A New Look In Christ

So, in my search for the "NEW-found" color that I've fallen in love with, it took me forever to find just the right shade of teal. Yes....there are several different shades in this family of "blue greens." When I found it online, I rushed in to my husband and said, "babe, this weekend, I will be re-painting the trinkets that I sprayed with the not so teal color that I grabbed from Lowe's." He looked at me and just smiled. I purchased two bottles without taking my time to really find what I wanted.

We do this oh too often. We make snappy decisions, buy things without praying, say words without thinking, we act out without any regard for the consequences, etc;  I could go on and on. As I'm working on the different projects that I take on, it's a time of reflection for me. I pray, think about life, talk to the Lord and most of all I thank Him for all that He's done for me. Not for the monetary things, but because He allows me an opportunity to do His perfect will on a daily basis. 

Spray painting is a way to transform something you really don't like into something you LoVE! Not in an idol form, but into something that would look good with what you already have.This is how I look at my life in Christ. He has forgiven me for every single sin I have ever committed AND the good thing is, He didn't just cover me up with spray paint and hang me out to dry so I'd fit where ever. His blood covered a multitude of sins and what wonderful news that is. He cleanses us and then makes us not only fit to live, but to do a work for HIM.

Just as I love to make things pretty and new to me, God desires to do the same for us. We are beautiful in His sight an there is a work that needs to be done. John 9:4 reads "We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work." It's time to get busy doing what God wants us to do. Are you ready? Do you have a mind to please Him? Or do you just want to be covered by the spray paint and left to look pretty hanging on a wall or sitting on a desk? 

Crazy analogy I know, but the new look that I desire to have is the look of one that has made me complete in HIM! 

Now, on to the weekend, where I plan to re-spray my frames and such, in the "new teal!!!!!" Hey a gal's gotta enjoy life all around!

Smooches,

Kiwanya

A small nuggett......

 

 

This blessed my soul!!!!

 

Smooches....
Kiwanya

Boundaries....We All Need Them

 I have the privilege of teaching a class called "Boundaries" on Monday nights at the church this Fall. It was totally a God thing and I am super excited!!!! Speaking to women has been a passion of mine for years and to see this happen, all I can say is "YAY GOD!" After finding out I was going to India, I was told that I had to speak twice; so in order to do that, I had to prepare two different talks. As I was studying the word, praying and gathering my thoughts, the Lord told me that "this is what you have always wanted to do; this is what I have called you to do, so calm down and leave everything up to me." What an awesome God we serve!

As I have been reading the book Boundaries, it has made me realize that I have allowed so many people and things to take over my life. Things that caused unwanted stress, or shall I say no boundaries. This is when I realized some things had to change. Can I say "what a blessing this book has been."  My father is a Pastor and he would often tell the congregation before he spoke, that while penning the sermons for Sunday, they always spoke to him first. When you are speaking, if you're not being spoken to while preparing, something is wrong. I love that!!! Before you can give out, you have to take in! Look at God!!!! I am so excited, I can hardly hold it in.

Of course when you are about to do something major for the Lord, there will always be distractions. Trust me, they can come in many ways, shapes and forms. I believe that fear can even creep in. Well, sure enough, it happened. Mine just so happened to be in the form of a person. It never ceases to amaze me how subtle people can be, but I have learned that anyone can be put in your path just to see how you'll react. Whew!!!!!  All I could do is pray and ask God to help me, because I am determined not to allow that pretty little package that Satan presents, hinder the work He has for me. So, as I began to pray, God let me know that He has the entire situation under control and that I am not to worry about what people may try to do."No weapon formed against me shall prosper...." Isaiah 54:17

I am thrilled at what God is going to do. For the next 13 weeks, we will be learning how to set "Boundaries" in our lives. Much needed boundaries. We as women are in different seasons of life and every women needs to have perimeters set. God loves each of us and if you will allow him to work through you, watch what he does in your life. I am looking forward to meeting this special group of women and together setting the BOUNDARIES that are needed in our everyday lives!

Blessings,

Kiwanya

When God Moves.....

I have been praying and allowing God to do some supernatural things in my life and the results were happening so fast that I could hardly take it in. Do you know how it is when you want to see something happen so out of the ordinary that you have to pinch your self to make sure it's real after manifestation??? The thing is, you will only settle for seeing some sort of miracle or the Lord Jesus Christ himself appearing at your door. Well it doesn't quite happen like that. But it will happen the more you seek HIM and the more you get quiet before HIM; believe me, he will show you what HIS specific plan is, if YOU ALLOW HIM TOO!

We scurry through life daily, weekly, monthly even yearly asking God..."when are you going to come through for me? When are you going to show me what YOU want me to do in life for YOU?" Well, it's that still small voice that speaks to us when we get quiet. Quiet enough to listen and know that it's not YOU talking but the Holy Spirit. Oh....what a fantabulous feeling. I bought a book called "Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation, which was referred to me by my good friend Virginia. Oh by the way, it's always a good thing to mark the perfect wo-man. When they suggest books and such, take them up on it. You will either like it or not. Anywhoo...the first time I read this book, I wasn't quite feeling it because I was going every which a way mentally; where I new what I wanted to do, I hadn't found my way just quite yet.

My prayer was that I would stop vacillating and know what it was that God wanted me to do. Too often I see this. We get all caught up in the hype of things and before we know it, we are unsure and back to "praying and asking HIM what is it that you want me to do?" So I kept at it. Oh the ventures that I thought I was supposed to engage in. None gave me the satisfaction I was looking for.

By then, it was time for our India trip. And oh what a trip. It changed me from the inside out. It was there where the Lord let me know exactly what I was to do. So after returning home, I talked to my "Babe" about what my heart was feeling and where my heart was. He listened intently and he then put his hand on my heart and said "let the Lord lead you. If it's ministry you are called to do, then ministry is what you need to do." My heart leaped with joy. Not just because of what he said, but because God has placed this treasure in my life that knows what it means to follow the passion that God has put deep down on the inside of you.

Time for the new semester to start was quickly approaching. I mean faster than I had anticipated and faster than what I wanted. As I looked over the books that had come in the mail, my heart just dropped. I could not see myself finishing up something that I was so hell-bent on (sorry for the vernacular but it's so true.) a couple of years back.  The passion was GONE...and in fact, I had a meltdown after I realized all the work that this semester contained. As I cried and spoke to the Lord, I told him that this is not what I want to do. In fact, I didn't want school period. At least not this kind of schooling.

This book really spoke to the core of my spirit. And it was then that I realized what I needed to do. I am one class away from my Life Coaching Certification, one class away from my Biblical Counseling Certification and a couple of tracks in Marriage and Family Counseling. What am I wasting my time for?? I kept asking myself that question? Why not do what it takes to get where YOU are supposed to be. Ding, Ding, Ding......another light bulb came on. So without hesitation, I did what it took. By the end of September, I will be down to one online class at the Junior College. And I will have picked up on the last class for my Life Coaching Cert. It's time to get it and move forward with HIS call. Will I ever finish my degree? It's a projected goal, but it's not top priority. I will take a class a semester and see how it goes. Would I love that piece of sheep's skin in a frame in my office??? Of course, but my Certs would even look better.

Listen to the call that HE has for you. Not something that is pleasing to someone else, but pleasing to YOU and the one who has called you. HIS Perfect Will is what you are aiming for. We make it a battle that we don't have to fight. We also go through life not knowing what we are called to do and before you know it  years have gone and we are still asking HIM what HIS will is for our lives. It's never too late, but what JOY we can experience when we find out what our vocation is.

Do you know what  your vocation is????

Smooches and Blessings,

Kiwanya

My 2nd India Talk!!!

This is one of the main reasons I went to India. Enjoy!!!

Knowing Your Purpose Brings Both Freedom & Joy

Before you were born, God planned this moment in your life.  The purpose of us is far greater than our own personal fulfillment, our peace of mind or even our happiness. It goes beyond our family, our career, or even our wildest dreams or ambitions. Long before we were conceived by our parents you were conceived in the hand of God.

(Isaiah 43:7 NIV)
⁷ Everyone is called by my name, hom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.

        It is not by fate, chance or luck that we are living at this very moment. We are alive and living because God has a purpose for our lives. God made you to love “YOU” and you are his very own special creation. Did you know that there is not another single human being on this planet with the same make-up, built or DNA as you? How could one not love a God that cared enough to create you and me?

You may think that because of all that you have to endure, you might as well be an accident. Just think, if there was no God, then we would indeed be “accidents” or a random chance of the universe. But this is not the case. There is a God and he made you and me for a reason and our lives have profound meaning.

The Bible says that life is a test, life is a trust and life is a temporary assignment. To fulfill the purpose God created for us, we have to move wisdom (all that we think we know) and replace it with what the word of God says.

(Romans 12:2 NIV)
² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.

        Once we understand that life is a test, we then realize that “nothing” is insignificant in our lives. Even the smallest incidents, has significance for our character.

(James 1:12 NIV)
 ¹² Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Always remember that every day is an important day, and that every second is a growth opportunity to demonstrate love, develop character and depend on God. Some test may seem so big and over whelming that we may question God, where others we don’t even notice.

Never, never, ever forget that everything in our lives belong to God. Our homes, our children, our jobs, EVERYTHING! It is our privilege to enjoy, but it is also our responsibility to faithfully use it in the way God wants it to be used.

When life gets tough, when you are over whelmed with doubt or even when we see people not thinking about serving God prospering or when you begin to wonder if living for Christ is even worth it the effort, just know that there is a purpose and God has a plan.

(Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
         At this time we need to find out what HE wants most from us and to fulfill HIS plan. We are to bring pleasure to God and by doing so we are worshipping HIM. Remember that everything we do brings pleasure to God, and bringing pleasure to HIM is worship. I don’t know about you ladies, but I love to sit and worship the Lord, not for what He has done for me or for something I am anticipating, but just for who HE is. He is awesome and just to think, HE died for me, that I may have eternal life. He deserves all that I am. My very being.

God smiles when we not only trust Him, but when we worship HIM. Here are a few things that cause God to smile:

1)  God smiles when we LOVE Him far above any and everything.

2)  God smiles when we trust HIM completely.

3)  God smiles when we obey HIM.

4)  God smiles when we praise and thank HIM.

5)  God smiles when we fulfill HIS purpose in our lives.

My dear sisters, HE wants a relationship with us. God deeply loves us and all he deserves is that we love HIM with our entire being in return. Building a relationship with God and learning to love HIM and to be loved by HIM should be the main goal in our life.

(Matthew 22: 37-38)

³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment.

When we have a relationship with the Lord, it not only brings great joy, but we experience a freedom that we have longed for. You ask how is that? Think about it…..when you are in a relationship with some someone, say your husband or best friend, you are at liberty to be yourself. You are FREE to be you. Nothing held back. And when you don’t feel as if you have to pretend or put on an act, which brings great JOY!

One of the best expressions of love is the time. Time is one of your most precious gifts because we only have a set amount of it. When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you will never get back.

(I John 3:18)

¹⁸ Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

This is one of the reasons and purposes God created up for. Whenever you give of your time you are making a sacrifice, and sacrifice is the essence of LOVE.

Knowing your purpose can bring such great joy and peace in your life and I believe that this is what most of us as women long for. It may take some time to get it, but when we allow it to be a part of our everyday lives, there is a peace that comes over us like never before, people around you will wonder how and why you can be so happy when life is so chaotic. It all comes from above. Whatever God wants to accomplish in your life, HE will…if you will allow HIM too! 

 Phil 1:6

⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Remember…..it takes time to get where we need to be in our Christian walk. Spiritual growth like physical growth…takes time!!!! While we worry about how fast we grow, God is concerned about how strong we grow. Every day God wants you to become a little more like HIM and with His word, fasting and prayer, this can happen.

Knowing your purpose brings FREEDOM & JOY!

Hope you enjoyed!!!!

Hugs,

Kiwanya

My India Visit

To all the beautiful women that God created on this earth and those faced with challenges on a daily basis, we all have a purpose in life and on this earth. My trip to India has forever changed my life in it's entirety. Below is one of the reasons I have the heart I do for women....not just because we are all different, but color strikes a pose in my life. Color adds life to EvErYtHiNG!!!! Seek God and ask Him to reveal YOUR purpose in life. Take to heart Jer. 29:11-13 and allow it to pierce your soul in a way like never before.

Hugs,

Kiwanya

Feelings of Defeat....

Whew.....can I say that again? Whew!!!! Today has been one of those days where one could doubt  God and the plan that He has for you. We serve an awesome God despite how we can allow ourselves to feel. We have to remember that He is just a call away. No matter how much we are in the word, the human side of us has a tendency to take control if you allow it to.

Maybe a good cry perhaps??? I would say YES to that. Sometimes that's what it takes to move on. Clearing your thoughts as well as your mind can put you in a good place. I often feel like after I am done wondering and thinking so hard, why didn't I trust Him enough to give him all my cares by praying and then releasing all my "stuff?"

Hmmmmm.....I really can't answer that, but the one thing I do know is that carrying your own burdens can cause great grief in your life. Grief that isn't necessary for one to have. My Heavenly Father takes pleasure in difficult situations and handling them for us. It's so simple, but instead we make it complicated. Sometimes I amaze myself. Not to mention that when you are about to do something so wonderful, Satan beefs up his attack.

It is my desire to have the "Joy of the Lord" regardless. Even in the midst of tears and heartache, having  joy should be a daily goal if you will. Remember, HE delights in giving us the desires of our hearts. One of the gifts HE gave me was my husband. I decided to talk to him about some things that were really bothering me and this is what he told me: "Babe, you have to do everything you do as if you were doing it for the Lord. Things are going to get better and the ministry that you desire will manifest." All I could do was cry because here I'm thinking he's going to side with me and tell me what I wanted to hear. Ohhhhh baby, that was nowhere near what I thought he would say, but instead, it was what I needed to hear. I am so thankful that the Lord saw fit to allow this man to find ME!!!! He knew this is what I needed to hear on a day such as today.

The more I sat and prayed on this evening, the more my spirit settled down. Where I am not totally settled with and what how things are in certain situations, I am waiting for God to show up in my life. He will never leave or forsake me, so I have to trust him in all that I do.

I am His beloved and HE loves me. Lord, I trust you and thank you for making my path clear.

XOXOXOxoxox
Kiwanya