MAKE ROOM FOR GOD TO BLESS #ShoneShine

Wow!  I have not blogged in since June 2015!!! It seems I have closed one chapter of my life and another one has began to take shape! This new direction is God-inspired! After graduating from college (Dec 2015) followed by many moves, I felt got tired.  During the resting stage, I felt a switch occur.  That was a little frightening, bewildering yet fun and just what I needed.  It literally felt like how you can turn a light switch on and off, that's what happened internally to me or better yet for me. I didn't dissect it.  I just went with it; sometimes feeling as though I was in unfamiliar, yet uncharted territory. Still I moved forward...prayer, praise and purpose! I prayed, praised and then I moved.  I prayed, praised, and then I moved again.  I prayed, praised, then I felt led to clean out things I had been holding on to regarding the direction for my business.  Then I prayed, praised, and moved again...this time found myself Intercessory Prayer at my church wondering what in the world God had be there for...it was to pray prophetically for the advancement of a dear person's book! WHOA!  This experience was amazing! It opened the door for me to experience Life Center Ministries and go to another level in prayer and the prophetic.  {I didn't see this one coming.}  With more prayer, praise and work...once again became a Virginia Broker.  So, now I am a broker in all 3 of the D-M-V (DC, MD, and VA) and Georgia.  I prayed again, then agreed to become the broker of a commercial firm.  Prayed again, and now many more doors of opportunities are opening up. Prayed and rejoiced some more, then I had to blessing of my car starting, but not turning over.  The blessing is it occurred parked in my garage and not on the side of the road.  Come to find out, the computer system decided to go out --- WHAT?!--This never happened before.  Now I am faced with the reality that I must get another vehicle, but this time can't be like the others (pay cash, for a pre-owned).  Nope! LOL because I don't have the excess cash.  Still I rise!  There is more to be said...LESSON LEARNED:  I have to make room to be blessed.  Many times, I have asked God for opportunities that I was not in proper position to take full advantage of and to make His name great in doing them.  Now on the other side of clearing out clutter that wouldn't "look like" clutter to anyone (but for me, it was cluttering my mind and depressing my creativity), ended up with a brand new AC unit for one part of of my house (thanks Matt of Oxford HVAC!) it went out in June and the home warranty experience was one I will not regurgitate; closed a few deals, gone under contract for others, got my household and business accounting on point, and now many more doors are flying open! Oh, and pretty soon a new vehicle, but I am not anxious.  I've decided to rent a vehicle if I have to go too far so I don't overwork our 1997 Honda Accord (LOL! She's been great to us 318K+ miles later she still works)!  I have seen God's hand of provision supply all our needs and wants.  Take the time to trust Him.  Heck, I will pray for you or with you.  What you cannot do, is keep expecting more without making an adjustment. #ShoneShine

Screaming Hallelujah!!

That moment when you realize God was planning for this day many years ago & brought things together in such a perfect crescendo to equip you (in 2015) with the proof that you are not crazy and that He has you! 

SCREAMING HALLELUJAH!!! **Praise Break** 

I am so thankful for the 50,000 coaches and friends that only God could have put together like this!
His Word is real and still holds true today...into eternity!

Jeremiah 29:11New International Version (NIV)

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Conqueror...I Am!

https://db.tt/PAnqfUTD

Mind, Flesh & Will - Which Is In Control?

Have you ever felt your body resist you while your mind was willing? I did today! Then, from somewhere within, I felt like a deer in headlights in one part of my being and a "Let's get it!" Attitude on another part when I turned on a different part of my workout program that I had never done. It was 530am, I knew I was going to go all the way even in the presence of this resistence from within myself. I am just thankful that my will was greater than my flesh today. I really came to fully understand 1 Corinthians 9:27, it talks about beating my body and making it my slave. Our bodies are the vehicles that support us in carrying out our life's purpose. The flesh will do only what it's been trained to do. It has no mind of its own. In the changes inwardly and outwardly I have decided to make, I am re - training my body to serve me on a different level and instilling in it the endurance it needs to perform at optimal measures. It will surrender eventually. In the meantime, I will keep showing it that I mean business and not give in to its encouragement to stay where I've been. Just like a rubber band will go back into place unless it is stretched beyond its normal limits, so it is with our body, our minds, even our environments that we live, work and play. Challenge yourself. Push the limits. When you've gone as far as you think you can go, take 3 more steps, then add to it daily.
#ShoneShine

Use It Or Lose It!?

I thought of this while enjoying my daily regiment of fitness activities.  Our bodies were meant to be used as the vehicle, the house for our souls to csrry out our life's purpose! I love seeing senior citizen aged people and babies climbing the mountain, running the 5 miles around or whatever.  They have chosen to USE their muscles and will to remain strong.  I don't know why I thought about this today. When we don't use our muscles, the experience of muscle atrophy (the wasting or loss of muscle tissue) occurs. Use it or lose it!

Many of you may not know this, but I used to work for the Federal Government!  I spent 10 years there before going into private sector, then in business for myself. In the Federal Government, when so much leave was accrued that you had a surplus, you are required to "use it or lose it"!  I would internally shake my head when people who were fully capable to go take some time for themselves, chose not to. I thought why not donate it if you aren't going to use it for yourself.  YOU HAVE ONE LIFE TO LIVE & I ENCOURAGE YOU TO "LIVE WELL"! You were meant to be mobile. Ok, so if you have an injury or something preventing you from doing so (I understand). However, the majority do not. Everyday you have air & opportunity. So what you don't have a gym membership. God gave us the best gym yet...get outdoors and see what I'm talking about. You can do it. Park further from the front door of your office or store. Climb the stairs instead of taking the elevator. Don't get me started because I can give you some suggestions! #EliminateExcuses #YouAreWorthIt #ShoneShine #UseItOrLoseIt

"Higher Ground"

I just finished seeing the movie, #FrankieandAlice with Halle Berry and Phylicia Rashad.  What a good movie!  #Halle is the baddest actress!  She played this role so well, that during the movie I had to remind myself that she was acting.  Wherever did she have to go to bring this out?  Stevie Wonder's song, #HigherGround contains these lyrics: see below.  In seeing this movie, I am reminded that people have various coping mechanisms to deal with the traumas that they have experienced.  While many are able to do so without drawing unwanted attention, before judging others perhaps it would be better to consider that they may have had something so traumatic occur with them that the way they act is the best way they have learned to live with the hurt, disappointment, etc. "Don't you let nobody bring you down" is one of the last choruses of the song.  We all have things we have something we have overcome, worked through and/or chosen to live with.  Till we reach our highest ground...Don't you let nobody bring you down.  Be encouraged Loves!

"Higher Ground"

People keep on learnin' 
Soldiers keep on warrin' 
World keep on turnin' 
Cause it won't be too long 

Powers keep on lyin' 
While your people keep on dyin' 
World keep on turnin' 
Cause it won't be too long 

I'm so darn glad he let me try it again 
Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin 
I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then 
Gonna keep on tryin' 
Till I reach my highest ground 

Teachers keep on teachin' 
Preachers keep on preachin' 
World keep on turnin' 
Cause it won't be too long 
Oh no 

Lovers keep on lovin' 
Believers keep on believin' 
Sleepers just stop sleepin' 
Cause it won't be too long 
Oh no 

I'm so glad that he let me try it again 
Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin 
I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then 
Gonna keep on tryin' 
Till I reach my highest ground...Whew! 

Till I reach my highest ground 
No one's gonna bring me down 
Oh no 
Till I reach my highest ground 
Don't let nobody bring you down (they'll sho 'nuff try) 
God is gonna show you higher ground 
He's the only friend you have around 
[FADE]

Peace is Better than _______ (you fill in the blank)

One thing I have done over the years since I was a child is keep the refrigerator door open while I pour some juice or getting a piece of cheese out of the pack or get an egg out of the carton, or any number of things.  Then, it is like a race to hurry up to get the item back into the refrigerator.  Now, to me there is not a problem with this practice, because if it was I would have changed it by now (right?)!  However, it is a pet-peeve of my husband's.  He cannot stand for the door of the refrigerator to stay open while I ,or anyone else, for that fact retrieve an item(s).  He is like why not get the item, close the door, then reopen the refrigerator when you are ready to put the item back.  I can see his rationale.  However, as much as I tried to change, I just couldn't seem to do it.  BTW, we have been married for 24 years (25 as of next month).  So, upon moving into our new home I chose the refrigerator.  I picked a really nice one.  The bells, the whistles, and the latest in technology (I AM CRACKING UP WRITING THIS!)!  To OUR surprise, the dang thing even alerts you when the door has been opened too long!!! (Lol!)  It even alerts you and powers down if the door is left open too long and the temperature adjusts below where you have set the thermostat for the freezer or refrigeration.  We both laughed at this.  I didn't set out to buy a refrigerator that did all this, but isn't that like God!  He desires that we have life and have it more abundantly.  Now, would leaving the refrigerator door lead to divorce...probably not, but the peace that surpasses all understanding could not be equally shared between both of us.  God cares so much about us collectively and individually! He loves us so much that He in His infinite power would allow one appliance to restore peace.  I can't stand for the bells and things to ring so I am learning to close the door so I don't have to.  The refrigerator is holding me accountable!  What are you letting get in the way of the peace that God has provided for you that you have chosen to not take hold of? #PEACEisBetter