#AboutThatLife

#AboutThatLife

Thank God for Jesus and the eternal life that He has given to us...

As a new year approaches, I am encouraging my readers to seek first the Lord as the year 2016 arrives. The Bible says if we seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, all things will be given to us. (Matt 6:33) I am headed into this new year thankful, but most of all in the mode of seeking. Seeking Life, seeking how to help others more, seeking how to not be so materialistic, seeking how to make others smile, seeking how to take little... and try to make it much... for others to benefit from. I don't know about you, but in 2016... I'm about that life... that abundant life that overflows into the lives of others. If it means taking my "extra" to help feed or clothe or share the "good news" to someone who is in need... then that's what I'll be doing. It doesn't take much to do unto others as you'd have them do unto you. It doesn't take much to spend a little time & money to make someone else's day. Yes, my blog has been in the same vein for a minute... helping others... but what is life if someone else's life is not affected positively by your own?

Happy New Year friends. May the peace of God rest, rule and abide in your life and the lives of others that you are blessed to touch in this new season of opportunity.

Let's Be About That Life!

In the words of Mahalia Jackson..."If I can help somebody, as I pass along,

If I can cheer somebody, with a word or song,
If I can show somebody, that he's travelling wrong,
Then my living shall not be in vain.

Chorus:
My living shall not be in vain,
Then my living shall not be in vain
If I can help somebody, as I pass along,
Then my living shall not be in vain.

If I can do my duty, as a good man ought,
If I can bring back beauty, to a world up wrought,
If I can spread love's message, as the Master taught,
Then my living shall not be in vain."

Peace and Blessings,

LaShawna

#SheWishes

#WishList

3 John 1:2 (King James Bible)

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

John 15:7 (New American Standard Bible)

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

There are many folks out and about, hustling and bustling, web surfing, catalogue browsing... to find that perfect wish list item for their loved ones.  We all fall into the wave of shoppers, whether we begin in July, October... or wait for this last week leading up to the "big day". 

For some, a gift is as simple as a tin of cookies, baked fresh from the oven, delivered to the door of a neighbor. For others, it's placing a gift card into an envelope and placing in the mailbox with his or her mail carrier's name on it.  Some go even further to donate their time and resources to local shelters and food banks... giving of themselves, knowing that many are so unfortunate at this time of year... "Kris Kringle" doesn't pass by his or her "tree"... because there may not be one... there may not even be a home or a fireplace for good old "Saint Nicholas" to surreptitiously enter to grant wishes.

These and other thoughts about wishes, gifts, and "Santa" have been dancing in my head like sugar plums of the wonderful Christmas tale that many of us grew up on. However, the reality is that many of our brothers and sisters do not experience having their wish list checked off on Christmas Day... or any other day for that matter.  I'd like to think that we all live in a beautiful world where we all "pay it forward"... we reach out and touch, we help our brothers and sisters out, allowing for a smile... but some do not meet the mark. Most of us carry on in our own private lives selfishly... getting, getting and getting... not serving, giving, and helping.  I was touched when my daughter begged to find someone somewhere to help during this holiday season. She touched our hearts so, that we began to search the area for shelters and services.  I feel in my heart that she knows the plight of some, and her wish is to help others.  I thank God for such a compassionate child.

So, when you are summing up your wish list, checking twice the list of your child, husband, wife,  and loved ones... remember to be thankful that there's a wish to be granted. Whether you are on the receiving end, or otherwise... could you possibly remember that long ago there was a wish that all men might be saved, and be given a chance at life in abundance? That abundant life didn't/doesn't mean a life filled with Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin, Chanel, Celine, Valentino, Hermes, Goyard, Louis Vuitton or Gucci. Nor does the abundant life necessarily mean life without stress, heartache, sickness or pain.  The abundant life-wish from our God through our Savior, Jesus Christ is one that has given us the opportunity to live with Peace, Love and Joy each day, knowing that we have a place with God if we live according to His Word... not just on one day that is so commercialized that I don't even seriously count it as a Christian holiday anymore. What I do count it as a time to pray, follow peace with all men and women whom I love and don't know (to love) but try to find love in my heart for all.  We are flawed, but there is a wish that settles upon our souls that we all find the way to redemption, that we all find the road to love unconditionally and to serve others.  I know that I have not met that mark 100% daily, but I do find that in my heart, there is a willingness, and if we act upon that... soon it will emanate through us into the hearts of others...causing wishes to become a reality and not just something we ponder within.

Peace and Blessings to all, may the God of our Salvation rest within your hearts at Christmas and all the New Year through.

~LaShawna

#SheIsJoyful

#Joyful

" Joy, joy... God's great joy. Joy, joy... down in my soul! Sweet beautiful... soul-saving joy... Oh, joy, joy in my soul!" ~K. Franklin

I am joyful at this time of year... many find it hard to be so, due to grief, depression, distance in relation to family members, lack, etc.  However, the Bible shares so many wonderful words of encouragement...on being joyful.  If you would just read these and meditate on them, I know that you will find a spot in your heart and mind to be joyful on today and throughout this holiday season.

Psalm 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

Psalm 47:1 O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

Psalm 63:5-7 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

Psalm 96:11-13 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.  Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

*Note to self: Joy comes from within... and within me is Jesus... therefore I have #JesusJoy!


Photo courtesy: My own


Peace and Blessings,


LaShawna 



#ShePraises

#Praise

Psalm 33:1 (B) =  Praise is comely for the upright.

Today's encouragement is to praise God our maker in the good and the bad... and especially in "the in- between".

You just  may not know how your praise can help you through uncertain situations.  Trusting God through unsettling or uncertain experiences may be a hard thing to some, but it's worth putting your mind and heart to it. Once you've put your focus on trusting God whole heartedly, you are free to praise God in the meantime.

I really needed to be in an atmosphere of Praise on this past Sunday's worship experience with those of like mind. I was so happy that praise and "praisers" met me at the door! I began on Saturday night by praising God along with my daughter (yes train them up!) However, my yearning was for corporate praise in the House of God. I am so thankful that God answers prayers RIGHT AWAY!

It is fitting to praise God, let us sing joyfully to the Lord! God has done more than just wake you, put a few dollars in your pocket... more than given you a portion of good health and strength... more than put you in your right mind! Speak or shout a word of praise to your Maker. He deserves the Glory!

For I simply #PraiseHim

Peace and Blessings,

LaShawna

*Note to self: Prayer...Praise...Power! That's it!

#BumpInTheNight

Have you ever woke up in the middle of the night... afraid, nervous, excited, anticipating something?  Have you ever been awake, not wanting to be, but just couldn't get back to sleep in the early hours of the morning? I've been there many times, and most times I remember what my mother told me years ago..."Just pray, Shawna." Today I encourage you to say a little prayer, talk to Jesus about whatever is keeping you awake at night (when you are stirred from your sleep).  It may be nothing to cry into your pillow over, you may only be anxious about a new position or situation in your life... you may just be worried about an upcoming event... but nothing helps more than talking to the Lord about it while the night is yet still... no one but you may be awake... and God of course! Sometimes I even feel that He hears me just a tad bit better at those times... (I know that's not biblical... for He sees and hears and knows all... all the time) It comforts me to feel that way though.  So... just draw on that quiet time. Say a few words to the Master. Mention your brother and sister to Him, thank Him, reverence Him... and finish out your rest.... knowing that all will be well.


Let your prayers be that bump in the night... knocking on heaven's door... straight to the ears of Jesus.


Peace and Blessings,


LaShawna


*Note to self: Be still and know that God is God... know that He hears even the tiniest whisper from your heart.