Called To Be Silent

Day 161-160: These last two days have been very weighty for me and those whom I share a covenant relationship. The news that broke concerning our pastor has hurled us on our knees like never before. It is so wonderful when you know the true and living God and that your faith is squarely placed in Him. So, when you have something of this magnitude happen you have the assurance that He is not surprised. And that all things are working together for the God of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Sundown began the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) where we are called to rejoice before the Lord for seven days. This is one of the three feasts that God said we are to observe for all generations. Sukkot in plural for sukkah, which most often in the Scripture refers to a small, crude, temporary shelter. As we rejoice in thanksgiving before the Lord for His provisions and sustenance, we remind ourselves that we are still abiding in temporary dwellings. I am so very thankful that I have a very clear focus for the next seven days, and that is to Rejoice in the Lord.

It is very seldom that I am at a lost for words and today is not one of them. However, my spirit has been quite clear for me to keep silent for the battle is not mine it's the Lords. I am praying for my pastor, his family, my church family and the body of Christ.

I declare that every lying tongue is wrong and that truth prevails.

Everything is Time Sensitive

Day 162: If you're going to move into destiny this season it will be very important that you move expeditiously. It's critical that we become more disciplined about the assignment we've been given in our lives. It's time to move out of the emotional realm and become disciplined and decisive about how we move forward.

My visit to the Chiropractor today gave me great pause as he performed extensive testing on my spine and total body. I was shocked by many of the observations he made and had to make a decision right then if I would make the lifestyle changes required. I realized as I listened to the doctor that I would have to discipline my spirit and the decision was in the moment. Today was a day that I would have to get involved in my destiny. Living my life to the fullest means treating my time on this earth as though each day was my last.

I've not been sleeping well for the past two weeks because my lower back is out of alignment and so I slept for only one hour last night. Around 4:45 pm, my body started shutting down and forced me to take a nap so it could get rejuvenated. I have all of these wonderful ideas and desires to bless other people and be a voice that encourages, gives direction and heals. Well, if I don't take care of me first, then nothing else really matters...does it?

Have you ever felt like something great was about to happen, you don't know what it is but you know it's something? That's how I'm feeling right at this moment.

I know that the timing in my life is about to be accelerated and I can't allow myself to do anything that is familiar.

The Power to Believe

Day 163: You are what you believe. So whatever you believe, you conceive in the womb of your heart and become or create. A belief system is a way of thinking, a mental state in which we hold certain propositions or premises to be true. Belief is a state of mind. Beliefs are ideologies, concepts whereas a person can agree or disagree with them. Beliefs are not necessarily true.

Beliefs shape our faith and create our attitude.The difference between belief and faith is that belief is mental and is influenced by the external, and faith is spiritual and determined by choice. Belief is supported by the physical senses ...hearing, tasting, touching, feeling, smelling. Faith however does not need proof to hold on to what you believe.

Your belief system affects every area of your life no matter who you are. I recently read where Oprah was interviewed about being on the Forbes most wealthiest people list. She stated that she never thought about getting on the list because of how she viewed money. Money was never her motivation and the list was nice but only meant she didn't' have to focus on paying the bills anymore. More than money her driving force was rising above the abuse she suffered as a child. She didn't know why but she always believed there was a better way to live.

Our pattern of thinking influences every aspect of our lives. The way we speak, dress, eating habits, the way we love, go after goals or not go after goals, and handle money are oftentimes an indication of what we believe.

What you believe, you become.

A Shopping Day From Heck

Day 164: My daughter says today was a good day because we've been experiencing so much difference of opinion lately. However, the shopping excursion with her and my grand daughter was an out of body experience for me. Because I was not sure what alien had taken over my "baby girl" and turned her into one of those children other people talk about.

In fact, it was so traumatic for me that I was willing to break my fast to have a cup of Starbucks. You must know that I love my grand baby and she actually is like my twin. When I step she steps and she calls my name at least 100 times a day. When I'm working in my home office I have to lock the door to keep her out. Only to have her sit outside and say "open door Meme open door." I simply adore her even though I sometimes feel like I'm raising a child again because she literally stays in my space.

But Meme's "little princes" worked every nerve I had so much that I turned into one of those people who spanks their child in the store. People were looking at me as she screamed bloody murder for all of 30 seconds. She then proceeded to start the same behavior over again, and again, and again. Today we were the family whom people whisper about because the child is clearly running things. She even told me I was not being nice for spanking her and needed to go to "time out." What???

To be clear the "little princess" turned alien is two years and two months old. All I could think about in the car ride home is that we're all suppose to be on a plane together in November. I'm not sure when my daughter lost control or when the Meme stare stopped being a threat. As I looked in on her tonight she looks like a little angel sleeping.

However, I know the truth and that alien is going to get an exorcism.

Women Are Like Oranges

Day 164: Several years ago I actually heard this and watched as the presenter who stated that, "Women were like Oranges and men were like Apples." Of course , the crowd went crazy as we all sat on the edge of our seats with anticipation of how this scene would play out. And play out it did as he broke down all the emotional stuff we as women deal with when we get into relationships.

Earlier today a girlfriend of a very close friend called me on a three-way with him to pull me into a very sensitive disagreement. I was shocked he allowed her to call me as I had only met her over the phone. He knew I thought she was loony to be dating him. But, for some reason he encouraged her to include me in their mess. He said, "I know you will be a voice of reason and can help us both resolve this because I love her so much." Ohhhhhhhh.

As I listened to the girlfriend who was doing most of the talking, I was reminded of the Orange & Apple story. Over the years, I've told him that whatever he has that makes women lose their senses with him I hope to never run up on it. Once he convinced two women he was in intimate relationship's with at the same time to move in together with him. Talk about silly women...

Of course today was about another woman he currently lives with and the one on the phone is waiting for him to move out and marry her. Huh! She's ranting and all the time he is so calm, professing his love and not wanting to disappoint her. He even threw in how he really believes they will be married by January no later than April. All the time I'm thinking about that Orange.

So the story of the Orange & Apple goes something like this. These two people meet in church and the man is not a good looker. He approaches the woman and she is turned off by him and tells her girlfriend how she would never go out with him...never. Sunday after Sunday he approaches her and tells her how beautiful she looking and other niceties. But she is not attracted to him and wants nothing to do with him. One Sunday she decides to move to another side of the church to get away from him. This Sunday no one notices her at all. The following Sunday she moves back to the other side of church and he sees her and tells her how much he missed seeing her last Sunday. Next thing you know he has her number and they are dating.

A few months go by and they are inseparable and she starts to fall and all the while he's peeling her layer by layer. Visualize the orange-and every week she reveals more of herself and falls a little harder- layer by layer until she's completely uncovered. As soon as he got her where he wanted her he told her it was over and she was hurt and shocked. The man who is like an apple has a hard cover and you have to take him on one bite at a time. Moral of the story, if you don't like ugly men then don't date ugly men or you will end up with ugly babies. In other words, if you say you don't want to be in a relationship with a man while he's still in a relationship with another woman then wait and don't compromise.

While my friend said as many of the right things as possible I could see him as that hard core apple. The girlfriend tried to sound tough, but I knew she was in deep and has been totally peeled back and was now uncovered. There was very little room for mediation as they both are delusional and she most certainly will take a hard fall.

I heard a very smart, clever and professional woman on the phone who hears the truth between the lines but chooses to rationalize the grey areas. I'm sure this is not her first time attracting a man like my friend. She fits the pattern of his five baby mama's who all fell for the same Okie Doke . Or did they get exactly what they were looking for?

Compromise always comes at a huge price and when it's a matter of the heart it's even costlier. Stop settling ladies......wait.

Sometimes God Hides You

Day 165: Back in 2001, my pastor preached a sermon and this title was the nugget that I got from it. It has stayed in my head on and off for the last nine years. At different times in my life when I found myself challenged or when things were especially good I would remember this nugget. All the time the question in my head would be, “ What does that mean for me?”

For some reason it was back in my head again all night long. I should probably set the stage for the context of the statement. The message that was ministered back then dealt with a lot of things but the one that grabbed me was about men and women “shacking together.” I wasn’t even in a relationship so it was strange to me that this would so pierce my spirit.

When you take the statement as a whole it has many different meanings, which is why I feel so compelled to share it with all of you. “Sometimes God hides you until the one who can afford you comes through the door...whole statement. For me it has meant being taken out of prime time as I am being prepared for Destiny. It’s meant going from being one of the "100 Most influential Women “ in Atlanta, to people asking me if I moved. It’s meant taking positions where every fabric of your being is tested, to falling off the “A” invite list.

The totality of why this has stayed with me up until this writing is finally starting to take shape and will be a testimony of running the race to the end. It explains the process of the brokenness I've experienced as I’m being refined for the greater work that is to come. Everyone's road is going to be different and how soon you'll get there is based on your openness to be made over. It will require you to take a look at the "man in the mirror."

I've had essentially five careers in my lifetime. Yet, the call to speak into the lives of women all over the world comes at a tremendous cost. Most importantly, it has required me to surrender control to my higher power and be led by the spirit.

This has been a nine year process and I know I'm close to coming out and walking on a new stage with a new name. I'm very close to coming out of hiding (process) and I can't wait to see what and who is waiting for me.

You'll Meet Your Investor on the Way

Day 166: As you all know iron sharpens iron and today I've been sharpened by some pretty savvy investors and financial managers. In a matter of minutes an old friend who called me looking for some resources, had me engaged in conversations that were blowing my mind. At first it was intimidating until the friend said," See you are able to articulate with passion why this venture makes sense." Then he said, "Now let us go to work putting together the plan that will sell in private and public offerings." Wow!

My business venture is traditionally extremely hard to get capital or investors to back unless you know somebody who knows somebody. Today, I realize that I know somebody who knows somebody...yeah. The call stretched me and made me think of angles and offerings the team and I had not yet dreamed possible. Henry Ford once said," I am looking for a lot of men who have an infinite capacity to not know what can't be done."

While in Dallas one of the things I heard over and over again was "move forward and advance" because tradition is being broken off. Something may not have worked in the old season, but it does not mean it won't work in this season in a new way.

My dreams are being rekindled and focused in a very new way and I'm talking Apple and Goggle new way. The fear of the future is being shattered off of us. Dust those dreams off and start having some new conversations with some new folks. Enlarge your territory, your circle and take the "Limits Off". Make it your business to talk to some new people everyday who have some knowledge about what you're trying to do. Borrow their testimony until you get your own. Today, I told a friend she could borrow my faith until her own increased to where mine is if she needed too. No more complaining, no more filling my cup with my own tears. I'm filled up with "living water" and believing that all things are possible because of whose I am.

I'm not letting go until this blessing is mine.

Celebrating When Its Someone Else's Turn

Day 167: To everything there is a season and I believe there is a "set" time for favor as well. Tonight, I listened as one of my close friends told me about the incredible success she is experiencing in her business. All I could say was, "Wow, Wow, Look at God."

If you can't rejoice when those whom you say you love and care for are having their success then don't expect to be celebrated. It will be important in your zeal for your own timing to not covet what is happening in someone else's life. We can not judge our worst by someone else's best.

I don't normally watch much television and in the past two weeks I've seen nothing unless prompted by my granddaughter to turn on "Yo Gabba Gabba or Barney & Friends." But the other day I actually thought of Oprah and was able to catch her show just as she was reviewing some of the trips she'd taken her audience on in the past. Then she started setting the stage for what she was about to do for those in the audience on Monday.

As their anticipation grew, so did mine. Women were crying and holding onto each other based on sheer expectations. I found myself caught up as though it was happening to me. When Oprah announced she was taking all 300 people in the audience to Australia I screamed and even shed a few tears of JOY for them. All of those people were absolute strangers to me but I cheered them on anyhow. We've got to be able to salute and cheer when life’s great outpouring is happening for others.

We know that God is "Sovereign" and that His ways are not our ways nor is His timing our timing. But the one thing I know for sure is this- He is always right on time.

It is a season of unbridled power and the wealth is being transferred.

Find A Way To Win

Day 168: "Whoever said winning wasn't everything, never won anything." And then there is the quote that says, "It's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game." I like the first one much better because the other allows you to feel better about losing and open the door for excuses. So, if you're in the game of life then you might as well be about winning.

I was reminded today of the three Astronauts on Apollo 13 when an oxygen tank exploded thousands of miles from earth. If odds were ever stacked against a situation, it was for them. Yet, the lead flight director for Mission Control, Gene Krantz, told his somber ground team, "Failure is not an option."

And for the next four days the engineers on earth along with the three astronauts in space went to work on a solution. The three men finally came home victorious. Why? Because the entire team found a way to win and never gave up on each other. That kind of tenacity is what is needed in tough times.

Women we know how to get blood out of a turnip when things start to looking tough. We know how to find resources and we know how to pull together. This is not the season to walk alone nor is it the time to sit and complain. It is time to be more strategic and deliberate about what we want and how to get it.

Everyday incredible women are taking pink slips, broken relationships, rebellious children, and even health diagnosis and turning it into a win. I'm more convinced than ever before that without a vision the people perish. We must write our vision down and then go after it like our lives depended on it. I am not talking about someone else's vision for your life, but the one you want to get up every day pursuing.

We must diligently seize every and any opportunity to win. Because at the end of the day it is never about you. It is about others who are looking at you and up to you for the future. It's about a generation.

I'm not saying it will be easy, but nothing worth having ever is.

Freedom Can Be Frighting

Day 169:"There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires."- Nelson Mandela. As we start to move into a new season we have remember God's promises for the future. Yet, the word of God and the will of God are not automatic. You can become familiar with bondage and allow it to be sufficient enough.

Moses brought the children of Israel out of Egypt. But as soon as they hit any bumps in the road they started to complain and wanted to go back to slavery. They became comfortable with manna when a land of abundant provision had been provided for them. Their shoes did not wear out and the situation became sufficient. And because they were afraid to move forward and walk into the future they died in the wilderness.

Fast forward and this could be a picture of many of our own lives right now today. I always tell people it was easier for me to stay in a bad marriage than uproot my children and instantly become a single mother. In fact, my ex told me more than a few times that no one was going to want me with two children. The cost of my freedom was frighting and it took supernatural courage to finally leave and ask for a divorce.

Making a decision to get out of a marriage where two people are not equally yoked is never easy for any of those concerned. Yet, my desire to move my life forward and to shake off the bondage of my past propelled me forward and I have never looked back.

There is a new move of God being released into the earth realm and we must recognize that we have not walked this way before. We must begin to see with more than our physical eyes. We can no longer be satisfied to live and ordinary life because we were meant to live an extraordinary life.

Focus on the Future

You are Important to Me

Day 170: The last three day's have been life changing for me and my prayers going into this gathering was that I would not be the same. I can say from the depth of my heart that I am a new creature as I make this post. So many amazing things happened as I gathered with the saints from Alabama to Alaska to England to hear what the Lord was saying for the new year.

Every day was packed with revelations from the throne room of God as each day built upon the next. Tonight culminated with a release of incredible JOY. I'm filled with an overflow of peace and I rejoice at how kind and wonderful the Father is. I marvel that He would have one of my Jewish brothers speak into my life tonight just to let me know how "important" I am to Him. Not only does He hear us when we pray with our mouth, but He hears our prayers through our heart.

My time here can be summed up with "He Loves Me" by David Crowder

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 realise 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 all

Yeah, 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 His grace is an ocean, we're all sinking.
And Heaven meets earth like an unforseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don't have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way

He Love me, Oh how He love me, Oh how He loves us, Oh how He loves us.

Remember Lot's Wife

Day 171: I am attending the "Head of the Year 5771" conference that Apostle Chuck Pierce puts on every year. To say that this has been life changing would be an understatement. This is a season for moving ahead as God is going to release an end time harvest of wealth to the church. So, the message ministered tonight from Dr. Pat Francis of Canada was get prepared for the wealth and don't look back- Luke 17:32 "Remember Lot's wife."

God confirms His word with two or three witnesses and the last two days everything that I've been thinking and feeling were confirmed. What I am very sure of is that we need to get prepared to walk out our destiny or see it passed on to someone else. It's time to stop sitting on the sidelines and being comfortable with just praising God and being in His presence. We have got to become strategic about our plans and we must write the vision and make it plain on paper. Unless you write the vision you will find yourself wandering from place to place.

The church in the west has a stigma attached to it when it comes to talking about wealth or prosperity. They would rather just worship and sit in the presence of God than move forward and have authority and dominion in the earth. The western church is much like the children of Israel who died in the wilderness because they would not advance to the promised land. They were just about 14 days away from the promise but their religious mindset aided them in seeing God's judgment.

If you despise money, wealth and prosperity then you can't possess that which you despise. The wealth transfer in this new season is not about the bling, or a big house or a fancy car. It's about being a solution to the world!

Are you prepared for the transfer?

I've been at a Crossroads

Day 197-172: I've not blogged in 25 days and for those of you who have come to appreciate my voice I humbly apologize. On the way to helping everyone else with their lives and achieving their goals I became invisible. On last Friday, I saw Julia Roberts latest movie, "Eat, Pray, Love. In the movie her character would lose herself and become invisible whenever she fell in love. About three days prior to seeing the movie it was so clear that I was off course and had somehow become invisible to myself.

So how could this happen? It happens in your quest to always put others feelings and needs before your own. It happens when you are not sure of who you are and what it is you absolutely want out of life. It happens because you don't believe deep down inside that you deserve the best. Even though I can be heard saying time and time again, "people can only do what you allow them to do" I still allow them to do. So what is really up with that?

I think that we as women have been taught if we think about ourselves then we're selfish and only thinking of Me, Me, Me. But, what I've come to learn over the past several months of being tossed to and fro, is that I can't live out my destiny if I don't ever think about me. Thinking about me and following the path that God has destined for my life versus making it up as others see fit has very different endings and implications.

Today, it is clearer than ever the path I want to take and I'm moving down it as though my life depended on it-because it does. I'm taking all the limitations that I've set over myself off, off, off. I'm officially releasing me from other peoples dreams and I'm clipping my own wings.

"I owe no man except to love him."