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. 


Thursday, March 1, 2012

March (SIS) Sister In The Spotlight: Steph Adams





• Brief Bio
Stephanneth Adams is a Spiritual Life Motivator, Author, and Women's Health CNP (2012). She was born in Maryland to the proud parents Dr. Stenneth & Mrs. Stephanie Adams. Her desire is to use her God-given gifts to help foster the success of women spiritually, mentally, socially, and physiologically. Stephanneth has always found that expressing herself through writing & dance came naturally for her. She is a born Motivator.

This is a gift that she realized in her late teens that God wanted to use. After placing her life in God's hand at the age of 17, Steph began her journey of walking into her destiny. She hasn't always been a perfect woman, but God has always been there to reshape and transform her into the woman that He desires her to be. Steph believes that God has called her to live her life as an inspiration to others. Through her own life's journey she has learned life principles and how to depend on the one who supplies her needs.

EDUCATION:
Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology: pre-medicine, Union University.
Bachelors of Science Degree in Nursing, Saint Joseph's College.
Registered Nurse, Certified by State Board of Nursing
Masters of Science in Nursing 12', Women's Health CNP, Kent State.
Doctor of Nursing Practice - Future Goal


• What was your reason for beginning Lifes's Journey: Woman to Woman?
My ministry is dedicated to women specifically because I myself am a woman and have specialized in women’s health-primary care. I have always had a passion to help others and to be an impact in the world. I don’t know why, but God chose me to be a role model to young and older ladies, especially in the black community. I notice that many of us have not found our purpose in life. We are lacking educational values, sexual worth, social stamina, financial peace, marriage values, and true spirituality. We are boxed in to fit the stereotypes, even in the church. It’s time the younger generation stands up and says, you don’t have to grow through all of that to learn life lessons. You can learn from the Bible and what you have seen others endure. Younger adult women, need to see women their age doing something with their life. They need to see that it’s okay not to meet the stereotype; that you don’t have to go way down depressed lane to learn. Will they go through things? Of course, we all do, but where are those that want to build a solid foundation and walk into purpose? I also want to help the women who have built her foundation, but needs to tear it down to build a better one. Many of us are trying to walk into purpose, but haven’t done the very thing needed to do so. That thing is GET OVER ALL OF YOUR PAST! Close that door and open the door of purposeful living. You can’t walk into purpose until you have closed your past.

• Share some information regarding your book Life’s Journey: Woman to Woman: Inspiration, Motivation and Truth for the Woman's Journey.


My book is about taking a journey, a journey where you confront your past issues of life in order to heal. Not a lot of books do that. They tell you to get over your past, but don’t take you on a journey to confront the past, deal with it, forgive it, let it go, and close the door. After that section, we journey to a place of forgiveness, peace, purpose, and preparation for God and love. This book empowers, renews, restores, and refreshes you on your personal journey. Life’s Journey: Woman to Woman is available at the following Amazon and www.createspace.com/3572517 with 2$ OFF Coupon Code AUQUQ5HN

• What or who inspired you to write your book? At this point do you see any more books in your future? Was it a difficult process sharing your thoughts or translating your thoughts to paper?

I believe that God always had a purpose for me to write. I loved writing as a little girl. I remember writing about teenagers committing suicide, teen pregnancy, life struggles, and more. As a teenager, I had an incline to help others. Writing was one way to express my thoughts. It remains so today. When I was a pre-med student, my professors, used to tell me to write research articles because I wrote well. These were signs that I would eventually become an author. Writing was not a difficult process, but becoming an author was. You spend a lot of time and sacrificing to complete the project. After completing it, it has to undergo professional editing and that takes a long time, if done correctly. After that, you have to publish it and get it out there. The work is never done because marketing is a life time commitment. People won’t know of it, until it’s marketed. Becoming an author is a full time position. However, when it’s your purpose, you feel empowered.

• What would you like to leave the readers with?
I want you to know that with God everything is possible. The key is to heal from your past and find your purpose. Everyone is trying to be like someone else. It’s time to just be you. Being you may mean to be a teacher, minister, healthcare practitioner, author, home maker, or etc, but it’s who God made you to be. Begin to accept yourself and your purpose.

• Please share your favorite scripture or quote.
Of course it’s:

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26




To connect with Steph Adams visit the following:
www.lifes-journey.org
Twitter: @Journey4women
Talk show: www.blogtalkradio.com/lifesjourney

Facebook: www.facebook.com/lifesjourneywomantowoman

I would like to thank Steph Adams for taking time to share a part of what God has done and is continuing to do in her life. God Bless You!






Saturday, February 25, 2012

Let it Go and Forgive


Letting it go. How can you let go of something that has impacted your life so much that it causes you to change your lifestyle? Forgiveness causes us to release the past issues we had and move forward. When you are holding onto unforgiveness, it causes a dark cloud to come over your life. As long as you do not forgive and let go, you allow yourself to miss out on the sunshine. It’s like telling God I know you forgive me daily but I cannot forgive them for what they have done to me. If God never forgave us for our sins, we would not be blessed with all of the things we have today. Let it go and forgive. Sometimes we get so tangled up in the past that we get lost there. We do not realize all of the great things that God has blessed us with in our present, because we will not release the things of our past.

When you forgive, it allows you to say yes you hurt me but I will NO LONGER let you have me bound to the past. Never allow someone to take a piece of your mind that does not deserve it. It allows them to get a free space in your heart, mind, and spirit. Unforgiving is like feeding yourself a poisonous meal. It does not harm the other person, but it harms you. The other party is moving on with their life and you’re still stuck on what they had done previously. So who is it really hurting? If you never went through the hurtful things would you really be thankful for the things God has done for you? If you only experienced good times without experiencing bad times would you have the relationship you have with God? God allows things to happen in your life not to hurt you, but to build you. In order for God to build you, you have to come into contact with some obstacles. The obstacles are there to help you not harm you. After you overcome the first obstacle, you can be stronger for the next one. Now it is time for you to forgive not only because God forgives you but for yourself. Stop letting people and situations harm you. Instead, face it. Let it go and forgive. It’s time for you to allow the sunshine in your life in place of those dark clouds.  

13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:13-15




 
 

God's Grace,
Likyla

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

True Love

Do you really want to experience 
True Love


Love can always conquer
Whatever discord brings
And love can also cover
A multitude of things

Don't you under estimate
What love can ever do
For love is God eternal
And His love can renew

What is cold and lifeless
Now lost all hope and died
For love can breathe new meaning
And give it back new life

Please don't give up on love
When it seems that all is lost
For there is always hope
If we're prepared to pay the cost

For love is always worth it
No matter how much the price
For love will be much stronger
When we trust in Jesus Christ

So let God have full reign
Let Him live within your heart
Then you will know true love
For this He will impart

© By M.S.Lowndes