALWAYS"

Sent via my BlackBerry Device

In the abundance of Joy & Gratitude

9/5/08
I don't know where to start. I am having the time of my life and I am so grateful to God for allowing me to experience such pleasure in life. God is oo so faithful; don't sleep on HIM trust Him because he is sure to give u the desires of your heart, if u first commit your ways unto Him. (Psalms 37: 4-5).

I am in LOVE with Jesus all over again. Not because HE gives me but because of who HE is and what is given when He steps on the seen. Its an abundance of peace , joy, Love, victory, gentleness and so much more.

He's there when no one else is there.

He hears the silent prayers of your heart.

He knows what to do when to do it and how to say it so that u know He's speaking.

He gives us peace that surpasses all understanding.

He is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end.

The joy of Him is my strength when I'm weak.

He is all that and more and I am so privileged to be chosen to show forth his greatness in the earth.

I pray that you are blessed and overtaken in awe of Him as you come to discover the one and only true and living God. You life will never be the same again.

S.A.W.
-------------------------------------
"LIFE IS TO BE LIVED ABUNDANTLY ALWAYS"

Sent via my BlackBerry Device

Mood: Excited About The Abundance of Joy God Brings

God has truly been good to me. Just being able to bathe in his presence over these past few weeks, more than ever before has been such an amazing experience. Its like carrying 100 lbs on ur back, you know its there but now the weight is as light as a feather. It like everything around you is going haywire but yet ur tangled in this web of peace and can't seem to get out nor can u seem to undertsand it all. I can go on but words really can't describe all that HE is nor can it describe just how much HE loves you and me.

With this joy I feel comes with this motivation to want to do all I can to live an abundant life, always. Dream more, give more, desire more, serve more, embrace more, encourage more, laugh more, celebrate more, relate more, appreciate more, travel more, smile a little more; oh my there's just so much more.

Hey don't miss out on the Abundance of Life that money simply can not buy but has been freely given to us through Jesus Christ.

"...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10

I pray that today be the day that you experience HIM in a way that you never have before and may ur life for ever be changed and lived in the abundance. It's in Jesus name that I pray. Amen

Until next time be blessed and continue to be a blessing.

S.A.W.
-------------------------------------
"LIFE IS TO BE LIVED ABUNDANTLY ALWAYS"

Sent via my BlackBerry Device

PAYING IT FORWARD – AT THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME

July 22, 2008

 

Wow, being at the right place at the right time. Ok so this is a short story yet an important one.  Sometime, last week while at work I was going through some mail which tends to be loads of junk mail and mail for workers that no longer work with company, have passed away, etc.  So it was this one particular day when I saw some mail addressed to the son of the prior owner and I had that feeling that I should open it.  (Def. the voice of the Holy Spirit and you will how, just continue reading). So I did and the information had to do with some unclaimed money that the father left for his grandson. Instead of ignoring it, I went on to ask my boss to try to locate the address where we can send the information.  So we did and it was forwarded on to the person who would then forward it on to right person.

 

Ok so let me tell you how being at the right place and at the right time and being obedient to the voice of God can be a blessing for someone else, because its not always about you (me).  So the person that the mail was for, he actually still owns the building and so he stopped by today and he goes to me "were you the one that sent me the mail" and I said "yes" and he went on to say thank you.

 

Later on he goes on to say, ok I have to tell you this story "so just last week I had to send out a few thousand dollars for my son's school and I said geesh that sure was a large chunk of money that he had to take from his own pockets. And a few days later I received in the mail the information that you sent me regarding unclaimed money and I felt that it was like my FATHER saying its ok I'll take care of it, don't worry about it."  I said "look at that God is good".  Now wait so you know how when we sow it come back to us some 30, some 60 some 100 fold ( Mark 4:3, 8) well the money that was unclaimed was enough to cover the amount for his son's school plus a little extra left over. 

 

Now you can't tell me that God ain't that's right ain't good.  He is amazing, faithful, loving, generous and so much more. Not to forget he is always Always Always on time.

 

So I share this story not to toot my own horn but to show that, really if we are not on point with hearing the voice of God and being obedient to following the Will of God not only are we missing out for ourselves, but someone else is missing out on receiving their blessing as well.  Let's always remember, it's not about self but about God's will, God's love, promises and greatness being lived out in our lives daily.

 

Stay focused, stay encouraged and as my First Lady said, "Pay It Forward"

 

God Bless and Continue to be a blessing,

S.A.W.

Very Briefly...Holding On Not To What It Looks Like...

Late Sunday evening I was in my little moment where I was thinking and I found myself in the moment where I wanted to just talk it out. So, briefle I mentioned to my mom "if God promised he was going to do something right, then that's it, its going to happen. But what if it completely does not look like it, I mean even if there was a little sign of something perhaps it would ease the waiting".


Before I go on to give u the brief words that she mentioned to me, can I just tell you that I already knew exactly what she was going to say simply because when I was talking it out I felt that the holy spirit was ministering to me by reminding me of the scriptures. Sometimes you just have to talk it out...it really does help.


So what did mom say, well she went on to say "yes I have had that experience and still to this day and so what do you do in the mist of waiting and not seeing anything, you keep on holding on to the promise for faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (hebrew 11:1) You just have to trust that in the mist of your waiting God is working on your character so just be patient and continue to hold on".


Of course I was a bit more encouraged. I just think that I am the type of person that you can say here this is A B C D be creative with it I tend to get a little anxious as to what's next. So I haven't mastered it yet, but I'm still learning that its a learning process and that its ok to seat at the table with a pen and a blank piece of paper and you have nothing to write but rather you wait patiently for the Father to reveal what it is that he will have you to do at that moment. Because in the end, his plans are always better, more detailed and elaborate of our own.


So let us not be anxious for anything but in all things make our request known to God through prayer.

Have a blessed one and continue to be a blessings!!!

S.A.W.
-------------------------------------
Sent via my BlackBerry Device

WHAT IS YOUR COMPANY SAYING?

6/18/08

So important...

Ok so as I am up getting ready this morning my little sister was singing one of the songs that the kids from her school will be performing for a play this month. The song was from the show Annie and it goes like this "its a hard knock life for us its a hard knock life for us instead of treated we get tricked instead of kisses we get kicked" or something like that.

So a few minutes went by and I'm still getting dressed and out of no where I started singing that same song and my sister said "oooo no why are you singing that song" and my initial response that I gave her was "because you put it in my head". And readers that's how this blog entry came about.

Let's take this same situation and dig a little deeper. This is a perfect example of how we need to monitor what others are saying and make sure that we are not allowing them to plant negative seeds into our spirit, because next thing you know without even realizing it their negative words can become our words. The word says let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the end of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)

This happened to me before and I believed I shared it in a blog or two ago. Where one day I was coming home for prayer and I just begin feeling a little discouraged and I started saying to myself and questioning, God when is this going to happen, if u said it then when, I mean I am doing this and doing that when, when, when? And I had to catch myself because those were not my words, that was never how I approached my feelings to God in the past and it wasn't how I was going to start. (Not that I don't ever wonder when something is going to happen but I always try looking at what it is that I am not doing before I send up the questions; and many time when we look at ourselves and our stewarship, sometimes we can get the answer without even needing to question what timeclock God is on). Ok so back to my point, after doing inventory on what converations I allowed my ears to attend to, it clicked and I realized that the thoughts and words I was having with myself. At that moment were just about the same words I was having with an associate a few days prior.

So I end on this, let us stand guard and be aware and be ready to cancel every assignment of the negative words that are put before us.

Let's Pray:
Father we thank you for this day, for our health, our life, our strength and our ability to hear clearly with our ear gates. We ask for your divine assistance in helping us to be quick to hear and slow to speak, to help us to be fully conscious of the words we choose even before they proceed out of our mouth. We cancel the assignment of every negative word that is spoken in our atmosphere and we thank you now for not allowing it to take root in the life of the person it was spoken towards. It's in Jesus name that we pray. Amen

Be blessed and continue to be a blessing.

S.A.W.

-------------------------------------

Sent via my BlackBerry Device

Listening to that Still Small Voice

We must make a daily effort to tune our ears into what the holy spirit is trying to tell us. It all started mid afternoon on Saturday 3/15 when I made a stop at the oldnavy store to pick up a gift for a friend's birthday. When I was at the counter paying for my purchase I took out my wallet layed it on the counter and moved to the other side of the cash register. (I have no idea why I did that, if my mom was with me she probably would have yelled at me as she is always telling me stop leaving ur bag unattended). So when I was finished paying for my items, I grabbed my bags and my purse, not realizing that I left my wallet on the counter.

I tend not to carry money on me unless its kept in the car for tolls. (Another habit my mom gets on me about). When I got in the car I started driving to my destination, Paterson, I was trying to find a quick way there without paying the toll which would've made me stop at the ATM.

Now before finding out that I could take the parkway and pay only .70 cents I was thinking to reach for my wallet and double check to see if I had any money in there, in which I could use to jump on the turnpike instead (which was closer), and if I didn't I was thinking to stop at the ATM. But I didn't act on those instincts, instead I found some change in my cup holder and it was enough for me to jump on the Parkway and that's what I did. On my way home, I had another urge to look in my purse to see if I could find some change to jump back on the parkway to get home, but again I didn't, and I ended up taking another way home.

On that Sunday, my family and I went out to grab something to eat after church and when it was time to pay I realized I could not find my wallet. It was at that moment that I recalled all the times the Holy Spirit was trying to get me to look into my bag for my wallet and I just ignored Him.

So I realized where I lost my wallet and called the Oldnavy store and they were able to locate my wallet, thank God.

But I share this story with you to encourage you don't every become so busy and consumed with the decisions you want to make, that you are deliberately silencing the little still voice trying to lead you, trying to warn you, trying to get your Attention!

Gods word says my sheep know my voice... (St. John 10:3)

So I pray Lord, let us not be so consumed that we can not stop and think about what it is your trying to get us to see. Help us to be more sensative to your voice, understanding, guidence and wisdom. For we love you and want nothing more but for you to be pleased with how we are living our lives. So we thank you for hearing our prayers and helping us to be more like you. We give your name the praise and honor. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Be Blessed

-------------------------------------
Sent via my BlackBerry Device

IT'S A NEW YEAR & A NEW BEGINNING

Well hello my readers! I made it, though a little late but I definitely wanted to make an entry before the month of January was over. While I have your eyes and your ears, I pray that this year yields all of the delicious looking, sweet tasting, perfect in shape and flawless in presentation, the crops that you have planted over the pass 7 years for the Glory of God. Seven is the number of completion and 8 is the number of new beginnings. A New Year free of any hurts, doubts, addictions, lack of motivation, uncertainties, up and down happiness, worry, fears, financial burdens and any other strong holds we may have over our lives and the lives of our family members. The word that God gave the prophetess at our church (http://www.alfwc.org/), for the body of Christ was to "Speak The Word". In essence what this means is that when you pray give God his word, he is not obligated to do what we ask him to do but he is obligated to fulfill His Will which is all that His word says. Just as it is when we are cold in the middle of the night we wake up and reach for the blanket to cover us and make us warm; we need to do the same thing in the spiritual sense but instead of reaching for a blanket we need to reach for the word of God and speak the word of God so that we can cover our prayer request and then rest and be assured in knowing that God is warming everything up and when it gets too hot he will pull back the covers and make manifested the prayers that you made known unto him. Glory-to-God...

So if you have feelings of impossibilities Speak The Word "All things are possible..." Luke 18:27, Mark 9:23

Feeling of tiredness Speak The Word "I will give you rest..." Mthw 11:28-30

Feelings of doubt, depression, giving up Speak The Word "My grace is sufficient..." 2 Corinthians 12:9 & Psalms 31:15

Feelings of fear Speak The Word "I have not given you the spirit of fear..." 2 Timothy 1:7

Feelings of worry and frustration Speak The Word "Cast all your cares upon Him" 1 Peter 5:7

Feelings of not having enough Speak The Word "My God will supply all my needs.." Philip. 4:19

These are just a few, but remember no matter what we are going through we must dive into the word of God because it has already addressed every concern, every feeling and every thought that we will ever be face.

I love you with the love of the Lord. I really do! And I continue to pray that God keeps us in his perfect peace, understanding His word having Godly wisdom and discernment of all truth.

Be Blessed and may you have a Prosperous New Year.

S.A.W.

A Special Message

On my birthday I received quite a few cards. All of them were very beautiful and very thoughtful howecer, there was this one card that my GM gave me that specifically spoke to the next level of how I am making a MUCH MORE CONSCIENCE EFFORT EVERYDAY to live my life in 2008 and on. (Had this been a few years ago, I probably would have said what a coincidence. But because I am a believer I know that with God there are no coincidences).
Remember that I told you on my B-day God allowed me to experience living life in true liberty and now HE allowed GM to send me a card that confirmed this next level that HE wants me to experience. I am so humbly amazed that God never forgets the little details.

Ok, so I just wanted to take the time to share the 8 steps of Life's Legacies written on the card by Hallmark. (You did know that 8 is the number of new beginnings, right?). :)

Live Deep: Never stop learning, playing, or finding wonder in the world around you. Live the length of your life, but live the depth of it as well.

Travel Light: There is no use in carrying around worry or regret. They only weigh you down. Always keep yourself open to hope and to love. They give us wings.

Forgive imperfection: In yourself and others. Imperfections keep things interesting. They're cracks where the light shines through.

Own beautiful things: And not just keep them in the drawer, tucked away for a perfect day. Surround yourself with things that make you happy, that remind you of the beauty all around us if we keep our eyes open to it.

Make Mistakes: Follow detours. Sometimes it takes an unexpected turn to help us find life that is waiting for us around the bend. Trust yourself and the path that is
meant for you.

Take care of yorself: And sometimes that means you need icecream. Be good to your body, but also to your mind and spirit. You"re the only one who can.

(#8) And always know that you are loved, you are a gift to the world and a blessing to me. And that will never change.

(C) Hallmark...

May you take these steps and incorporate them into your journey of Life Legacies.

Be Blessed and Be a Blessing to someone else.

With Much Love,

S.A.W.


-------------------------------------
Sent via my BlackBerry Device

Living In Liberty...

12/09-Today was my B-day and this week has been an awesome week. From training and a mini vacation in LA to a fun filled b-day weekend. It was good seeing old friends from school, a joyful time of fellowship with current and new friends and on today dinner with my family made my birthday extra special.

Through this whole experience, I have learned that no matter what is thrown ur way try to enjoy life as much as you can. Just like my Bishop said today it's nothing like the peace that you experience from yourself. This is so true, because majority of the time its us stressing ourself out about what's next, the bills, the negative thoughts, reruns of negative situations we play over in our heads and much much more.

I believe God revealed to me today what its like to truly live in liberty and peace. So from this day forth I am striving a little harder to live a life of Liberty and Peace.

So I say to you sing like no ones listening, dance like no one's looking, worship like no one's watching, give unexpectedly, love unconditionally, serve as if u were serving the Lord face to face, forgive as if it was ur last day on earth and be a witness for Jesus as if it was ur fulltime job.

His word says that He came so that we may have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). So before the new year begins, let's get in the habit of learning to be comfortable in our liberty and peace...

God Bless,
S.A.W.


-------------------------------------
Sent via my BlackBerry Device

BE EASY... If it's meant to be it will be...

Ok today after work I was rushing to get to the hair shop before 5pm because they closed at 5:30. Remind you, I left work at 5 and the time this situation happened it was about 5:15pm. So I was about a block away from the hair shop when I saw a parking spot and I decided to pull in the parking space but then thought I don't think I could park here. So I put on my left blinker to indicated I was pulling out and you how when your at a red light and you see someone pulling out or trying to pull out ur first initial thought should be to let them go infront? Ok so this was the case with me, when I was pulling out instead of the guy stopping to let me in, he blocked me in and then turned around trying to look through the window to see if he could see something; you know how they do. So I looked at him then while turning my head away from him (lol I didn't want any beef) I said in a semi nice way, "Don' t look over here you didn't want to let me go, you should've e just let me in". You know how we talk to ourselves in the car. :). I guess he saw me moving my lips lol, or it probably was a test of character, he pulled his car back so that I could get in front of him.

Can I tell you that when he did that I was so grateful I put on a big smile looked over at him and said thank you and as I pulled up closer to the hair salon there was park right in front of the door waiting for me.

Ok so what's the moral of this story, BE EASY! Don't get impatient, don't get frustrated, don't become annoyed and most importantly don't get nasty, for its all not worth worth. For every opportunity brings the chance for you to demonstrate your dedication to becoming more and more like Christ.

We are in this together, so let's continue to pray for each other that we will never fail another test again.

PS# did I mention that I was still able to get my hair done. :)

S.A.W.


-------------------------------------
Sent via my BlackBerry Device

Never Miss The Opportunity to be a Blessing to Someone.

Readers you are getting a double portion of me today.

Well on my way back home and I am on a train back into Manhattan, there was a man sitting next to me who got off the train before I did. When he got off, I saw something drop in front of my foot and I didn't look down immediately because I wasn't sure if it was actually something that dropped. So about 3 seconds later I looked down at my feet and I saw that the man that just exited the train dropped his hat. I picked it up and my intentions were to try and go after him but when I got up from my seat other people were getting on the train and I didn't think that I would have time to catch the guy. So with out really actually trying to catch the person who dropped their hat, I just sat back down.

Can I be honest and tell you that I was just a little bit disappointed with myself. I realized that because I thought that it would be a bit of a hassel to push my way through the crowd to get the man his hat, that man would have to walk out in the cold with no hat on hiis head. I thought wow such a simple test of character check and I failed because my feelings dictated to me the wrong thing. So now that I have asked the Lord to forgive me for not fullfilling the assignment that he gave me at that particular moment to fullfill; I pray that I never miss the opportunity to be a blessing to someone else another day in my life.

Being a blessing to someone dosnt always come in the form of these words: money or buy. But it also comes in the following words, which also to me meant a lot more: servanthood, time, words of wisdom, encouragment, kindness and thoughtfulness, just to name a few. So as you read this think how you can seize the opportunity to be a blessing to someone and may it be a blessing to you.

God Bless.

S.A.W.


-------------------------------------

Sent via my BlackBerry Device

There Is Constant Communication In A Relationship!

As I was on the train today there was a couple that entered the train at the Pavonia Newport stop; they were married with two children. When we arrived at one of the stops the children started to become tired of standing. A lady that was sitting in a seat exited the train leaving one seat available. Another lady who was already sitting alerted the woman, with the two children, that there was a seat available. The mom said thank you and sent one of her children to occupy the seat. The other child got a little upset and started to cry a little, desiring to sit as well. When the woman that alerted the mom saw how sad the child was, she attempted to give up her seat for the child but the mom said "no no that's ok, he will be ok, u sit". So later down the journey the same child, that wanted to sit so badly, nealed on the floor and that's when a man gave up his seat allowing the child to occupy it. Again the mom said no no, its ok but he insisted. A little later a women got up from her seat, because she was getting off on the next stop, and she told the woman with the children that she could sit but again, she said "No u sit I'm ok" and the lady mentioned to her that she was getting on on the next stop. Finally the mother took a seat without feeling as if she was imposing on anyone. (The mom really did appear to be a nice person).

Ok so u wonder what was that story about. Well I have discovered that when we have a relationship with Christ he is constantly in communication with us. Whether it be talking directly to us, or using situations to get our attention. I have learned that no matter what I do in my everyday schedule when it comes to the end of the day I should be able to reflect on something that God wanted to show me, tell me or come to understand on that day.

Sort of like when you send to child to school in the AM and he/she comes back home in the afternoon we tend to ask them "how was their day, what did they learn." Just as we may ask the children and wait for an answer, we must be ready to report to our Lord at the end of the day what it was that we have experienced through him on that day.

What I learned this morning?
Just from this train ride in this morning I took away what I believe God wanted me to discover and that is that this is the season of increase for us and those around us. The season of undeniable and obvious favor. We must humble ourselves and receive all that God wants to give us in this season. If we automatically look for the big blessings, we will miss the "smaller" blessings which will help us to notice "bigger" blessings.

So take a seat on the train sit back and enjoy the ride and be exceedly thankful and glad about which ever way God wants to show forth his favor in your life.

I love you with the Love of Christ. (I really do). :) and I pray that that God allows this message to be a blessing to you just as much as it was for me. Be Blessed and have awesome weekend.

S.A.W.


-------------------------------------

Sent via my BlackBerry Device

A TIME OF THANKS

In our everyday life there should be a constant prayer to the Lord thanking HIM for who HE is, what HE has done and what is about to take place for the glory of the Lord.

However, because of the demands that life places on our daily schedules, sometimes we fall victim to becoming so busy that we forgot to stop and give thanks to the Lord simply for the air we breathe, the steps we take, our families, friends, our jobs(although it keeps us busy), the words we speak, etc. So on this day, Thanksgiving Day, let's carve some time out and personally write a thank you list to God. Literally, take about 10-15 minutes out of your day and think of all the things that HE has done for you up until this hour. Once you are done read it out loud to yourself and watch how it gives you such a greater feeling of appreciation for life and the Creator who created it.

On this day, I pray that you find yourself bathing in the abundance of joy, peace, patiece, love and gratefulness.

Happy Thanksgiving.
S.A.W.


-------------------------------------
Sent via my BlackBerry Device