Therefore encourage one another and edify one another, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Past Pain: Minister LaTanya Scott

When my very good friend LaTanya Scott posted this message on Facebook, I knew immediately I had to share with my Sisters.  I know this is going to bless someone.
 
Beloved friends, don't be so consumed by your PAST PAIN, that you miss out on your PRESENT & FUTURE BLESSINGS! Oh, I understand you've been hurt my friend; I know you have been betrayed, rejected and cast aside by those who claimed to have loved you. I get that you have been lied on, the center of gossip, spit on, trampled upon, ostracized and criticized. I feel your pain because I have experienced all of those things to; and so has EVERYONE else to one degree or another! But we cannot use the PAST as a weapon against those people or circumstances God has placed in our lives TODAY- or we will CONTINUE the downward cycle! We have got to STOP using the PAST as a STUMBLING BLOCK, and instead CHOOSE to use it as a STEPPING STONE which leads us closer to the CHIEF CORNERSTONE (Jesus!) **WE HAVE TO STOP ALLOWING THE PAST TO KEEP US IN BONDAGE WHEN THROUGH CHRIST, WE HAVE BEEN MADE FREE!** Stop RESURRECTING that which GOD has long ago LAID TO REST! So many of us are so busy LOOKING BACK on what we LOST or NEVER HAD (that we longed for); that we are MISSING OUT on what is RIGHT NOW, RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR FACES! And by that same token, don't be so consumed by the GOOD either, that you miss out on the even GREATER things God has in store! Somebody better read about Lot's wife! Selah.... ~Minister LaTanya Scott~

{Genesis 19:17, 26}- So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that he said, “Escape for your life! DO NOT LOOK BEHIND YOU nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed.” 26 But his wife LOOKED BACK from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

{Philippians 3:13-14}- Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, FORGETTING THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE BEHIND and REACHING FORWARD TO THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE AHEAD, 14 I PRESS TOWARD the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

 Copyright © 2012

LaTanya Scott
Women Arise Ministries/Founder
 http://womenarise.webs.com/

Monday, April 9, 2012

Music Monday

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Romans 10:9-11

Sunday, April 1, 2012

April (SIS) Sister in the Spotlight: Clarissa Johnson

Lighthouses were created with a purpose. Lighthouses symbolize safety, guidance & integrity. Lighthouses provide hope & vision. Lighthouses exist because storms & darkness exists. Lighthouses are a perfect example of . . . . . Clarissa Johnson

Clarissa is an ordained Minister, Motivational Speaker and Inspirational Life Coach. She is a native of Thomson, Georgia and currently resides in Savannah, Georgia with her husband and two daughters.

Given a lighthouse as a gift by a friend, revealed her true purpose in life—to be a source of light in dark situations. She provides guidance, support, hope and vision to the world through her teachings and is affectionately loved by those who come in contact with her.

Through her willingness and obedience, Clarissa has embarked upon a new journey as author. Although it was never her dream, she embraced the challenge and now ministers from real true life experiences in her books and blogs. She allows her life to be put on display as an example for others to learn by. “I am really not the author, but just an instrument used by God to write the stories He wants told.”- Clarissa

Regarding my blog and ministry-
Once I understood my purpose, everything started falling into place. Everything that I do or involve myself with has to in some way resemble the lighthouse. My blog is entitled, A Light of Hope Inspirations, as a way to provide hope or light to everyday situations we face as people. My ministry doesn’t really have a start date; it was always here, it just took me a minute to realize my place and my purpose in the Kingdom. However, I was originally licensed in 2005, and later ordained as an Elder in 2007. As an Elder, I can minister to the whole body of Christ, but my passion and heart is women ministries.

Regarding my book-
God was the inspiration behind Sleeping With The Enemy. The book is about a woman who struggles to stay in an abusive marriage for the sake of being saved and not wanting to displease the Lord. That was me! He always seems to amaze me with the messages he leads me to share. I have noticed that in my book as well as my blogs, He uses my life experiences as a way to teach and minister to others. As far as the process in writing the book, it was difficult because it caused me to relive some very hurting situations in my life that I would rather had not revisited. However in the end, I was able to pull from those dark periods in life and watch God put together a message that will restore many marriages, heal many broken hearts, and push people closer to God. So at the end of the day, my life is not my own, but to Him I belong, I give myself to Him to use however He see fit. For autographed copies, order via my website at www.clarissajohnson.com. It can also be ordered via Amazon or Barnes &Noble.

As far as the future is concerned, I do plan to write more books. I am actually preparing to write a new book entitled, Answers To A Prayer. This story will tell a story about a prayer that was sent up and although the prayer was answered, it didn’t come the way the person expected it to come.

After reading my book, it is my prayer that the readers will leave with a sense of hope, healing, and a stronger faith in God.

My favorite scriptures are: 

1 John 5:14-15- And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.- KJV 

Romans 8:28- And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. – NLT 

Ephesians 3:20- Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.- KJV 

 To learn more about Clarissa, visit her website at www.clarissajohnson.com  and the opportunity to read the first three chapters of Sleeping With The Enemy.

Thank you Clarissa for being obedient and sharing your story. I'm sure your book will be a blessing to many.