I wasn't expecting much this year. To tell you the truth, I have been feeling some kind of way about celebrating Christmas because JESUS did say, "Don't celebrate my coming, but my going." So, I made up my mind that this year would be the last gift giving year, the last year that I participated in such a parade of holiday shopping, stress and accepting gifts. I mean, after all, over the years, I have come to learn that the average person doesn't really shop for you for Christmas...they simply say, "Well, I gotta get Tiffany a gift because she's getting one for me. Hmmmm, I wonder how much that makeup kit cost. She likes makeup and that kit is only $5.99. Perfect!" While that's not bad, there is no heart in the gift giving, it's just a do-for-me-and-I'll-do-for-you type of deal. And that rubs me the wrong way, PLUS, you won't find CHRIST in Christmas anymore. Just a few Christmas noels, a liar in a red suit stealing GOD's glory and the parents that aid him in doing so and an excuse for people to get drunk. Where is JESUS in all of this?
Anyhow, I made up my mind and decided just to celebrate CHRIST, as I do now, every day more and more.
I also decided to give better gifts and not be the type of gift giver that I complained about...giving the person a toenail clipping set or something lol...
So, this year, I gave out a digital camera, gps and money. (That's been a process that I finally completed, where GOD was destroying my relationship with money. Thank you JESUS!)
But, anyhow, I talked a lot this year about my wants, but not for Christmas, just things I planned to get eventually. One of the things that I'd been wanting was a new camera. Not just any digital camera, but a DSLR camera. At first, my heart was set on a Nikon and then I begin liking the Canons as well. I researched it over and over to see which was the better camera and I found that 50% said Nikon and 50% preferred Canon, so it's a toss up. I decided that I didn't care which one I got, as long as I got one.
I told my husband about it and when he saw the price...I think he forgot English for a moment because I didn't understand all that jibberish he was speaking lol. He was going off, asking me what all that camera could do for that price. I assured him that I wanted to get into freelance photography and needed a good camera. Anyhow, this conversation went on from time to time this year and I would always end it with letting him know that I'm going to buy it for myself and that I'm not asking him for it...just occasionally, when I see it on TV or in the store, I go into dreamland about what I'd do when I get it. And every time I went there, I was brought out with his complaints about the price.
Now, you already know where this is going, but I'll take you there again.
The other day, I was working at the computer, acting funny with the hubby because he wasn't paying me a lot of attention that day..was just on the phone.(Yeah, yeah, I'm a big baby at times). He got off the phone and asked me if my prepaid card had any money on it because he wanted to buy a calling card and we don't like to use our debit cards online anymore. I told him it was a few dollars, but not a lot, hadn't reloaded it, so he asked for it so he could go and load it to buy a calling card. I gave it to him and thought to myself, "Why is he buying another calling card with that prepaid card. Why doesn't he use his own? He can't get anymore free credits." But, I said nothing...just gave him the card, watched him walk out the door heading to the store and said a prayer of protection for him. (Lesson insert: Ladies, always cover your husband with the blood of JESUS).
He came back home about 20 minutes later and put the card down on the computer desk as I was working, but I didn't know what he was up to. Then he asked me to go back to Walmart.com and see if that camera was still available. Not for one minute did I think he was going to buy it for me because of the intensity of the complaints he'd put in about it's price. I just thought that he was thinking about it and trying to see if there was another option. I pulled it up and he said, "That's your Christmas present! GOD told me to get you that for Christmas! GOD told me!!!" I smiled, but I still was like, "Yeah, right. He play too much." Then he told me, "Check the balance of your card! GOD told me to get it for you!" I checked and he'd deposited the money for the camera. I was so shocked.
How can one go from being mad at the hubby to pure joy lol...well, I did. I couldn't do anything but thank GOD and thank the hubby for obeying GOD.
Which camera did I get, you ask?
Canon Rebel T1i 15MP. Plus the tripod and bags...you name it.
Now, the camera that I want in the long haul, him and my god sister had chewed my ear off about...and that's the Nikon 24 MP camera, which costs $7,999. I know that JESUS would have to give me that camera lol, because when I mentioned that to him initially, there was a glare in his eyes that spoke to me before his mouth could lol...
Yeah, yeah, but I'll get it.
But, I'm content and happy with the one I got! Gotta go get a memory card...that part we forgot. Afterwards, I'll officially call myself a freelance photographer lol...because I will be.
And I got some great gifts from my god sister as well! She's the only person that gets me gifts every year lol, but I'm thankful because she always pays attention to what I like, as opposed to sending me vibrating dog shaped back scratchers that pass away the first week.
So next year? (Shrugs) I'm going to pray on it and ask GOD how HE wants me to do...maybe HE will tell me to stop celebrating or HE will teach me how to start some holy celebrations where JESUS is invited!
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Can I Be a Black Christian Woman and Still Get Some Respect?
Saints and potential saints, we've come a long way, but I'm at a point where the fire of truth is burning in me so intensely that I cannot hold it back any longer. I love-love-love what I do.
If you don't know me, I design for the Body of CHRIST.
I'm a web designer, but mostly, I'm more renown for my ministerial seal designs.
I also design logos, flyers, press kits, etc.
Anyhow, one of the commands that I was given by GOD was that these hands cannot and should not touch secular projects. Businesses, yes...for example, a hairdresser, I can design for her, just as long as her site doesn't contain anything vulgar (including the music.)
And because I have been obedient, GOD has blessed me tremendously and HIS anointing keeps overflowing in me.
But, there's a problem that I want to address.
My question is:
Can I be a black Christian woman and STILL get some respect?
Now, don't get me wrong.....98% of my clients are wonderful. The completion of their projects were easy and fun and we've maintained a profellowship relationship. (Profellowship= Professional fellowship.)
And there are many of them that can call me, if they see, for example, a logo on my site that they want. It can be Monday and they say, "I'll pay you Friday for it..." And I'll take it down and reserve it for them because in my history of working with them, they have been consistent with honoring their word.
And to be honest with you, a lot of times, these are my favs...and I do give them discounts and freebies when they order from me because they are such a blessing to work with. I wish I could name them here...just to tell you that these men and women truly have a heart after GOD....so, if you're in their town, you could stop by their church.
But, then there are the 'other' type. You couldn't find the words to get me to voluntarily walk into their church. Because they are backbiters, adulterous, manipulative, and conniving.
Believe me, when you work for the BODY of CHRIST, you will run into the real deals and the impersonators.
One of the biggest crimes is trying to manipulate me. That's witchcraft and when I recognize it, I know that I'm not dealing with someone that's on my FATHER's side. Because manipulation is a wile of the enemy, it's a form of witchcraft.
This flows often from the mouth of the self erected.
All of a sudden, I am "Sister, black woman, woman of GOD..." Whatever they can call me to try to coach a freebie out of me. And I try to find calm, peaceful ways to complete the order (if I've already taken it, because if I recognize that spirit beforehand, I won't work for that person.) This usually precedes their need added with their inability to pay for it...or that famous, sigh, "Guess I'll have to pay you for that...Let me see if I got enough (Sigh-prayer-sigh-call on the LORD-sigh...)"
And I'm not going to pretend I don't know why some of the men keep finding reasons to contact me.
Some are more direct.
I've had a minister tell me that he wanted to be my good friend. He wanted me to tell him about my problems with my husband and he even wanted to talk about my sex life. Had to straighten him out and ban him from calling me.
I've had a minister to ask me if I ever divorced my husband, would I consider marrying again...followed by comments about me being 'first lady' and asking if I was attracted to him. Had to straighten him out and ban him from contacting me.
And then there are the indirect ones...they slowly approach what they think can be their next rendezvous...but, if they only knew.
I am a woman after GOD's own heart! I am a married woman and I have never and will never cheat on my husband because first and foremost, my first HUSBAND-GOD, is my FATHER and my everything and I don't ever want to hurt him and secondly, I love and respect my earthly husband. So, offering to contaminate me, is a threat and an unwelcomed gesture that will be followed by the sound of a phone disconnecting.
A women that loves and fears the LORD will not cheat on her husband. It's a trickling down process....faithful to GOD=automatically being faithful to your husband. That's why GOD calls us to seek ye first the Kingdom of GOD and all HIS righteousness. Because, fellows, if you wound up with a woman in the wind, whichever way the breeze blows, she goes...
Next, there are the anointing leaches. They'll try to zap every ounce of your anointing out of you by busying you so much with their projects that you'll never have time to work with any other ministry. I have to choose....try to be nice and hope they'll finally stop or go ahead and just tell them straight to never call me again for any other project....because my phone log is full of their calls....
Many of this type has tried to get me to join their church, they've offered to ordain me, or they'll pretend to have a word for me...but the WORD of GOD is not mixed with flesh, so I know my FATHER's voice and the voice of a stranger, I will not follow.
I even have the ones that attempt to get work out of me, knowing good and well that they'll never pay for it because in the past, I worked this way. I would work, show the finished design and hope they'll pay me. Hours turn into days, days into weeks, weeks into months...no payment....just silence. You'll see them online talking about, "Pay a man what you owe them," and how stealing is wrong, but, I think to myself, if their followers only knew...but, I'm a woman of integrity, so I don't name names, just actions.
And FINALLY...WOMEN. I think I should've anointed my computer before I even typed that. Whew.
I've designed maybe somewhere close to 200 seals and logos since I've begin designing. Only 4 times have I ever given out a refund because the client was too difficult to work with and guess what? These times have been with, you guess it, women.
Now, 98% of the men I work with...no problem at all. They'll make the order, pay for it, review it when it's done and never bother me again unless they want another design.
The figures rise with women. 50% are awesome...no problem at all and the others...once you take their money, those friendly tones cease.
They begin to speak in a condescending tone, as if you are their little servant. And they will attempt to bring you low by trying to 'educate' you on how to do what they've hired you to do. With women, I've gotten emails with seals designs that someone else has designed, followed by notes like, "This is how a seal is supposed to look." Now mind you, before they placed the order, they love all of the seals I do. But, after that money has changed hands, beware. If you allow them, they'll send you 10,000 rework requests, followed by these notes that are supposed to belittle you. Yeah, I know that's a spirit because GOD has called us to love one another, however, ladies, why the jealousy?
I don't pretend that I don't know what that spirit is. When I was in the world, I recognized it and I definitely recognize it now.
Why is it that some women in ministry are jealous of other women in ministry? They will speak to another sister so harshly, however, let a man come along and she's all giggles. He can send her a design that look like it's full of bullet holes and she'll take it with a smile. But, let a woman work for them. You'll get notes that look like this:
Tiffany,
The font is all wrong. Try using a bolder font. This is not professional. Did you get my last 4 notes? Maybe you didn't understand me, maybe I'm not making myself clear. The seals you did for everyone else are good and this one is good too, but there seems to be a failure to communicate between us about the little things. I'm not sure about the color. I know I asked for blue and white, but try doing it in peach and gold. (And if you're crazy enough to do it without asking for more money), she'll then request for the original one. I don't like that banner. Do you have another one? (Again, if you change it, she'll eventually ask for the original one.)
Have you seen _______________ logo? Hers is professional. I'll email it to you so you can take notes.
Sincerely,
A jealous black woman...
(Now you know, this was not an actual note, but, it was an example of the type I have gotten from women in the past.)
Now, my attitude is, if you like hers so well, hire her designer. Why are we entangled in this non beneficial relationship that's not edifying? Why are you here trying to teach me how to design? If you can do it, do it. If you don't like it, fire me. I'm not going to come under any spirits....
Women of GOD, if you are HIS, your fruit should be love, because HE is LOVE. Many of you are not like this, but there are many who still have this 'Queen Bee' attitude and this is not of GOD!
I am so blessed when I work with humble sisters...Seriously, I feel all warm and happy inside. I love it when we can bless one another...it bothers me to the core when we are hurting one another, for what? A slide on the pride side? Or you're still operating in jealousy? What happened to your walk with Christ? Do you truly think you can bounce from pride to praise?
That's the thing with me.....
I tend to be overly nice and some misunderstand this to mean that I'm easily intimidated when I'm absolutely the opposite. I'm humble and rather than go into war with these type of clients, I prefer to go into warfare for them and send away from me because the relationship is not edifying the Body.
I just don't understand it..as you can see, this bothers me....but, the funny part to all of this is....my hubby.
Strong man...lol...
I can go for weeks with blessed, called of GOD, men and women and be all smiles when he gets home, but, he knows when I come in contact with a cursed soul...and yes, I call them what they are, because when you are not serving GOD, when you are prideful, manipulative, arrogant, or adulterous, you are cursed. The blessings of GOD have a one way sign and that's the highway of righteousness...if you find yourself on a cursed road, look down....you're treading on your heart...you can only travel the path that it leads you.
Anyhow, when I get one of those that won't stop calling me, just bothersome and manipulative, I'm frowned up...trying to shake it off and smile for him, but I'm pretty transparent. No, I don't punish him or give him a hard time when I'm going through a trial of client, I just use his ears to vent.....
His advice is usually, "Stop trying to be so nice. Some people you just have to get rude with..."
But, my search for a higher road is not in vain, because I've taken it plenty of times. I just try to finish the design and vow from within that this person will be in search for a new designer for their next project.
Anyhow, my question is...Can we respect one another? Can you see a woman, a black woman...a black Christian woman, work with her and treat her the same way you treat others? Why do we have to treat her like she's working from her back yard?
I've had to deal with this for quite some time and I've tried to keep quiet, but GOD is not calling me to silence, HE's calling me to expose the darkness and I can't hold it in anymore....(believe me, I've tried.)
We have to do better.
But, in the meantime, I'm screening my clients from now on. I can always discern a client that will be 'a walking Excedrin commercial.' I've attempted to work with them, even after discerning pride or wickedness on them....but, it always wounds up with me, wanting to drown my cellphone and plead guilty.
This is training for me, I know...
P.S. If I get another foreign ministerial leader that attempts to use his country's economic situation to try to get a free seal out of me.................(If I can't say a word, I'll just raise my hand.) Is the seal going to change the people? Notes look like:
Hallo sister,
I am Mfumozi. I am from _________. The people here are very poor. Can you design a logo for me. I don't have anything to pay you because the people are very poor.
(Not a word about ordering bibles for the people, or helping them get food, clothes....)
If you don't know me, I design for the Body of CHRIST.
I'm a web designer, but mostly, I'm more renown for my ministerial seal designs.
I also design logos, flyers, press kits, etc.
Anyhow, one of the commands that I was given by GOD was that these hands cannot and should not touch secular projects. Businesses, yes...for example, a hairdresser, I can design for her, just as long as her site doesn't contain anything vulgar (including the music.)
And because I have been obedient, GOD has blessed me tremendously and HIS anointing keeps overflowing in me.
But, there's a problem that I want to address.
My question is:
Can I be a black Christian woman and STILL get some respect?
Now, don't get me wrong.....98% of my clients are wonderful. The completion of their projects were easy and fun and we've maintained a profellowship relationship. (Profellowship= Professional fellowship.)
And there are many of them that can call me, if they see, for example, a logo on my site that they want. It can be Monday and they say, "I'll pay you Friday for it..." And I'll take it down and reserve it for them because in my history of working with them, they have been consistent with honoring their word.
And to be honest with you, a lot of times, these are my favs...and I do give them discounts and freebies when they order from me because they are such a blessing to work with. I wish I could name them here...just to tell you that these men and women truly have a heart after GOD....so, if you're in their town, you could stop by their church.
But, then there are the 'other' type. You couldn't find the words to get me to voluntarily walk into their church. Because they are backbiters, adulterous, manipulative, and conniving.
Believe me, when you work for the BODY of CHRIST, you will run into the real deals and the impersonators.
One of the biggest crimes is trying to manipulate me. That's witchcraft and when I recognize it, I know that I'm not dealing with someone that's on my FATHER's side. Because manipulation is a wile of the enemy, it's a form of witchcraft.
This flows often from the mouth of the self erected.
All of a sudden, I am "Sister, black woman, woman of GOD..." Whatever they can call me to try to coach a freebie out of me. And I try to find calm, peaceful ways to complete the order (if I've already taken it, because if I recognize that spirit beforehand, I won't work for that person.) This usually precedes their need added with their inability to pay for it...or that famous, sigh, "Guess I'll have to pay you for that...Let me see if I got enough (Sigh-prayer-sigh-call on the LORD-sigh...)"
And I'm not going to pretend I don't know why some of the men keep finding reasons to contact me.
Some are more direct.
I've had a minister tell me that he wanted to be my good friend. He wanted me to tell him about my problems with my husband and he even wanted to talk about my sex life. Had to straighten him out and ban him from calling me.
I've had a minister to ask me if I ever divorced my husband, would I consider marrying again...followed by comments about me being 'first lady' and asking if I was attracted to him. Had to straighten him out and ban him from contacting me.
And then there are the indirect ones...they slowly approach what they think can be their next rendezvous...but, if they only knew.
I am a woman after GOD's own heart! I am a married woman and I have never and will never cheat on my husband because first and foremost, my first HUSBAND-GOD, is my FATHER and my everything and I don't ever want to hurt him and secondly, I love and respect my earthly husband. So, offering to contaminate me, is a threat and an unwelcomed gesture that will be followed by the sound of a phone disconnecting.
A women that loves and fears the LORD will not cheat on her husband. It's a trickling down process....faithful to GOD=automatically being faithful to your husband. That's why GOD calls us to seek ye first the Kingdom of GOD and all HIS righteousness. Because, fellows, if you wound up with a woman in the wind, whichever way the breeze blows, she goes...
Next, there are the anointing leaches. They'll try to zap every ounce of your anointing out of you by busying you so much with their projects that you'll never have time to work with any other ministry. I have to choose....try to be nice and hope they'll finally stop or go ahead and just tell them straight to never call me again for any other project....because my phone log is full of their calls....
Many of this type has tried to get me to join their church, they've offered to ordain me, or they'll pretend to have a word for me...but the WORD of GOD is not mixed with flesh, so I know my FATHER's voice and the voice of a stranger, I will not follow.
I even have the ones that attempt to get work out of me, knowing good and well that they'll never pay for it because in the past, I worked this way. I would work, show the finished design and hope they'll pay me. Hours turn into days, days into weeks, weeks into months...no payment....just silence. You'll see them online talking about, "Pay a man what you owe them," and how stealing is wrong, but, I think to myself, if their followers only knew...but, I'm a woman of integrity, so I don't name names, just actions.
And FINALLY...WOMEN. I think I should've anointed my computer before I even typed that. Whew.
I've designed maybe somewhere close to 200 seals and logos since I've begin designing. Only 4 times have I ever given out a refund because the client was too difficult to work with and guess what? These times have been with, you guess it, women.
Now, 98% of the men I work with...no problem at all. They'll make the order, pay for it, review it when it's done and never bother me again unless they want another design.
The figures rise with women. 50% are awesome...no problem at all and the others...once you take their money, those friendly tones cease.
They begin to speak in a condescending tone, as if you are their little servant. And they will attempt to bring you low by trying to 'educate' you on how to do what they've hired you to do. With women, I've gotten emails with seals designs that someone else has designed, followed by notes like, "This is how a seal is supposed to look." Now mind you, before they placed the order, they love all of the seals I do. But, after that money has changed hands, beware. If you allow them, they'll send you 10,000 rework requests, followed by these notes that are supposed to belittle you. Yeah, I know that's a spirit because GOD has called us to love one another, however, ladies, why the jealousy?
I don't pretend that I don't know what that spirit is. When I was in the world, I recognized it and I definitely recognize it now.
Why is it that some women in ministry are jealous of other women in ministry? They will speak to another sister so harshly, however, let a man come along and she's all giggles. He can send her a design that look like it's full of bullet holes and she'll take it with a smile. But, let a woman work for them. You'll get notes that look like this:
Tiffany,
The font is all wrong. Try using a bolder font. This is not professional. Did you get my last 4 notes? Maybe you didn't understand me, maybe I'm not making myself clear. The seals you did for everyone else are good and this one is good too, but there seems to be a failure to communicate between us about the little things. I'm not sure about the color. I know I asked for blue and white, but try doing it in peach and gold. (And if you're crazy enough to do it without asking for more money), she'll then request for the original one. I don't like that banner. Do you have another one? (Again, if you change it, she'll eventually ask for the original one.)
Have you seen _______________ logo? Hers is professional. I'll email it to you so you can take notes.
Sincerely,
A jealous black woman...
(Now you know, this was not an actual note, but, it was an example of the type I have gotten from women in the past.)
Now, my attitude is, if you like hers so well, hire her designer. Why are we entangled in this non beneficial relationship that's not edifying? Why are you here trying to teach me how to design? If you can do it, do it. If you don't like it, fire me. I'm not going to come under any spirits....
Women of GOD, if you are HIS, your fruit should be love, because HE is LOVE. Many of you are not like this, but there are many who still have this 'Queen Bee' attitude and this is not of GOD!
I am so blessed when I work with humble sisters...Seriously, I feel all warm and happy inside. I love it when we can bless one another...it bothers me to the core when we are hurting one another, for what? A slide on the pride side? Or you're still operating in jealousy? What happened to your walk with Christ? Do you truly think you can bounce from pride to praise?
That's the thing with me.....
I tend to be overly nice and some misunderstand this to mean that I'm easily intimidated when I'm absolutely the opposite. I'm humble and rather than go into war with these type of clients, I prefer to go into warfare for them and send away from me because the relationship is not edifying the Body.
I just don't understand it..as you can see, this bothers me....but, the funny part to all of this is....my hubby.
Strong man...lol...
I can go for weeks with blessed, called of GOD, men and women and be all smiles when he gets home, but, he knows when I come in contact with a cursed soul...and yes, I call them what they are, because when you are not serving GOD, when you are prideful, manipulative, arrogant, or adulterous, you are cursed. The blessings of GOD have a one way sign and that's the highway of righteousness...if you find yourself on a cursed road, look down....you're treading on your heart...you can only travel the path that it leads you.
Anyhow, when I get one of those that won't stop calling me, just bothersome and manipulative, I'm frowned up...trying to shake it off and smile for him, but I'm pretty transparent. No, I don't punish him or give him a hard time when I'm going through a trial of client, I just use his ears to vent.....
His advice is usually, "Stop trying to be so nice. Some people you just have to get rude with..."
But, my search for a higher road is not in vain, because I've taken it plenty of times. I just try to finish the design and vow from within that this person will be in search for a new designer for their next project.
Anyhow, my question is...Can we respect one another? Can you see a woman, a black woman...a black Christian woman, work with her and treat her the same way you treat others? Why do we have to treat her like she's working from her back yard?
I've had to deal with this for quite some time and I've tried to keep quiet, but GOD is not calling me to silence, HE's calling me to expose the darkness and I can't hold it in anymore....(believe me, I've tried.)
We have to do better.
But, in the meantime, I'm screening my clients from now on. I can always discern a client that will be 'a walking Excedrin commercial.' I've attempted to work with them, even after discerning pride or wickedness on them....but, it always wounds up with me, wanting to drown my cellphone and plead guilty.
This is training for me, I know...
P.S. If I get another foreign ministerial leader that attempts to use his country's economic situation to try to get a free seal out of me.................(If I can't say a word, I'll just raise my hand.) Is the seal going to change the people? Notes look like:
Hallo sister,
I am Mfumozi. I am from _________. The people here are very poor. Can you design a logo for me. I don't have anything to pay you because the people are very poor.
(Not a word about ordering bibles for the people, or helping them get food, clothes....)
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Just Being Me....
Well, this has been a hectic week. Don't get me wrong, it hasn't been a nightmare, but it's been a challenge.
Of course, in case you don't know, my new magazine is launching this week...and the enemy has been fighting me tooth and nail. It all started Sunday...hubby and I finally went to the beach. We had a wonderful time, but I remember him telling me that his throat was feeling scratchy. He blamed it on the granola bars that we'd been eating, but I assured him that it was allergy.
The next day, he was coughing, sneezing, running fever and just taking out our tissue supply. I prayed over him, and thought, well, he's gonna be fine. He refused to embrace me, saying that he didn't want me to catch what he had. I told him that a sinus infection wasn't contagious and if it is allergies, well, his body cannot pass on his allergies to me.
That day, I found my throat feeling a little 'weird.' The next day, I was feeling AWEFUL!!! Itchy throat, runny nose, constantly sneezing and coughing. (Yeah, thanks, hubby, remind me to cut the bed in half and push your half into the living room.)
I laid hands on myself and my husband and I was feeling better almost immediately. I was so happy, praising GOD and bragging on my GOD. I guess the enemy decided he was going to come back and fight a little harder and that, he tried. Yesterday, I was bed ridden, coughing, running fever, drowsy and loving. Yeah, whenever I feel down, I tend to get a little mushy...I guess cause I like to be babied. But, not once did I take any medication...I just kept praying, fasting and believing. Judging by the symptoms, I can truthfully say the enemy tried to attach the flu to me, but I wasn't receiving that mess. Why? Because I don't have to. The plagues were for the unrighteous, not the righteous, meaning, I had and have the right to rebuke it and that, I did. Needless to say, today, I am feeling a lot better, other than some spot coughing and the hubby's the same.
But, why did the enemy attack me the way he did? Because, I am about to launch my new magazine Anointed Fire! I kept thinking to put it off a little longer, worrying about the number of writers, worrying about the readiness of the magazine..you name it, I worried about it. And that's outside of GOD's will, so I had to repent.
Then, while writing this, I get a call from the hubby. He's leaving work early because he's still not feeling well. Now, notice I said 'not feeling well.' I didn't say 'not well,' because there is power in the tongue and I claim nothing but healing for my baby. (Getting mushy again.) ::::Gotta remember to anoint his head again:::
Anyhow, GOD has strengthened me and everything will continue as planned. I didn't give in to the devil and I refuse to give in to him. He ain't my god.
News Flash-Well, it was actually another kinda flash lol...but, it was news for me. Tonight, I had this overwhelming craving for Doritos and a soda. I didn't want to go out alone because of Florida's reputation. The store is a few feet from our apartment, so I asked the hubby if he could muster up the strength to come with me. I knew that, we were feeling the same...tired, congested, feverish...yeah, I feel like a bad wife now...don't rub it in. He agreed to come along, but hey, I thought maybe, I might interest him in some junk food, maybe give him a burst of sugar energy. But, he wasn't interested. (Sad face)
While at the store, I noticed that he was looking a little aggravated. I thought it was every bit of how he was feeling, so I brushed it off. Outside of the store, he asked me if I saw the two women in the store and I told him that I didn't. He said that one was white and one was black and the black one was wearing a coat. (In the middle of Florida heat..yeah, something wasn't right.) Well, while my back was turned, she opened up the coat and flashed my husband. He said she was wearing nothing but underwear. Listen: I know that the old me is dead and buried and I am truly a new creature in CHRIST. I couldn't even get mad. I laughed and we went on to the car and drove home talking about what she'd done, her intentions and so on. My husband is foreign and he's a content man (Praise GOD). This type of thing is not only strange to him, but irritating and disgusting. He said he'd frowned and turned his head and the girls begin laughing. He managed to keep that frown all the way out of the store and all the way home. Yeah, spirit of perversion was attached to missy, but guess what? I'm a warrior...so....yep, you guessed it: I don't believe in coming in contact with a demonic infestation without praying for the host and binding the spirit. So...she might go through deliverance while under a man, but either way, I pity the soul and I pray for her deliverance. I know that demons affect the minds of the people that are bound by them. No, they don't control the mind, they just make suggestions, create moods and wait on the host to respond. When there's little to no WORD in them, they walk about like empty vessels, instead, full of demonic oppression.
LORD, thank you for this husband! I know plenty of guys would've been coughing and saying, "Babe, let me go outside while you get what you need to get..and oh, take your time...I'm just gonna go sit in the car." It was clear to me that the girl is a prostitute and was looking to make a sell. She surely would've followed him out the door.
Anyhow, the magazine is going to launch November 1, 2010 and it's called Anointed Fire. The link is www.anointedfire.com. Now, if you go there now, you won't find anything except a design. I don't plan on having it ready til November 1, 2010.
I am also launching www.anointedfire.info, which is where writers can apply, www.anointedfire.org, which will be my charitable sector, and www.anointedfire.net and that will be my intercessory/salvation site. That's where I plan to allow myself and the writers to intercede for and minister to the lost. That's what it's all about...bringing souls to CHRIST! I would hate to have to go before the LORD only bragging that in this life, I had a lot of websites, but never acted as a shepherd.
Of course, in case you don't know, my new magazine is launching this week...and the enemy has been fighting me tooth and nail. It all started Sunday...hubby and I finally went to the beach. We had a wonderful time, but I remember him telling me that his throat was feeling scratchy. He blamed it on the granola bars that we'd been eating, but I assured him that it was allergy.
The next day, he was coughing, sneezing, running fever and just taking out our tissue supply. I prayed over him, and thought, well, he's gonna be fine. He refused to embrace me, saying that he didn't want me to catch what he had. I told him that a sinus infection wasn't contagious and if it is allergies, well, his body cannot pass on his allergies to me.
That day, I found my throat feeling a little 'weird.' The next day, I was feeling AWEFUL!!! Itchy throat, runny nose, constantly sneezing and coughing. (Yeah, thanks, hubby, remind me to cut the bed in half and push your half into the living room.)
I laid hands on myself and my husband and I was feeling better almost immediately. I was so happy, praising GOD and bragging on my GOD. I guess the enemy decided he was going to come back and fight a little harder and that, he tried. Yesterday, I was bed ridden, coughing, running fever, drowsy and loving. Yeah, whenever I feel down, I tend to get a little mushy...I guess cause I like to be babied. But, not once did I take any medication...I just kept praying, fasting and believing. Judging by the symptoms, I can truthfully say the enemy tried to attach the flu to me, but I wasn't receiving that mess. Why? Because I don't have to. The plagues were for the unrighteous, not the righteous, meaning, I had and have the right to rebuke it and that, I did. Needless to say, today, I am feeling a lot better, other than some spot coughing and the hubby's the same.
But, why did the enemy attack me the way he did? Because, I am about to launch my new magazine Anointed Fire! I kept thinking to put it off a little longer, worrying about the number of writers, worrying about the readiness of the magazine..you name it, I worried about it. And that's outside of GOD's will, so I had to repent.
Then, while writing this, I get a call from the hubby. He's leaving work early because he's still not feeling well. Now, notice I said 'not feeling well.' I didn't say 'not well,' because there is power in the tongue and I claim nothing but healing for my baby. (Getting mushy again.) ::::Gotta remember to anoint his head again:::
Anyhow, GOD has strengthened me and everything will continue as planned. I didn't give in to the devil and I refuse to give in to him. He ain't my god.
News Flash-Well, it was actually another kinda flash lol...but, it was news for me. Tonight, I had this overwhelming craving for Doritos and a soda. I didn't want to go out alone because of Florida's reputation. The store is a few feet from our apartment, so I asked the hubby if he could muster up the strength to come with me. I knew that, we were feeling the same...tired, congested, feverish...yeah, I feel like a bad wife now...don't rub it in. He agreed to come along, but hey, I thought maybe, I might interest him in some junk food, maybe give him a burst of sugar energy. But, he wasn't interested. (Sad face)
While at the store, I noticed that he was looking a little aggravated. I thought it was every bit of how he was feeling, so I brushed it off. Outside of the store, he asked me if I saw the two women in the store and I told him that I didn't. He said that one was white and one was black and the black one was wearing a coat. (In the middle of Florida heat..yeah, something wasn't right.) Well, while my back was turned, she opened up the coat and flashed my husband. He said she was wearing nothing but underwear. Listen: I know that the old me is dead and buried and I am truly a new creature in CHRIST. I couldn't even get mad. I laughed and we went on to the car and drove home talking about what she'd done, her intentions and so on. My husband is foreign and he's a content man (Praise GOD). This type of thing is not only strange to him, but irritating and disgusting. He said he'd frowned and turned his head and the girls begin laughing. He managed to keep that frown all the way out of the store and all the way home. Yeah, spirit of perversion was attached to missy, but guess what? I'm a warrior...so....yep, you guessed it: I don't believe in coming in contact with a demonic infestation without praying for the host and binding the spirit. So...she might go through deliverance while under a man, but either way, I pity the soul and I pray for her deliverance. I know that demons affect the minds of the people that are bound by them. No, they don't control the mind, they just make suggestions, create moods and wait on the host to respond. When there's little to no WORD in them, they walk about like empty vessels, instead, full of demonic oppression.
LORD, thank you for this husband! I know plenty of guys would've been coughing and saying, "Babe, let me go outside while you get what you need to get..and oh, take your time...I'm just gonna go sit in the car." It was clear to me that the girl is a prostitute and was looking to make a sell. She surely would've followed him out the door.
Anyhow, the magazine is going to launch November 1, 2010 and it's called Anointed Fire. The link is www.anointedfire.com. Now, if you go there now, you won't find anything except a design. I don't plan on having it ready til November 1, 2010.
I am also launching www.anointedfire.info, which is where writers can apply, www.anointedfire.org, which will be my charitable sector, and www.anointedfire.net and that will be my intercessory/salvation site. That's where I plan to allow myself and the writers to intercede for and minister to the lost. That's what it's all about...bringing souls to CHRIST! I would hate to have to go before the LORD only bragging that in this life, I had a lot of websites, but never acted as a shepherd.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Life's Vehicle
I am about to take you for a ride. No, I'm not going to pull up at your house, blow the horn and we ride around...but, I would like you to come with me on a ride mentally. So, get in the car of your imagination and buckle your seat belt of understanding.
In life, many of us have had to deal with some great hurts, some so big, we didn't think, at that moment, that we'd make it through. Think back to a time when you were there. You were so hurt, words could not comfort you. Tears seemed to be your only friend because they were always there and you just didn't care about life. I know..I know...we don't like to revisit those times, but many of you need to so that you can close that car door so you can continue on your journey. Ask yourself this. What is it that I have not done yet regarding this situation? You see, there is a reason you are there now. Yes, you may be a good person, but good is not good enough...we have to get better. Now, it's time to heal you and reveal you. Maybe a friend betrayed your trust, or for many, it could be something deeper than that. Maybe you didn't have the best and most loving parents. What is it that has cut you so deeply? Now, that see that wound, close it. How do you do that? Let prayer be your bandage. Let JESUS be your doctor and let faith be your insurance. Now, the DOCTOR can't see you if you don't have insurance...so bring in your card of faith. What else do you do? Nothing. Let the DOCTOR work. Now, HE wants you to exercise that wounded limb...it's your therapy. How? Whomever it is that hurt you, you have to pray for them...love them with the love of GOD and speak good into their life. No, not blessings, because blessings come from GOD and if they are out of HIS will, they are under a curse. You speak good by praying for them and binding their mind to CHRIST. Every day, speak their name in your prayer and decree and declare their salvation. Bind up whatever spirit has led them to do what they've done. Many will say, "I can't do this! It is the will of GOD that they suffer!" If this were true, why did HE send the CHRIST? GOD wants to heal them as well...so, once you have loved them back to HIM, you can continue on your journey.
Many of the hurts that we have endured was just a ride to get us where GOD wants us to be. Sure, HE didn't want us to get into the vehicle that 'we chose,' yet, HE allowed it. With GOD, we have to trust HIM fully. The car that GOD sends for us, sometimes takes too long to arrive. That time is not to torture you, it is to teach you patience and long suffering. Therefore, that time is a blessing. It is also during that time that Satan tries to offer you a ride in his car. A good example is for those of you that are single. You're single and you desire to be married. You have prayed for your spouse and you are awaiting his arrival, but another vehicle pulls up and the driver says that he or she is your spouse. Now, if you would dare to pray to FATHER, HE would tell you not to get in the car with strangers and this character that is offering you a ride, is actually a fugitive on the run. He or she has been sent by the enemy to kidnap you and prostitute you into sin. How's that? When we go to the people that GOD does not want us to be with, we ALWAYS wound back up in sin. Because the relationship is out of the will of GOD. You have to know...your ride is coming, but you have to be patient. But, should you decide to take a ride with the devil, when you do get away, if you do get away, you will know better.
Back to your struggles. Maybe you were raped. Maybe you were beaten, cheated on, stabbed, shot, ridiculed, hexed, or dangled by your heart. No matter the struggle, there is strength behind every recovery. A strength that you did not have before the challenge. GOD did not want this to happen to you, but it did. But, now that it has happened, there are two choices you can make. You can allow those situations to drop you into the bed of sin, where you 'feel' in control, however, the remote is truthfully in the hands of Satan, or you can use that situation to testify as to how GOD brought you out. You can allow that situation to be a another rock that you stand on to raise you higher. You can allow that situation to propel you to minister to someone else that is traveling down that very same road, encountering that same old storm. What you do with your past, your hurts and your overcomings is up to you, however, shouldn't GOD get the glory, since it is HE that brought you through? We are so quick to complain about what happened that we forget to testify about it. It's all in how you word it. Here are two examples.
Situation: You are driving along and out of nowhere comes another vehicle that almost causes you to run off the road. You hit the gravel, your tire is destroyed and the other driver continues on.
Complaint: Some idiot ran me off the road! I hit the pavement and it destroyed a $200 tire!!! Then he kept going! Man, if I could find him, I'd hit him with the rim and make him eat that same gravel in a bowl, covered in milk! Now, I gotta buy a new tire. It ruined my whole day!
Testimony: Praise GOD for HE is worthy of the praise! I was driving along and out of nowhere comes a guy. I hit the gravel trying to avoid the collision and my tire was destroyed! My GOD kept me! I could have lost my life, but it was not in GOD's plan! All I lost was a tire, but you know what? My FATHER in heaven will give me a new tire! I was a little jumpy earlier, but I have been praising HIM all the day.
It's all in how you look at it and how you view it is a revealing of what is in your heart. Are you like the Israelites, complaining after GOD has rescued them from the hand of Pharaoh and all those years of forced labor? Or will you dance like David did? If you find yourself complaining a lot about life and what it has brought your way, get into prayer and ask GOD to teach you to see the good in everything.
Complaint: My girlfriend left and she is with another man! I can't believe that she did this! I am so hurt..I just want to find her and torture her slowly!
Testimony: Praise GOD for allowing me to see what type of woman I had and I thank HIM for not allowing me to marry that one. Now, I can let HIM send me my wife. I am so happy...I am preparing for her right now! I just want to see the ex girlfriend one more time to thank her, tell her that I forgive her and ask her if we can be cordial, for the kid's sake. I hope she says yes. I don't want her to be bitter towards my Proverbs 31 woman.
You see, that vehicle of blessing and praising GOD takes you down a shortcut to your blessings. You just have to learn how to bless rather than complain.
Quick question. Take a look at your life right now. No, not the life you plan to have next week, next month or next year. Ask yourself this: Whose vehicle am I in and where is it taking me? If you are in a vehicle of fornication, lies, immorality, or anything that is unlike GOD, you are heading towards the city of Death. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23) Look, don't let any sin be found in you. Nothing...no cursing, no evil thoughts that haven't been cast down...yep...even the things you perceive as 'small stuff.' Unless you wrote the bible, you cannot weigh sin. Only GOD can and with HIM, sin is sin. Get it right so that you can catch the next ride towards eternal life. Please don't wait until tomorrow....you do not know what tomorrow holds for you.
My testimony: The ride was long, the journey was tough, but you know what? I made it! And I refuse to give the devil one day of my breath...I will use each and every day of my life to bless GOD for what HE brought me through, WHO HE is and I will ask HIM, "FATHER, for every blow the enemy gave me, let me give put 700 huge blows to his kingdom. Use me to bring souls to CHRIST and use me in every way that YOU see fit. I ask that YOU use me and teach me to see every trial as an opportunity to bless YOUR NAME!"
In life, many of us have had to deal with some great hurts, some so big, we didn't think, at that moment, that we'd make it through. Think back to a time when you were there. You were so hurt, words could not comfort you. Tears seemed to be your only friend because they were always there and you just didn't care about life. I know..I know...we don't like to revisit those times, but many of you need to so that you can close that car door so you can continue on your journey. Ask yourself this. What is it that I have not done yet regarding this situation? You see, there is a reason you are there now. Yes, you may be a good person, but good is not good enough...we have to get better. Now, it's time to heal you and reveal you. Maybe a friend betrayed your trust, or for many, it could be something deeper than that. Maybe you didn't have the best and most loving parents. What is it that has cut you so deeply? Now, that see that wound, close it. How do you do that? Let prayer be your bandage. Let JESUS be your doctor and let faith be your insurance. Now, the DOCTOR can't see you if you don't have insurance...so bring in your card of faith. What else do you do? Nothing. Let the DOCTOR work. Now, HE wants you to exercise that wounded limb...it's your therapy. How? Whomever it is that hurt you, you have to pray for them...love them with the love of GOD and speak good into their life. No, not blessings, because blessings come from GOD and if they are out of HIS will, they are under a curse. You speak good by praying for them and binding their mind to CHRIST. Every day, speak their name in your prayer and decree and declare their salvation. Bind up whatever spirit has led them to do what they've done. Many will say, "I can't do this! It is the will of GOD that they suffer!" If this were true, why did HE send the CHRIST? GOD wants to heal them as well...so, once you have loved them back to HIM, you can continue on your journey.
Many of the hurts that we have endured was just a ride to get us where GOD wants us to be. Sure, HE didn't want us to get into the vehicle that 'we chose,' yet, HE allowed it. With GOD, we have to trust HIM fully. The car that GOD sends for us, sometimes takes too long to arrive. That time is not to torture you, it is to teach you patience and long suffering. Therefore, that time is a blessing. It is also during that time that Satan tries to offer you a ride in his car. A good example is for those of you that are single. You're single and you desire to be married. You have prayed for your spouse and you are awaiting his arrival, but another vehicle pulls up and the driver says that he or she is your spouse. Now, if you would dare to pray to FATHER, HE would tell you not to get in the car with strangers and this character that is offering you a ride, is actually a fugitive on the run. He or she has been sent by the enemy to kidnap you and prostitute you into sin. How's that? When we go to the people that GOD does not want us to be with, we ALWAYS wound back up in sin. Because the relationship is out of the will of GOD. You have to know...your ride is coming, but you have to be patient. But, should you decide to take a ride with the devil, when you do get away, if you do get away, you will know better.
Back to your struggles. Maybe you were raped. Maybe you were beaten, cheated on, stabbed, shot, ridiculed, hexed, or dangled by your heart. No matter the struggle, there is strength behind every recovery. A strength that you did not have before the challenge. GOD did not want this to happen to you, but it did. But, now that it has happened, there are two choices you can make. You can allow those situations to drop you into the bed of sin, where you 'feel' in control, however, the remote is truthfully in the hands of Satan, or you can use that situation to testify as to how GOD brought you out. You can allow that situation to be a another rock that you stand on to raise you higher. You can allow that situation to propel you to minister to someone else that is traveling down that very same road, encountering that same old storm. What you do with your past, your hurts and your overcomings is up to you, however, shouldn't GOD get the glory, since it is HE that brought you through? We are so quick to complain about what happened that we forget to testify about it. It's all in how you word it. Here are two examples.
Situation: You are driving along and out of nowhere comes another vehicle that almost causes you to run off the road. You hit the gravel, your tire is destroyed and the other driver continues on.
Complaint: Some idiot ran me off the road! I hit the pavement and it destroyed a $200 tire!!! Then he kept going! Man, if I could find him, I'd hit him with the rim and make him eat that same gravel in a bowl, covered in milk! Now, I gotta buy a new tire. It ruined my whole day!
Testimony: Praise GOD for HE is worthy of the praise! I was driving along and out of nowhere comes a guy. I hit the gravel trying to avoid the collision and my tire was destroyed! My GOD kept me! I could have lost my life, but it was not in GOD's plan! All I lost was a tire, but you know what? My FATHER in heaven will give me a new tire! I was a little jumpy earlier, but I have been praising HIM all the day.
It's all in how you look at it and how you view it is a revealing of what is in your heart. Are you like the Israelites, complaining after GOD has rescued them from the hand of Pharaoh and all those years of forced labor? Or will you dance like David did? If you find yourself complaining a lot about life and what it has brought your way, get into prayer and ask GOD to teach you to see the good in everything.
Complaint: My girlfriend left and she is with another man! I can't believe that she did this! I am so hurt..I just want to find her and torture her slowly!
Testimony: Praise GOD for allowing me to see what type of woman I had and I thank HIM for not allowing me to marry that one. Now, I can let HIM send me my wife. I am so happy...I am preparing for her right now! I just want to see the ex girlfriend one more time to thank her, tell her that I forgive her and ask her if we can be cordial, for the kid's sake. I hope she says yes. I don't want her to be bitter towards my Proverbs 31 woman.
You see, that vehicle of blessing and praising GOD takes you down a shortcut to your blessings. You just have to learn how to bless rather than complain.
Quick question. Take a look at your life right now. No, not the life you plan to have next week, next month or next year. Ask yourself this: Whose vehicle am I in and where is it taking me? If you are in a vehicle of fornication, lies, immorality, or anything that is unlike GOD, you are heading towards the city of Death. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23) Look, don't let any sin be found in you. Nothing...no cursing, no evil thoughts that haven't been cast down...yep...even the things you perceive as 'small stuff.' Unless you wrote the bible, you cannot weigh sin. Only GOD can and with HIM, sin is sin. Get it right so that you can catch the next ride towards eternal life. Please don't wait until tomorrow....you do not know what tomorrow holds for you.
My testimony: The ride was long, the journey was tough, but you know what? I made it! And I refuse to give the devil one day of my breath...I will use each and every day of my life to bless GOD for what HE brought me through, WHO HE is and I will ask HIM, "FATHER, for every blow the enemy gave me, let me give put 700 huge blows to his kingdom. Use me to bring souls to CHRIST and use me in every way that YOU see fit. I ask that YOU use me and teach me to see every trial as an opportunity to bless YOUR NAME!"
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Upgrade Me LORD
Well, I am truly prepping for a BIG move in my life and I am so excited about it. No, it's not a physical move, but a spiritual one. GOD has been conditioning me to do a lot and I have been just besides myself with joy. But, as HE is shifting me, I have found that GOD has had to rearrange my life so that HE can use me. And not just rearranging me in the natural, but in the spiritual sense.
I have ran into many roadblocks on this journey...more than the usual wounded deer in the road. One of them is me. Yep, I have parked in front of myself all too many times. One characteristic that I did take from my po' Momma is my niceness. As my God sister always tells me, "Tiffany, you are too nice and people see that!" I try not to allow people to change me because of their undelivered ways, but so many times, I may find myself smiling and praising GOD for meeting what I perceive to be another saint and then wound up snarling and anointing my own head lol. Just kidding...I haven't been snarling..put the holy oil down. But, I do wound up frustrated...not because, for example, someone may order something from me and then want to play 'Catch Me If You Can' when payment is due...that doesn't bother me. I don't get excited about payments...I think I get more excited about putting the work in my portfolio, but I can't show it without the watermark until they've paid, otherwise, many of them would be in church praising GOD with their stolen logos. You'd be amazed. But, my frustration comes from seeing people play with GOD. I am talking about teachers of the gospel still operating using manipulation and not honoring their word. I mean, I could hear them on the phone, when viewing the work, praising GOD, shouting and crying, but when you mention payment, it's like we are building the tower of Babel again and their understanding is unfruitful. Then starts the dodged calls, the lack of effort to respond, etc. But, what do I say to all of this? I say, "Praise GOD!" This is all happening for a reason and a season, but in the new site that I am launching will be the new rules. And I am not bending them at all!
Don't get me wrong, I have worked with soooooooooooo many true soldiers of CHRIST and they are all still my friends to this day. We still speak because I love the GOD in them, however, when I recognize what I call is that 'hustler' spirit, I am automatically on guard. I do have to take a moment to thank GOD for this all! I believe in being a continual blessing to those that operate under the covering of integrity, however, I have had to and will continue to turn away those that are not. Why? Praise be to GOD, I am not hurting for anything, so money is not what drives me. I love doing the work and adding it to my portfolio, however, I do require payment. I am not the 'home-girl' that you can pay when you get your taxes...I believe that when you order, you should be ready to pay. Whew! That's why I cannot wait to launch the new site with the new rules. Well, the rules are old, but my niceness got the best of me....but, no more.
Anyway, out of complaintville and into praiseville. GOD has really been opening up a lot of doors for me to the point where I am just in awe! It's like, everytime, I am celebrating a blessing that blew in from the East, I feel a breeze from the West...another blessing! So many doors of opportunity are opening, but I have to remain prayerful about which ones I can go through and which ones I cannot. Yeah, I would love to jump on every project, however, if GOD says no, I gotta be obedient to HIM. That's why the devil has been fighting me with such vigor! I went through some pretty hard trials and tribulations, but I can sing those lyrics, "I made it through another day's journeyyyy...GOD kept me hereeeee." It's funny how when we are going through, we know that we are going through for a reason, but in many of those trials, we can't seem to take our focus off of what presents itself to us and keep them on GOD. I have gotten soooo much better with this though because back-in-the-day, I was the over dramatizer...would've been acting all chaotic and trying to fix every problem with hard words and putting people on blast, but I knowwwwww I've been changggeddd...lol. And I have. I have learned to just let GOD be GOD and that is what HE has been playing in my spirit over and over and over again. And now, I must walk in integrity.
And LORD, if you never allow another flirtatious minister to contact me knowing full well that I am married, I would be oh so thankful! Why oh why, do I attract those devils? Note to the flirtatious ministers if you are reading: Please, please get delivered! One thing that is so irritating to me is a man of GOD that has a bible in one hand and his nipple in the other...either you are playing with GOD or you are still struggling, but either way, get some help! Please. If you are married, love your wife! You supposed to be bringing the lost sheep home, not fondling them! I love GOD with all my heart, soul, spirit and my body! And I don't like to see people using HIS NAME to entice others into sin. GOD says, "If you love ME, keep MY commandments." You should not be teaching anyone if you know that you are struggling with fornication or adultery. Those are sins of a child! Not a man or woman of GOD! Yeah, if you fell down, FATHER will forgive you if you repent, but stop trying to make arrangements to fall down again!
Neverthelss, I am just blogging..allowing GOD to upgrade me. Yeah, now, I have to just be who GOD has called me to be and nothing else. I will explain in a later blog, but until then, upgrade me LORD, more and more!
I have ran into many roadblocks on this journey...more than the usual wounded deer in the road. One of them is me. Yep, I have parked in front of myself all too many times. One characteristic that I did take from my po' Momma is my niceness. As my God sister always tells me, "Tiffany, you are too nice and people see that!" I try not to allow people to change me because of their undelivered ways, but so many times, I may find myself smiling and praising GOD for meeting what I perceive to be another saint and then wound up snarling and anointing my own head lol. Just kidding...I haven't been snarling..put the holy oil down. But, I do wound up frustrated...not because, for example, someone may order something from me and then want to play 'Catch Me If You Can' when payment is due...that doesn't bother me. I don't get excited about payments...I think I get more excited about putting the work in my portfolio, but I can't show it without the watermark until they've paid, otherwise, many of them would be in church praising GOD with their stolen logos. You'd be amazed. But, my frustration comes from seeing people play with GOD. I am talking about teachers of the gospel still operating using manipulation and not honoring their word. I mean, I could hear them on the phone, when viewing the work, praising GOD, shouting and crying, but when you mention payment, it's like we are building the tower of Babel again and their understanding is unfruitful. Then starts the dodged calls, the lack of effort to respond, etc. But, what do I say to all of this? I say, "Praise GOD!" This is all happening for a reason and a season, but in the new site that I am launching will be the new rules. And I am not bending them at all!
Don't get me wrong, I have worked with soooooooooooo many true soldiers of CHRIST and they are all still my friends to this day. We still speak because I love the GOD in them, however, when I recognize what I call is that 'hustler' spirit, I am automatically on guard. I do have to take a moment to thank GOD for this all! I believe in being a continual blessing to those that operate under the covering of integrity, however, I have had to and will continue to turn away those that are not. Why? Praise be to GOD, I am not hurting for anything, so money is not what drives me. I love doing the work and adding it to my portfolio, however, I do require payment. I am not the 'home-girl' that you can pay when you get your taxes...I believe that when you order, you should be ready to pay. Whew! That's why I cannot wait to launch the new site with the new rules. Well, the rules are old, but my niceness got the best of me....but, no more.
Anyway, out of complaintville and into praiseville. GOD has really been opening up a lot of doors for me to the point where I am just in awe! It's like, everytime, I am celebrating a blessing that blew in from the East, I feel a breeze from the West...another blessing! So many doors of opportunity are opening, but I have to remain prayerful about which ones I can go through and which ones I cannot. Yeah, I would love to jump on every project, however, if GOD says no, I gotta be obedient to HIM. That's why the devil has been fighting me with such vigor! I went through some pretty hard trials and tribulations, but I can sing those lyrics, "I made it through another day's journeyyyy...GOD kept me hereeeee." It's funny how when we are going through, we know that we are going through for a reason, but in many of those trials, we can't seem to take our focus off of what presents itself to us and keep them on GOD. I have gotten soooo much better with this though because back-in-the-day, I was the over dramatizer...would've been acting all chaotic and trying to fix every problem with hard words and putting people on blast, but I knowwwwww I've been changggeddd...lol. And I have. I have learned to just let GOD be GOD and that is what HE has been playing in my spirit over and over and over again. And now, I must walk in integrity.
And LORD, if you never allow another flirtatious minister to contact me knowing full well that I am married, I would be oh so thankful! Why oh why, do I attract those devils? Note to the flirtatious ministers if you are reading: Please, please get delivered! One thing that is so irritating to me is a man of GOD that has a bible in one hand and his nipple in the other...either you are playing with GOD or you are still struggling, but either way, get some help! Please. If you are married, love your wife! You supposed to be bringing the lost sheep home, not fondling them! I love GOD with all my heart, soul, spirit and my body! And I don't like to see people using HIS NAME to entice others into sin. GOD says, "If you love ME, keep MY commandments." You should not be teaching anyone if you know that you are struggling with fornication or adultery. Those are sins of a child! Not a man or woman of GOD! Yeah, if you fell down, FATHER will forgive you if you repent, but stop trying to make arrangements to fall down again!
Neverthelss, I am just blogging..allowing GOD to upgrade me. Yeah, now, I have to just be who GOD has called me to be and nothing else. I will explain in a later blog, but until then, upgrade me LORD, more and more!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Elevation
Have you ever been elevated by GOD? If you have, you know that there is a procedure that takes place that we like to refer to as sifting. What is sifting? The removing of anything dead from your presence, should it be sinful ways, ungodly relationships, ungodly people, ungodly beliefs, etc. During sifting, we may feel as if we are shaken to and fro and we tend to get frustrated. We may cry, we may complain and we may, but should not sin. Our reaction causes the very thing that is being sifted away from us to claw down more into us, in an attempt to hold on. Maybe it's a friend who wasn't a friend or a job that has been holding you back. Sometimes, when those things fall through and we are left friendless, jobless, or penny less, we draw from our emotions. But, is this the correct reaction? Absolutely not!
We want to be blessed, but there are some things and some people that cannot come into our blessed place, simply because of the condition of their hearts. In many cases, there is somewhere that GOD wants to elevate you, but those old friends and old ways are not allowed there, so He has to sift you. Does it feel good? It all depends on you. Maybe your feelings are hurt, but this is a time to rejoice.
A testimony that I would like to share is my own personal one. Lately, I had been running across so many people that were either prophesying to me or as one of my friends would say, prophelying to me. I believed both. If you said it was from GOD, I rejoiced! There had been a huge shifting and I just did not like what I was seeing, so I held on to any word that came forward and said it was of GOD. Then, suddenly, GOD had to remind me of something. Tiffany, don't you too have a prophetic anointing. Before He talks to them, wouldn't He first talk to me and use them as confirmation? I was bewildered, confused and I went into a spiritual spiral. Throughout this time, I heard in my spirit, "You are pregnant." And I heard the word 'labor.' At the time, I didn't realize that it was spiritual, I was thinking otherwise. I kept saying, "What?!" Until, it came to me, "Girl, what you are going through is labor! You are pregnant in the spirit!" The more GOD elevated me, the more discomfort I encountered. Is it because elevation is uncomfortable? Nope. It was because I tried to understand what I was going through and respond to it in the flesh, when I should have just let GOD be GOD. I fought for a moment of peace and found more turmoil. Finally, when I was tired of fighting, I was stretched out, on the floor in front of the computer...I didn't want to talk to anyone, look at anyone...I wanted to wallow. It was at this time that GOD was able to minister to me. There was no more fight left in me. I was like a leaf in the middle of the ocean, being taken wherever the current shifted me.
I say that to say this. GOD desires that we all come to salvation and that we all walk in the ministry that He has assigned to us. In that ministry, He wants to elevate you higher and higher. That is, He wants to give you more gifts, show you more and use you more, but there are some things and some people who must first go away from your presence. Maybe they were seasonal gifts, friends, or just people that we were only called to intercede for, yet we kept them around longer...either way, GOD will be glorified. Have you asked GOD to use you? Then, that is what He is doing, but He has to clean you up and arm you. Much of what you go through is not just for you, it is for others. Much of the suffering that you endure is to stop someone else from having to endure that very thing, someone who is not as strong as you are.
And the whole relying on men and prophesies? STOP! Rely on GOD. Sometimes, we look at signs and wonders and become loosely fascinated with it, when whatever power you see in the bosom of your brethren is also within you. It just has to be released. The bible tells us that the anti-Christ would deceive the world through signs and wonders....therefore, even though prophesy is good and miracles are better, having a direct relationship with GOD is what matters. If you do not have one, you will MOST DEFINITELY fall victim to someone who displays witchcraft and says they are performing these acts through GOD. Liars are many and so are witches and warlocks. But, you have to know GOD for yourself and know that you must be covered by the Blood to be protected. Now, I understand why GOD had me reading Ephesians 6:10 every night for maybe 2 or 3 months.
The meat of it is this. That frustration you feel, use it, but direct it where it needs to be directed and that is against the enemy. The bible tells us that whatever we bound on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever we loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. So, start binding up whatever is foolish enough to attack you and loose the angels that GOD has assigned to you to bind them and throw them into the abyss until the day of Judgment. Stop crying and complaining. Get mad at the devil! You need to be sending a message in the spirit realm that you are not the one to play with or attack.
We want to be blessed, but there are some things and some people that cannot come into our blessed place, simply because of the condition of their hearts. In many cases, there is somewhere that GOD wants to elevate you, but those old friends and old ways are not allowed there, so He has to sift you. Does it feel good? It all depends on you. Maybe your feelings are hurt, but this is a time to rejoice.
A testimony that I would like to share is my own personal one. Lately, I had been running across so many people that were either prophesying to me or as one of my friends would say, prophelying to me. I believed both. If you said it was from GOD, I rejoiced! There had been a huge shifting and I just did not like what I was seeing, so I held on to any word that came forward and said it was of GOD. Then, suddenly, GOD had to remind me of something. Tiffany, don't you too have a prophetic anointing. Before He talks to them, wouldn't He first talk to me and use them as confirmation? I was bewildered, confused and I went into a spiritual spiral. Throughout this time, I heard in my spirit, "You are pregnant." And I heard the word 'labor.' At the time, I didn't realize that it was spiritual, I was thinking otherwise. I kept saying, "What?!" Until, it came to me, "Girl, what you are going through is labor! You are pregnant in the spirit!" The more GOD elevated me, the more discomfort I encountered. Is it because elevation is uncomfortable? Nope. It was because I tried to understand what I was going through and respond to it in the flesh, when I should have just let GOD be GOD. I fought for a moment of peace and found more turmoil. Finally, when I was tired of fighting, I was stretched out, on the floor in front of the computer...I didn't want to talk to anyone, look at anyone...I wanted to wallow. It was at this time that GOD was able to minister to me. There was no more fight left in me. I was like a leaf in the middle of the ocean, being taken wherever the current shifted me.
I say that to say this. GOD desires that we all come to salvation and that we all walk in the ministry that He has assigned to us. In that ministry, He wants to elevate you higher and higher. That is, He wants to give you more gifts, show you more and use you more, but there are some things and some people who must first go away from your presence. Maybe they were seasonal gifts, friends, or just people that we were only called to intercede for, yet we kept them around longer...either way, GOD will be glorified. Have you asked GOD to use you? Then, that is what He is doing, but He has to clean you up and arm you. Much of what you go through is not just for you, it is for others. Much of the suffering that you endure is to stop someone else from having to endure that very thing, someone who is not as strong as you are.
And the whole relying on men and prophesies? STOP! Rely on GOD. Sometimes, we look at signs and wonders and become loosely fascinated with it, when whatever power you see in the bosom of your brethren is also within you. It just has to be released. The bible tells us that the anti-Christ would deceive the world through signs and wonders....therefore, even though prophesy is good and miracles are better, having a direct relationship with GOD is what matters. If you do not have one, you will MOST DEFINITELY fall victim to someone who displays witchcraft and says they are performing these acts through GOD. Liars are many and so are witches and warlocks. But, you have to know GOD for yourself and know that you must be covered by the Blood to be protected. Now, I understand why GOD had me reading Ephesians 6:10 every night for maybe 2 or 3 months.
The meat of it is this. That frustration you feel, use it, but direct it where it needs to be directed and that is against the enemy. The bible tells us that whatever we bound on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever we loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. So, start binding up whatever is foolish enough to attack you and loose the angels that GOD has assigned to you to bind them and throw them into the abyss until the day of Judgment. Stop crying and complaining. Get mad at the devil! You need to be sending a message in the spirit realm that you are not the one to play with or attack.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Can You Handle It?
I have met so many people that can tell you stories that you could never imagine to be true. I have met so many that have seen things and done things that God has allowed them to see and do that would cause the average American to think they were crazy. I have went down my share of 'odd' roads, however, I know that there are people who have been down roads a lot more odd than the ones I have traveled.
The more knowledge, wisdom and understanding that God gives you, the more your eyes will be opened. The more your eyes are opened, the crazier your speech will sound to others. But, with wisdom, you speak baby talk to babies and you speak wisdom to the wise, because the bible says wisdom is too high for a fool. As you begin to open the doors that only obedience can unlock and faith can open, there is no turning back. The bible speaks of things seen and unseen, yet the world goes most of it's life only seeing the physical, never the spiritual. That is why it is almost impossible to tell someone of the world about spiritual warfare. Yeah, you can say it if you want that blank stare, followed by that excuse as to why they need to part your presence.
But, another truth is, the higher you are elevated to, the more you will have to go into warfare. Any true intercessor or prayer warrior knows this. Many have actually come face to face with demonic forces, but try telling that to your drunk Uncle Shark, who has only seen 'strange things' after his second bottle of coon liquor.
But, as a friend of mine and I were discussing one day, many people see the blessings that God has given us and they want that, however, no one wants to go through anything to get to that place. I can testify that I have been through some hard times, but nothing was unbearable. The heaviest part of a trial is you worrying yourself. Other than that, you can go right on through. Even when it storms outside, we know the storm will pass shortly, we just stay inside and wait for clear skies. But, many people have allowed their storms to speak to them, rather than them doing as Christ did and rebuking it.
But, there is an attitude that we should all have. That is being thankful for the bad weather, because if it wasn't for the rain, there would be no harvest. Sometimes are absolutely heartbreaking, however, it is heaviest when you bare it, rather than casting your cares upon Christ. Some of the biggest storms in my life, to me, were nothing but a rumble and a few teardrops, however, I always knew and still know that the storm will pass. We say 'going through' and these are the words we need to concentrate on when we are going through hardships.
There are a lot of things that I want, especially spiritual gifts, but I know that for every lesson I learn, a test will follow. Many say that you need to be careful what you ask for and that is true, if you cannot handle it at the moment. Many times, you alone will never be able to handle it. You have to give it to Jesus. If you don't, you will find yourself buried under the feet of demons when they should be under your feet.
Please know this, before you covet someone else's life, ask them what they had to go through to get where they are. Can you handle it? Most people would say that they could handle it until the situation presented itself in front of them. Can you handle someone else's anointing? Can you drink from their cup? I see mighty men and women of God who boldly go into warfare without fear, casting out devils and healing the sick. Many sit in awe of them, forgetting that as a man or woman, he or she cannot do this thing alone. God does it, they are an obedient vessel that allows Him to work through them. But, do you know what they had to go through to get where they are? Can you handle the abuse, rape, and oppression that they've had to endure? That's why I have learned to stay humble. I can tell my story to someone and when they finish their testimony, all of a sudden, my trials seemed more like simple addition. That is not to discount what I have been through, or anyone else, but that is to say, before you look at someone and want what they want, ask them what they've went through. Because if you ask to drink from a cup that has more than you can drink, you are asking for something you do not understand. Rather, ask God for your direction. All too often, there may be a greater calling on your life with greater rewards and some individuals will lose it all peering through the window of someone else's blessed place. (And sometimes, what you think to be a blessing in their lives, is actually a cursed disguised. Research it. Many people are dead now because they came into a lot of money.) Proverbs 13:7 reads, "There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches." In other words, real wealth comes in the form of wisdom, obedience, knowledge, understanding and faith. To possess all the riches of this world is nothing because when that person passes away, they cannot take it with them and they definitely cannot pay their way into heaven.
Anyway, this was my short slash long post of the day saying to you....be careful what you ask for, you just might get it...along with it's purchase price.
The more knowledge, wisdom and understanding that God gives you, the more your eyes will be opened. The more your eyes are opened, the crazier your speech will sound to others. But, with wisdom, you speak baby talk to babies and you speak wisdom to the wise, because the bible says wisdom is too high for a fool. As you begin to open the doors that only obedience can unlock and faith can open, there is no turning back. The bible speaks of things seen and unseen, yet the world goes most of it's life only seeing the physical, never the spiritual. That is why it is almost impossible to tell someone of the world about spiritual warfare. Yeah, you can say it if you want that blank stare, followed by that excuse as to why they need to part your presence.
But, another truth is, the higher you are elevated to, the more you will have to go into warfare. Any true intercessor or prayer warrior knows this. Many have actually come face to face with demonic forces, but try telling that to your drunk Uncle Shark, who has only seen 'strange things' after his second bottle of coon liquor.
But, as a friend of mine and I were discussing one day, many people see the blessings that God has given us and they want that, however, no one wants to go through anything to get to that place. I can testify that I have been through some hard times, but nothing was unbearable. The heaviest part of a trial is you worrying yourself. Other than that, you can go right on through. Even when it storms outside, we know the storm will pass shortly, we just stay inside and wait for clear skies. But, many people have allowed their storms to speak to them, rather than them doing as Christ did and rebuking it.
But, there is an attitude that we should all have. That is being thankful for the bad weather, because if it wasn't for the rain, there would be no harvest. Sometimes are absolutely heartbreaking, however, it is heaviest when you bare it, rather than casting your cares upon Christ. Some of the biggest storms in my life, to me, were nothing but a rumble and a few teardrops, however, I always knew and still know that the storm will pass. We say 'going through' and these are the words we need to concentrate on when we are going through hardships.
There are a lot of things that I want, especially spiritual gifts, but I know that for every lesson I learn, a test will follow. Many say that you need to be careful what you ask for and that is true, if you cannot handle it at the moment. Many times, you alone will never be able to handle it. You have to give it to Jesus. If you don't, you will find yourself buried under the feet of demons when they should be under your feet.
Please know this, before you covet someone else's life, ask them what they had to go through to get where they are. Can you handle it? Most people would say that they could handle it until the situation presented itself in front of them. Can you handle someone else's anointing? Can you drink from their cup? I see mighty men and women of God who boldly go into warfare without fear, casting out devils and healing the sick. Many sit in awe of them, forgetting that as a man or woman, he or she cannot do this thing alone. God does it, they are an obedient vessel that allows Him to work through them. But, do you know what they had to go through to get where they are? Can you handle the abuse, rape, and oppression that they've had to endure? That's why I have learned to stay humble. I can tell my story to someone and when they finish their testimony, all of a sudden, my trials seemed more like simple addition. That is not to discount what I have been through, or anyone else, but that is to say, before you look at someone and want what they want, ask them what they've went through. Because if you ask to drink from a cup that has more than you can drink, you are asking for something you do not understand. Rather, ask God for your direction. All too often, there may be a greater calling on your life with greater rewards and some individuals will lose it all peering through the window of someone else's blessed place. (And sometimes, what you think to be a blessing in their lives, is actually a cursed disguised. Research it. Many people are dead now because they came into a lot of money.) Proverbs 13:7 reads, "There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches." In other words, real wealth comes in the form of wisdom, obedience, knowledge, understanding and faith. To possess all the riches of this world is nothing because when that person passes away, they cannot take it with them and they definitely cannot pay their way into heaven.
Anyway, this was my short slash long post of the day saying to you....be careful what you ask for, you just might get it...along with it's purchase price.
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