A Day of Bunny Trails...

Long time no blog right (laugh/smile)?

Forgive me for not journaling as regularly as I have purposed.
The birth of a new little boy, pre-school for my almost 5-yr. old, and a new burst of energy has
kept me pretty busy during this Fall season!


The title of this entry has been inspired by a friend and neighbor of mine who talks about her bunny trails. Bunny trails (according to her definition) are thoughts that rapidly run around in your mind (thinking about what's for dinner, tasks for the week, projects that are overdue, appointments, dreams, ANYTHING that hops all around in your head)!


This entry will be just random thoughts that have been running around in my head, that I hope and pray will make you smile, laugh, cry, and most importantly be INSPIRED!

So here are just SOME of my bunny trails (Thanks Jamecia for this term: I love it!) I would like to share with you:


A View Like No Other: Atlantic City:
The view from this room is breath-taking! The boys are sleep and my family is out and about
as I sit here at the desk in our room watching the beautiful view from the Water Tower at the Borgata. This is my first time here and since I have some quiet time right now I thought I would get started on my blog (it's been a long time). I have so many creative thoughts going through my mind along with all the TASKS that need to get done for my family, for me, and for other organizations I am involved in (here comes the bunny trails...). Yet I can't seem to get my mind off this amazing view! I love all the flashy lights and watching the headlights of all the cars below cruising around beautiful AC (Atlantic City)! And I now look at both of my boys who are so peacefully sleeping: what a blessing and a joy!


Stop living in fear! Start living in confidence!:
Hmmm, that sounds pretty good! I am so afraid of other people's opinions and thoughts, that I have kept all my own thoughts and creative ideas to myself. And yet God is always working on me bringing me up and out of my shell. I must say it is pretty hard, coming out because I am so used to just bottling all that I want to say, give, and do in and it has become a comfort zone for me. I fear my own confidence. Does that make any sense? And there is this feeling inside of me that says, "Fear, you are no match for me and my confidence! You are just a distraction. I have God on my side and He is always there to bring out the confidence He has in me. So go away!"

So I try to stay focused on this feeling! With God, all things are possible! His way is THE way!


Don't Try to Out Smart Time:
Every time I try to say to myself, "Okay I am going to do X at this time today, then Y, then after I am done with those, then Z." "Yea right!" Time says to me! Who am I kidding? There is NOT enough time in the day....you know the saying! We always think we have time to do all the things we want to do. Yet with kids, chores, school, and appointments, doing it ALL ain't gonna happen! And sometimes, when I don't get what is on my list done, I sit still breathe, then all of a sudden tears begin to run down my face. And I just feel so overwhelmed. And sometimes it feels good to get the cry out because I know that it is okay to cry. I close my eyes as I cry and sometimes my 4yr. old may catch me and ask, "Mommy are you okay?" And I say, "Yes sweetie Mommy is doing just fine." The funny thing is that I am doing just fine. Even though it is sometimes overwhelming, I refuse to let it get the best of me. So I no longer try to out smart Time because Time is so precious. And if more of my time and attention needs to be shifted towards my boys, instead of those things on The List, then so be it.


So when I cry, it's like God comes over to my side, grabs my shoulder and says, "April, it's all good because I want you to enjoy life. Stop wasting time worrying about the fact that you don't have time! And start living peacefully because I will take care of it all." And then at that moment, I sometimes cry even more because He is so right and it feels so good to know that He is there. Of course I couldn't have the positive and peaceful attitude that I have- without Him.


It feels good to cry and smile at the same time! Ever done it? I encourage you to give it a try.
When you feel so stressed, when you feel overwhelmed, and the tears begin to flow, let go and let God. When you think of Him I guarantee you'll begin to smile, maybe even give a laugh!


And then the bunny trails cease for just a moment as you stop to focus on Him for just that period of time.
They (bunny trails) return and the cycle continues. Just knowing that God is there with me each and every time makes it ALL WORTH IT!


Enjoy your bunny trails and don't let it take charge. Give it all to Him!


Until the next entry.....


Love & Many Blessings
- - ats

Weekly GEMS Inspiration: Are You Listening? August 10, 2008

Are you listening to Him?  Often times we pray and ask God to answer our prayers.  Yet we forget that He wants us to wait silently upon Him; to Be still and just listen to Him?  I encourage you this week to take intimate, personal time with the Lord to just be still and listen to Him after you have prayed. What is He telling you? It is important that we listen to Him so that He can speak to our hearts. Prayer is important. God hears our prayers.  He also expects us to obediently listen to Him.  He desires to speak to our hearts and so I challenge you this week to make the time to listen to Him? Are you listening? Blessings to you

The Power of Love

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever shall believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16, KJV).  I memorized this verse when I was starting out in college.  I do not remember how I came to this verse.  I do believe that God brought it to me because I love the word LOVE and the word LOVE means everything.  God uses the word LOVE plenty of times throughout the bible and it is no mystery why He created us.  He created us because He loves us, because He wants us to enjoy life to the fullest, and because He wants us to love others just as He loves us unconditionally.  Powerful!  Love is powerful!  

And I wonder all the time why we put on the act of HATE in a world where God created love.  Where do you stand in Love?  Have you asked God for the power to love?  It (love) is already within each and every one of us.  We must constantly be in prayer as we love one another on a daily basis.  There are many times where the flesh gets control (through our own surrendering to it) and we sometimes lose it.  Then we start to curse people, call each other names, commit violent acts towards one another, and selfishly deny one another just because of the hurt that has been inflicted on us.  Yet we deny God and He STILL loves us!  How is that possible?

God forgives us of our sins no matter what we do in this world.  God speaks to our hearts because He knows that we are His children and that one day we will come to Him in obedience, love, and peace.  He created us in His image (Genesis 1:26).  For this we are eternally grateful.  God commands us to love one another as He loves us.  This is the greatest command from Him and it is up to us to obey this commandment.  Where is your obedience?  Are you committing to love?  Is your heart right where God wants it to be- in love?  

Thank you Lord for the power of love.  We are grateful Father for you loving us in spite of our faults.  You love us even while we are still sinners.  Your love holds the key to life everlasting! May we humbly submit ourselves to you so that love overflows in and through us as we share your word with others so that it may be a loving blessing.  It is in Jesus name we love and believe.  Amen.

May the Lord keep you in His love.  Many blessings :)

- ats

God's Design of Man: A Poem Tribute to All Fathers for Father's Day

For Father's Day I wrote a poem for the fathers of our church family, to be presented on Father's Day during service. The poem is entitled God's Design of Man. It was on my heart one day to praise the wonderful men of God that work hard to support their families under the wisdom and guidance of the Lord.

GOD’S DESIGN OF MAN

Son of God.
Son of Man.
Created in His image.
Part of God’s perfect plan.

Provider. Overseer.
Called to lead.
Tiller of the land.
Father of his seed.

Disciple. Minister.
Preacher of God’s Word.
Anointed by His grace.
This- God has assured.

Dad. Uncle.
Brother. Son.
A man of hard labor.
God’s chosen one.

Grandfather. Great-Grandfather.
Husband and friend.
Loved and admired by his family.
He truly is a God-Send.

Teacher. Counselor.
A man on the rise.
Laced with integrity.
Encouraging and wise.

Leader. Protector.
Strong and mighty is He.
Full of the Holy Spirit.
A supportive help to those in need.

Son of God.
Son of man.
Created in His image.
Part of God’s perfect plan.

On this day we thank God for all that you do.
On this day we praise…we honor- - the FATHER in YOU!
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!!

It's Time to Love YOU!

As women on the go we have a million things in our heads that keep us occupied daily. And often times we forget about taking care of US in the process. I believe God has created us as women of virtue because we care so much for people. God created us women to embrace others, nurture others, and give to others in ways that are not our ways, but God's ways.

And many times I wonder, "How in the world did I do all that I have done with just being one person with only two hands?" It is clear that God has purposefully chosen us, as women, to carry out His will for us as wives, as mothers, as professionals, and as daughters. For these attributes, we ought to be grateful for the truth that He never puts more on us than we can bare.

Have you ever felt like giving up because you felt so overwhelmed? I have on a number of occasions because it is sometimes difficult to deal with all that we deal with in just one day! Do you get stuck in routine and do you feel like you're living a stagnant life? Even though God uniquely created us as empowering women full of love, care, and compassion, He also created us to take advantage of the Life He has so graciously provided for us to live. The abundant life is worth living. What do you think when you see "Abundant Living?" I envision Life full of zeal, passion, peace, joy, love overflowing that is accessible to us as long as we take the time and access it!

3 John 1:2 says, "Beloved I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers." That sums it up pretty much. God wants for us to be in divine health. He created us to be this way. So it is imperative that we take care of ourselves in the midst of all the chaotic hustle that we endure on a daily basis. It is a prerequisite for abundant living!

I can think of many examples of times where I've worked to make sure everyone else's needs were being met. Yet I so easily forgot about my needs. It is easier, I believe, to meet others' needs than it is to meet our own needs. I forget that God wants to take care of me TOO. And of course God wants us to care for others and love one another as He so graciously loves us. We must always remember to take time to love ourselves somewhere in the process!

Are you taking breaks between your busy shift to take care of you? You have laundry waiting to be washed and folded, but have you taken the time to just love you? Rooms in your household have to get organized and clean. But are you making the time to love you?

"Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom. AND on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household..." - - Proverbs 31: 25-27

"Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates."
- - Proverbs 31:31.

God has blessed us tremendously through our works, through our acts of kindness, and through our nurturing love He has so freely given us as virtuous women. And for that alone, is why we must take time to love ourselves! God has created us to BE virtuous women. He has purposed in His heart for us to be worth far more than rubies. God has plans for us as women who fear Him.

And we are to take hold of what He has called us to do. I am at a point in my life where I want to take time to love myself by spending more intimate time with the Lord. He is everything to me and trying to find 10 minutes of my time just to worship Him lays such a heavy guilt on me. And I thank Him for loving me anyway. I give God 25% of me, and yet God gives me 100% of Him. And He still loves me in spite of my cheap giving of me to Him! How powerful is that?

I strive to give God more of me. And in taking time to love, I seek to use that time to think of His goodness, think of His sacrifices, and think of His commitment to abide in me so long as I abide in Him! Wow, it's simply amazing, and I don't want to take it for granted. How about you? This is the day that the Lord HAS made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. This is what we ought to keep our minds on as we take time for ourselves.

God has humbly created us so that we may have abundant life and enjoy all the fruits of His labor. Isn't it time we stop for a minute and meditate on His creations, on His wonders? The time to Love you is NOW. What are you going to do to take time to love yourself? When are you going to start? The time is now and we cannot waste another minute. Be thankful that you are still here to reap the wonders of His love. I urge you to start now. Take time to love you!

Inhale. Exhale and as you exhale, say aloud the following statement:
I'm living Life. I'm loving me!
Repeat this three times. Smile as you exhale each time and make the statement.

I'm living Life. I'm loving me. How about you?

Have a splendid week!
Until next time...
--Many Blessings,
ats

Obedience to Serve

March has flown by and I am trying to catch up with the monthly blogs!
So we are here in the last day of the month of March.
A new month is now here and Spring has just begun.


I have been thinking a lot about my obedience to the Lord and His calling for my life.
This past resurrection weekend I had the opportunity to discuss the Purpose Driven Life with my family and there was great discussion surrounding God's purpose for our lives.


And lately I have been feeling a bit hindered and deterred from what I feel God has purposed for me to do next in this purpose driven journey. It has been difficult trying to determine where I am to go next in serving Christ. There is a tug of war going on within me that has been hindering my obedience to serve. I have been feeling a bit discouraged, yet still thirsty to serve the Lord and commit myself to Him.


"What is this tug of war that is going on inside me," I ask myself. And I see that God is ready for me to move forward with what He has called me to do. It is exciting yet exhilarating all at the same time. Some emotional ride you may think!


I feel God asking me, "Where is your obedience to serve me?" And I have a hidden fear of what will happen once I surrender my obedience completely to Him.

And then I refer to the scripture on my shirt from when I was a greeter in my previous church in Michigan that says, "If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land..."
- - - Isaiah 1:19


This scripture has inspired me and encouraged me to stay focused on God's obedience. We shall "eat the good of the land" if we are willing and obedient. Are you obedient to the Lord? Are you serving the Lord in obedience? If not, then what is holding you back from obeying God? If we are not willing to serve in obedience then we are not willing to receive what God has promised us.


What will you need to be obedient to in serving Christ?


Until next time...


Love & Many Blessings,
ats

The Beat of a New Love

Have you been basking in the gift of love this February?

I love this scripture and the impact it has on my heart:

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

- - - - - - 1 Corinthians 13:13

I have entered and discovered a new love. We are expecting with our second child.

I am currently 14.5 wks. along and we just had our second OB/GYN appointment on Feb. 21. Feb. 21 is the day that I truly discovered my new love. This is the day that we were able to hear the baby's heartbeat and boy what a feeling. I mean here I have my 4-yr. old son and he is my love, my life, my joy. And I am thinking oh gosh: he is my son and will I be able to love another? Yet as soon as my Dr. put the tool to hear the baby's heartbeat to my lower abdomen area, we heard the strong beat of a new love! Amazing I tell you. And from then on out I was smitten by this little one growing inside of me. The blessings that God gives is unbelievable. He is without a doubt the lover of my soul as the song says!

Let's just say that this pregnancy is very different from the first one (smile). I am more nervous with this one because I wonder if I'll be able to manage TWO little ones, if I'll be able to survive as we add on to our family, and of course these are all feelings of the flesh.

Because when I think about the Lord, how He created us, how He loves us faults and all, how He battles on the front lines for us: it all comes back to Jesus. Did He survive in the midst of all the temptations, the tests, and the persecutions while walking this earth? Did He manage to love everyone no less, no different, and without judgment? And the response to these questions is simply a bold YES!

1 John 2:23 says:
By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

As I read and reflect on this scripture I think about, not only my loved ones, and even brothers/sisters in Christ I don't know well, but I now think of my little one growing inside of me and how much love I have for this one because Jesus laid down His life for us, through God's love, so I ought to do for my little one. And that gives me great joy because I know the sacrifices involved and it is often hard to do (sacrifice), but we know the love that God has implanted in all of us and in His son.

To be gifted with another child is a truly treasured gift from the Lord and I don't take it for granted. This new arrival that will come into our family in August or September will be just another witness to God's immeasurable blessings.

I praise God for His greatness because He delivers us from all that harms us. There is nothing greater than His love. Have you called your loved ones to tell them you love them? Did you hug your sweetie today and show your love?

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. - - 1 John 4:11

The scripture consistently talks about God's love for us. If we do not love, then we do not know God because God is love (1 John 4:8). It is that simple. If we do not love, and we have bitterness, anger, malice towards one another, then we do not know God. We must retain in our minds and in our hearts that God is love and to know God is to love!

May the Lord keep you and bless you as you commit yourself to Him and His love.
May you grow in your love for one another and in your love for Christ. Are you sharing your love with others? Are you sharing God's love with others? God has confessed His love for us in many ways (just look at all the books in the bible and see how good God's love truly is manifested today, tomorrow, and forever).

Love & Many Blessings,
- - ats

Make it Great in 2008!

Happy Happy New Year Everyone!

Wow, can you believe we are already in a new year?

So 2007 has now passed. Have you left those things that have occurred behind?

Have you moved on from 2007 and pressed forward to 2008?


My Pastor's wife had mentioned during one of our women's ministry sessions that we need to focus on how to make it great in 2008! I love this because this is another year where new blessings, new experiences, and new challenges will spring forth. And the beauty of all of this is that we don't know what new blessings, new experiences, and new challenges will take place for this 2008.


And this is why the bible tells us to "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding." God tells us to "acknowledge Him in all thy ways and He shall direct our paths!" (Proverbs 3:5-6). I don't know about you but I am putting my trust in the Lord. Everything I am concerned about, everything that gets me nervous, and everything that gets in the way of my goals- I give it all to the Lord. And that's such a great feeling!


"You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." - - Psalm 16:11

I like this scripture because here again this shows the faith of putting all our cares upon the Lord for we are confident that He will show us the path of life. And as we head into 2008, let us let God lead us to the path of life for it is already written that He is life and that the joy of the Lord is our strength.


My friends, I challenge you to record in your journals:
What will you do to make it great in 2008?
(List at least three things you will do to make it great in 2008.)


It is with love and encouragement that I wish you a year of Greatness!


Love & Many Blessings,

-ats