Totally random thoughts this morning or maybe not; this past week I have been in self examination mode yet again.   I purposely put in my schedule time to check my actions to see if they were lining up with the WORD of God or were beginning to be based in fear and just plain selfishness.  Whenever I feel this happening it is a clear sign that I need to stop and recharge my spirit and body.  Basically I needed to check my spiritual thermostat to see if I was running on empty, versus my overflow.

Areas I needed to examine were my volunteerism (spiritual employment), my relationships with people and my finances.  Ultimately was I being moved or lead?

There is something most folks don’t get when they accept God’s call in serving HIS people.  There is a heighten level of accountability and responsibility that goes along with it.  That means you need to make sure that your actions are lining up to HIS Word.

It is not okay just to agree with the WORD of God or anything you purpose your mind to study you must engage it.  Allow it to speak to you and change you from the inside out.  Every leader (that means you) has responsibilities and is accountable to someone.  You don’t believe me do something and watch what happens…

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This past Sunday, I was called in to worship as an alternate singer at one of satellite church’s my local church supports. I woke up that morning with a pressure headache that made me want to stay home.

I had planned out my trip ahead of time, but the train I was to take was pulled from the schedule. During the Praise and Worship section of service I felt actually at some points I was going to fall out.

BUT and yes I do know but cancels out all that I just said. I rejoiced all the way through the pressure. My point in all this is to say…many times we allowed the pressures of our days to move us from our God given purposes.

More and more I am learning how to take my SELF out of the way so HE meaning God can use me the way he intended to.

My job is just to obey, and when I am not sure maintain an attitude of gratitude and praise.

My question to you this morning is… Are you rejoicing through the pressure? Or are you staying in your Sinai Dessert only a praise away from your destiny?

Destiny is not a destination its a journey to be enjoyed!

Lately folks have been telling me they believe and see that I am slimming down and have a new found glow.  Some have asked “Girl what is your secret?” To tell you the truth… I believe the biggest change I have made to help me lose weight is increasing my Praise and Worship time.

I am an energetic Praise Warrior.   I feel truly blessed and honored to have the opportunity to serve as a member of my local church’s Music Ministry and as part of an awesome team that ministers/sings at our local area satellite churches.

He Treats Her Like a Lady

/ / Chapter 2  //

Three years earlier and a week before Valentine’s Day; Alex had just left her house to catch the train to work, when she was hit by a walking vision.  A vision that stopped her completely in her tracks and caused her to audibly plead the blood of Jesus over what she saw; praying for the memory of it to be speedily cast from her mind.

A vision of her long-time boyfriend, who she had rekindled three months prior her relationship with; a man who she thought was the love her life in the throes of passion with another man.

See Pierre after relocating from New York to Florida six-months earlier, had taken a job running deliveries for a local chain of night clubs in South Miami.  What he had not told her was that one of the clubs owners who was openly gay had been hitting on him and that he had begun to have dreams of accepting his propositions.  Propositions of buying him lavish gifts and paying off his debts. Debts he had accumulated after Alex had cut him off financially after changing jobs herself and taking a pay cut to pursue a career in the non-profit sector fulltime.

So, the vision should not have shocked her.  The signs had been there throughout their relationship however she cared to ignore that she may have been in a relationship for more than six years with a man that had more secrets than she cared to know.  She had thought her ignorance was bliss, but because a growing relationship with God her higher power; all that was in the dark was about to suddenly come to the light.

Alex prayers, “Heavenly Father, let this not be true! I cast down this vision in the mighty name of Jesus and I plead the blood over this situation now, Amen!”

Feeling uneasy for the last few days, she had not heard from Pierre in almost a week and had known he was driving an extended cross country trip from the East Coast to the West Coast on business.  His vocation as a truck driver sometimes made it difficult for them to connect, but almost a week was not normal.

After praying she was able to somehow stumble into work, the day seemed to drag.  Alex had attempted to text and call Pierre more times than she would care to tell during the day.  Finally, when almost everyone had left the office Alex still plugging away at a project hears her phone awaken from its deafening silence.  She glances down and sees it’s a text from him.  She almost doesn’t want to read it knowing in her heart that it will confirm all her fears, but she does.  It reads “Something happened…”

An excerpt from “He Treats Her Like a Lady” a new short story still in the works  …

Lela Jefferson, © 2010 All rights reserved.

– www.memoirsofablackgirl.com