Okay, as I have recently come the realization that I have 8 jobs! All I can think about is that skit on In Living Color about the Jamaican family and the outcast son who only had 2 jobs. I serve as a:
1. Graduate Student...full time researcher in a Biochemistry lab
2. Graduate Counselor - advise freshman engineering students in the Office of Minority Student Affairs
3. Teaching Assistant for MCB 252
4. Envision DPS - graphic design business I started
5. Glory Center International - Minister, Lead facilitator of AdMark Ministry, and Staff Member of Ignite, A/V, and GCC
6. Alpha Nu Omega, Inc. - Regional Director of Ministry and Administration (Midwest Region) and Senior Advisor of Sigma Chapter Sorority
7. Glory Alliance - administrator
8. Revealed Publishing, LLC. - Partner and Chief Graphic Specialist
When I looked at that, I was reminded of how awesome you are, Lord! You give me the grace to manage these roles. You have taught me so much in each of these areas, and I am too grateful. I know that as you bring clarity and definition in this year - 2009: The Year of Strategic Teamwork, you are sending help, health, and harvest in all these areas!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda...but God!
I just praise God for the things he does that are far beyond what we expect...Ephesians 3:20.
I should have been a mental wreck.
I could have been crippled.
I would have been in the grave...
But GOD!!!
God saw fit to extend his hand of favor upon my life...little old Irene. When the enemy had me on my death bed only 5yrs ago, I didn't think I would live to see this day in my life. And now I am about to celebrate 25yrs of life!!
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10.
I could dance all night just off of that promise! The enemy tried to kill my esteem, my education, my dreams, my health, my body, my heart...but God redefined me, comforted and taught me (John 14:26), he encouraged me (Jer 29:11), he healed me (Luke 8:48), he restored me (Isa 54:11-13)...and much, much more.
I sit as a living testimony that God can _________ (fill in the blank).
I have just purchased my first home. I'm getting my Ph.D. I own my own car. I'm moving forward in ministry. I started my own business. I have family and friends who I love and love me. I have no outstanding debts. I am healed! The list goes on...
Not that my life is perfect or easy, but I boast in the Lord. Without him, I would have nothing and probably would have given up a long time ago.
Be encouraged. If he can provide this much for me, and his supply is limitless...he can provide all of your needs too. Philippians 4:19.
This is a new day! Smile. Dance. Sing. Open your mouth and give God a bold praise.
Don't just believe in Him, but believe Him.
A Call to Persevere
What do you do when your sands of time run out, and God's promise to you is still yet to be fulfilled? Many will tell you, "He's an on-time God" and "His timing is not like our own"...but these are testimony words, rarely uttered during the trial, but only after we have come out on top.
Notice the ending...after we have come out on top.
Where do you get a second wind from when your body is broken, you mind is a mess, and your faith is on fumes? That red light is on, and you thought you would have reached your destination a quarter tank ago. Did you hear him correctly? read the right signs? follow his directions? Lord, quit playing...gas is expensive. nowadays (lol).
How long can you wait on God and have faith, while being faithful? A month, 6 months, a year, 5yrs? How many of us are willing to wait 10yrs for a promise? What if you die, yet to realize it fulfilled? Have you stayed so long in hurt, pain, or poverty that you stop expecting to be brought out?
PRESS! No acronym, no fancy words, no elaborate sayings.
PRESS!!
PUSH!!
PERSEVERE!!
Whatever word kicks something off in your spirit...Hold on to it.
A promise is a promise...and nobody understands that better than God (Isa 55:11). Has our attention moved so far off seeking Him (Matt 6:33) that if we don't receive THIS ONE THING, that we will no longer serve him as we know we should?
Not to minimize someone's problems or feelings, but things are only as large or small as we make them out to be. And I know I've blown up some issues in my life bigger than they needed to be. I'm still learning.
And I still wait on full manifestation of some promises God has told me. At times, I get frustrated and spent. But I have to remind myself of all that he has done, this year alone...keeping my mind whole in times of lonliness and isolation, bringing my thyroid into remission, escaping the budget cuts in my lab, restoring and renewing my broken heart, increasing my finances to purchase a car and home, keeping my family together when opportunities to rip us apart arose...this is real. God is real.
If I must spend my life in the wilderness for generations after me to make it to the Promised Land, and that is part of God's plan...what can I say? Hebrews 11:39-40.
Cry if you have to. Give yourself a good hour or two to express yourself to God...being respectful always. After all, why hide your feelings and emotions from the one who gave them to you to express...believe me, nothing you say will surprise him. He can handle it.
The more you are real with God, the more we open ourselves to receive him in the raw. If you're ready, push past the pain and let the Holy Spirit minister to you directly, not just always through your pastor or parents or prayer partner or bestfriend.
Real faith doesn't fade that easily. "I'm believing God for..." but are you really?
Hebrews 10:36 - You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
Would love to hear what you got...drop me a comment anytime.
Notice the ending...after we have come out on top.
Where do you get a second wind from when your body is broken, you mind is a mess, and your faith is on fumes? That red light is on, and you thought you would have reached your destination a quarter tank ago. Did you hear him correctly? read the right signs? follow his directions? Lord, quit playing...gas is expensive. nowadays (lol).
How long can you wait on God and have faith, while being faithful? A month, 6 months, a year, 5yrs? How many of us are willing to wait 10yrs for a promise? What if you die, yet to realize it fulfilled? Have you stayed so long in hurt, pain, or poverty that you stop expecting to be brought out?
PRESS! No acronym, no fancy words, no elaborate sayings.
PRESS!!
PUSH!!
PERSEVERE!!
Whatever word kicks something off in your spirit...Hold on to it.
A promise is a promise...and nobody understands that better than God (Isa 55:11). Has our attention moved so far off seeking Him (Matt 6:33) that if we don't receive THIS ONE THING, that we will no longer serve him as we know we should?
Not to minimize someone's problems or feelings, but things are only as large or small as we make them out to be. And I know I've blown up some issues in my life bigger than they needed to be. I'm still learning.
And I still wait on full manifestation of some promises God has told me. At times, I get frustrated and spent. But I have to remind myself of all that he has done, this year alone...keeping my mind whole in times of lonliness and isolation, bringing my thyroid into remission, escaping the budget cuts in my lab, restoring and renewing my broken heart, increasing my finances to purchase a car and home, keeping my family together when opportunities to rip us apart arose...this is real. God is real.
If I must spend my life in the wilderness for generations after me to make it to the Promised Land, and that is part of God's plan...what can I say? Hebrews 11:39-40.
Cry if you have to. Give yourself a good hour or two to express yourself to God...being respectful always. After all, why hide your feelings and emotions from the one who gave them to you to express...believe me, nothing you say will surprise him. He can handle it.
The more you are real with God, the more we open ourselves to receive him in the raw. If you're ready, push past the pain and let the Holy Spirit minister to you directly, not just always through your pastor or parents or prayer partner or bestfriend.
Real faith doesn't fade that easily. "I'm believing God for..." but are you really?
Hebrews 10:36 - You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
Would love to hear what you got...drop me a comment anytime.
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