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The Seasons of Business
The Sound of a Servant
Investing in You
Coach Donna- The Transformational Guru
My Husband is My Boyfriend Too
Family, Food, and Fun... Remember the Days.
THE SEASONS OF BUSINESS
BY KERI WHITE
To everything there is a season Ecclesiastes 3. All of life has its ebbs and flows. If you have been in business for any amount of time, you have experienced times when your business thrived and when your business waned. For those who are contemplating starting a new business, understand that this is a normal flow for all businesses. What counts most is how these seasons are managed, especially for enduring sustainability. As the year progresses and we move through the seasons, review of revenue reports can easily show the trajectory of business performance. There are seasons where revenue increases, remains flat, and there are times when revenue decreases. To have a sustainable business, owners and CEO's must be prepared for each of these phases and understand how to navigate through them. In many businesses, the fourth quarter is typically a time when hiring freezes, sales decline, and employees are out sick or on vacation for the holidays. It’s a cold time of year in life and business. Even though things are on hold during this time, all is not lost. This is a great time to review past performance, assess the next fiscal year’s goals and build new networks.
Instead of disliking the slow-down in your business, this season has a lot of value if you maximize the opportunity. Because the spring is coming which typically involves greater activity and a rise in revenue, the winter offers time to embrace the low-down before things pick back up. Here are a few tips to manage the “down-time” of winter -Review current year’s performance over last year -Review the performance of current employees -Connect with current clients & customers. -Network with potential clients & customers -Strategize for Q1 activities.
Taking time now to do these things will assist you in reaching your future business goals. Shift your mindset from the seasonal slump to embracing this season by ensuring next quarter springs forward on target.
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Y O U A R E W H A T Y O U E A T . . . . W H O A R E Y O U ?
BY: KENYA L. MORRIS
Coach K is back with “I.N” in the T.H.I.N acronym- Impacts Nutrition. I find this to be a great place to be discussing nutritional impacts with the fall season starting. It’s something about fall-everything changes. The time changes, the weather changes and most importantly…OUR SCHEDULES CHANGE! Many of us use the busy daily routine as a reason to say we can’t stick to a certain food plan. We end up making unhealthy choices by eating out and eating on-the-go. Personal story: I travel frequently during this time of year and I have to make a conscious effort to either pack meals and snacks or choose wisely on the road. This task can be extremely difficult. So I fight with all inside of me to pack my foods and take them in my lunch bag or cooler. I want to address a few thoughts on nutrition in this read, then share some of my suggestions for the upcoming season that will propel us to a Jumping January 2020! What we eat impacts us in so many ways! The way we look, feel and move about all has something to do with what we eat. Have you ever felt sluggish? Check out what you’re eating. Have you ever had tons of energy? Check again and see if the food you eat impacts your health. Here are a few nutrition facts: • The CDC reports that During 2013–2016, approximately 37% of adults consumed fast food on a given day. • Fast food consumption has been associated with increased intake of calories, fat, and sodium.
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•A previous report estimated that adults consumed 11.3% of their total daily calories from fast food . Among men and women who consumed fast food, a higher percentage of men ate it for lunch, while a higher percentage of women ate it as a snack.• Consumers can find nutritional information on calories on the menu in most fast food establishments and restaurants. Before we start with all the candy for Halloween and end with the Christmas ham, I would love to leave you with a few tips to help you attack your busy season and stay fit and fly doing it: These are my “5 to stay Alive 1. Meal prep as much as possible. Preparing and having a game plan before you leave home is important. You’re more than likely to stick with your routine if you already have meals and snacks available. 2. Make your snacks and meals fun! Don’t prepare or pack anything that you know you are not going to eat. You’ll be tempted to pull over for a cheeseburger. 3. There’s nothing wrong with having a guilty pleasure. If there’s something you really want, eat it. Then move on with your healthy eating again. Don’t stay there and feel guilty-especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. Eat what you want in moderation and get back on your game plan. 4. Have a friend or family member to check in with that has the same goals. Become each other’s accountability and check in daily! 5. Have Fun! Love yourself! Embrace the season we are upon! Journal your success! Remember our bodies are a reflection of what we eat; so lets make a commitment to change our bodies by first changing our thoughts. Our thoughts will then change our habits. Our habits will impact our nutrition! If you need additional support or someone to discuss your health/weight/life challenges, reach out to me. I’d love to hear from you!
Follow Me, Coach K Facebook: Kenya L Morris Instagram: 3xalady Twitter: @3degreez Email: chatwithkenya@gmail.com
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HOW TO OVERCOME OPPOSITION By: Apostle Dr. Sharon Renee Foy I pray this article bless you and assist you with overcoming opposition
To overcome opposition, you must know what’s your opposition?
At age seven, I was hospitalized twice with pneumonia, then hospitalized same year for months with a stroke. My opposition was sickness, men who said they were men of God. I myself dealt with both physical, and emotional abuse in my last marriage.
We know opposition is a group of adversaries or competitors, especially a rival, opponents, the opposing side, the other team. Being rejected, lied on, mistreated, misunderstood, abused, all are opposition.
I realize that the enemy was my opponent to success, to ministry, to my identity, to my destiny. Satan would do anything and everything in the attempt to break me. But God! He is a conquer.I declared victory over my life, my children, my marriage to my wonderful husband Apostle Dr. Arthur David Ezekiel Foy and my grandchildren, my ministry.
My opposition started when I was born. I was raised by a single mother with my younger brother. I saw men abused my mother, my mother was a loving woman, she would give her last to be a blessing to others. She taught me how to be a blessing to others daily. I remember my mother taking my younger brother and I to a place in Dallas, Texas called farmers market to purchase fruits in bulk to make fruit baskets to give out for the holidays. She showed us how to love and be a blessing to others.
Let’s face it, the difficulties we see and experience on a daily basis are beyond our ability to fix. Satan is doing everything he can to convince us that we really don’t need God or his power working in us, for us, or through us. How do we deal with the opposition we inevitably are encountering?
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In my life, I have found that I need to engage powerful weapons when it comes to protecting myself against Satan’s schemes. Satan will use whatever means he can to devour my time, talent, and treasure and to keep me from using my resources for God’s purposes and His glory. Over time I have discovered five “Power Weapons” for fighting against Satan. These weapons are entirely dependent on God’s power and not my own. Power Weapon 1: Call on God
His power gives us confidence that we can overcome anything that is causing difficulty in our lives. His presence can dissolve any obstacle. Since He is the creator of all things, He knows all about our world and has the creative ability to deal with anything that is in need of repair.I am a huge fan of acrostics, which are poems, word puzzles, or other compositions in which certain letters in each line form a word or words. One word - Christ! C God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So,
Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.—Jeremiah 33:3,
we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”—Hebrews 13:5–6, NIV
Devils Schemes This is a statement made by the creator of the universe himself! The statement seems so simple but the reality of it is almost beyond belief … almighty God will answer me! All I need to do is call out to Him. We need to remember how great the counsel of God is and how mighty His work is. By His mighty power He created the heavens and earth. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, we read of His intervention in the lives of his people. As we expand our knowledge and experience of just how great God is, we will more quickly remember to turn to Him when the going gets rough. Sometimes we take advantage of God. We use Him like a prescription once we are feeling better, we stop taking our medication. God is real. Heaven is real. Once you accept this and totally rely on God’s power and who He is your life will change.
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God has promised to answer us! He has promised to show us great and mighty things! He has promised to strengthen us! I want to pursue God as the first priority in my life. I want to be that one disciple to convert lives to Christ, an agent of change. I want to fulfill the Great Commission by strategically investing my time, talent, treasure in God’s purposes. I want to call on God … first … when I need help and guidance and protection.
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.—2
Power Weapon 2: Focus on God’s Power Through Jesus Christ When we take time to reflect on God’s power, we’re amazed. This in turn expands our vision of what God can do in us and through us. Images of God’s power are presented throughout the entire Bible. And yet, even then, we only see the “mere edges” of his ways (Job 26:14, NKJV).
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.—Romans 15:13, NKJV R
He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him. —Daniel 2:22, NKJV I
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So, I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.— Galatians 2:20 S
Corinthians 10:4–5, NKJV T
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.—Psalm 37:3–6, NIV
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When I soak my mind and heart on verses, I experience the wonderful peace and power that only comes from God. I also use it in my conversations with the Lord, sowing my conversation with its contents. The Holy Spirit has often, in His grace, quieted my heart and mind. We can be freed and empowered when we use Scripture in this way.
When we are filled with His power we can flow with The Spirit into our daily lives. This power overcomes our sinful nature. For as Paul said in his letter to the Galatians, “Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit” (Galatians 6:8).
Power Weapon 3: Be Filled with the Holy Spirit We often fail to believe what God can actually do in our lives and circumstances if we truly soak, sow, and flow in currents of the winds of divine Son Power. Take a step of faith and flow with the Spirit!
God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.—Romans 5:5, NIV We live by the Spirit. When we are filled with the Spirit, we will not fulfill our own desires but those that God has given us. We are talking of The Son Power here, power that enables us to accomplish all that God has for us to do and be.
To be continued....
Apostle Dr. Sharon Renee FoyWorldwide Apostolic & Episcopal Council of Churches Ramah School of Apostles & Prophets Life University
You and I are like a motor vehicle with the ability to move that must be filled with gas or electricity/power. A moving vehicle to be used by another. Without gas, or power the vehicle is useless. A vehicle without gas or power is powerless and is left in park. Only with gas or power the vehicle is fit to be used by anyone. The Holy Spirit is our gas, our power, and we are to be used as vehicles of God. Moving across the world to tell His story.
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The Sound of a Servant By:HAEtheprophet Oftentimes, we observe the anointing of powerful and revelatory speakers for our own personal enjoyment and entertainment. Weekly, even daily, we demand 200% of their energy so that we may hear God in our slothfulness. Without thought, they are drained from the pew for clarification. In selfishness, we practice leader-on-leader prostitution across the pulpit by turning blind eyes to life-threatening character flaws if the speaker can still draw a crowd. The truth is because we have become addicted to “emotional injections” over the sacred desk, the care, concern and compassion for the life of the “pusher” is no longer relevant. The church is in a very sensitive time of transition. The guards are changing. Millennial minstrels are creatively evolving the symphony of prophetic worship. A 20-piece suit, with translucent socks, from Stacy Adams is no longer the standard to deliver Sunday’s message. Powerful women are being rotated off the backside of the mountain who can usher in The Glory with short, natural hair and hot pink lipstick. The golden days of requiring a woman to wear white, lace doilies on her head to signify she was worthy of touching a microphone are quickly fading.
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In what seems like a moment of rebellion towards tradition, the battalion of a new generation is confirming they will not be spiritually bound by traditional dogma but will rather serve God authentically; however that may unapologetically sound for them. This is a not a local or national fire. This is a global revival. In years to come, when the scribes began to historically report major shifts in historical moments for the church as we did with Azusa, there will be one prophet whose name is predestined to be well documented as a woman on the front-line in ministry. Here, where you find the echoed names of greats such as Kathryn Kuhlman, Lizzie Woods Robinson, Lillian Brooks Coffey, Mother Estelle Boyd, Dr. Juanita Bynum, The Clark Sisters and a host of other women who have painstakingly midwifed the church without much credit, you will surely cross the name of Dr. Valerie Moore-Burris. Contrary to what tradition feels is necessary, she will not be known for providing the names of people she does not know- even though she can through the unction of The Holy Ghost.
Dr. Valerie Moore-Burris will be written into the books of church history for her uncanny and vociferous ability to provide Spirit with a clean vessel in effort to reclaim lost generations and build kingdom nations with the sound of raw honesty. Dr. Valerie Moore-Burris, affectionally called Dr. Val, is on a crusade for kingdom and made a pit stop in Houston, Texas for the NYAC19 Conference. Prayer planted a seed, but it did break the yoke. Praise and worship planted a seed, but it did not break the yoke. The musicians were one key and a cord from tapping into another prophetic realm only accessible to those who operate in the spirit of the Levites, but it did not break the yoke. The anointing and quickening of Truth broke the yoke. Only servant leaders who bow in worship to spirit and truth know how to submit their flesh to the shifting of Truth. In the middle of preaching hard about the nameless, Shunammite woman who made room for the prophet, something triggered in Dr. Val’s memory that caused her to pause. She looked at her serving adjutant and simply released syllables combined into a sound which projected two words that changed the atmosphere, “thank you.” Dr. Val paused again, presumably to go back to the text but push pause on the play.
“I was sat down for three years and I stayed. I am still there…” Burris took off across the room. Something was stirring. “He made me sit between him and Co-Pastor Jacque during service. He would yell out to me, you sin good so clap loud!” She abruptly turned and took off in the opposite direction. “I would show up to church to play drunk and the leader would say sober her up in the back.” She turned on her heel again. “…I’m delivered but that doesn’t mean I don’t know what Hennessey smells like.” The entire venue is now on their feet, including the musicians in the pit. It is very rare to see the pit standing at attention eating the word instead of sitting listening for the queue to play. If you want to know if The Word is really hitting the whole house, watch the youth and the musicians! It was clear, the Shunammite woman had to wait because the sound of deliverance was present with a prophetic prelude of shutting doors and ringing keys. The atmosphere of Not Your Average Chic continued to vibrate as Dr. Val repeated her testimony of being retrained by her spiritual father. We witness the ecclesiastic in her “now” state, but she tearfully describes the breaking and rebuilding process that she submitted to under the guidance of Pastor Shomari White and Jacque White.
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The pastors of Have Life Church, in Charlotte, North Carolina, made it their personal business to help birth the sound of servanthood and divine revelation we hear today. Dr. Burris is not a representation of the authenticity of ministry because she got a “click-pass”. She was already a booked name in the preaching circuit. She has been mantled by kingdom giant, Dr. Juanita Bynum, to help usher The Remnant to a higher dimension because she braved through the process of pausing her brand for season in lieu of cleaning toilets. “Cancel every engagement. You can’t go because they know you are sick, and they sent for you anyway!”- Pastor White.
As there is movement throughout each portion of worship service, prayer creates a sound. Praise creates sound whether it be with a B4 Hammond or B8 Sabian’s. Even the art of preaching can create a sound. However, there is different pace to God’s heartbeat when He can echo His will and His way through the sound of a servant. What does servitude sound like? Oftentimes, in sporadic moments lanked by precious memories, servitude sounds simply prophetic when one says, “thank you” and God moves.
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INVESTING IN YOU BY: COACH DONNA KAYE
We hear the word invest and we immediately go to the monetary. Yes, it takes money but what about time? We never have the time, so we say, to invest in us. But we find the time to invest in everything and everybody else. From what I understand, those that have large bank accounts and more than they could ever spend, usually make the statement “I wish I had invested in myself as a priority and not as an afterthought.” Investing in you means what to you? Getting your hair done, nails redone, shopping for the newest styles, obtaining the car you always dreamed of, the new home, the trip /vacation, is this what investing in you means? Or is it having your 401K loaded with funds for retirement? I am asking these questions because in the process of running after the next best thing, looking our best outwardly, having the biggest and the best or enough money to travel with when we reach 65 means nothing if your temple, your body, the vehicle that carries your soul and spirit is full of dis-ease, pain, poison from prescription meds and cannot function without some type of artificial aide. Investing in you is simply loving yourself enough to prioritize your life as #1. As of this moment, when was the last time you placed yourself at the top of your list. When will you prioritize
Has anyone ever called you self-absorbed by placing a certain percentage of your earnings into your retirement fund? No, I can guarantee that they have not. Why? Because that is normal and that is what the social construct of our world advises us to do. Well, I bring a new social construct to the table. It is time that we learned to invest in our health. There is a saying “Our Health is Our Wealth” and that rings true in all ways. Not just physical but spiritual, emotional, mental, social and the list goes on.
you? You are not being selfish, or conceited, or arrogant or self-absorbed. You are investing in you. We never say those things to individuals that invest financially in themselves.
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Every single aspect of our lives is affected by our health status. Let’s begin to look at investing in our health as the vehicle to invest and gain monetarily, relational, entrepreneurial and ministerial. Investing in our health plays a significant role in our dreams, visions and ministries. The call on your life demands that your health and wellness will allow its purpose to flourish and come to life because you are living and no longer the walking dead. How do you invest in your health? You begin to find ways to educate yourself through classes offered on nutrition and exercise. Educate yourself about self-care. It is truly time to invest in your quality of life, dreams and future. Productivity is cut short when there has not been enough time spent on the important areas. So instead of following the current social construct of pray about it and do nothing, or talk about it and stay the same, or that happens to someone else but not me. Change your mindset and after you pray get up and put what you prayed about in action with your faith to make it happen. Stop talking about what you want and learn how to go get it and obtain it. Change in your understanding and changing your mindset is necessary. Remember quality of life is determined by your nutrition (eating clean and not what the media tells us is clean), your exercise (strength training, cardio, lifting), your understanding of how to prepare your food(no longer cooking all the vitamins and minerals out), your supplementation (essential oils and herbs given to us by God himself during creation). Loving yourself enough to be a top priority, #1 on your list, investing time and monetary to learn and apply, praying and putting your faith into action is the NEW SOCIAL CONSTRUCT we need to follow. Who will join me today to make a change? Your Minister of Health Holistic Health and Wellness Consultant Esteem, A Total Transformation www.esteem-att.com esteemtrainer@gmail.com 336.345.3507
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COACH DONNA
THE TRANSFORMATIONAL GURU The true journey began 13 years ago when, Donna Nealy (Coach Donna Kaye), decided to start a health and wellness ministry at her home church. But before that she was being prepped and equipped for the ministry/vocation that God had set before her. An athlete in high school (basketball and track) as well as a weightlifter she really had no idea what was on the horizon.In 2006, Coach Donna Kaye started her Non-profit 501 (c)3 Health and Wellness organization, Esteem, A Total Transformation based in Greensboro, NC. Her mission was to transform individuls physically, mentally, spriritually and emotionally. Through education, encouragement, love and genuine care she has been able to help 100's reach their full potential in many areas of their life. Coach Donna Kaye being a born-again believer, she believes that absolutely all things are possible with Christ. Within her mission she pushes forward to decrease, eliminate and reverse chronic illnesses through holistic means which include nutrition, exercise, essential oils and natural supplements. This is now the main push that gives awesome reward to her as she witnesses many began to live an awesome quality of life.Now at the age of 54, Coach DK made a huge transition herself at the age of 50 by hitting the bodybuilding competition stage.
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From that time on, her life has totally gone to the next level and she has embraced every moment and experience that has presented. Why did she hit the stage? She lost her husband in 2015 at the age of 50 and found herself alone for the first time in her life. Her four children, all grown with their own families, left her as an empty nester and she had no clue who she was or how to be alone. Bodybuilding was always on her bucket list and she decided, after praying fervently and receiving God's approval, to forge ahead with her desire. Coach DK acknowledges that she had very little self-esteem due to the constant rejection that gravitated to her through life. Of course, like many, she would wake, put on a mask, cover the outside and act as if everything was okay for years. Praise be to God deliverance from low-self esteem, not liking herself, and feelings of less than, took place on stage. She is a true witness that God can and will use whomever and whatever he chooses to use for deliverance and place you on the path for which you were born to walk here on earth.
She feels that every person should have the mindset to live as long as possible without disease and issues. Wanting to see her grandchildren strive, graduate, go to college, start businesses, marry and have children is a constant why in her life.
Coach DK uses her personal experiences to help others understand who they are, to push their potential out so that they can go and accomplish all they are to accomplish before they leave this world. She admits that she understands what it feels like to carry a lot of weight and be miserable. She gained weight while completing her undergrad at High Point university in Business Administration. Totally unhappy with herself she stopped cold turkey one year during her Master's program in Sport Studies. That year she did vegetables, water and protein shakes. She exercised seven days a week sometimes twice a day. Lost all the weight and had very little fat. Felt wonderful, felt amazing and free.
Therefore, she decided that whatever it takes to make that dream happen is well worth the time and effort put in.Because Coach Donna Kaye wants to see her community healthy and have quality of life she chooses to offer education classes to whomever wants and needs the information to change their lifestyle. Not only individuals but groups, churches and organizations. She states being a non-profit offers challenges to continue the work of offering scholarships to those in need as well as free classes and training sessions. Classes include group exercise, mental health workshops, nutrition classes, personal training, life coaching sessions and more. And now the offering of the first nutrition courses in the "A Balanced You Health and Wellness Academy is just the next step in the vision God gave her over 15 years ago or more.
She says that having experienced so much in life has given her the opportunity to help and serve people and her community in areas that most are unable to serve. She is grateful to God for all that she has been through because it has afforded her to be there for others, to give advise, to listen and not judge.
To continue this effort of spreading health and wellness for quality of life your support, donations and sponsorship are necessary. Their purpose is to make sure excuses have no place in our vocabulary when quality of life is a want and a desire. Her continued motto is "love yourself" as well as "you are worth the effort"
She is inspired daily by her 10 grandchildren who give her the energy to continue and push beyond her wildest dreams.
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FASHION DESIGNER: Faith Diva MODEL: Tina Peters PHOTO CREDIT: Gabriel Peters DESIGNER: Faith Diva MODEL: Brittany Cummings PHOTO CREDIT: Untouchable
DESIGNER: Faith Diva MODEL: Twane Grey PHOTO CREDIT: Sherron Allen DESIGNER: Faith Diva MODEL: Tina Peters PHOTO CREDIT: Kendra Sibley
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MY HUSBAND IS MY BOYFRIEND TOO By: Tabbetha A. Watts, M. S. I often post pictures of myself and my husband on Facebook and Instagram when we have date nights or when we go to events and I will caption the picture “date night with my boyfriend” or “loving on my boyfriend” or something like that. I am then asked by others why do you refer to him as your boyfriend when he is truly your husband. And my response is always because he is BOTH. I believe that we are so caught up in the title of husband and wife that we lose sight of what it took to get us to being just that. Before the wedding vows, you were his girlfriend and he was your boyfriend. So why when you all get married does that “title” have to go away? I must honestly say it absolutely does “NOT.” Let’s be honest…once you get married and the honeymoon stage is over, we lose sight of what truly brought us together. We start paying bills together, we buy cars and houses and then we do as the Lord says and be fruitful and multiply and have children. And we all know that children will through a monkey wrench in things because we now must attend not only to our needs but to someone who can’t do anything for themselves. Then we get them to the point where they are somewhat independent then they start participating in extracurricular activities and we become their taxicab and their biggest fans. With being their biggest fans, we must take them to practices several times a week, we must attend their games, recitals, competitions, etc., which may involve travel. We then have our own extracurricular activities such as church, social clubs, girls/guys night out, etc. All these things take away from being that once fun, loving, happily married couple we once were.
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Therefore, when we have our date nights and time away from the day to day hustle and bustle, he becomes my boyfriend. Why? Because when he was my boyfriend, we did things that we are unable to do at this point in our lives. When he is my boyfriend, we don’t have kids, we aren’t thinking about paying bills, we aren’t thinking about the next cheer practice or competition, we aren’t thinking about our friends and church events or church responsibilities. We are free to be boyfriend and girlfriend just like we were before we said, “I do.” We are free to have loud and freaky sex...yes, I said it. We don’t have to worry about kids walking in on us or being too loud afraid they are going to hear.
We can walk around the house naked, sleep naked, eat naked or just sit around naked. These are all things you have the freedom to do when you are boyfriend and girlfriend b.c. (before children). So yes, my husband is both and he will tell you I am his girlfriend and wife as well. The title of husband and wife is heavy and comes with a huge responsibility and for us an honor. But, something about the title of boyfriend and girlfriend is a little lighter and comes with a sense of freedom to let down your hair and live and enjoy each other and possibly do things that could possibly get you arrested… LOL! So be a good wife and husband but also be a good girlfriend and boyfriend and wear both titles well and with honor.
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Family, Food, and Fun.... Remember the Days!? By: Chef Jordan (Sigh)…. Remember the days when the smell of food and the sound of family gathering in the kitchen would bring an instant smile on your face. The aroma of homemade dishes such as Baked Macaroni & Cheese, Collard Greens, Buttermilk Biscuits, Cornbread, Dressing, and Fried Chicken would be filling the air as the sounds of “Oldies but Goodies” would call the elders to the dance floor. Those were the days….
You see these three elements were essential in the community and still are. They all play a crucial part in keeping the bond of family and friends together. But one element outweighs the rest; and that is the FOOD. You see, food is a catalyst to bring these other properties together. Food was the reason why our love ones went to church, It was Momma’s Sweet Potato Pie that eased all the hurt. It was the food that brought the smile to our face when you didn’t even want to show up to the place it was FOOD!!!
The days when children “were seen and not heard” but were given enough freedom to let a kid be a kid. The times where “Yes Ma’am, and No Ma’am” were the order of the day, and “please and thank you” were what was right…. Can it be that it was all so simple THEN? I’m reminded of the days when the needle would strike the record at the PERFECT time and the PERFECT song would come on and everyone grabbed someone’s hand and would boogie down until time for bed.
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UNTIL YOUR SEASON COMES
BY: CELICIA NORMAN
In our Society today, being single is almost frowned upon. Everybody wants their, "Mr" or "Mrs", but are not willing to wait. We often take matters into our own hands, knowing that in doing so, it could go either way, good or bad, meaning we've decided to settle for less than God's best. Have you ever met someone and said to yourself, "oh, I think we will just be friends." So you go into it with the expectations of only being friends but the outcome was far from what you expected. What do you do now? Well, if the outcome was horrible, meaning you got hurt, for some of us we learn from it by allowing God to heal us and move and do better. The majority, however, cover up our pain by faking like we are healed, and continuing to do it all over again, only to be rendered the same results. It is not God's will nor His desire for any of us to be in a lowly place, with bowed down heads. He wants us whole, complete, and full of His peace and joy. However, if we are always going backwards, there is no forward movement towards that. At some point in life, one must come to realize that there is a time and season for everything. Ecclesiastes 3 states; 'To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heaven.
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So if you find yourself in these failed relationships, or even on horrible dates, maybe just maybe it's not the time for you to be dating. Maybe God wants you to take some time to get to know Him better, get to know yourself, and build a stronger relationship/prayer life with Him. In 1st Corinthians 7:32-34 the Bible states that an unmarried man and woman is concerned about the Lord's affairs, how he can please the Lord and being devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. According to this scripture, this is what we a Singles are supposed to be doing. Therefore, I submit to you today, "Let's be about our Father's business", and not our own business. Psalms 37:4 says, "If we delight ourselves in Him, He will give us the desires of our heart. Just know that if we take care of God's business, He will take care of ours.
Blessings to you all,
Celicia Norman
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Challenge Your Limits It’s takes an energetic, emotional & mental shift. To break off the Spirit of man-made limits. Don’t get caught up in a discontented diabolical conversation That tries to fill your mind with doubt, disbelief & speculation Stop letting fears and failures keep you in a state of stagnation You’re standing up in Me, but seated in Procrastination. Listening to jealous friends & Christians with the worlds’ faith Off the narrow path & taking wide steps in decisions of delay I’m leading you into a higher land of elevation Operating at your peak, dwelling in the life’s transformation. Don’t let this land make you a vessel of contamination Turn from selfishness and move towards your destination Men, Am I a mere penis to be put on the table of examinations While you finger foreplay Me and give yourself ejaculations. Ladies Am I a mere vagina to be kissed with vain speculations While you ménage e trois Me & have the nerve to ask for emancipation Why wont you let Me upgrade your expectation I’ll make it better for you & the next generations Seek Me first, not Facebook for right-now revelation I, smh (shake my head) with those “silly, tricks are for kids” operation Do you not know the fate of those that let Fear stop them & God they disobey Let me share with you Revelations chapter 21 verse 8 But as for the fearful, unbelieving faithless one, your fate is the same Your elevator won’t be coming into Heaven, but going down to stay Why do you fear what man can do to you? There’s no greater Power than me & I choose to live in you. It’s impossible to please me without Faith,Faith without actions…puts handcuffs on my Grace Did I not tell you to humble yourselves & pray I’m the brightest of the brightest, but being blinded by that Pride in your face Now, this is not the voice of condemnation, But a loving Father saving you from damnation Even now, My sheep are reading this and you know My voice I’ve set it before you now, now make your choice The angels have been released to report the pulse of your heart They will seal those who ask for forgiveness & desire a new start Don’t take these as empty words that one writes It’s time to be led by the Spirit of Christ This was inspired by the Creator of the Universe Do it before your family is watching you drive off in a hurst. Return to me & I will return to you. Its’ time to take a shower Give me your heart, take My Love & my Spirit gives you Power I will pour out My love upon you like never before Secret sins cleansed, joy & health, shall be restored. Don’t limit your challenge, rather challenge your limit Stretch beyond your comfort sight, get a new picture, fulfill it. Don’t worry about how for now, that’s My part But seek Me for instructions so you can start. Toni NoelleDallas, Txflowriters@gmail.com
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BUT FIRST,
I GOTTA CUT YOU! By:HAEtheprophet Several years ago, I began transitioning from being saved to being saved for real! One afternoon, I decided to sit under a tree and watch it sway. The Wind began to blow. The birds began to talk. Surely, God was moving in the atmosphere. I could sense it in the air. The hair began to stiffen on my arm. My pores opened. I leaned back in my chair, relaxing my spirit, opening my mind for revelation from The Wind. “Reveal, reveal, reveal”, I repeatedly said in my mind. And the spirit of the Lord said unto me: “You are mine, BUT first I gotta cut you.” Wait. Huh?
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There is nothing I can speak on with validation unless I have GONE through it or I AM Go-ING through it myself. Anybody willing to admit they have been wilderness wanderers? We heard the instructions of Spirit, but we did what we wanted to do anyhow. Spirit said go RIGHT, we went left. Left into the wrong relationships. Left into the wrong circle of friends. Left into the wrong job. Left into the streets. Left into the wrong church led by a wolf.
We heard Spirit very clearly but for whatever reason, in our humanity, we went left. We went left so much, we started going in circles. Many believers have a hard time applying modern day circumstances with biblical principles for our own lives. Therefore, in lieu of pointing a finger at anyone, let’s go bible! This is right where we find the children of Israel at the death of Moses. The same church folk that Moses killed for knew God. Push pause. We do know that Moses was a murderer, right? Makes you wonder if righteous anger is sometimes justified. Push play. These same church folks couldn’t seem to gather that God was a protector. Left. The same church folks that Moses interceded for knew God but didn’t believe God was a provider. Left. They saw miracles, signs and wonders and didn’t believe God was perfect in all God’s ways. Just Left! I have- no I GOT QUESTIONS!!!! What happens when God says you are mine?
Bible thumpers know the story but please allow me to paint a picture. Out goes Moses and Aaron. Here comes Joshua and Caleb. Joshua which means God’s salvation and Caleb, the whole heartedly devoted. I wish I had time to work this but there isn’t space in the word count to walk out the situation. Just know, this thing requires both salvation from GOD and devotion from YOU! God told Joshua, “go get it! Just like I told Moses, I AM telling you! You can have wherever you place your feet.” In other words, God was validating Joshua as God’s own. Relationship ought to be enough to make somebody give God some praise BUT hold on, wait one minute, let me put some prophetic teaching in it! PROMISE DON’T APPLY TO EVERYBODY! Freedom ain’t free! A covenant is between TWO parties!!! I’m reminded of the prophetic minstrels Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston: IT TAKES TWO BABY! You don’t get the full blessings and the protection of God unless you put something on the line too! After properly exegeting the text, Joshua 5:2-3 in plain English says, “yeah, you are mine, but first I gotta cut you”. It don’t make sense unless you back up and exegete Genesis 17:13 where it is made plain, an everlasting covenant requires your flesh. You can’t go from Gilgal into Jericho without a cut. You can’t go from rolling away the reproach (Gilgal) into the scent of God (Jericho) without a cut. Covenant requires a cut!!!
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As I sat in stillness, in awe of the revelation from The Wind, I heard the Lord say, “Give me your sensitive parts. You want to be the apple of my eye? Let ME cut you! Tired of smelling like a victim? Let ME cut you! You sick of going in circles? Let ME cut you!” I began to recall the cloud of witnesses- Ezekiel what say you? Then I passed by you and saw you, and behold, you were at the time for love; so, I spread My skirt over you and covered your nakedness. I also swore to you and entered into a covenant with you so, that you became mine, declares the Lord God. Oftentimes, prophets release words of glory without realistic expectations of the process. When you come into covenant with The Creator, it is not an easy. It does not feel good; not if you have completely surrendered because there are things that must be cut away. Even though it does not always feel good, it works out for your good. I assure you that you will heal. You can then proudly proclaim, “I know I am His because I survived the cut!!!”