Fear Factor

What we fear the most we create. Fear has a way of manifesting itself in our lives over and over again. We can run from fear but we cannot hide from fear. Fear will always catch up with us and if we don’t face it, fear will overcome us. Fear shows up in different faces, places, circumstances, and situations, but it’s all the same….it’s FEAR! I’ve always been a courageous person….walking right up to that lion and roaring back. There was no way I could let anything make me cower and besides, I love the challenges because they push me and I thrive off of them. Some might call that stupidity, but stupid, I am not. When someone says “NO,” I say to myself, ”Yes.” I can’t even count on one hand the situations I let overcome me. I’ve always been a fighter and as God is my witness, I’ve always embraced situations that most would run from. My spirit doesn’t rest if I don’t face fear.

Well, at 47, my spirit hasn’t rested because there is a fear that I have not dealt with. My fear is math and now I have to take and pass a statistics class. In my earlier years, I recall changing my major in order to get away from math and it worked. Whew! Dodged that bloody bullet! Now re-read my first paragraph. It’s back! Fear will leave you stuck. You simply cannot move forward in life when you are stuck. Yes, you can fake it, play the game, act like all is well, go about handling your business but there is still this gnawing at you. You will remain in an infantile state and will never be able to grow. You can’t take on more success because you can’t get past the basics. Well, I refuse to become stale, stagnant and allow fear (math) to keep me in bondage. It’s back and so it must be dealt with.

There is good news though. You don’t have to face this fear alone…in fact, you don’t even have to do much fighting. All you need to do is trust God and walk up to this lion. Just take a step. I’ve lived long enough to know that when I face things, they fall away and not because I wished them away. Because in this lifetime, I am not alone. I possess something so much greater than my own strength and that is our Lord’s strength. Why live life fearing, running, hiding and being afraid? Our chief source of strength that enables us to withstand fear will always be the knowledge that God is with us.

We need not fear any danger from anything natural or supernatural, small or great. It is the love of God that overshadows us and gives us victory in and over all these things. Handle your business, shut that lion down, walk up to your fear and grow. You really have nothing to fear. John 14:27 - "Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."

I DON'T SMELL ANYTHING!

You know what I have observed? The longer people live in their own stink, the more they become accustomed to it and fail to even notice. When these “stinkers” have trouble getting along with people, they always think the problem is with the other person. They never stop to look in the mirror and smell the real culprit.

Pepe Le Pew, the famous cartoon skunk, serves as a great example. He never bothered to realize that it was his stench that drove everyone away. He always saw his problem as external, and he never bothered to look within. Do you know any people like that? “Sin in others I can see, but praise the Lord there’s none in me.”

GETTING HONEST

As much as we don’t like to do it, the time is now to look soberly into the mirror of God’s Word and see what He wants us to see. Is there the stench of pride, bitterness, selfishness, anger, lust and resentment hanging on your life? Are you blaming everyone under the sun for your problems and failing to take responsibility for the way YOU are reacting to your unpleasant situation?

You and I can’t control a lot of what happens in our lives, but we can control how we respond to what happens. We can come before the Lord with a humble, tender heart and deal with sin in our own lives. We can hit the showers and let God wash us white as snow.

EARTHY OR HEAVENLY

When we sin, we smell earthy. An earthy smell is a stench in the nostrils of God. But the good news is this: through the cross of Christ, the Lord has provided all we need to take the stench of our sin to Him and be made clean, pure and fresh as a daisy. It all starts when you get real and honest before the Lord. It all starts when you quit pointing fingers at others and start looking at yourself. God wants to do a work in you. You can’t change others, but you can let the Lord change you.

The choice is yours. You can soberly deal with sin or you can go on lying to yourself, pretending all is well with you and Jesus when you know deep down that there is rottenness in your heart. You can keep smelling of earth, or you can start smelling of heaven. You can get right with God, or you can continue in your charade. Which do you choose?

unwritten…unspoken…unsung

I’ve got an unwritten book with unwritten words yet to be expressed. I’ve got unspoken words that have yet to be shared and unsung songs in my heart that have yet to be sang. Yet, each day I am hopeful that as I face each day, one more letter, word and song will be placed in my heart. I’ve got faith that as God blesses me to rise each day, I am to be in the moment and feel the presence of Him. I’ve got faith and staying power that as my life plays itself out, the pages of thought, words of expression and the gift of song will find its place like so many. It’s all a process and that is why it is important to stay close, remain open and willing to receive. I’ve got a book without pages, words unspoken and a song without a tune but I am highly inspired, highly hopeful and even more faithful that at just the right time, that perfect time, all will be delivered just as it has before. Don’t let your book collect dust, words fall on deaf ears, or song be for naught.

I know what love is...

I know what Love is….
Love! If you’ve ever felt love, ever been in love then you can’t mistake it. Love makes you want to do some crazy things. I’m talking about things that could certify you as a nutcase! Yes! That kind of love! Love forces you outside of yourself… to please the other person without thinking of yourself at all. I’ve been blessed with much love. I’ve been in love and I’ve given lots of love. I can’t help it; it’s who I am and what I am made of. God is love and if we can feel His presence, then we can experience the power of love. For those who love, keep loving. For those who struggle with giving love, let yourself go and move toward it and for those who struggle with receiving love, open your heart, take a chance and experience the wonders of love. There is nothing on this earth more powerful. You will be fascinated with love and once you’ve truly experienced love you will never be able to live without it. Say Yes to Love. Don’t wait until tomorrow, Say Yes to Love Today.
Love truly, always and forever Tori!

The Choice is Yours

Even when we know we are doing wrong, we still can’t help ourselves because we have convinced ourselves that just for the moment; I need to choose this behavior. Why is it that knowing that one day, we will all have to account for every single one of our actions, we still choose the behavior that we know God does not approve of? What’s worse is that we’ve convinced ourselves that we are saved, are Christians and can be forgiven, so we decide to please ourselves by hurting others, believing that our ticket to eternal life is guaranteed.

Why is it that some simply refuse to make an effort to improve their lives through sacrifice and hard work? It’s easier to believe that God wants for us what we want for ourselves and therefore, God will grant it. Let me be real clear for you.. God is so much more powerful than you or I. HE does not think as we do, act as we do, sin as we do and choose as we do. HE Is God!

Men are called men for a reason, yet so many men fail to understand what the true definition is. A real man is a Godly man. A man with honor, who loves and serves God unconditionally. A real man will protect, provide and put himself last to ensure he has cared for those who God has given him. A real man will know and love who he is and will want to be all the man he can be for himself, those who depend on him and God.

Women are called women for a reason, yet so many women fail to understand what the true definition is. Women are the brides of Christ. She is a caregiver, lover, nurturer and supporter, yet she sells herself short each time she engages in behavior that is not becoming and pleasing to God.

We are all given these titles and more for a reason, yet day by day, we consciously choose to ignore. Day by day, we choose not to love and day by day we choose to behave in such a way that would bring tears to any mother’s eyes if it were his last.
You don’t have to believe me. You don’t even have to like or agree with what I am writing, but one day you will have to answer to an authority so much higher than you. One day, you will have to recall each time you hurt someone and knew it, did not honor or love your wife or husband, ignored your children, did not live up to your obligations, lied, cheated, stole, manipulated or wavered in your faith to make it convenient for you.

You will have to answer to not knowing how to drive in life when you had the manual all along. You will have to answer to manipulation, selfishness, being controlling and trying to even outwit God. Even when we know we are doing wrong, we still can’t help ourselves because we have convinced ourselves that just for the moment; I need to choose this behavior. No you don’t! Choose God's way.

Father ~ Father

Father~ Father

I could not have hand picked a better father for my daughters. A man who is committed, loving, unquestionably and undeniably 100% dedicated to his daughters. I've never quite understood the chemistry they have for him, one that simply does not allow me in, but I surmise that's the mystery of a father and his daughters. When his smile looks upon them, my heart skips a beat. His smile becomes so wide and although no words may come out of his mouth, anyone witnessing this will know that it's pure and unconditional love.

When he speaks, they listen. When he advises, they take it. When he comforts, they ease into his arms like a small child. They run to him with their cares and concerns because they know their father will always have the answers. He is their cure. He is upright. His actions, conduct, attitude and purpose is always filled with good intentions toward them. With as much love as I have for my daughters, I as their mother can't compare to the type of love he has for them. This love has to be celebrated. There are not many feelings that can touch me than when my daughters say, "Mom, we have the best father in the world. " I know what they mean. I have a Father too.

Father, thank you for blessing me with the gift of two daughters and for blessing them with a Father who, like you, would lay down his life for them.

Friends are another one of God's blessings

All of my life, I have had friends, I thought. They've enriched my life and I pray I have done the same for them. But lately, I've been really thinking about the true definition of a friend. Websters Dictionary describes a friend as "a person you know well and regard with affection and trust." That short definition is true, but I desire to add on to that definition based on my experience with friendship.

Not everyone is a friend. We have associates, co-workers, neighbors and casual acquaintances. Some of these people can not be trusted and frankly, some we really don't know all that well although we may see them everyday.

A friend to me is someone who has not judged, someone who can tell you the truth in the spirit of love and with no hidden agendas. A friend can cry and laugh with you. A friend can get angry at you but then realize that the friendship is much greater than the anger they hold. A friend will love you unconditionally and will always want your best. A friend is your cheerleader, coach, counselor, mentor, leader, and when necessary your truth serum.

So while I started off by saying that "All of my life, I have had friends," really, all of my life I have had plenty of associates, co-workers, neighbors and casual acquaintances. Being a friend and having a friend is a tall order and not many people can handle this kind of responsibility.

I have been blessed with a few good friends and I thank God for them. So, thank you:

Arnetta (My sister)
Lisa (My alter ego)
Glenda (Accountability Partner, Sister from another mister, Ace in the hole)
Cheryl (B-More)
Carol (Curl)
Lori (LoDuck)
Christal (Roomie)
Jacquie (Jaqs)
Denise (Dennie)

These are the people who have allowed me to come into their lives and who have come into mine and been a blessing. Pick your friends wisely as not all people have earned the right to be your friend and for those who have, bless them and thank God for them.