Getting Ready for 2019

God has already started to blow my mind as the year 2018 is coming to an end.

I already sense by the surprises that have already begun to manifest that this is just the beginning and will continue into 2019.

I declare that eyes have not seen, ears have not heard, the kind of blessings that is falling on me......Yes, I'm ready

Going into 2019......my theme song

Tasha Cobbs-Leonard

Overcoming Me

Usually around this time of year is when I start writing down my goals for the next 12 Months.  I also review what I wrote down to accomplish in previous years and noticed that often times I may not accomplish every goal within the time ascribed (12 Months)  but noted that some are accomplished within a 24-36 month window and I gleefully put a check mark for accomplishment. Such a wonderful feeling to do this!

2018 feels like it moved with such immense speed. In fact, these past few years feels like each subsequent year moves faster than the last. Have you experienced the same?

I've had many high points, low points and in between this year and I'm thankful for all of them. Yes, I'm even thankful for the low points because interestingly in these moments I've discovered various strengths and been propelled to stretch  beyond myself.

I will share how I channeled inner and spiritual strength to motivate myself beyond myself these past 12 months. In addition to developing a lifestyle of thankfulness, especially during the 'low' and in between moments/seasons of life.

I am naturally an introvert; almost 'cookie cutter' introverted. Like all things, there are great positives (strengths) and negatives (limitations) to this personality style.  One of the limitations of being an introvert is avoiding small talk/random chit chat.  You've guessed it, I am not a social butterfly.  There is a difference between being Introverted and Shy.  I am  not a shy person.  I can be 'social' if I choose, but its not my natural inclination.I am naturally inclined to hide away and not bee seen or noticed.  (perhaps a main reason why I am still 'single', perhaps the main reason why I don't have a blog profile picture, perhaps the reason why I don't write too many personal posts among other perhaps..... ).

Any how, this year I decided to challenge the Introverted me and join my Organizations Toastmasters club. Toastmasters is a public speaking club/community. I knew joining that I am generally a good public speaker as each time I've had to address an audience, I receive positive feedback unsolicited. My main reason for joining Toastmasters however was to transition form a generally good speaker to a GREAT public speaker, but more personally to challenge myself to mingle and just generally talk more, on purpose. The title of my first Toastmasters speech was 'Introvert Anonymous' which I compared joining Toastmasters for me was akin to joining an anonymous group for recovering addicts. So far, so great! I am thankful that I am investing in this aspect of my life and that I choose to challenge myself in this way. I am excited to see how this investment flourishes as time progress. Plus, I get to practice my chit-chat, small talk skills when I run into a club member. #Winning #Thankful #LivingPurposefully #OnPurpose.

I am also naturally an analyzer. Just like being an introvert, there are many positives and a few negatives to having an analyzer mind.  One of the negatives limitations of being an analyzer is OVER analyzing almost everything, often times unnecessarily. For me, this also causes some degree of anxiety, high degree of procrastination and the annoying habit of indecisiveness because, thinking 'analyzing' too much into a situation, suspecting 'analyzing' a persons unspoken intent or words, needing to know 'analyzing' the what if's and all possibilities to make the right decision; As a result, I am also not inclined to take risks.
This is one of the reasons I was so eager and was so blessed to have read Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado  this book truly brought perspective to my anxious  over analyzing thoughts. I am a work in progress in this area and I am practicing daily to not think so deeply all the time, just live and let live and Faith my Fears.

I definitely can write lots more about my personal limitations and finding ways to overcome them.  It's a challenge that I look forward to improving on personally to nurture a better version of me. 

Finally, I am generally a very grateful person never hesitant to show appreciation.  I endeavor to keep strengthening this aspect of my life to always find reasons to be grateful and demonstrate an attitude of Thanks Living.

I encourage you to acknowledge your personal weaknesses and find ways to overcome them for a better version of you is waiting on ......YOU!

Singing about FAVOR

I know that you don't feel your best

Hold on, Be strong,

God's not forgotten you

Broken dreams got you feeling blue

Hold on, be strong

God's looking out for you

Just remember at the end of the day

The favor of God can open the way

God's favor, is more precious than life

God's favor, more precious, than life, to me

He brought me through hard trials

He brought me through tribulations

Never let a day go by and not realize

Had not been for the Lord who was on my side

Back was against the wall

He looked out for me

He heard my cry and rescued me

Never let a day go by and not realize we are blessed

Don't take it for granted that we are here today

Just know that we're blessed and highly favored

Clark Sisters

  

Favor
I give you favor
You will never want for anything

When you pray I will answer
Ask for rain and watch it fall

This is the hour
I'm pouring out My favor

Favor...

Karen Clark Sheard

God Gave me Favor

He turned it all around

He gave Job twice as much as he had before

He gave me Grace and Favor...

Twinkie Clark

A Virtual Mini Concert ~Featuring: Carlene Davis

Excited to feature Carlene Davis for this edition of AVMC!

Carlene is such a fun, free spirited singer.  Her music ministry emanates sunshine and will certainly put a smile on your face and tapping in your feet.

I present to you international music minister......Carlene Davis!!

A Secret to Share

Are you a secret keeper?  

A ‘secret’ is something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown by others.
You may be wondering well, why are you sharing a secret then?!

Because knowing empowers us, knowing awakens our consciousness, knowing gives us the ability to make a choice, knowing creates opportunities, knowing liberates us.

The secret is actually a word.  A word whose meaning is too often misunderstood.  This word is often spoken of but very seldom demonstrated. Contrary to popular belief, this word is a verb, an action word …………the word…. Is……LOVE😊  

Love! I am sure you have heard this word before and perhaps even confessed love for someone at some point in your life. 

Perhaps you have professed love to your Parent, Child, Spouse, Friend or even your pet!  The secret is that it is not enough to just ‘say’ love; The power lies in demonstrating what it means to love.  

Love is best demonstrated through our actions. 

Love compels us to be inconvenienced, Love compels us to think of our self less. If we are honest, demonstrating love most times does not feel good.  Why? because it has nothing to do with us and everything to do with others.
Not too long ago, the world watched as 8 boys and their coach were trapped in a cave unable to exit.  Volunteers from all over provided their time, resources and manpower to formulate and execute several plans in order to rescue the boys and ensure their safe evacuation. 

All the volunteer divers knew there was a risk involved because of the water levels, narrow enclosures, and the need to carry oxygen on their backs for the rescue. We all breathed a sigh of relief when FINALLY all were saved. My thoughts and prayers with the family and friends of Saman Kunout the volunteer who died while bringing a supply of oxygen to the boys ran out of oxygen and became trapped when flood waters increased in the cave.

The reality is we may never have the opportunity to volunteer on an international life saving mission, or stop world hunger; however, we can start right where we are.

If we decided to demonstrate love intentionally…….can you imagine the possibilities that would manifest as a result? 

Well, You may be wondering, where and how do I start? Mother Teresa said “If you want to change the world, go home, and love your family”

My Favorite reference book- The Bible- one of the gospel writers Paul informs us on what love is and what love is not in 1 Corinthians 13. 

Love is patient, 

love is kind, 

love does not envy or boast; 

Love is not arrogant or rude. 

Love does not insist on its own way; 

Love is not irritable or resentful; 

Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Perhaps a good starting place is practicing patience and kindness to those closest to us and continue to build from there. 

The following quotes captured my attention.

On Patience: Adel Bestavros is quoted

"Patience with family is love, patience with others is respect, patience with self is confidence, and patience with God is faith"

On Kindness: Bob Kerry is quoted 

"unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly and most underrated agent of human change"

Jesus Christ said "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God"
The demonstration of Love is powerful if used consistently, persistently and irrespectively.  Love builds, Love restores, Love heals.

I challenge you to "share" this secret, with our actions. Let our actions spill the secret and define the true meaning of love particularly when it is least expected and least deserved.

Book Review: Anxious For Nothing

How much more I can express what a gifted author Max Lucado is?!  I have read several of his books and written reviews Here and Here. I have adopted  the author as an Uncle in my head.  He makes you feel so comfortable and at ease. His writing style and way with words leaves you so blessed and reassured.  Uncle Max is anointed to be an inspirational author.

When I discovered he had released a new book Anxious for Nothing I knew I had to read it.  I mentally made note.  Just recently I had an urge to read a good inspirational book and  decided to check my local library and yup!! they had it.

The foundation of this book is based on Philippians 4:6-8

Do not be anxious about anything,

but in every situation,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy

—think about such things.

Once again there was brilliant use of concepts, examples and explanations that leaves you smiling and comfortable knowing that whatever you are facing that may cause us to become anxious, how to overcome with biblical application.  The author uses personal examples of his life and examples from the lives of those he knows to concrete his scripture. 

Do you find yourself overwhelmed with anxiety, worry, fret, fear about a situation or circumstance outside of your control?  I recommend reading this book!!

Singing~ Lord You're Mighty!

I am ever amazed when I think about God's Greatness and Might.  Have you ever considered how Marvelous our Creator is that even in His Omnipotence,  He knows us, loves us, cares for and about us?!

I can't help but sing today.....Lord you're Mighty🎶

The Heavens are telling of God and His Glory 

A Mighty God we serve

They Speak of His Character, Awesome Creator

A Mighty God we serve

Hail the Power and Glory of God...

Karen Clark Sheard

Oh Lord how excellent is your name in all the Earth

You set your Glory above the Heavens and the Earth

When I think of all you've made 

the sun the moon the stars

What A Mighty God we serve

Mighty God we serve

Angels bow before you 

The Mighty God we serve

JJ Harriston and Youthful Praise