TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
"So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!"
(Hebrews 10:35, NLT)
TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria
What are you believing God for today? Promotion? Healing? Stronger relationships? Freedom from addiction? God has promised all these things to you in His Word. He wants you to live in blessing and wholeness all the days of your life. But in order to experience His promises, we have to do our part. We have to keep believing and trusting in Him. That's what today's verse is saying: if we will stay in faith, if we will keep believing, keep hoping, keep doing the right thing, God promises there will be a reward. I like how one translation puts it, "Don't get discouraged. Payday is coming!
When you're tempted to get down, when things aren't going your way just say to yourself, "This may be hard. It may be taking a long time. But I know God is a faithful God. I'm going to keep believing because my reward is coming." Friend, as you trust Him and stand in faith, as you boldly declare His promises, you are positioning yourself to receive His blessing. No matter what your circumstances look like, remember payday is on its way—and you will experience the blessing He's promised all the days of your life!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
"Father in heaven, thank You for Your good and precious promises. I choose to trust that my reward is coming. I choose to follow Your commands because they lead to blessing and life. Give me a heart that is fixed on You and fill me with Your peace. I patiently wait on You. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
Stat
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
You Are Closer Than You Think ...!
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
"So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit"
(Galatians 6:9, the Message)
TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria
God has put dreams and desires in every person's heart. We all have goals we want to accomplish and situations we are believing will be turned around. Sometimes it seems to take longer than we thought. Sometimes things don't work out the way we planned, and it's easy to lose enthusiasm. Negative thoughts come to us that say, "It's never going to change." "You're never going to get well." "You're never going to get out of debt." If we're not careful, we'll get discouraged and end up just settling where we are. Many times, people miss out on God's best simply because they give up too soon. They don't realize how close they are to their victory.
Friend, don't let that be you today! Don't give up just because things seem hard. You are closer than you think! You've invested so much and you never know, just another few more days of believing, another few weeks of doing the right thing, another few months of staying in faith, and you could see that situation turn around. Remember, God is on your side! Keep standing and keep believing because you are closer than you think to fulfilling every desire He's placed inside of you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
"Father God, today I come to You again, believing that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. Give me Your strength to keep moving forward into the place of victory You have for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
"So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit"
(Galatians 6:9, the Message)
TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria
God has put dreams and desires in every person's heart. We all have goals we want to accomplish and situations we are believing will be turned around. Sometimes it seems to take longer than we thought. Sometimes things don't work out the way we planned, and it's easy to lose enthusiasm. Negative thoughts come to us that say, "It's never going to change." "You're never going to get well." "You're never going to get out of debt." If we're not careful, we'll get discouraged and end up just settling where we are. Many times, people miss out on God's best simply because they give up too soon. They don't realize how close they are to their victory.
Friend, don't let that be you today! Don't give up just because things seem hard. You are closer than you think! You've invested so much and you never know, just another few more days of believing, another few weeks of doing the right thing, another few months of staying in faith, and you could see that situation turn around. Remember, God is on your side! Keep standing and keep believing because you are closer than you think to fulfilling every desire He's placed inside of you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
"Father God, today I come to You again, believing that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. Give me Your strength to keep moving forward into the place of victory You have for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
Saturday, 7 November 2009
Lovely Lock Progress so far ...
Last weekend I spent time reading and responding to blogs. I enjoyed it! It is great to be on a journey with soo many other sisters also striving to maintain their natural crown of glory, We are all and have always been beautiful women. However, there is something to be said to have overcome the issues and prejudices related to the natural kink and curl of the hair we are born with and wearing our hair with pride and joy, the way I believe God intended us to. Like Ofo said in her recent email, I know God directed my path to locing my hair, as He has in all the other areas in my life. My God is a wholistic God, permeating every area of my life. I too prayed and asked for his guidance and as usual He exceeded my expectations, just as his word said He would. I prayed about my hair and skin (face) and healing one led to the healing of the other. It is amazing to me that as I researched sisterlocks that is when I discovered African Black Soap, originally purchased for shampooing my locks, now used consistently on my face with exceptional results.
Product Junkie ...
Alas ... I confess ... initially I began puchasing almost every recommended product deemed 'good' by my fellow loc sisters. I am also loooonging to try some other products, fortunately / unfortunately I did not realise that my own natural hair would be doing very well thank you without all the bottled crap ... all I do is wash once a month after retight! thats it! Oh and of course shower or bath steam, not even a sprtiz bottle in sight... and guess what ... or rather take a look at the results ...
Front view loc's .
Loc'd (and loc'ing) on each side at the front.
Ok ... so I know in the future I may need some of the items I bought, but not for a very loooong tiimmme!
I do admit though, I really WANT a bottle of the Organix Coconut Shampoo, ONLY because that is the scent of my whole bodycare range right now ... and anyway ... I am bored with just plain ole T Gel shampoo ... sulk!
However having read loads of different blogs I am very WARY of the risk of ruining progress and I really do not want to have half my hair unravel at this stage.
Below: A typical neck view of my locks or should I say curls? The next pic is the longest loc in this photo but streatched out to emphasise the fact that it has slipped entirely! The next pic is the longest loc
based at the nape of my neck which is locing and growing at a faster pace than the rest of my head! It does not shrink when wet. I have stopped twisting every night. I think that contributed to the slippage of one or two loc's. In my case I think less is more, no spritzing, minimum manipulation, freestyling equals faster loc'ing! I am also suffering from 'finger twirling loc's syndrome' or better known as 'cannot keep ma hands outta ma hair' ... I LOVE the way they feel.
click on the pic below to see the natural coil. My 12 year old son said I should say that sisterlocks are the way forward!!! He is the one that took the pics for me, and also loves my hair natural (smile).
Product Junkie ...
Alas ... I confess ... initially I began puchasing almost every recommended product deemed 'good' by my fellow loc sisters. I am also loooonging to try some other products, fortunately / unfortunately I did not realise that my own natural hair would be doing very well thank you without all the bottled crap ... all I do is wash once a month after retight! thats it! Oh and of course shower or bath steam, not even a sprtiz bottle in sight... and guess what ... or rather take a look at the results ...
Front view loc's .
Ok ... so I know in the future I may need some of the items I bought, but not for a very loooong tiimmme!
I do admit though, I really WANT a bottle of the Organix Coconut Shampoo, ONLY because that is the scent of my whole bodycare range right now ... and anyway ... I am bored with just plain ole T Gel shampoo ... sulk!
However having read loads of different blogs I am very WARY of the risk of ruining progress and I really do not want to have half my hair unravel at this stage.
Below: A typical neck view of my locks or should I say curls? The next pic is the longest loc in this photo but streatched out to emphasise the fact that it has slipped entirely! The next pic is the longest loc
based at the nape of my neck which is locing and growing at a faster pace than the rest of my head! It does not shrink when wet. I have stopped twisting every night. I think that contributed to the slippage of one or two loc's. In my case I think less is more, no spritzing, minimum manipulation, freestyling equals faster loc'ing! I am also suffering from 'finger twirling loc's syndrome' or better known as 'cannot keep ma hands outta ma hair' ... I LOVE the way they feel.
click on the pic below to see the natural coil. My 12 year old son said I should say that sisterlocks are the way forward!!! He is the one that took the pics for me, and also loves my hair natural (smile).
Sunday, 1 November 2009
Daily Devotional ...Is Healing For All?
Dr. Frederick K.C. Price
There are seven scriptural methods whereby you can receive your healing. I believe the prayer of faith is the highest form of prayer to receive healing.
In Mark 11:24 Jesus said,
Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Well, is Jesus a liar or does He tell the truth? He tells the truth! He says, "whatever things you ask...." Wouldn't that have to include healing? Yes, it does.
Therefore, it must be God's will to heal. Otherwise He could not make that kind of bold declaration. "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray"-not after you pray, not a month later, not when you see something, not when you understand it, but "when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them."
If you believe you receive them you will confess that, "Bless the Lord-I believe I am healed, I believe I have received my healing." Now, once you make a faith confession you are going to get opposite from the enemy. His motive is to move you off your faith confession.
Someone might say...
"Yes, but you don't look like you are healed." I didn't say, "I look like I'm healed," I said, "I believe that I received my healing."
"Yes, but how do you feel?"
"Bless God, I am not going by how I feel-I am going by what I believe-and I believe I am healed, in Jesus' Name."
"Yes, but that doesn't make sense."
"That's right; it is not sense, it's faith."
"Yes, but that's illogical."
"You're right again; it's not logic, it's faith."
"Yes, but I just don't understand that."
"I don't understand how it works either, but I believe it is true because God said it in His Word."
Listen friend, I don't understand how television works, but I believe if I turn it on, I can watch a movie. The fact that I don't understand how it works does not stop me from enjoying the benefits of watching my favorite TV programs in living color.
I don't understand how a gasoline engine works. I don't understand how it works inside without blowing up the whole thing. Instead of blowing up it pushes a piston down that drives a crank-shaft that turns a drive-shaft to the rear wheels that turns the wheels when you put it in gear that moves the car forward. I don't understand it, but I could care less-all I want to know is that when I turn that thing on and put it in gear, it is going and that is all that I'm concerned about. How about you?
I don't know how an airplane stays up in the sky, as big as a 747 is-that thing is gigantic. How does it stay up in the air? The good news is that I don't have to understand it to get on the plane and fly from Los Angeles to Hawaii or somewhere else. All I have to do is believe the plane can fly me there, get on board and go. After all, that is what you want anyway-the results-right?
Praise God! You don't have to do any more than believe that you receive your healing based on the Word of God and you shall have it!
Is healing for all? I believe that it is so. I believe that I can walk in divine health all the days of my life. I believe and confess that I will never be sick and I'm not being presumptuous. The Bible says in Psalm 91:1, "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."
I believe I'm right in there under His right wing-right up under that wing. God Himself said in verse 10, "...No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling." Whose dwelling place is God talking about? My dwelling place because I am under His shadow of protection.
What is a plague? Isn't that sickness and disease? God said, ""...No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling." Well, I guess God lied. No, He is not a man that He should lie. He went on to say, in verse 16, "With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation." Praise God! Healing is for all.
Oh, that's not to say I'm not attacked. I'm attacked. The devil just sits like a blood hound-every morning I wake up he's sitting right on the foot of the bed. Sometimes he throws that dart the right way, but it doesn't stop me and it won't stop me because I'm being strong-not in Fred Price-but I'm being "strong in the Lord and in the power of His might."
There are seven scriptural methods whereby you can receive your healing. I believe the prayer of faith is the highest form of prayer to receive healing.
In Mark 11:24 Jesus said,
Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Well, is Jesus a liar or does He tell the truth? He tells the truth! He says, "whatever things you ask...." Wouldn't that have to include healing? Yes, it does.
Therefore, it must be God's will to heal. Otherwise He could not make that kind of bold declaration. "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray"-not after you pray, not a month later, not when you see something, not when you understand it, but "when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them."
If you believe you receive them you will confess that, "Bless the Lord-I believe I am healed, I believe I have received my healing." Now, once you make a faith confession you are going to get opposite from the enemy. His motive is to move you off your faith confession.
Someone might say...
"Yes, but you don't look like you are healed." I didn't say, "I look like I'm healed," I said, "I believe that I received my healing."
"Yes, but how do you feel?"
"Bless God, I am not going by how I feel-I am going by what I believe-and I believe I am healed, in Jesus' Name."
"Yes, but that doesn't make sense."
"That's right; it is not sense, it's faith."
"Yes, but that's illogical."
"You're right again; it's not logic, it's faith."
"Yes, but I just don't understand that."
"I don't understand how it works either, but I believe it is true because God said it in His Word."
Listen friend, I don't understand how television works, but I believe if I turn it on, I can watch a movie. The fact that I don't understand how it works does not stop me from enjoying the benefits of watching my favorite TV programs in living color.
I don't understand how a gasoline engine works. I don't understand how it works inside without blowing up the whole thing. Instead of blowing up it pushes a piston down that drives a crank-shaft that turns a drive-shaft to the rear wheels that turns the wheels when you put it in gear that moves the car forward. I don't understand it, but I could care less-all I want to know is that when I turn that thing on and put it in gear, it is going and that is all that I'm concerned about. How about you?
I don't know how an airplane stays up in the sky, as big as a 747 is-that thing is gigantic. How does it stay up in the air? The good news is that I don't have to understand it to get on the plane and fly from Los Angeles to Hawaii or somewhere else. All I have to do is believe the plane can fly me there, get on board and go. After all, that is what you want anyway-the results-right?
Praise God! You don't have to do any more than believe that you receive your healing based on the Word of God and you shall have it!
Is healing for all? I believe that it is so. I believe that I can walk in divine health all the days of my life. I believe and confess that I will never be sick and I'm not being presumptuous. The Bible says in Psalm 91:1, "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."
I believe I'm right in there under His right wing-right up under that wing. God Himself said in verse 10, "...No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling." Whose dwelling place is God talking about? My dwelling place because I am under His shadow of protection.
What is a plague? Isn't that sickness and disease? God said, ""...No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling." Well, I guess God lied. No, He is not a man that He should lie. He went on to say, in verse 16, "With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation." Praise God! Healing is for all.
Oh, that's not to say I'm not attacked. I'm attacked. The devil just sits like a blood hound-every morning I wake up he's sitting right on the foot of the bed. Sometimes he throws that dart the right way, but it doesn't stop me and it won't stop me because I'm being strong-not in Fred Price-but I'm being "strong in the Lord and in the power of His might."
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
Remembering Jermaine ...
Today is the 28th and marks my fifth month living with sisterlocks.
Unfortunately it coincides with the recent death of a close friend and colleague who at 27 years old died suddenly last Thursday in his sleep.
I may not have much to say for a while but will keep up posting pics when I can. Thanks again for your interest and support.
Daily devotional ... Without Faith
Streaming Faith Daily Devotional
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Leave a Comment
Milan Ford
The conversation began around 11:30pm.
And it ended around 4:15am.
I was sharing with my wife the other night how for the past few weeks, something rather unusual has been going on inside me. While I could not adequately describe to her what it was, I told her that it felt like it was a combination of extreme restlessness and interestingly enough, a sense of peace.
And then, after hours of emotional rambling, I said these words to my wife:
"I feel like I have gone as far as I can possibly go...WITHOUT FAITH."
I sincerely believe that where many of us are in life today is not actually a testament of our faith in God, but rather a testament of our individual skills and talents. And there (for many of us) lies the problem.
As believers, we tend to exercise our faith only in areas that we have seen God move before.
But when it comes to the unknown, our faith remains still.
Which as Hebrews 11:6 indicates, is not faith at all.
"But without faith it is impossible to Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
Sometimes I wonder if we find more security in knowing who we are or have been in times past, than we do in believing who God is. As we enter this final stretch of the year, many of us have come to the end of some rather long roads in our lives that now require faith to move forward.
As we examine our hearts and lives today, many of us must come to the realization that the skills and talents we so heavily relied on in the past can no longer move us forward.
Neither can the resumes (and perhaps associations) we worked so hard to build.
What lies before many of us now is a faith in what seems to be impossible.
A faith that fosters a sense of restlessness, yet at the same time, a sense of peace.
May you and I lean hard into that peace today.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Leave a Comment
Milan Ford
The conversation began around 11:30pm.
And it ended around 4:15am.
I was sharing with my wife the other night how for the past few weeks, something rather unusual has been going on inside me. While I could not adequately describe to her what it was, I told her that it felt like it was a combination of extreme restlessness and interestingly enough, a sense of peace.
And then, after hours of emotional rambling, I said these words to my wife:
"I feel like I have gone as far as I can possibly go...WITHOUT FAITH."
I sincerely believe that where many of us are in life today is not actually a testament of our faith in God, but rather a testament of our individual skills and talents. And there (for many of us) lies the problem.
As believers, we tend to exercise our faith only in areas that we have seen God move before.
But when it comes to the unknown, our faith remains still.
Which as Hebrews 11:6 indicates, is not faith at all.
"But without faith it is impossible to Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
Sometimes I wonder if we find more security in knowing who we are or have been in times past, than we do in believing who God is. As we enter this final stretch of the year, many of us have come to the end of some rather long roads in our lives that now require faith to move forward.
As we examine our hearts and lives today, many of us must come to the realization that the skills and talents we so heavily relied on in the past can no longer move us forward.
Neither can the resumes (and perhaps associations) we worked so hard to build.
What lies before many of us now is a faith in what seems to be impossible.
A faith that fosters a sense of restlessness, yet at the same time, a sense of peace.
May you and I lean hard into that peace today.
Saturday, 24 October 2009
Selection of hair shots, after 5th retightening.
After Retightening.
After washing ...
To all my followers and fellow bloggers, thank you for the interest you show in my loc progress.
I have been quiet due to 3 major events in the past week.
As you can all see there has been a growth spurt over the last 4 weeks or so, the growth is very noticable. In fact I think it is due to twisting at night as opposed to just leaving it free. My hair coils naturally and in the past had a lot of shrinkage when washed. Last night I noticed that the shrinkage was minimal, in fact one stray lock is just doing its own thing, hanging down the right side, coming from the nape of my neck. It is straight and I believe it is quietly locking all by itself ... hmmm.
Well so much for being a freestyler, I do not braid but twist (after shower) and sleep on it. It gives a subtle curl effect.
My consultant is pleased with my hair so far, I told her that sisterlocks was the best thing that ever happened to my hair! My retight is taking a little bit longer tho, or maybe I was tired.
Still only washing once a month, however, I have no dry scalp or itchy scalp conditions so not a problem.
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
Out of the Pit.
Out of the Pit
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
"He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet on the solid ground and steadied me as I walked along"(Psalm 40:2, NLT)
TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Do you feel like you are in a pit today? That pit can be frustration or disappointment or a feeling of discouragement, despair, or hopelessness. And maybe you can?t see a way out, but you?ve got to know that God is still with you, and He will make a way where there seems to be no way.Remember, God will never waste anything you go through in life. If you?ll keep the right attitude, He?ll turn that situation around for your good. It doesn?t matter how you got there, whether it was by your own poor choices or maybe someone else treated you unfairly, God wants to use that situation to do a work in you. He?ll take that evil and turn it around for your good. You may be uncomfortable at times, but you?ve got to know you are growing, and God is building your character.Today, make the decision to shake off any negative, self-defeating mindsets. Choose to cooperate with God. Trust that He is preparing you for promotion. As you keep an attitude of faith, expectancy, and thanksgiving, He will lift you up and set you on the solid path of victory He has in store for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
"Father God, today I lift my eyes to You, for my help comes from You. Thank You for doing a work in my life. Thank You for using every situation in my life for my good. I bless You today no matter what is going on around me, knowing that You have a good plan for me. In Jesus? Name. Amen."
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
"He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet on the solid ground and steadied me as I walked along"(Psalm 40:2, NLT)
TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Do you feel like you are in a pit today? That pit can be frustration or disappointment or a feeling of discouragement, despair, or hopelessness. And maybe you can?t see a way out, but you?ve got to know that God is still with you, and He will make a way where there seems to be no way.Remember, God will never waste anything you go through in life. If you?ll keep the right attitude, He?ll turn that situation around for your good. It doesn?t matter how you got there, whether it was by your own poor choices or maybe someone else treated you unfairly, God wants to use that situation to do a work in you. He?ll take that evil and turn it around for your good. You may be uncomfortable at times, but you?ve got to know you are growing, and God is building your character.Today, make the decision to shake off any negative, self-defeating mindsets. Choose to cooperate with God. Trust that He is preparing you for promotion. As you keep an attitude of faith, expectancy, and thanksgiving, He will lift you up and set you on the solid path of victory He has in store for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
"Father God, today I lift my eyes to You, for my help comes from You. Thank You for doing a work in my life. Thank You for using every situation in my life for my good. I bless You today no matter what is going on around me, knowing that You have a good plan for me. In Jesus? Name. Amen."
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)