Making "IT" happen

What is "IT"? I.T. is an acronym for INTEGRITY and TRUTH. Jesus said that we must know the truth and the truth will "make" us free. I wanna take this oportunity to send a "shout out" to the FIRST PRIORITY CLUB at William T. Dwyer High School for making I.T. happen. The students in this Christian Club had invited me to their club meetings over the past two weeks and have literally blown me away with their passion for Christ and their faith. The in-depth questions they have asked regarding growing in their relationship with Christ has been encouraging. To this end I believe they have demonstrated much courage in asking tough questions. Questions that encourage integrity in our daily lives and a desire for the truth of God's word. Developing integrity is being accountable to someone and applying the truth of God's word to our lives even when it hurts to make the change. That's "IT" in a nutshell!

John 8:32. Then you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.

What's the big deal about yesterday?

O.k......So what's the big deal about yesterday? Well, if you are fortunate to still be among the living then you too have a a reason to be excited about yesterday. 'Yesterday' is important to me because I remember where God has brought me from and I can recall the countless ways in which he has made the difference in my life. Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet Papa San,now a minister of the gospel but was once a popular reggae artist (even more popular now) from Jamaica. His testimony of what God has done in his life and how he has been changed is inspiring. Many of us have experienced the lifegiving transformation that is accomplished in a relationship with Christ; and can attest that we are not who we were yesterday. What I've become today is because of what I overcame yesterday. God has been a great deliverer and I'm grateful for the change he has orchestrated in my life. Truly "If any man be in Christ he is a new creature; all things are passed away and behold all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)Thank God for yesterday!

Accesorizing your favorite Tee

Sometimes it is very difficult to figure out how to dress up something that you consider "simple" or "casual".  Here are a few tips to making your favorite tee a show stopper:
Ladies:
1. Wear a statement pair of earrings - your favorite will bring out your confidence.
2. Add a belt, not only will it cinch your waist but it will change the look of the shirt.
3. Make sure your bottoms, slacks or jeans are not skin tight to take away from the shirt.
4. Wear your favorite pumps.

Gents:
1. Wear shoes instead of sneakers with your jeans.
2. Add a blazer to give it a more sophisticated look.
3. Make sure your favorite tee is not a muscle shirt :).

Youth

When you have young children, you cannot help but stay young even if just in your mind. They say and do some of the most innocent things sometimes that everyday you cannot help but marvel at an awesome God.  I just told my 3year old, it is time to take a nap. She replied, "mommy I sleep all day". May God continue to keep you "young at heart" and mature you as Christians in Him.

1 John 2:14
I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

The Year of Increase 2012

Make this the year that you increase your faith, love, integrity, character and truth and watch God manifest in your life in ways you cannot even begin to imagine. 


 Ephesians 3:²⁰Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
 ²¹Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Do you know what today is?

Did you know today was "Windy Day"? Teaching elementary school can be challenging as I found out today but with one bright spot as usual. As expected, at some point throughout the day one unsuspecting kid will say something that will just make you laugh. While at recess today a little girl ran up to the fence to greet a teacher and said with the biggest smile "hi today is Windy day". So the teacher looked at her with a gleeful but perplexing expression because there was not an ounce nor sliver of breeze coming from anywhere. Naturally the teacher responded with that hint of uncertainty in her voice and said "Windy Day?". So the little girl quickly fired back....."Yet....today is Windy Day". The teacher then caught on to what she was trying to say and replied "Do you mean today is Wednesday?". And the little girl replied "Yet...today is Windy Day". I couldn't help myself but to crack up with laughter. However, as the school day continued I took the opportunity to put this "Windy Day" into perspective as I was having a challenging day with my students.
As a child of God I was reminded of the Psalmist who wrote in Psalms 92 that the believer is "planted" in the courts of the Lord and that it is there that he/she will flourish and find rest and prosperity. Too many times we allow challenges to uproot us and shake our foundation. However, if we are steadfast and are nurtured by the Word of God we shall be unmovable. Stay focused, face your challenges head on and remain grounded even if its a "Windy Day".

Psalm 92:13 Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God

MORE than conquerors

"Many of us crucify ourselves between two thieves- regret for the past and fear of the future." Fulton Oursler

This is the day that the Lord has made and we must rejoice and be glad in it. October 31st is traditionally celebrated by many as Halloween. Though this costume party event was probably well intentioned by its founders in the Celtic culture it has become celebratory of death and fear. Many well intentioned Christians also participate in this event and allow their children to go out "tricker treating" for candy.
However, it is my opinion as a Christian and a believer of the Word of God that we must be reminded that the enemy is cunning and will use subtle means to distract and discourage us thereby causing us to lose our way in the faith. Jesus says "I have come that you might have life and that more abundantly." Abundant life has been given to us and we need not be afraid of our past, our future, nor for death. Jesus has conquered death and the grave so that we can be assured of the promise of abundant life. This promise is not just for when we die. But it is for the life that we are living RIGHT NOW. So TODAY remember that you are more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus and NOTHING will be able to separate you from his love.


ROMANS 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.