tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82161859613574873302024-03-13T20:05:22.450-07:00BLESSED CHIXDISCUSSIONS ABOUT SPIRIT-FILLED LIVING, MATTERS OF THE HEART AND SUCH....
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956809242757472577noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8216185961357487330.post-57239429189774601832016-06-28T16:53:00.000-07:002016-06-28T16:53:34.486-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956809242757472577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8216185961357487330.post-83287182566723206342016-03-31T17:32:00.000-07:002016-04-07T04:34:13.036-07:00WE SHALL OVERCOME- THE REMIX<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif;">by Deirdre Simmons</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif;">This is not your grandmother's Negro
spiritual; the holding hands and swaying kind of we shall overcome. It is
not someday, it is today. It is recognizing our collective 2016 mountains and personal valleys. It is not passive. This is a Beyoncé awaking,
I can't breathe, why all this for no turn signal, 9 dead in a church, and a
mentally unstable deranged bigot wants the White House kinda we shall overcome.
This is overcoming crime and the accompanying helicopters in our hoods, the
morally corrupt in power, and a demonizing of God's people. It is the
focus on testing versus learning and the dumbing down of our babies kinda we
shall overcome. It's the movement to reinterpret and change the word of
God about marriage. It's the inner voice saying you have no voice, it's
our addictions, our anger, our mental instabilities, which by the way, we
refuse to acknowledge much less seek help. Listen, it’s national, it's
local, and it's personal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif;">We have been put on notice-it's
formation time. So, how do we overcome in a time when we are out of step, out
of touch, and so many are out of line? Here is the charge for overcoming:
Fuel hope, build faith, and do the work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif;">Wilderness moments are when things are
darkest and the outlook is bleak. Stop and reflect on some of those times.
Call out the trauma by name. Now, take a slow cleansing breath and
realize He has brought us through it all. He is the same God now that He
was as He comforted us through the pain. In Psalm 119 verse 90, we are
assured that God's faithfulness endures through all generations. Fuel
your hope knowing we have collectively and individually overcome: we will again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif;">As you strengthen your mind and spirit
through prayer and study, surround yourself with people who truly have your
best interest at heart: you are building your faith. Have you heard
someone say God knows my heart as an excuse for not going to church or actively
participating in the building of their faith? When we study the word,
engage in learning together and prayer, it's like constructing the armor before
the fight. Hold fast to your hope and don't discount how important it is to get
together to stir up some love and good works (Hebrews 10: 23-25). We
wouldn't wait until we are in the midst of a conflict to build up protection.
Get your sword, your breastplate, helmet, et.al, together, now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif;">Faith without works is dead.
You've got to put in the work. There are no shortcuts. If it
is changing the landscape of a nation or your personal healing (and everything
in between) do the work. We can learn and be inspired by others' stories:
Nehemiah rebuilt his city that was in ruins and the woman with the issue of
blood put in the work She made her way to where she knew her healing could
occur. She reached out her hand and spoke up. Daniel is falsely accused
and put in a lion’s den yet he remained loyal, Joseph's life was the
"pits", and Shiphrah and Puah worked in their gifts and made a safe
passage for babies putting their own lives in jeopardy. They were all on
assignment. What's your assignment? God does some of His best work
in situations that look bleak: times when we can't see the victory. People
will discourage, distract or try to destroy you. We are on assignment:
don't get sidetracked. Do the work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif;">Reflect and remember the trials of the
past and how we have overcome. Get together and build your faith; seek out help
when you need it. As we are closing our discussion on overcoming, I want
you to refer you to someone's story. In the book “<b><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NFW25KI/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?ie=UTF8&btkr=1" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Until The Brighter Tomorrow</span></a></u></b>" by Valerie Rainford, she recounts some of the difficulties and
tragedies in her life. Be inspired and sure of the fact:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif;">We shall overcome...<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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Deirdre Simmons, PHR, SHRM-CP, entrepreneur, past president of SHRM Gateway, and most important role-wife, began <i>Cast Your Net on the Right Side</i> #NowWhat non-profit to bring a relationSHIPS dialogue to the community. This God-given vision provides biblically based practical instruction for men and women on everyday living while edifying participants. There are 2 other business under the cast your net brand: <i>Cast Your Net Travel</i> and <i>Smoove Stones</i>.</div>
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This graduate of Purdue University is also an EEO Advisor, has a certification in HR and is currently enrolled at UCONN.</div>
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The former Deirdre Cash has been married to chef, trainer, chaplain, Minister Jerry Simmons for 6 1/2 years. She has worked as a servant leader in several ministries however, wife is her first ministry.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956809242757472577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8216185961357487330.post-49589807066958077512016-03-28T09:48:00.000-07:002016-03-28T09:58:41.233-07:00WHEN TROUBLE COMES<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q870FKSWA74/Vvlipziy4MI/AAAAAAAAAMs/N1pH9CE91skWkRjJmlGpoI6zP7HWljQ0w/s1600/better-not-bitter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q870FKSWA74/Vvlipziy4MI/AAAAAAAAAMs/N1pH9CE91skWkRjJmlGpoI6zP7HWljQ0w/s200/better-not-bitter.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">by
Simone Oliver<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">10</span></sup></b><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">But may the God of all grace, who called
us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while,
perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
<sup>11</sup>To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen
(1 Peter 5:10,11)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We live in a culture that I
jokingly call, “Fakin’ Worship”. It
seems that the Praise and Worship movement that has overtaken our churches, has
created an atmosphere of false humility and false faithfulness. We have perfected empty clichés<i>: I
am blessed and highly favored. I am too
blessed to be stressed.</i> And when the choir starts to sing, Chile, we lift
our hel…, hol… (whatever) hands. You know, it seems like er’ body is walking in
the favor of the Lord and we got to get our “praise on”! We don’t even grieve at funerals
anymore! Somehow to cry is to be
faithless and unbelieving, but I know that he who loves much also grieves
much. Certainly we know we shall see our
loved ones again, but for the moment, the loss is great and no one should feel
ashamed or guilty for expressing their grief.
Have you ever noticed how people are expected to praise their way
through everything? Listen, I love to
worship, really I do! BUT, I also know
that life brings us trouble; it doesn’t always feel good and no one should feel
compelled to “praise” in their pain because often the best praise we can bring
to the altar is our tears. <u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Do you remember <u>The Five
Heartbeats</u>? Who doesn’t like that
movie?!? Well, I can’t think of
anyone! Most of us enjoy stories of
challenge and triumph -- of overcoming and beating the odds and certainly good
music helps; but, there is one line in the movie that had an impact so great
that I have never forgotten it Do you
remember Duck’s acceptance speech? “A
critic said, ‘Donald Mathews will be a great writer one day when he suffers
more.’ And I said to myself, what does that mean? Now I know what it
means.” Is suffering really valuable? Apparently God thinks so. Jesus often spoke of what he would suffer and
what those who followed him would suffer, but the truth be told, adversity will
find you whether you love Jesus or not and whether you believe it has value or
not. It’s just a part of life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Let’s face it. Life is life and there are only two things we
can be sure of. The first is that we are
not getting out alive and the second is that adversity does not discriminate. That, along with sin, is the greatest
equalizer of human kind. All have sinned
and all will suffer. <i>Job (14:1) said in this way: Man is born of
a woman is of few days and full of trouble</i>.
But some suffer to bitterness and some suffer to “better-ness”. We often wonder how some persons face what
seems like insurmountable obstacles and not only survive them but remains
pleasant, graceful and productive while others face fewer obstacles and their
lives spiral downward and they are left stagnant, hateful, and toxic. Well, I think it comes down to how well we
choose to suffer. I know, I know! It seems that suffering and well should not
be in the same sentence. We can’t pick
our suffering, but we can choose how we’ll respond to it. I’d like to give you five necessary keys to
suffering well so that you can be honest and left <b>better</b> rather than <b>bitter</b>.<i> <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Acknowledge your pain</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">. Name your pain and give yourself permission
to feel it. Be as kind and gracious with
yourself as you are with others. God
understands the messiness of humanity; you don’t have to pretend to have an
unshakable faith. We all shake in the
midst of adversity. You can count on
having some bad days. Honestly, you won’t
disappoint God if you don’t have it together and your tears and disappointment
are not a measure of your faith. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Trust
that God has a plan</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">.
Nothing sneaks up on God, God just can’t be surprised. God knew about it before you did! Many say that God never gives us more than we
can bear, I don’t believe that. God
often gives up what we can’t bear so that God can bear it with us. God walks with us in our pain. God’s strength is made perfect in our
weakness. God is sovereign, just and
faithful and has a plan for our lives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Be open
to learning</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">. As my siblings and I transitioned from tweens
to teens, my father was often heard telling one of us, “You’re going to have to
buy your own sense on that one.” What he
was saying that there were some things in life that we were going to learn only
from experience. Adversity can be an
opportunity for great growth if we are open to learning. It has the potential to mature us and make us
wise in ways that no other education can do.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Be
patient</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">. All adversity passes. Trouble doesn’t last always. In the Bible, there are 182 occurrences of
the word suffer and it’s various tenses and 522 occurrences of the word blessed
and its various forms. That lets me know
that God’s blessings in our lives far outweigh our adversities. So we can hope, even in the midst of pain
because of who God is and What God promises.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Ask God
to meet you in your pain</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">.
It’s a process. Getting over your
disappointment, anger, bitterness and unforgiveness may take some time. Keep praying about it and keep
practicing. Some days will be easier
than others. God has never called us to
bear the burden along. “What a friend we
have in Jesus. All our sins and grief to
bear. What a privilege it is to carry everything
to God in prayer.” This will compel you
to worship!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">When you choose </span><b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">better</b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> instead of </span><b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">bitter</b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">, worship will naturally spring forth as you learn that God
is walking with you in your pain.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">When
you choose </span><b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">better</b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> instead of </span><b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">bitter</b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">, God’s presence will bring you
comfort, you will begin to glimpse a brighter tomorrow and you will know that
you can patiently wait the good things God has in store for your future.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Kahlil Gibran said, “Out of suffering have
emerged the strongest souls.”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Yes you
can be certain that through it all God will perfect, establish, strengthen, and
settle you—if you choose to be </span><b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">better </b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">instead
of </span><b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">bitter</b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Simone Oliver has journeyed from tragedy to triumph, from victim to victor, and from surviving to thriving after a horrific, violent attempt to end her life. She is a passionate preacher, educator, and advocate for women who is committed to the spiritual care of women and girls, bringing healing to their wounded hearts through God's grace.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Simone is Executive Director of <a href="http://new-day-ministries.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">New Day Ministries, Inc</span>.</a> which she founded with her husband, Allen, to combat gender-based violence and create safe sanctuaries in all churches. </i></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956809242757472577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8216185961357487330.post-47518424673257851002016-03-07T18:56:00.004-08:002016-03-07T19:05:49.402-08:00A FRIEND TO LEAN ON<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 Thessalonians 5:11</span></i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Therefore comfort each
other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. (NKJV)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A while back I had a conversation with a friend about an old
issue that I dealt with more than ten years ago now. While I was talking I could feel my heart
racing, muscles tensing, and I even started to get a slight headache. I thought that I was over that thing. I believed for a decade that I had overcome
the situation that had hurt me to the core.
Truthfully, I had not overcome my past and was living daily as if it did
not bother me. My friend challenged me
on what I had done to overcome the issue and the best I could come up with was
that I tried not to think about it and thought that time would heal the wound. When hearing myself give this explanation I
realized that I had done nothing to really get over my past. I had not done any worthwhile work in overcoming
my pain and this was evident based on the agitation I felt when talking to my
friend. Naively I thought that putting
something in the back of my mind would make things go away. Sometimes when we are so hurt we forget
everything that we know about moving forward and letting go. But those things have a way of resurfacing when we least expect them to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My good friend encouraged me to pray, forgive my offender, share the core of my pain to someone, and to release myself from the chains
that had me bound with God’s help.
Receiving affirmation and support from my friend was the start of me truly
overcoming my past so that I could build better relationships in the
future. God showed me through her that I
deserved to be healed and would be if I truly sought it. Proverbs 12:25 says that <i>anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it
glad</i>. (NKJV) At one point I would
not have considered my issue as one that added anxiety to my life, but thank
God for my friend who gave me a good word and motivated me to recognize a hidden
problem. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As women seeking fulfillment through Christ it is important
for us to help each other. We should be
willing to be a shoulder and ear to our sisters in need, and be willing to receive a word of encouragement. Support systems are a essential to spiritual
growth. Even Jesus had a support system
in his disciples and others that helped his ministry move forward, and he was
the ultimate example for how we should live in spirit and truth. Consider your spiritual circle for a
moment. Do you have a prayer partner,
someone you can confide in that is spiritually mature, or a friend that will
give you a truthful and encouraging word when you need it?
If the answer is no, how can you start to build these kinds of connections? If the answer is yes, reflect on how those
relationships have helped you overcome a difficult circumstance. These relationships should also be reciprocated
so I challenge you to become one who uplifts someone in need with love, prayer,
or an encouraging word. I recently
challenged myself on this and recognized that I have always had the support of
women in the form of a mother, sister, grandmother, friend, and other
mother-like figures. This is what has
helped me to survive some of my darkest days.
I needed them to lean on and thank God that they were willing to be that
for me. Now I need to work on being more of an encouragement to other women who may need to hear a good word from the heart and the Lord. I want to also be a friend that others can lean on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bill Withers’s <a href="https://youtu.be/N5jlPL1tNDY" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Lean on Me</span></a> is perfect
for this moment. If you are not familiar with the song click the bold title link above Enjoy! And thank you for reading. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Check the <a href="http://blessedchix.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Blessed Chix Blog</span></a> for new posts and always feel free to comment, ask questions, and make suggestions for future topics in the comment box below or by email at blessedchix@gmail.com.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the meantime, love AND live.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">N. Wilson</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">creator (Blessed Chix- <span style="font-size: x-small;">the blog</span>)</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">Nikitia (Niki) Wilson believes in the power of storytelling. She founded Blessed Chix to fulfill the call that God gave her to reach, encourage, and inspire women and girls through testimonies of overcoming the odds. Niki has dedicated her life and ministry to creating a platform where women can share with each other in safe, nonjudgmental, and “come as you are” environments in order to find fullness in life and in love. She is happily married to her husband Rev. Eli Wilson, III and resides in Metro New York where she is a librarian. </i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956809242757472577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8216185961357487330.post-82587733437403684802016-02-03T17:54:00.000-08:002016-02-03T17:59:21.169-08:00Featured Blogger: MONIQUE JONES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HifztW7_CdE/VrKwGBSdyjI/AAAAAAAAAMc/Q_ZwpW51gE0/s1600/Monique.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HifztW7_CdE/VrKwGBSdyjI/AAAAAAAAAMc/Q_ZwpW51gE0/s200/Monique.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 14.88px;"><b>Monique L. Jones</b> is a mother, sister, daughter, teacher, and advocate for women and youth, aspiring writer and public intellectual. Monique earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and African American Studies from Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA and a Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in Theology and Women's Studies from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Her studies have afforded her the opportunity to travel internationally to Peru, Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay, India, Cuba, Argentina. She is currently an M.S.W. degree candidate at the Graduate School of Social Work at Rutgers University where her focus is on clinical social work and social policy, with hopes of working in black communities both domestically and globally. Her broader interests include the intersection of pastoral counseling, womanist theory and spiritual autobiographical writing as a means of both worship and healing.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 14.88px;">Monique's prior professional and community service experience includes over four years in immigration law at Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Lowey, LLP, interning with the United States Senate Health, Education, Labor &Pension Committee, and Sunda School Union in Tamil Nadu, India, volunteering with Camp Kilpatrick, a male juvenile detention camp, and PepReach, a college-prep mentoring program for inner city high school students in Los Angeles county; and church pianist at Bethany Missionary Baptist Church in Oceanside, CA. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 14.88px;">Since October 2012 Monique has served as the Program Coordinator for the Princeton YMCA's Y Scholars program, an extracurricular educational and team mentoring program which supports minority youth in the 5th - 12th grades. She is currently a Youth Minister at Union Baptist Church in Trenton, NJ and a Social Worker Intern at Princeton High School where she was awarded a Princeton Education Foundation teacher mini-grant for curriculum she developed for an afterschool girls group.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 14.88px;"><span style="color: #e06666;">Monique is </span><b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.blessedchix.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Blessed Chix's</a> </span></b><span style="color: #e06666;">newest contributor and she is already making a meaningful impact. Like us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Blessed-Chix-871220439636836/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel" target="_blank"><b>Facebook</b></a> to keep up with what she is doing in her ministries and read her blog posts here: </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 14.88px;"><a href="http://blessedchix.blogspot.com/2016/01/to-everything-there-is-season-enduring.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">To Everything there is a Season</span></b></a></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956809242757472577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8216185961357487330.post-80020562137121597662016-01-31T18:18:00.000-08:002016-01-31T18:36:30.093-08:00TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON: ENDURING SEASONS OF DIFFICULTY <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By Monique Jones</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I walked in grief with a close friend who had recently lost her
mother. </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">She was turning 30, an age marking a period of life psychologists
identify as the “age of transition.” She would now have to face life and all
its vicissitudes without her mother. No longer able to tap into the wise
counsel of her mother or to gather pearls of wisdom from a resource that at
times knew her better than herself, my friend would have to transition into her
own self-proclaimed womanhood without her mother. She would have to claim
herself while proclaiming her purpose, all this without a mother to share
untold stories or lessons gleaned from living.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I felt like a spectator, standing on the sidelines of my dear
sister’s tragedy. I would never quite fully understand what was going on inside
the heart and mind of my friend. However, I did recognize that this would
be a season of change, a time of discomfort and pain: “to everything there is a
season.” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Careful to not use the often times more damaging cliché, “it all
happens for a reason,” I walked in solidarity with her, offering an arm of
comfort, an ear of compassionate listening, and my love: patient and free of
judgment. Sometimes those walking paths of grief are not looking for answers,
but simply an ear willing to listen to the sound of their heartbreak. And in
the midst of this, I thought about the fact that change is inevitable.
Here, I was comforting my friend recognizing that as she approached the
age of transition, the very world in which her changing life would be lived was
shifting beneath her feet. However, all of the pieces of her life that
were connected to her mother that appeared to have been stolen away too soon,
would eventually be seen as the pieces to a greater story that was still being
written. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: <i>A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance</i>...(Ecclesiastes 3:1-4) </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The writer of Ecclesiastes speaks about there not only being a
designated time for every delightful thing, person or activity, but a
designated time to enjoy those very things as well. So what does it mean
when the very things that bring us joy are then taken away from us? Many
would suggest that this verse indicates that the pain of grief has a purpose
and thus should give us hope. However, I challenge that we expand to see
that this verse may suggest more than that. It means that hope is found
in the idea that because God had already ordained the existence of this mother-daughter
relationship and the exchange of love and delight that took place, that God is
still in control even in the midst of all of the pain, anger, doubt or
confusion. Later, the writer states that God “has made everything beautiful in its time...[and that] no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end (Eccl 3:11)." </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hope
lies within the process of life’s pain and grief. We have to believe that while god is still n control in every situation, there is beauty still yet to be found in our life, in our periods of transition, and out encounters with change. That the very weight of death of a loved one speaks not to our inability to grasp an instantaneous understanding of the purpose of that death, but of the god-purposed beauty that will unfold through the very process of struggling with that weight.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">To everything there is a season: "<i>A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace</i> (Ecclesiastes 3:5-8)". </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There is a time to grieve and a time to celebrate, a time to laugh and a time to cry, but when it's all said and done, God will look upon you and still say, "it is good." </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aUyU2IxJDyQ/Vq6_SyxKSJI/AAAAAAAAAL8/0USfL1Haw88/s1600/Monique.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aUyU2IxJDyQ/Vq6_SyxKSJI/AAAAAAAAAL8/0USfL1Haw88/s200/Monique.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: inherit;"><b>Monique L. Jones, M.Div.</b> is a mother, sister, daughter, teacher, advocate
for women and youth, aspiring writer and public intellectual. Monique earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political
Science and African American Studies from Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA and a Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in Theology and Women's Studies from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Her Studies have afforded her the opportunity to travel internationally to Peru, Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay, India, Cuba, and Argentina. She is currently an M.S.W. degree candidate at the Graduate School of Social Work at Rutgers University where her focus is on clinical social work and social policy, with hopes of working in black communities both domestically and globally. Her broader interests include the intersection of pastoral counseling, womanist theory and spiritual autobiographical writing as both worship and healing. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956809242757472577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8216185961357487330.post-41769091576038277482016-01-18T17:40:00.000-08:002016-01-18T18:03:40.133-08:00Featured Blogger: DEIRDRE SIMMONS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sp3mTJ3AtMo/Vp2Uo6_nc_I/AAAAAAAAAL0/DQhG-KMNAG8/s1600/d2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sp3mTJ3AtMo/Vp2Uo6_nc_I/AAAAAAAAAL0/DQhG-KMNAG8/s200/d2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif; line-height: 93%;">“We are only living fully if we are helping others
“get to where they need to be…”</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif; line-height: 93%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif; line-height: 93%;">This week's featured blogger exhibits and lives by this personal declaration. Deirdre Simmons, PHR, SHRM-CP is a </span><span style="font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif; line-height: 93%;">graduate of Purdue University with a B.A. degree
in Organizational Communications with minors in Management and
Supervision. </span><span style="font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif; line-height: 93%;">She has also obtained her
certifications in human resources and equal rights advising and is currently a
graduate student at the UCONN School of Business in the MSHRM Program. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">Deirdre is the immediate past president for the Gateway Chapter of the Society of Human Resources Management garnering the Silver Award for Excellence under her
leadership. </span><span style="font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">She
has worked with the health ministry, women’s ministry and as a missionary at
St. Paul Baptist Church in Montclair, NJ.
</span><span style="font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">Her mission trip to Ghana was one of her first true experiences in being
able to shape the lives of youth: there were teenagers who were there to learn
about both leadership and mission work.</span><span style="font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">
</span><span style="font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">Deirdre also served, at a Brooklyn church in the multi-media ministry,
Griot (photographers), LinkedIn One-to-One Network (assisting congregants with
their resumes, cover letters, other workforce readiness initiatives) and the
youth ministry alongside her husband Chaplain Jerry Simmons.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">It
is with great pleasure to announce that she is operating in her gifts at a
full-time role at Dress for Success Worldwide, as an HR Business Partner. Mrs. Simmons has been a mentor, volunteer,
graduation speaker and panelist for non-profits, has worked at Ford Motor
Company, Bloomingdale’s and Kodak and is a business owner. </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">It is an honor to lend her views through the Blessed Chix
blog and as a speaker for various community engagements. She and her husband ask your support</span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"> </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">when you are planning your
travel: visit </span><span style="font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.castyournettravel.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><span id="goog_1042560718"></span>www.castyournettravel.com</span></a></span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"> <span id="goog_1042560719"></span></a>for all your travel needs and
for their non-profit.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">Cast
Your Net On The Right Side #NowWhat is a non-profit organization that </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">provides a vehicle by which
transformative experiences occur that educate, inspire and empower
participants in such a way that we change the dynamics of relationSHIPS,
marriage and the community at large. We engage men and women in the same space on
domestic violence, finances, leadership & communication bonds, boundaries
and beliefs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e06666;">To learn more about Deirde Simmons' work, mission, and to be involved with her ministry please find, like, and follow </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Cast-Your-Net-On-The-Right-Side-NowWhat-687742281306228/?fref=ts" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">CastYourNetOTRS</span></a><span style="color: #e06666;"> on Facebook where you can learn about her event gatherings and annual relationSHIPS conference.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif;">Since joining </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blessedchix.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Blessed Chix</a></span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif;"> as a featured blogger Deirdre has been a true advocate for reaching women through challenging and engaging narratives. She also helps to keep our blog afloat with persistent encouragement and prayer. Read her blog posts here: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "maiandra gd" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956809242757472577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8216185961357487330.post-37382721480561125542016-01-11T13:48:00.000-08:002016-01-11T17:19:45.076-08:00Featured Blogger: SIMONE OLIVER<div style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-left: 21.05pt; mso-element-linespan: 3; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: dropcap-in-margin; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IfBHoG_Fpgk/VpRUor97oyI/AAAAAAAAALY/DzO0CcpaJY4/s1600/simone14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IfBHoG_Fpgk/VpRUor97oyI/AAAAAAAAALY/DzO0CcpaJY4/s200/simone14.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent,
but the one most responsive to change.” </span></b><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This quote by Charles
Darwin sums up Simone Oliver’s journey from tragedy to triumph, from victim to
victor, and from surviving to thriving. Simone is a passionate preacher,
educator, and advocate for women whose pragmatic, earthy style reaches the
heart of an issue. Simone is committed to the spiritual care of women and
girls, bringing healing to their wounded hearts through God’s grace, and
finding solutions to gender-based violence through prevention and awareness
education. Simone is a gifted speaker/presenter in the areas of domestic
and teen dating violence and serves as an advocate for safe churches and responsible ministry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Simone has served as an educator in the New Jersey public school system and has an avid interest in reading and the power of language. Simone was a featured educator on NJ Classroom Close-up for the award winning poem "My Captain" written by one of her students in her honor and was nominated to <i>Who's Who among American Teachers</i> for three consecutive years. She is the author of <u>From Grace to Grace: A Prayer & Healing Journal</u>; a published poet and has written for Harriet and Blessed Chix blogs. She currently facilitates the online Bible study: <i>re-VISIONing Women of the Bible for Power, Purpose, & Impact. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Simone is also Executive Director of New Day Ministries, Inc. which she founded with her husband, Allen, to combat gender-based violence and create safe sanctuaries in all churches. She holds a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary with a concentration in Women's Studies. She is also a member of Church Women United and the Women of Color Network, but her greatest joy is life in Central Jersey with her husband and daughter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To learn more about Simone's work, mission, and to be involved in her ministries please visit<span style="color: blue;"> <b><a href="http://new-day-ministries.org/index.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">New Day Ministries, Inc.</span></a> </b></span>and <a href="http://www.revisionwwomen.org/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">re-VISIONing Women</span></b></a> where you can join her online weekly empowerment bible study. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Simone
Oliver’s contribution to the <a href="http://blessedchix.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">BlessedChix</span></a> blog has proven to be challenging, heartfelt, and encouraging. Read them here<span style="color: #e06666;">: </span><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://blessedchix.blogspot.com/2015/12/uncommon-good.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Uncommon Good </span></a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://blessedchix.blogspot.com/2015/11/forgive-thanks.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">(For)give Thanks!</span></a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://blessedchix.blogspot.com/2015/09/who-will-weep-for-us-jeremiah-9-17-25.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Who Will Weep for Us?</span></a></span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956809242757472577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8216185961357487330.post-47582773546144943092015-12-21T18:20:00.000-08:002016-01-31T17:58:50.300-08:00UNCOMMON GOOD<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px; text-align: justify;">
by Simone Oliver<br />
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<span class="s5" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> (Hebrews 13:16, ESV)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.6px;">Well, it’s that season again. Advent. It is that time when we reflect on the anxious anticipation of the birth of the Christ and what He means to the world (at least when we’re being really spiritual, we might</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="line-height: 21.6px;">J</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.6px;">). I wish I really spent as much time reflecting on the Christ as I did trying to figure out what to get my loved ones for Christmas. But anyway… So I was doing what I do very well. Online shopping! </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.6px;">I’m surfing and browsing, surfing and browsing and I run across a site called “uncommon goods” (</span><a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/"><span class="s7" style="color: #0563c1; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">www.uncommongoods.com</span></a><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.6px;">) and believe it or not, that’s what prompted my reflection! (Sorry, Jesus.</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.6px;">) I began to think about the news. The wars and rumors of wars. The “T” word. (Terrorism.) State murders of the innocent. Corporate greed</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.6px;">. The exploitation of the poor. The women and children who always seems to be the spoils of the war and all of that. Hatred and racism. Sexism and lust. You know, all of the news that we have become so comfortable living with that we tune into prime time TV and watch it some more for entertainment and I thought, what if…</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">What if we, who call ourselves Christians, were less influenced by pop culture and more influence by Kingdom culture? What would that look like? I think that it would look like what has become uncommon good! What if we carried our gifts every day and sprinkled them here and there and wherever our environment dictated? We could give random gifts of kindness and gentleness on our way to work. We could gift a troubled co-worker by picking up the slack till the storm is over. We could give the gift of picking up a dropped coin for a stranger or stopping to chat a moment with the elderly. And, what if we gifted a smile</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> and an amiable</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> look in</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">to </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">the eye</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">s of</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">strangers on an elevator, affirming their humanity and worth? Affirming that they too are made in Imago Dei? What </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">would happen </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">if we spread the gift of uncommon good?</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> I think we would have a revolution!</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">What if we shared from our substance? What if we committed to buying one meal per week for some homeless person? What if we shopped for our elderly neighbor once a month? Or, shoveled the snow, or cut the grass, or something? What if we treated a woman in a shelter to a day at a salon or her children to Chuck-E-Cheeses? These are the gifts that are never forgotten</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">, the gifts that cost so little and mean so much.</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> What</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8216185961357487330" name="_GoBack"></a><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> if this year for Christmas, we gave some uncommon good?</span></span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 21.6px;">Let us consider unwrapping ourselves from ourselves and the materialism that overtakes even the best of us. Let us unwrap ourselves from self-absorption and the idea that if we are not happy, no one can be happy. Let us unwrap ourselves from the constant desire for more because the eye is never satisfied. Let us unwrap ourselves from the hatred that causes us to not see the humanity in others. Let us unwrap ourselves and present ourselves as the gift. The gift to be used by God for God’s good and God’s glory. Let us do some uncommon good.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Simone Oliver has journeyed from tragedy to triumph, from victim to victor, and from surviving to thriving after a horrific, violent attempt to end her life. She is a passionate preacher, educator, and advocate for women who is committed to the spiritual care of women and girls, bringing healing to their wounded hearts through God's grace. </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Simone is also Executive Director of New Day Ministries, Inc. which she founded with her husband, Allen to combat gender-based violence and create safe sanctuaries in all churches. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">New Day Ministries, Inc.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.new-day-ministries.org/">http://www.new-day-ministries.org</a></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Safe sanctuaries. Healed hearts.</span></i><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956809242757472577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8216185961357487330.post-76864651835613480402015-12-16T12:36:00.002-08:002016-01-31T18:01:07.326-08:00THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">by Niki Wilson</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever
gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in
its various forms. (NIV)</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Many of us are not strangers to the hustle and
bustle that this time of year brings. The festive decorating, merriment
in the air, family gatherings, and of course the gift finding and giving
permeates the atmosphere and it seems as if every waking moment is leading up
to Christmas day. Christmas in the United States has taken on a capitalistic attitude
that focuses most on gift giving and receiving and most of us often miss the reason for the season. JESUS. I will admit that I am guilty of getting so
wrapped up in getting the tree and finding the perfect gift for my love ones, and THEN taking time to remember that it is Christ who we are to
celebrate. When God presented the gift of Jesus to the Earth we all were
given an opportunity to find abundant life and joy in Him. Thinking of
the life that Christ led in his humanness I realized that although He was a gift
and never gave a wrapped one, Jesus was a gift giver. He gave us the gift of
peace, love, reconciliation, healing, forgiveness, purpose, life, mercy,
prayer, wisdom, freedom, the Holy Spirit, and so much more. Like Jesus,
we also have gifts that are placed in us to share with those that we
encounter. Imagine if we would all take time to bless others with the
gifts that God has placed in us every day of the year. This can be
prayer, an encouraging word, sharing wisdom… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Taking the time to be a gift giver when the holiday
season is over is not only pleasing to God, but we can be active participants
in bringing the true love of Christ to our world that is in dire need of
it. Maybe you can share the gift of a smile, a listening ear
to someone in pain, praying with your sister, or serving those in
need. Today I encourage you to think about what you can share with
those that you meet to uplift them so that your presence and actions become a <i>present </i>to them. Make this a habit. With faith acts we can have
CHRISTmas everyday and be a gift that keeps on giving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Thank you for reading! </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; mso-spacerun: yes;"><i><b>Feel free to comment below or follow Blessed Chix for weekly readings. In the meantime, love AND live.</b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; mso-spacerun: yes;">Nikitia (creator-Blessed Chix-the blog)</span></span></b></i></span><br />
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<i style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">Nikitia (Niki) Wilson believes in the power of storytelling. She founded Blessed Chix to fulfill the call that God gave her to reach, encourage, and inspire women and girls through testimonies of overcoming the odds. Niki has dedicated her life and ministry to creating a platform where women can share with each other in safe, nonjudgmental, and “come as you are” environments in order to find fullness in life and in love. She is happily married to her husband Rev. Eli Wilson, III and resides in Metro New York where she is a librarian. </i></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956809242757472577noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8216185961357487330.post-63974167369572170892015-12-09T13:36:00.002-08:002015-12-16T13:40:53.230-08:00OUGHT<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">by Deirdre Simmons</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="Body2" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Sometimes we have quirks that we don't realize. This can be
because of our </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">environment/upbringing, the influence of others, or just
maybe it is the way we are </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">hard-wired. It is the intricate nature of personality and
psychology: ego, id, and </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">superego. Some of the behaviors we have hold us back in our
personal, professional </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">and spiritual growth. Let's explore how I built a
roadblock, what was needed to </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">continue on the journey that God has for me, and why it
matters.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="Body2" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Maturity and growth are dependent upon the ability to work
through some adversity </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">with grace while also being able to be open to see
opportunities. The plan for my life </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">often deviates from how I believe it ought to look; it
usually won't come to fruition the </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">way I think it will. The story of Joseph sets the stage for
this example: when we have </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">dreams God can and will fulfill them, just not always in
expected ways. </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">Joseph, the son born to Rachel and Jacob, a sheep herder
and dreamer, had a dream of </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">ruling over the land and the people, including his
brothers. His brothers hated him for </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">the dream and because he was their father's favorite son.
His brothers at one point </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">threw him in a pit: Joseph's path to greatness was met with
twists and turns, adversity </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">and snares. However, he remained faithful. He was true to
himself and his God. In </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">adversity he was strategic and recognized opportunity.</span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">At one point he was thrown in </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">jail and took the opportunity to share the gifts that God
gave him regardless of the </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">surroundings. When the opportunity arose he asked a new
friend, a cup bearer, to </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">remember him. His n</span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">ew friend would be in a position to
get him to the next step in his </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">journey. He could have dwelled on how he thought the
fulfillment of his dream ought </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">to have gone causing him to miss some lessons and blessings
along the way. This story </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">climaxes at the point where Joseph's dream of rulership
comes true. At that point, he </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">could have be mired in negativity, and reminded of how he
ought to have been treated by </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">his brothers and what they did instead. However, he showed
love and kindness. This is </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">an example of how what some mean for evil can be meant for
good by God.</span></span></div>
<div class="Body2" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body2" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11.0pt;">My story begins at a neighborhood church. They have an
annual church production and </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">I was invited to be a part of the production staff. I had
some dreams of revamping </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">processes and doing great things. Well, that experience
didn't look like what I thought </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">it ought… As I entered my new assignment, excited about
doing ministry in a new way </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">and giving my all to do kingdom work, I was met by
adversity. One of the women, a </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">church staff member and production team manager, was
negative, rude and critical. </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">Her anger toward me was apparent, my very presence bothered
her. It was adversity. </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">Her personality and actions and subsequently, other
leadership who seemed to </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">condone the behavior and did not offer a place of love
where resolutions and solutions </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">are the norm was the pit in which I was thrown. In the most
Godly and professional </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">way that I knew how to respond, I addressed what I could,
made it clear that God was </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">my audience and I would not be deterred from my assignment.
I sought out ways to </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">excel at my assignment and improve processes. When the
assignment was over, I had </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">built up so much disdain for the production and some of the
members involved that I </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">vowed to never promote, be a part of or support the
production in any form or fashion. </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">It wasn't what I thought it ought to be and I felt that
there were people that didn't </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">glorify God.</span></span></div>
<div class="Body2" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body2" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11.0pt;">It was ok not to support and to not be a part of the
process. It wasn't ok for me not to </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">forgive the actions of others. It was wrong of me to label
these people who I felt were </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">wrong and who mistreated me. In your anger, do not sin.
Ephesians 4:26 tells us that </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">it's ok to be angry: the way we choose to respond should
not be sinful. As I began to do </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">ministry around relationships, the word from God about my
journey was to bring men </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">and women into the same space to improve relationships,
receive instruction on </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">financial intimacy, and dialogue about and give resources
for domestic violence. It is a </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">journey of transformation; it is empowering individuals,
strengthening relationships and </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">ultimately changing the dynamics and landscape of our
communities. It was apparent </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">that for me to do the work while harboring animosity would
be fraudulent. It </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">didn't matter that she didn't ask for forgiveness, I needed
to release the anger and be </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">obedient. "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and
slander be put away from you </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">along with all malice. Be kind to one another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4: 31-32</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body2" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11.0pt;">There is a trusted elder who is also a Reverend: I asked
that he be present because I </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">wanted to have a conversation with this person. He agreed
and was supportive. It was </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">my posture to ask for her forgiveness since every time I
saw her I labeled her as a </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">spawn of satan and a member of the brood of vipers. My
oughts of how she (and </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">others) should have supported me, how "good"
Christians are loving, kind and are </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">joyous, and how leadership in the church ought to respond
are irrelevant. In that </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">moment and going forward, I focus on what God would have me
to do. I am walking </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">fully and wholeheartedly to be in this world but not of
this world, I must live a life that </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">is set apart and hold true to exemplifying the fruits of
the spirit. Regardless of the </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">oughts, I am the salt: I cannot forget it. </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 15px;">I was able to move forward and have a successful conference on relationships and empowerment. And I am grateful for learning to be the example and forgiving as my Father commanded.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">I challenge you
to find the "oughts" in your life </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">or the stumbling blocks that are not allowing you to
forgive and replace them with the </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">courage to forgive. It's ok to say, I'm sorry". It's
ok to forgive people who haven't even </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">asked. It is a healthy thing to forgive and focus on good
and moving forward in the </span><span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;">journey of blessings that God has for you. You will fill
the dark spaces with love and joy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Lastly, you can forgive you too…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "optima"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
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Deirdre Simmons, PHR, SHRM-CP, entrepreneur, past president f SHRM Gateway, and most important role-wife, began <i>Cast Your Net on the Right Side</i> #NowWhat non-profit to bring a relationSHIPS dialogue to the community. This God-given vision provides biblically based practical instruction for men and women on everyday living while edifying participants. There are 2 other business under the cast your net brand: <i>Cast Your Net Travel</i> and <i>Smoove Stones</i>.</div>
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This graduate of Purdue University is also an EEO Advisor, has a certification in HR and is currently enrolled at UCONN.</div>
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The former Deirdre Cash has been married to chef, trainer, chaplain, Minister Jerry Simmons for 6 1/2 years. She has worked as a servant leader in several ministries however, wife is her first ministry.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956809242757472577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8216185961357487330.post-67544601848845144242015-11-13T13:19:00.000-08:002015-11-13T13:21:04.977-08:00(FOR)GIVE, THANKS!<div class="MsoNormal">
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by Simone Oliver</span></h3>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“<sup>26</sup>Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on
your anger,<sup>27</sup> and give no opportunity to the devil.” (Eph. 4:26-27,
ESV)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love Thanksgiving!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>More than Christmas, more than Resurrection Day, Thanksgiving Day
transcends religion, race, gender and all of the stuff the “isms” are made of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone and everyone can find at least one
reason to give thanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BUT, Thanksgiving
can also be a stressful, messy time for families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A time when along with the turkey at the
table, bad blood and bickering often take a seat as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ever present and unresolved conflict seem to
surface under the stress and tension preparing for family gatherings and
holidays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So along with saying, “thank
you”, we may also need to say, “I forgive you”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It seems that forgiveness is
easier said than done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It certainly is
easier for some than it is for others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Out of sight is usually out of mind so even when we think we have
forgotten, old wounds can resurface in the presence of those we don’t see often
and resentment can begin again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
people finding it easier to forgive than others is just an innate characteristic, but all of us have the capacity to forgive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We can choose to make the mental shift in our thinking, being assured
that for every commandment there is enablement. Making that choice allows us to
develop genuine compassion for the offender(s) and make a conscious decision to
trade our anger for peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t
matter how the offender chooses to respond or if s/he responds at all, our
capacity to forgive and let go of anger and resentment affords us the benefit
of being at peace with ourselves and with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It helps to realize how many times we’ve been forgiven by others and the
atonement of Christ Jesus for our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When we consider all that Christ has accomplished for us, then we must
be mindful of how powerful and necessary forgiveness is for ourselves and for
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is nothing more humbling
and gracious than to be offered forgiveness by one we have offended. The sense
of peace and rest that is experienced is incredible. To know that what has been
broken among siblings, friends, or neighbors is now fixed is a sweet gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, there are some relationships that
cannot and should not be restored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
offense was so horrific that the relationship is irreparably broken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, even in this we are commanded to
forgive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The relationship may never be
restored, but letting go of anger, resentment or the desire for revenge
restores our peace and well-being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we
believe in God’s unconditional forgiveness of our offenses, then we have
wonderful point of reflection as we work to forgive other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes, forgiveness is a process. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(For)give, thanks!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMF61IZoYUA/Ve901v0aMII/AAAAAAAAAIk/D6dZ3f_6Pnk/s1600/simone14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMF61IZoYUA/Ve901v0aMII/AAAAAAAAAIk/D6dZ3f_6Pnk/s200/simone14.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Simone Oliver has journeyed from tragedy to triumph, from victim to victor, and from surviving to thriving after a horrific, violent attempt to end her life. She is a passionate preacher, educator, and advocate for women who is committed to the spiritual care of women and girls, bringing healing to their wounded hearts through God's grace.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Simone is Executive Director of <a href="http://new-day-ministries.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">New Day Ministries, Inc</span>.</a> which she founded with her husband, Allen, to combat gender-based violence and create safe sanctuaries in all churches. </i></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956809242757472577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8216185961357487330.post-49590965595221331302015-11-07T15:28:00.000-08:002015-11-13T13:17:23.620-08:00ACCEPT CHANGE & SLAY 'EM<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3eBEFi9TRog/Vj6IpcM2K7I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/Nfh1XqWFgSw/s1600/change.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3eBEFi9TRog/Vj6IpcM2K7I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/Nfh1XqWFgSw/s200/change.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As I
thought about how to tell you how to adapt to change, the 5 things to keep in
mind and how much better your life would be if you embraced change, my bus was
late. Living in New York and dependent
upon public transportation is not for the faint of heart. It was one of those mornings, after a
holiday, where it was the more than the usual difficulty rising for work. I had come to terms with not being able to be
at my desk before 8:00 a.m. However, I knew if I were out of the house by 7:00
a.m. I could be at work by 8:10. Welcome
to the changes in my day where I did not have control: MTA.
However, I did have control over the coffee I forgot by the door and
choosing not to get up and out by 6:40 (which I think is ridiculous that I have
to do to ensure an easier commute) to arrive by 7:45 a.m. Upon arrival at work,
there were pressing issues that caused me to change the plans that I had for
the day; it ended with some issues that would need to be carried into the next
day. Change is that shift that occurs
in life. It is positive and negative,
large and small and it is constant. This
is a coping article for change from someone who has practiced change
management, understands the importance of positively dealing with change and
who can still be negatively impacted by
change, allowing my responses to not truly reflect my faith. That's the first lesson; it is your response
that matters. </span><span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Shree Devanagari 714"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Shree Devanagari 714";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It seems
counterintuitive that change is constant.
Think about it, we have had days driving into work and there was
construction. Perhaps, in a city where
there is mass transit that means the dreaded announcement: “this train is out
of service”, “we are running the C train
on the F track” or “your stop is
undergoing construction, shuttle buses are outside”. Change requires altering your route. How did you respond? Does how you respond also require a change in
attitude? If you, like me, have those
moments where the response is too large and too negative for the occurrence,
ask why? What is going on with you? Why? Are you lamenting today over
something/someone that will not matter next week, month or year? In the
situation I described to you earlier, I took a deep breath, said a prayer,
asked a circle of friends for prayer and I remembered. I remembered, the preacher on Sunday taught
about Asa: the lesson was from 2 Chronicles 14.
Asa</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: FR;">’</span><span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">s
father passed away, he took over Judah and he made some changes. He had the people tear down the idols,
observe God</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: FR;">’</span><span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">s
law and he built up fortified cities. </span><span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Shree Devanagari 714"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Shree Devanagari 714";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Change is necessary
and it will be a natural part of the seasons in your life. You can prepare by removing some things that
hinder your journey and from the success you deserve. Tear down some idols (those things you put
before God). Idols can be social media,
alcohol in excess or some other type of chemical dependency, and/or
following/idolizing people. Are you in
spaces that do not honor God or are under an Abijah (Asa</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: FR;">’</span><span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">s
father)? Are you in church and God can't
be found? Is there no love, are people being mistreated, or is the focus on
serving the poor, the widows, uplifting and teaching the children and making
disciples? Are you at a job where there
is no moral compass? Are you in a relationship that is not healthy? Asa removed
the false Gods: we should go through the same purging process. In observing God</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: FR;">’</span><span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">s
law, there is instruction. If you turn
to worry first, this charge will be a change for you. We are instructed to pray and humbly ask God
for what we need (Philippians 4:6). The part where a lot of us falter is: we
are too impatient to listen and to wait.
After praying, God will provide instruction. With the right response, it is possible to be
at peace in the midst of a storm. Asa
did what God said and he was able to build because “the land was at peace”. You will get understanding as you go through
life and with understanding will come knowledge and if applied properly that
knowledge will be wisdom. Because Asa
exhibited wisdom, his response was different than his father’s.</span><span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Shree Devanagari 714"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Shree Devanagari 714";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Know that
once God reveals truths to you, situations have a way of revealing
themselves. Pay attention. You may be in a space and/or place you have
outgrown. Is it a space that is
dangerous to your mental and physical well-being? If you are in a location where people are
verbally, physically or mentally abusive, manipulating or exhibiting signs of
multiple levels of aggression, you've got to leave. It may be a matter of
seeing the circumstances of your location more clearly. When God says move, you move. Matthew 10: 13-14 says, "And if the house be worthy, let your
peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear
your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of
your feet." Don't stay in places
that are not good for you and are contradictory to all that is good. Change your location.</span><span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Shree Devanagari 714"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Shree Devanagari 714";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In recent
months, both I and my husband have begun school. This is a change that is both
good and challenging and in addition to school, God has given us a word on how
to move with regards to ministry and revealed some things to us to help us to
understand how to proceed. We have had
people to blatantly try to discourage, demean and make us doubt Gods word. The level of foolishness in your life can be
heightened and veils will be lifted. People
who you believe support you really don't and they may have ulterior or
self-serving motives; their true selves begin to show. If you haven't prayed for discernment, the
behaviors of others can catch you off guard.
I thank God for His favor, the gift of discernment and a strong prayer
life with a man after God</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: FR;">’</span><span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">s own
heart. The result of all the
aforementioned blessings is that we are strong in our faith and are committed to
serving God. Change needs to happen; as
you know, there is a season for everything.
Not everyone will understand or support.
Another lesson is when dealing with and understanding change, other
people don't need to give you permission for what God has called, instructed
and ordained you to do. </span><span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Shree Devanagari 714"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Shree Devanagari 714";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Life is
truly shaped by how we choose to handle change. You can respond in the present moment,
when the change occurs as if you had chosen that change for that particular
moment. Dr. Henry Cloud, in his book <i>Necessary Endings</i> writes his first
chapter on how the good cannot begin until the bad ends. This is a good change
but in our humanness we are sometimes stressed even though we know certain
things should end. Cloud's book is a
reference that I strongly recommend. He
also goes on to acknowledge that everything that ends is not all bad, but sometimes
things have just run their course. He
provides guidelines for understanding how you handle change, understanding the
seasons in your life and tools for having productive “</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: DE;">endings</span><span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">”. I've given examples of change in my
life. Think about recent changes in your
life. Could you have handled them
better? Are their people in your life
that are not contributing to the growth and change in your life? Cloud surmises that there are three types of
people in this world: wise, foolish and evil.
You can't deal with them in the same manner. In change, you have to learn to change. Change the people you allow to speak into
your life. Change how you respond.
Change what you share based on others not based on your personality and style.
I haven't strayed. It</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: FR;">’</span><span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">s not
personal. It's scripture. “Behold, I
send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.
Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves” Matthew 10:16. </span><span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Shree Devanagari 714"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Shree Devanagari 714";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There are
people you have to prune out of your life thus, change your circle. However, what happens when it's you that
needs the core change? What is your
outlook on life, have you made some mistakes? Have you had some pain from bad
choices? Do you think it's too late for
you to change? Read Acts 9 where Saul
(who became Paul) "was still breathing out murderous threats against the
Lord</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: FR;">’</span><span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">s
disciples". The story talks about
Saul persecuting until his behavior was interrupted. He thought he was seeing clearly. He thought he was on the right path until God
shed some light on the situation and blinded him so that he could see
clearer. Has something ended or been
taken away and you don't know why? Maybe
God is trying to help you see the situation a little clearer. There are times in your life where you will
need to see things differently and believe that with God, all things are
possible. Change your view.</span><span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Shree Devanagari 714"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Shree Devanagari 714";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I know that
I know that I know that God has a calling on your life. It is a journey tailor made just for
you. Have you been running from it like
Jonah? Perhaps you have been taking advice from someone who wants to believe
that you have to emulate them and their style to be successful. You were not put here to be a carbon
copy. Authenticity is the key to your
journey, pray about what God has for you and how He would have you operate in
that space, in those blessings, and in your life. Saul, the 1 Samuel 17 Saul, was looking for
someone to fight Goliath of Gath who was big, looming, overbearing and
intimidating to most people. However,
God had been preparing David all his life for a moment like this one. No one else was willing to bring down the
giant so David volunteered for the challenge.
Saul gave David his helmet and armor.
Various versions of the bible state that David had not
"tested" or "proved" Saul's battle gear. It didn't fit him. What are you trying to "put on"
that doesn't fit? What role are you
"playing"? David got 5 smooth
stones with his slingshot and slayed the giant.
Sometimes we make task, assignments and charges more difficult. You have the skills and the tools to slay the
giants in your life. Change your
methods.</span><span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Shree Devanagari 714"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Shree Devanagari 714";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It is my
hope that you begin to understand that change just <i>is</i> and the better you cope the more your life can be opened to new
and wonderful blessings. Keep seeking
out ways to positively handle change. Know that your response matters. Who you allow to speak into your life will
either help you grow and build you up or it will cause you to be faint hearted
and deteriorate. Change your circle and wait; God will speak to you in
different ways. If you need to change
your view He has been telling you. How
you decide to handle the giants on your journey matters so be authentic. As you shift your future, walk in the path
that God has for you. Your territory
will be expanded, and if you expand your mind and deal with change differently
you may have to change your location. </span><span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Shree Devanagari 714"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Shree Devanagari 714";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Be patient
with yourself, accept change and respond accordingly.</span><span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Shree Devanagari 714"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Shree Devanagari 714";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "shree devanagari 714" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f3ThSKD5r18/Vj6I35Y9vzI/AAAAAAAAAKA/pUTsGSgMvIA/s1600/deirdre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f3ThSKD5r18/Vj6I35Y9vzI/AAAAAAAAAKA/pUTsGSgMvIA/s200/deirdre.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Deirdre Simmons, PHR, SHRM-CP, entrepreneur, past president f SHRM Gateway, and most important role-wife, began <i>Cast Your Net on the Right Side</i> #NowWhat non-profit to bring a relationSHIPS dialogue to the community. This God-given vision provides biblically based practical instruction for men and women on everyday living while edifying participants. There are 2 other business under the cast your net brand: <i>Cast Your Net Travel</i> and <i>Smoove Stones</i>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This graduate of Purdue University is also an EEO Advisor, has a certification in HR and is currently enrolled at UCONN.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The former Deirdre Cash has been married to chef, trainer, chaplain, Minister Jerry Simmons for 6 1/2 years. She has worked as a servant leader in several ministries however, wife is her first ministry.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956809242757472577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8216185961357487330.post-61462030530180582852015-10-30T13:17:00.000-07:002015-11-02T13:54:33.778-08:00"SEASONS" <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 13pt;"><i>To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 13pt;"><i>Proverbs 15:23</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Many of us take the changing seasons for granted. They come in and out without us taking the time to notice </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">the</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> beauty within. This week Alisha Nocks shares with us how beauty can be seen even in loss if we would just stop, linger and open our eyes to the awe of the </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">splendor</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> that God has given us as a gift. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span>
</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 13pt;">Read Alisha's entire post here: </span><b style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13pt;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/nt2oyus" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13pt;" target="_blank">Seasons</a></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 17px;">To learn more about Alisha Nocks, her ministry, and to read her full blog visit <a href="http://www.alishanocks-infusion4christ.com/"><b>Infusion4Christ</b></a></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956809242757472577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8216185961357487330.post-81744603703169763312015-10-24T12:25:00.001-07:002015-12-16T13:25:46.592-08:00WAITING SEASON Isaiah 40:27-31<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">by N. Wilson</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Central Park in Manhattan is an amazing sight, especially in
the fall. The beautiful red, yellow,
orange, and brown hues that bounce off the leaves seem to be something right
out of a carefully crafted painting.
Growing up in Florida I never experienced much change in seasons and
truly never appreciated what new seasons could bring. Now that fall is among us my excitement grows
daily as I notice the slight changes occurring in the foliage in Central Park
that I can see from my job in NYC. One of
the great things about seasons is that you know exactly what they will
bring. We know the precise timing of
when a season will arrive and depart.
This allows us to plan ahead and make moves/adjustments to our daily
lives in preparation for weather, travel, and other arrangements. Better yet, if you happen to not care for a
particular season all you have to do is wait it out and it will soon pass. After all, no season will last forever. But what about the seasons of life? Have you ever felt stuck in a season that was
hard to deal with or accept? This can be
one of the most difficult experiences in life especially when you greatly
desire to have or achieve something.
Doubt, disappointment, anger, sadness, despair…hopefulness, expectation,
trust, acceptance…these are the polarizing feelings that may plague one while
waiting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A few months after me and my husband were married, I started
having pregnancy symptoms. I had gained
weight only in my midsection, I felt nauseous here and there, and just felt
that something was going on with my body.
I decided to take a pregnancy test just in case…it was positive! We were so excited and before even thinking
about it we reached out to our closest family members to share the news. That was extremely premature, and shortly
after I found out that I was indeed not pregnant. The test must have had some kind of glitch.
We were disappointed, but we knew that there was plenty of time to have
children. Little did we know that would
be the first and only time that a pregnancy test would read positive in the
entire 6.5 years that we have been married.
Through the years I have experienced a roller coaster of emotions and
have tried over and over to rationalize why this is a part of my plight. I have questioned God about it, doubted my
ability to be a mother, and have even felt guilt about not being able to carry
on the family name of my husband and my own.
Family members and friends have encouraged me, given me advice
(sometimes asked for and other times not), suggested scriptures for reading,
and prayed for me. Even after all of the
encouragement for a few years, I still felt discouraged. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Needless to say, I have felt “stuck” in this season and did
not see the light at the end of the tunnel.
That would all change. Last year
I was in a rut about this issue and I decided to study the lives of women who
had difficulty having children, but were soon blessed. I read about Sarai, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah,
and Elizabeth. These women experienced
both the pain of barrenness and the joy of God blessing them to be with
child(ren). There stories should have
brought hope to me and for a short time they did, but the human side of me had
a hard time holding my head up and finding joy in their stories when the same
had not happened for me. It was around
that time when I watched the movie <i>One Night with the King </i>on TBN. This powerful story about a young woman named Hadassah (aka Esther) who would marry the King of Persia and save her people was so moving. A light bulb came on for me; Esther was a woman who risked her own life to help others and would forever change a nation and the world. Biblical scholars are not sure if she had children later in life, but even if she did we know her story as only a woman, wife, and Queen. Her life was not more or less valuable based on having children or not. Esther was also not defined by this. Her life was characterized by her courage, willingness to create change, and standing up for righteousness. Read more in the book of the bible '<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Esther+1&version=NIV" target="_blank">Esther</a>'.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I soon began to look for other women of the bible who were remembered for their impact in ministry and not if or how many children they had. Joanna was a financial supporter of Jesus' ministry (Luke 8:1-3, 23:55, 24:10). Priscilla was a leader along with her husband and was regarded in high esteem by the Apostle Paul for her commitment to the church (Acts 18:2, 18, 26; Romans 16:3; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 4:19). Dorcas is noted in the bible as a disciple of Christ and a philanthropist (Acts 9:36-43). Anna was a Prophetess (Luke 2:36-38). These women did something impactful and would be forever written in history as change agents that did great work for the Kingdom of God. Their stories inspired me. I realized that my life was not defined by not being a mother, but by what I did with my life that would impact others through what God had planned for me as my life's work. My focus became 'what can I do' and not what I cannot. When I started to reflect on my life I fully realized all of the things that I was blessed with. God has done so much for me in my marriage, my career, in ministry, friendships and much more. That is good news. I am still in a season of waiting to be a mother, but until that happens the greatness that God has placed in me will be used to encourage, teach, and lead others through my stories and the gifts that God gave me. That will be my legacy. I still have to remember this each and every day to stay encouraged and remind myself that I have self worth in spite of my lack. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Maybe you are not waiting to have a child, but are waiting for another heartfelt desire. My prayer for you is that as you wait on the Lord He will be your strength, comfort, peace, and understanding. If you are in a season of waiting just know that God has not forgotten you. He has a plan for you and you <i>will</i> prosper. Jeremiah 29:11</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Questions to Ponder:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>What can I do to Glorify God while I am waiting on Him to answer my prayers?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Read about what Paul and Silas did while waiting on the Lord when they were imprisoned by the Romans. Acts 16:16-35</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>How can I show God that I trust what he has for me is best for me?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jesus, during his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, declared before the Lord that it would not be his own will but the will of the Lord done in him. It was then that an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. Jesus would go on to die for my sins and yours. When we trust God with our desires He will not only renew our strength, but others will be blessed too. Luke 22:42</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uZFzXdwbi64/VnHWwmEdbmI/AAAAAAAAAK4/VO3hIMFSGWo/s1600/blessedchix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uZFzXdwbi64/VnHWwmEdbmI/AAAAAAAAAK4/VO3hIMFSGWo/s200/blessedchix.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">Nikitia (Niki) Wilson believes in the power of
storytelling. She founded Blessed Chix
to fulfill the call that God gave her to reach, encourage, and inspire women
and girls through testimonies of overcoming the odds. Niki has dedicated her life and ministry to
creating a platform where women can share
with each other in safe, nonjudgmental, and “come as you are” environments
in order to find fullness in life and in love.
She is happily married to her husband Rev. Eli Wilson, III and resides
in Metro New York where she is a librarian. </i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956809242757472577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8216185961357487330.post-15095527360697803862015-09-30T17:52:00.004-07:002015-09-30T17:59:57.346-07:00TREEby D. Simmons<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Black
bodies swinging In the southern breeze, strange fruit hanging from the poplar
trees, I would say strange fruit indeed. This poignant observation was a song
recorded in 1939 about human life, black life and the Jim Crow south is both
heart wrenching and incendiary. The song "Strange Fruit" had multiple
recordings; it's most famous rendition was released by Billie Holiday. It was a
protest "against the inhumanity of racism" written by Abel Meerpol
(graduate of DeWitt Clinton H.S in Bronx, New York where Countee Cullen, James Baldwin,
Stan Lee and Ralph Lauren are also alumni) who wrote it after seeing a
photograph of a lynching, as reported by NPR Music. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The
poplar trees are mostly in Southern states, they are strong and their flowers
are both male and female; they have strong sturdy trunks to support the male
and female "strange fruit". Trees, the poplar tree in particular, are
supposed to be a fragrant reminder of our deep roots and ability to withstand
harsh conditions. They were, in reality, the tool of used by evil to kill, to
denigrate and to break the spirit of any Negro who thought s/he wanted to be
free. Is freedom only truly actualized at the murdering hands of the oppressor?
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We
know and understand that there is nothing new under the sun; today, we as a
people are still hanging from trees. The world moves along minding their
business ignoring the injustices and the nooses continue. We cry out, we pray,
we march, we sing and now we hashtag; bodies are still swinging. We are tired.
We are tired of the funerals for our children; tired because there are doctors,
teachers, architects, pilots, golfers, swimmers and gymnasts who the world will
never know. In the midst of the struggle, mothers are grieving over the
executions of their children and husbands. In this struggle, mothers are dying
figuratively and literally: the question I put before you is, as a people of
faith what do we do? In these moments together, let's explore freedom from a
faith perspective and consider a call to action. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Tree
</b>appears 287 times in the King James Version of the bible and poplar twice.
Hosea, 4:13 talks about sacrificing under oaks, poplars and elms. Trees give us
context to the story, these trees are ceremonial and strong; yet, they were
used by unfaithful people to bring a pleasant shade while they did evil. The
people were burning incense and asking advice of idols: this was the
whoredom/prostitution/unfaithfulness to God. Hosea, whose name means salvation,
was instructed by God to marry Gomer, a whore. His personal life was linked to
the message of faithfulness and an illustration of the relationship between God
and people. When we think about freedom and everything going on in the world,
what message is our life sending? Have we prayed and fasted to hear a word and
a call to action from God or are we allowing whoredom to rein. I believe this
nation and we as a people, have relied on whores like false prophets (church
leaders who lack integrity and want the spotlight versus justice and God's
will) and today's wealthy politicians (much like the biblical kings) to lead
us. The result is moral and spiritual degradation; this is not freedom. Freedom
is to live without fear, being able to be open, honest and having the ability
to be safe while living in a cooperative supportive environment. It, for me,
only occurs where there is solid moral ground and a spiritual base. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Lack
of freedom is the continuous struggle and in 2015, this is the American noose
by which we hang. What is it that we need to do to be free? Hosea was
instructed by God and even when it seemed strange, he followed the plan; thus,
the lesson of repentance, redemption and restoration"
insight.org/resources/bible/Hosea.html What is the plan that God has for you? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As
we continue to examine the allegory of "Strange Fruit", it sheds
light on the divide between America and God. American history is one of people
who used the word of God for genocide, like Pharaoh, hearts were hardened and
our people suffered. We were hung from the poplar trees; fruit on display for
everyone. Galatians 5:13-23 tells us we are called to be free, love our
neighbor and not live in discord and hatred. We are to show ourselves as
"the fruit of the Spirit…love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control". How do we reconcile
being on display and persecuted with the mandate to show our fruit? Evil
continues in this land; we have been massacred in our churches, gunned down in
the streets across this nation by people who are supposed to protect us and we
are dying in custody under mysterious circumstances. We are still an oppressed
people who are supposed to be free. God says love, flesh says, "now is the
time for a Nat Turner worthy uprising". In a concerted, collective
intentional matter, we need to make our requests to God. If and when He says
move, then we need to surround the enemy, sound the proverbial trumpets and
believe that the walls will come down. Surround the enemy by taking over seats
in the legislature, infiltrating the blue racist gangs and self-correcting
degenerate behavior (stealing, killing and petty crimes within the community).
The work is plentiful, what sound will you make in the revolution? The genocide
of the late 1800's and early 1900's was the byproduct of slavery of black and
brown people; a part of the unreconciled differences in this country's history.
We are suffering today because genocide is prevalent today, they have just
found new and improved ways to execute. Our collective freedom is an illusion
and for some, our faith has been shaken. In your anger, do not sin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Recognize
that we are like sheep among wolves; as a result, we need to be as shrewd as
snakes and as innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16). We need to stand firm in our
faith and like a tree-stand tall. Educating ourselves and our children will ensure
we have deep roots (Jeremiah 17:8). As we maneuver through this American
nightmare, we need to exhibit fruits of the spirit, know the role that God
would have for us, give voice to the struggle, offer solutions to our families
and our community and declare, in our actions and our strategy so loudly, that
#blacklivesmatter we cannot be ignored. The plain vision of one man was written
to declare that there is strange fruit in the land and there was a woman who
ran with that revelation as she lifted her voice in song. Daughter, your gifts
will make room for you to exalt His name, fight this battle and run this race.
Seek God and all else will be added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jzYqqMxuvd0/VgyD3DWrBBI/AAAAAAAAAJY/csuRfzrYCSI/s1600/deirdre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jzYqqMxuvd0/VgyD3DWrBBI/AAAAAAAAAJY/csuRfzrYCSI/s200/deirdre.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Deirdre Simmons, PHR, SHRM-CP, entrepreneur, past president f SHRM Gateway, and most important role-wife, began <i>Cast Your Net on the Right Side</i> #NowWhat non-profit to bring a relationSHIPS dialogue to the community. This God-given vision provides biblically based practical instruction for men and women on everyday living while edifying participants. There are 2 other business under the cast your net brand: <i>Cast Your Net Travel</i> and <i>Smoove Stones</i>.</div>
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This graduate of Purdue University is also an EEO Advisor, has a certification in HR and is currently enrolled at UCONN.</div>
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The former Deirdre Cash has been married to chef, trainer, chaplain, Minister Jerry Simmons for 6 1/2 years. She has worked as a servant leader in several ministries however, wife is her first ministry.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956809242757472577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8216185961357487330.post-45214306352851863962015-09-16T16:14:00.001-07:002015-10-30T13:18:47.035-07:00"JUST SAY SO ALREADY" Psalm 107: 1-2<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Isn’t it good to know that we are redeemed through the blood
of Jesus Christ? This week Alisha Nocks
writes in verse a reflective analysis of where we find ourselves when our focus
is on doing what is “good” even when it is not God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">One of the most poignant lines reads “…isn’t good the enemy
of great?” Wow! What a thought to ponder on! Are
you suffering from being stuck in just doing what is good instead of walking in
greatness? Read Alisha’s entire poem
here: <b><a href="http://tinyurl.com/nwe7u8v" target="_blank">Just Say So Already</a></b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We hope that you enjoy this week’s blog post and will engage
in discussion with us. To learn more
about Alisha Nocks and to read her full blog visit <a href="http://www.alishanocks-infusion4christ.com/" target="_blank"><b>Infusion4Christ</b></a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956809242757472577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8216185961357487330.post-24279258737030729832015-09-08T16:31:00.001-07:002015-11-13T13:16:49.429-08:00WHO WILL WEEP FOR US? (Jeremiah 9: 17-25)<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">by Simone Oliver</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I began a
journey through the book of Jeremiah about two weeks ago starting, as I always
do, at the beginning. Try as I might I
can’t seem to get past chapter 9 which calls for the skillful wailing women to
take up a wailing for the city. The
women are called to mourn and take up lamentation and God uses them prophetically
to call the people to repentance. </span><b><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Yet
hear the work of the Lord, O women, and let your ear receive the word of His
mouth; Teach your daughters wailing, and everyone her neighbor a
lamentation. For death has come through
our windows, has entered our palaces, to kill off the children – no longer to
be outside! And the young men – no longer on the streets!” (Jer. 9: 20-21)</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
I thought immediately about Jamyla Bolden, the 9 year old girl who recently
died when random bullets entered her home while she was doing her homework on
her mother’s bed. I thought of the
hundreds of black and brown bodies killed by law enforcement and by others…
sometimes by others who look just like them.
I thought about the number of Trans and gay sisters and brothers who
have lost their lives because others don’t think they have a right to live and
be who they are in the world… and then I wept… uncontrollably… I wept… consumed
with grief… I wept… like Jesus… I wept. The groaning of my spirit seemed as dark and
abysmal as the tears were hot and wet.
Suddenly and without warning I spoke these works, “But who will weep for
us?” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As we weep for others, who will weep for us?</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">46 percent of African American women over 20
years of age have hypertension, only 31 percent of white women and 29 percent
of Latino women in the same ago group do.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">African American women have a higher mortality
rate from breast cancer.</span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Every year
1,722 African American women die from this disease. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Chlamydia and gonorrhea infections are 19 times
higher for African American women than white women. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">African American women represent 65 percent of
new AIDS diagnoses among women. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Af</span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">rican American women are four times more
likely to die for pregnancy related causes and have the highest rate of
premature births. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">About 29.1 percent of African American females
are victimized by intimate partner violence in their lifetime (rape, physical
assault or stalking). </span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">African
American females experience intimate partner violence at a rate of 35% more
than that of white women and about 2.5 times the rate of women of other
races.</span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">However, they are less likely
than white women to use social services, battered women’s programs or go to the
hospital because of domestic violence.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While white women earn 78.1 cents to the dollar
when compared with white, non-Latino men, African American women earn 64 cents. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">The poverty rate for African American women is
28.6 percent compared to white, non-Latino women which is 10.8 percent. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">African American and Latina women are 3 times
more likely to be incarcerated than white women. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As we weep for
others, who will weep for us? We are being
choked by the socially constructed shame and silence that accompanies the pain of
womanhood. We are being suffocated by
the myth and the weight of being strong black women. Who will weep for us as we grieve and lament
the violence done to our brothers and sisters? Who will weep for us as we
agonize over the affliction of our children?
Who will weep for us? Tears. Trials. Mourning. Misery. Suffering. Sickness.
Depression. Distress. Worry. Woe. Torture. Trouble. Who. Will. Weep. For. Us?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Gather the women. Gather the women together that they might heal
and let their tears be the ointment of cure.
In <i>“The Miracle of Tears”</i>,
author Jerry Berman describes how the phenomenon of crying heals us
physiologically, psychologically and spiritually. While the wailing women gathered to mourn for
others, the gathering and tears were beneficial for themselves.</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">One of the properties of tears is that tears
help us to see.</span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Literally.</span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Tears lubricate the eyeballs and prevent
dehydration which allows us to see.</span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">If
we are to see our own brokenness, those issues we have buried and kept silent
we must do so in a safe and sacred community of women who will help us
re-imagine ourselves in new and powerful ways that will enable us to rewrite our
stories. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Tears remove toxins that build up in our bodies as
a result of stress.</span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">We must be careful
to remove ourselves from toxic environments and toxic people for the healing of
our own souls.</span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">We must be keepers of our
own peace. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Crying can elevate the mood.</span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Who knew that elevated levels of manganese
(whatever that is!) can cause us to feel anxious, nervous, irritable,
fatigued?</span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">No, you are not crazy!</span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Go ahead and indulge yourself in a good cry. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Tears build community.</span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Often tears compel us to reach out to comfort
others, lending support to others sometimes we don’t even know and allows us to
exchange a deep level of intimacy.</span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">We
should be intentional about building these safe and sacred communities among
ourselves.</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Who will weep
for us? While we weep for the horrific
violence, the bloody carnage that surrounds us all, who will weep for us? We
are brutalized and traumatized daily.
Not only by a system that believes we are of little value but by those
we love and care for – those we cherish and long for. We who weep for others
must #StayWoke. We must intentionally
create safe, sacred spaces where we can weep, heal, be restored and recover our
wholeness. After all, #BlackLivesMatter.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Simone Oliver has journeyed from tragedy to triumph, from victim to victor, and from surviving to thriving after a horrific, violent attempt to end her life. She is a passionate preacher, educator, and advocate for women who is committed to the spiritual care of women and girls, bringing healing to their wounded hearts through God's grace.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Simone is Executive Director of <a href="http://new-day-ministries.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">New Day Ministries, Inc</span>.</a> which she founded with her husband, Allen, to combat gender-based violence and create safe sanctuaries in all churches. </i></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956809242757472577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8216185961357487330.post-2141152491830391882015-09-01T08:00:00.000-07:002015-12-16T13:33:12.299-08:00A New "Blessed Chix"A few months ago I found myself grappling with how to resurrect the Blessed Chix blog after it sat idle for almost 2 years while I went back to school to earn a master's in Library Science. The blog stayed with me and I often felt guilty for not picking up my writing again. Upon applying for graduation a thought came allowing me to see Blessed Chix through a new lens. The "chix" in Blessed Chix after all is plural so why should I take on the blog by myself? It hit me, I needed to find other like-minded women to contribute to the blog itself. I prayed about it and God spoke to four women that are perfect for the site and I cannot wait for you to hear a word from the Lord through them. <br />
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Although I waited, the blog is coming back with greater vision and purpose in this new season and we are all so excited. The future of Blessed Chix (the blog) will be inclusive of writing by multiple women with varying spiritual gifts that add a unique touch that we pray will empower, encourage, and inspire our readers. We hope that you will come back weekly to read our posts, get to know us, and chime in on the discussion about matters of the heart and spirit-filled living.<br />
<br />
Would you please join our mailing list by submitting your email on any page, like us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blessed-Chix/871220439636836" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, and follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/BlessedChix" target="_blank">Twitter</a> to stay up-to-date on discussions and news from Blessed Chix? Thank you for joining us on this new journey.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: inherit; mso-spacerun: yes;"><i><b>Feel free to comment below or follow Blessed Chix for weekly readings. In the meantime, love AND live.</b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: inherit; mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: inherit; mso-spacerun: yes;">Nikitia (creator-Blessed Chix-the blog)</span></span></b></i></span><br />
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<i style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">Nikitia (Niki) Wilson believes in the power of storytelling. She founded Blessed Chix to fulfill the call that God gave her to reach, encourage, and inspire women and girls through testimonies of overcoming the odds. Niki has dedicated her life and ministry to creating a platform where women can share with each other in safe, nonjudgmental, and “come as you are” environments in order to find fullness in life and in love. She is happily married to her husband Rev. Eli Wilson, III and resides in Metro New York where she is a librarian. </i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956809242757472577noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8216185961357487330.post-4157073457455442152013-08-19T07:09:00.001-07:002015-12-16T13:39:32.603-08:00Joy without Happiness<div class="def-header">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As a child, I was like most children during the Christmas Holiday season. I would keep busy with creating wish lists, watching television for tips on the latest and best new toy and making sure to demonstrate extraordinary behavior as I knew that mom and "santa" would be watching. The anticipation was the most positive and negative experience that I went through; as excitement would fill me each day as I thought about what would be under the tree for me on Christmas morn', yet waiting made me anxious and impatient. Thinking back to those moments in my childhood, I realized that
the sense of joy I had or lack thereof seemed to be solely dependent on
whether I believed that I would wake up to exactly what I wanted. If I
did in fact wake up to my wish, I was excited, overjoyed, and filled with happiness.
But, boy lookout if I did not receive something that I really desired
to have...not only was I UNhappy, but I would have the nerve to put on a sad face and ultimately showed my family that I was ungrateful for what I had been given. Wow! How selfish of me to only have joy in my
heart because of a particular circumstance. I did this year after year until I became fully aware of what Christmas was about and the reality that I needed to be more concerned with giving than receiving, because that is what Christ did for us. Thank God that I no longer see things as I did when I was a young child. The Word says in <b>1 Corinthians 13:11..."When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I
thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish thing"</b> (KJV). At one time, I really did believe that a little toy under a Christmas tree could bring me absolute joy. However, it was not joy that I was experiencing. It was actually happiness. Now, I know you are saying "wait a minute, aren't happiness and joy the same?". I used to have this frame of thinking. The answer is NO they are not the same thing. Joy and Happiness seem to have the same identity...giving you positive euphoric feelings and causing you to have a smile on your face. Nonetheless, their meanings are very different. I decided to find out how they differ in meaning although joy and happiness seem to be one in the same. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Happiness is defined as a "pleasurable or satisfying <i>experience</i>, good fortune". Yet joy is defined as "the <i>prospect</i> of possessing what one desires, a <i>source</i> or cause of delight". Isn't that something? Happiness is based on a positive experience, while joy is based on the <i>possibility </i>of a positive experience and can even be a <i>source </i>of a positive outcome. So, what does the Word of God convey about the subjects of joy and happiness? In the bible you will find joy used in many ways such as: <i>Rejoice in hope, Count it all Joy when you are met with trials, Find joy in the Lord always.</i>..etc. God is saying no matter what...you can still have joy! Have joy ANYWAY! It is all up to you....no one can take your joy away, if you lose it, this is a result of a choice made by you. No one else is responsible for your joy. When happiness (often said as blessed or gladness) is used, you will notice that there is something that takes place first: <i>Happy is the man that finds wisdom. </i>Happiness is a word that is not used in the bible as often as you think. Do you think this may be because God wants us to know that joy in itself can help us to be happy in all situations? As long as we lean on him for understanding, happiness will be a result of our joy so there is no need to mention it as much??? This is a real question that I have.<i> </i>Let me know what you think.</span><br />
<i><br /></i><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="p">So here is what I gather: Happiness is a result of a circumstance that is deemed positive on your part; there must be an action to create a reaction of this feeling. JOY occurs in spite of your circumstance. Joy lives in you even when the world around you is crumbling and you can't see your way out of a situation. </span> Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with happiness. I am not inferring this, but what I am saying is that we don't have to wait for good things to happen in our lives to exhibit happiness. If we allow our joy show through, this will shine regardless of our circumstance. Joy enables us to enjoy what God has given us. True Abundant joy is given to us as a gift for walking in faith in obedience to God. It is a Fruit of the Spirit that can often times be downsized when we live with negative thinking about situations, but God does not want this for us. He wants us to abide in him and experience joy so that we can share that with others. <b>1Peter 1:8 </b>reads<b>..."Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory..." </b>(ESV).</span></span><br />
<span class="p"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Is your sense of joy truly determined by an outcome of another situation? Must their be a cause-and-effect relationship in order for you to have joy in your heart? Can you live with joy in your heart when things don't go your way? These questions are NOT easy to admit or live by, but if you trust in the Lord to be your JOY, you CAN do this. Honestly speaking, I am still working on this in my life. I do realize however that living this way makes life more pleasant and your light can lead others to want to know why you are so "happy". Just tell them, "it's not merely happiness, but joy that no one and no situation can take from me because it comes from the Lord". <b>Romans 15:13</b>-"<b>May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope"</b>(ESV).</span><b> </b> </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Thank you for reading! Feel free to comment below or follow Blessed Chix for weekly readings. </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u1:p></u1:p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></b><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>In the meantime, love AND live.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">Nikitia (creator-Blessed Chix- </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">the blog</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">)</span></span></b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<i style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">Nikitia (Niki) Wilson believes in the power of storytelling. She founded Blessed Chix to fulfill the call that God gave her to reach, encourage, and inspire women and girls through testimonies of overcoming the odds. Niki has dedicated her life and ministry to creating a platform where women can share with each other in safe, nonjudgmental, and “come as you are” environments in order to find fullness in life and in love. She is happily married to her husband Rev. Eli Wilson, III and resides in Metro New York where she is a librarian. </i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956809242757472577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8216185961357487330.post-46830683728839559312013-08-09T22:34:00.000-07:002015-12-16T13:34:45.393-08:00Confirmation in an Unexpected Place<br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you walk into my home at any given moment, you are guaranteed to be met
with books. The dining room, living room, bedroom, and yes even the
kitchen has a "page and cover" decor that at times can seem like
clutter. I would like to say that having books upon books being read,
referenced, enjoyed, and studied from is all on my account. I could boast
in the "extensive knowledge" that it may lead you to believe that I
have, due to the varied publications that have a home in my cozy apartment.
But, I cannot take the credit; for it is my husband who is a a lover of books
just as I am, and can frequently be found with his eyes glued to a page.
I love to see him in this light, taking on knowledge and filling his brain with
information about God, theology, politics and such. This is why I was
quite surprised when he said one evening while watching television "I
think that it is time to get rid of a few books that have been sitting in this
corner". To my surprise (or maybe not), he of course was not
referring to any book of his own, but of those that belonged to me!
"Funny", I said sarcastically, "of course you would want to
throw away MY books to make space for your future purchases". It may
sound like I was reluctant to rid the books, but I was indeed happy to remove
books from my home that were related to the very recent eight year profession
of teaching that I made a decision with God and my husband's support to leave
as of June 2013 (yes 2013). <i>Now that is a story in itself and one day
I hope to share it with you, I have already been BLESSED since making that
decision and I dance just thinking about it. </i><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ok...so back to the books being thrown out. As my husband began to
collect the books for disposal, I noticed a set of spiraled rings, hiding
between the stack. "A notebook of some sort", I quietly thought to
myself. Initially, I thought to ignore it and allow whatever consisted on
the pages of the pad to be forever forgotten, but a sense of inquisitiveness
overwhelmed me, as it usually does. My mom and husband like to call this
being "noisy". I grabbed the notebook from the stack
and began to thumb through the pages to see if it included anything
of value. On the first few pages, there were notes that I had written to
compliment my daily study of God's word, but as I continued to browse I quickly
realized that the book had become covered with-to do lists, budget plans, and I
need a piece of paper to quickly jot something down words. Interested in
only keeping the study notes, I decided to tear them out for later referencing
and that is when I saw it. A "My Dream Wish List". A list
that I constructed based on what I was interested in and desired to accomplish
in my life.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">#1- Write a Blog/Magazine<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">#2- Create something fashionable (maybe call it blessed chicks
or chix)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">#3-…..<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">WOW!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could not believe my
eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before God gave me the idea of the
BlessedChix Blog…he had me write it down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Confirmation in an Unexpected Place”! I know that nothing is by coincidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything that we encounter, good, bad, and
yes even UGLY, is all for a reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take
a look back on things in your life and think about how they have led you to a
better place or a purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will be
amazed yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeremiah 29:11-“<span class="text">For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text">, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope
and a future”.</span></span></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have to thank a good friend of mine, Terica for inspiring me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shared this story with her a while back and
she mentioned, “That sounds like a blog entry to me”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you my sister for your encouraging
words and believing in me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have been
a blessing to my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thank God for
you and I know that you have a future ahead of you that is so filled with
PROMISE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love you girl!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "inherit" , "serif";">Thank you for
reading! Feel free to comment below or follow Blessed Chix for weekly
readings. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">
<u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "inherit" , "serif";"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the meantime,
love AND live.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">Nikitia (creator-Blessed
Chix- </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">the
blog</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">)</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<i style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">Nikitia (Niki) Wilson believes in the power of storytelling. She founded Blessed Chix to fulfill the call that God gave her to reach, encourage, and inspire women and girls through testimonies of overcoming the odds. Niki has dedicated her life and ministry to creating a platform where women can share with each other in safe, nonjudgmental, and “come as you are” environments in order to find fullness in life and in love. She is happily married to her husband Rev. Eli Wilson, III and resides in Metro New York where she is a librarian. </i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956809242757472577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8216185961357487330.post-62809238293160936912013-07-26T19:40:00.000-07:002015-12-16T13:35:07.668-08:00It All Starts with Love<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Apostle Paul said in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">1 Corinthians 13:13</i></b>-"And
now abide faith, hope, love, these things, but the greatest of these <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> love".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i><u>It all starts with love</u>.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love is
the first fruit of the spirit mentioned in the bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is love and is our foundation, so it makes
perfect sense that love would be the foundation to lead us to all of the other
attributes of living a spiritual life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God
has taught me that Love is Responsive (to God’s love).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love is a commandment (it keeps us close to
God and away from sin).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love is an
action (it is a CHOICE and not just a feeling).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Love is demonstrative (we must show love to everyone we encounter).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As we wake up daily, we have to make a conscious decision to
love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do we go about this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, be quick to forgive anyone who you feel has
wronged you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can then treat them
with kindness, compassion, humility, gentleness, and patience -<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Colossians
3:12-14</i></b>. Lastly, think to yourself…Am I doing something right now to
promote strife or am I putting love into this situation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first step to living a full life is
loving others as yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will find
the more you love others the more you love yourself, and this will become
cyclical; a never ending cycle that produces love out of love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine a world where every mouth is fed,
every head has a bed to sleep in, every child has a loving family, every person
lives without fear of harm or danger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This</i> is what love can produce. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is POWER in love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
love is to represent God, who lives in us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How can we show love toward others today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I want to leave you with one of my favorite
songs about love by <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The</b> incomparable
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Clark Sisters-“Jesus is a Love Song”</b>(If
you read the post on July 22, you know that I have a serious affinity for music, so I
couldn’t resist).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that it blesses
you in some way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://youtu.be/b3TBVmkVXao">http://youtu.be/b3TBVmkVXao</a>
</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(you <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>WILL</u></b> want to listen past the very short interview…and if you
know nothing about <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Clark Sisters</i></b>, please do yourself a favor and listen to
some of their music.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you for reading!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Feel free to comment below or follow Blessed Chix for weekly
readings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the meantime, love AND live.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Nikitia (creator-Blessed Chix- <span style="font-size: x-small;">the blog</span>)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: inherit; mso-spacerun: yes;"><i><b>Feel free to comment below or follow Blessed Chix for weekly readings. In the meantime, love AND live.</b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: inherit; mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: inherit; mso-spacerun: yes;">Nikitia (creator-Blessed Chix-the blog)</span></span></b></i></span><br />
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<i style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">Nikitia (Niki) Wilson believes in the power of storytelling. She founded Blessed Chix to fulfill the call that God gave her to reach, encourage, and inspire women and girls through testimonies of overcoming the odds. Niki has dedicated her life and ministry to creating a platform where women can share with each other in safe, nonjudgmental, and “come as you are” environments in order to find fullness in life and in love. She is happily married to her husband Rev. Eli Wilson, III and resides in Metro New York where she is a librarian. </i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956809242757472577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8216185961357487330.post-56040831288606746742013-07-25T10:09:00.000-07:002015-12-16T13:35:24.183-08:00Love IS NOT Optional-It can be the Difference between Life or Death<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;">I will admit that I had to go back to really learn what God
said about love to the children of Israel and I found myself reading the
commandments; something that I have honestly not read since I was a child in
Sunday School.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a rediscovery for
me…God commanded us to love!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can we
ignore that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust me I have been
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not wanting to turn the other
cheek to another woman that said something rude to me, unwilling to forgive the
man that left or treated me badly, refusing to speak to, or share kindness when
I feel that a co-worker disrespected me in some way; it is so easy to do these
things to get back at someone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know
all too well that “hurt people, HURT people”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>How much greater would it be for ourselves if we loved in spite of how
someone mistreated us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our minds would
be free of negative thinking; we’d have less stress and be able to live freely
of hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would be slow to react in
awful ways that are not pleasing in God’s sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Proverbs 10:12 says</i></b> “Hate will bring
strife, but love covers all sin”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Essentially,
hate can bring discord, tension, arguments, crime, murder and war, while love will
keep us from these things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WOW!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That really is something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is someone I have to forgive today so
that I can live f</span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">reely of hurt and truly start to love others as God commanded
me to.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">How about you?</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;">Thank you for reading!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Feel free to comment below or follow Blessed Chix for weekly
readings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;">In the meantime, love AND live.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nikitia (creator-Blessed Chix- <span style="font-size: x-small;">the blog</span>)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">Nikitia (Niki) Wilson believes in the power of storytelling. She founded Blessed Chix to fulfill the call that God gave her to reach, encourage, and inspire women and girls through testimonies of overcoming the odds. Niki has dedicated her life and ministry to creating a platform where women can share with each other in safe, nonjudgmental, and “come as you are” environments in order to find fullness in life and in love. She is happily married to her husband Rev. Eli Wilson, III and resides in Metro New York where she is a librarian. </i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956809242757472577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8216185961357487330.post-58561378545970453502013-07-23T13:45:00.001-07:002015-12-16T13:35:55.008-08:00TRUE LOVE...a SOURCE and an EXAMPLE<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;">When God created the Heavens and Earth, He created it out of
Love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scripture reminds us that God is
love, for he created the spirit of love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When he designed the earth, it was a gift for mankind; he gave it to us
unselfishly, although he knew that in time some would not love him in
return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is our source of love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He designed it, manufactured it, and shipped it
to all of us personally before we were formed in our mother’s womb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love is the reason why you and I are
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“…Because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy
Spirit who was given to us”...<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Romans 5:5</b></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Do
we deserve this kind of love?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Absolutely
not, but God loves us anyhow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do we
return the same love to Him and others?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;">“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse
you, do good to those who hate you...” Matthew 5:44.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we able to love in this way?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What can we learn from the words that Jesus
spoke in one of his first preaching/teaching moments?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Christ came off of the throne to inhabit
the Earth, he became the greatest example of love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lived healing, teaching, forgiving, and
loved even those that nailed him to a cross as He prepared to die for my sins and yours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love goes beyond a particular behavior, but
includes an attitude of selflessness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, when co-workers treat you as if you are inferior, when you are
cut-off in traffic by a rude driver, when family uses your relationship for
selfish gain, or when someone at church says something you don’t like, LOVE
anyway!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love even when it hurts to do so. Tap into your source of love through God and use Christ as an example for how to use that love for His glory. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;">Thank you for reading!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Feel free to comment below or follow Blessed Chix for daily/weekly
readings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;">In the meantime, love AND live.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nikitia (creator-Blessed Chix- <span style="font-size: x-small;">the blog</span>)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">Nikitia (Niki) Wilson believes in the power of storytelling. She founded Blessed Chix to fulfill the call that God gave her to reach, encourage, and inspire women and girls through testimonies of overcoming the odds. Niki has dedicated her life and ministry to creating a platform where women can share with each other in safe, nonjudgmental, and “come as you are” environments in order to find fullness in life and in love. She is happily married to her husband Rev. Eli Wilson, III and resides in Metro New York where she is a librarian. </i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956809242757472577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8216185961357487330.post-11647103833592438022013-07-17T21:49:00.001-07:002015-12-16T13:36:25.280-08:00A REFLECTION of CHARACTER in a TIME of DECISION-MAKING<br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As women in our society we have become accustomed to making our
own decisions regarding family, friendships, careers, health and spiritual
matters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How we go about making these
decisions can at times lead to added emotional and physical stress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine how that stress can be lowered by
walking in confidence, knowing that the Holy Spirit can guide/lead you to smart
decision making. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we make a commitment
to submit to God’s will, it can be one of the most difficult steps to take because
we are used to doing everything on our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, that important decision
will be life-altering and you will never see decision-making the same way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In <u>Galatians 5:22-23</u> the author Paul writes describing the “Fruit
of the Spirit”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we walk in the spirit
it is an opportunity to build a relationship with God and others, and leads you
to have an inner strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
reflection of God’s character in your life can truly be manifested by the Holy
Spirit and the attributes thereof.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>Love, Peace, and Joy</strong> develops out of a
connection with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are challenged
to reflect <strong>Longsuffering (patience),
Kindness</strong>, and <strong>Goodness</strong> when building relationships with others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we mature spiritually and become closer to
God, we will discover an inner strength built upon <strong>Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control</strong>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
starts <u>and</u> ends with God!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What exciting
news! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So how CAN we reflect God’s character in our daily and life
changing decisions?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will discuss each
fruit of the spirit listed in Galatians during the next several weeks and gain
a clearer understanding of how these attributes can be used to develop mature
decision-making.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will learn together,
sharing ideas and questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Check our Blog weekly for new posts and always feel
free to comment, ask questions, and make suggestions for future topics in the comment box below or by email.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">In the meantime, love AND live.</span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">N. Wilson</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">creator (Blessed Chix- <span style="font-size: x-small;">the blog</span>)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">Nikitia (Niki) Wilson believes in the power of storytelling. She founded Blessed Chix to fulfill the call that God gave her to reach, encourage, and inspire women and girls through testimonies of overcoming the odds. Niki has dedicated her life and ministry to creating a platform where women can share with each other in safe, nonjudgmental, and “come as you are” environments in order to find fullness in life and in love. She is happily married to her husband Rev. Eli Wilson, III and resides in Metro New York where she is a librarian. </i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956809242757472577noreply@blogger.com1