Thursday, May 12, 2016

What Makes Your Heart Sing, part 2

What makes your heart sing?  Since raising this question with other women over the past few weeks, I stand in awe as so many have shared their wonderfully varied responses to the question.  A few of them are shared here.



"Being a part of the success of the young people that I teach and tutor at my church ... tranquility in my family ... watching God working in the life of my husband ... nature, love for fishing, teaching other women how to fish, experiencing nature, God's creation ... making a difference in the life of others, giving a hug, sharing the Word that encourages ... three year old grandbaby ... knowing that God has my back ... knowing that God knew me before I was formed, yet He still allowed me to BE ... knowing that God loves me ... seeing my kids smile ... knowing that I'm not alone ... knowing that God does not slumber nor sleep, and all that concerns me, HE GOT IT ... how 2 Timothy 1:7 changed me from being very fearful and always thinking negative to a mind of peace ... knowing that I can do something in each day to show God working in my life ...  Psalm 91 protection ... time spent fishing with my mother" ... and the list goes on.



What makes your heart sing?  What thoughts, experiences, situations, circumstances, people, biblical stories and/or scriptures make your heart sing?  Please share.  Would love to hear from you.  Leave a comment here.  #riseat5  #goahead 

Thursday, May 5, 2016

You Are Somebody Special

A long time ago (remember these words), I was asked to speak to a graduating class of pregnant girls from Birmingham City Schools.  My first thoughts (unfortunately) were pregnant girls, fast girls, illegitimate babies, sexual promiscuity, bad girls.  Even though I had accepted the invitation, my big question was ... what do I say to them?  Fortunately, I slowed my wild and run away thinking down long enough to hear the voice of the Lord give me the message topic.  You may have already figured it out.  It was You  Are Somebody Special! And indeed, they were.



Read the following words, speak the words aloud, think about what you're saying -- I Am Somebody Special.  Repeat the words and know that you are.  Yes, You Are Somebody Special.  Guess who said so?  God says that you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).  He says that you are more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37).  The Lord says you triumph in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 2:14).  Almighty God says that you are the head and not the tail, you're above and not beneath, you're the lender and not the borrower (Deuteronomy 28:12-13).  He adds that you can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13).



It really doesn't matter what you see, hear, think, or feel about yourself, where you've been, or what you've done.  ALL that matters is what the Word of the Lord says.  You Are Somebody Special!!!