Gotta Check This Out

All I can say is this was the Truth!

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUQYJ77qa50&feature=youtube_gdata



-Keep it Blessed!

Getting Some Rest

For the past few months my husband and I have been dealing with some financial issues. Most of us know the drill. Cut back and cut out. Rebudget and readjust. But above all we know the stress and worry that comes with it. My husband and I have had conversations about the anxiety that the issue causes. God tell us not to worry about tomorrow and be anxious for nothing. Sometimes this is easier said than done.
I thank God for His word today and the impression it left on my and especially my husbands heart. Our Pastor's message today came from Hebrews 4 concerning resting in the promises the Lord made to us. There are those of us that find it easier to rest in Him during a trial and those of us that find it hard to break away from the worry and stress. These are the ones who would seek out the comfort of the world. They may become introverted, turn to drugs or alcohol, or take it out on their loved ones with anger and impatience. They continue to work and push to fix the situation themselves until they give out. They misinterperate "faith without works is dead".
The work in faith we must have is in the belief that God's got it. The labor is in trust in Him as our Provider, Healer, and Comforter. Have faith that the promise will come, maybe not when you think it should, but it will come. As children of God, He expects us to smile in the face of adversity because we know Daddy will helpe take care of this. He promised He wouldn't leave me hanging. Jesus' last words to us when He died were "It is done". our rest, our peace, our Sabbath is in knowing that Jesus paid it all and suffered all for us to have rest.
So when we are worried and heavy burdened with issues and trials, we are to continue serving the Lord believing that He will take care of us. I know I do and I Praise God for His message today. And I want my husband to know that I love him for being a strong man of God as well as for all of the crosses he carries for his family.

God Knows My Heart

Over the past few weeks I have been noticing a trend of intentionally good deeds going unrecognized.  I'll give an example. The first to pop in my mind would be a situation at work.  A coworker brought a scheduling issue to my attention.  He opted to work a particular holiday in order to receive another day off in exchange.  He had recently received a new job assignment that changed his regular weekly days off. Since the original day that he chose would now be his regular day off, he needed to figure out what to do now that the holiday was worked.  His options would be to either choose another day or see if he could receive holiday pay.  At this point in the conversation it was told to me that if the new day could be scheduled along with the days off then he would just reschedule the day.  I told him that I would call the payroll liason and have it taken care of for him.  I looked at the original request to verify the day in question and called the liason.  I saw that he was taking the day off for a family obligation and scheduled the new day to coincide with his days off for that week. I felt in my heart that I was doing the right thing by giving some extra time for this family celebration. When I notified him of the change, he took a very smug attitude and advised me that he would like to get the holiday pay.  This was not what he told me originally.  I truly felt as if I was fulfilling his request. After my supervisor getting involved he was told that he would not get paid for the day and would have to choose another. I have yet to receive the new date, nor have I received a thank you.....

Through out my days I find myself doing things, sacrificing things, and keeping my mouth shut about things.  Just when I was starting to get down about it, I remember that no good good deed goes unseen.  God always knows what is on my heart and my intentions to do right for people.  On that particular day at day at work I even caught myself saying it aloud.  It was refreshing and heartwarming.  I know that no matter the thanks or no thanks I receive, God will smile on me either way.

I am thankful that the Lord fills me with His Spirit in these situations.  In another place and time I would have flipped out for my time being wasted or being unappreciated.  But I know now that there is no person on the face of the earth that can validate, appreciate, or lift me up like Jesus does. He knows my heart is in the right place.........because He fills it.

Tears for My Mother

Mother's Day has never been one of my favorite holidays. Since I was young, my mom has been in and out of my life. Now that I'm grown, I can look back and know that the best gift she ever gave me and my brother was to give custody of us to my grandparents. There aren't enough words to describe the beauty of my grandmother's heart. I'll never forget doing 'boy stuff' with my grandfather and the lessons he taught me.

I couldn't fathom as a child all of the obstacles my mom had to face. From the outside in, it almost doesn't make sense... She came from a great family, she's intelligent, pretty and talented. I have seen my mom as an insurance adjuster, sales representative, truck driver, cosmetologist, and a nurse's aide. You name it, she can probably do it. But talent doesn't stand a chance when your controlled by an addiction.

The dynamic of our relationship has changed a little over the years. Now when I talk to her, it's not with pain, it's with hope. She still struggles in her walk, (don't we all sometimes?), but she's come a long way and she's still trying. Now that I'm a mother of 3, I understand the pressure of that responsibility. How one bad decision can turn your life upside down. I want her to understand and believe that I get it and I have forgiven her.

With Mother's Day tomorrow, I've been thinking about what to give her as a present. Maybe write her a poem, or fill up a photo album with pictures of her grandbabies. But the one thing on my heart is forgiveness. True forgiveness. Being able to tell her that I'm okay and I'm not mad. I wish I could help in some way.... So my gift this year will be my extended heart and hand. And maybe that photo album too!!

Happy Mother's Day!!

DISCLAIMER

So I'm sitting here kind of frustrated with a few different things. I have so many things streaming in my head I don't know where to start. I wish I could just put it all in this posting but I feel like I can't. It is for this reason (and some others, mainly time constraints) that I have not been writing lately. God knows my heart. I always find comfort and reassurance in Him. But what if it is on my heart to use writing as an outlet as well? I know that I don't want to offend anyone or put "business" out there. But what if the situation I am dealing with can help someone else in their situation? Isn't that the point of being accountable for each other, sharing our testimonies of trial, spreading the Gospel by showing that we are living proof that God sees us through? Is there something wrong with also using this as a way of getting my own head straight? I keep a prayer journal that I write in when I need to cry out to God or if I just want to praise Him. For me this is me and God's special way of communicating with each other. I feel alive when I write. I hear His voice crystal clear at times while writing. Just like I feel more connected when I pray alone in the bathroom....... See! I'm rambling. Proof positive that I have too much on my mind. I'm tired of everything I want to say or do having to go through an approval process. So before I go any further with my writing endeavor, let me put out a…

DISCLAIMER:

The following statements in this article of writing or any from this point forward are not meant to hurt, defame, criticize, disrespect, put anyone’s business out there, start an argument, etc. They are my thoughts, feelings, and opinions that I have a right to have. I do have enough sense not to use names, places or anything that would make anything obvious. However if you should somehow feel connected to anything I have written I encourage you to look within yourself to figure out why you feel this way, why I may feel this way and work with YOU before you come to tell me what I'm wrong about. With this said I love you all and I hope it respected that I know God is using me in this way and I will not deny Him any longer. I give all glory and honor to the Father who I have given my life, my body and my soul to use at His will. I believe His will for me is to write, for Him, for others, and for myself. I pray for understanding, support, respect, and love.

Thank You

Chasing After You

The last few weeks have been a real struggle for me. Truth be told, the past few years haven’t been my best. When I write or speak to anyone, I don’t profess to have all the answers. I try to only speak on things that I have experienced in the hopes that my friends and family won’t make the same mistakes that I have. But lately it seems with every good word that comes out of my mouth, a mile of strife follows. The harder I work towards my purpose, the harder the enemy fights back.

It’s hard to keep the focus and remember whose I am. I realize I have been writing about this a lot, as I am trying to learn and walk my way through it. Every day I am faced with a new challenge, a new battle, and it ‘feels’ as if its wearing me down. My friend jokingly told me the other day that I am all over the place…..though I am sure it was concern masked behind a smile. Some days I am up, and some days I am way down. And that’s NOT God’s will for our life.

I don’t want to write on this blog in a manner that would suggest that I have it all figured out….. God knows I don’t! But it was on my heart today to share how good He is to me, even when I feel like I don’t deserve it. His grace is sufficient and He is so forgiving and honestly, that is the only thing that keeps me smiling sometimes. Noticing the little things He does for me during the day like changing the light to green as I am approaching when I’m running late, a butterfly in a tree that I noticed just by chance, the spark in my son’s eyes when I’m having a bad day. I’m not ashamed to say that God talks to me everyday in the smallest of ways, but those mean so much to me.

I came into work today feeling good despite the gloomy skies outside. When I opened up my email, my daily scripture was there waiting for me as usual. And the verse just brought everything back to me full circle…..

Luke 10:41-42 And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

As I am reading, Tye Tribbett’s song ‘Chasing After You’ is playing and I had a moment…. How good is God that He sends us little messages to let us know He is still here, still loving us, despite our mistakes and worries. No matter how many times I fall, I’m still chasing after you Father…. Have a blessed day Family.

Poetyss

Happy Birthday 30!

Happy Birthday 30!

Verse: Ecclesiastes 7:14 (NLT) ~ Enjoy prosperity while you can. But when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. That way you will realize that nothing is certain in this life.

I don’t know too many people who are excited about turning the corner to 30’s door. It’s like some archaic rite of passage that taunts us until its arrival, and haunts us for some time thereafter. No one wants to cross that threshold, or admit that they have crossed it. But 30 had decided that it was going to remind me of how blessed I was to meet her!!

I remember waking up on April 14, 2008 like any other day – except I was 8 months pregnant! As I was peeling myself from my pillow and sheets, it hit me. Suddenly I felt so heavy and slightly panicky. I pulled myself out of the bed to make a beeline to the bathroom, all the while hoping to myself that I had the dates wrong. That theory went down the drain when I heard my daughter’s sweet little voice on the other side of the door.

“Mommy, is that you?”
“Yes Bean. Good Morning.”
“Good Morning Mommy. Happy Birthday!”

I mumbled my “Thank You” through gritted teeth under this horrible revelation…
Oh God, I’m 30!

Not that I had to tell Him that, but it was just ringing through my ears, every annex of my brain was taunting me. I was seeing 30’s every time I blinked. I had to say, ‘Shake yourself girl! It's just another year, now lets go!’ So I did. As I stood up in utter defiance of what today meant, I felt funny, lightheaded. This was nothing new for me though. I had fainting spells with every pregnancy. I sipped on a glass of water and went on about this wretched day.

I made sure to eat before I left, since I had been feeling lightheaded earlier. I wasn’t too excited about going to work and hearing all the jokes and banter that I knew was coming. I just wanted maternity leave to come and come quickly so I could get this little boy out! None the less, being the dedicated worker that I am, lol, I trudged my way in.

About 10 minutes into the ride, I’m feeling light headed again, so I tried to pull off the main road so that I could park and get myself together. The last thing I remember is flicking my turn signal and turning the wheel to the right.

A loud thud woke me from my slumber. Ask me at that very moment, and I would have told you that I thought I was still home in bed. I hear the radio playing, the engine is still running, but the car is not moving. I look up and don’t recognize my surroundings. What’s even stranger is that I am sideways in someone’s driveway.

That’s when I realized what happened. Well, somewhat. Since the car is still running and I feel okay, I gotta get outta here before someone sees me! (I know, dumb right?) So I try to put the car in reverse, to no avail. I’m trying to go backwards, but the car is stuck on something. Then I heard a woman’s voice yelling anxiously, “No! Stop! Are you okay? Don’t move!”

I felt like a little kid with my hand caught in the cookie jar, until I looked up at her face. She was distraught, running across the street, concern and worry leaking from her voice. She was an older Black woman, maybe in her late 50’s wearing a lightweight jogging suit. I could see where she came from, and an older gentleman was on the porch with his cell phone in his hand. Then the baby kicked.

I grabbed my stomach, and by that time she had made it to the driver’s side door. I still wasn’t quite sure what was going on, or what I had done. It had to be serious by her reaction.
“Sweetheart, can you open the door or roll down the window?”
“Yes ma’am.”
As I opened the car door, she gasped at the sight of my baby bump.
“Honey, she’s pregnant!” she yelled.
“I’m okay, I’m okay.” I tried to calm her, as she was more upset than I was. She mumbled something to herself about taking me out of the car. She was stroking my face, wiping away my tears, still mumbling incoherently, until her husband suddenly appeared.
“What happened?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” was all I could reply.

They went on to explain that they were about to go for their morning jog when they saw my car coming up the street. The impact with the utility box was the only thing that stopped the car from crashing into the other neighbors home. The wife’s concern was that the car was still running as it was sitting on top of this utility box. But before long, the police and the paramedics arrived, and after some irritating and embarrassing questioning, I was taken to the hospital via ambulance.

It seemed like every doctor, every nurse that came to see me had to ask the same question, “What is your date of birth?” By the fifth person, I had formed this irritated chuckle, thinking, “Is that not on the fifty-eleven forms you had me fill out?” So when I responded to her with, “You all just want to torture me, don’t you?” She looked down at her paperwork and as I watch the smile pass from her eyes to her lips, she says, “Well, Happy Birthday 30! You’ll never forget this one, huh?”

I am almost a week away from my 32nd birthday, and I can’t help but think back to how blessed I am. After that accident, I heard 2 more stories very similar to mine, where those drivers did not survive. There was no obstruction (the electric box) to protect them from disaster. Sitting in that hospital room, feeling the beautiful and sometimes painful kick of my baby, to breathe without pain, to escape the accident without even one scratch…… Jesus.

Phillipians 4:11 ~ Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am in to be content.

NOW YOU

The bible speaks of contentment in several verses. It’s such a simple concept with such critical value. We complain daily about our wants and limitations, when in a moment, it all could be gone. When I get in the complaining mode, I think back to this situation and can thank and praise God for protecting me, for showing me my imperfections, and for still loving me just the same. I learned that sometimes the things that appear to be obstructions may just be the very thing to save your life. Have you had a ‘wake-up’ experience that changed your life? Obstacles that you thought would turn your life upside down, but taught you a valuable lesson? Share your story/testimony. You never know who you might bless!! Selah!

~Poetyss~

Let's Catch Up!

Since my last post alot has been going on.  Some trials and tribulations that left me a little blocked have now passed (praising God for always being there as my Guide and Comforter).  I also have been exploring some new avenues with my writing.  Now that I have started writing this blog and getting my creative juices flowing, God opened another door for me.  I started a writing portfolio on Associated Content in February and have published two articles since then.  The first article I submitted was actually "Courting or Dating" which I initially wrote for this blog.  Yesterday "Bible Verses to Inspire" was published and I recevied my first comment! (Click the link below) As I publish more I will share the links here on the blog.  I am working on a series right now on the women of the Bible and am very excited about that as well.  Also be on the look out for for from Poetyss.  I read the next post she is working on and it is awesome!  So stay tuned to 30 and Saved for more from the both of us!  It is on both of our hearts to make this blog grow into something bigger so we can share the Gospel with as many people we can touch.  Keep It Blessed and thank you all for following 30 and Saved.

Bible Verses to Inspire

The Appointed Watchmen

As I was studying Ezekiel 33 the Lord spoke to me and taught me a lesson about a situation I was in a few weeks ago.

God made Ezekiel a watchman over the people of Israel. He was responsible for being the lookout and messenger to warn the people of impending events by blowing a trumpet. Those who take heed to the sound of the trumpet would live and those that did not would perish (vs. 4-5). But as the watchman, Ezekiel had a choice to make as well. Should he not blow the trumpet and the people aren't warned, they would still die of their sin but the guilt would be on Ezekiel's head. By doing what God has instructed him to do, Ezekiel could save his soul regardless of the people's response (vs. 7-9).

We have all been appointed to be watchmen over each other. It says throughout the Scriptures to spread the Gospel, be the salt and light of the world, and to do unto others. I found myself in this situation a few weeks ago at church when some visitors came. I recognized the man with his family as the gentleman my husband and I were talking to in the supermarket line just a week prior. At the end of service as everyone was leaving I had the chance to extend a hand of fellowship and blew it! Instead I said a simple hello barely making eye contact. (I know, horrible right) Ever since, I haven't been able to get the scene out of my head. That could have been their first trip to church in a long time, or possibly at all. They may have been looking for a new church home. A very simple, "Hi! My husband and I were talking to you the other day at Shop-Rite. How did you enjoy the service..." may have been a turning point for them to receive the Lord's message.

"When the righteous turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, he shall die because of it" (vs.18). That's exactly what I did. I turned away from the righteousness and my spirit was wounded. Because I gave into my own iniquities, being shy and insecure in fear of looking like a fool, failed in my duties as a watchman. I was so afraid of looking stupid if this man did not remember me that I forgot that no matter what, he would have had an example of what it is to be an ambassador for Christ. It wasn't just about trying to get someone to accept Jesus as their Savior; it was also about me growing as a Christian.

Now that the Lord has so lovingly revealed this to me I know He will begin to work in me as I work with Him to overcome my bashfulness. "Now the hand of the Lord had been upon me the evening before the man came who had escaped. And He had opened my mouth; so when he came to me in the morning my mouth was opened, and I was no longer mute" (vs.22).

 

A Devotional from Ezekiel 3

The Word is filling in the belly and sweet as honey. It feeds the soul and the mouth tastes its nectar. The more we study the Scriptures, the more the pantries of our hearts and minds store for when more nourishment is needed. (vs. 2-3)

Ezekiel eating the scroll God provided paints a vivid picture of how we are to accept the Scriptures of the Bible He left for us. When accepting Jesus Christ as our savior, we answer His call to receive the Word as Truth and share it "whether they hear, or whether they refuse" (vs. 11). However, it was not intended for us to force it upon anyone. Our purpose is to spread the Gospel when and how the Spirit moves us to. It is not our job to make people surrender. They too have the God-given free will to concede or not. But no matter what, the seed was planted and the name of Jesus is hard to ignore.

Take a lesson from Ezekiel. Although we may be rejected by many, we should continue to go forth and spread the Word when inspired.

The Power of Words by Poetyss

We have all heard the old cliché of “Everything happens for a reason”. In fact, I have used this principle/verse as a teaching tool and as a comfort mechanism to my children and close friends. But oh my how it’s a different situation when you have to swallow a pill of your own medicine….
This past weekend, I was on one end of the emotional rollercoaster that Vivian Green sings about, all the way back to the other. Being saved for many years, I know that we have to learn to control our emotions, because they can guide our heart to make very bad decisions. For the most part, I think I do a pretty good job keeping my cool. Even if I’m a mess on the inside, I pray it away, paint on the smile and keep it moving. But the enemy has a way of catching you off guard sometimes.
Most of my friends and family know I am not a morning person- at all. So when my phone starts ringing at 8 am on a Saturday morning, I’m thinking “This better be an emergency.” Well, it was my brother. My mother, my brother and I have a difficult relationship at best, but that’s for another day and another blog entry. Let’s just say that I wasn’t very nice to him. That phone call generated a reaction out of me that was out of my usual character, and my reaction unfortunately created a domino effect that consumed the majority of my day and my heart.

As the dust tried to settle, reality snuck in and I realized that my biting words created a horrible situation. Proverbs 13:3 (New Living Translation) tells us that “Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.” Was I wrong in what I said during our conversation? No. Was the delivery wrong? Absolutely. We have to know the right way to convey a message, and when it’s time to stop talking. This time around I failed on both accounts.

I jumped right back into the fray trying to correct my wrong. And as things are getting progressively worse, I’m thinking “What am I doing wrong here? Why can’t I get this right?”

And then I heard it. Clear as can be. But I opened my mouth with another gust of sanctified anger only to have my voice taken away and the voice was a little bit stronger.

“Let me move.”

There was nothing left to say, nothing more to argue. I have tried since I was a little girl to mend these relationships in my life, only to get hurt and exhausted from the efforts. I thought I had reached the point in my life where I had let this go so that God could move. Only to find myself after all these years right up in the middle of it again. My words, my shouting, my crying wasn’t helping anything at all. I was fueling an already toxic situation. So, nothing left to do but hang up.

I did what I could, and this is a situation that God and only God can fix. Its so hard in the moment to fight being consumed by the overwhelming emotions that try to taint our decision making. That’s why its so important to be still in the moment. We can be so quick to react, that we don’t think about how our reaction is going to affect other people, and ourselves after the moment is over.

I got another call today, midway through me typing this. Funny how God works, and how you see things come full circle. I think some of my points hit home with my brother. I was more careful with my words today. Encouraging and pointed, instead of stern and direct. Only time will tell, I have learned that. But as I close this, it’s off my mind and in God’s hands…. For good!! When you finally release a situation, it feels like a fresh new breath. Now if I could apply this to other areas of my life….. Lol

About Poetyss

About me..... Where do I start? Alot of times we tend to define ourselves with our jobs, thinking that is what represents us. But I want to start this by saying that I am a child of God and a firm believer that Jesus is our Savior. That is the force that guides me and comes first and foremost in my daily life. I am a 30-something woman who is on the intriguing path to find my purpose and get this thing called life right!! I love writing, in all of its forms, and have been writing plays, stories, news articles and poetry since I was about 6 yrs old. I have alot of thoughts and dreams that I have been able to express through my poetry and writing, and now blessfully through this blog! So, now that we have that established... lol.. I'll give you my credentials. :) I am a mother of 3 wonderful and awesome children, a 10 yr old daughter, 5 yr old son and an 18 mth old son. I have recently discovered a new gift and started my own jewelry company called Agape Couture Jewelry, through which I design and handcraft custom jewelry. And I love it!! :) I currently work for the court system in New Jersey, so you can imagine the stuff I see on a daily basis! But honestly, that is what fuels my fire for what I do. We need another outlet, another source, another way, to show the world that there are options. You don't have to follow the pied piper, make your own way and let the Lord show you the path. If I can share that message, my heart is fulfilled. And I hope and pray that in doing so, I can somehow bless and fulfill yours. Many blessings family, Poetyss

Time Management Test

The enemy is attacking my time management plan. As hard as I try I can't seem to publish my posts when I intend to and there are always distractions when it's time to read or write. What makes matters worse is that he is using my family as the weapon of choice. Issues only seem to arise when I'm at home. This post was actually written in my "down-time" at work and is being typed and published in the comfort of my new office, the bathroom in my bedroom. It is the only place where I cannot be interrupted or be an interruption. Just about all of my posts have been researched, drafted, and edited at work. I have essays, devotionals, and whatever was on my mind at the time all ready to be published when I get to my computer…at home. Am I being tested? Maybe. It's time to put my foot down and explain (graciously and lovingly) that during a certain time frame I would like to be uninterrupted (as was advised in my Time Management post).

The devil knows my reading and writing are my direct line to the Father. I feel closest to Him when I am studying Scripture and writing what's on my heart. Reading and writing have always been my outlets and my avenue of communication. When I'm happy, I write. When I'm upset, I write. If there is something I want to be heard, I write it. But now that I know that this is my gift from God, the one that fell from His grace, is now jealous and is trying to steal it from me. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!!!

+Prayer+

Father, I have hit a bump in the road. Lord give me the strength, the wisdom, the courage, and most importantly the grace to tell my family how important the work You assigned to me is. Put Your words in my mouth to explain to them that it is time for You I ask for without interruption. Help me make them understand that this is our time together Lord and it is precious to me. I am so grateful for the gift You have given me and I thank You for using me to glorify Your Name. I rebuke the adversary and his tactics in using my family to get between us, in the Name of Jesus!

+Amen+

Thou Art Worthy

"Love Him totally who gave Himself totally for your love." –St. Clare of Assisi

After having tried and "failed" at so many things I began to believe my life wasn't worth anything. I thought that the lives of others would be better off without me. My daughter always preferred to be with her grandmother and it seemed like my family never came to my place to see me. I was a magnet for unhealthy relationships. My attempts at getting a degree were just that – attempts. My finances were horrible. Bankruptcy, repossession, eviction, bad credit, you name it. I had no hope, no faith, no light. I was in complete darkness; right where God needed me to be.
He opened my eyes so I could take a good look at myself. I saw things around me that I knew were not me. I found myself in places I should not have been with people I who supposedly cared for me. I was doing things I know I should not have been. Most of the time I was high, drunk, and alone. Finally it hit me, "What are you doing to yourself?!" it was at that point when things started to change.
The Lord heard me and began calling my name. A hunger and a thirst rumbled in my belly that only He could feed. When I had questions and needed direction the right people, books, and programs would just pop up. I stopped smoking, drinking and getting high cold turkey all at the same time. My financial issues took a radical change. I went from not being able to get approved for an apartment to finding a private owner who didn't care about credit to two years later being approved for a mortgage. But most importantly I shed relationships that were toxic to me and began the most satisfying, unconditionally loving relationship I have ever known.
God loves us in spite of us. We all fantasize about a relationship where that great love would lay down their life for us and rescue us from the evil one. Well, there is no fairy tale about it, someone already did. We are worth so much to God that He created and sent His only Son Jesus Christ to live our sin, show us how to rise above it, and then died to save our souls. He loves us so much that he has already made a plan for us to live spirit-filled, abundant lives. Jesus came back after He died to reassure us that we would be okay if we abide by Him and allow the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. Jesus is our Intercessor, our Comforter, our Protector and Provider. He is our Confidant, our Friend, and our Father. With Jesus we are never alone.
No one other than God can value us more. One we open our hearts to let Him in, His love will give us the ability to love ourselves and others more than ever before. We will know our worth and be able to tell others our testimony enabling others to see their worth. I praise God for rescuing me, loving me, and delivering me from evil.

"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." (Rev. 4:12, KJV)

On my mind....

Blessings to you! I don't have anything formally written today just have some things and ideas I want to share.  Well first I'm trying to keep up with my new time management plans. My last post was actually published in the morning after my husband left for work. So far so good on that.  I have some other writings I'm working on as well.  Doing pretty good with my reading schedule.  I actually got a chance to read today while I sat under the dryer giving meyself a deep conditioning treatment......which lead me to an idea.  Somehow I'm thinking about doing a hair journal.  I'll have to pray on it though. But I have started taking some steps just in case.  I'm also thinking about adding another author to 30 and Saved and expanding. I'll update you on that as well.  I"ll be talking to her soon and putting together some ideas ( I was actually supposed to call her yesterday....I guess I fell off a little with the time schedule on that...I'll get it together.  I have faith.)  Unfortunately church was canceled due to the snow, but I praised, worshiped and got the word anyhow.  All while I did my hair, lol.  Well, just wanted to catch up with ya'll and ramble a bit.......thanks for reading. Keep it Blessed!!!!!

Can't Find the Time.........

Up by 6 a.m. to be to work by 8 a.m., out by 4 p.m. get home around 5...hubby asked me to make some calls and left me a "hunny-do" list...study my Bible and do some writing in my down time....oh yea!  make sure the kids have rides from their afterschool activities...check my emails, catch up on Facebook.  Dang! What's for dinner? Go to the grocery store pick up a few things on the way home from work...make sure homework is done, start laundry, gas up the car.......

Sound familiar?  I feel like there is not enough time in a day.  Figuring out how to balance my time has become an obstacle. Even more so since getting married and taking on new responsibilities.  I must say I was getting a little overwhelmed.  But while doing some Bible study in my Woman's Study Bible I found some articles on time management which lead me to Scriptures on how God wants us to budget our time. 

Taking a lesson from the Jewish is a great start.  They actually start their day in the evening when the home begins to rest.  After dinner and the kitchen is clean I can take a few moments to get my head right,  think about what I would like to do the next day and pray for the Lord to lead me to accomplish the things that are most important to Him and that His will be done (Prov. 3:5-6).  I also must make it known to my family that there are things that are important to me to get done (Roma. 12:2) and assure them that their needs are included (Col. 4:5-6).  Above all however what is top priority is that all is done to glorify God (Prov. 16:3).

Using my time wisely is key.  Fortunately I have a job where I am able to utilize down time to spend studying my Bible, and working on posts and articles.  I will also try to get in the practice of getting up when my husband leaves for work.  I have an hour or so where I could maybe work on my blog, check some e-mails, and do some other projects.

When it's God's will, there will most certainly be a way.  Instead of getting stressed and overwhelmed I'll use the lessons learned from the Perfect Planner on how to budget my time.

*Thank you Lord for showing me how to use the time You gifted me with wisely.*

A Devotional for the Day.....

I received another powerful devotional passed on to me today, so of course I wanted to share it with you.....

Saturday, January 30, 2010
Read: 1 Peter 2:18-25
TODAY IN THE WORD
Fyodor Dostoevsky was imprisoned for the kind of thinking that made his writing so famous and so wonderful. His crime was adopting a mindset that differed from the reigning regime, and the initial sentence was death. As he stood with his compatriots before a firing squad, his sentence was commuted to four years in Siberian exile. He didn’t view his trials as inherently negative but a necessary part of the human experience. He wrote, “On our earth we can truly love only with suffering and through suffering! We know not how to love otherwise.”

All the crimes through the ages, every infraction we’ve studied so far, converged on a moment of ultimate suffering in the body of the only truly innocent man who ever lived—and His suffering is our definition of love. Today’s passage is filled with both theological substance and emotional truth. Verse 24 is a compact dissertation on the power of the crucifixion and the purpose of the Christian life. We sinned; His body absorbed the punishment. He was wounded; we were healed. He died for our sins; we die to sin and live for righteousness.
But this passage also represents a shift in logic from what we’ve come to understand. An overarching theme of this study has been that disobedience results in punishment, suffering, fear, etc., and that obedience results in blessing. But Peter draws our attention to a different focus. In Christ, obedience involves sharing in the sufferings of Christ. We aren’t called to go out of our way to bring punishment on ourselves (v. 20). But we shouldn’t be surprised if doing good results in pain.

The final point in today’s reading reminds us that the question of sin and obedience, crime and punishment is not simply a matter of following the rules—it’s a relationship between us and our Father, like sheep returning to the Shepherd. As Peter wrote, He is the Overseer of our souls, and His suffering brought us back into a right relationship with Him. There is no greater love than that.

TODAY ALONG THE WAY
You may not feel like you live in a society where doing the right thing results in suffering, and that is true to a certain extent. We may not face legal penalties for exercising our faith, but being true to Christ could cost you in the court of popularity. We don’t often have to fear what others will do to us because of our faith, but what they think of us can feel equally damaging. Keep in mind that your relationship with God involves obeying His Word and sharing in His suffering. Don’t be afraid to do either.
2010 Copyright Moody Bible Institute • http://www.todayintheword.org/

(*Thanks again Pastor Roman)

Thirty-One, Thrifty, and Thriving...

Thirty-One, Thrifty, and Thriving
I want to give a great big thank you to Thirty-One, Thrifty, and Thriving for reading and passing a link to my page on to her readers. I am deeply humbled and greatful. Please follow the link above and check out her blog.   I  enjoy the Prayer and Priorities posts, I must say they have me starting to try and figure out my own time management issues.  Thanks again and many, many blessings.

Your Invited.....

Before I began my walk with Christ, people would try to get me to go to church and pray for me to "get saved". Though I appreciate and love them for their efforts, their approach just wasn't very inviting.  One of my pastors, Pastor Robert Roman posted this on FB.  It touched me and I wanted to share it with you.  This is one of the best invitations I've ever received.  Thank you Pastor Roman for allowing me to share this....

Philip was from the town of Bethsaida, the same as Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael & told him, "Remember what Moses wrote in the law. Moses wrote about a man that was coming. The prophets wrote about him too. We have found him.His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph. He is from Nazareth." But Nathanael said to Philip, "Nazareth! Can anything good come from Nazareth?" Philip answered, "Come and see."

Come and see for yourself!" What Christianity has to offer the world
that no other religion really has is two-fold: 1) a genuine
relationship with Jesus, God who walked among us; and, 2) grace that
makes us acceptable to God rather than having to earn divine approval.
If you really want to decide about Christianity, or you have a friend
that is wrestling with a similar decision, don't let them get lost in
all the religious debate. Instead, invite them to come and meet Jesus
in the Gospel of John. The invitation to "come and see" is repeated
several times in John 1. Meeting Jesus in John won't answer all the
questions, but it will point us to the only true answer -- Jesus! So if
you're doubting, if you're frustrated with the mess that organized
religion sometimes makes, if you want to get past the religious hype
into the life of God, then heed the invitation Jesus and his disciples
give you to "come and see" who Jesus really is. Begin your own search.
Find out for yourself. Seek and you will find! (What Jesus did)

.....continue to pray for Haiti

keep the people of Haiti and all those that have gone out to help in the relief efforts in yours prayers.  I pray to our Father that he bring relief, comfort, and peace to them all.  Father I pray that through this You bring a nation into Your wonderful, merciful grace. In Jesus Name....... click on the link below

Are You Listening....Kirk Franklin and Friends

Help Haiti

30 and Saved has added a link to donate funds to the Red Cross to support the effort in helping our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Let us continue to lift them up in prayer and help them in any way we can................May God bless them and keep them.

Courting or Dating?

"You must give to the Bible attention with intention, and it is intention that will necessitate attention...We must know what we are about."

-Henrietta Meaks

The Lord led me to write this after reading a friends post on Facebook.  She had a conversation with a young man who said the difference between sexy and slutty was the difference between attitude and when there is no guess work needed.  It was suggested men who are serious about a woman appreciate modesty while those who were looking for a fling went to those who put themselves out there.  This made me think.  Is there a difference between courting and dating?


Scripture does not specifically define dating; however, we are given direction on how to relate to one another.  According to Dictionary.com, courting is "to try to win the favor, preference, or goodwill of; to seek the affections & love..." Dating on the other hand is defined as "a social appointment, engagement, or occasion".  The word date in itself implies that this is only for a time, perhaps for the night.  Courting sounds more involved as if one were intentionally making an investment of time and care to win the "favor and goodwill" of someone important.

God tells us that an examination of self is necessary when relating to others.  Ask yourself some questions: is my relationship with Him one that is secure, faithful, and loving? Am I spending time with Him daily making it priority #1? 1 Timothy 4:12 says, "Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling...their own houses well."  Am I leading as an example of Christ, is my house in order?

After that, show and prove. Are you and your mate equally yoked (2 Corinthians 6:14)? Does he/she have a relationship with Christ? I don't mean "do you know Jesus?" ask if there is a relationship with Jesus.  If the answer is yes, watch and see.  If the answer is anything other than yes, then this may be your opportunity to share the Gospel, plant the seed, and win two new relationships-one with God and one with you. This was the case with me and my husband.  My seed was planted and the Lord used him to be my watering can.  My husband courted me.  The only date we made was our wedding date.


Easton's Bible Dictionary defines dating as "the point in time at which a transaction or an event takes place...; and assigned end, a conclusion".  On the other had the definition of courting is "top endeavor to gain the affections of, to seek in marriage, to woo".

I urge you to think about this before you step on your next "date".  Are you putting yourself out there to be courted or dated?

Best Line of Defense

Have you ever felt as if you need to withdraw from something or someone? Has something ever happened or something been said to you that made you want to totally go off? I've felt like this quite a bit, right now as a matter of fact. As I grow spiritually I am able to see what triggers certain emotions. I try really hard not to allow  these things to bother me. I pray the Lord helps me with my attitude all the time. I was told once when these situations arise not to pray for the person/thing that bothers you but to pray for yourself  and what you may or may not have done and for God to show you how to handle it. Now maybe I understood that wrong but I find it difficult to always point the finger back at me. I'm defensive admittedly but there are times when I know I truly didn't do anything or that my intentions were good. So how do I deal with it? I shut my mouth and keep my distance. " A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control"  (Proverbs 29:11)  For me keeping quiet is the best way. Remember "if you don't have anything good to say don't say it at all"? I must say that this is the best line  of defense for someone like me. But is this the right thing to do? When are you supposed to speak up? How much are you supposed to just take on the chin? And how do you hold back with out eventually exploding? I will continue to pray for guidance to overcome this issue. When I'm faced with this obstacle I  try to give my heavenly Father the respect He deserves as if  He was standing right in front of me. That way I don't disrespect  anyone else. But my question remains how do we as Christians handle our emotions? Are we expected to never lose it?

Some Scriptures to take you into the New Year...........

I chose some verses to start off this New Year. I think they are great for those new in their walk with Christ and for those that may be well "versed" in the Bible. Personally I just find them refreshing and give me something to meditate on to keep me focused.

"...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it abundantly." (John 10:10)




"Call to me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3)


"You have granted me life and favor, And Your care has preserved my Spirit." (Job 10:12)




"...And forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us" (Matthew 6:12)


"...we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance character; and character hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:3-5)




"...Rejoice highly favored one, for the Lord is with you..." (Luke 1:28)