Welcome to reality where everything gets REAL
Time waits for nobody, things don't always go your way
Everything's not pretty, everything doesn't feel right
But everything is REAL
You're gonna get hurt
You just might be the one doing the hurting
You're gonna fall too hard, too fast at least once,
But you gotta keep moving cuz REALity moves right along
You're not gonna know EVERYTHHING a person's going through
And the stuff you will learn just might hurt you
People aren't naturally an open book
But you gotta keep pressing through, you just might get a look in
Life will throw major unforseen curveballs
Ones you have no control over
And the things you though you did control
Will slip right through your hands
But keep trucking, things have a way of re-aligning themselves
People will love you one day, hate you the next
Want to spend every waking moment with you
Then drop you like an old habit
But keep loving them anyway...
Far better to love than fear or hate or resent
Fear, hate, resentment eats away at your very being,
at your own soul,
Forgive, not for them but for you
You only make yourself sick and miserable by holding grudges
While they live their lives, you're at home moping around angry
Loved ones are gonna rip you apart
Especially if you don't fit their mold
Love them anyway
They only want the best for you
Never let them be your only or final influence
Always remember that the journey is yours and not theirs
Everyone is on a seperate journey to greater truth
Although paths are similar and do cross no two paths are alike
Never take anyone elses path or allow anyone else to take your path
There will be times that the things you do, the things you say
Will be misunderstood
Take joy in the fact that truth always out
Never give up on the things you feel right
Hold to your truth because it's just that...YOUR truth
Never trample over anyone else's truth
And never think that your truth is the ULTIMATE truth
People lie, people twist things around
May even turn your closest friends against you
Brush them off and move on (Easier said than done)
If they were really meant to be there then fate will bring them back to you
And never stoop to their level (Also easier said than done)
Never say what you are not, especially if you've never been tested and tried
You'll find out that you have some issues that you never knew about
Instead play to and focus on the things that you are
Every pretty face isn't perfection, and every sweet word isn't truth
But never give up on people
There is some good in everyone, even if you don't see it at first
You are blessed if you find one best friend
Extremely lucky if you find two or more
However many you find hang on to them
And never forget to tell them how much they mean to you
Violent words are never the answer
They only make you seem small and uneducated
Be careful what you say to someone
Karma does have a habit of biting back
In order to find true love you have to first let go of a past love
Your feelings for someone will never grow if you hold on to what was
It's gonna hurt like hell, but you'll be ok
All the hurt you experienced won't matter when you find new love
Also be ready to get rid of past resentment
And never bring the failures of one relationship into the next
True soulmates never leave, even if a relationship has ended
They are the ones who stick with you long after a relationship has failed
They become your best friends, sharing in your dreams, your visions
They know you best and aren't afraid to be REAL with you
They'll hurt you in order to educate you, and oddly enough you'll be greatful for it
And yes, you can have more than one.
The REALity of it all is that YOU create your REALity
YOU have to power to make things happen
YOU have the ability to change how you view things, how you see people
YOU are the maker of your destiny
And when things don't go the way YOU wanted, remember this
God, Jesus, Allah, the Universe or whoever/whatever you see as the Ultimate power is working something bigger and better
And it ALL will be REAL good to and for you!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Pentecost 2011
HAPPY PENTECOST SUNDAY!
This is the time in the Christian church where we celebrate the coming of Holy Spirit and it descending on the 120 who were gathered in the upper room on one accord, waiting for a manifestation and revelation of the presence of God. On this day we celebrate the reconciliation of that which took place at the tower of Babel. There people were separated. On Pentecost the people were restored and heard the WONDERFUL WORKS OF GOD in their own language.
Fast forward a few centuries…..
It is Pentecost Sunday in 2011 and right about now everyone could use a little bit of good news and to hear AND see the WONDERFUL WORKS OF GOD. It’s a reality that times are indeed rough and challenging. If you’re a part of the Church in the Now family/network then you know that for us as a church/network AND as individuals it has been a time of transition, transformation, and change. To borrow something from Pastor Jon Scott I am reminded of the story of the Phoenix. When a Phoenix decides that it wants to re-invent itself or that it has done all that it can in its current form and state it will return home and set not only its nest but even set itself on fire in order to be reborn from the ashes as a new creature so that it can push forward towards its destiny. I’m also reminded of John the Baptist’s words in Matthew 3 when he said “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit AND FIRE…” Now all throughout the Bible we hear about the fire of God. “For the Lord your god is a consuming FIRE(Deut 4:24)”, “…..God is a CONSUMING FIRE(Hebrews 12:28-29).” I think with all the talk about hell that comes from literal translations of the Bible we forget that the word fire itself comes from the Latin root pur which means “to purify”. So if we REALLY understand what it means to be baptized in the Holy Spirit AND with fire then we need to realize EXACTLY what that holds. Yes, it does come with some or all the gifts of the Holy Spirit and yes it gives us a level of Godly power and dominion but we also need to realize that it comes with some challenges as well. Yes the fire of God is a purifying thing but not always is the purifying process going to be easy. Just like the Phoenix we are being set up to be set ablaze, and not just with spiritual power. Most people when they first get baptized or filled with the Holy Ghost they feel as if they can take on anything that (D)evil can throw their way. Then after a while their fire “goes out.” It’s during this time that most people don’t realize that this is exactly what they asked for and what is necessary for them in order to walk in greater revelations and greater truth. They go through fiery trials and tests that usually are misperceived as a work of (D)evil. The only problem with this logic is that ALL things come from God and ALL things work together for G(o)od. To refer back to the story of the Phoenix, it knows that it must set the nest on fire in order to be reincarnated or reborn as something better.
So here’s the Word of the Lord for us on Pentecost 2011….
The Holy Spirit is still outpouring and revealing Christ IN US (Coll. 1:27). However, we need to understand that this process is not an easy one. When you sign up to be/come into the revelation that you’ve already been reconciled to Christ and you chose to do his will in the Earth then it’s not going to be an easy journey. Furthermore what you have perceived as “all hell breaking loose” really is you being purged/purified of the things that are holding you back from your destiny in God. So if you really want to embrace the things of the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire then you need to embrace the burn. Before the Phoenix re-invents itself it goes back to its nest where its made of dry and dead twigs. So basically its surrounded by a lot of dead ideas, dead relationships, dead or dying dreams that may or may have not been the fault of the Phoenix itself. But then when all the craziness is going on there’s just one thing that’s the straw in the camel’s back and rather than crying and secluding itself or leaving the nest it goes to the middle of all the dead garbage and twigs and with that one thing acting as a match or a lighter will set everything and itself on fire. So whatever has been that “thing” or situation that has broken you and left you weary after everything else has happened use it and set everything on fire. Let it not seclude you away from what God is trying to do but let it push/force you into His presence, around His people, and most importantly into your destiny. Let all the crap that isn’t truly you and all the material things/strongholds/relationships that hold you back be burned away. Life isn’t easy by a long shot and it comes with some fire. However the good news is that you’ve already been destined to come out of the fire as pure gold or as the Phoenix a new creation. Embrace the fire. Sometimes the fire is much more necessary than the water. Usually when you experience a flood it leaves behind remnants of dead/destroyed things that can be put back together. However when a fire happens it burns EVERYTHING to the point where you have to start fresh. Yes, the rain washes the dirt away and gives us a drink. But there comes a time and situations that can only be cleansed by fire. So whatever it is that has been testing you and purging you embrace it. The good news is when you go through it you’ll realize that there will come a place where (D)evil has thrown everything he/it can and yet you’re left standing. Your literally broken and not destroyed, burned but in ash form waiting to be reborn. And when you are reborn you’ll come back swinging with all the power you thought you lost or was taken away from you plus a double portion for all the trouble you went through.Weeping endures only for a night/season but joy comes in the morning/mourning!
This is the time in the Christian church where we celebrate the coming of Holy Spirit and it descending on the 120 who were gathered in the upper room on one accord, waiting for a manifestation and revelation of the presence of God. On this day we celebrate the reconciliation of that which took place at the tower of Babel. There people were separated. On Pentecost the people were restored and heard the WONDERFUL WORKS OF GOD in their own language.
Fast forward a few centuries…..
It is Pentecost Sunday in 2011 and right about now everyone could use a little bit of good news and to hear AND see the WONDERFUL WORKS OF GOD. It’s a reality that times are indeed rough and challenging. If you’re a part of the Church in the Now family/network then you know that for us as a church/network AND as individuals it has been a time of transition, transformation, and change. To borrow something from Pastor Jon Scott I am reminded of the story of the Phoenix. When a Phoenix decides that it wants to re-invent itself or that it has done all that it can in its current form and state it will return home and set not only its nest but even set itself on fire in order to be reborn from the ashes as a new creature so that it can push forward towards its destiny. I’m also reminded of John the Baptist’s words in Matthew 3 when he said “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit AND FIRE…” Now all throughout the Bible we hear about the fire of God. “For the Lord your god is a consuming FIRE(Deut 4:24)”, “…..God is a CONSUMING FIRE(Hebrews 12:28-29).” I think with all the talk about hell that comes from literal translations of the Bible we forget that the word fire itself comes from the Latin root pur which means “to purify”. So if we REALLY understand what it means to be baptized in the Holy Spirit AND with fire then we need to realize EXACTLY what that holds. Yes, it does come with some or all the gifts of the Holy Spirit and yes it gives us a level of Godly power and dominion but we also need to realize that it comes with some challenges as well. Yes the fire of God is a purifying thing but not always is the purifying process going to be easy. Just like the Phoenix we are being set up to be set ablaze, and not just with spiritual power. Most people when they first get baptized or filled with the Holy Ghost they feel as if they can take on anything that (D)evil can throw their way. Then after a while their fire “goes out.” It’s during this time that most people don’t realize that this is exactly what they asked for and what is necessary for them in order to walk in greater revelations and greater truth. They go through fiery trials and tests that usually are misperceived as a work of (D)evil. The only problem with this logic is that ALL things come from God and ALL things work together for G(o)od. To refer back to the story of the Phoenix, it knows that it must set the nest on fire in order to be reincarnated or reborn as something better.
So here’s the Word of the Lord for us on Pentecost 2011….
The Holy Spirit is still outpouring and revealing Christ IN US (Coll. 1:27). However, we need to understand that this process is not an easy one. When you sign up to be/come into the revelation that you’ve already been reconciled to Christ and you chose to do his will in the Earth then it’s not going to be an easy journey. Furthermore what you have perceived as “all hell breaking loose” really is you being purged/purified of the things that are holding you back from your destiny in God. So if you really want to embrace the things of the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire then you need to embrace the burn. Before the Phoenix re-invents itself it goes back to its nest where its made of dry and dead twigs. So basically its surrounded by a lot of dead ideas, dead relationships, dead or dying dreams that may or may have not been the fault of the Phoenix itself. But then when all the craziness is going on there’s just one thing that’s the straw in the camel’s back and rather than crying and secluding itself or leaving the nest it goes to the middle of all the dead garbage and twigs and with that one thing acting as a match or a lighter will set everything and itself on fire. So whatever has been that “thing” or situation that has broken you and left you weary after everything else has happened use it and set everything on fire. Let it not seclude you away from what God is trying to do but let it push/force you into His presence, around His people, and most importantly into your destiny. Let all the crap that isn’t truly you and all the material things/strongholds/relationships that hold you back be burned away. Life isn’t easy by a long shot and it comes with some fire. However the good news is that you’ve already been destined to come out of the fire as pure gold or as the Phoenix a new creation. Embrace the fire. Sometimes the fire is much more necessary than the water. Usually when you experience a flood it leaves behind remnants of dead/destroyed things that can be put back together. However when a fire happens it burns EVERYTHING to the point where you have to start fresh. Yes, the rain washes the dirt away and gives us a drink. But there comes a time and situations that can only be cleansed by fire. So whatever it is that has been testing you and purging you embrace it. The good news is when you go through it you’ll realize that there will come a place where (D)evil has thrown everything he/it can and yet you’re left standing. Your literally broken and not destroyed, burned but in ash form waiting to be reborn. And when you are reborn you’ll come back swinging with all the power you thought you lost or was taken away from you plus a double portion for all the trouble you went through.Weeping endures only for a night/season but joy comes in the morning/mourning!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
On Spiritual Warfare Pt 2
This comes from a very good friend of mine Jada Graves. When the topic itself took form of a FB status it's no surprise the convo it generated. It was so annointed that she began to write some though of her own on the subject. I decided to post them here so you can have a look into it as well.
From Jada Graves:
To add to what Teezy alredy wrote here, I would like to draw attention to Mathhew 25:32 "All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will seperate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats."
When Teezy said that we are a combination of light and darkness, I believe that he was referring to this scripture. In the red letters here, Jesus is not talking about divinding the people into two groups. He is talking about the division that is within each individual. We all have both the sheep and the goat within us, and everyday it is our responsibility to choose life or death. In the end, only the sheep will make it into the kingdom of Heaven. The goats in all of us will be cast into the fire. Now, realize that this sounds a little scattered, but please bear with me.
In Matthew 18:9 it is written "And if your eye causes you sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire." I notice here that only the sinful part of the person my be exterminated. This relates to what I was saying before about the sheep and the goats and what Teezy said about light and darkness. God has chosen to give us all free will. That is why we must struggle with our own personal demons to decide what is right. In the end, however, we all end up pure because our that part of us that is stained by the first Adam will be cast into the fire, but the sheep in all of us will live on.
I know some of you may be thinking 'So you're saying that we can do whatever we want to on earth because everyone ultimately goes to heaven and there will be no repercussions for our sinful actions?' Well, no. That is not what I am saying at all. 1 Corinthians 6:12 says "ALL things are lawful (that means that God allows for you to do whatever you want to do), BUT all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." This is actually mention again in 1 Corinthians 10:23. This is such an important concept that the idea needed to be reinforced in the same book. Also, in Proverbs 13:15 it says "Good understand gains favor, but the way of the unfaithful us hard." Again God is telling us that we have free will, but we hould choose light instead of darkness simply because it will make our lives a lot better.
If we choose light instead of darkness and if try to live in the most Godly way possible, then when it is time for our purification process to occur (the seperation of the sheep from goat), then we will not have to worry about losing as much of ourselves. Instead of losing two eyes, you still have one. Jesus finished the work that needed to be done here. We need not worry about sving the world because Jesus already did that when He shed His blood on that cross at Calvary. Jesus took on the sin of the WORLD. Why yes. When the bible says that Jesus died for the sin of ALL man, ALL truly means ALL. Jesus marched through the gates of hell and took the keys. You know what that means? That is right. As Teezy said before, Satan has no power in our lives. He rules over nothing. So if Jesus has the keys to hell, would it not make since that hell is not a place of torture but a place of purifiation in order to cleanse the spirit before it enters Heaven? or are we calling Jesus a sadist? because choice B sounds a little too blasphemous for my taste.
1 Corinthians 15:22 says that "For as in Adam ALL die, even so in Christ (the second Adam - Jesus) ALL shall be made alive." If the bible says that ALL are found in Christ, let me tell you something folks, ALL (all- (adj) the whole amount or quantity of; as much as possible; EVERY member or INDIVIDUAL component of; the whole number or sum of; EVERY;) ARE found in Christ. we are not lost anymore. All WERE lost in Adam. All ARE found in Christ. To suggest anything different would mean that Jesus failed. His goal was to save the whole world. I haven't read about God not reaching one of his goals. jussayin'. In the second chapter of Phillipians it is said that EVERY knee will bow and EVERY tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. I truly believe that the only way to Heaven is through Jesus, but that will not be a problem for anyone because it is written that EVERY knee will bow and EVERY tongue will confess, so what are we all freaking out about?
To reiterate what I said before, this does not give us an excuse to live rebellious lives and ignore our Father. Although in the end everything works out, we are worshippers. We were made to worship. If we can worship sports and music, how much more should we worship our creator? This amazing genius who breathed life into this world. He deserves more than we are able to give him. Hell should never be anyone's motive to do good work and be a Godly person. No, we should live righteously simply because it is respectful, it works towards the greater good, and because God created us to have a relationship with him. Again, th world is already saved so we do not need to try to save it. Does that mean that mission work is not useful? OF COURSE IT'S USEFUL, but it's purpose isn't to save the world. (Believe me. If Jesus couldn't do it, you sure as hell are not about to, but Jesus already did.) The purpose should be to help others and to show others the greatness of God for he is truly an amazing, wonderful God.
We should choose light because doing what's right is RIGHT, and that glorifies God. Not because we want to stay out of hell. That completely distracts us from our real purpose. From who we actually are. We are worshippers. The only problem is that not everyone realizes that. The sooner everyone does, the better; however, it will happen. And to be a worshipper means you have a relationship with God. Relationships are based on love, and 1 John 4:18 says "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love." God is powerful enough that he should be feared, but we should trust our Father enough, we should share enough love with him that we know that there is nothing to fear for He is for us and not against us. God is love. When you love someone, you want the best for them, and if it is in your power, you will not let them be destroyed. God is omnipotent and God does not only love us. He IS love, so how can we possibly say in good heart that our Father, who not only loves us but loves us unconditionally and IS love, would destroy any of his children? Most of our earthly parents would not do that. How much stronger must the love that God feels for us be?
just a little something to think about (:
From Jada Graves:
To add to what Teezy alredy wrote here, I would like to draw attention to Mathhew 25:32 "All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will seperate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats."
When Teezy said that we are a combination of light and darkness, I believe that he was referring to this scripture. In the red letters here, Jesus is not talking about divinding the people into two groups. He is talking about the division that is within each individual. We all have both the sheep and the goat within us, and everyday it is our responsibility to choose life or death. In the end, only the sheep will make it into the kingdom of Heaven. The goats in all of us will be cast into the fire. Now, realize that this sounds a little scattered, but please bear with me.
In Matthew 18:9 it is written "And if your eye causes you sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire." I notice here that only the sinful part of the person my be exterminated. This relates to what I was saying before about the sheep and the goats and what Teezy said about light and darkness. God has chosen to give us all free will. That is why we must struggle with our own personal demons to decide what is right. In the end, however, we all end up pure because our that part of us that is stained by the first Adam will be cast into the fire, but the sheep in all of us will live on.
I know some of you may be thinking 'So you're saying that we can do whatever we want to on earth because everyone ultimately goes to heaven and there will be no repercussions for our sinful actions?' Well, no. That is not what I am saying at all. 1 Corinthians 6:12 says "ALL things are lawful (that means that God allows for you to do whatever you want to do), BUT all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." This is actually mention again in 1 Corinthians 10:23. This is such an important concept that the idea needed to be reinforced in the same book. Also, in Proverbs 13:15 it says "Good understand gains favor, but the way of the unfaithful us hard." Again God is telling us that we have free will, but we hould choose light instead of darkness simply because it will make our lives a lot better.
If we choose light instead of darkness and if try to live in the most Godly way possible, then when it is time for our purification process to occur (the seperation of the sheep from goat), then we will not have to worry about losing as much of ourselves. Instead of losing two eyes, you still have one. Jesus finished the work that needed to be done here. We need not worry about sving the world because Jesus already did that when He shed His blood on that cross at Calvary. Jesus took on the sin of the WORLD. Why yes. When the bible says that Jesus died for the sin of ALL man, ALL truly means ALL. Jesus marched through the gates of hell and took the keys. You know what that means? That is right. As Teezy said before, Satan has no power in our lives. He rules over nothing. So if Jesus has the keys to hell, would it not make since that hell is not a place of torture but a place of purifiation in order to cleanse the spirit before it enters Heaven? or are we calling Jesus a sadist? because choice B sounds a little too blasphemous for my taste.
1 Corinthians 15:22 says that "For as in Adam ALL die, even so in Christ (the second Adam - Jesus) ALL shall be made alive." If the bible says that ALL are found in Christ, let me tell you something folks, ALL (all- (adj) the whole amount or quantity of; as much as possible; EVERY member or INDIVIDUAL component of; the whole number or sum of; EVERY;) ARE found in Christ. we are not lost anymore. All WERE lost in Adam. All ARE found in Christ. To suggest anything different would mean that Jesus failed. His goal was to save the whole world. I haven't read about God not reaching one of his goals. jussayin'. In the second chapter of Phillipians it is said that EVERY knee will bow and EVERY tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. I truly believe that the only way to Heaven is through Jesus, but that will not be a problem for anyone because it is written that EVERY knee will bow and EVERY tongue will confess, so what are we all freaking out about?
To reiterate what I said before, this does not give us an excuse to live rebellious lives and ignore our Father. Although in the end everything works out, we are worshippers. We were made to worship. If we can worship sports and music, how much more should we worship our creator? This amazing genius who breathed life into this world. He deserves more than we are able to give him. Hell should never be anyone's motive to do good work and be a Godly person. No, we should live righteously simply because it is respectful, it works towards the greater good, and because God created us to have a relationship with him. Again, th world is already saved so we do not need to try to save it. Does that mean that mission work is not useful? OF COURSE IT'S USEFUL, but it's purpose isn't to save the world. (Believe me. If Jesus couldn't do it, you sure as hell are not about to, but Jesus already did.) The purpose should be to help others and to show others the greatness of God for he is truly an amazing, wonderful God.
We should choose light because doing what's right is RIGHT, and that glorifies God. Not because we want to stay out of hell. That completely distracts us from our real purpose. From who we actually are. We are worshippers. The only problem is that not everyone realizes that. The sooner everyone does, the better; however, it will happen. And to be a worshipper means you have a relationship with God. Relationships are based on love, and 1 John 4:18 says "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love." God is powerful enough that he should be feared, but we should trust our Father enough, we should share enough love with him that we know that there is nothing to fear for He is for us and not against us. God is love. When you love someone, you want the best for them, and if it is in your power, you will not let them be destroyed. God is omnipotent and God does not only love us. He IS love, so how can we possibly say in good heart that our Father, who not only loves us but loves us unconditionally and IS love, would destroy any of his children? Most of our earthly parents would not do that. How much stronger must the love that God feels for us be?
just a little something to think about (:
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