TOTAL LIFE PROSPERITY » Spiritual

10 Reasons to Appreciate Difficulties

Total Life Prosperity — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 03:18:14 +0000

“In life there are choices and consequences…make sure you can handle the choices you make” ~Mommy

Its funny how I can appreciate the wisdom of my mother now at 27 vs. at 17. All throughout high school and college she preached choices and consequences…so much that I quickly grew tired of it. I was not trying to hear that mess all the time! While I wasn’t a complete wild child, looking back I could have made better choices for myself. As of lately I’ve been dealing with some self- induced “difficulties” as well as others that are completely out of my control. Since this blog prides itself on promoting wholeness in every area of life, I’ll keep those ”issues” private without complaining, and share an encouraging list I stumbled across: 10 Reasons to Appreciate Difficulties.

Here are my top 3 picks:

Difficulties often force us to change in ways that we never would otherwise. When we are put in situations that make us uncomfortable we see the need for a change in our own actions, attitudes and thinking. (If we are looking to grow, otherwise all we see is how other people need to change to make us comfortable!)
Each time that you successfully overcome a difficulty you will have more confidence to successfully overcome the next challenge that life throws your way. You will become stronger each time and each event of personal growth through these challenges will build on each other to make you stronger and stronger, more and more confident!
You can inspire and encourage others towards personal growth and development! Others can be inspired by you in many ways, whether they are watching you from the sidelines or whether you share with them how you overcame a difficulty when they are going through a similar trial.

This list encouraged me and reminded me of these scriptures:

Better is the end of a thing than the beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud (Ecclesiastes 7: 8 )

Cast not away your confidence which has a great recompense of reward. For yoy have need of patience that after you have don’t the will of God you might receive the promise. (Hebrews 10:35-37)

Count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of our faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work. that you may be perfect and entire wanting nothing (James 1:2-4)

Do not get weary in well doing, for in due season will shall reap if we faint not (Galatians 6:9)

Love Lockdown: Black Churches Are Why Black Women Are Single

Total Life Prosperity — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:51:55 +0000

The “Black” Church is the reason why Black Women are single

Every week there seems to be some media analysis concerning Black Women. Last week there was an article The Black Church: How Black Churches Keep African American Women Single and Lonely that firmly suggests Black women to abandon Black churches and focus more on themselves. According to the author Deborrah Cooper, Black churches are the true reason there are so many single, never married Black women in the United States. I know opinions are like a$$holes so everyone has them but this has got to be THE dumbest thing I ever read (if I can say that and still be Christ-like) With over 13,000 views people obviously want to read or laugh at her claims.

First and foremost, there should be no such thing as a “Black church”. If the author was going to make such a bold statement about spiritual leaders falsely leading women, why was the focus on Black churches and Black women? I could respect her opinion more if it was about the business of Church and women and not an attack on Black. I don’t understand how we speak out against injustice and scream equality but yet we publicly tear each other down and cause division amongst ourselves with meaningless opinions from uneducated nobody’s who don’t represent the Black race in a positive light (ie. Slim Thug) Now that Blacks have an outlet why must we focus on race so much? You don’t see Washington Post articles or Nightline specials about Hispanic or Asian women? I’m extremely fed up with all this nonsense about single, lonely Black women. What about the other single women that walk this earth? Why are we the target? Why does everyone care to know what’s going on in Black women’s relationships?

In her article she makes strong (and mostly false) accusations against Black churches, pastors, and single Christians. Her generalized statements can be summarized to say, your faith shouldn’t be in God for anything. According to her:

“If you are a single Black woman attending a traditional Black church, you will be surrounded by sexually frustrated single women who feel guilty and confused about their physical desires and emotional hungers. You will be told that it is your responsibility to uplift the Black man and be a “helpmeet” to him. You will be told that your sexuality and sensuality must be contained or you lose value as a woman. You will also be told that it is your job to make Black men the men they need to be.”

“My suggestion is that you get off your knees, stop paying so much attention to what your Pastor says and open your eyes to the world around you. There are millions of really great guys out here that would love you to the depths of your soul and stand by you. There are many single men that will happily honor your spirit and desire to leave your mark on the world. However, he may not EVER set foot in a church, read the Bible or even pray; and he certainly may not be Black.”

“Going to church makes you a sheep, blindly following the mandates of a small group of men you have placed in your life in a position of power. Going to church makes you malleable and predictable, and narrows your thinking and thus limits your options.”

I totally disagree! You attend church for reproof, correction, encouragement, exhortation, and most importantly for collective worship. {Scripture Reference} Would she call her “potential clients” blind sheep if they sought the counsel of a so-called “dating expert” like herself? (I doubt it) She also claims that the Black men that Black women want can’t be found in church. Without a doubt she classifies 98% of the men that attend church into 1 of 4 categories: A loser working a 12-step program, openly or closeted gay man, opportunistic player on the prowl, or an elderly reformed player. Straight off the dome without thinking, I know of 5 men who attend church regularly and none of these men fall into none of her ridiculous categories. Next she claims :

“In most Black churches marriage is held up as the ideal state of existence; women that remain single are deemed to have some major flaw in attitude or ability. Thus, no single woman in the church wants to remain single because women are expected to marry and to bear children. For sistahs in the church, the pressure from family and fellow church members to marry can be so intense it may motivate her to make an fear-based decision to marry someone totally inappropriate. Such choices are made out of sheer desperation to avoid being single.”

Uh, where has she been hiding? Since she is the so-called “expert” of 17 years… she should know the pressure to marry and have children exist in AND outside of the church regardless to if you are religious or not. Marriage is a part of life which let me re-iterate has biblical foundations. ..For this reason man shall leave his mother and father and be joined to his wife.(Genesis 2:24) I believe marriage was solely intended for God’s children, not unbelievers. What I don’t understand is why do people like her, unbelievers (and homosexuals) want to partake in such a sacred ceremony, and vow to marriage before a God they do not know or worship?

This kind of nonsense is what keeps women so messed up! She admits not going to church so what gives her the right to make claims against a place she doesn’t attend? I question what type of church she attended previously because I don’t hear these sorts of things at the “Black” churches I’ve attended. Did she ever ask herself if a Christian woman would even want a man that doesn’t read the Bible or pray? As a Christian woman I wouldn’t and I think its safe to say that no real Christian would. The relationship issue that women face has much more to do with race. Man is off! PERIOD! And satan has blinded her, along with millions more. I didn’t bother to read the 100+ comments but I had to post this because I wanted to counter her nonsense with a faith-based opinion. If you care, click HERE to read what other people are saying.

Currently Reading (AGAIN): Your Life Follows Your Words

Total Life Prosperity — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:58:43 +0000

Your Life Follows Your Words by Darlene Bishop

I read this book for the first time during my senior year of undergrad. At the time I had no idea how “off” my life was and it was partially attributed to the negative things I was constantly speaking about myself, my life, and different life circumstances. Based on the foundational principle of speaking a thing and believing that your life will follow the words you speak (good or bad) this book completely changed my perspective on life. [Scripture reference Job 22: 28]

Unlike a traditional self help book, that only focuses on the good, Darlene uncandidly shares how God healed her from breast cancer. Her testimony is amazing! She also shares a powerful acroynm received from God:

“B.E.L.I.E.V.E.” - “Because Emmanuel Lives, I Expect Victory Every time.”

I decided to re-visit the book on my way back from Atlanta last weekend. My faith has been re-energized! Sometimes you have to encourage yourself and this book has been very encouraging for me. I highly recommend it!

You can purchase the book Your Life Follows Your Words on her website for $15

Faith Friday: A picture is worth a thousand words

Total Life Prosperity — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 10:00:42 +0000

Happy Friday Total Life Prosperity Family!

I came across some interesting pictures from a fashion blog. Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.

iDig these!

Have a good weekend

Love Lockdown: Love & Remarriage

Total Life Prosperity — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:01:51 +0000

Love & Remarriage

Every other day there’s news about some couple getting engaged or married while another is headed for divorce.

Here are some headlines from recent weeks:

Real Housewife of Atlanta NeNe is Filing for Divorce

Recently Divorced Swizz Beatz confirms new engagement to Alicia Keys

Former NBA player and Real Housewife DeShawn Snow to divorce

Sandra Bullock to divorce from Jesse James

While celebrity marriages bring on tons of complexities that don’t exist in ”normal” marriages, these headlines suggest if a marriage doesn’t work you can simply end it with a divorce. That shouldn’t be the case. The vow before God is until death do us part. I expect marriage to be hard for non-believers but statistics have shown that Christian marriages are just as likely to end in divorce as non-Christian ones. But there’s GOOD NEWS for Christians and non-believers alike…

God is a God of reconciliation

A great example of God’s love is my distant pastor Isaac Pitre and his wife, Denisha of Christ Nations Churchin Texarkana, Texas. They firmly believe that God wants to restore all marriages and they are living witnesses! Charisma Magazine recently spoke with the pair, who remarried each other six years after their 2003 divorce.

Check out the interview

Charisma: After 10 years of being married, what led to your divorce?

Isaac Pitre: It was basically just not understanding that my ministry was really to be at home and to [Denisha] as much as it was to the church and the world.

Charisma: What caused the two of you to reconcile your relationship?

Isaac: I had to accept personal responsibility for what I did and what I caused, and that it wasn’t the devil. It was my own pride and selfishness and neglect of really honoring and loving her. It took me awhile to come to that conclusion, but when I did, I immediately knew that our relationship could come back together. If I helped tear it up, then I could help fix it.

Denisha Pitre: Immediately during the separation I realized that this was not the will of God, so I … tried to reconcile with Isaac. After a few years of realizing that the relationship was not going to be reconciled, I just started to pray … for soberness of mind. I continued to pray for myself and that God would just cleanse me and make me whole.

Charisma: What happened next?

Isaac: The night God broke through to me was the same night I picked up the phone. I went after Denisha and told her what the Lord had showed me—that I was wrong and it wasn’t her. It wasn’t about the ministry. It was my arrogance and my pride, and I wanted her back.

Charisma: Denisha, what were you thinking at that point?

Denisha: When he called, I just didn’t trust it because I thought there was a hidden agenda. But the faith that was built through [the previous year’s trials] helped me to accept him calling and accept that what he said was true.

Charisma: What happened after you decided that you were going to reconcile?

Isaac:We dated for six months, just to make sure we were really transformed. God had really started working on us, and Denisha wanted to make sure I was this new and improved Isaac, and I wanted to make sure she was the new and improved Denisha. After the end of that, I think another month and a half we were married.

Charisma: What would you tell someone who is currently going through a divorce or is contemplating getting one?

Isaac: First of all, everyone should understand that God hates divorce. Even though God forgives, divorce outside the groundworks of the Bible is wrong. The next thing is to understand that if there is a possibility for reconciliation, meaning the other person is not remarried, instead of asking God for someone else, ask God to fix the marriage you had. If the man is not fixed and the woman is not fixed, no matter who you remarry, you’re going to have the same issues.

Charisma: Pastor, do you have any specific advice for husbands? Isaac: Yes I do, and it is simply Ephesians chapter 5, that we are to love our wives as Christ loves the church. First Corinthians 13 says that we can have power to understand mysteries; we can preach with deep revelation, and we can have faith to move mountains, but the Bible says that if we have not love then we are nothing. That became very real to me.

Charisma: And how about you, Denisha—any advice for wives?

Denisha: For all wives, but especially for pastors’ wives, you should learn not to be a clone of what you think a pastor’s wife should be. I urge women to look inward and discover who they are. Focus on developing that. Everything you need for your spouse is wrapped up in who you really are.

Charisma: How do you now view your experiences?

Denisha: One of the greatest things I see in retrospect is that staying together is really one of the easiest things to do. You simply love each other, be humble and put God first. If you’re sincere with who you are in Christ, then you don’t have all those flaws and pride that cause separation. To actually stay in the relationship … is one of the easiest things to do.

Isaac: We give glory to God for our reconciliation … but instead of saying that God put us back together, we like to say that we allowed God to put us back together. God is trying to fix every marriage in every home, but He’s often not allowed to [mend relationships] because people don’t yield to Him. He is either trying to put every home back together or He is trying to keep every home from falling apart. It’s not a question of what God can and cannot do; it’s a question of what God is allowed to do.

You can listen to the interview in full at Charisma Magazine

People to Follow on Twitter: Tony Gaskins Jr.

Total Life Prosperity — Thu, 20 May 2010 18:25:17 +0000

Motivational Speaker: Tony Gaskins Jr.

Where would I be without Twitter! I have found tons of resources, blogs, and websites to follow via Twitter and the latest I want to share with my readers is a successful Author, Life/Relationship Coach, Motivational Speaker, Mind Coach to several athletes, Screenwriter, Film Producer, and Consultant Tony A. Gaskins Jr. I may be late to discover him (apparently he has been on Oprah and Tyra) but I’m glad I did!

This might seem stalkerish but I had to share the Tweets that made me Follow Him

Favorite Quotes from Tony

“I woke up this morning only to realize that God was working on my behalf even while I was asleep”

“The good thing about feeding our mind is that we can eat food for thought all day and never gain weight”

“We don’t live a yesterday or a tomorrow because only what we do TODAY counts”

“A person only hates you because they hate themselves. Knowing that, love them anyway”

“In the midst of evil choose to do good, in the midst of hate, choose to love. Your life is your choice”

“In order to get it all, we must be willing to GIVE it all”

“Knowledge only becomes POWERFUL when applied”

“If you can’t run the race, then walk it just as long as you finish it”

“You’re only as strong as your weakest thought”

“Your life is a movie script, any scenes that don’t move the story forward cut them out”

“Make sure those in your circle do push-ups, not pull-ups”

“Even when life deals you a weak hand you should never show it”

About Tony

Gaskins focuses on enlightening and inspiring every person he meets, that is his ultimate goal. While most want fame and fortune, the only thing Gaskins wants is a voice. A voice to speak up for the voiceless and to speak into the lives of others. To help propel the voice Gaskins founded a Non-Profit Organization entitled “The Future Speaks, Inc” where he will help the youth identify their purpose and set goals at an early age in order to avoid the many pitfalls that he couldn’t. His goal is to lead Millions to a more fulfilling place in their life and to leave a legacy behind him.

Follow Him on Twitter www.Twitter.com/TonyGaskins

When Twitter Goes Wrong!

Total Life Prosperity — Thu, 20 May 2010 14:28:55 +0000

When Twitter goes WRONG = #EPICFAIL

I want all my readers to experience Total Life Prosperity and usually I refrain from posting complete nonsense but this is one of the exceptions to the rule! A particular young lady has taken social networking site Twitter a little too serious with her new “Follow Me” tattoo.

“As Best Week Everpoints out, the tattoo also is pointless, as she doesn’t even have her username on there. Good call again, crazy lady. “

Just last week I RT’ed this status

* BTW There’s alot that doesn’t make it to this blog so make sure you follow me www.Twitter.com/NNicole527

The God in me tells me I must use this opportunity as a teaching tool. I am not judging her because I have tattoos myself (2 to be exact) Maybe she used poor judgement when she made this decision. Unbeknown to my parents, I got my first tattoo of an Ankh at 16 and then my zodiac symbol at 23. (Both are extremely worldly symbols but thank GOD for grace) Now at 26, I think, if knew then what I know now, I would have reconsidered my decisions and never got any tattoos period.

WHY YOU ASK?

These two scriptures:

” Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:28

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20

A Newborn’s Conversation with God

Total Life Prosperity — Sun, 09 May 2010 04:57:19 +0000

A Newborn’s Conversation with God

A baby asked God, “They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?”

God said:

“Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you.”

The child further inquired, “But tell me, here in heaven I don’t have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy.”

God said:

“Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel’s love and be very happy.”

Again the small child asked, “And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don’t know the language?”

God said:

“Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak.”

“And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?”

God said:

“Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray.”

“Who will protect me?”

God said:

“Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life.”

“But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore.”

God said:

“Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you.”

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, “God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel’s name.”

God said:

“You will simply call her, “Mom.”

Happy Mother’s Day !

National Day of Prayer

Total Life Prosperity — Thu, 06 May 2010 12:03:33 +0000

May 6th is the National Day of Prayer

The National Day of Prayer is purposed for us as a nation to recall and to teach the way in which our founding fathers sought the wisdom of God when faced with critical decisions. It stands as a call to us to humbly come before God, seeking His guidance for our leaders and His grace upon us as a people. The unanimous passage of the bill establishing the National Day of Prayer as an annual event, signifies that prayer is as important to our nation today as it was in the beginning. Like Thanksgiving or Christmas, this day has become a national observance placed on all Hallmark calendars and observed annually across the nation and in Washington, D.C

Click to watch the LIVE Webcast from here in DC featuring Franklin Graham starting this morning from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon EST

Visit official National Day of Prayer website

Follow them on Twitter www.twitter.com/nationalprayer

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Faith Friday: RAISE UP

Total Life Prosperity — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:08:31 +0000

RAISE UP

Happy Friday Total Life Prosperity Family! I wanted to share something from one of my FaceBook friends. She writes:

“I do believe that everything we allow ourselves to see, say, and hear, on a daily basis shape the course of our lives. I’m very mindful to ONLY allow myself to watch and listen to music that enhances and empowers…and serves the purpose of fueling me even closer to my desired destination. I’ve Chosen To “Raise Up” and live the fullness of the life that was especially designed for me! What about you? Are you ready to “Raise Up” and share your beautiful gifts with the entire world? This is were is begins…..Watch this!”

After watching the video I wanted to know more about “Raise Up” and went to their website

About Raise Up

The RAISE U.P. (Raise Unlimited Praise) message is a very focused one . They believe Raise U.P. is the chosen generation responsibile to be the light in a dark world, salt of the earth, a city set on a hill, and to Raise UP to the standards of Jesus Christ. Their mission is to Raise U.P. leaders within nations. They intend to do this through strategic mediums in popular culture, whether it be in music, media, fashion, entertainment, arts, services, or occupations of any kind.

Raise Up is reflective of the TotalLifeProsperityBlog.com goal- dedicated to promoting wholeness in every area of life. As Christians it’s time for us to step beyond the church walls and out into the world. This responsibility stems from a decision that must be made within each and every individual. A response to God and his call to this generation. He is calling this generation to Raise UP and go for him. We must respond. We must make the decision to go, we must be willing vessels and allow God to shine his light through us for the whole world to see. No matter what our backgrounds, skill sets, or occupations, we are to be the leaders wherever we are. This begins once we believe God and take him at his word.

Will you Raise Up?

Join their Facebook Fan Page I AM RAISE UP

Follow them on Twitter http://twitter.com/RAISEUPINC