Deuteronomy 28:1-14 King James Version (KJV)

28 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that theLord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.

3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.

4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.

6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

7 The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.

8 The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

9 The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways.

10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee.

11 And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

12 The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.

13 And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:

14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

Oh How He Loves Us!

Take A Moment To Just Sing Out This Song And Celebrate How Much God Loves You!

If you need to sing along, click on the link below:

He is jealous for me
Loves like a hurricane I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy
When all of a sudden
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
And I realize just how beautiful You are
And how great Your affections are for me

And oh how He loves us so
Oh how He loves us
How He loves us so

Oh, oh, oh, oh
He is jealous for me
Loves like a hurricane I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy
When all of a sudden
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
And I realize just how beautiful You are
And how great Your affections are for me

And oh how He loves us so
Oh how He loves us
How He loves us so

Oh, oh, oh, oh

He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves

We are His portion and He is our prize
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
If grace is an ocean we’re all sinking
So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest
No I don’t have time to maintain these regrets
When I think about the way

He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves

Yeah He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves

He loves us
With all His heart
He loves us
Gave His own

He loves us

The Perfect Gift For The Holidays. Get "YOUR" copy TODAY!

Are you having a hard time trying to find the perfect gift for that special someone? Maybe you are apart of a secret gift giving moment at your job and you really don't know what to get that person!

Well let me help you out with your holiday buying slump!

   Why not give that person, or yourself, a good book to read over the holidays! In fact, I have just the book for you. It is one of my very own and it is entitled, " Poetic Love (from the heart of a man)"

    Poetic Love is a collection of thoughts, poems and essays coming from the trials and triumphs of a man that is seeking after God’s heart. It is a book that has been uniquely and strategically created to motivate your heart, captivate your mind, and encourage your spirit.

 So what are you waiting for? Copy and paste, or just click on, the link below and put an end to all of your holiday shopping anxieties!

http://bookstore.xlibris.com/Products/SKU-0108456050/Poetic-Love.aspx

December 11, 2013 Daily Encouragement

"Never Allow Someone Else To Find More Value Than You Do In The Thing That God Gave You To Steward." -Stancil M. Brown

September 6, 2013 "Quote of the Day"

never dumb yourself down just to be with someone. True love excepts you for how God created you.-Stancil Brown

Sex and the Bible

I do not usually post on Sundays however, I found this information both interesting and valuable and wanted to share.

Sex and the Bible
(This including soul-ties and co-dependency)

In order to be "one" with God, "one" with yourself, and "one" with your spouse, we need to get rid of all the other wrong connections to our soul and spirit. Inordinate Affection: (soul-ties) Col: 3:5; Lists "inordinate affection" among many other sins such as fornication and idolatry and lying. Inordinate Affection is also known as "soul-ties". Means that emotionally (sexually) or physically, we are allowing others to have control over us. It means we are tied to the other person's wrong behavior, activities and other relationships. Soul-mates and soul-ties are different - one is Godly and one is not. Many of us have soul-ties that we are not even aware of, and that brings us to the issue of Sex and the Bible, Fornication and Adultery. The word fornication comes from a Latin word meaning "to visit a brothel." This is the word the King James Version translators used to translate the New Testament Greek word porneia. Porneia is used throughout the New Testament and refers to any type of heterosexual intercourse, which takes place outside the marriage. Promiscuity is the modern word for casual sex among many partners. We all know fornication is sinful, but learning why may help us understand why it's talked about in I Corinthians 6:13, 15-20. If you have had sex/intimacy with one person all your life, then you are only exposed to that one person. If the other person had more than one partner, then you are not only exposed to them, but all their partners as well. See chart below:

# of Partners	Total Exposed to
1	1
2	3
3	7
4	15
5	31
6	63
7	127

No wonder we cannot have intimate relations with the one we are with, there are "too many involved" in that "one" relationship, because in fact, it's not only one. To be healed in this area, confession of all relationships is to be recognized. Receive forgiveness, and break all soul-ties to each and every individual involved. Pray for healing and restoration from God into your lives to restore you to yourself. Forgive those who have caused pain during these relationships, and receive forgiveness for hurting others. We can have inordinate affection (soul-ties) without having sex, especially with the same sex which is called "Situational Homosexuality." It looks like this: 2 friends can create an unclean relationship. Jealousy and envy of seeing them have friends, not including you. Unnatural bonds goes from friendship to control. These HAVE to be severed. How the Body reacts: Our bodies were designed to become "one flesh" with a mate - one mate. It is very literal too if you take a look at how a sperm and egg become "one" flesh in the womb. The relationship with a man helps boost the women's immune system. His sweat even helps to regulate her menstrual cycles (Clinically proven) If a woman exposes herself to another's sperm, while she is with child, it can have an adverse reaction on the fetus, depleting that child's immune system from birth. When we become "one" with our mate - we mingle our bloodstreams. Since "life is in the blood" Leviticus 17:11, this is where the enemy wants to come and mess with that blood stream. Kissing on the mouth also transfers viruses from one body to another, be it a common virus or sexual virus such as herpes, mono, etc. You are exchanging blood cells, viruses, bacteria and perhaps unknown infectious agents yet to be discovered. We receive our blood streams from our parents. If they were disobedient and living wrongly, we will inherit everything they took into their own lives. We can receive a virus that will affect all the generations after "Flee fornication, every sin that a man doeth is without the body, but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body" (I Corin. 6:18) This type of living also affects our minds. It causes alienation in our thoughts - with others, ourself and God. (Ezek 23:17) Read all of Ezekiel, it talks of two women having inordinate affection. "Know ye not that ye are God's temple, and the Spirit of God dwells within you? If anyone corrupts the temple of God, God shall bring corruption to him; for the temple of God is holy, which ye are". (I Cor. 3:16-17) If we do not heed this scripture as it relates to sexual issues, we will receive corruption. Our health will deteriorate! Simple as that. How to Be Restored By recognizing the truth of your own situation, regardless of how hard it is to see, you have made a step in the right direction. Do not go into guilt or condemnation, but go to God for healing and restoration. Pray something like this: Father, I recognize and take full responsibility for the choices I made in my life with regard to sex. I have had more than one partner, and I take this to you in the Name of Jesus for healing and restoration. (Talk to God about this, tell Him of those you were with, etc.) I break all soul-ties, wrong affections toward them, and ask for you to heal my life and their life. I ask you to heal my body and cleanse any defilement that I brought upon myself. I ask you to restore my spouse, that no defilement from me is placed upon him/her. I pray for cleansing and purifying of our hearts and lives from our bad choices, and ignorance in this matter. I pray for healing of any viruses or transmitted diseases to one another. I forgive those whom transferred diseases tome knowingly or in their ignorance. I forgive myself for doing the same with others. (Talk to God and be specific). I ask you to reveal any relationships that are inordinate, any soul-ties and co-dependencies that I have so I can be free from them. I ask you to reveal too me if I'm someone who others need freedom from as well because I'm causing that soul-tie to continue. I ask you to release me from them all right now, exposing each one so that I can be freed. I thank you for working this out in my life. Restoring my body, mind and heart in cleanness to you Lord. I cast off every unclean and defiled spirit in Jesus Name! Note: If you have had multiple partners, be sure to name each and everyone off to the Lord and receive forgiveness for each and every act with them. Pray for all soul-ties be broken and that God restore you to wholeness in Him.

August 7, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

Whatever You Don't Pray About Your Life You Leave up To Chance.

-Stormie Omartian

Today from Be In Health

Forgiveness allows God to work. Many times when someone hurts us or does something against us, we think that by not forgiving them, we are hurting them back. We believe that to forgive means that it makes what they did acceptable or okay. 

Unforgiveness is a trick, because it really hurts you. Bitterness is a poison, and will destroy your body, your relationships and wants to dictate your life. God says that "Vengeance is mine." (Romans 12:19) which means that He is your defender. The God of the Universe can handle a situation much better than we can, and He states over and over that He is a good protector of His children. (2 Samuel 22:3-4, Isaiah 54:17, Psalm 91:1-3) However, if you are holding a record of wrongs against someone, you're not giving God any room to take care of it. 

The Word says "Do not let the sun go down on your wrath." That means, don't go to bed upset. If you do, you're going to wake up with bitterness. 

Today, if you recognize where you have been holding bitterness against someone, ask God to help you forgive them before the day is over. Let's give God room to work on the situation and trust Him to take care of us!

Letter from a Mother to a Daughter:

(by Spring in the air)

 "My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most 

of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same 

thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute 

ago”... Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would 

read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep. When I don’t want to 

take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after 

you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl? 

When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time 

to learn and don’t look at me that way... remember, honey, I patiently taught you how 

to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and 

dealing with life’s issues every day... the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to 

please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If I 

occasionally lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and 

if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the 

most important thing for me is to be with you. And when my old, tired legs don’t let 

me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to 

you when you first walked. When those days come, don’t feel sad... just be with me, 

and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I’ll cherish and thank 

you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I've 

always had for you, I just want to say, I love you... my darling daughter. "

August 1, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

"If God called you to go there, He is able to take you there and bring you back safely." 

-Pastor Henry Wright

Today From Be In Health

Performance will lead you into a fabricated personality. It will tell you that you have to perform to someone's standards, other than God's, to be accepted and loved. 

God only wants you to be who you are. He created you with a specific and unique purpose and personality. You are accountable to God to be who He created you to be - He created you to fulfill something only you were created to do, and the world and the Body of Christ needs you to be that person too!

If you recognize where there may be an area of your life where you are being driven to perform, lets ask God if that Performance may have been feeding into a personality that isn't even you! We can live in the freedom of being who God created us to be!

July 30, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

"Being led by God is a learning experience, and sometimes not without its difficulty...So if you are saying you are going to go somewhere or do something based on the absence of difficulty or conflict, then you do not understand the battleground. There is a very real battleground that would try to keep you from going where you need to go."

-Pastor Henry Wright 

The Deception

The Deception

By: Dorian Brown

               It’s funny how easily Satan deceives us into believing that all the issues in a relationship are a result of one person...the other person. How easily he works his accusatory and bitter grips into the hearts of those involved. Blame enters, and all that is seen are the faults and flaws of others. How often we forget that each one of us carries sin, and just as blaring as the other person’s sin is to us, ours is to them. How tempting the desire to hold on to wrongs and frustrations. How great the temptation to give up…to quit…to say I wasn’t cut out for this and neither are you…goodbye. When self-pity tells us it would be better if they just appreciated us more, if they just listened to what we said and changed, this would all be better if she just…if he just…what? 

                The truth is they (whoever the other person is) will never live up to our expectations. They will never appreciate us the way we believe they should because it is often the nature of sin within us that keeps us consumed with our own world…how he should motivate me…how she should support me. Where is our source? I have been guilty of placing too many expectations on the ones around me to love me the way I think I should be loved. Whether it be my husband, friends, parents, or others I have fallen so readily into the trap that says that my deliverance and freedom, my ability to navigate the waters of life successfully are dependent upon them. I fall so readily into the trap of idolatry I hardly even notice that I am there. 

               So, what’s the solution? What’s they key to my freedom? I believe it’s just one word…remember. Remember the One who loves me perfectly. Remember the One who can take my junk and mess, not allow me to make excuses for the state I’m in and yet love me gently to the place He needs me to be. Remember that we are all works in progress, shades of gray and if I believe the lie of the enemy that they or I should be perfect, then I have successfully worked along with him to sow seeds of division. Remember that I am loved completely and totally- an imperfect daughter loved by her perfect Heavenly Father…and how amazing is that?

July 27, 2013, "Words of Wisdom"

"If you want to be a candidate for greatness in the kingdom of God, quit trying to be anything because God is the one that selects...All it says is that you should desire the best gift, and in that desire we will see if God the Holy Spirit agrees. If the Holy Spirit wants to use you in the gift of prophecy you could not stop yourself if you tried because He is the one who decides." -Dorian Brown

"Humble yourselves therefore under the might hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7

July 26, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

You are not in this world to live up to other people’s expectations, nor should you feel the world must live up to yours 

 – F Perl. 

July 25, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

Don't  be a slave working for someone else; Be a more successful you today.

-Monique Nicole Henley, MS 

July 24, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

“Don’t be fooled by the calendar.  There are only as many days in the year as you make use of.  One man gets only a week’s value out of a year while another man gets a full year’s value out of a week.” 

–Charles Richards

July 23, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

You don't develop courage by being happy in your relationships everyday. You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity.

-Epicurus 

July 22, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

The One Who Accuses God Has Abandoned His True Source Of Help.

-Frank & Ida Mae Hammond

July 20, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

Hold fast to dreams for if they die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.                   -Langston Hughes

July 19, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

In order to grow into the beautiful flower God has created you to be, you have to learn to cut the weeds of negative things, people, & past situations that maybe hindering your growth.

-Stancil Brown

July 18, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

There Is An Expiration Date On Loyalty.

-Tyrese

July 17, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

Assumptions are the termites of relationships.
-Henry Winkler

July 16 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

Keep people in your life who truly love you, motivate you, encourage you, enhance you, and make you happy.  If you know people who do none of these things, let them go.
- Marc

July 15 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

Division Starts In the Heart Then Manifest Through Actions.

-Stancil Brown

July 13, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

The relationship between husband and wife should be one of closest friends.

-B. R. Ambedkar 

A Must Watch For All

        Please Carve out some time out of your schedule to watch this entire post. This is a testimony that I stumbled across it in these collection of videos and it REALLY BLESSED me and I strongly felt led to share. Do not worry about the order. in this case five comes after three.I didn't add the entire series however, I encourage you to check it out. I pray it will either inspire you or at least encourage you to share with another. -Stancil Brown

True Friendship...A Lasting Love

July 10, 2013,"Inspirational Quote of the Day"

Lust, like love is a choice. Stop blaming the devil for decisions that you ultimately made yourself.

-Stancil Brown

July 9, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

A person isn't who they are during the last conversation you had with them - they're who they've been throughout your whole relationship.

-Rainer Maria Rilke 

July 8, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the day."

To Be Greeted With A Kiss Can Either Mean Love, Or Deception, Depending On The Heart Of The Person Who Gave You The Kiss.    

    -Stancil Brown

A CRUCIFIXION TYPE LOVE

I Dedicate This Video To My Wife...

 Happy Anniversary Baby!

July 5, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

What Appears To Be Live And Well On The Outside Could Be Very Well Decaying And Dying On The Inside.

-Stancil Brown

July 4, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

Never Let An Outsider Appreciate The Things That God Tailored For You More Than You Appreciate Those Things Yourself.

-Stancil Brown

July 3, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

July 2, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

July 1, 2013, "Inspirational Picture of the Day"

June 30, 2013, "Inspirational quote of the Day

ENJOY YOURSELF TODAY!

-Stancil M. Brown

June 29, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant            -Robert Louis Stevenson 

June 28, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

Be who God called you to be not who the devil tries to convince you you're not.

-Stancil M. Brown

June 27, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

• Champions are willing to walk away from something they desire to protect something else they love.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  -Dr. Mike Murdock
  
  

June 26, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

The Truth Hurts But Deception Kills

- Jahaziel

June 25, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

June 24, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

When a woman decides to take on a man's role, she is rejecting herself.

-Ida Mae Hammond

Today From Be in Health...

Be in Health™

We don't have to have it all figured out. The enemy and the world we live in will often put pressure on you to have what you want to do figured out, the right way to do it, and the time frame it is going to take. There is so much value put on performing and performing correctly that it is easy to get swept up in this mindset. This mindset is based on you, and can take away a dependence on God.

God promises that He has good plans for us, to give us hope and a future. (Jer. 29:11) When we get too caught up in our own plans, we remove God from the picture. He promises that as we delight ourselves in Him that He will give us the desires of our heart. (Ps. 37:4) It is our decision to try either try and figure it out on our own, or to trust Him that He will finish the good work He started in us.

We should be responsible with the things God gives us, and managing time correctly and planning ahead have value and importance. But it is important to keep in mind that we only have one day at a time, and to let God lead us one step at a time. He is a good God.

Today, when situations arise where you are under pressure to figure situations out, ask God for His help. He will meet you! We do not have to do this by ourselves. (Phil. 4:13)

June 21, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

A man will not be influenced spiritually through sex appeal.

-Ida Mae Hammond

June 20, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

“Be careful not to mistake insecurity and inadequacy for humility! Humility has nothing to do with the insecure and inadequate! Just like arrogance has nothing to do with greatness!” 

― C. JoyBell C.

June 19, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

Outward filth and clutter is indicative of an inward problem.

-Ida Mae Hammond

June 18, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

"Come early, stay late, work hard, stay physically fit, and you don't have to cheat to win."

                  -Jeff Lamb

June 17, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

The hidden things of God are not discovered until we are treading the path of obedience. 
~ Henry Jowett

June 15, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

Take your burdens, and troubles, and losses, and wrongs, if come they must and will, as your opportunities, knowing that God has girded you for greater things than these.

     ~ Horace Bushnell

June 14, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

True peace is when the soul revolves around its center, Almighty God, craving for nothing but what God continually supplies. Since the soul is large enough to contain the infinite God, nothing less than Himself can satisfy or fill it.

~ Edward B. Pusey

Junk In The Trunk

Just Watch

Have an Amazing Day!

Now Watch This One

June 12, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” 

― Aristotle

June 10, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” 

― Martin Luther King Jr.

June 8, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

“Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives - choice, not chance, determines your destiny.” 

― Aristotle

June 7, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.” 

― Dr. Seuss

June 6, 2013 "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

“A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.” 

― William Shakespeare

June 5, 2013 "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

“Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently.” 

― Maya Angelou

June 4, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” 

― Jane Goodall

June 3, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

“Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever.” 

― Lance Armstrong, Every Second Counts

June 2, 2013, "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

“It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.” 

― Friedrich Nietzsche

Finding My True Safe Place

         This morning, in my quiet time, I realized that I haven't been fair. There are a lot of relationships in my life that have ended poorly. Now don't get me wrong, some of them needed to end, however, it was how they ended that could have been a better reflection of God's love.

 

          I realized I was holding on to so much hurt, that I was trying to create multiple places of safety in those relationships instead of dealing with the hurt from the broken ones. Most importantly, I did not deal with the relationship that mattered most… my broken relationship with my Heavenly Father. 

        Over the years, in my creating of these “safe places”, instead of turning to the Lord, I have blamed the Lord for the hurt that I received from these safe places. They were not ones that He ordained, but ones that I created illegally, meaning without His permission. I was trying to create places with other people because I no longer felt safe with Him. 

     How can I not feel safe with the one who created me, you ask? I never allowed myself to separate the person from their “sin”. I didn't realize they were “hurt” people too. Unfortunately, the most hurt came from those in leadership, the ones who were supposed to reflect Father God’s love to me. Some of the hurt I experienced was so deep that it turned to bitterness. I figured that they were suppose to be men of God, so my hatred went past the man and went directly to God. I not only blamed Him for the hurt they had caused, but myself for allowing me to get hurt- which led me to play the creator and create what I thought would be a safe place for me. In reality, I was just connecting with other hurt individuals who either refused to deal with their hurt or were perishing because they were too blinded to realize that they were hurt.

     Eventually, I would forgive everyone but the two people who mattered most, myself and God! And with this unforgiveness, I developed self- hatred because I was mad that I couldn't fix it! I couldn't undo the hurt that was caused because I failed to realize that the true source of my hurt wasn't God, and it wasn't me, but the devil! He was the real enemy! He is the father of lies! It was him that encouraged me to live in self- hatred, self-pity,  and bitterness towards myself and God because he knew that if he could encourage me to disconnect, then he could encourage me to self sabotage my destiny. 

Self-sabotage? Yes, because to say that "the devil made you do it" is a lie! However, by saying that you are saying that, you are saying the devil is more powerful than God. And that is not true. Even the Bible says that we are presented with two choices “life or death…choose life.”

“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:” Deuteronomy 30:19

Any and everything that we have done in our lives has not been forced, but influenced. We have been given the power to make our own choices. The question is who is influencing you? 

I know it is my desire that God would influence all of my decisions. And now, even in those moments when I feel hurt and want to create a “safe place” for myself, knowing that HE is my safe place provides me a sense of comfort in knowing that He will always be by my side.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” - Psalm 46:1

May 31, 2013 "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

“A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.” 

― Maya Angelou

May 30, 2013 "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” 

― Winston Churchill

May 29, 2013 "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

“God uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume. It is Peter, weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever.” 

― Vance Havner

May 28, 2013 "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

Things aren't always as they appear. Sometimes what seems to be the end is really just a new beginning. Like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly.- Stancil M. Brown

May 27, 2013 "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” 

― Helen Keller

May 26, 2013 "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” 

― George Eliot

May 25, 2013 "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.” 

― Bil Keane

May 24, 2013 "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” 

― Martin Luther King Jr., A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches

May 23, 2013 "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” 

― Eleanor Roosevelt, This is My Story

May 22, 2013 "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” 

― Oscar Wilde

May 21, 2013 "Inspirational Quote of the Day"

Behind us are the shadows of what might have been, and             
             ahead the image of what we hope to be.                                                          
                              –Anonymous