As Pure Gold

"See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another."

(Isaiah 48:10-11, NIV)

Greater than Me

"I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?"

(Jeremiah 32:27, NLT)

 

 

^"I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for."

Jeremiah 29:11



Surrender

How's your defense?

"A faithful friend is a strong defense; And he that hath found him hath found a treasure."

 Louisa May Alcott

 

Peace Passing All Understanding

"To obtain inner peace you must actually give your life, not just your possesions.  When you at last give your life- bringing into alignment your beliefs and the way you live, then and only then, can you begin to find inner peace." 

Peace Pilgrim 

Restoration

"For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the LORD, because they have called you an outcast: It is Zion, for whom no one cares!"

Jeremiah 30:17



Human Worth

"Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value."

Albert Einsten

 

Success:  The gaining of fame or prosperity. 

 

Valuable:  The importance, worth or usefulness of something or someone.  (www.thefreedictionary.com/valuable)

 

Last week I had the honor of attending a dear friend's retirement party.  My friend retired after serving thirty-eight plus years with the County of Los Angeles.  Many were in attendance to celebrate my friend's accomplishment.  Listening to various people express their congratulations and appreciation of my friend, I particularly noted her supervisor's speech.  He didn't highlight my friend's climb up the corporate ladder and all of her success.  Instead, he emphasized her value to their department.  He shared the significant impact my friend had on his life, as well as her co-workers' lives.  He further shared how her attitude regarding her job and life positively affected their department's atmosphere.  Because of my friend's faith in God and her efforts to be a light to others, she was seen as being of great value to the County of Los Angeles.

As I reflected on my friend's value, I thought about my ultimate goal of this blog.  Each time I post an entry, I strive to be of encouragement to others.  I purpose to uplift and motivate others to live the most fulfilled lives they can live.  It doesn't matter to me rather or not this blog is highly successful; it matters to me that it may potentially be of value to someone.  If I'm able to accomplish that specific goal, I feel I have upheld my responsibility of giving back some of what has been given to me.

Today I encourage you to reflect on your own life and question rather or not you are being of any value.  We have all been blessed with some form of gift that can be beneficial to the next man, woman, boy or girl.  If you find you are not living up to your potential of being valuable, I challenge you to start today.  There is something residing in you that make you far more valuable than silver or gold.  Reach inside, pull that something out and share it with the world!  For those of you are already being of value to others, I salute and encourage you to continue.  For it is your worth that ultimately makes this world go around!        





Happy President's Day!

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." 

President John Quincy Adams

In honor of President's Day, I would like to pause and salute President Barack Obama, as well as previous Presidents for taking on the arduous task of leading our country!

As much as we want to complain about the flaws of our society and about the need for our President to do more, we have to honor our President's and government's efforts to preserve our fundamental rights/benefits of being an American citizen.  It is through some of those rights that I am able to share this blog with you today.

In addition to the leaders of our country, I also would like to salute all other leaders.  Without you, there would be minimum, if any progression today.  I pray for you alls' complete safety, continued wisdom and persistence to do what's in your power to make this world into a better place for us to live.   

You are saluted!



Happy Valentine's Day! Weekend!

Withholding Nothing

"It's sad when the person who has given you the best memories of your life becomes a memory."

Seasons Change

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven, ²A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted; ³A time to kill and a time to heal; a time to break down and a time to build up; ⁴A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance."  Ecclesiastes 3:1-4, KJV

 

Season:  A period of time characterized by a particular feature (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/season)

In just a month away, we will be having a change of seasons.  Spring, my favorite seasons of the year, will be here.  As we are beginning to have some resemblance of Spring time weather, I am noticing the change of my mood.  I am finding myself wanting to be outdoors more.  In the mornings, I enjoy hearing the chirping of the birds.  I am basking in the sunny, cool breeze that can be felt mid morning.  This is the best time of the day for me to run.  I'm finding myself smiling more and having an extra pep in my step.  I am welcoming the change of seasons.

Throughout life, we experience many seasons.  We each have our own individual seasons and should not get caught up comparing against each other.  As our seasons change, we must be hopeful, thankful and steadfast.  Often times, this is hard to do during our more challenging seasons.  If you are like most and are resistant to change, you may find yourself experiencing anxiety  and despair.  However, just as the seasons change throughout the year, you can be sure that your challenging season will too change.  There will be a Season of Victory!

I am currently experiencing my Season of Victory!  I am grateful for this time after enduring years of valley seasons.  For a while, I thought I would only exist to know the harsh, cold winter months.  I thought I would never again know the feel of a nice cool breeze on a bright, sunny day nor  the smell of flowers ever again.  However, somewhere along the way, I was reminded of Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 and I held on to the knowledge that my gloomy season would indeed change in time.  I have truly experienced my seasons of being broken down, weeping and mourning.  From the major losses I've suffered to the addiction that almost cost me my life, I can attest to having my share of valley periods.  However, it is through those seasons that I'm able today to enjoy being built up, enjoy laughing and enjoy dancing once again.  Yes, I am rejoicing during my Season of Victory!  And, I'm confident you too will experience and rejoice in yours.        



Can't Let Go

"The mind can understand it, but the heart won't accept it."

Kevin Nash, Radio Personality



Plant the Seed

"Always do your best.  What you plant now, you will harvest later."

Og Madino



Honor your Temple

The Lord Is My Shephard; I Shall Not Want

Hold On

"If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you."

Selah