The Morning Time Perspective

"Sleep on it" used to be a term that was used often. Now, it is probably considered an old fashioned term. We live in a society that is rush, rush, rush and "do now, think later". The worst decision that one could make is indeed a quick decision.

Lets say you have one of those days that just feels like it will never end soon enough. It is often on days (or nights) like those that we tend to make rash decisions because they are made on feelings. As a tough day goes on and on and on, feelings increase and if we allow them to control us we would probably make some big life altering decisions that we would regret later.

It never fails most times, the next morning you have a whole other perspective arise. Depending on how open minded you are,  you can usually even discover why things happened the way they did. If the very least - you can gain some kind of perspective of the way you don't want to live your life.

That is the lesson I learned this morning. I realized that a certain negative behavior was being indeed being redirected to something more productive that brings me one step closer to my dreams.

I learned to make it known how I will not be treated and I also learned a bit ab out a few people in my life that I have contact with. I learned more about who to respect with what feelings I share and who I shouldn't waste my time on. More importantly I learned that there is a reason I am being more forthcoming with  the dreams and goals I have set for myself. The outcome of those coming into fruition effects a great deal of people. Right now, I am being tested at which of those take priorities both today and later on. A couple of weeks ago, I would have had a difficult time but not today. those priority lines have closed in drastically and because they have I know that I must push through any walls that may arise between now and then. I also finally realized I am bold, courageous, and strong enough to say "Screw that" when the time comes.

I believe it was a Jack Canfield video on YouTube that I had jotted down some notes from and one of the things that stood out was to ask yourself "Is this really what you want?" The answer needed to be either "Hell yes!" or "Hell No!". If it wasn't a resounding "Hell yes!" it wasn't worth the focus at this time.

When I first heard that I was "pretty sure" my answer was "HELL YES!" but not  until yesterday did I feel like screaming it from the top of my lungs in a crowded place.

Please understand that no time ever is spent wasted. If you spend eleven years of your life doing something and it has become more of a chore than a choice, it's time to evaluate. Those eleven years are not wasted years. They were at some point investment years.

Every experience we have is a lesson. No matter if it is positive or negative ~ it is a lesson. A life lesson.

That is a lot of night time mistakes and morning perspectives. That's a lot of growth both personal, social, mental, and relation-ally. It's a lot of life experiences that could not have been taught any other way.  The next time your feelings are trying to control a situation remember they are only steered by two emotions. Did you know we only have two emotions yet we have a ton of feelings that come from them.

Pain and Pleasure

Pain can cause sadness, hurt, depression, frustration, stress, feelings of un-apprecation, being taken advantage of, etc.

Pleasure can cause feelings of joy, love, acceptance, peace, happiness, feeling sexy, etc.

So, when you are stuck in the day that never ends and only gets worse, you also find that the reactions (or feelings) have derived from pain. If  you had an emotion of pleasure you would be able to take one of those days and eventually just die laughing because of the craziness of it all. I am sure the character of Lucy from I love Lucy couldn't' figure out why others were always laughing at her silly and crazy antics of misfortune while she sat and cried.

The one thing I can guarantee you is that if you were open minded enough, there would be some lesson in all of it specifically for you to learn.

This! This post specifically is why I know I was born to write! Please know that it is not in any cocky way I say that. It is not arrogance. It is in a confidence that I FINALLY FINALLY can walk in. It is a dream/goal/desire that I can completely say "HELL YES!" to!

I will take t hose tough days with a little bit more insight now. I know they have to do with digging something I have buried deep down out to the surface. The way I used to cover up the way I felt about a situation is no longer in my capabilities. I will tell you how I feel, and I won't bury down those feelings.

As I end this post, and another one of those "are you freaking kidding me" days I am ever grateful this moment of now. If this post has encouraged you, inspired you, motivated you in any way or in the least bit let you realize that you are not in this journey of life alone ~ please leave a comment below!



*Stay tuned for information coming on my latest novel "A Time To Thrive".

I walked away Wednesday!

Yesterday was no ordinary Tuesday. Sure it was a hot summer day and yes the twins and I went to the wave pool. Both of which are some of our current "normal" conditions. However.... well let me share what I shared on Facebook and then I can explain a bit later.

Indeed I did start this summer just needing to be refreshed and renewed. I knew I needed to be changed from the inside out. To be completely open and honest I have been struggling since Christmas. I have gained weight since then and I couldn't understand why. I was given some clarity. The biggest reason is because I had tons of chaos in my mind, in my heart and I couldn't focus very long one thing. Sadly, for most of the summer that has been the case as well. UNTIL..... gosh I don't know yesterday. Well the process has been going and I know that God's hands have been in this the whole time but I realize now that He has given me so much and has been so patient.

Photo credit Unknown

I thought this summer's mission would solely be "weight' related. Wrong. In fact that is why I shared that I have gained weight. I have struggled with facing the fact that there are some things that I really truly need to let go of. One of them is a false sense of who God is and what He wants of me. He doesn't want a legalistic walk. He doesn't want me to be entrapped in any ministry that says I MUST follow their rules and their rules only. He doesn't want me to think that my life has no value. In fact, by feeling that way or even falsely humbling myself I not only devalue my life in my own eyes, or the eyes of those around me, but in a way I am telling God my life is not what He calls it it to be ` special, unique and amazing. Do you get that?! God thinks I am amazing and He created me to live an undefeated amazing life. Not because of anything I can do on my own, but because of what He is doing within me. Not my pastor, not a deacon, not even my own mother ` but in ME!

At the beginning of the summer I started to find little snippets of a few people I have come to love. People that God prepared ahead of time not to become useless and of no value but to become GREATER than I could ever imagine. I have come out of FOUR years of listening to how horrible I am, how i can't make good decisions, and how I have to become NOTHING yet ... being told at the same time that leadership was wonderful, pure, and something I should try to become. I was told that I shouldn't listen to anyone on the outside because they would not tell me of anything of value that I had to only listen to one voice, one leadership yet ... God made us all. HE made us all so unique and so divine.

Yesterday at the wave-pool I was humbled. Not in a way that I was nothing but instead in a way of God telling me and showing me just how GREAT HE wants me to be ~ t hat He created me to be. Yesterday I took a stand. Walked away. And began go allow God to HEAL areas in me that others wanted to die. The areas that made me ME. Sheila. HIS chosen one to be the author of One pretty little box. The one whom he is doing great things in every single moment of the day. And because I am GREAT.... HE is GREATER! Because I am whole ~ HE can shine through me!

Photo Credit : Unknown

I have BIG dreams and BIG goals! HUGE! Ones that will make you think "What the heck is she thinking" yet finally for once ... I can see them as real! Why? Because I let go of this thinking that I am NOTHING in God's eyes and seeing just how excited God is when we follow HIS lead! Can you imagine how excited God gets when we actually accomplish something He set forth for us? I know how excited I get when I finally do something that I have always wanted to do. Now I understand why. Because HE put it there!

I'm not MLK ~ but I do have a dream!

 ²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 1 Corinthians 9:23-25

It's been awhile that I actually opened up this blog with a scripture, but I can tell you that this has been breeding fire within me since sometime within the midnight hours. In fact, it was birthed within me in my dreams last night. I woke up thinking "wha??". I was running! A real race! And... I was in the contenders spot. It was like each lap around, someone would be eliminated. I began that race thinking there is no way, but I had to run it. I didn't have a choice. I can't remember why, I just remember I didn't have a choice. When that portion of my dream seemed to come to an end, I was one of three left running. The next thing I remember I was sitting down at  my computer and writing. Before I knew it I had written 363 pages so i hit submit and before I knew it, I had a hard copy of the book in my hand!! People were coming behind me saying "wow!" I have been there, and even that sounds like a good thing. Then even though I wasn't in my parents house, I remember running into my parents room to tell them ~but they didn't believe me. I told them  specifically that "I can do this, and I don't have to wait for anyone to do it for me!".

Have you ever had really vivid dreams, and you know when you woke up that it was not only a dream, but an Encounter? I am overwhelmed this morning. I am blessed, and yet feel so loved by the KING! My hope for you, is that this word that I have shared this morning will remind you that you haven't crossed that finish line! I will walk away taking from it that it is time to get to writing ~that I will have an anointing that will amaze even those the closest to me!

I am posting this on both blogs this morning ~ because well, I want others to read of His provision, His hope, and to be reminded that we are to be running (not always physically) but most importantly running to Him.

God is doing a new thing for 2011

This is what the Lord says, ... "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."— Isaiah 43:16,18-19 (NIV)

Forget the former things! Do not dwell in the past! Perfect words for us today as we begin to prepare our hearts, minds, and life for change! God is doing a new thing every single day within us, if we allow Him that pleasure. We were not created to stay the same. IN fact, nothing in our life stays the same except ONE thing! HIM! God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, we have all heard that. BUT I would like to offer up another thought. Even though God stays the same, the more we grow and allow Him to change us I think He reveals himself in a different way to us. In reality though, I think it is us who see's the "new" things in the Lord, because we change and are able to handle it.

The more I give of me to the Lord, (Of my time, talent, all of me) the more I see God in the light that He should be seen in. As I begin to prepare for the new year, I am laying down all the areas of my life that I don't openly include God into. It's almost like we put Him in a box and allow only certain areas of our life up to Him, as if we are doing HIM a favor!?!

I am ready to receive that new thing ~ not just in my finances, my health, my marriage, but in ALL areas of my life. From how I clean my house, to how many games of Jenga I play with the twins. I want His blessings in all I do, not just a portion of it anymore. I want the things I make with my hands (whether it be food or crafts) to be a blessing and to be blessed. I want the conversations I have to be uplifting and monumental, not just words spoken as hot air leaves my body. I don't want words to be just that. Words. I want MORE!
As you ponder your changes for 2011, please remember to allow Him in! Allow God to move within you sharing with you His heart on your life. You might just be surprised at the things God is moving you to become, so much more then you ever can imagine!

God speaks, and thankfully HE is my judge!

I am amazed at Heartlight's verse of the day today.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.— James 1:5 (NIV)

This amazes me because so many people (even good Christians with good intentions) will constantly be giving out wisdom, and then condemnation (even silent condemnation) if you don't follow "their" way. I can't tell you how many adventures I have been on, under advice of some Christian friends, that just didn't go as planned. Why? Because it was their wisdom that was saught, and not God's.  Then when it didn't go well, fault was found in me because it just didn't work. BUT... that's okay! I am not after man's approval! (Actually, I am working on that. Too often I seek out their approval over God's.)I SEEK GOD"S approval over all. THAT is all that matters!

Peace out!

Planks and sawdust

Planks and Sawdust

Scripture:

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Luke 6:41-42



Wow! Pretty powerful stuff there. Why is it in our human nature to always point the finger at other people's faults, without doing somethinig about our own first? This is one set of scripture that says miles about our current society.

People everywhere are pointing fingers saying "she should do things this way" or " I dont like how she does that", without yet looking at themselves in their own situations.

This is w hy gossip is such an issue. It is easier to say You/ She/ He doesn't do this... or should do this, or they did this, but yet, if we were to take a minute look at our own lives, we would know that there is enough in our own life that if it was exposed, we would be ashamed, and the faults of others wouldn't matter.

As a new school year is on the start, I pray for the school adminstrations to stand and do what is right for their own classes/schools, and not waste time or money pointing fingers at each other's faults.

Dear Heavenly Fahter I thank you for your wisdom. For your grace, and for your forgiveness. Lord help me to continue to remove the plank from my own eye, and not point out the fautls of others. Lord, help our society begin to change, to be more accepting of one another's faults and more apt to correct our own. Above all, Lord, let us continue to keep our eyes focused on you, and living up to our full potential as children of the King. IN Jesus name, Amen.

© 2007 Sheila C. King

Joy comes in the Morning

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14




Last Sunday I was on my way to pick our children up at my parent's house where they had stayed the weekend. I was early enough to get them ready for church, and was really using the drive time to worship and just praise God for who He is. As I began praying, this overwhelming joy came over me, and it ran through me for a long time. The drive continued, and so did the worshp! I was reminded that JOY does come in the morning, most likely where most of us need it to get going. I can't express how many times before I had woke up and just tredged through my day, with my mood getting even more foul as the day progressed. It was at that moment, on that beautiful winter Sunday morning, that God spoke and said "That is why I always say there will be joy in the morning. No matter how bad the evening got, or lonly you may have become through the night, there is JOY in the morning!"



It was a moving moment for me, and one I took with me every single morning this week. Each one of us reflected back to Sunday morning for one reason or another, and God is just moving our little family closer and closer to HIM!

Leading beyond the leash

Leading beyond the leash




Verse of the day:

You know my folly, O God; my guilt is not hidden from you. May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me, O Lord, the LORD Almighty; may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me, O God of Israel. For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face.

Psalm 69:5~7 NIV



It is so easy to think of this verse for someone in leadership who tends to a flock of the body of Christ. But oh my, how quickly I am reminded that this goes for my own household too! My husband, our children, should have in the least Hope in the Lord, and how quickly I personally can demolish that Hope by my actions and/or reactions. I may be prideful, spiteful, what have you, but unless I pocess the fruits of the spirit (Love, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control), I am doing nothing but harm to my family.



So, as this next week is knocking on my door, I am going to hold this near and dear to me, and make it my mission to keep my fruits in check.



Dear Gracious Heavenly Father,

Lord I thank you for your kindness, and your gentleness. Thank you for your continued mercy and forgiveness. Father forgive me for taking way any hope that someone might have had in you, by my thoughtlessness and not keeping myself in check. Lord forgive me for leading some away from you who may have only gotten a chance to know you through me. Father bring someone into their lives today to show you the goodness of you! Help me dear Lord to always Honor you, and bring glory to your name, by my thoughts, actions, and reactions. Fahter let my life be a living example of you!

In Jesus Name,

Amen



© 2007 Sheila C. King

The Joy of the Lord

The Joy of the Lord


Scripture:The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. Psalm 19:8

This is just an amazing thing, having the Joy of the Lord in our lives, hearts, and homes.At times we feel joyful, but how often do we appear joyful to others?The outer apperance of our brothers and sisters in Christ should be a bit different from those who are not believers. No, I am not saying they should wear a cone on their head claiming to be Christian, but their attitude, and the way they present themselves show how much 'Joy of the Lord" is truly in them. One who will bad mouth a coworker/ friend, how much joy is there? One who will spend countless hours trying to figure out "how to get even", is not displaying much joy. And even one who looks at all the things gone wrong in their life, and continually hashing out what 'could have been" is not displaying much joy!Well then, what does joy look like? Joy is not only seen on the face and in the actions, but it is also felt in the presence. Joyful people do not waste time on looking for the negatives in others or themselves. Joyful people do not spend countless hours fretting on what could have been, but instead will look at what can be! The joyful do not worry about what others are thinking of them, because they are content in who they are in Christ Jesus!

Dear Heavenly Father,I pray that today, your joy just flows from me! Lord I thank you that you want to spend countless ti me with us, and it is your joy to have your children walking in Your presence daily. Lord, I pray that others can see your joy flowing from me throughout the day, and they begin to seek out the same joy in their own life. Thank you for loving me so much! Thank you for living and dying for me. IN Jesus name, AMEN!

© 2007 Sheila C. King

Honest Balance

Honest Balance


Scripture:
FALSE balance and unrighteous dealings are extremely offensive and shamefully sinful to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight. Proverbs 11:1 Amplified

Oh my word ladies! Today I was awoken with the realization that I must find balance, and soon. I must find a way to honestly balance quiet time with the Lord, preparing my dh for work, tending to three young children, take cae of my home, being available to mentor other Christian women, sew, sing, craft, and .. sowewhere in there find time to enhance my classroom for the upcoming Fall!

I have been working hard in my home this week, and for the most part have found balance between most of these. But it wasn't out of my own works, it was purely from the Lord. HE has given me balance, and direction in each of my days, and I think that is one reason I tend to stay home alot during the summer. It seems during the school year we are going to and fro most of the time, and long for days to spend at home.

Balance in our day starts one place. Time with the Lord. That is one of the biggest struggles for most busy Christian women. We stay TOO busy!! And we put our first love last. If God is not , I repeat NOT first on your priority list, then it is time for you to find balance in your own life.

I will pray for you, if you pray for me!

Dear heavenly Father, Lord lead us to a more balanced life that brings you glory and honor in everything we do. Father remind us of the importance of seeking your will and wisdom for the day as we begin preparing our days. Above all, let the things we do in our home bring you glory and honor. In Jesus name, AMEN.
© 2007 Sheila C. King