Don't Rain on my Parade

Don’t Rain on my Parade

I thought about this on one rainy Friday.  It was Friday but so nasty outside.  So, when things are going great for you—it’s your Friday, when you have big goals but someone speaks gloom and doom over you like:  that’s silly, you’ll never do that, or things may be good for you now but you just wait.  Their words suck all your joy out of you.  You know there are people who don’t want you to succeed.  But in return you say I’m going to reach my goal…get what I want…and all the negative people cannot and will not stop me!  Go for your goal regardless of what others will think or say.  Be unstoppable!

Nostalgia

Nostalgia

Nostalgia—longing for the past.  There is nothing wrong with looking back or reflecting on certain events of the past but don’t get stuck in the past.  There are so many significant moments in my past that I would love to experience again.  The moment I was crowned Miss Cinderella.  The day I graduated college.  The moment I walked on the stage to compete in the Miss Louisiana pageant.  The day I gave birth to my son.  But no matter what I do—I can’t relive those moments.  But I can make new significant moments on this day-right now.  Strive to reach new goals.  If you don’t reach your goal today—remember you can try again tomorrow but giving up is not an option.

Happy Everything

Happy Everything

God’s word says REJOICE ALWAYS in 1 Thessalonians 5:16.  No matter what life throws your way—one thing holds true no matter what we are facing is that life goes on.  It doesn’t stop or slow down for us to gather ourselves.  You can’t play “catch up” with time.  We are given 1440 minutes in one single day.  What we do with each of those minutes is up to us.  So let’s face each day with boldness. Be happy. If you aren’t happy today, find something that can make you smile.  The good thing about each day is that they start over brand new.  We have a clean slate.  Yesterdays worries are gone.  We all have something to be happy about whether it’s a roof over our head, a reliable vehicle, a healthy child, a loving family, a job, a place to worship freely, clothes on our backs and so much more.  There are so many little things that we take for granted.  Running water.  HOT water.  Being able to breathe without the assistance of a machine.  Sight.  The capability to hear.  Never take daily activities for granted.  Count your blessings.  Smile during the storm so once it’s passed—you will truly understand God’s joy!

When it's too Late

When it’s too Late

Most little girls play mommy when they are little.  They dream of being a bride on their wedding day.  When I was little, I dreamed of becoming Miss America.  I played pageants with my dolls instead of playing house.  I had to practice the piano when most little girls were busy being little girls. 

As I watch Miss America, I realize every time that it’s too late.  There is absolutely nothing I can do to attempt my dream again.  I had one shot.  I took a chance when most would have let the opportunity pass them by because odds were against me.  I still wonder what it would be like to grace the stage of Miss America.  Even though every girl that does get the chance to walk across the Miss America stage, only one walks home with the title of Miss America.  They each only get one shot at taking home the crown. 

I only had one chance at the Miss Louisiana crown.  I can’t go back in time and try 4 or 5 times like most Miss Louisiana’s did during their journey for the crown.  So what is one to do when their lifetime dream is gone?  When it’s too late?

My thought on this is that it wasn’t ever God’s will for me to become Miss Louisiana or maybe it was but I strayed from His path.  Whatever the case may be, there is nothing I can do to change the past.  God’s word says in Psalms 37:4 that we are to delight in the Lord and He will give us the desires of our heart.  I think that many interpret this verse wrong.  I believe that once we are truly devoted to God and serving Him 100%, then our heart’s desires will change.  They will no longer be about us but about Him.  My dream of Miss America did not come true but I believe there is a dream that God has planted in me that has yet to give birth.  This dream will be bigger than my dream of becoming Miss America.  By the world’s standards, it’s too late but by God’s…it’s never too late!

Man in the Mirror

The Man in the Mirror

I went to see Shout for Joy one Friday night and a song was sung during that movie that speaks to me so strongly every time I hear it. This song, coming from one who spent so much on his outward appearance, has so much wisdom.  The name of the song is Man in the Mirror. 

I'm Starting With The Man In
The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change
His Ways
And No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
Take A Look At Yourself, And
Then Make A Change

How true are these lyrics?  We try to change others but forget that we have to first begin with ourselves.  God’s word clearly states that we are to first look inward at our on lives.  Matthew 7:5 says, “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”  Magazines these days are filled with gossip.  They put celebrities in the spot light for us to dissect every part of their lives.  The headlines are filled with gossip of celebrities.  Who cheated on their spouse?  Who was arrested for drugs?  Who has an eating disorder?  How long someone’s marriage lasted.  The world feeds off of the downfall of others.  The world loves a good train wreck.  What if we were all put under a magnifying glass for the world to see.  Would we be able to answer for everything?  Would they find out that we struggle with the same thing as the ones we point our fingers at daily?  We are to start with ourselves.  Look in the mirror.  Ask God to point out areas in your life that could change for the good.  Areas that would allow us change another’s life. 

Friday the 13th

Friday the 13^th

Friday the 13^th—many associate this day as bad luck because of the last supper.  People believe that having 13 people at the table will result in one death and many state that Christ was crucified on a Friday.  So are you extra cautious on Friday the 13^th or do you live boldly as any other day knowing that we live not according to the world’s beliefs but by the word of God.  He is our refuge.

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.

Who is the happiest person you know?

Who is the Happiest Person You Know?

I was given a book by my mother one Christmas titled, Where will you be five years from today?  There are several sections to complete about goals, values, dreams, etc.  One of the sections asked to list the happiest person I know.  I tried and tried to think of someone that always smiles and is just plain happy.  I left it blank. 

What is happiness?  It is the mental state of well being characterized by positive emotions.  I want to be that person that someone could list as the happiest person they know.  Today I will be happy. I will count my blessings.  I will mentally prepare myself from this day forward.  I want true happiness. I want people to leave my presence uplifted.  I want them to leave with some type of joy that was rubbed off from me.  I enjoy being around happy people. It just makes you feel good. 

Remember the saying—I’m rubber, you’re glue, whatever you say bounces off of me and sticks to you?  Think about someone saying that to you.  Are your words positive words that need to stick to someone or do your words kill someone’s spirit?  The saying “birds of a feather flock together” is so true.  Make sure that you are with the singing blue birds and not the crow! And one more saying to always remember, Don’t worry—be happy!

Think on These Things

Think on These Things

Music-Words-Thoughts.  Philippians 4:8 says “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 

I was at the CBR at the Ike Hamilton in West Monroe, LA one Friday night and as the bull riders were getting ready in their gates, a song came on the loud speakers—Highway to Hell.  The rodeo clown was dancing and the crowd was going crazy during every song that played.  But when this particular song came on, my soul cringed.  When I got saved on July 31, 1999, my view of life changed.  I knew there was a hell and I was headed straight for it before that sweet day.  I didn’t stay on the path since that day as much as I wished I had but my soul would still cringe when I heard or saw certain things because I knew in my heart what was right.  I had been changed.  God had given me a new life.  He had given me the opportunity to live for Him and serve Him.  So as I heard this song that night, I wanted to put my hands over my ears or get on the microphone and ask these people if they truly knew what these lyrics were speaking.  I never really knew the lyrics to this song until a few days later. I pulled the lyrics up and it was worse than I thought.  It says:

Living easy, living free Season ticket on a one-way ride Asking nothing, leave me be Taking everything in my stride Dont need reason, dont need rhyme Aint nothing I'd rather do Going down, party time My friends are gonna be there too, yeah

Im on the highway to hell on the highway to hell highway to hell im on the highway to hell
No stop signs, speed limit Nobodys gonna slow me down Like a wheel, gonna spin it Nobodys gonna mess me round Hey satan, payed my dues Playing in a rocking band Hey momma, look at me Im on my way to the promised land


Copied from MetroLyrics.com

Wow! We as Christians are to watch what we listen to because it can cause our mind to think things that are not lined up with God’s word.  Lyrics that are sung by famous musicians influence everyone.  They can influence them positively or negatively.  They can make them feel good or bad.  They can make you happy or sad.  But what God’s word says speaks volumes.  Our thoughts that come about from songs or words spoken to us affect us.  His word specifically states to think on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely or admirable.  Our thoughts become actions.  Watch what enters your ears.  Watch what you speak.  Think on things that are going to direct your life towards heaven.  No one hopefully wants to endure any kind of hell.

Think defined by www.dictionary.com is to have a conscious mind, to some extent of reasoning, remembering experiences, making rational decisions, etc.

Thoughts defined by www.dictionary.com is the product of mental activity

What is Your Goal?

On January 9, 2012, Alabama shut down the LSU Tigers for the National BCS Championship title.  Final score of 21-0.  Not even letting the Tigers cross the 50 yard line until the 4^th quarter.  They were on a mission.

Now I am a Tiger Fan. Born and raised in West Monroe, LA; I wear my purple and gold proudly.  But Alabama played to win and not just win but to do whatever it took to stop the Tigers from going anywhere.  They were focused -- they had one goal in mind that night and it was to shut down the Tigers for the national championship!! That's how we are to play the so called “game of life.” With one goal — to shut down our enemy who tries to destroy our lives! The enemy of depression, addiction, financial struggles, guilt, not being accepted, constantly being beat down, a struggling marriage, sickness, or whatever it is that you battle daily... Shut down the negative thoughts before they can create a negative action! The Bama boys shut down the Tigers before they could create an action that would possibly result in a victory.  Shut down the enemy!!! One goal-- focus! Alabama was mentally focused.  They walked out on the field that night as winners. 

We are to be prepared and fully clothed with the armor of God because the enemy is running around seeking to devour anyone in his path.  Shut him down before he has the chance to create something that could destroy your life.

One goal – focus!

Goal defined by http://www.dictionary.com/ is the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end.

Focus defined by http://www.dictionary.com/ is to concentrate: to focus one's thoughts.