Category Archives: affirmation

affirmation, appreciation, Blogroll, enemies, faith, God, grace, Gratitude, Growing

What Doesn’t Kill You, Makes Your Stronger!

There have been times in my life when I have had to go through some very hard stuff. Some of the stuff was of my own making and some of the stuff was because of the evil doings of others. I know what it means to live in the light and I totally understand wandering around in the darkness trying to find your way.

Live your life long enough and all of us are going to have struggles, challenges, difficulties and set backs. I’m not talking about just having a bad day. I am talking about trying to figure out if you even want to continue on with this day or not?

I decided a long time ago that if I did not have something positive or encouraging to say, then I would just keep my mouth shut, but don’t let that make you think for one minute that I have not had more than my fair share of dances with the devil.

For most of my life, people have seen a guy that is happy, fulfilled and excited about life and most of the time that is who I am, but there are moments when the dark clouds roll in, when I begin doubt everything that I thought I was sure of and this is when the real battle of faith takes place.

I’m not going to get into the gory details, but trust me when I tell you that I know darkness, fear, the loss of desire, sin, defeat and depression. I know all to well about the long dark nights of the soul and had more than my fair share of times that I did not think I was going to make it back from that trip.

Why would I tell you this? Because I want you to understand that the guy you see, so full of life and sure of himself is a guy that has to battle to get to that place and stay on top of that hill. I tell you this, because when I talk about God the difference he makes, it is not from story that I learned as a boy growing up in Sunday School, it is from personal relationship, an up close and very personal experience of struggles made up of victory and defeat.

I tell you this, because I am only here today by the GRACE of GOD. I understand what it is to lose it all. I know how it feels to think that everyone has left you and you are all alone. I know the excitement of being celebrated one minute, only to be cast aside and forgotten the next. I know the battle of getting lost inside of your own head, of getting beat up and beat down by your own thoughts. I know pain and can tell you that there have been times when she was my closest friend.

That is why when I say: “God’s Grace Is Sufficient!” I know what I am talking about. I have always loved motorcycles and back in 2008 my dream of having my very own Harley Davidson came true. A fresh off the showroom floor 2008 Heritage Softail. Apart from my family, it is about the only thing of any monetary value that I have left from the first half of my life. There have been many times that I threw my leg up over the seat, grabbed the handle bars, started the motor and rode into the wind, not knowing if I had a future. But after a little time of seeing the pavement flow past my feet, hearing the strong rumble of the motor, while smelling the freshness of the air I breathe, I could feel the touch of my God, reminding me that He will never leave me or forsake me and I could taste and remember that “GOD IS GOOD!”

affirmation, Blogroll, Enlightenment, faith, Growing, Healing, journey, mindfulness, self help

Let Go Of The Labels And Embrace The Life!

The world we grow up in teaches us to label one another. “She’s smart, he’s dumb.” They’re rich or they’re poor.” And we could get caught up in the comparison game forever if we are not careful. In fact, we spend the first 12 years of our life getting ready to go to school so we can learn and earn a degree that labels us as a High School Graduate, which is supposed to better prepare us to contribute, live and survive in this world, but often just causes us to live in a fantasy game of pretend and comparison.

We get used to this “labeling game” and determine that our worth comes either from what we do or more titles attached to our name, so we head off to work or for more school to earn as many more labels as we can, with the hopes that one of them sticks and makes us a success. We do all of this, only to get to the end of our life and realize that very few titles really matter and usually the titles that do matter are not ones that we earned, but the ones that we accidentally tripped into and learned to embrace.

I have had more titles than I know what to do with and I have earned several degrees, but no one calls me “Master”. I am quiet sure I have been labeled good and bad, depending on who is doing the labeling, but none of the labels, degrees or titles really define who and what I really am. In fact, most all of them limit me from the creative, expansive and majestic life I was created for.

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 3:13-14

You are not what you are named, labeled or titled. You are you. You may in some way fit into this or that category, but categories are limiting and you are a limitless creation of the Most High God. I want to challenge you to forget about the labels and focus on the life. Let go of the title and instead seek to live the testimony. God has amazing things for you, because you are so much more than anyone can dream or imagine. Enjoy the amazing gift of this incredible life by letting go and just being… 👣

affirmation, Blogroll, Creativity, faith, Growing, intentional, mindfulness, personal growth, positive, purpose, vision

The Action Of Affirmation!

Matthew 18:19 – “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.”

Affirmation is agreement. It might be agreement with yourself, someone else or even God. Affirmation is a another powerful gift we have been given that most of us fail to utilize. When we do utilize it, we tend to utilize it in the wrong way.

Here are three ideas to help us get affirmation right for ourselves and others…

Get Rid Of The Negative! The old saying is very true: “If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all.” This is good advice and it’s true when you are talking to yourself or others. If it’s not good, positive, uplifting, encouraging, challenging, motivational or inspirational, then get it out of you head as fast as possible, because we don’t want that stuff taking root.

Grab Hold Of The Positive! The Scriptures are honestly one of the best places to start for affirmation. I love what Philippians 4:8 says: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” If it fits into the above categories, then grab hold of it and share it with everyone in every way that you can…

Go Be Affirming! This is one of those things we need to stop thinking about and we need to start doing. The sooner we get around to affirming ourselves and others, the sooner our world becomes a better and more blessed place…

It’s really a simple process and the secret is to just start! 🙏🏻