Digging and Finding God in Unexpected Places

I’ve slowly been digging through a bunch of boxes and bins I put in storage in my mom’s basement, and while I have yet to find what I was looking for, I did strike some gold.  I stumbled across an old journal.  Now, how my journal got in the basement, I have no idea because I usually keep a good watch over those little books that allow me to express myself and become utterly and completely naked and exposed to no one but me and God.  Either way, there it was.  My Thoughts.  Some of it written so eloquently, and some of it written in the roughest of nights (I could tell from the handwritingJ).  It was intriguing to read and glance and peruse.  So what does that have to do with what I’m sharing today?  Sometimes, do you find yourself stumbling upon things that others would consider junk, but to you it’s something that has more value than anyone would ever know? 

 Trash!  Apparently, I just got tuned in to this thing called dumpster diving.  I had heard of it before, but it’s still for me this new phenomenon that people participate in every day.  But I thought it translated into a good analogy.  Trash is to the dumpster what Christ is to us.  We define trash as something worth little or nothing; something that has no value.  When we think about the dumpster, we think of it as a place to put our trash.  Nothing more, nothing less.  It is simply the receptacle of all of our unwanted things.  These things could be anything from food, clothing, furniture, household items, and a host of other things. 

 Physically, a dumpster is dirty, nasty, unclean, grimy, contaminated, has an unpleasant smell, and has a high quantity of disease, insects, and rats.  So needless to say, for me when I place something inside the trash, later to be transported to a dumpster it has no value, no treasure is seen.  However, according to dumpster diving, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.  I’ve heard this phrase used millions of times, but never did I think that literally people would spend their lives to go diving in random contaminated dumpsters seeking treasure.  There are those (some of us) who look at a dumpster and see it as a place to discover treasure.  These people are those like my Uncle Charles who always finds the most random items, in places many of us would never consider to go in hopes of finding something of value. These people are dumpster divers.  They believe that they can find items of value in the most unexpected places.

 The bible is an example of where we find many people that stumbled and found God in unexpected places.  In fact, the bible is literally the story of how God unexpectedly breaks into the lives of His people.  How has God unexpectedly broken into your life??

For example, Mary in Luke 1:26

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you're to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
Whatever Mary was doing that day, she certainly did not expect to be confronted with
a messenger from heaven.  And her response to Gabriel, “May it be to me as you have said" is where Mary accepted the unexpected.  Unexpectedly.  Unexplainably pregnant.  Mary is willing to put aside her uncertainties and worries and say yes to God. 

 Another example, Jacob in Genesis 28:10

Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran.  When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep.  He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.  There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying.  Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.”  He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.”

 Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it.  He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz.

 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear  so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.^”

 What a dream Jacob had that night.  With the ground for his bed and the rock for a pillow turned out to be an amazing blessing.  We know God planned this stop for Jacob and that He also has an itinerary for us; a journey too to take us on and it too can be unexplainably and unexpectedly. Jacob had a lot to learn about God and so do we. Sometimes God takes us through things that aren’t of our own choosing and it may include a stay or two at our own personal hard rock hotel. He arranges stops into our lives just like He did Jacob, and for the same purpose. He’s teaching us to depend on Him.

 Sometimes we just simply go through the motions and we miss the amazing ways that God is working in our lives. Are we creating places where God will do incredible things in our lives? Are we finding the place where he is and joining Him there? When God looks for someone to accomplish His purposes on earth, what kind of man or woman is He looking for?  Are you that man or woman? 

 If you think about some of the heroes of the Bible – men and women like Mary, Jacob, Moses, Gideon and Esther – they weren’t cardboard cutouts; they put their sandals on one at a time like the rest of us. They were human like you and I.  So God uses ordinary people.  That’s the way it was with David, who became Israel’s most renowned king.  He was deeply committed to God.  He had a deep hunger for God and a strong commitment.  Paul too had one solid objective.  “One thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).

Mary of Bethany, as she sat at Jesus’ feet knew the true purpose and her sister Martha in contrast did not. 

Luke 10:40 “But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted with much serving; and she came up to Him and said, Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me [to lend a hand and do her part along with me]!  But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; There is need of only one or but a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion [that which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her.”

 Keep your eyes open; you never know where God is going to show up next…it may just be the dumpster so get ready to dive in.

Be Blessed

-Tracy

Have we become Christians of Convenience??

I’ve been wanting to write about this topic for quite some time because I’ve watched a friend of mine do this over and over and over again and it really makes me mad.  I never said anything directly (just in my roundabout way), but I found myself being bothered and disturbed by the way she treated My God.  When you have a personal relationship with Christ you’d be amazed by the things that hadn’t bothered you before now cause you to look at people in a different light because of the way they treat the Savior of this world.  Watching her take for granted the God that made you and I, the God that sent His son to die for our sins, the God that’s forgiving, the God that you continuously use and take advantage of repeatedly.  I watched her take Him for granted in so many ways simply because she wanted or needed something.  I found myself becoming angry.  It angers me. 

There’s something inside of me that despises that thought of someone using God to get what “we” want and when we have achieved whatever that may be we go back to doing exactly what we were doing.  Which simply put is not fair and not living according to God’s will or purpose. It causes me to ponder all of the reasons God sent His son into this world and how dare you use Him as a God of convenience to get what you want. So…with this information I began to think personally about ways in which I could show God that He’s much more precious to me.  Because He is! We sometimes have to take a sincere truthful look deep inside of our hearts to see what changes we need to make. What changes need to be made for the sake of your relationship with Christ??  And it’s necessary for us all to depend on God to make those necessary changes for the sake of our relationship with Him.  God wants our heart. 

God wants our Heart!              
He desires our heart!

If we want to be more like Him, then we must depend on Him to make the needed changes in our hearts. 

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

If only people understood that God desires to be with us. He desires to spend time with us. He desires to build an everlasting relationship with us.  God knows the desires of our heart and He is always looking into our heart to see if we truly desire Him. Do you desire Him or do you simply desire Him when its convenient?  Do you call on Him daily or do you call on Him only in your time of need/want?

"As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.” (1 Chronicles 28:9)

When will we get to a point where we don’t become so caught up in our own desires and be completely caught up in His?

I think that when we seek God for the wrong reasons we are endangering ourselves.  There is a danger of falling and being separated from Him.  This happens when our desire is no longer directed towards knowing and pleasing God.  We shouldn’t want to be Christians that simply go through the motions and when we need something act as if God owes us something.  God doesn’t owe us anything!  We on the other hand, owe Him our lives! 

~Be Blessed, Tracy

Struggling to do what JESUS would do?

Do you remember the phrase “What would Jesus Do?”   Of course you do!  It’s a phrase that most people are familiar with.  I remember it being something very common during my high school years.  Whether you have asked the question, been asked by someone, or recall the various WWJD bracelets, t-shirts, stickers, or hats this phrase is something that many have seen and/or used.  But WHY?  If you recall, all this paraphernalia was everywhere.  My thoughts as I sit here reminiscing is (1) Does this question have significance for the way we should live?  (2) Or was it used as a way to make a profit from the Christian community?  I won’t go into detail about how I really believe that this was used as a money making business, but I think it’s interesting, but that’s a whole different blog. However, I do want to take a look at how we sometimes struggle to do what Jesus would do. 

So I’m not sure where the whole phenomenon began, but as I think back one thing that is clear is that it was suppose to be a reminder of how Jesus would deal with specific things and situations that occurred in our daily lives.  You’ve heard the phrase. You may have even seen it on a billboard: WWJD – “What Would Jesus Do”.  So if we see a person in need or we have a conflict situation with a friend, family member, or co-worker we should seek to question ourselves on the way in which our heavenly Father would handle that specific situation. We should ask ourselves what would Jesus do in this situation?  I think it’s a great way to think yet, I know exactly how I would handle this situation.  I’ve often told my colleagues on various occasions that “Ms. Lee is about to leave take heed because Tracy Niccole is about to come out”.   In all seriousness, Tracy Niccole does not filter…She’s blunt, brutally honest, and not very nice. Now there are different stages of her depending on the situation, but I have to kill her daily.  It may sound crazy, but daily I’m faced (many of us) with struggles and difficulties and temptations that require me to kill the flesh.  So, this reminder of WWJD is great advice.  Jesus is our role model…and it is HE that we should emulate.  We have to get away from who we used to be.  I’ve heard other people say, “Girl, if I wasn’t saved” or “She lucky I’m saved”.  It’s funny, but we have to remember that we’re not that person anymore.  That person is dead. 

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.

Do you struggle to do what Jesus would do??

How many of us acknowledge what Jesus would do…but then don’t do it? It’s a BIG reason why non-Christians look at Christians and label us hypocrites.  Whatever we say we must do.  We can’t simply say one thing (which is you just talking) and then not do it.  To be a true disciple of Jesus Christ, we must take action. Until we do this consistently, outsiders will continue to look at us as all talk, and no action.

What does it mean to "struggle" with something?

I have had the opportunity to speak with several men who say they have struggle with lust.   In my opinion, when they say they struggle with lust I believe that they mean that the try to fight against it, but the temptation gives in and they end up giving in to their lusts.  These same men will say that they are trying not to sin.  Well, how are you trying?  Are you watching the company that you keep?  Are you avoiding television shows that promote lust and a desire for sex?  Are you foregoing music with sexual lyrics?  How are you showing God that you are trying to fight against it?  If we keep doing what we’ve always done we’ll always get the same results.  SO what are you doing differently?  How has your mind set been changed?  Can they actually say that they are trying to overcome lust? Will God believe them when they say that they tried?

I’m not saying that a Christian will not have struggles with temptation. I’m simply saying that when a Christian is tempted, he/she must love God more than the temptation.

Luke 13:24-27

“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because I tell you, many will try to enter and won’t be able once the homeowner gets up and shuts the door. Then you will stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up for us!’ He will answer you, ‘I don’t know you or where you’re from.’ Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets!’ But He will say, ‘I tell you, I don’t know you or where you’re from. Get away from Me, all you workers of unrighteousness!’”

We are promised that no temptation will be too difficult for us because God will make a way for us to stand up under every temptation.

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.

A Christian is someone who struggles against sin and then gains the victory through Christ who gives him strength. Christians do struggle with sin...and then get the victory through faith.  Rather than asking the question "What Would Jesus Do?," a better question for most people to ask themselves would be: "What Would Jesus Have ME Do?".

 Be blessed,

~ Tracy                                                 

Here's Pinky Promise STL!! Wonderful group of women that I feel priviledged to have met that simply love Jesus and have a desire to know more of Him. Check out Heather Lindsey's blog for more info about the group.   

Time Well Spent…With Christ!

I had a recent conversation with a friend of mine just the other day.  She talks a lot more than me, but we hadn’t talked in such a long time that we were playing catch up because so much time had passed.  We talked about work and school and family, and some of this and that, but the conversation went well into the night.  I was happy to be able to catch up with her and wished that our lives weren’t so complex that we didn’t have to wait weeks and months before connecting with one another.  As usual (because that’s the type of relationship we have), we talked about Christ. I absolutely love it when I’m able to have a conversation and Jesus pops His way in there.  Thank you JesusJ!  We ended our night after a few hours of catch up, and I managed to spend a few moments praying before I passed out because it was late.  The next day, my heart was heavy.  I was mad at myself for only giving God a few moments of my time. 

Hence where this topic comes from.  We have to make God a priority and not something that comes in when time allows or presents itself.  I want to be known as a person who diligently seeks to know Him. 

What causes us to want to spend time with Christ?   ♥ What exactly does spending time with the Lord mean? ♥ As someone new (or old) to the Christian faith, how do we encourage others to set time aside for Him? ♥ How do we encourage ourselves that in the midst of everything that spending time with Christ is a priority? ♥ How much time should you give daily? ♥ What are we supposed to do during that time?

As Christians we have to spend time with our Father.  You can’t expect to know Him if you don’t spend time getting to know Him. We live in a world that is full of relationships.  We have relationships with our parents, friends, brothers, sisters, colleagues, aunts, uncles, cousins, husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, church members, school peers, professors, acquaintances, teachers, grandparents, etc.  Our world is full of relationships!  With that being said, how do we develop those relationships as well as the one with Christ without putting Christ on the back burner?  In fact, where does our relationship with Christ fit in with the ever growing list of things to do, work, and family?

Without having quality time with Jesus our relationship is nothing more than an acquaintance. Do you really want to simply be an acquaintance of Jesus?  I just wanna dig into this a little deeper because I think it’s important for our understanding. Acquaintance is defined as 1) One's slight knowledge of or friendship with someone 2) Knowledge of a person acquired by a relationship less intimate than friendship. 3) Someone you know a little, who is not a close friend.  Does this sound like your relationship and knowledge of Jesus?  People, we have to do better.  WAKE UP!

Philippians 3:8-11

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.  I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! (New Living Translation)

Know that if your relationship with Christ is lacking and you haven’t been as good a friend as you should have to the Lord; take heart.  God has provided a way.  Isn’t it amazing to know that God has provided a way for you to turn your life and your relationship around?  You can simply say, “Lord, I don’t want to be just your acquaintance.  I’m sorry for not treating you like the almighty God that you are. I want to know you as more than a mere acquaintance.  From this day forward Lord God, I will know you and you will know me like never before. Amen”

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (King James)

In developing a relationship with Christ, there has to be a sense of need.  We have to recognize that we are absolutely nothing in ourselves.  Our motivation to spend time with the Lord is “an ever deepening realization” of our need of Him.  Knowing our sense of need in Christ allows us to seek Him and spend time with Him.  If we don’t know or think that we need Christ we’re not going to make time for Him.  Why would we?  We need Christ in all facets of our lives; therefore we have to make an effort to spend time with Him daily.  I need him to guide me, keep me, clothe me, teach me, feed me, and comfort me.  I need Him for EVERYTHING.  There is nothing that Tracy is capable of doing on her own.  Because of this need and desire for Christ I want to spend time with Him. This sense of need becomes the reason why we seek Christ.  

By daily spending time with the Lord, we are putting ourselves in a position for transformation to take place.  If we truly want God to transform our lives we will be strongly motivated to sit in His presence and endure the process of transformation.  The process of transformation.  I like the way that sounds.  As Christians we want to be transformed and God is committed to transforming our lives through this relationship with Him.  How is that done?  By earnestly seeking Him and spending time with Him.  This requires that we set aside time regularly.  Not when time presents itself and not when you have a free moment after you’ve taken care of everything else.  When making time for Christ remember who He is and all that He has done for you.  You’re not just making time for some random person; you are making time for The Father.  Because of who He is, we should always have time set aside for Him.  He has to fit into our schedules.  That’s a requirement! I like to create habit in my life.  When spending time with Jesus, I do it every day at the same time.  Some people like the morning, others mid-day, and many (like me) prefer night.  Whatever time you choose, be consistent.  Make sure the time you choose you are dedicated to spending time with Him and studying His Word.  Some say it takes 21 days to form a new habit.  Well make spending time with Jesus your new habit.  Take the 21 day challenge.  Set time aside everyday at the same time and spend it anyway you choose with Christ.  See where you are in 21 days. 

So I challenge you.  Can you spend quality uninterrupted time with God through prayer, worship, studying, and/or hearing His voice for 21 days? 

2 Corinthians 3:18

“And we all with unveiled face, beholding and reflecting as a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord Spirit.”\

Without spending time with the Lord, there is no possibility for us to experience a solid transformation.  This scripture shows us the process that is to be taken place by those that desire to be transformed.  As we behold the glory of the Lord in His Word we are then changed into His image.  We are infused with the elements of what He is.   What we behold we become.  Think about that for a moment.  What we behold we become.  What types of things do you behold??

I used to be a fan of reality TV.  I still am.  I only use the word in past tense because my schedule doesn’t allow me to watch it and keep up with the latest episodes as I would like, but believe me if I had the time I would certainly be in front of the TV daily watching the ever unfolding drama of The Housewives of Atlanta, Basketball Wives, Keeping up with the Kardashians, Jerseylicious, The Bachelor, and so on.    What’s funny is that I enjoy these shows, but the reality is are these things the things I am beholding.  I think of it in this way.  A person that spends hours watching reality TV or just television in general will eventually begin to reflect, mirror, or imitate those things they have been beholding.  We become influenced by these things.  In contrast when we spend time with Christ beholding Him we reflect Him.  That should be the ultimate desire.  The result of beholding Him is to be changed into the likeness of Christ.  “When the people of God look into the Word of God and see the glory of God, the spirit of God transforms them to be like the son of God”. 

There is true value in spending time with Christ that I want us all to experience.  So I encourage you all to get out your bibles, journals, note cards, and start spending time with The Father. 

Time well spent is Time spent with Christ.

Love you all,

-Tracy

(Me, in Memphis this past weekend)

So you’ve decided to go Natural, huh?

Kinda sorta, Maybe, We’ll see how it goes, taking it one day at a time, no true commitment, thinking about it, I don’t know…

Whoever said going natural was a walk in the park had to be out of their everlasting God-giving mind.  This “natural” hair thing is nothing but a process.  Maybe I would call it an emotional rollercoaster, which in many ways is just like my life so then I guess this is all a part of my process J.
So I’ve been on this pseudo mission to go natural for some time and although I had this small desire to go natural it was something I never really thought that I could ever do.  I’m such a pretty girl and I really do mean that in the literal sense.  I’ve always been told how cute I am and unfortunately our society and culture has caused people (me) to believe that hair makes you beautiful.  Honestly, I have at times began to think if I would somehow be less cute or less attractive because of the idea of being natural.  This may sound like ISSUES, but I speak the truth.  MY thoughts are my true feelings and in many ways things that others would think, but dare not say. 

I’ve toiled with the idea of, ‘What the Heck am I going to look like with no hair?  What does my natural hair even look like?  Is it kinky, does it have a twist or a curl, God forbid it’s a nappy black girl mess. LOL! I mean this in all seriousness.  These are all the questions that flood my mind as it relates to ME going natural.  But then I re member, there is no greater beauty than the real you.  The you that God created you to be.  Remember, God looks at your heart.  I desire to honor God whole heartedly therefore if being natural is something I want “to try” then just do it Tracy. 

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

Ok so moving forward, I made a decision.  It wasn’t a firm decision because I didn’t think that I was ready to make the commitment, but I was going to see if I could actually do this.  The past year I had contemplated the idea of going through this process, but with many reservations and reluctance.  I wondered at the time why was I afraid to make this commitment to this journey of natural hair?? What was/is the big deal?  I told my mom and my sisters.  They just assumed this was just another day of Tracy saying she was going natural again for like the millionth time.  Mind you, I had told them repeatedly, time and time again about how I was going to be natural now.  It usually occurred when I had just gotten a perm. “Ok this is the last perm, I’m going natural” and needless to say eight weeks later when my “new growth” was beginning to take shape there I was again getting a perm and telling my mom and sisters  “Ok I promise, this is the last one”.  I cried wolf.  Over and over again.   Then finally I made a true commitment.  Maybe I should say promise to myself.  It still was: kinda sorta, we’ll see how it goes, taking it one day at a time BUT I took out the maybe and thinking about it.  I promised that I was going to attempt and make an effort to go back to my natural hair. 

When I made this new commitment I told a few people, but knowing me they didn’t think that I could do it.  Now if you challenge me I WILL do it.  So it’s been six months now of this process.  And it’s a day-to-day fight with my hair.  My hair doesn’t cooperate at all.  But it is interesting to see my hair make small transformations.  I’m liking it!  It still scares me and I still can’t believe that I’m embarking on this journey to natural hair. 

In addition to fighting with my hair, I’ve found people to feel quite negatively about black women choosing to go natural.  What the heck??  Don’t we have enough obstacles as black women!  Already, I’ve been confronted with “Why?” or “What you doing that for?”  or “You’re too cute to be natural” or “I wouldn’t do that if I were you?”  I pray that women learn to accept themselves for who they are because we sadly live in a world that is full of prejudices and narrow-mindedness.  They say being natural is liberating.  Well I guess time will tell.  In the end, going natural is a process.  The transition involves a lot of time, patience, and effort on your part. 

Last thing, I think I’m going to do the Big Chop soon.  Pray for me.  It freaks me out, but its time (maybe).  I mean, IT’S JUST HAIR!! 

♥ Tracy

Be Blessed!

My sister, Kelly who’s been natural before recently cut her hair off AGAIN. She looks so cute J!

Luke 10:27

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself" --Luke 10:27

No doubt it sounds strange, but in order to love God with all your strength, you have to admit you are weak. "I am weak Lord."  By doing this, you acknowledge God is the true source of your strength, and that in your weakness, he is strong. You become strong as you become totally dependent upon him, allowing his strength to work through you.

As you allow God to be your strength – to show his strength through you – you’ll find yourself doing things you never thought possible. God promises you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. (Philippians 4:13)

God is strong, and he wants you strong. He will change you in places where you cannot change yourself, and he will transform the broken places of your life in order to use them for his glory.

God doesn’t ask you to take steps of faith alone; God is with you in every step, filling you with a grace-charged strength. 

Simply put, this is what life is all about: knowing God and living for His glory. As Rick Warren said, “You were made by God and for God and until you understand that, life will never make sense.”

-Tracy :)

What are you THANKFUL for?

Although I know just how important it is to be thankful, I learned some years ago the true significance of it. I was presented with a challenge of writing out 100 things that I’m thankful for.  Initially I didn’t want to do it.  I mean, “I’m Thankful for EVERYHTING” that’s all there was to it right?!?!…or so I thought until I began to list item by item, piece by piece, thing by thing of everything that I’m thankful for. 

SO here’s my list (in no specific order)

1. Jesus Christ, My Lord & Savior: THANK YOU JESUS!!! I simply can’t say it enough.  Where would I be with your unwavering love for me. 
2. My Mom
3. My Dad
4. My Sisters: Wouldn’t trade these two for the world.  I love them!
5. My Friends: I know if I named them all individually from amazing acquaintances to true friends, I would be done with my list.  I  don't have a large number of really close friends, but I do know there are a lot of people, who I can count on, who care about me, and who want only the best for me.  I value them all and appreciate their presence in my life. 
6. Good Health: At the age of 31, I’m happy to say that I’ve never had any major health issues and above all that’s an incredible blessing. 
7. God’s Holy Word: The Bible
8. Being an American:  I think too often we take for granted the many luxuries we have as American citizens.  I love this country!  It may not be perfect, but what place is?  When you think and learn about other countries and cultures you realize just what how many freedoms we have every day.  
9. The Struggles: Oh MY! I’m thankful for all the things I’ve gone through.  Through all the tears all the things I thought I would never get out of, BUT God saw fit to bring me out and teach me some everlasting lessons.    
10. Gift of Sight: What an amazing gift. 
11. Hearing: The thousands of fibers that are found in our ears that allow us to have the sense of sound. 
12. The ability to Speak: What a tremendous blessing to be able to verbally communicate
13. Strangers: Maybe it’s just me, but I often times meet strangers that out of the blue offer a word of encouragement, unexpected help, or a smile.  I’m grateful for the kindness of strangers. 
14. People that just Listen: People that take the time to just listen.  They sit still and listen to me with all their heart as I pour out things that are heavy on my heart. Thank you!
15. Church Families:  I have been known to bounce around the last few years, but I’m thankful to God for the people that I have met that have inspired me and blessed me greatly. 
16. My Students (past, present, & future): It’s what I do and what I love.  Even in the midst of all the craziness (teachers understand), I love them to death. 
17. Laughter: In a nutshell, I love laughter.  Love to laugh. 
18. Home: Thanks for keeping a roof over my head daily.  I’ve never had to wonder where I would sleep.  What a wonderful blessing!
19. Water
20. Books:  For all the books from where I’ve gained knowledge and wisdom.  From textbooks, to fiction, to nonfiction, to magazines, to journals, ect…
21. Being able to Pray & Worship: Many other countries don’t have the same privileges as we do.  Thank God!
22. Technology:  Technology has helped us connect and have made our lives easier and convenient.
23. The Seasons: Summer, Fall, Winter, & Spring.  Something special about each of them.
24. Air in the summer
25. Heat in the winter
26. My Dog: China He’s getting so old and I love that little dog. 
27. God sending His Son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross for my sins
28. The fact that we can conduct bible studies in our homes and in public places without being arrested or oppressed
29. Forgiveness: THANK YOU JESUS
30. God’s Grace
31. The Holy Spirit
32. My Nieces: Amaya, Amber, & Hannah.  Love those three to pieces!
33. My Job: A blessing to bless others every day.
34. Support
35. Accomplishing Goals:  I’m such a goal setter.  I’m thankful for God for putting direction in my life and allowing me to achieve many of the things I desire most. 
36. Holidays: Especially Christmas, Thanksgiving, & Easter
37. Blogs: Being able to connect with like minded people. 
38. Internet: Valuable resource
39. Oxygen: Every breath that I take
40. My Immune System: fights infection and sickness from my body keeping me strong & healthy
41. Generosity of people I’m blessed with
42. The sound of Rain:  I love the sound of rain!  It’s so relaxing and calming.  Perfect for sleeping.  Have you ever just walked in the rain?  You should try it J
43. Hot Showers: Who wants a cold shower??...not me J
44. The Ocean: I love the smell of it. 
45. Gospel Music:  And some gospel rap
46. Facebook: Who would have thought that this would have made my list?!?! LOL!
47. Moments of Silence:  Those quiet moments when its just you and God. 
48. Fresh Snow: I don’t like the cold weather, but I can appreciate it.  With that said, as ironic as it may sound I LOVE fresh snow.  Clean, white, & fresh.  Looks good, feels good and is actually quite beautiful. 
49. Helping Others
50. Being a nice person: I’m not perfect, but I’ve got a good heart.  Thanks to God.  I genuinely care and recognize the value in others.
51. Sushi: Okay so I threw this one in, but I do Love it!  So I’m thankful for it too!
52. Sunshine:
53. Rivers and Lakes
54. Teachers:  Some of the great people that have taught me things over the years.
55. Cameras: What a way to capture all those special moments.
56. The men and women who serve our country every day!
57. The ability to laugh at myself: it makes "awkward" moments so much more enjoyable
58. Reliable Car: Some would say it’s more than reliable, but it get me where I need to go all the time
59. A relatively orderly government: By no means is it perfect, but I think in comparison we have nothing to complain about.
60. Spring Break: WHOOO HOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
61. The power of prayer
62. Alone time with God
63. Sunrise & Sunset:  Beautiful to see.
64. Memories:  So many...good and bad
65. Girl’s Nights
66. Twitter
67. Club Fitness: The opportunity to be healthy and fit
68. A College Education
69. This Blog: A place where I can share my thoughts...
70. Moments when I just Cry:  I’m emotional at times... ok a lot of times.  LOL.
71. R&B Music
72. Premier Designs Jewelry:  My part time business.
73. Doctors, Hospitals, & Medicines.  Need I say more.
74. Health Care: Sometimes I wish I lived in Canada where all citizens have access to healthcare, because so many people need it and don’t have it. 
75. Clothes/Shoes:  My indulgence, my splurges...
76. Food:  Need I say more.
77. Cell phone: 
78. Cheering and Uplifting Others
79. Rainbows
80. Today
81. The fact that thinking of 100 things for isn’t hard: Blessing.
82. Systems of the Body:  Digestive, reproductive, nervous...can’t think of any other ones but they are all in working order...THANKS!
83. Private time with God
84. Peace
85. Close, personal relationship with Jesus
86. Daily Strength
87. Freedom
88. Friends I’ve yet to meet
89. Songs that I hear at the exact moment when I needed them
90. Old Friends: Wishing some of them I can reconnect with (miss them so...)
91. Bad Habits that I’ve overcome: Thankful that I can put some things behind me...I’m a work in progress. 
92. Financially ok during these tough economic times:
93. Homework time with my Niece:  Nothing like spending quality time with my niece Amaya helping with her homework.  We have a good time. 
94. Patience:  Word of my life J
95. Fasting Times
96. My Grandma:  She does so much and I appreciate it so much
97. Obedience
98. Setting Goals and reaching them
99. Being Me
100. I am just plain old Thankful for EVERYTHING!!!!!

I realized when I reached 100 that I could keep going easily.  I learned that making this list really put some things in my life into perspective. SO…I challenge you to start writing out 100 things you are thankful for and look at them every day for a while.  It will change your life.  Thanks for reading.  Be blessed!