I challenge you! Will you meet it?

This idea was first inspired by the Holy Spirit who pointed me in the direction of another sister in Christ. I would like to share this with those that may be reading this post. I'd like to challenge you to participate in a journal challenge with me. Here's what you'll need:

Journal:



Notecards:
You will use them to write down the scriptures. Meditate on them throughout the day. Write out the scriptures longhand– based on what God places on your heart to study & meditate on. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart, then proceed to write:



An example of how you’ll start your journal can be seen below. This one is started with “Dear Daddy”– Be sure to write the CONSISTENT day. The point of this journal challenge is to get you to be consistent in spending time with God daily. So that means writing, day 1, day 2, day 50, day 56.. etc.




Ok, so now that you have all of the materials that you'll need, you may be asking, "HOW DO I JOURNAL?" & "WHAT DO I SAY?"

First, You'll unclutter your mind BEFORE all of this by praying a prayer that will rebuke your wondering thoughts/mind. You will get on your knees and pray a prayer of submission of all of you in exchange for him. You will submit your will for his.

Then, you'll write/say what you'd say to a close friend, hubby, sister, mother, or brother. Its your diary to God. Pour out what's in your heart. Write out everything that hurt you on that day. Write out everything that made you smile that day. Write out your questions that may have come up for the day. Just be OPEN.  He is your best friend. He longs to have a genuine and true relationship with you. Not just one where you go through the motions on Sunday because of "tradition" and then go right back to the defeated mentality on all of the other days of the week. Be honest about everything at all times because he already knows. This is to strengthen your FELLOWSHIP with him. Many of us have a relationship but we don't have fellowship. There is a big difference.

Lastly but definitley not least, one you've finished reading and writing the scripture and your thoughts, just get QUIET and LISTEN!!



Sometimes he'll place something in your spirit and sometimes he'll just be quiet and allow you to enjoy his presence. Treat your relationship with God like a REAL relationship because IT IS.

Don't be one-sided by just speaking and never listening. Let's stop neglecting our time with him. 

We have to READ & MEDITATE ON HIS WORD in order to know his thoughts and to discern what his perfect will is in all of the situations that we'll face in this life. We make time to meet our girlfriends for dinner or lunch. We make time to take trips by packing and getting to the airport BEFORE our departure time. Lets make time to communicate with the one who blesses us to be able to do these things. We should enjoy our time with him and WATCH how we begin to become transformed from the INSIDE to the outside. No amount of make-up, jewelry, and clothing can even begin to TOUCH the type of beauty that comes from true and genuine fellowship with our Daddy. 

Keep in mind that the enemy WILL come to try & distract you. There will be ringing phones, barking dogs, crazy thoughts, sleepiness, etc... PRESS THROUGH and FOCUS on him. Take the time to turn your phone, tv, and any other distraction OFF. It's HIS time. You will not regret this. Trust him. This works for your good! 

If you need a accoutability partner, I don't mind at all. We can be accountable to each other! Just let me know!!

I challenge you to start TODAY! Let it go & LET'S GO!!

Your Sister in Christ,

Nata Bee

Unchartered Sets

The following creative entry was written in the confines of a cubicle during break time between a coworker and myself. Food for thought, you do the dishes! Enjoy!

New beginnings…new places…

Fresh Grace…..new faces…

Away from the hustle and bustle of everyday struggles

The walls of the cubicles, closing in like a prison structure…

Please give me muscle

To get past all of the daily tustle

Of endless mindless almost rusted

Baggage of loss grace to the point I cant trust it

Release me I say- its unwanted.

What’s unwanted you may ask?

The tustle of mediocrity

The bustle of creased slacks, collared tee’s

Paperwork that gives you a case of the zzzz’s

Is there an opportunity to advance?

Or have I reached the glass ceiling?

Does the American dream apply to me?

Or is that a fairytale feeling?...

Or a dream that has not been fulfilled yet

a longing to reach uncharted sets

that I just cant seem to touch- yes

I cant stop this feeling that im supposed to be a queen- chess

But I realize now I need others to help achieve it

Solo is no longer the means-correct

I finally mastered the ability to dream, or is this a test?

The end and the beginning should be the knee- pray yes

Prayers moves mountains

Mountains are moved by faith

The size of mustard seed is all that is needed

Perseverance, Hope, and Discipline

Spiritual ingredients deposited into a spiritual cake

Its time to break the chains off of our minds

It’s time to break out of that generationally limited nest

It’s time to spread our wings out as the eagle does

Will you past the test?

I need rest

Time to allow my mind to collect

All this information is here to progress

Yet I still continue to digest

All this fake mess

That surrounds me everday, obsessed

I'm drowning in a life of worthlessness

Please hear my call Lord for substance

He hears the cries of the afflicted

The struggle is not in vain

All things work together

For those who believe in his name

Weeping endures for a night

Yet joy comes in the morning

He’ll exchange our ashes of sorrow

Give us joy instead of mourning

His ways aren’t our ways

His thoughts aren’t our thoughts

His plan is to give us hope and a future

But first we must be taught.

Taught what you may ask?

You can’t tell me this is all on purpose?

The sleepless nights, tear soaked pillows

Screaming inside yet smiling on the surface

Taught to smile through the tears and walk through the fear

Taught to walk on the tightrope of life

Reject the negative and bring the positive near

Taught to reject the idea of a being a public success yet a private mess

Taught to look to the hills, stop dwelling on what WAS and look to..

WHAT'S NEXT!

Written by:

LaShonda Cole & Renate' Bender