If I can smile

Let me smile! Please may I smile. Silly silly I am to overlook so much and swiftly you come in and say your sorry and moments later it's ruined because you need to push.
I'm okay if I say I am okay.
I'm irritated that you take the air I breathe by strangling me with reminders "that you don't listen to me"
To say your sorry is to be sorry and not to make the person feel less happy then before you said sorry.
If I can smile won't you let me?

Hey you... yes you... yes me!

Compassion for yourself enables you to witness your feelings, thoughts, and actions with acceptance, caring, and understanding as you would when empathizing with another. Compassion is expressed with gentleness, tenderness, and generosity of spirit – quite the opposite of self-criticism, perfectionism, and pushing oneself. When most people are stressed, overwhelmed, or exhausted, they attempt to do even more, instead of caring for themselves. If you weren’t nurtured as a child, self-nurturing can be absorbed in therapy over time. You’ll learn to integrate the acceptance and empathy offered by your therapist. Self-compassion differs from self-pity, which is a judgment about your situation or feelings. Rather than acceptance and compassion, self-pity says, “It shouldn’t be this way.”

I need to remember that other's words don't define me! I am who I am and shouldn't feel compelled to say Sorry about that!

True happiness emanates from self-esteem, which is the cornerstone of successful relationships, work, and life. Self-esteem reflects how you treat and talk to yourself. If you’re a perfectionist, deep down you may not think you or your accomplishments are good enough. Although self-esteem can fluctuate with life’s ups and downs, high self-esteem helps you return to feeling okay. You don’t blame yourself or take others’ opinions personally. Healthy self-esteem allows you to honor and trust yourself, to meet your needs, and to live authentically in accordance with your values and feelings.

Your a Chominaaaaaa

I spoke on this once before but the words come springing loudly ...
as I recall the conversation of "he don't define you" 

Years ago they were the words that set fourth a domino effect of courage. Maybe it's time I start to revisit the important people in my life and hold more conversations because it seems it is easier to process things when they are said out loud or when you hear someone else talking about something similar.

As he spoke to me last night and the night before I was thinking about this same stuff in life:

We’re adults. We’ve got all the credentials and scars to show for it. … But a grown-up is supposed to possess himself, to be his own person, to make decisions according to his wishes and his best judgment.
Too often we find that this is not the case with us. Frequently we are so limited by habitual ways of acting and thinking, so needful of the approval of others, and so afraid of their disapproval that we don’t own ourselves at all. We are like a corporation that has gone public, and other people own controlling shares. And for many of us in that position, the biggest shareholders are our parents. [...]
The parent-child relationship is a primary source of who we are, and the mutual emotional attachments are derived from countless interactions, conscious and hidden memories, and profound feelings that go back to our days of oneness with them.

Time to revisit Life Coaching!

Coaching focuses more on looking forward:  setting goals, discovering strengths, and living in such a way that you can find that "sweet spot" of being exactly where God wants you to be, using the strengths He's given you.  All I can say is that it's going to be nice to be back behind the wheel of my life again!

Affirmation

Sometimes it’s difficult to discern God’s direction during challenging times.  Yet other times, God’s will is so crystal clear that it’s like a clarion call for those who are listening.

You'll make it through..

The more dirt you’ve been through the bigger the scar and the more hurt you’ve been through, the bigger you are, and we'll see what is bigger than what you figure you are. We're all part of the plan, and try to stay at the right side of the fence. With the devil riding your sins; you can remember... sometimes, that's all you can remember, but it won't always be as cold as December. As dark comes to an end, don’t forget to give thanks for word of God. It’s always true... have faith.

Who is she?

 She’s the girl that believes that what comes around goes around. The one that hopes for a better day. The one that won’t give up on you. She’s the girl that’s unlike the rest. The one that spent her days smiling, and her nights crying. She’s the girl that would love to be loved. The one that looks so damn strong, but feels so weak. She’s the girl that picks herself up every time she falls.  And she‘ll be okay. She really will. She’s tough…and She deserves to be happy.

BAD DAY OR BAD LIFE???

“Maybe you don’t like your job, maybe you didn’t get enough sleep. Well, nobody likes their job, nobody got enough sleep. Maybe you just had the worst day of your life, but you know, there’s no escape and there’s no excuse, so just suck it up and be nice.” - Ani DiFranco ‘Pixie’
Don’t let a bad day make you feel like you have  bad life. Without bad days, how would you be able to know what a good day is like? You have to believe that when things are bad, You can change them. So be grateful about your bad day, it means that a good day is just around the corner. Com’on SMILE :)

a Pen and Paper

Do you realize how beautiful it is to have a pen and paper?

Even if you feel no one listens to you even if you feel that you can read to someone and they would just fall asleep...

At least if you have your pen and paper you have freedom.

The freedom to talk to speak to yell to cry to feel to smile to laugh and it can bring you peace... it brings you joy!

a Pen and Paper

Oh joy it's better then any little 'ol toy!

I still remember sitting in my window seal legs up paper on my lap ..the pen gracing those pages as my radio blared the latest music. Oldies of course :-)

Those days seem so far away but for a moment as I write I can feel that link ... the link between me and that little girl. I was so young precious and had the biggest imagination - full of hope big dreams and still to this day I find myself having that big 'ol heart believing the best in everything ... in everyone.

My Writing My Journal entries My words

Well it seems that I have had to put in the stuff I have been writing since I actually have been writing a lot of stuff on paper....

In-maturity is pouring gas on a fire and watching it burn. Maturity is walking hand-in-hand when you don't see eye-to-eye.

PRAYER

I want to be wise so that I can be used by God!

Don't be out of balance!

When we allow ourselves to continually see the bad in the whole wide world or we are always on the defense ~ thinking that all people are evil~ then~ we are way out of balance.

Stand up to Manipulators

A person with successful boundaries has to stand up to manipulators. Manipulators are often charming people, but their intent is to produce enough guilt with their accusations and threats that we back off. They say things like, "If you loved me you wouldn't do that", "That's not very Christian", "You are really selfish". What are some of the things manipulators have said to you to get you to back off?

“Watching someone walk out of your life shouldn't make you bitter or cynical about love. But rather make you realize that if YOU wanted so much to be with the wrong person how beautiful it will be when the right one comes along.”

It’s you. You’re the one i talk about all the time, and the one. I can’t stop thinking about. The one that can make me laugh when i don’t even want to smile. The one that can make me feel better in 2.2 seconds. It’s you that I’m crazy about.

Sometimes you have to be strong for yourself. You have to know that you're a good person and a good friend. What's meant to be will end up good and what's not, won't. Love is worth fighting for but sometimes you can't be the only one fighting. At times, people need to fight for you. If they don't, you just have to move on and realize what you gave them was more than they were willing to give you.

Not perfect!

And no relationship is perfect, ever. There are always some ways you have to bend, to compromise, to give something up in order to gain something greater. But, the love we have for each other is bigger than these small differences. And that's the key. It's like a big pie chart, and the love in a relationship has to be the biggest piece. Love can make up for a lot

The ache in my heart

Who was i?
Was i just another memory to forget?….
Though I know I’m just a memory
like the end to one of your stories
but to me you are the one i love
I love until the end…

So I come before you to ask you;
why.... why do these things happen? 
Why must I understand and be ok?

Shall I say why should I be forgiving? 

Why should I be understanding?

Shall I feel walked all over and allow 
this feeling to take me over?

You gave your only Son for our sin
and I am trying to be understanding 
to the fact that this isn't your doing...

I am having a hard time wondering how 
I will explain what I know to someone 
else when I don't know how to explain 
it to myself. 

You can know something but dis-regard 
it in a moment when it makes your heart burn....
I feel as though my Soul has been taken from 
me... I feel as though my body is not my own...

I feel as though my life belongs to something
someone... else not of good but of evil as I 
don't get how something so bad can happen...

Please help me get some understanding...

I need understanding ...

I want a new life a new way a new view a 
new anything so I don't feel or have to feel
what I feel...

If I've been through it all and then I have to 
 face my worse fear ... I just want to ...
want to disapear as though I never existed at 
all!

I pray for strength I pray for understanding
I pray for the heart of yours... I pray for a 
day of happiness to stay... there must be a way.

Just come to me in my dreams so I can 
understand this land that I am to see one day...

I am going to lay down and try not to frown 
I am going to lay down and try not to drown. 

I want to believe in a better way a much 
better day and life of love and beauty 
a life of no hurt no dirt!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I need so much right now ....

I never need anything but I know 
that right now I need you! I need you
but more then that I want you!

I want my faith to overcome my 
mind and my soul ... let's roll 
can we? Can I be selfish and 
ask for you to come to me above
all else before anyone before I 
walk away? I can't cry...

My eyes are becoming dry...

My heart hurts....

Dear God ... i need u... >m

What is family??????????

In truth a family is what you make it. It is made strong, not by number of heads counted at the dinner table, but by the rituals you help family members create, by the memories you share, by the commitment of time, caring, and love you show to one another, and by the hopes for the future you have as individuals and as a unit.

Healing Bible Verses =)

Matthew 8:2-3
A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.

Matthew 8:17
This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases."

Matthew 18:18-19
"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.

Matthew 21:21
Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, `Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done.

Mark 11:23-24
"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, `Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Mark 16:17-18
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Romans 4:17-21
Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

Romans 8:11
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

II Corinthians 10:4-5
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Galatians 3:13-14
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Ephesians 6:10-17
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Philippians 2:13
...for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

II Timothy 1:7
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:35
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

Hebrews 11:11
By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren--was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise.

Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

James 5:14-15
Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.

I Peter 2:24
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

I John 3:21-22
Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.

III John 2
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

Revelations 12:11
They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

Exodus 15:26
He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you."

Exodus 23:25
Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you.

Deuteronomy 7:15
The LORD will keep you free from every disease. He will not inflict on you the horrible diseases you knew in Egypt…

Deuteronomy 28:1-14, 61
If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock--the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways. Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you. The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity--in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground--in the land he swore to your forefathers to give you. The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.
The LORD will also bring on you every kind of sickness and disaster not recorded in this Book of the Law, until you are destroyed.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

I Kings 8:56
Praise be to the LORD, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses.

Psalm 91:16
With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.

Psalm 103:3
Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits--who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.

Psalm 107:20
He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.

Psalm 118:17
I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done.

Proverbs 4:20-23
My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body.

Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 53:4-5
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Jeremiah 1:12
The LORD said to me, "You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled."

Jeremiah 30:17
But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,' declares the LORD, `because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.'

Joel 3:10
Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weakling say, `I am strong!`

Nahum 1:9
Whatever they plot against the LORD he will bring to an end; trouble will not come a second time.

Toxic Friends- When Enough is Enough

True friends are there when you need them.

Friends  are great. They laugh with you, share your secrets, give you a shoulder to cry on and are fun to be around. Most friendships start out that way. Some friends turn out to be life long friends who are more like family. Other friendships change over time. Sometimes people drift apart and you become more like acquaintances or you just lose contact..

What happens if you have a friendship that used to be wonderful but has turned negative? Your friendship has become draining and not fun anymore. You find yourself doing things you wouldn't normally do for your friend. Maybe your friend just disappears when the going gets tough. Maybe there are other things going on. Your friend stops listening to you, puts you down, cuts you off or constantly complains. You wonder why your friendship has changed and what you could have done wrong. Could it be that this friend has always been this way and you just never noticed it? You think, 'maybe its just me and I'm imagining this.'.
These are all examples of a toxic person and sadly they are everywhere. You find them at work, at church, next door and you probably have one or two of these types in your family. If you have a feeling someone in your life is not good for you, you are probably right.

Real friends listen to you up when you are down.

Your best friends love you no matter what.

Is Your Friend Toxic?

If you are already asking yourself this question, then the answer is most likely yes. Keep in mind, nobody is perfect. Sometimes we or our friends are going through a rough time and aren't acting like ourselves. We've all made a hurtful comment or complain endlessly to our friends. If a friend is doing these types of things constantly it's a different story. If you have a talk with your friend about her behavior and nothing changes she is toxic. Here are some red flags.  Please keep in mind that even though I'm using the pronoun 'she' as an example, a toxic person can be male or female.
She puts you down. Snide and belittling comments, especially around others. Friends should never do this to each other. Especially when others are present.
It's always about her. You've had a bad day, you broke up with your man or lost your job. Maybe something really exciting happened and you want to share it with her. You're in the middle of talking and she cuts you off and starts talking about something trivial. She just chipped a nail this morning or she can't afford that designer bag she's been eying. Was she even listening? She does not seem to realize you are upset... or care. When you finally do tell her what's wrong, she displays phony sympathy and goes back to talking about herself.
You are doing things you don't want to do. You don't feel like going out tonight, hanging out at her place or meeting her for coffee but you find yourself doing it anyway. She might even have you running her errands. Her guilt trips always seem to work and you are never happy when the both of you are hanging out because you didn't want to be with her to begin with.
She is negative. Your friend is constantly complaining, has an unpredictable temper or is always upset about something. You dread her phone call because she isn't calling to chat. She'll keep you on the phone complaining or bad mouthing others. Once your off the phone you are drained emotionally.
Your other friends don't like her. Sometimes our friends see things way before we do. Listen to your other friends and ask them to give you reasons as to why they do not approve of your friendship.
She crosses lines. Your friends should never insult your family or closest friends. Even if you are fighting with someone you love and vent to her about it. That should always be off limits.
She is too competitive. Is your friend always trying to one up you? A guy is flirting with you at a club and she tries to steal the attention. You spot a pair of jeans you want but can't afford them and the next time you see her, she's wearing them. Maybe you just scored a raise or lost a few pounds and she isn't happy for you. Does she always remind you about how she's richer, thinner or prettier? The reality is that she is probably insecure and jealous of you and it's only going to get worse.
She uses you. She wants to go out but then something better comes up and she blows you off. You end up paying for her drinks or for dinner when you go out. She never pays you back. Are you the one always stuck driving when you are hanging out? She's taking advantage of your good nature.
She has too many issues. You have enough problems. You don't need an emotionally imbalanced person to add to it. Does she create her own problems? Does she use drugs, drink excessively or get into a lot of trouble? It's one thing when people have problems and try to better themselves. Toxic People don't think they have problems. They think other people do.

Friends who care about you don't want to see you sad.

It's always fun to be with your best friends.

Why Do I Attract These Types of People?

Don't be too hard on yourself. These types are everywhere. They come in all shapes and sizes and can be male or female. Sometimes you keep someone in your life because you've been friends since children or because you've been through some things together.  You may have invested so much into this friendship that you want to make it work.
People who have a history of attracting these types usually have a good nature or are a bit too nice. People who come from dysfunctional families usually have a lot of toxic people in their lives. What matters is that you know now and you can start eliminating these people from your life. Knowing what to look for early on can prevent toxic people from entering your life to begin with.

How Do I End the Friendship?

Trust me, if you continue the friendship, it will begin affecting you. You don't want to hold in all your resentment and frustrations because it will eventually come out in a negative way. Having toxic people in your life wreaks havoc on your self worth and confidence. You may even become a toxic person yourself.
Sometimes the best way to end a friendship is to simply distance yourself from that person. Don't make plans and have an excuse ready if she wants to see you. Don't call just to chat and don't take her calls. When you do talk to her, let know that you've been busy and it's hard to get together because of it. It's okay to say that some of your interests have changed and you don't think you have much in common anymore. It's always best to remain on friendly terms.  This is especially important if you have mutual friends. 

Dealing With Toxic People

Preventing People Like This Into Your Life

I've had a lot of experience with toxic people. For a while there it seemed like just about everyone I knew was bringing me down. It was difficult but I managed to eliminate people who were affecting me so negatively. These days I'm just a bit more cautious of who I trust and let into my life.
Being a loving and trusting person is a beautiful thing- if you love and trust the right people. Keep your guards up around new people. Realize that true friendships happen over time and that a person must earn your trust before you start telling them things. Trust your gut. If someone gives you an uneasy feeling, don't assume it's all in your head. Keep a distance from people who make you uncomfortable. Those are the ones you should always watch out for.
Your true friends are the ones that bring you up when you are feeling down and they don't knock you down when you're up. They love you despite your flaws and look out for you. Your real friends listen to you and respect you.
One true friend is better than a dozen false ones, and really, who needs a dozen jerks in their life?

Until

“Sometimes your biggest battle is to believe in yourself.”
I feared rejection until I learned to have faith in myself.
I feared pain until I learned that it’s necessary for growth.
I feared the truth until I saw the ugliness in lies.
I feared life until I experienced its beauty.
I feared death until I realized that it’s not an end, but a beginning.
I feared my destiny, until I realized that I had
the power to change my life.
I feared hate until I saw that it was nothing more than ignorance.
I feared love until it touched my heart, making the darkness fade into endless sunny days
I feared ridicule until I learned how to laugh at myself.
I feared growing old until I realized that I gained wisdom every day.
I feared the future until I realized that life just kept getting better.
I feared the past until I realized that it could no longer hurt me.
I feared the dark until I saw the beauty of the starlight.
I feared the light until I learned that the truth would give me strength.
learn to believe in yourself."

Don't be stopped!

I understand that your heart is broken. You’re sad. I get it. But don’t let that stop you from living your life. Get out of bed every morning. Do your makeup. Smile. Get through the day. And whenever you don’t feel up to it, just look at the boy who did this to you. Do you think he cried himself to sleep last night? Probably not. As a matter of fact, I’ll bet you that he’s doing just fine. So when you wake up and you feel like laying in bed all day, just remember that he has other plans.
girl, live your life, in spite of him.

THOUGHTS FROM EPHESIANS~19 GOD'S INCOMPARABLE POWER

A meditation on Ephesians 1:19

God's power is 'incomparably great' [Ephesians 1:19] – it is beyond comparison because there is no other power in heaven or on earth that can come anywhere near it. Like God himself there is nothing up there on that level that we can say 'God's power is like this.' Like God himself, his power is one of a kind. Read Isaiah 40:18,25.

Paul states that God's power is 'for us who believe'. This is an amazing and totally comforting thing. This awesome, incomparable power is on our side. It is active for us. It is not against us. All that God did in and through the incarnation and life of Christ, and through his death and resurrection was done for us, with us and our eternal well-being in mind. All the defeat of sin, death and Satan that his power achieved was done for us. All the amazing work of regeneration, redemption and renewal – all of the power of God that brought this about … was active for us.

Paul prays that we will continue to know this power of Christ increasingly. It is not that Paul prays that we will have this power available to us as our personal power, but that we will understand the greatness of God's power active for us in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul further describes this power of God active for believers as 'like the working of his mighty strength which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given …' [Ephesians 1:19-21].

This same power of God that raised Christ from death to life, from weakness and defeat to extreme glory and victory, is active for every believer. It is this same power of God that has raised the Christian believer out of spiritual deadness and separation from God into newness of life and permanent acceptance into the very presence of God [Ephesians 2:1-7]. Nothing of our own ability or works achieved this – but only the life-giving, incomparable power of God.

Because our salvation is entirely the result of the power of God active for us, it is also entirely a gift of his grace. If it took this incomparable power to bring us out of the clutches of spiritual death and into life in the presence of God, how ludicrous for us to think that our own actions can contribute even a miniscule part towards either gaining or maintaining our salvation.

How ludicrous also to think, even for a moment, that any action of ours can undermine or diminish our salvation, when all of this 'incredibly great power' of God, is active for us!

If we will begin to exalt Jesus by giving Him first place in our everyday lives—listening, obeying and doing what He shows us to do—we won’t be exhausted.

Falling

I believe I'm falling... and I believe you may be falling with me....

Don't be scared that you wont find anyone else who will love you, because you will, when the time is right.

Too often, the thing you want most is the one thing you can’t have. Desire leaves us heartbroken, it wears us out. Desire can wreck your life. But as tough as wanting something can be, the people who suffer the most are those who don’t know what they want.

Your YOU

Don’t hide yourself in regret
Just love yourself and you’re set
I’m on the right track baby
I was born this way

I’m beautiful in my way
‘cause god makes no mistakes
I’m on the right track baby
I was born this way

rUNNING

If you run away from me, I’m not running after you (cause I’m so tired).
If you turn away from this don’t look back (cause I’ll be gone).

If you go then I’ll forget you.
When you’re gone I won’t miss you.
I’m sorry that’s just the way I’ve learned to deal with a broken heart.
……and broken promises.

Positive thinking

We are all blessed! Only some of us choose to see it a different way and think of only the negative... 

THINK POSITIVE!

My JAM! Surface - Only you can Make me Happy

Always going to love this song! Guy - I Like

He spoke to my heart ....

He fell in love - I fell in like and although his love remains he wanted to run away. Always pay attention to a person who is broken because they can only be with another person that is broken.

As for me I still believe in love and know it's in the world &; that makes me smile.

He can find me I won't look for him

 

I'm no longer going to look for a guy, I'm not going to try to talk to him first. i wont try to get him to put me in his life. if a guy wants me, he can find me. if he wants to talk, he can talk. if he wants me in his life, he can find a way to put me there.

Hello

Stop kicking yourself for old mistakes!
We may love the wrong person and cry about the wrong things, but no matter how things go wrong, one thing is for sure, mistakes help us find the person and things that are right for us.  We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past.  But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here NOW with the power to shape your day and your future.  Every single thing that has ever happened in your life is preparing you for a moment that is yet to come. Truly ~ M

Name Calling

Being called names by your spouse. Any negative form of name calling is unacceptable. If you feel that it is a put down, then it most likely is. There are names that are obvious and, without question abusive. Then there are the covert, veiled attempts to put a spouse down that are harder to identify. Verbal abusers love to use constructive criticism to beat a spouse down. If your spouse is constantly criticizing you, “for your own good,” be careful. This is the most insidious form of verbal abuse. 

original post 2-9-2013

Called me Mom

Wow that made me smile from my heart ....

This is Madi she's like my step mom... no actually she's more like she's my mom.

Aw Jason I love you baby!

It's like aliens live on earth!

If you ignore me, I will ignore you. If you don’t start the conversation, we won’t talk. If you don’t put in the effort, why should I? 

I'm tired of people who are hot and then cold; one day they will talk to you like there is no tomorrow and make you feel important and probably make you fall for them, and then one day it is like you don’t even exist in their life…they ignore you like they are having an amnesia or something…its like they are no where to be found, its like they’re playing mind games…people are so confusing.

Grandma & Momma

It's nice to have all of us at the same place at the same time. The kids can't wait to go swimming either. =)

R. Kelly - Heaven I Need A Hug

You don't need anyone who doesn't need you!

I don’t know why we all hang on to something we know were better letting go. It’s like were scared to lose what we don’t even really have. Some of us say we’d rather have that something than absolutely nothing, but the truth is, to have it halfway is harder than not having it at all.
You know what your problem is? You get attached, fast. And once you’re attached to someone, you do everything you can to please them and make them happy. It’s never been about what you want; it’s always everyone’s needs before your own. You give out too many chances to people, who quite frankly, do not deserve them. They take advantage of you, and you become a pushover. But you’re okay with that, because they’re in your life and that’s all you ever really wanted. And even if they screw you over, you’ll still be there for him. Because that’s you, that’s who you are. Once you get attached to someone, they capture your heart and they always have a place there. And that is why it’s so hard for you to let go.

I get the whole “He’s the only guy I’ve ever really been in love with” part. It’s hard to let go, hard to move on to someone else and think you’ll never find anyone with such characteristics or chemistry like you two had, but I promise you, once you let go and move on, you’ll find out that, deep down, the only feelings you have for him might be just the fact that you’ll always love him. You may not want him back, you might just be scared to move on without him.Nobody wants to hear this but sometimes the person you want the most, is the person you are best without.

Silly

Funny thing... I was more worried for you then myself.

Be the Change

"Sometimes, someone may say just a few words to you, but those few words may change your life forever." ~Truly M

With out you

What is the opposite of two? A lonely me, a lonely you. Truly M...

Although I cry, although I miss you like crazy, although "WE ALL" wish we could just have more time; I'm blessed for being a lucky women to have had such great men in my life......

You may have thought I didn't see,
Or that I hadn't heard,
Life lessons that you taught to me,
But I got every word.

Perhaps you thought I missed it all,
And that we'd grow apart,
But Tio, Grandpa's, Pops, I picked up everything,
It's written on my heart.

Without you, Amazing Men, I wouldn't be
The women I am today;
You built a strong foundation
No one can take away.

I've grown up with your values,
And I'm very glad I did;
So here's to you, dear Tio, Grandpa, Pops
From your forever grateful kid. ~Truly M

No prison here!

Stop being scared to make a mistake~
Doing something and getting it wrong is at least ten times more productive than doing nothing. Every success has a trail of failures behind it, and every failure is leading towards success. You end up regretting the things you did NOT do far more than the things you did. ~Truly, M

New Subject I wrote about-a small taste of what my article will Intel-
a Friend of Convenience is somebody that you talk to, joke with, hang around with, think about, etc. (You know, Friend-Stuff) only when it’d take little to no effort on your part to do so. Now, I know for sure that some of my people's don’t feel that way (there’s only a small handful, though, unfortunately). Others... well, they’d say that they’re truly my friend, and I really wish I could believe them... but I lack the naïveté. I don’t want to seem like I’m attacking anyone, even though I’m not naming names (and I won’t, either), but I firmly stand by the age-old and time-tested credo, "Actions speak louder than words". As much as I loathe sounding so self-pitying, some of the people that I care about the most don’t ever seem to return the feeling.

I think the event that really made me start seriously considering the possibility that some people may be (unintentionally, I’m sure of that, at least) dishonest in their extolling of their thoughts and feelings dates back to hmm (Sept. 2004, for future generations). The relationship between me and a friend was very, very strained, to the point that we weren’t talking at all. It went on for a while and really got to me. Anyway, one day this particular person walked up to me and started talking to me. I briefly wondered why this friend would break this long silence (and even posed the question, but got no response), but I was so giddily overjoyed that this friend decided to re-open the lines of communication again that I didn’t care very much. It wasn’t until several weeks later that I realized why she had come to me again... she wanted information. About a guy. That she had fallen for. From every angle that I’ve been able to examine this event (and I pride myself on my objectivity), I’ve always come to the conclusion that... basically, painfully, and frankly... she tried to use me in an attempt to get him.

I know that’s incredibly harsh. And I know that if whoever that particular person is ever read that, she’d probably be insulted, offended, or hurt. And, no, that’s not the only example... several times she seemed to be quite... well... rude... in her pursuance of the target of her affections. Now, I’m not pointing fingers or anything... people do strange things when they’re in love, right? I’ve been an ass myself while my emotions were churning and bubbling like vinegar mixed with baking soda. But, like I said, that’s not the only example.

People continually have something in them that makes them believe they are okay in using someone ......

~Truly M

Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of you. If someone wants you in their life, they’ll make room for you. You shouldn’t have to fight for a spot. Never, ever insist yourself to someone who continuously overlooks your worth. And remember, it’s not the people that stand by your side when you’re at your best, but the ones who stand beside you when you’re at your worst that are your true friends. Truly ~ M

"God took the strength of a mountain,The majesty of a tree, The warmth of a summer sun, The calm of a quiet sea, The generous soul of nature, The comforting arm of night, The wisdom of the ages, The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring, The faith of a mustard seed, The patience of eternity, The depth of a family need, Then God combined these qualities, When there was nothing more to add, He knew His masterpiece was complete, And so,
He called it ... Dad" Truly M ♥ Daddy's Girl

Happy Birthday ~ I ♥ you Dad ! =)

{Unsure how many of my guy friends have daughters but your role in their life is so important! Nothing like a father daughter relationship - my Brother & I have so many amazing stories & it is crazy how just hearing my pops say it's okay would make "IT" okay. I can't wait for my Pops to come home so we can go fishing!}

Talk to people you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you either. I love being truly happy & all smiles ~ aw I'm "ME" again =) Truly M

If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because they are teaching you to love and opening your heart and eyes to things you would have never seen or felt without them. Truly M

Allow Your Own Inner Light to Guide You

Have a great rest of the weekend! "There comes a time when you must stand alone. You must feel confident enough within yourself to follow your own dreams. You must be willing to make sacrifices. You must be capable of changing and rearranging your priorities so that your final goal can be achieved. Sometimes, familiarity and comfort need to be challenged. There are times when you must take a few extra chances and create your own realities. Be strong enough to at least try to make your life better. Be confident enough that you won't settle for a compromise just to get by. Appreciate yourself by allowing yourself the opportunities to grow, develop, and find your true sense of purpose in this life. Don't stand in someone Else's shadow when it's your sunlight that should lead the way." ~m~

 

i have enough.
i deserve to be happy and i decided that it is about time.
beginning today…
I am responsible for my own happiness and I will do things that make me happy …
I will change what I can and let the rest go.

i am so much happier since I've decided to let go of the negative energy's trying to come or stay in my life.

Sometimes you have to be strong for yourself. What’s meant to be will end up good and what’s not - won’t. Love is worth fighting for, but sometimes you can’t be the only one fighting. At times, people need to fight for you. If they don’t, you just have to move on and realize what you gave them was more than they were willing to give you.

A Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or
a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you
will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON … It is
usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have
come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you
with guidance and support, to aid you physically,
emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a
godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason
you need them to be.
Then, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an
inconvenient time, this person will say or do something
to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die.
Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our
desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you
sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.
When people come into your life for a SEASON …
Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount
of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things
you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional
foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the
person, and put what you have learned to use in all
other relationships and areas of your life. It is said
that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
-author unknown