In a conversation with a friend last night, I was reminded that I oftentimes make the statement about me being outspoken, straightforward, and even agressive in some instances. My friend said to me, "Either you really want to change this about yourself OR you don't like this characteristic about yourself. No matter what, I just want you to be yourself. You don't have to apologize for that." I had no words other than, "O-kkkkaaaayyyy", and that was only after a very long pause :)
Each of us have our own flaws, issues, strengths, and weaknesses. We are all unique individuals, fearfully and wonderfully made by God (Psalm 139:13-16). Each of us may have picked up some habits along the way or developed some tendencies because of past experiences. However, it shouldn't stop us from being who we are. Many times, we are concerned about what others think. If they love, value, and appreciate us for US, then they will embrace us...flaws and all :)
To those of you who have a tendency to love hard, keep right on loving hard! Just because one particular person didn't appreciate that piece in you doesn't mean that you should stop loving hard!
To those of you have a tendency to give, keep right on giving! Just because you've been used or taken advantage of in the past doesn't mean that you should stop giving. Pray and ask God for wisdom and discernment in how you're being a blessing to others!
To those of you who have a tendency to tell someone what you want/need, to be outspoken, straightforward, and transparent, keep right on opening your mouth! A closed mouth does not get fed! Take some time to think before you speak, and be sure to put yourself in the other person's "shoes".
If you haven't already done so, look in the mirror and say this:
I am who I am.
I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
God knew me before I was formed in my mother's womb.
I embrace my flaws. I challenge myself to do better in those areas and grow stronger.
I embrace my strengths. I challenge myself to hone these areas even more.
I embrace my weaknesses and pray for direction in how they can be nurtured, overcome, and turned into strengths.
I am who I am.
It's not about who I see.
It is about me being me.
Love and abundant blessings!
~Tee
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
Hold On...It's Just Turbulence
During a remote meeting at work a week or so ago, my Bro. Jay ministered to me mightily. Here's what he said:
"Turbulence...going up, you will come against some resistance. You're only gonna shake a little. And after a while, you're get up above it!"
I'm a note taker, so I tend to write when I'm in meetings. I even brought this little piece of paper with me as I traveled this week on business. This statement sparked something in me, and I want to spark something in YOU!!!
Turbulence by definition means "sudden, violent movements of air or water; a state of confusion, violence, or disorder" (Merriam-Webster Learner's Dictionary). When we hear the word, we oftentimes think of being on an airplane. When we hit a bit of "turbulence" during a flight, the Captain usually comes on and tells us to keep our seatbelts securely fastened, which means...don't move!
In life, we will all experience some turbulence. We will come against some resistance, opposition, confusion, and discord that will cause us to shake. Some of us will shake so hard naturally and spiritually until we're not sure stability will come. We will shake so until we feel the "end is coming". But...as long as we hold on (to God's unchanging hand), we will rise above the naysayers, the negative self-talk, the temptation, strongholds, and like, and then be smooth sailing!
I want to encourage you to hold on. We know that everything happens on purpose, and He who started a great work in us IS faithful and just to complete it (Philippians 1:6)!!! You may want to give up, throw in the towel, throw your hands up, and just not deal with "it" any more. Just know that in a little while...He's going to raise you ABOVE all of that stuff...EVERY TIME!
Stay connected to Him. Make and maintain relationships that are healthy on all levels (especially spiritually). Pray and ask God for discernment and direction to hold on! I did, and I'm continuing to do so :)
Abundant blessings and favor,
~Tee
"Turbulence...going up, you will come against some resistance. You're only gonna shake a little. And after a while, you're get up above it!"
I'm a note taker, so I tend to write when I'm in meetings. I even brought this little piece of paper with me as I traveled this week on business. This statement sparked something in me, and I want to spark something in YOU!!!
Turbulence by definition means "sudden, violent movements of air or water; a state of confusion, violence, or disorder" (Merriam-Webster Learner's Dictionary). When we hear the word, we oftentimes think of being on an airplane. When we hit a bit of "turbulence" during a flight, the Captain usually comes on and tells us to keep our seatbelts securely fastened, which means...don't move!
In life, we will all experience some turbulence. We will come against some resistance, opposition, confusion, and discord that will cause us to shake. Some of us will shake so hard naturally and spiritually until we're not sure stability will come. We will shake so until we feel the "end is coming". But...as long as we hold on (to God's unchanging hand), we will rise above the naysayers, the negative self-talk, the temptation, strongholds, and like, and then be smooth sailing!
I want to encourage you to hold on. We know that everything happens on purpose, and He who started a great work in us IS faithful and just to complete it (Philippians 1:6)!!! You may want to give up, throw in the towel, throw your hands up, and just not deal with "it" any more. Just know that in a little while...He's going to raise you ABOVE all of that stuff...EVERY TIME!
Stay connected to Him. Make and maintain relationships that are healthy on all levels (especially spiritually). Pray and ask God for discernment and direction to hold on! I did, and I'm continuing to do so :)
Abundant blessings and favor,
~Tee
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
"It's Time to Realign" from Elaine Tavolacci
I subscribe to this prophetic Word. And...I meant to share this one last week. I pray it blesses you as it has me...over and over again. This 'realignment' is a vital part of our transformation. So...sit back, open your spiritual ears, and hear what thus saith the Lord.
In Him,
Tee
-----------------------------------------------------------
IT'S TIME TO REALIGN
Many of you have disengaged yourselves from the journey that you were once on with God. You have grown weary, discouraged and disillusioned. Don't submit to mediocrity. Don't succumb to being lukewarm. Jesus is calling you to realign yourself once again with His plan for your life.
The Lord says I am calling those of you back who have become weary and fatigued. Resist the enemy, refuse to retreat and do not cower back in fear any longer. Do not allow the enemy to dislodge you or derail you from the place that I have destined for you to be. Don't abandon the assignment that I have for you to do. Just as I sent the angel to Gideon with a message, I say the same to you to rise up you mighty man of valor, rise up mighty woman of valor and carry out the assignment that I have for you. Yes there will be mountains, giants and armies ahead of you but I have already given you the victory. You have begun a good race. Get back on the narrow path that I have for you which will usher you into a new place in Me. Yes, there will be tests and trials along the way and the enemy will try to come to dismantle your plans but you must learn how to endure hardness as a good soldier. I have given you the ability to overcome every obstacle that stands in your way.
Do not regress when you are pushed and taunted but stand your ground. Clothe yourself once again with the full armor that you once wore. Disengage yourself from things that are insignificant and realign yourself with the plans that I have for you. Do not look at things in the natural because everything in the natural is subject to change and My ways are beyond natural reasoning. Don't settle for less than this divine calling but trust in Me to bring it to pass. As you follow My leading, you will be able to accomplish all that I have set out for you to do the Lord.
Judges 6:12 - And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!"
Jeremiah 12:5 - "If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, in which you trusted, they wearied you, Then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?
2 Timothy 2: 3 - 4 - You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
Visit My Websites: www.awordinseason.info, www.TheVoiceOfBreakthrough.com
In Him,
Tee
-----------------------------------------------------------
IT'S TIME TO REALIGN
Many of you have disengaged yourselves from the journey that you were once on with God. You have grown weary, discouraged and disillusioned. Don't submit to mediocrity. Don't succumb to being lukewarm. Jesus is calling you to realign yourself once again with His plan for your life.
The Lord says I am calling those of you back who have become weary and fatigued. Resist the enemy, refuse to retreat and do not cower back in fear any longer. Do not allow the enemy to dislodge you or derail you from the place that I have destined for you to be. Don't abandon the assignment that I have for you to do. Just as I sent the angel to Gideon with a message, I say the same to you to rise up you mighty man of valor, rise up mighty woman of valor and carry out the assignment that I have for you. Yes there will be mountains, giants and armies ahead of you but I have already given you the victory. You have begun a good race. Get back on the narrow path that I have for you which will usher you into a new place in Me. Yes, there will be tests and trials along the way and the enemy will try to come to dismantle your plans but you must learn how to endure hardness as a good soldier. I have given you the ability to overcome every obstacle that stands in your way.
Do not regress when you are pushed and taunted but stand your ground. Clothe yourself once again with the full armor that you once wore. Disengage yourself from things that are insignificant and realign yourself with the plans that I have for you. Do not look at things in the natural because everything in the natural is subject to change and My ways are beyond natural reasoning. Don't settle for less than this divine calling but trust in Me to bring it to pass. As you follow My leading, you will be able to accomplish all that I have set out for you to do the Lord.
Judges 6:12 - And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!"
Jeremiah 12:5 - "If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, in which you trusted, they wearied you, Then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?
2 Timothy 2: 3 - 4 - You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
Visit My Websites: www.awordinseason.info, www.TheVoiceOfBreakthrough.com
Bigger Doesn't Necessarily Mean Better
I took some time a few weeks ago to look at pictures of baskets I had made. Someone said to me, "Those baskets are cute, but they're not big enough for me." That comment weighed on me a little more than I originally thought it would.
More often than not, we feel like something grand or bigger always means a better outcome or a more favorable situation for us. That's not necessarily the case, my friend! Look at the story of David in the Bible. David was the youngest, smallest, ruddiest, of all of Jesse's sons. But he was chosen by God to reign after God withdrew His favor from Saul (1 Samuel 16). It was also David...the small guy...who defeated the giant Goliath!!! (1 Samuel 17:32-50).
Then we look at God Himself. A lot of times we petition God in prayer and ask for Him to show us a sign. When He answers in what appears to be something small, we don't pay attention so quickly. We miss the move of God because we're so focused on what we want to happen and how we want it to happen. But when it's BIG, we shout and leap for joy and can't wait to tell about the wonderful things He has done.
The purpose of this post today is to let you know that God shows up right on time, whether we realize it or not. It may not be an earthquake or a fire or a new car or a new job or an overflow of money; it may be in a still small voice or just an insurmountable peace that comes over you.
Don't get so engulfed with thinking that bigger means better. That bigger sometimes will get you in big trouble!
Be blessed!
Tee
More often than not, we feel like something grand or bigger always means a better outcome or a more favorable situation for us. That's not necessarily the case, my friend! Look at the story of David in the Bible. David was the youngest, smallest, ruddiest, of all of Jesse's sons. But he was chosen by God to reign after God withdrew His favor from Saul (1 Samuel 16). It was also David...the small guy...who defeated the giant Goliath!!! (1 Samuel 17:32-50).
Then we look at God Himself. A lot of times we petition God in prayer and ask for Him to show us a sign. When He answers in what appears to be something small, we don't pay attention so quickly. We miss the move of God because we're so focused on what we want to happen and how we want it to happen. But when it's BIG, we shout and leap for joy and can't wait to tell about the wonderful things He has done.
The purpose of this post today is to let you know that God shows up right on time, whether we realize it or not. It may not be an earthquake or a fire or a new car or a new job or an overflow of money; it may be in a still small voice or just an insurmountable peace that comes over you.
Don't get so engulfed with thinking that bigger means better. That bigger sometimes will get you in big trouble!
Be blessed!
Tee
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
The Wilderness Is Part of the Plan
Yes...God has a plan for your life and mine, too! Just like Jeremiah, before He formed us in our mother's womb, He knew us (Jeremiah 1:4-19). More often than not, we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the plan for our life is full of good things - blessings, favor, increase, wealth. But what about seasons of dryness and obstacles?
God’s plan for the people was the desert! If the Israelites were able to go from Egypt directly to Canaan, they would have been some messed up folks! It was in the wilderness that they had to endure, suffer, trust, persevere, and learn some life lessons.
In the natural, when we think about the wilderness or a desert or a dry spot, we think about the humidity, the lack of water and nourishment, and/or just times of struggle. Our focus is on getting what we need so that we can cool off. If we shift our mindset to the spiritual realm, the 'dryness' in our spiritual walk is somewhat the same. We may feel as if we're operating outside of our calling, things aren't coming together in the ministry, or all kinds of chaos is breaking out in our homes/jobs/families. But it is in these times where we must yield and call out to God even the more! We must praise Him right there while it seems as though He's so far away.
The wilderness, though a seemingly dry place, is a necessary place in the process of our transformation. It is a place where we feel like we don't have enough to make it; we want to give up and throw in the towel. And even if we seem to get what we need, it seems as though it's little. In actuality, it's more than enough!
Just as God's plan for His people included the desert, His plan for your life (and mine) will also include trips through dry times! Whew Jesus! No...no one wants to be in a dry place. But in my dry places...my deserts, I'm encouraged to pray for the Holy Spirit to rain down on me and send some fresh manna!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the wilderness. I thank You for the times where You push me to lean and depend on you more and more. I pray Your will in my life. Draw me closer to You, so that I realize that every dry place...every wilderness experience is nothing more than an opportunity for me to grow stronger in You. As I shift into my next and my new, I humbly submit to Your will for my life. Have Your way...in Jesus' Name...Amen!
Blessings and abundant favor,
Tee
God’s plan for the people was the desert! If the Israelites were able to go from Egypt directly to Canaan, they would have been some messed up folks! It was in the wilderness that they had to endure, suffer, trust, persevere, and learn some life lessons.
In the natural, when we think about the wilderness or a desert or a dry spot, we think about the humidity, the lack of water and nourishment, and/or just times of struggle. Our focus is on getting what we need so that we can cool off. If we shift our mindset to the spiritual realm, the 'dryness' in our spiritual walk is somewhat the same. We may feel as if we're operating outside of our calling, things aren't coming together in the ministry, or all kinds of chaos is breaking out in our homes/jobs/families. But it is in these times where we must yield and call out to God even the more! We must praise Him right there while it seems as though He's so far away.
The wilderness, though a seemingly dry place, is a necessary place in the process of our transformation. It is a place where we feel like we don't have enough to make it; we want to give up and throw in the towel. And even if we seem to get what we need, it seems as though it's little. In actuality, it's more than enough!
Just as God's plan for His people included the desert, His plan for your life (and mine) will also include trips through dry times! Whew Jesus! No...no one wants to be in a dry place. But in my dry places...my deserts, I'm encouraged to pray for the Holy Spirit to rain down on me and send some fresh manna!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the wilderness. I thank You for the times where You push me to lean and depend on you more and more. I pray Your will in my life. Draw me closer to You, so that I realize that every dry place...every wilderness experience is nothing more than an opportunity for me to grow stronger in You. As I shift into my next and my new, I humbly submit to Your will for my life. Have Your way...in Jesus' Name...Amen!
Blessings and abundant favor,
Tee
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Just When You Think You Don't Know What to Say...
On a prayer line the other night, the Man of God shared a familiar passage of Scripture that truly blessed me. Romans 8:31 - What shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? I'm drawn to The Message version of this passage which reads like this - "So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose?"
Like always, I never know what I'm going to get when I get onto a prayer line or even just enter into the presence of the Lord. I began to ponder on the question and thought about how sometimes I feel like I'm stumped. I'm so amazed that "it" happened to me. Or I don't know what to say to "this" or "that" because it catches me off guard.
I'm encouraged and want to share the encouragement with you! We are so blessed and don't realize it. Someone didn't wake up this morning. Someone didn't have a job to go to. Someone didn't have money to pay a bill. Someone didn't have the activity of their limbs or let alone limbs at all! Someone didn't have a friend to be at odds with. You follow me?
I'm grateful for life, health, strength, and so many other things. Though I may not have some things I desire (and I'm not speaking material things), I know that He knows best. Just when I think all hope is gone or I'm at my wits end, I think about this passage of Scripture...God IS for me! And He's for you, too!
So just when you think you don't know what to say or you can't believe this is happening, open your mouth and say, "If God be for me, who can be against me?" The more you speak it, the more it will resonate in your heart and spirit. Then your walk, attitude, and disposition will all change. That something on the inside will begin working on the outside.
Walk in victory. Talk in victory. Live in victory!
~Tee
Like always, I never know what I'm going to get when I get onto a prayer line or even just enter into the presence of the Lord. I began to ponder on the question and thought about how sometimes I feel like I'm stumped. I'm so amazed that "it" happened to me. Or I don't know what to say to "this" or "that" because it catches me off guard.
I'm encouraged and want to share the encouragement with you! We are so blessed and don't realize it. Someone didn't wake up this morning. Someone didn't have a job to go to. Someone didn't have money to pay a bill. Someone didn't have the activity of their limbs or let alone limbs at all! Someone didn't have a friend to be at odds with. You follow me?
I'm grateful for life, health, strength, and so many other things. Though I may not have some things I desire (and I'm not speaking material things), I know that He knows best. Just when I think all hope is gone or I'm at my wits end, I think about this passage of Scripture...God IS for me! And He's for you, too!
So just when you think you don't know what to say or you can't believe this is happening, open your mouth and say, "If God be for me, who can be against me?" The more you speak it, the more it will resonate in your heart and spirit. Then your walk, attitude, and disposition will all change. That something on the inside will begin working on the outside.
Walk in victory. Talk in victory. Live in victory!
~Tee
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
I Trust You, Lord
For some reason today, I just feel overwhelmed by His presence. It seems that I'm seeing Him in my work. I'm seeing Him more in my relationships. And it's like I'm seeing His Word manifesting more and more in my life.
I received prayer requests from a few colleagues. And I've not had a conversation with them about God. However, it was apparent that they 'felt' something in my conversation, my email, or just my instant message that let them know it was okay to ask me to pray. This just says to me that no matter what I'm going through, as long as I'm 'IN' Him, I'm in the perfect position to be used by Him!
Many of us are going through something at this very moment. It may be something on your job, something in a marriage, a family relationship, just feeling down, feelings of guilt and/or remorse, something in your finances - SOMETHING. Just know that God is bigger than all of those things! He has made us so many promises in His Word that He will be there for us ALWAYS!
I have been singing all morning and giving God praise. It felt sooooo good to just lift my hands and open my mouth and feel His warmth overtake me. You know...you don't have to be in a church to lift your hands and give God praise! :) I began to smile and sing even louder because I know that He's got 'this' and 'that', too! Why? Because I really DO trust HIM. I even had to pull out an 'oldie but goodie' to help me along the way - "I'll Trust You, Lord" by Pastor Donnie McClurkin. And the tears began to flow even harder....singing some of the lyrics -
I know that faith is easy when everything is going well
But can you still believe in Me when your life's a living hell?
And when all the things around you seem to quickly fade away
There's just one thing I really want to know
Will you let go? (I'll trust you, Lord)
Will you stand on My word? (I'll trust you, Lord)
Against all odds will you believe what I have said? (I'll trust You, Lord)
What seems impossible ... (I'll trust You, Lord)
Will you believe? (I'll trust You, Lord)
Every promise that I made will you receive? (Yes, I will trust You, Lord)
What if it hurts? (I'll trust You, Lord)
What if you cry? (I'll trust You, Lord)
What if it doesn't work out the first time that you try? (I'll trust You, Lord)
What if you call My name ... (I'll trust You, lord)
And you don't feel Me near? (I'll trust You, Lord)
Will you believe in Me or will you fear? Oh, my child?(Yes, I will trust, You Lord)
When you find yourself in a pickle, open your mouth and speak the Word of God! Trust Him like never before. We are in a season where He is revealing and making all things new. So no matter what it looks like...no matter how bad it hurts...no matter how it feels, just trust Him.
God loves you...He really does! And He will NEVER put any more on you than you can handle :)
~Tee
I received prayer requests from a few colleagues. And I've not had a conversation with them about God. However, it was apparent that they 'felt' something in my conversation, my email, or just my instant message that let them know it was okay to ask me to pray. This just says to me that no matter what I'm going through, as long as I'm 'IN' Him, I'm in the perfect position to be used by Him!
Many of us are going through something at this very moment. It may be something on your job, something in a marriage, a family relationship, just feeling down, feelings of guilt and/or remorse, something in your finances - SOMETHING. Just know that God is bigger than all of those things! He has made us so many promises in His Word that He will be there for us ALWAYS!
I have been singing all morning and giving God praise. It felt sooooo good to just lift my hands and open my mouth and feel His warmth overtake me. You know...you don't have to be in a church to lift your hands and give God praise! :) I began to smile and sing even louder because I know that He's got 'this' and 'that', too! Why? Because I really DO trust HIM. I even had to pull out an 'oldie but goodie' to help me along the way - "I'll Trust You, Lord" by Pastor Donnie McClurkin. And the tears began to flow even harder....singing some of the lyrics -
I know that faith is easy when everything is going well
But can you still believe in Me when your life's a living hell?
And when all the things around you seem to quickly fade away
There's just one thing I really want to know
Will you let go? (I'll trust you, Lord)
Will you stand on My word? (I'll trust you, Lord)
Against all odds will you believe what I have said? (I'll trust You, Lord)
What seems impossible ... (I'll trust You, Lord)
Will you believe? (I'll trust You, Lord)
Every promise that I made will you receive? (Yes, I will trust You, Lord)
What if it hurts? (I'll trust You, Lord)
What if you cry? (I'll trust You, Lord)
What if it doesn't work out the first time that you try? (I'll trust You, Lord)
What if you call My name ... (I'll trust You, lord)
And you don't feel Me near? (I'll trust You, Lord)
Will you believe in Me or will you fear? Oh, my child?(Yes, I will trust, You Lord)
When you find yourself in a pickle, open your mouth and speak the Word of God! Trust Him like never before. We are in a season where He is revealing and making all things new. So no matter what it looks like...no matter how bad it hurts...no matter how it feels, just trust Him.
God loves you...He really does! And He will NEVER put any more on you than you can handle :)
~Tee
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
It's Okay...
This was just in my heart to share, and I pray that it's a relief and a release to someone!
It's okay to sit and do nothing.
It's okay to admit that you're wrong.
It's okay to be transparent.
It's okay to not know the answer.
It's okay to not get it right...every time!
It's okay to say NO and mean it.
It's okay to try something different even if you have no idea what you're doing.
It's okay to put your heart on line and give love another try.
It's okay to surrender all to Him.
It's okay to cry, as the tears are cleansing :)
It's okay to dance like no one's watching!
It's okay to take a risk.
It's okay to not get selected.
It's okay to laugh and smile for no apparent reason!
It's okay to do what you said you'd never do.
It's okay to love those who don't love you; they may learn to love because of you!
It's okay to be quiet and just listen.
It's okay to have standards and stick to them.
It's okay to believe in miracles.
It's okay to be...YOURSELF!
Breathe...stretch...shake...let it go. AND RELAX!
~Tee
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