Matthew 6:5-15
5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.[b] 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.[c]
14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses
Forgiveness is a very touchy subject with many people. Some hold onto the pain and use it as a constant reminder of why they are in a situation. Some hold onto it to make a point. What that point is I don't know. All I know is that in order for God to forgive us for our wrongs we must first begin to forgive those who came against us. Weather it be intentional or accidental either way they did something to us that caused us pain and grief, made us uncomfortable and basically changed the way we view ourselves.
Forgiveness comes from within it is not something you should take lightly. We have been doing a study in church about the condition of our hearts. Is there something that has been laid on your heart recently and you have yet to act on it? Is there someone deep inside that caused you pain and grief and you thought how could they do this to me? you need to begin searching deep within yourself and find the strength to forgive those that have come against you. Once you do this the flood gates will begin to open.
I have written in an earlier post titled holding on. What are you holding onto? If you are still holding onto the pain and hurt of your past, then how can God begin to give you the blessings he has stored up for you? How can you hold onto God if you are holding onto your Past. Let it go begin to forgive those who have hurt you. Those who have come against you. God is waiting to hear you say I forgive.... so He can in turn say My Child You are Forgiven. In Isaiah 54:7-8 it says 7 “ For a mere moment I have forsaken you,But with great mercies I will gather you. 8 With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,”Says the LORD, your Redeemer.
God has hidden his face from you because its as if He is thinking if they can not forgive this person for what they have done then how can I forgive them for the things they have done? I am ready to shine my light down on them ready to release them from the hurt and pain but first they must forgive so that I may forgive them.
Am I saying that it is easy to forgive, No Im not because it is difficult, but if you remember that God brought you from where you were to where you are now it gets a little easier.
I have had a hard life especially growing up. I had a father who was an alcoholic, and so called friends who manipulated me and used me. I was raped twice when I was 14 and I was using drugs. It took me a long time to forgive the people that came against especially my father. When I was eight years old he told me I was not his daughter. So yes I was very hurt. He walked out on us when I was 13 years old and when I was 21 he passed away from alcohol poisoning. Did I forgive him? Yes I did but it took everything I had in order to forgive the man who was my earthly father. from all of the things he spoke into my life at a young age to walking out on us. It was one of the hardest things to do but as I look back I begin to thank God for giving me the strength to do so. If I didn't forgive my dad for what he did or the other people then I don't believe I would have the relationship I have with God. I turn to Him for everything. I still seek his face daily and I am still forgiving those who have come against me.
We need to start making prayer and forgiveness an every day occurrence. We need to cry out to God daily have Him guide our footsteps and to lead us to those who are hurting. God will send you people daily to pray for to lift up or just to give a hug to. Remember that those you run into have been put there for a reason. whether it be for a minute a day a season or a life time. They are put into our lives for us to minister to and for them to minister to us. But it all starts with forgiveness and trusting in the word of God because it is true. Everything that He has promised you will come to fruition but you must take the first step and forgive in order to be forgiven.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
Bloom
a poem I wrote
I look at a flower and see myself
delicate and fragile
but oh so beautiful
who opens up to feel the rays from the sun
but who closes up at the slightest chill
The petals representing my life
past love, love to gain and time to heal the pain
as I think about my life
I have fears and doubt
will i be a mother or a wife
I want to feel the warm embrace
that's never ending or fading
to lose myself where i don't know where i end
and he begins
as if our souls become one
with each breath our lives become intertwined
like a vine reaching towards the sky
a constant water supply
quenching the thirst of the flower
and ones true-self begins to show, bloom and grow
Love and life flowing through the stem and leaves
pouring out through the petals
such vibrant colors reds blues and violets
nurtured for growth and love
reaching for the skies above
a life destined to be great
ultimately held in the hands of fate
I look at a flower and see myself
delicate and fragile
but oh so beautiful
who opens up to feel the rays from the sun
but who closes up at the slightest chill
The petals representing my life
past love, love to gain and time to heal the pain
as I think about my life
I have fears and doubt
will i be a mother or a wife
I want to feel the warm embrace
that's never ending or fading
to lose myself where i don't know where i end
and he begins
as if our souls become one
with each breath our lives become intertwined
like a vine reaching towards the sky
a constant water supply
quenching the thirst of the flower
and ones true-self begins to show, bloom and grow
Love and life flowing through the stem and leaves
pouring out through the petals
such vibrant colors reds blues and violets
nurtured for growth and love
reaching for the skies above
a life destined to be great
ultimately held in the hands of fate
Just Maybe
Something I came across and thought I would share
ust Maybe
Just maybe... we were supposed to meet the wrong people before meeting
the right one so that, when we finally meet the right person, we will know
how to be grateful for that gift.
Just maybe... when the door of happiness closes, another opens; but,
often times, we look so long at the closed door that we do not even see the
new one which has been opened for us.
Just maybe... it is true that we do not know what we have until we lose
it, but it is also true that we do not know what we have been missing until
it arrives.
Just maybe.. the happiest of people do not necessarily have the best
of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along
their way.
Just maybe... the brightest future will always be based on a forgotten
past; after all, you cannot go on successfully in life until you let go of
your past mistakes, failures and heartaches.
Just maybe... you should dream what you want to dream; go where you
want to go, be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one
chance to do all the things you dream of, and want to do.
Just maybe... there are moments in life when you miss someone -- a
parent, a spouse, a friend, a child -- so much that you just want to pick them
from your dreams and hug them for real, so that once they are around you
appreciate them more.
Just maybe... the best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you have ever had.
Just maybe... you should always try to put yourself in others' shoes.
If you feel that something could hurt you, it probably will hurt the other
person, too.
Just maybe... you should do something nice for someone every single
day, even if it is simply to leave them alone.
Just maybe... giving someone all your love is never an assurance that
they will love you back.
Do not expect love in return; just wait for it to
grow in their heart; but, if it does not, be content that it grew in yours.
Just maybe.. happiness waits for all those who cry, all those who
hurt, all those who have searched, and all those wh o have tried, for only they
can appreciate the importance of all the people who have touched their
lives.
Just maybe... you should not go for looks; they can deceive; do not go
for wealth; even that fades away.
Go for someone who makes you smile,
because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile.
Just maybe... you should hope for enough happiness to make you sweet,
enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, and enough hope to make you happy.
just maybe... you should try to live your life to the fullest because when you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling
but when you die, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around
you is crying.
ust Maybe
Just maybe... we were supposed to meet the wrong people before meeting
the right one so that, when we finally meet the right person, we will know
how to be grateful for that gift.
Just maybe... when the door of happiness closes, another opens; but,
often times, we look so long at the closed door that we do not even see the
new one which has been opened for us.
Just maybe... it is true that we do not know what we have until we lose
it, but it is also true that we do not know what we have been missing until
it arrives.
Just maybe.. the happiest of people do not necessarily have the best
of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along
their way.
Just maybe... the brightest future will always be based on a forgotten
past; after all, you cannot go on successfully in life until you let go of
your past mistakes, failures and heartaches.
Just maybe... you should dream what you want to dream; go where you
want to go, be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one
chance to do all the things you dream of, and want to do.
Just maybe... there are moments in life when you miss someone -- a
parent, a spouse, a friend, a child -- so much that you just want to pick them
from your dreams and hug them for real, so that once they are around you
appreciate them more.
Just maybe... the best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you have ever had.
Just maybe... you should always try to put yourself in others' shoes.
If you feel that something could hurt you, it probably will hurt the other
person, too.
Just maybe... you should do something nice for someone every single
day, even if it is simply to leave them alone.
Just maybe... giving someone all your love is never an assurance that
they will love you back.
Do not expect love in return; just wait for it to
grow in their heart; but, if it does not, be content that it grew in yours.
Just maybe.. happiness waits for all those who cry, all those who
hurt, all those who have searched, and all those wh o have tried, for only they
can appreciate the importance of all the people who have touched their
lives.
Just maybe... you should not go for looks; they can deceive; do not go
for wealth; even that fades away.
Go for someone who makes you smile,
because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile.
Just maybe... you should hope for enough happiness to make you sweet,
enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, and enough hope to make you happy.
just maybe... you should try to live your life to the fullest because when you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling
but when you die, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around
you is crying.
After The Storm
I held onto you put my life on hold
four years of dreaming and hoping
then finally the day came
you showed me a ring
and said will you marry me
i was excited i said yes
this is what i have been waiting for
that was one of the best days of my life
but it might as well been a dream
it came in on a storm and disappeared into the fog
thunder crashed lightning struck
arguing and fighting
the rain fell and we were done
the tears welled in my eyes
like a stream swelling from the downpour
falling down my cheeks
as if a dam had broken
fighting every night to sleep to find comfort
there was none
i was ready to say i am done
to throw in the towel this storm was too much
but like the victims of Katrina
I will rise again
The storm has passed and the skies are clear
time to survey the damage
the debris is overwhelming
dreams that became shattered
fear that consumed me
as if a tornado enveloped me
and set me down
in a life that is in total disarray
i began to collect the pieces
like a child collecting sea shells on the shore
examining each treasure and dusting it off
asking do i keep it or let it go
love...Keep
Memories.. Keep
Happiness...Keep
Pain... I can hold onto this for a while
Hurt... put it in my pocket
Confidence... its shattered but i collect the pieces
one by one i collect my emotions and my life
I rise to my feet and walk away
Its been a year since the storm
looking back on where i once was
the debris is gone
I am now soaring high above the seas
reaching deep within and grasping
the pain and hurt
casting them from my hand into the sea
setting my self free
no longer held captive
by the storm
four years of dreaming and hoping
then finally the day came
you showed me a ring
and said will you marry me
i was excited i said yes
this is what i have been waiting for
that was one of the best days of my life
but it might as well been a dream
it came in on a storm and disappeared into the fog
thunder crashed lightning struck
arguing and fighting
the rain fell and we were done
the tears welled in my eyes
like a stream swelling from the downpour
falling down my cheeks
as if a dam had broken
fighting every night to sleep to find comfort
there was none
i was ready to say i am done
to throw in the towel this storm was too much
but like the victims of Katrina
I will rise again
The storm has passed and the skies are clear
time to survey the damage
the debris is overwhelming
dreams that became shattered
fear that consumed me
as if a tornado enveloped me
and set me down
in a life that is in total disarray
i began to collect the pieces
like a child collecting sea shells on the shore
examining each treasure and dusting it off
asking do i keep it or let it go
love...Keep
Memories.. Keep
Happiness...Keep
Pain... I can hold onto this for a while
Hurt... put it in my pocket
Confidence... its shattered but i collect the pieces
one by one i collect my emotions and my life
I rise to my feet and walk away
Its been a year since the storm
looking back on where i once was
the debris is gone
I am now soaring high above the seas
reaching deep within and grasping
the pain and hurt
casting them from my hand into the sea
setting my self free
no longer held captive
by the storm
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
Don't Give Up
Do you ever feel like some days you just want to give up? That there is absolutely nothing going right for you and you just want to throw your hands in the air and say I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE I GIVE UP!! Well earlier today I felt like that. I felt as if nothing I did was good enough or nothing I was going to do would make a difference. Can I tell you that changed within a matter seconds when I said "God I can't do this on my own." Just 8 words were spoken and my whole day began to turn around. It is not his plan for us to feel like we want to just throw in the towel and say I am done. If it was in His plan do you think we would be here today? Did Jesus say Dad I can't do this I am going to walk away. No He did not. He did not give up on us so what gives us the right to give up on Him?
There are many people in this world going through so much pain and turmoil and they do this day in and day out. I often ask myself how can they do it? How can they deal with the fact that their child is in the hospital undergoing chemo therapy or there father is on his death bed. The only way I know how is because they know Him. They have a personal relationship with Him and they know that He is bigger than any illness or threat that comes there way.
I have been praying a lot these past few days for friends of mine who have just been going through it. It, being strained relationships, family members in the hospital, kids acting up, you name it I have probably prayed for it. Why? You may ask yourself this. Why must we go through such turmoil and hurt and anger and the list goes on and on. I can tell you this it is to bring HIM Glory. Because if we never went through it how then can we begin to pray for those who are just starting to go through it?
I can tell you over the past year I have dealt with my Grandfather passing away, my cousin passing away, my aunt passed away just last month. The list goes on and on. So yes some days I feel like saying you know what I am not getting out of this bed because I don't want to deal with "it" today.
Then I am reminded about Jesus. What if He said you know what I don't want to deal with "it" I don't want to heal this person or tell this person about everlasting love. Or the bigger one is I don't feel like going and hanging on a cross and dying for you I just don't feel like doing "it". If He said that then where would we be today? Would we even have a relationship with God? Would we even acknowledge the fact that God is real? Just something to ponder. So if you don't "feel like going through it" remember that Jesus went through "it" for you.
There are many people in this world going through so much pain and turmoil and they do this day in and day out. I often ask myself how can they do it? How can they deal with the fact that their child is in the hospital undergoing chemo therapy or there father is on his death bed. The only way I know how is because they know Him. They have a personal relationship with Him and they know that He is bigger than any illness or threat that comes there way.
I have been praying a lot these past few days for friends of mine who have just been going through it. It, being strained relationships, family members in the hospital, kids acting up, you name it I have probably prayed for it. Why? You may ask yourself this. Why must we go through such turmoil and hurt and anger and the list goes on and on. I can tell you this it is to bring HIM Glory. Because if we never went through it how then can we begin to pray for those who are just starting to go through it?
I can tell you over the past year I have dealt with my Grandfather passing away, my cousin passing away, my aunt passed away just last month. The list goes on and on. So yes some days I feel like saying you know what I am not getting out of this bed because I don't want to deal with "it" today.
Then I am reminded about Jesus. What if He said you know what I don't want to deal with "it" I don't want to heal this person or tell this person about everlasting love. Or the bigger one is I don't feel like going and hanging on a cross and dying for you I just don't feel like doing "it". If He said that then where would we be today? Would we even have a relationship with God? Would we even acknowledge the fact that God is real? Just something to ponder. So if you don't "feel like going through it" remember that Jesus went through "it" for you.