ITS OKAY!

IN THIS FAST PACED WORLD WE LIVE IN, ITS EASY TO PUT MORE TIME AND ENERGY IN OTHER THINGS AND PEOPLE AND NOT DO "SELF MAINTENANCE". NOW DON'T GET ME WRONG, I AM NOT SAYING NOT TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR DAILY PERSONAL AND SPIRITUAL RESPONSIBILITIES. BUT IT IS STILL OKAY TO HAVE SOME "YOU" TIME. FOR MOST OF MY LIFE, IT WAS INSTILLED IN ME THAT TO THINK OF MYSELF FIRST WAS SELFISH. SO I ALWAYS ATTENDED THE NEEDS OF OTHERS. ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT WHILE I WAS TRYING TO FIX THEM, I WAS, AS THEY SAY A "HOT MESS". WHEN I STARTED WAKING UP PRAYING, TENDING TO MY SPIRITUAL BEING, DOING SMALL THINGS TO MAKE MYSELF FEEL GOOD.I STARTED TO GET IT. I WAS A BETTER HELP WHEN I HANDLED MY SELF FIRST. SO ITS GREAT TO BE A BIG HELP TO OTHERS, BUT ITS DEFINITELY OKAY TO HELP YOURSELF FIRST. STAY INSPIRED AND LOVE TO ALL, JOYCE

Stay Inspired: FEAR OF FLYING

Stay Inspired: FEAR OF FLYING: We often thwart our own successes in life with fear. Fear of failure, of being laughed at, not being appreciated. I can’t tell you how many...

FEAR OF FLYING

We often thwart our own successes in life with fear. Fear of failure, of being laughed at, not being appreciated. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a vision to do something and before I can get the idea straight in my head, I start doubting it.. Thinking of what people would say if I fail. I wonder just how many good ideas did I have that would have put me in flight? I guess what I am trying to say is, how do we expect to soar when we are afraid to fly? From what I hear, the view is great from above. So give yourself some “wing” room and start your ascent. Who knows, one of those ideas just may be the one that keeps you flying high for a long time. ….. In a good way, of course. Have a great weekend and Love to all, Joyce

NO MORE EMPTY PROMISES!

Isaiah 55: 11. So is my word that goes out from my mouth. It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it out.. What a promise from the Lord! I am a firm believer that if the Lord puts a purpose on your mind and in your heart, it has to happen. If it is according to his will, there is nothing in hell or on earth that can stop it from coming to pass. Some of us take the long route, but little do we know whether it takes 2 years or twenty years, when God’s will has to be done, it will be so. I am so glad that his words do not return empty. The world disappoints too many times with the lies of one’s tongue. And you know what? It’s so much easier when you ask God what his will is for you and follow through with it than trying to figure it out yourself. Believe me; it will save you a lot of time and loads of heartache. Love to all, Joyce

GIVE ME A CLEAN HEART..

Proverbs: 27:19- As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man. A good friend of mine, actually my best friend has always believed in the heart of the matter. No matter what you do outwardly for the world to see, for worldly recognition; God knows your heart. He knows why you did it. This one was tough for me because I have found myself guilty of it without even thinking I was. For example, my kids love my red beans and rice and I just love it when they go on and on about how great they are. Now, I don’t cook them just to hear them say that, but I am human and I like the recognition. God knows my heart before I cut the first bell pepper or slice an entire pack of andouille sausage. So what I have learned to do is turn over to God anything that may give ME the recognition. I want my heart to be clean when God looks at it. When I put it into that perspective, I don’t think of how my children just love them, I thank God, for the ingredients, the pot, the stove, the use of my body and mind to prepare the food an yes, the roof he put over my head so I don’t have to cook them outside…. Which you can do, and they taste just as good.... But that’s another story. Be inspired to let God know that your face reflects your heart. Love to all, Joyce

FAMOUS? REALLY NOW....

When I was young, I dreamed of being famous. I envisioned being someone with money, affluence and notoriety. Maybe then, I could get the attention of the people that in my observance had it all. Well it didn’t work out that way. I’m not famous. Yet. (I am still certain God has huge design for my life, thank you very much!) But what I have learned is that the desire for worldly possessions and the yearning to please people can lead to the most wretched battle in life you will fight to inevitably lose. The bigger car, better house, the best job eventually will become an inexhaustible game of cat and mouse. It can never be won, just played over and over with fleeting satisfaction; because there is a void that is demanding to be filled with these material possessions. There is a void in your soul that can only be filled by the Holy Spirit and until you realize it, you will be in the cat and mouse race way longer than you intended! It is out of the love for worldly things that we lose sight of God. Instead of depending and trusting him, we tend to trust in people and the things of the world. What a disastrous move on our part. Don’t get me wrong, I truly believe that God blesses and can bless abundantly. Not, only do I believe, I am a living witness to it. But we must learn to seek him first. Matthew 6:33 tells us that. As hard as it may be, some things have to be moved in your life so you can seek and see God face. And whatever that ultimate blessing is you are seeking. The one that your soul moans and groans to God in words your mouth could not ever express, seeking him and doing his will, all this will be added to you. Be inspired to help someone in their spiritual journey. Remember you hadn’t always been the “perfect Christian” But that is another story…… Love to all, Joyce

You Never Know!

I can't tell you how many times, I thought that wishing was for children. That hoping for the extraordinary was only setting myself up to be let down. But today, I had the chance to experience the miracle of human appreciation. A patient at my job just told me how much my help has meant to him over the past 13 years Ive been here. I thought i was just doing my job. I never knew that my hello's, goodbyes, and remembering his first name, remembering that his wife was sick, or the name of his dog meant anything. But to him, it meant a lot. You never how your actions affect the lives of others. To inspire someone to comment on it. Just takes it to the next level! Be Inspired and Inspire. Joyce