I'm amazed how I have become more aware of the words that come out of my mouth. For example, a co-worker saw me today and said, "LaDena when I see you, you look like you have all the money in the world." Without thinking I said, "thank you but I don't have a dime."
As soon as those words left my mouth, the Lord shook me and said you won't have a dime with those words and attitude. WOW!
I have been in great prayer for a long time (seems like forever) that God would help me to change the words that spill forth from my mouth. I realized that a lot of my problems and mishaps were all caused by me and the words I spoke. WOW!
I was a chronic complainer, a chronic finger-pointer, and a chronic put-myself-in-a-depressed-state! Boy, oh boy could I put myself in a depressed state just by constantly saying I'm depressed...LOL...now I can laugh about it but before I could only cry. Plus to be all those things were so tiring. Whew, I was
T I R E D!
So I begin to cry out to the Lord; Lord please help me with the words that come from my mouth. Lord show me how to pay attention to what is coming out of my moth. It has taken some time, plenty of slip-ups, but I can see God working IN my mouth. Thank you Father.
Proverbs 16:24 reads, Pleasant words are like honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. YEEESSSS! I need sweetness for my soul and health for my bones. I need pleasant words for myself and pleasant words to give. So, Lord, please help this ole'girl with her words! What about you? Are you watching your words?
From my heart to yours.
Words of encouragement.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Hopeless to Hope
There is a song that says, they say I’m hopeless like a penny with a hole in it. Hopeless…hmmm…yes, I have been hopeless. I’ve
been hopeless just as recent as… well recent. Being hopeless is not having that
feeling of expectation or desire for a certain thing to happen.
So, what makes us hopeless? For me it can be my ongoing
battle with impatience. See, there are times that I want what I want when I
want it and even more how I want it. Just writing that down makes me cringe but
it’s true. I have flesh. See, when things do not happen in that “my” time that
I have set; I lose hope. I begin to feel that it will never happen. Or, I feel
that it was never suppose to happen for a sinner like me – that’s a different
story.
But the Word of God says a lot about hope. There are many, stories
in the Bible full of hope. In Psalm 31 David speaks about hope. Psalm 31: 24 Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart,
All you who hope in the Lord.
If I’m going to
put the Word of God to practice in my life, then I have to know that I’m not
hopeless. I have to know that I shouldn’t feel hopeless for God is
strengthening me as my hope is in Him. Therefore, I will choose to wait on God
to give me the best in His timing which is far greater than my timing. Having
hope is to be expectant. Having hope in God is knowing that He can do
exceedingly, abundantly above all that I could ask or think.
Today live
hopeful! Live expecting God to do mighty things in and through you. Live
knowing that when you become hopeless, that your it – whatever your it may be-
is never going to happen for you, but remember BE OF GOOD COURAGE, AND HE SHALL STRENGTHEN YOUR HEART, ALL YOU WHO
HOPE IN THE LORD. Keep your hope in Him and He will see you through.
From my heart to
yours. Encouraging myself while I encourage you.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Get it back
I was just thinking about the faith I had when I bought my first house at 106 Walnut in 1997. I didn't know what was to come but I had faith. I didn't know how I was going to have all the money they said I needed, but I had faith. I didn't know what was going to happen to my kids, but I had faith. I didn't even know what fear felt like because I had faith. I had unmovable, unstoppable, unshakable faith and when I signed on the dotted line that day and moved into 106 Walnut...I praised God for that FAITH.
So what is going on now? Where did that faith go? Life threw some curve balls, I made some foolish mistakes, I LET some things be taken from me because I was not in God's will. But baby, oh baby MOVE AROUND FOLKS, DEVILS, AND DEMONS CAUSE LADENA WITH THAT UNMOVABLE, UNSTOPPABLE, UNSHAKABLE FAITH IS BACK!
Take a stand with God and get restoration, reconcilitation...get back what was stolen from you. God is able.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Transforming
I have a friend that has been saying "I'm transforming" for almost a year now. So I asked her, "how much transforming do you plan to do and will I be able to recognize you after all of this transforming?" Her answer was "yes you will be able to recognize me, I'll just be a better me."
Dena being Dena had to go to the dictionary and look up the meaning of transform. Webster's states transform, verb, to change the form or appearance of; 2 to change the condition, nature, or function of. Interesting. So my friend is changing the form or appearance of herself? Maybe she is changing the condition, nature, or function of something?
When I think of transform, I associate it with renewing because my biblical mind kicks in. Webster's define renewing as to make new or fresh again; 2 to reestablish; revive. In the bible Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
When a person makes a decision to transform they want to change something. Does the person want to change the outer condition, nature or is the person looking, attempting to renew their mind? In my opinion I believe a person should renew their mind and the transformation will follow. If you change what is going on in the mind; thoughts coming in and going out, images, sounds, etc, transformation will begin to take place on the outside. People will look at you and know that you are transforming and you will not have to tell them.
I'm excited to know that my friend wants to be a better person. We should all strive for that at all times. I'm also excited to know that my friend recognized that she needed to be a better person. That is the hardest part for a lot of people. What I would like to say is YOU GO GIRL, RENEW YOUR MIND AND THE REST WILL FOLLOW! You will look, feel, act, and be better.
My favorite motto is: If you know better you will do better.
During this holiday season, I pray that we all take some time to look within ourselves and see if some renewing needs to take place. Think about how we can be better not only to ourselves but to others. You will be happy that you did.
Renewing your mind will also free you from bondage that may have held you captive for a long time. Its time to let it all go.
Peace and Blessings
Dena being Dena had to go to the dictionary and look up the meaning of transform. Webster's states transform, verb, to change the form or appearance of; 2 to change the condition, nature, or function of. Interesting. So my friend is changing the form or appearance of herself? Maybe she is changing the condition, nature, or function of something?
When I think of transform, I associate it with renewing because my biblical mind kicks in. Webster's define renewing as to make new or fresh again; 2 to reestablish; revive. In the bible Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
When a person makes a decision to transform they want to change something. Does the person want to change the outer condition, nature or is the person looking, attempting to renew their mind? In my opinion I believe a person should renew their mind and the transformation will follow. If you change what is going on in the mind; thoughts coming in and going out, images, sounds, etc, transformation will begin to take place on the outside. People will look at you and know that you are transforming and you will not have to tell them.
I'm excited to know that my friend wants to be a better person. We should all strive for that at all times. I'm also excited to know that my friend recognized that she needed to be a better person. That is the hardest part for a lot of people. What I would like to say is YOU GO GIRL, RENEW YOUR MIND AND THE REST WILL FOLLOW! You will look, feel, act, and be better.
My favorite motto is: If you know better you will do better.
During this holiday season, I pray that we all take some time to look within ourselves and see if some renewing needs to take place. Think about how we can be better not only to ourselves but to others. You will be happy that you did.
Renewing your mind will also free you from bondage that may have held you captive for a long time. Its time to let it all go.
Peace and Blessings
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Goodbye Fear
Hello Fear is the name of Kirk Franklin's latest CD. I was listening to the song titled Hello Fear on the train ride in to work this morning when I had the biggest breakthrough. I have lived a very big portion of my life in fear.
People wouldn't know it by looking at me, but fear has dictated a major part of my every being. It started as a child. My mom would get angry at me for whatever foolish thing I had done and would tell me that I would never be anything and no good like my biological father. Those very hurtful words put fear in me that would last for a very long time. I believed those words!
When things in my life became a little shaky or overwhelming, I would run in fear of failing. When I would become weary, I would give up in fear of pressing on. I experimented with drugs to fit in with certain crowds in fear of being rejected. I gave my body away in fear of not being loved. I stayed on a job I hated because my mama and granny said it was a good job in fear of not disappointing them. I was afraid to start this blog and let my life be a testimony to others to help them in fear of what others would think of me and shun me. Fear, fear, fear.
I'm very happy to say that fear no longer lives inside of me. God has now replaced the fear with love, grace, and mercy. God's word tell me that I can do all things through Christ Jesus that strengthens me. Philipians 4:13 God has me. Even though I walk through a dark valley, I will fear no evil. God has me. God will never leave me or forsake me. God has me. There will be times that I will feel alone, afraid, wonder about the what's next, what ifs, etc, but grace and mercy abounds all the more and erases all the fear. God has me!
I have learned that people act out negatively from fear. They do destructive things to themselves out of fear. Fear is not of God. The only fear we should have is the fear of the Lord and that is a good fear. That fear should be that we reverently, a feeling of deep love & respect, worship the Lord.
Let's put fear behind us. Let's seek God and move forward in a more positive, graceful manner. With fear behind me, I plan to do what I can with what I have to build up the Kingdom. God has me and He can have you to!
May God Continue to Bless Us All!
People wouldn't know it by looking at me, but fear has dictated a major part of my every being. It started as a child. My mom would get angry at me for whatever foolish thing I had done and would tell me that I would never be anything and no good like my biological father. Those very hurtful words put fear in me that would last for a very long time. I believed those words!
When things in my life became a little shaky or overwhelming, I would run in fear of failing. When I would become weary, I would give up in fear of pressing on. I experimented with drugs to fit in with certain crowds in fear of being rejected. I gave my body away in fear of not being loved. I stayed on a job I hated because my mama and granny said it was a good job in fear of not disappointing them. I was afraid to start this blog and let my life be a testimony to others to help them in fear of what others would think of me and shun me. Fear, fear, fear.
I'm very happy to say that fear no longer lives inside of me. God has now replaced the fear with love, grace, and mercy. God's word tell me that I can do all things through Christ Jesus that strengthens me. Philipians 4:13 God has me. Even though I walk through a dark valley, I will fear no evil. God has me. God will never leave me or forsake me. God has me. There will be times that I will feel alone, afraid, wonder about the what's next, what ifs, etc, but grace and mercy abounds all the more and erases all the fear. God has me!
I have learned that people act out negatively from fear. They do destructive things to themselves out of fear. Fear is not of God. The only fear we should have is the fear of the Lord and that is a good fear. That fear should be that we reverently, a feeling of deep love & respect, worship the Lord.
Let's put fear behind us. Let's seek God and move forward in a more positive, graceful manner. With fear behind me, I plan to do what I can with what I have to build up the Kingdom. God has me and He can have you to!
May God Continue to Bless Us All!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Take the focus off self
Yesterday I was having one hell of a day. I'm suffering from serious sinus pressure that has me not wanting to open my eyes, the nonsense on public transportation, work, life, and I could go on and on and on. Let just say by the time I made it home, I was overcooked, overdone, and burnt!
The phone rang, it was my sister-in-law crying out for help. Sigh. I said come on over and in a flash she was there. I listened, she talked. I gave an opinion, she talked. I silently prayed, she talked. By the end I sat wide-eyed, she cried.
Her heart was heavy. Her voice full of weary. A woman at her wits end. I truly understand that feeling. As I sat there listening, praying, talking, I realized something; my problems seemed long gone! WOW! Look at God. At that moment God was using me to help and minister to her and He was helping and ministering to me.
My focus was removed from self and put on someone else. Shouldn't that be one of our main goals? Aren't we called to be servants? How can we effectually serve if the focus is always on self?
Take some time to minister/help someone else and watch God minister/help you in the process; your problems will seem to get smaller and smaller. Take the focus off self for a minute...It really does help!
May God Continue to Bless Us All!
The phone rang, it was my sister-in-law crying out for help. Sigh. I said come on over and in a flash she was there. I listened, she talked. I gave an opinion, she talked. I silently prayed, she talked. By the end I sat wide-eyed, she cried.
Her heart was heavy. Her voice full of weary. A woman at her wits end. I truly understand that feeling. As I sat there listening, praying, talking, I realized something; my problems seemed long gone! WOW! Look at God. At that moment God was using me to help and minister to her and He was helping and ministering to me.
My focus was removed from self and put on someone else. Shouldn't that be one of our main goals? Aren't we called to be servants? How can we effectually serve if the focus is always on self?
Take some time to minister/help someone else and watch God minister/help you in the process; your problems will seem to get smaller and smaller. Take the focus off self for a minute...It really does help!
May God Continue to Bless Us All!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Don't be Boxed In
Just the other day I heard a man very dear to my heart say to me, "Dena stop letting people box you in." What do you mean I asked? He said, "Time after time I hear you speaking of your dreams and places you want to go, but at the same time you say you can't do this or that because someone else is depending on you for this and that and that too. God gave you something to do...DO IT!" Hmmm!
That conversation has not left my heart or mind. At the time, I didn't admit it but now I can say true, so true. Year after year I say what I want to accomplish in that year or some task I would like to start. Then somewhere along the way, things start happening, mostly other people things and I throw the things I want to accomplish on the back burner while helping or should I say enabling someone else with their problem.
Today I have to say stop. I have to stop letting others box me in. I have to go after my dreams. These dreams where given to me for a reason and I surely would hate to see them all go down the drain because I was boxed in.
Don't be boxed in. If God has given you a dream, pray about it, listen to God speak about it and get on your way to living it.
SN: In the conversation with the man, he was not telling me not to help others; he was telling me not to let my dream die in the process of helping others. He also said I can't save everyone but God can!
May God Continue to Bless us All!
That conversation has not left my heart or mind. At the time, I didn't admit it but now I can say true, so true. Year after year I say what I want to accomplish in that year or some task I would like to start. Then somewhere along the way, things start happening, mostly other people things and I throw the things I want to accomplish on the back burner while helping or should I say enabling someone else with their problem.
Today I have to say stop. I have to stop letting others box me in. I have to go after my dreams. These dreams where given to me for a reason and I surely would hate to see them all go down the drain because I was boxed in.
Don't be boxed in. If God has given you a dream, pray about it, listen to God speak about it and get on your way to living it.
SN: In the conversation with the man, he was not telling me not to help others; he was telling me not to let my dream die in the process of helping others. He also said I can't save everyone but God can!
May God Continue to Bless us All!
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