Tomorrow is my birthday, so I'm taking a little time off to celebrate my Earth Day!
I was cleaning my refrigerator and received a Word. Some of us need to discard a few people and things that no longer edify or nourish us physically, mentally, or spiritually. I'm using Clorox in the frig, but what kind of disinfectant do you need today?
I pray all is well with you and yours. I pray today for not only those who gave their lives for our country, but also for those family and friends who continue to grieve. I also pray that the minds and spirits of all veterans will be renewed this day!
Continue to Look and Live,
Arlecia
Monday, May 25, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
There’s Still Power in the Name
Proverbs 18:10 (NIV)
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.
Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV)
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
On Sunday, I went for a walk in a wooded area near my home. It’s a trail maintained by two cities, so it is paved, marked, and there is a sign reminding users that all pets should remain on leashes.
One thing very few people know about me, is I do not like dogs. I do not like big ones, small ones, friendly ones, seeing eye ones, none. We had two dogs at home while I was growing up. I have baby pictures with Skippy, but I do not recall liking him that much either. Then there was prince, my grandfather’s friend. He would bark when my car arrived, but he knew I belonged to his family even though I did not like him jumping up all over me. If you do not want me to come to your house, just tell me you have a dog.
As a reporter, I always got the animal assignments and that was never a good thing.
On Sunday, I was energized and excited about my walk until, that is, I saw this big black dog running through the woods. “Oh, Lord.” I could not outrun him and if I went in the woods snakes and deer would greet me. I have previously encountered them during my walks. On the way to the trail, I had picked up a tree limb off the ground, so I was packing. I slid behind a few bushes. As the dog approached, I pointed my stick and yelled at the top of my lungs, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus…” There were no other bikers or joggers in site to rescue me. The dog got a few feet near me and he just stopped running. I kept screaming as the dog just looked around. I cannot say what took place, I only know that the dog just kept on running and left me alone. I hustled down the track only to find the dog’s irresponsible owners looking for him. Of course, I had to remind them that they had not followed the rules of the trail by unleashing their dog. I wished for a citizen’s arrest.
To avoid another dog encounter, I exited the trail and continued home via a main highway that added another 1.5+ miles to my walk. Now my adrenaline is rushing and my heart rate and blood pressure are up, so what was my lesson for this day? There is Power in the name of Jesus.
So often, other choice words come to mind when we are under attack or in trouble, but know today that your situation can change when you call on His name. I am not sure if the dog in the woods stopped because He saw angels, what I do know is that he did not get a chance to see or taste my thigh. If demons tremble at the name (James 2:19), I can only imagine a dog’s plan to attack could change.
I am thankful today that I can call His name and trust that He will answer!
Going From Recession to Possession and Walking in My Blessings!
Arlecia
P.S. This morning I returned to the trail for a 3.5 mile walk. I have to exercise to maintain my sanity and control the jiggle in my wiggle. I couldn't resist. LOL! No dogs today!
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.
Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV)
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
On Sunday, I went for a walk in a wooded area near my home. It’s a trail maintained by two cities, so it is paved, marked, and there is a sign reminding users that all pets should remain on leashes.
One thing very few people know about me, is I do not like dogs. I do not like big ones, small ones, friendly ones, seeing eye ones, none. We had two dogs at home while I was growing up. I have baby pictures with Skippy, but I do not recall liking him that much either. Then there was prince, my grandfather’s friend. He would bark when my car arrived, but he knew I belonged to his family even though I did not like him jumping up all over me. If you do not want me to come to your house, just tell me you have a dog.
As a reporter, I always got the animal assignments and that was never a good thing.
On Sunday, I was energized and excited about my walk until, that is, I saw this big black dog running through the woods. “Oh, Lord.” I could not outrun him and if I went in the woods snakes and deer would greet me. I have previously encountered them during my walks. On the way to the trail, I had picked up a tree limb off the ground, so I was packing. I slid behind a few bushes. As the dog approached, I pointed my stick and yelled at the top of my lungs, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus…” There were no other bikers or joggers in site to rescue me. The dog got a few feet near me and he just stopped running. I kept screaming as the dog just looked around. I cannot say what took place, I only know that the dog just kept on running and left me alone. I hustled down the track only to find the dog’s irresponsible owners looking for him. Of course, I had to remind them that they had not followed the rules of the trail by unleashing their dog. I wished for a citizen’s arrest.
To avoid another dog encounter, I exited the trail and continued home via a main highway that added another 1.5+ miles to my walk. Now my adrenaline is rushing and my heart rate and blood pressure are up, so what was my lesson for this day? There is Power in the name of Jesus.
So often, other choice words come to mind when we are under attack or in trouble, but know today that your situation can change when you call on His name. I am not sure if the dog in the woods stopped because He saw angels, what I do know is that he did not get a chance to see or taste my thigh. If demons tremble at the name (James 2:19), I can only imagine a dog’s plan to attack could change.
I am thankful today that I can call His name and trust that He will answer!
Going From Recession to Possession and Walking in My Blessings!
Arlecia
P.S. This morning I returned to the trail for a 3.5 mile walk. I have to exercise to maintain my sanity and control the jiggle in my wiggle. I couldn't resist. LOL! No dogs today!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Don’t Jump
Last week was one for the record books. In addition to having a virus, I had to make one of the most difficult decisions of my academic career. I am a soprano but I sounded like a bass; I did not have time to be ill. While I could not physically sit up on Tuesday, on Wednesday, I got the supernatural strength needed to put out the acres of fires spreading in my life. Around noon on Wednesday, I was simply through dealing. I was crying, blowing my nose, and trying to keep it together. I had prayed, but I needed to talk. I reached for my home phone and quickly scanned through the Caller ID for the Ohio call. The phone just rang, and rang, and rang, and I was about to hang up before hearing “hello.” I said the same and just started groanin’.and moanin’. I did not have to say much more. My sister friend/ prayer partner knew in that moment that I was under an attack. I did not go into that much detail about the situation before she responded as if she were a village elder. We are about the same age, but that homegrown Southern wisdom knew exactly what to say. She reminded me of God’s promises and rebuked me for any statements that did not line up with it. “We don’t receive that report,” she said to such comments. For example, earlier in that day I had spoken with one of my professors and had said, “I’ll leave here empty handed with no degree before I leave here without my sanity. Twenty years from now another degree won’t do me any good if I’m crazy.” From the very beginning, I promised myself I was going to complete this degree in my right mind.
Before we prayed together, she reminded me, “You are the descendant of the ones who chose to live.” By this time, I was having one of those Elizabeth and Mary moments where the baby is leaping. What she was referring to was the Middle Passage, the middle leg of the voyage for African slaves on their way to the New World. Whether through sickness or suicide, it is estimated that 10 to 20 percent of Africans did not survive the journey. Some jumped overboard while others starved themselves to death. (I feel sick even considering the travelling conditions. You can read basic info about the passage at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part1/1p277.html)
We each prayed and encouraged one another. I felt a release in my spirit after I hung up, and all I could hear was “don’t jump.” I had no plans of taking my life, but it was a situation where I could have lost my mind if I did not have something larger to embrace.
Beloved, I could not wait for the flames to cool so I could sit down and write this entry.
Recently, we have all seen the reports of people taking their lives and that of their family members due in part to our nation’s financial crisis. For many, life has become too hard to navigate. Just last year, my town dealt with a similar case after a former banker took the life of his wife and their four adopted kids. I will never forget the photo of the six white caskets on the front page of the newspaper.
“Things couldn’t get that bad,” we say as we hear these reports. Last week was bad, but something deep down inside of me reminded me that I had to run on to see what the end was going to be. My prayer partner’s words reinforced that. Since being here, I have heard of the suicide of at least one graduate student. In addition to the stress that comes with the territory, he was living with mental illness. “There but for the grace of God, go I.”
Life is hard.
Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 that although we are cast down we are unconquered. If you are more familiar with Mary J. Blige, you may recall she said it like this, “I came to the edge of the ledge, but I didn’t jump. ‘My life’ will sum it up; you can’t hold a good woman down.”
No matter how we deal with our issues, the most important thing is that we deal with them. While prayer and faith in God definitely works, we may also need to seek the help of professional counselors and therapists. While some things can only be worked out with prayer and fasting, others may require medical intervention. It is okay to say the load is too heavy. It is also just fine to say the word some of us have banished from our vocabularies: NO. Last week, someone asked about my blog and I explained that if I had anything left it was on reserve. I needed it to encourage myself.
The month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Thursday, May 7 is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. This month, take the time to assess your mental health. As I mentioned earlier, I cannot complete my divine assignment if my mind is not right. The same holds true for you. Most insurance plans or employers cover counseling visits and there are free services available from various agencies in each community.
No matter how you choose to deal with your issues, just remember these two words: “don’t jump.” God is not through with you yet!
I thank God for those of you who keep me lifted in prayer. May God continue to bless and keep all of you in health and peace!
Arlecia
Before we prayed together, she reminded me, “You are the descendant of the ones who chose to live.” By this time, I was having one of those Elizabeth and Mary moments where the baby is leaping. What she was referring to was the Middle Passage, the middle leg of the voyage for African slaves on their way to the New World. Whether through sickness or suicide, it is estimated that 10 to 20 percent of Africans did not survive the journey. Some jumped overboard while others starved themselves to death. (I feel sick even considering the travelling conditions. You can read basic info about the passage at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part1/1p277.html)
We each prayed and encouraged one another. I felt a release in my spirit after I hung up, and all I could hear was “don’t jump.” I had no plans of taking my life, but it was a situation where I could have lost my mind if I did not have something larger to embrace.
Beloved, I could not wait for the flames to cool so I could sit down and write this entry.
Recently, we have all seen the reports of people taking their lives and that of their family members due in part to our nation’s financial crisis. For many, life has become too hard to navigate. Just last year, my town dealt with a similar case after a former banker took the life of his wife and their four adopted kids. I will never forget the photo of the six white caskets on the front page of the newspaper.
“Things couldn’t get that bad,” we say as we hear these reports. Last week was bad, but something deep down inside of me reminded me that I had to run on to see what the end was going to be. My prayer partner’s words reinforced that. Since being here, I have heard of the suicide of at least one graduate student. In addition to the stress that comes with the territory, he was living with mental illness. “There but for the grace of God, go I.”
Life is hard.
Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 that although we are cast down we are unconquered. If you are more familiar with Mary J. Blige, you may recall she said it like this, “I came to the edge of the ledge, but I didn’t jump. ‘My life’ will sum it up; you can’t hold a good woman down.”
No matter how we deal with our issues, the most important thing is that we deal with them. While prayer and faith in God definitely works, we may also need to seek the help of professional counselors and therapists. While some things can only be worked out with prayer and fasting, others may require medical intervention. It is okay to say the load is too heavy. It is also just fine to say the word some of us have banished from our vocabularies: NO. Last week, someone asked about my blog and I explained that if I had anything left it was on reserve. I needed it to encourage myself.
The month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Thursday, May 7 is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. This month, take the time to assess your mental health. As I mentioned earlier, I cannot complete my divine assignment if my mind is not right. The same holds true for you. Most insurance plans or employers cover counseling visits and there are free services available from various agencies in each community.
No matter how you choose to deal with your issues, just remember these two words: “don’t jump.” God is not through with you yet!
I thank God for those of you who keep me lifted in prayer. May God continue to bless and keep all of you in health and peace!
Arlecia
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