The Un-Perfect Walk with Christ (visit www.TristaDaniell.com for more content)

Is your walk with Christ perfect? If you’re anything like me probably not.

Living in the world of flesh is difficult. Our flesh wars against the Spirit of God that dwells in those who have accepted Christ, encouraging us to indulge in our passions/desires over the better things of God. It can be easy to get caught up in our desires and allow ourselves to become corrupted by sin, but we don’t have to stay that way. Those who follow The Way of Christ know the way to restoration and forgiveness – acceptance of the salvation offered through Christ’s death and resurrection to life. When are committed to following Christ, including diligent study of YHWH’s Word, prayer, worship and service to the Lord, we can be confident of God’s promise to transform us into the image of Christ (2 Corinth 3:18; Psalm 84:7; Romans 8:29). You may not be perfect in your walk today, but you are being transformed and perfection is coming as long as you remain in Christ (John 15:1 -8).

Can you imagine if the story of King David would have ended when he murdered Bathsheba’s husband to hide her pregnancy? Man would have certainly condemned him, but God said this is not the end (2 Samuel 11 – 12). What about Peter denying Christ to the Romans in the midst of Christ’s trial? Man would have said Peter was unworthy because he denounced Christ in His darkest hour (Luke 22:34; John 18: 15-27); but God said NO! Peter is My rock, I have called Him and I know his end from his beginning (Matthew 16:18). God told Joseph he was going to make his brothers bow down to him and the next thing you know Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers (Genesis 37), THEN falsely accused of rape and thrown in jail (Genesis 39)! By all accounts, it looked like Joseph’s “little dream” was just an illusion…but fast forward a bit and we find God did exactly what He promised (Genesis 41). Joseph was over the entire land of Egypt and His brothers did indeed come and bow down to him (Genesis 42 – 45).

Looks can be deceiving, especially in this world where everything we see is perception (John 7:24; 2 Corinth 10:7). What you look like today is only a reflection of who you are eternally in Christ (1 Corinth 13:12) --- and I say who you are, because it’s already done (Hebrew 10:10, 14); we’re just in the process of realizing, accepting and walking in it.

 “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” -1 John 3:2

You are called. You are loved. You are a child of God. Don’t let anybody tell you different.

Selah. 

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Are you called to consecration?

Are you willing to consecrate yourself to the Lord? What does it mean to consecrate: “To make or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose”. Not many are willing to do this. To consecrate yourself is to formally set yourself apart for the work of God and His work only. The consecrated enjoy a greater intimacy with Most High as a result of their consecration.

Consecration is not something one takes lightly. It’s not a vow to make rashly (Ecclesiastes 5:5-6; Proverbs 20:25) because it comes with great sacrifice [and greater reward]. The consecrated must be sincere in heart and devoted in Spirit because one cannot consecrate himself and return to the things that defiled him; this is an abomination to the Lord and He will not be pleased (2 Peter 2:20-21).

Some of us have been called to consecration. If you are called. You have been gifted with all you need to answer the call (Hebrew 13:21; Philippians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:17). Praise God for His loving and patient hand. He will prepare those He has called to be consecrated unto Him; and when the time is ready, they who have been called will be holy in His sight (Ephesians 1:4; Leviticus 20:7; Colossians 1:22; 2 Timothy 2:21).

This is why King David still asks, “Now [this moment], who is willing to consecrate himself today [right now] to the Lord [God YHWH]?” 1 Chronicles 29:5

No need to fret. If you are called to consecration, God will make it plain and make it so. All you need to have is a willing Spirit and willingness to trust Him.

I AM SAYS TO THOSE HE HAS CALLED: Be at peace little one, for I AM has consecrated you to holiness. It has already been done. 

365 Days of Thanks...not just one.

“Now, our God, we give You thanks and praise Your glorious Name, Yahweh.” 1 Chronicles 29:13

The month of November reminds people to be thankful. We see daily expressions of thanks throughout social media as people join the “30 days of thanks” challenge and share their blessings with the world. It’s a beautiful idea, if only it lasted throughout the year. Sadly, after today many people will go back to the old habits of overlooking the things they have to be thankful for. Black Friday rolls around and suddenly all that we have to be thankful for has to compete with all the new stuff we don’t have. “Thankful” people are lining up outside of stores to buy a bunch of stuff they don’t need mere hours after sitting down to a meal to say how “thankful” they are for all they have.

This year, let us remember our gratitude should extend beyond a tradition and a social media post; our gratitude should extend from our hearts. It should be sincere. It should honestly and humbly appreciate all that we have each day.

True gratitude appreciates all it has, no matter how little, because it understands everything we have is a blessing someone else is praying and waiting to receive.

If you have shelter, food and a warm bed you’re abundantly blessed and have much to be thankful for. If you have indoor plumbing you’re abundantly blessed and have much to be thankful for. If you’re reading this without fear of ISIS or some other terrorist organization running into your home and terrorizing your life….you are abundantly blessed!






Let us remember to be thankful each day of the year, not just this day, because YHWH remembers to be faithful each day of the year and not just one…






Remember, we’re called to “….give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18; as a result we should be “giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20 Ask yourself, are you?






You are called. You are loved. You are a child of God.

Are you too full for God? ('God, For Sinners' Devotional Series)

Do you know what a manger is? It’s a feeding trough that also serves as a bed for cattle.  It is definitely not a place for a baby, or a Savior.

But, this is exactly where Jesus was born.

In a cattle bed.

The Greek word for ‘inn’, kataluma, also means “a lodging place”. When Joseph arrived at the Inn with a visibly pregnant Mary, they learned there was no place for them because the inn was full.  Instead of welcoming the Savior of the World in comfort, Mary gave birth in some uncomfortable, unsanitary place and had to put the Son of God in a feeding trough. A feeding trough! (Luke 2:1-20)

Each inn had an opportunity to welcome the Savior of the world but they were too full to accept Him. We’re much like those inns.

We can be so preoccupied with the things of the world that we aren’t available to Christ. We put our personal desires before our relationship with Christ and have the audacity to require Him to compete for our hearts.  Our “inns” are “full” with the things of this world and, in consequence, Christ’s transforming power is limited in our lives.  

Have you welcomed Christ into the lodging place of your heart; or, have you allocated Him to the feeding troughs because you didn’t have room?

Our hearts were created to be a “lodging place” for the Lord to make His home with us. When we welcome Christ into our “lodging places” (hearts), we open the door for His transforming power to “give birth” to our “new life” in Christ.  But we must have room to let Him in.

Do you?

Selah.

Personal reflection: Set aside 15 – 30 minutes today and write out the things that take priority in your heart. Not sure what those things are?  Spend time in prayer asking YHWH to reveal these things.  As He does this, write them down in a devotional or prayer journal.

If God is not at the top of your list it’s time to do some rearranging. First, confess the sin of putting the things of the world before God in repentance and receive God’s forgiveness (it is important you receive forgiveness). Then, ask Holy Spirit to help you put God first in all things, especially your heart and trust that He will.

If you know someone who can support you your commitment to keeping God first, share with them and set aside time each week to discuss struggles and successes. 

Two types of Righteousness: Which are you? Follow me on Periscope: @JustTristaDRA

They say the religious kids are selfish....before you start screaming blasphemy...listen.

This morning I read this article  which said children raised in Christian and Muslim households are less likely to be altruistic that their atheist and non-religious counterparts. I'll admit, my initial reaction was one of defense - how dare these secular God hating individuals attack little Christian and Muslim kids this way. The religious people are the most selfless in the .....then I stopped mid-thought. I heard Spirit speak gently as always....

Read.

So I read the report...and of course there were a number of negative comments from those identifying as Christian or Muslim. However, as I stepped out of my feelings and gave the article some serious thought (based on my experiences growing up in a Christian Southern Baptist church) I had to be honest. Some of what they wrote is true...

I can't speak for the Muslim religion...but as pissed off as some Christians get over this article...it's raising some valid points. Christianity is filled with selfish adults! I mean REALLY SELFISH ADULTS. You have more "Christians" trying to show up their "haters" and cutting people off because the relationship doesn't benefit them". Let's be real, if you can only befriend someone who benefits you - that's selfishness! The Word tells us to associate with those who can help us and those who cannot, associating only with people whom you can benefit from is showing favoritism which is not in keeping with the Character of Christ (James 2:9).

Sadly, many in the church do not see the selfishness because churches aren't teaching about selflessness and love as much anymore (it's all about that "breakthrough" blessing, what God can do for me) ...even the service to God is done out of selfish motives (I just don't want to go to "hell" or I want to get my blessings). We have pastors and churches putting out fliers that look like concert advertisements promoting themselves over God, people attaching "sexy selfies" to posts that are supposed to be about word of God.... and let's not get started on the whole "we are right and everyone else is ignorant and wrong and doesn't have a clue in hell who God is" attitude...totally not humble like Jesus.

 Many of those opposed to expanding healthcare in American and immigration consider themselves "christian" in spite of the fact that these are exactly the kinds of selfless acts Christ encouraged His followers to do (help the poor, the immigrant and the sick). You have a number of Christians who use judgement to make themselves feel better about not helping certain groups of people and treating them with disdain...yet we say we're unselfish...we say we walk in love. Maybe, just maybe...the article isn't so far off... ...what if this was a call for each of us to look at ourselves and our walks, our churches and our teaching to see if it lines up with the walk and character of Christ versus defending ourselves as perfect. But I digress.

Living "blameless" in Christ....how? #Faith Follow me on Periscope @JustTristaDRA

Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.... #Faith Follow me on Periscope @JustTristaDRA

Putting on the Full Armor of YAHWEH ‪#‎FAITH‬ Follow me on Persicope: JustTristaDRA

The choice that requires the most faith.....

We can't go around cutting people off yet claiming we walk in love....#faith

I am seeing a growing number of people in the church boast about deleting, blocking and cutting people off who don't serve them any purpose or enhance their lives. It is true  YHWH will ask us to remove ourselves from individuals who threaten our spiritual walk or if we're in a situation that causes physical harm. These days we're cutting people off over frivolous disagreements, to prove petty points or just because we're  in our feelings about something that person did or didn't do.

I was a huge proponent of doing this until YHWH allowed someone I considered a dear friend (who I admired as a strong woman of God) to do it to me without warning or explanation even when reached out to understand the issue.  Being on the receiving side of a cutoff allowed me to understand how such behavior distorted the image of Christ I claimed. I recognized the wrong in this and repented.

Cutting people off who are not physically/mentally and/or spiritually damaging you or your life is a way to get back and inflict pain on said individual without actually getting your hands dirty. It is not acting in love. It is actually a passive aggressive way of trying to tell someone "You are no longer valid or important to my life and I no longer need you." It also says "You were never valuable to my life" because the "cutting" symbolizes how disposable the person being cast aside is. Let's be real, we block, delete and cut people off to let people know "you don't matter".

Study the Word in this area and ask God for truth. Look to the examples of Jesus who often interacted with those who hated Him. Judas betrayed Jesus to death and Jesus knew he'd do this....yet, Jesus didn't block, delete,cut off and cast away....Christ looked His betrayer in the face and broke bread with him without a single change in His treatment of Judas.

He knew His "rock", Peter, would deny Him three times as He entered into suffering, yet He continued to show Peter love right up to the very end. Then there's that "love your enemies and do good to those who persecute you" command...ijs.

The very people He came to save requested freedom for a known murderer to ensure Christ would die. They mocked, spit, taunted and consistently shunned Him, His Truth and His ways....but did He say forget it, I'm not dying for you ungrateful people....No, He continued to be about His Father's business of LOVE and sharing the Truth of The Way regardless of the behavior of others. Regardless how they treated Him.

Those who claim His name and follow The Way should do the same.

Let's start calling out incorrect teaching of His Word. Followers of The Way [of Christ] are to love as He loves, even when...no ESPECIALLY when, it's inconvenient. Loving those who love you back or make you "feel" good....well even non-believers do that. We are called to greater. Selah.

"...others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a greater resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskin and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated - the world was not worthy of them...." Hebrew 11:35-38.

Don't Settle.

Most of us dread Mondays. Even if Monday is a holiday, it's only preparation for the drag back to work or back into the routine of children, homework, laundry piles and exhaustion. As women, we’re often groomed to focus our energies on getting married, having babies and taking care of our families. If we do have a career or dreams, they are to be put on the backburner for our spouses and our children. We watched our mothers and grandmothers sacrifice their dreams for the family and we are expected do the same.

But....I want something different. 

I applaud my mother for her hard work...she taught me the work ethic I that got me where I am today but, I am also sad.  In spite of my mother's hard work and sacrifice, she retired only to return to work shortly afterward because she simply could not afford to live on her retirement. At 73 years old my mother is still working and she’s never had a single day of vacation in her life. Is this all life offers?  

It's heartbreaking and the cycle must stop. But, how?

REFUSING TO SETTLE. 

I'm a "tough" woman according to most. There's no question regarding the strength God instilled in me and I am grateful. Unfortunately, many misconstrue my strength and think I've never known what it feels like to want to give up. 

LIES! LIES FROM THE PIT OF SHEOL!

The reality is even the strongest get tired and want to give in. Living with bipolar disorder, there are days I do not want to get out of bed or open the curtains. There are days when I think of my job and I sigh in agony because of the stress it brings. I think of days when my responsibilities were less and I long for them as a young girl for her childhood crush. 

After over a year of sulking and complaining, I realized the dissatisfaction I felt was not there to frustrate or stress me; in fact, it was the complete opposite. Dissatisfaction came as a result of my complacency and its purpose was to help me recognize I was on a path to settling. I had two choices: 

A.  I could continue my current path because I am miserably "comfortable" where I am or, 

B.   I can trust Spirit Who leads and allow this to propel me into the greater Will and experience joy.

I think I like option B. 

Most High has given us the choice of life or death and encourages us to choose life. Unfortunately, we can get so wrapped up in the things of this world that we choose what's most comfortable, even if it isn't the most "life producing" option.

It is important for us to review our choices to ensure we're choosing life over death in all areas of our lives - relationships, careers, health, diet, social and spiritual lives, etc. 

Are we choosing life when we choose to work that extra shift but we KNOW we need to rest?

Are we choosing life when we put foods in our bodies that we KNOW work against it?

Are we choosing life when we constantly put ourselves last under the guise we're "serving others" but internally we're complaining about the reality that no one thinks of us (how can they if you never think of yourself?). 

We MUST choose life. And choosing life isn't always comfortable. 

Death is the absence of progress. It is when things cease to move forward. There is no hope or opportunity for greater. Death is hopelessness. The grave is comfortable.

Life is the birth of progress. It is when things move forward and they do not cease until death. Life offers hope and opportunity for greater. Life is uncomfortable.

And how does life begin? With the discomfort of labor. Labor that includes intense pain, exhaustion, hard work and endurance.

Life is labor: A labor of love. A labor of service. A labor of endurance. Labor must be endured to produce life.

Settling is a sacrifice of hope. Settling says to the Universe this is the best You can do. Settling says to self, this is the best I deserve. 

Don't settle. 

What the Church failed to tell me when I accepted Christ. #FAITH #STRENGTH #ENDURANCE #TRUSTGOD

What are your words creating (power of your words) #Faith #SpeakwithPurpose Follow me on Periscope: JustTristaDRA

Holding others to the Law....when we live by Grace.

Your past doesn't matter....

For you....whoever you are....

It doesn't matter where you are today, that doesn't stop you from becoming who God created you to be right now and walking in His will for your life from this moment forward. Don't let circumstances keep you stagnant. Don't let your past, your record, where you come from or what you think you lack stop you and don't listen to the people around you who say you can't!

To the young men and women living in areas where all you see are drugs, poverty, broken home, violence and broken dreams...don't let what you see determine what you become. Don't allow the people around you who dare not to dream keep you from realizing the dream you have in your heart. It doesn't matter if you come from a family of crack addicts - that's not YOU. It doesn't matter if you come from a family of hoes (and yes I mean, hoes) - that's not YOU. It doesn't matter if everyone in your family been in and out of jail - that's not YOU.

...AND SO WHAT IF IT WAS YOU? SO WHAT IF IT IS YOU RIGHT NOW BUT YOU WANT BETTER. THEN DO BETTER. Your past is just that your PAST. I don't care if you just shot up or just left a trick's car --- RIGHT NOW IS YOUR PRESENT and it don't matter what you've done YOU CAN TURN IT AROUND. YOU ARE WORTH MORE AND WORTHY OF MORE.

To my young single mothers who had dreams of college graduation...successful careers...and fabulous lives but you had a child(ren).....DO NOT SETTLE. You deserve MORE than just to get by!  Don't let grumbles and mumbles of people who smirked and said "I told you so" when you got pregnant to become your destiny. Don't hold your head in shame and refuse to ask for help. Having a baby didn't strip your intelligence...having children didn't stop you from dreaming and if by chance your baby stopped one dream  DREAM ANOTHER! You can still get that college degree, have that career...be that nurse, doctor, lawyer, judge, business owner...own that hair store, catering company, nail shop, daycare or whatever else you desire. DREAM BIGGER, if not for you for your babies! Sure....you have to work harder...but it can be done.

You might be the ONLY PERSON around you who believes you can do better. You might be the ONLY person who looks at your circumstances and says I WANT MORE. YOU might have to go at it alone before anyone else will support you and encourage you...but YOU DON'T GIVE UP.

Don't let those living the realities of giving up on their dreams deter you from living yours. Don't let the mistakes of your past be all that defines you in your life... right now make a choice to only allow you to define you. Make the choice to fight for YOU. YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN, DEAR LOVE.....

So what you messed up, so did I and so did they who sit on their high horses and tell you what you can't do. But you can do it! You are not what your father, mother, sister, brother, aunt, cousins or three generations of family have been...YOU. ARE. YOU.

Don't let people or circumstances limit you. Don't let past choices define you. Don't let people talk you out of the destiny that's been put inside you.

Sometimes, the only person who will believe in your dream is YOU. Dream bigger loves....dream bigger.

Why can I say this to you? I was once where you are. Judged as you are and I know how it feels when people count you out because of your mistakes. Don't do it for them, do it for you. You owe it to yourself and your future. <3

You CAN do it, through Christ. Selah.

"Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress..." Psalm 107: 6, 13, 19, 28.

"Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men..." Psalm 107: 8, 15, 21, 31

Your God makes humans feel worthless with all His sin shaming.....

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I AM THE WORST. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, THE WORST OF SINNERS, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life." - I Timothy 1:15-16

Confession of sin is not to make man feel less than or unworthy. Confession of sin allows us to understand the need for Christ and also how AMAZING His grace truly is. Only when one recognizes his own sinfulness can he fully understand, accept and mature in the gift of salvation that comes from Christ's sacrifice on the cross.

There are a number of self-identifying christians joining this movement stating humans don't need to confess sins because we are not "sinful". As a result, we don't need a savior because we are our own saviors. This theology is dangerous. This denounces the truth that man is sinful and makes the sacrifice of Christ on the cross in vain. There was no need for His death if man is not sinful.

It's like telling people trapped in a burning building "you don't need firefighters it's all in your head! Save yourselves! You can do it." and leaving them there to die.

I used to regularly pray "forgive me for my sins" - using the word "SINS" which is generic. In essence we're not "confessing our sin" we're asking for blanket forgiveness for whatever HE THINKS we've done wrong. We're not admitting anything we've done or seeking Him to help us overcome (true repentance) we're simply praying a redundant prayer that we think sounds good.

Look at it this way, when someone hurts you and they want to make amends, the first thing we look for is an apology. But not any old apology will do. If the person says "I'm sorry for whatever I did " but they can't tell you WHY they are sorry, then we often feel they've learned nothing and the behavior will repeat.  We require acknowledgment of the actions that hurt us to ensure the offender understands WHAT it is they did wrong so they can correct the behavior towards you and do right. Why do we expect confession to Father God, Most High, to be different?

Once, while praying my generic "forgive me for my sins" I was prompted to actually CONFESS them individually. This was on me for a few days before I heeded the prompting of His Spirit (again, sinning because I wasn't immediately obedient as I should have been). When I did finally obeyed, I noticed my prayers moved from ..."Father forgive me for my sins, please help me to do better tomorrow and be pleasing to you"  to:

Father forgive me for gossiping about such and such yesterday, help me to tame my tongue in accordance with Your word that says cursing and praise should not come out of the same mouth. I cannot tame my tongue alone for I am human but by Your Spirit, I can overcome and use my mouth for Your glory in accordance with your will. Forgive me for my gluttony, You have blessed us with one human body and I should honor and care for it instead of overeating things that I know I shouldn't eat. Help me to remember my brothers and sisters who suffer hunger each day, those who may only have one meal or no meals, that I may use whatever extra I have not to indulge myself but bless others that they might be filled with food for the body and food for the spirit. All for Your glory. Father forgive me for my grumbling and complaining about XYZ today, You are so good and gracious in all things to me and I want to acknowledge all the goodness You do. Please help me to see more of Your glory and goodness in each day of my life that my heart may be filled with gratitude and leave no room for complaint. Bless me with a pure heart in You Father, that I shall see your face and my race may not be in vain. Thank you for victory over sin through Christ Jesus, I thank you for freedom from guilt and bondage and I thank You that the word You will begin in me to overcome these sins will be seen through until the end. Father I glorify You! Thank You for your love and devotion to me, thank You for your mercy and truly amazing grace. I am unworthy, but Your love makes me worthy....thank You. Amen. 

This REALLY opened up a door in my prayer life and strengthened my spiritual walk with God. NOW we were getting to the nitty gritty. Each time I confessed my sins, I grew stronger in my faith because I recognized in spite of all these things, YHWH LOVES ME! Christ still intercedes for me and reminds me of His amazing and beautiful grace. I feel closer in relationship to Christ because I am honest in who I am.  I don't  need to "put on" in prayers as if God doesn't know who I really am in the heart. Finally, it helps me to be honest with myself and God. When I started confessing the sins of my heart (down to the deepest ugliest ones that I wouldn't dare share with the world) I was able to be less defensive and more open to His prompting of things I needed to notice...more importantly I was able to see the selfishness and check the motives of many actions. For me, all this led to an increase in faith and more personable experience with my God YHWH and His Son, Christ.

Confession doesn't degrade or leave you feeling less than...when you confess to the true and living God with a right heart, He ALWAYS leaves you feeling refreshed and at peace in Him. God is not a man that He can lie and He promises to forgive your sins when you confess them. He will bless you to overcome sin through Him if you ask for His help.

Tip: When you recognize you're struggling with sin in a given area, seek scripture that counters that sin. When you confess your sins in prayer, ask God to help you overcome in accordance with His word and then pray those very words written down in that verse back to Him.

For instance, if you struggle with gossip...you can acknowledge James 3 that tells us man cannot tame the tongue and then pray Psalms 34:13 Father, help me keep my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking deceit and also Psalm 141:3 "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!"  

Continue praying this constantly, consistently...the walk with God is a lot of repetitive strengthening.

I'm about 5 years into a committed walk with Christ and taming the tongue is still something we're working on but there's been tremendous improvement and I am confident He will see this through victoriously until the end. So shall it be with you, if you only believe and seek God diligently (and consistently) that it may be so in your life.

Selah.

A testimony for those afraid to step out on faith....

I want to share a testimony to encourage someone who is having a hard time stepping out on faith right now because you can't see where God is taking you.

Last year I kept feeling a prompting in my spirit to leave my place of employment and move on to another opportunity. With this came a lot of fear because I wasn't sure how this would pan out; I was leaving a large company with a bright future to be my own boss and take on clients one on one....I worried about the client list, if I'd make enough income, if I would be able to handle the work....if I was "good enough"...

I felt a bit of security working for a company so I hesitated for a long while...out of fear...out of lack of trust for God's promises....and things got really tough before I finally took that step of faith God was prompting.
Fast forward to today....this past Friday over 400 people at that company woke up to learn they had no jobs and the company announced today they were "freezing services" citing very vague reasons. They didn't even give the employees warning...in fact they were still taking new clients and promoting individuals through this month! Needless to say those who stayed were completely blindsided by this news and for many this was a sole source or primary source of income. One can only imagine the anguish and worry some of these individuals have right now.

After my initial shock and concern for the employees wore off, I realized how God's prompting for me to leave last year was of utter importance. Can you imagine waking up to go to work and learning you have no job? Had I not stepped out on faith and I stayed there trusting in that company instead of my God I would have been in the number of those who were shocked. Instead, God has blessed me tremendously since I left that company and trusted Him. I can't say enough how amazing the blessings have been....but I never would have received them had I not first TRUSTED HIM and STEPPED OUT ON FAITH.

If you are hesitating today because you're not sure ....you're worried...or you're wondering if God really will be faithful...I'm here to encourage you to make that step and trust Him fully. He is definitely faithful and He sees far into the future what you cannot.

Please keep all those individuals who have lost their jobs in your prayers for new employment and that God be a provider and comfort as they search.

Dear Children of the Most High....

Children of God,

Do not worry about your life (Matthew 6:25) but set your heart on things above (Colossians 3:1) not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2). Put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry (Colossians 3:5). You must rid yourself of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other (Colossians 3:8).

You have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator (Colossians 3:10). Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity (Colossians 3:12-14).

Let the peace of Christ rule your hearts...and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God, the Father, through Him (Colossians 3:15 - 17).

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful...and pray...that God may open a door for [the] message, o that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone (Colossians 4:2-6).

Selah.

What you ultra conservative hetero christians won't do is keep us from Christ!

What you heterosexual gay bashing "christians" WON'T DO  is stand up here and tell my LGBT brothers and sisters that they are not worthy to come to God and receive His love and grace just like your sinful heterosexual behind did. NO...YOU WON'T do that.

It is certainly the time where LGBT individuals will stand up and fight for their right to serve God and praise His name in spite of what YOU PEOPLE feel. Just like the divorced, fornicating, lying, cheating, drug addict, child abusing, wife beating, adulterous, greedy, stingy, selfish, worrying, lack of faith, murderer, pedophile, rapist, prostitute, pig flesh eating, two kinds of thread wearing, working on the sabbath and celebrating pagan holidays by dressing them up to be christian  - receive His grace  so can WE! oh how we love to forget we are ALL FILLED with sin to the brim. Half of y'all aint tried to witness to a person your ENTIRE LIFE but as soon as you come in contact with a gay person it's OHHH YOU NEED TO KNOW JESUS YOU'RE AN ABOMINATION.  Y'all spew your condemnation like the KKK spews their racism. It's no different. Your HATE is the same. Yes, you heterosexual hateful christians do not realize that you CANNOT speak on the KKK or Taliban or ISIS or any regime of terror until YOU stop terrorizing the GLBT community with your hate and turning them AWAY from God. HOW DARE YOU PEOPLE? HOW DARE YOU?!? Talk about picking and choosing bible verses to meet your standard. Ye shall be judged according to your judgements.

As a christian you should DRAW PEOPLE TO GOD. You can't do that when you're too prejudiced to get past someone's orientation to actually minister to their heart.  We will NOT fall silently back into the church walls and hide ourselves in order to be accepted by YOU when we are also experiencing the love and truth of God in our lives. The church will never be what it should be until it unites ALL OF ITS MEMBERS IN UNITY - ONE CHURCH, ONE FAITH, ONE LORD. But we can't be one faith because half the faith fighting the other half over who is in and who is out. For the record, the gays are ALWAYS out...except for the few you allow to sneak in to use our creativity, skills, time, energy, etc. - you'll use us up then turn around and tell us we're not worthy to be loved by God instead of teaching LGBT individuals who desire to know God and serve Him sincerely how to live in accordance with His will. IT IS POSSIBLE BUT THE CHURCH REFUSES TO DEAL WITH IT. (If you are a heterosexual pastor, youth pastor, church leader or whatever and you need help with that, please feel free to contact me I'm more than HAPPY to help you put together a ministry program for LGBT individuals that do NOT make us feel devalued, judged, condemned and hated).

You heteros just are SO uncomfortable with GLBT people that you don't even know HOW to approach the LGBT community with respect and/or love. So you HATE and that's VERY VERY SAD. Yes our community needs ministering - but we don't need your gay bashing bigotry asserting yourself to feel like you're better than spiritually simply because of who you lay with --- REALLY?! AT LEAST HAVE THE COURTESY TO BASE YOUR RELIGIOUS BOASTING ON YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST . That bible you thump at me clearly says boast NOT in yourself but in the Lord. Trust me when I tell you - you will be judged in accordance with your judgments.

I remember standing in front of the church at 18 lamenting about dropping out of college because a young gay man led the praise dance team. I remember the ENTIRE church standing up applauding my story of how I spewed regurgitated scripture at the young man and told him he was an abomination unworthy to be serving God and shouldn't even be in his church more lest teaching praise dance for Him. THE ENTIRE CHURCH STOOD UP AND CLAPPED....and for a young impressionable girl that really stuck with me. The funny thing about it is I LIED ABOUT THE ENTIRE THING TO DROP OUT OF SCHOOL AND MAKE IT SEEM LIKE I HAD A VALID REASON. So I took the stance that the school was teaching the bible was a myth (many colleges teach this I'd heard it before I really was NOT offended) and that they had gay men serving in the church as praise team leads, praise dancers and all this and "I was taking a stand against the abomination!" ....chile please. What they didn't know while they stood clapping for all the lies that I told was that I'd gone to that school, I'd been involved in fornication while there (never told them that and apparently no one was praying because Holy Spirit didn't tell em either) and I was lonely, I hated the city, I didn't have friends and I wanted to come home - period. Now as I look back it's very sad, that was an entire church of people applauding me condemning someone when they didn't even realize I was standing before them as the liar condemning a young man who at the time probably had a better relationship with God than I did - clearly, I stood up and lied right in His church but not a single person at the church raised an eyebrow or stopped to tell me hey, what you did wasn't right that's NOT how you minister to the LGBT community. It was so sad to see an entire church applauding hate and my self assertion. So it was no surprise when I finally came out and the church totally shunned and turned their backs on me. The standard you judge is how you will be judge. I judged that young man though I didn't know anything about him except he was a gay man.....so in turn I was allowed to be judged the same way when I finally came out of the closet.  That experience allowed me to understand how it feels, how ugly it is, how damaging it is to someone's heart and their relationship with God....God is not pleased when we point any of His children away from Him. That's exactly what is being done.

In my heart of hearts I did NOT agree with what I was being taught, I did NOT agree when I had youth pastors who would gay bash EVERYWHERE and EVERYONE instead of working to understand how we could best minister to to ALL of God's children without forcing them into following rules instead of following Christ. You religious lukewarm bible thumping out of context scripture quoting brood of vipers are REALLY doing damage to people's hearts and views of God and you're gonna have to answer for that. Heck, it was judgmental heterosexual "christians" who dogged me so hard when I came out that I ran so far away from God I embraced anything BUT Him. I thought SURELY, God doesn't act like this and if His people do I'll just go to hell. Yea...THAT'S how horrible the church people made a teenager feel when she came out and was scared and not understanding who she was. There was no compassion, there was no LOVE, there was no encouragement in the Lord to seek Him for understanding, only disdain, judgment, condemnation and even accusations of child molestation aint that some crap? You know who brought me back -  GOD- He separated me from the religious influences and said to me the most beautiful words....THEY TOLD YOU I COULDN'T USE YOU. THEY TOLD YOU WERE UNWORTHY. THEY TOLD YOU I DID NOT LOVE YOU....I NEVER SAID THAT....and from here we developed a relationship that has bloomed in love. I wish you would tell me I'm not worthy and my relationship with Him is not real. Arrogance at its worst.

 REMEMBER - JOB'S FRIENDS WERE ALSO VERY VERY SURE THEY KNEW EXACTLY HOW GOD FELT...only to be so far off that Job had to pray for them after it was all said and done because God was NOT pleased.

I don't claim to speak for God or be an authority on these matters....I'm just speaking what I live and what I see.

...please GET OFF your religious high horse!

....Dear Christians....you can't witness with hate, judgment or prejudice in your heart. You cannot witness while you sit on your horse and point at someone else's perceived sin as if you yourselves are perfect - people see right through that. You cannot witness if you come under the guise of friendship only in the hopes of one day changing that person - that would be manipulation God calls us to come in honesty, He doesn't use manipulation. How are you going to be a friend to that person if your #1 focus is their sexual orientation? Heterosexual christians who are fornicating are not subjected to the same treatment by the church - that shows partiality  which is against God's word as well. This entire article is about setting your church up to keep GAYS OUT..... What would Jesus say about that?

The church is supposed to be welcoming the very kinds of people you're closing your doors too ...those people you THINK are unworthy of His love because of their sins...because of course you are sinless or your sin is not as big a deal as gay sex. To those who continue to use Sodom as your backstory...please stop. If you actually read the story God is VERY CLEAR on why they were destroyed and homosexuality was not listed. Eunuchs in the bible were often thought of as effeminate men but Christ said EVEN THE EUNUCHS who live by my ways. Instead of condemning and teaching that gays and lesbians are unacceptable to serve God because of their sin why not give them the same grace God gives you daily in the midst of your gluttony, in the midst of you riding down the street and moving to the other side instead of stopping to give that homeless man or woman some money for food, or going to give them food and clothes yourself.

I see men and women of God being given so much grace by God and the church as they continue in fornication, have their 2nd and 3rd child out of wedlock and/or on their 2nd husband or wife while the 1st one is still alive....yet all those people are worthy of the grace and love of God...as long as they are not gay. The church should ask themselves if Jesus were here - how would he interact? Don't be so sure you know the answer....it was the religious majority of Jesus' day who persecuted and condemned Him...they told Him He was wrong and His friends were all unworthy sinners... they claimed Jesus was demon possessed because He didn't do things the way the religious right thought they should be done based on their LIMITED knowledge of God's will. Those Christ chose were the broken, the outcast the lowly sinners that were beneath those "holy" people of the day. Remember, it was the religious majority who called for Christ's execution because they were so sure of their knowledge and their truth. Had it been left to them half the people God used would not have been used...

God certainly would not have born Solomon, the wisest of them all to the union of an adulterous and murderous king ...and yet He did. God certainly would not have told a prophet to marry a whore and stay with her in spite of her whoring to prove a point...and yet He did. God certainly wouldn't allow a blameless man by God's standards to lose everything including his family, fortune and health all to prove a point of loyalty to Him over satan - because God's just too good for that and surely good behavior warrants God's love and rewards...but yet He did. Rehab, the prostitute definitely would not have been used by your standards because well she was a whore, but God used her! That's not to say that their behaviors were godly or to uphold the behaviors but it is to point out that it is not the perfect who know they are holier than thou who are the most able to be used (or most worthy).....it's always, ALWAYS the lowly sinner who recognizes their sin and the need for God's grace and love who He can use and mold the most. Why not try TRUSTING GOD and welcoming people in with love instead of condemnation and bitter preaching of hellfire to try to force people into a relationship with God.

How about a little patience like God had with you? How about actually praying for people and treating them in love and allowing them to see the love of God through your life so much so that God can work through whatever sin they're doing that YOU are so uncomfortable with in His time with His power according to His will? People are so hell bent on attacking and condemning gays that you're not even seeking God on His truth....you're not asking the hard questions about how you should love and minister to them...you're just regurgitating the hate we've heard for YEARS. At the end of it all God is not going to ask you what YOU thought about gays and lesbians, He's going to ask how did you love them? How did you witness to them? How did you help them? How did you show them I loved them...or did you make them feel less than and send them running away from Me? Yes you will be accountable for that so maybe, just maybe instead of being so judgemental and doing Christ's job...how bout we all get back to working on ourselves, having some compassion for our brothers and sisters regardless of their sins because we know we have our own that are just as ugly, just as nasty, just as offensive to God and we really have no room to judge our brother.

We're all here fighting the same fight and if that holy book you tote with pride and use to validate your judgment shows us anything at all it shows us that we all misguided in need of God's grace and love and not a single person casting their polished stone is better than the one you cast the stone towards. The only difference is some hide their sin and cover themselves with false holiness while others are who they are....honest, open, struggling in God but trusting Him with everything and sincere in their love. And you know what -- they don't look like "regular" christians and they don't think like "regular" christians but God is raising them up to shame the wise......and here you are.... waiting with open judgment to make them feel less than. How dare you tell an entire group of people they are unworthy instead of guiding toward truth and teaching how to live in Christ as the being you are. We don't even understand all aspects of the universe, creation, our own bodies and brains....yet we are ALL experts on what God thinks based on partial knowledge. Yes, he knowledge is partial......we only know partial truths. How arrogant to think we know so much that we can condemn on behalf of God....isn't that what Job's friends did? they also meant well.

Following Christ ain't always fun.....

ahhhhh....that moment when I want to do what I know I should not do because it would be unbecoming of the woman I am in Christ today....

.....sometimes following Jesus is hard. It's not all bible reading and posting scripture on Facebook..... sometimes even the most devout wants to throw caution to the wind and say ____________________ I'll do what I want, every one else does and they're fine. You think we don't sometimes think what's the big deal if I do such and such when everyone else is doing it? But alas....that's where faith, love and devotion kicks in and all that bible reading, scripture quoting and church going is tested for faithfulness.

It's very easy to give in and do what you want to do because you can...really, in this day in age it's not like God is smiting folks where they stand...serving Him is an ultimate act of free will that we make daily. It's not an easy choice. It's not always "feel good" choice. It's not even the fun choice most of the time lol.  (I'm just being honest, you gotta be honest about this stuff man, people lied to me and told me it was all rainbows and unicorns and Jesus was like wayminute *pump the breaks* it's not like that and I'm so sorry I was misrepresented)....

But......those moments when your faithfulness yields results they are always worth it, it reminds you how faithful God is and everything you thought you missed was worth it. Don't give up the walk simply because it doesn't always "feel good" to follow Him. If it always "felt good" then everybody would be doing it....successfully. Besides, God never lied to us about this walk with Him. His truth really is right there in His Words (HIS WORDS, NOTE "HIS"), it's man that came along and started sharing this distorted genie happy joy joy I want to bless everybody with 40 acres a mule and a bentley sexy eyes "jesus god".....not God. We really need to understand His promises for what they are...

... I'm just speaking from my own limited knowledge. Not claiming to be a prophet, preacher or any form of authority. Just sharing the testimony as I live it. Selah.

We need to protect our daughters. ..

http://m.essence.com/2015/06/16/baltimore-police-arrest-two-suspects-death-16-year-old-arnesha-bowers

This story is just so sad. This baby gave these guys respect for who they were as people. She didn't judge them based on how they look or their affiliations and they betrayed her with cruelty.  We have to really help our baby girls understand the bad boys/gangsters/thugs/trap house "kings"/drug "kingpins" aren't as "sexy" as the world makes them seen...mothers, big sisters, aunts....we as women have to stop glorifying the "bad boy" as if they're so worthy of fantasy and emulation because our daughters are watching this and they are making the same mistakes. This baby really had no business hanging with these thugs. Then again she probably didn't think they'd hurt her...or anybody for that matter. Her grandmother probably had no idea who the guys were behind the scenes.

Let your daughters know video thugs and real life thugs are two different things. The glamorized lifestyle they show of these women who hang out with the gang members and "hold them down" rarely shows the end result which is heartache due to death, prison or in some cases both. If she does manage to escape it won't be without loss. It's never without loss. Please teach our babies that danger is real. Our girls need to be vigilant and aware. Teach our babies they need to KNOW these guys before they are willing to go away with them, be alone with them, share details of their personal life, family life, schedule, finances, etc. Sometimes our babies can be too trusting not realizing the world doesn't owe them life and the streets won't care about their stories, hoe beautiful they are, how smart or sweet they are.....

I remember being young and thinking the gang bangers made me look tough but I recognize now just how dangerous it was to be running around these guys who were affiliated with gangs/drug trafficking...I remember this guy coming to my house at @ 12 yrs old...He was about 18-20. He thought I was 14...I thought I was at least 20 mentally. Of course my mom had no idea, I too hid or disguised things that I knew would not fly with my mom and this guy definitely not.

My sole purpose for even talking to the guy was that he seemed to be running the little group of dusty dudes he was running with. I invited him to visit one day when I got out of middle school early and he agreed to meet me and a homegirl shortly. This guy pulled up to my house was reppin his set hands out the window, blasting some extremely vulgar rap music that I had to convince him to turn down so we could talk (to which he replied "wha we tawkin foe?"), screaming my name like a whore on the track, guns & drugs right in the dash console, along with a full cup of syrup and he had the nerve to roll a blunt right there in my front yard.....chile i thought he was tough and "cool". I thought about how I couldn't wait to tell all my friends about how "gangsta" he was.

At the time my momma was dating a man name Mr. Griffin and THANK GOD FOR HIM. He snatched me up out that car so fast and told that dude he bet not EVA brang his @$!* down our STREET or he was gone kill him and he encouraged him to try him cause he'd show him a real gangsta. I was banished to my room for an indefinite amount of time where I was not allowed to hang out with unapproved friends and the only time I was alone was if I had to use the bathroom. Needless to say I never saw that dude again praise God. We need to be that kinda vigilant with our kids. I don't care about my daughter feeling like her privacy is violated if it saves her from being violated physically or worse.