Inspirational Sunday

I have a "Letters from God" journal where I keep any promise of God I come across in the Bible. These promises bring me so much comfort, especially when I remember that God has never gone back on a promise and He never will. Never. So for Inspirational Sunday, I'd like to post those promises. May they bring you as much comfort as they have brought me.

Letter #1

My child,

Are you tired? Weary? Weak? Then put your hope in Me. I will give you strength when you are weary and power when you are weak. If you are tired, I will renew your strength. You will soar like eagles. You will run without growing weary and walk without growing faint. All you need to do is put your trust in Me.

Love, your Father
(Isaiah 40:29,31)

My Father,

Yes, I am tired, weary, and weak. I don't have the energy to go on. But I thank you that I can find my strength in You. You have promised that, if I put my hope in You, I will be strengthened and given power. Thank you for giving me eagle's wings. Thank you for giving me the strength to go on. Thank you for allowing to run and walk this race called life without growing weary or faint. Thank you!

Love, Your princess

Inspirational Sunday

"But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light."

1 Peter 2:9 (NLT)

Rae's Thought: This verse comes after Peter mentions what happens to those who do not obey God's word (they stumble and meet the fate they deserve; vs 8). In verse nine, Peter describes those who do obey God's word. I'd like to break this verse down a bit.

• Chosen people. You may wonder how can we, as Christians, be God's chosen people when God gave that title to the Israelites. Israel's rebellion and disobedience caused them to be rejected by God (although there will be a time - during the end of days - when they'll have the chance to reclaim the title). The reason why Christians are now God's chosen is in our name: CHRISTians. It is because of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection that we are now able to say we too are God's chosen.
  
  Now, some Christians take it to mean that the children of God are better than everyone else. This is a dangerous assumption. After all, the Pharisees and Sadducees - the main ones behind the brutal death of our innocent Jesus - had this same attitude. Jesus calls them a "brood of vipers" several times in His day. Matthew Henry says, "All true Christians are a chosen generation; they make one family, a people distinct from the world." Being God's chosen does not make us better...it makes us blessed. We are different from those around us.

• Royal priesthood. Also because of Christ's death/resurrection, we are now royal priests. What exactly does this mean? Well, first of all, we're royalty! God is the King of kings...the Ultimate in kingship. While it may be awesome to be a child of an earthly king, it's even more awesome to be a child of the Heavenly King. Just think: our Father owns EVERYTHING...even the possessions of all the earthly kings. With the title of "child of the King" comes benefits that far outweigh anything we could ever imagine: eternal life, a castle in Heaven, unconditional love, grace, mercy, a peace that no human can understand, provision for EVERY need...just to name a few.
  
  Before Jesus died, the children of God had to go to priests to communicate with God. The priests were the middle men. The need for a middle man perished when Jesus died on the cross. Now, we have a direct connection to our Father. If we want to talk to God, we can do it ourselves. If we have sins to confess, we can do it ourselves. We now have the ability to experience the presence of God without first having to go to a priest.

• Holy nation. A "holy nation" doesn't mean a "perfect nation." Jesus is - and will be - the only perfect person to ever walk this earth. A "holy nation" is a nation set apart for a special purpose. We are to be different from nonbelievers. There should be a distinction between the children of God and the world.
  
  I recently finished a book called, Captivate, by Carrie Jones.
  
  Now, the book is fiction (werewolves, pixies, etc) but it contains something the children of God can learn from. Bear with me: in the book, pixies were distinguishable because they left a trail of gold dust behind. The characters in the story knew when they were in the presence of a pixie because of that dust. We as Christians should be distinguishable from other people. We don't leave a trail of gold dust, but we should leave a trail of God's love. When people are around you, can they tell that they're in the presence of one of God's own? Or do you look and act just like everyone else? Do they see you or do they see a reflection of God? Being sanctified, separated, and set apart for a special purpose...that's what being a holy nation means.

• God's very own possession. God owns us. Plain and simple. We were bought and paid for with Jesus's blood. Now, the awesome thing is God is no ordinary owner. He doesn't force His views on us. He doesn't mistreat us. We still have our own minds...we're not His robots. He loves us enough to let us be our own person...even when being our own person may cause Him pain. He's so good that He'll welcome us back with loving, open arms when we've strayed. He even uses our personalities for His glory. Want to know what being a possession of God entails? Go back to "royal priesthood" and reread the benefits of being a child of the King.

• You can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his marvelous light. This one is easy. Because of all the awesomeness God has bestowed upon us (chosen people, royal priesthood, holy nation, etc), it is our privilege and duty to tell others about His goodness.
  He has called us out of the darkness - which has things like sin, unhappiness, misery, evilness, and bondage - to live with Him in his marvelous light - which has things like forgivenss, joy, peace, and freedom.
  
  Recently, my little nine year-old sis received a package full of goodies from one of her favorite authors. She was so excited and wanted to show everyone what she'd gotten. She couldn't keep it to herself. Likewise with the children of God. He has given us numerous of gifts, one of which is the gift of salvation. Why keep it to ourselves? We should be so excited, that we'd want to tell everybody. The secret to a joyful, fulfilled life is Jesus Christ. This is one secret that shouldn't be kept to oneself. Show everyone how good God is!

Inspirational Sunday

"I lift my eyes to you..."

Psalm 123:1

Rae's Thought: Have you ever been anxious or worried about something? A few weeks ago, I'd been anxious about a financial issue. I spent a week worried about where the money would come from. One whole week, gone and wasted because I was worried. I had a "to do" list that I didn't even complete because I couldn't focus on anything but my financial woes. Needless to say, I was extra hard on myself for wasting a week.

Then, I realized I was stuck....kinda like being stuck in quicksand - the more you struggle, the more you sink, right? Well, the more I thought about my finances and my wasted week, the more I sunk. When I came to that realization, I asked God for forgiveness (my focus was on the wrong thing) and vowed to move on. If God was gonna bless me with another week, I didn't want to start it off with negativity (beating myself up over past mistakes) and anxiety.

As a teacher/tutor, my heart smiles when a kid finally gets a concept I'd been trying to teach them. This is how I believe God felt after I'd finally gotten it and asked for forgiveness. You see, He doesn't want me to stay stuck on "coulda, shoulda, woulda." He wants me focused on Him and moving forward. If I lift my eyes to Him - and keep them there - everything else will be taken care of. asking for forgiveness, vowing not be anxious, and refocusing on God was the lifeline I needed to get outta that quicksand.

Thank God for being a God of forgiveness and second (and third, fourth, fifth, etc) chances! If your focus has been off because of struggles you're having, ask God to forgive you, and then refocus your attention on God. It's only when our eyes are lifted to God that we can move forward and live the abundant life He's called us to live!

Random Thoughts Thursday

Quran Burning. So, Pastor Terry Jones has decided not to burn the Quran, because the Ground Zero mosque will be moved (a fact that the group building the mosque denies). I'm wondering if he's reveling in the attention he's gotten from the media. Don't get me wrong, I have no doubt he would've burned the Quran. I just think the media attention didn't make things any better. Now that I think about it, does it (media attention) ever make things better when something negative is showcased? I really think part of this is for attention...and he got just what he wanted. I will be surprised if his church membership doesn't increase after this. smh

And what about him representing all of Christianity? Um....no! I'm a Christian (very faithful and active in my church; in love with God) and I do NOT agree with the burning of the Quran. Do I agree with the Muslim faith? No. But do I believe I have the right to judge Muslims and go about burning the Quran? No. As Christians, our job is to tell people about Jesus and let them make the choice. Whether they choose Jesus or not, we're supposed to love them anyway. How is burning the Quran spreading the love of God? Yes, people around the world probably burn Bibles everyday, but two wrongs don't make a right.

And blaming the whole entire Muslim faith cos of the 9/11 attacks is pure insanity. So, I guess that means African Americans can blame the whole entire white race cos of slavery and the injustice our ancestors suffered, right? Or Jews can blame everyone of German decent because of the Holocaust. Maybe everyone of Native American descent can blame anyone of European descent cos of Christopher Columbus and others following him took their land away. Am I the only one seeing the silliness of this?

Willow Smith. I have mixed feelings about Willow Smith signing on to Jay Z's label. I'm hoping and praying she doesn't grow up too fast. She's only 9. I'm a firm believer in letting kids be kids. On the other hand, I'm kinda feeling her song. I love the beat. It's a great dance song (and I love dancing). Plus, if this is really her singing, she has a nice voice...very Rihanna like. I'd have to hear her live to make sure auto tune didn't doctor her voice up. Judge for yourself.

Inspirational Sunday

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

1 Corinthians 10:13

Rae's Thought: This verse teaches us three things:

• No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. Tempted? You're not alone. When we're going through something - whether it's a temptation or hardship - it's easy for us to pity ourselves and feel that we're alone in our struggles. We're not. Men and women have struggled since the days of the Garden of Eden, when Satan tempted Eve. Even today, men, women, and children are constantly having to deal with temptation. We can take comfort in the fact that our own Savior, Jesus Christ, had to struggle with temptation. Though He didn't fall, He still knows what we're going through.


• And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. Did you know what, as a child of god, you have the power, through Him, to resist any temptation that comes your way - just as Jesus did? No temptation you encounter will be more than you can bear. God knows what you can and cannot bear. If you can't handle it, He wouldn't allow it. Whenever temptation comes your way, remember you are stronger...not the temptation. You have power because Jesus has power.


• But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out that you can stand up under it. The Bible doesn't say, if. It says when, meaning you will be tempted. If you haven't struggled with temptation yet, keep living. You'll get to it some time in your life. Maybe even several times. Temptation is a given. Sounds depressing? It is if you're not a child of God, but for those who love the Lord...well, we've got good news. There is ALWAYS a way out. Always. You may say, "But, when I was tempted, I didn't see a way out. The temptation was to strong, so I gave in." First of all, see point #2. NO temptation will be too strong for you, no matter what it seems like. Second of all, did you care to look for a way out? Look for it. It's there. The question isn't is there really a way out; it's are you gonna take the way out or will you give in - not because you're not strong enough, but because you choose to?

Random Thoughts Thursday

So about 2 years ago, I came up with a list of things I wanted to do before I turned 35 (Rae's List). Clearly, I'll be 35 next year (Yikes!!!) and haven't really crossed much off the list. Sooo, I'm updating my list and making it a list of things to do before I turn 40...which - not that I really wanna think about turning 40 - but will happen in 6 years (Yikes!!!). This gives me 6 years to concentrate on crossing things off my list. I think the fun comes with trying to do each thing. Of course, I'd love to get married and have a child before I'm 40, but that's not my call. That's all on God. BUT, I'm putting it on my list. I'll update every few months and blog about my progress. For most of the things on my list, it's not that I'm afraid to do it or don't have the time. It's that I don't have the funds to do it. I'm not worried though. Let's see how much I can cross off in 6 years, 6 months, and 24 days. Ready? Set? GO!

Updated List:

• Become Dr. Rae Weakly, EdD
• Get counseling license
• Sky dive
• Para sail
• Jet ski
• Swim w/dolphins
• Bungee jump
• Cliff dive
• Stay in a hotel (or beach house) on the beach
• Stay in a resort
• Stay in an expensive hotel for at least one night without worrying about price
• Learn Spanish - be able to hold conversation with native speakers & my sister
• Learn a 3rd language (Portuguese, Italian, French, or Japanese)
• Learn to play acoustic guitar
• Shake hands w/a celebrity
• Become a published author
• Fall in love
• Get married
• Have a child
• Travel to other countries/cities/states - Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Brazil, Holy Land, St. Thomas Virgin Islands, Italy, Spain, Japan, Cuba, Columbia, Tahiti, Philippines, Virginia, Washington D.C., Las Vegas, Phoenix, Jamaica
• Become owner of THRIVING business, AYM Enrichment Center
• Learn to belly dance
• Learn to Salsa
• Take Hip Hop class
• Get a professional makeover
• Go to a spa
• Get 3rd tattoo
• Ride a motorcycle
• Take kickboxing class
• Fly first class
• Have at least one of my novels optioned for film
• Wear shorts in public *NOTE* When I wrote this 2 years ago, I hadn't worn shorts in 12 years cos I was self-conscious about my legs. Still kinda self conscious, but I have worn shorts since I added this to the list. Yay me!
• Wear a daring (yet tasteful) dress
• Start research on what makes other countries' educational system work & what America can do to catch up
• Comfortably wear a swimsuit without cover (no shirt over it...no beach pants to cover my legs, etc)
• Participate in a walkathon
• Run a mile
• Go white-water rafting
• Learn how to ski
• Try a fruity alcoholic drink: Had a margarita...pretty good!
• Sing at a karaoke bar
• Learn sign language
• Become debt free
• Buy first house
• Buy my Escalade EXT
• Approach an attractive guy (if only for conversation. Even @ 33, I clam up around cute guys)
• Attend a Superbowl game
• Go to an awards show
• Get nose pierced
• Climb the Statue of Liberty
• Eat @ an expensive restaurant: Did this for my birthday, thanks to my friend!
• Set up a foundation for kids
• Become a motivational speak/mentor for young girls/teen girls
• Play basketball without dying
• Buy my parents their dream house
• Spend a whole day doing absolutely nothing (take a me-day): Had my 1st "me-day" early last year...have had several since then.
• Donate a substantial amount of $ for a worthy cause
• Learn how to play piano
• Plan a camp for girls and/or creative kids
• Experience Las Vegas (or Atlantic City) gambling once
• Research both sides of my family. We have a whole side of French and Native American (my great great grandparents on both sides) ancestors that I know nothing about. I also want to research our ancestors who were slaves.
• Read the whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation
• Lose @ least 50 pounds and work to stay @ ideal weight (ideal in MY mind...not society's)

Inspirational Sunday

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light..."

Ephesians 5:8

Rae's Thought: Sometimes, God talks to me in some of the weirdest ways. I love when He does that, though. It comes unexpected. This week's inspiration came to me during one of my walks in the park. At one point in my walk, I looked around me and saw that, in the midst of all the dead grass in the park, lay several small patches of lush, green grass. The withered, brown grass had the green grass surrounded, but it didn't take away from the beauty. In fact, it was the green grass that really caught my attention, despite the fact that there wasn't much of it.

"This," God told me, "is exactly how my children should be." Ephesians 5:8 immediately came to mind. We are told to walk as children of light. Oftentimes, Christians let the world influence them instead of the other way around. If people can't tell us apart from the nonbelievers, we are not doing our jobs...what God has called us to do. We are not living or walking as children of light. In Romans 12:2, we are told not to conform any longer to the pattern of this world. There should be a noticeable difference between the children of God and everyone else.

The children of God (lush, green grass) are surrounded by those who do not believe (withered, brown grass) everyday. The question is, are we letting dead grass take away from the beauty of lush, green grass or are we the ones making the world beautiful? Are you, as children of light, letting your light shine so bright that, in spite of being surrounded by darkness, it is you that draws attention? If you're the only child of God in the midst of a crowd of nonbelievers, would people be able to tell you apart, or are you a carbon copy of everyone around you?

Inspirational Sunday

"So David inquired of the Lord..."

1Samuel 23: 2a (AMP)

Rae's Thought: In this particular passage of scripture, David had just found out that the Philistines planned to attack Keilah, a small city in Judah. Upon hearing this news, David could have done 2 things: ignore the news and hope for the best, or immediately charge into Keilah and fight the Philistines. If he'd chosen to ignore, no one would have really blamed him. He had problems of his own with Saul's murderous vendetta against him. On the other hand, going right into war and defeating the Philistines could have been possible. David was no punk. Remember, this is the same guy who killed a lion and defeated a 9ft giant (Goliath) when he was a teen! Not only was he a military genius, but he was also anointed and chosen by God. David chose neither option. Instead, he chose to ask, then act. So David inquired of the Lord... He took the time out to seek God's guidance.

When it comes to decision-making, we can certainly learn from David. How often have we made decisions without consulting God first, then wonder why things turned out the way they did? How many times have we pondered so long about a decision because we just didn't know what to do? I truly believe that some of the heartaches we've experienced could have been avoided if we only asked God what to do. So many people automatically ask friends and family, imperfect beings who may or may not know, before asking God, a perfect Being who knows all. When asking God for guidance, make sure you stick to what God tells you, no matter how crazy it may sound...even if family and friends tell you you're out of your mind. When David asked God what to do, God told him to attack the Philistines. David's men believed it would've been a suicide mission. So, David asked God again (and God told him the same thing).

Now, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Come in closer. You ready? Here it is: GOD KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING! And you know what else? He has the answers you need, you just have to ask. Even when dealing with what seems to be unimportant, go to God. What do you have to lose? Absolutely nothing! He never tires of hearing our voices. He won't get exasperated if we came to Him for everything. He wants us to come to Him. He loves when His children ask for advice or direction. You can't go wrong with seeking God's knowledge. Uh, hello! He knows everything! When faced with a decision, no matter how big or small, ask then act!