Tag: life

Soulful Sunday

Soulful Sunday – P.P.P.

This weekend, I had a wonderful opportunity to minister on a panel of three women at an annual empowerment conference. The theme of the event was entitled “Its Time To GIFT Yourself Away!”

As a believer, when that statement is pondered on alone, it’s nothing short of deeply powerful and thought provoking!

I was commissioned to facilitate the panel discussion that had an audience of nearly 150 attendees. It was also being audio recorded. I was simply honored to do this for a ministry that has completely changed my life. I give credit for my maturing experience spiritually to this platform fully equipped with a visionary and leader of great integrity!

As I prepared for the conference, I sought the Lord for instruction on what He would have me and the ladies share with the people. We had to elaborate on how each one of us have been able to step into and operate in “The Gifts” that God put in us.

I’ve been blessed over the past 3 years to identify my natural born gift as a writer. Then God filled my life with mentors who have pulled associated talents out of me that I didn’t know were there! Speaking, internet radio, television and becoming a columnist for a Christian Magazine. Within the next few months I will finally be able to add published author to these accolades. It’s all for the glory of God and nothing I saw coming my way just a few short years ago.

Personally, operating effectively in “The Gifts” was a process I call The PPP – Painful Purposeful Purging. Had I not challenged myself to stay the course through my PPP, I certainly would not be doing what I’m doing today!

I want to share what has been involved in PPP for me as I have experienced it. Prior to discovering my gifts, I was a woman full of low self regard, a sufferer of chronic depression for nearly 30 years, a person easily intimidated by others who I thought were stronger than me and didn’t value my life for I had no clue who I was or aspired to be.

When I became affiliated with The DOE Ministry, I instantly discovered that I was at a spiritual crossroad. The ministry demanded in love that all attendees rise and take their rightful position in the body of Christ.

As I looked around at the other women there, the enemy tried to make me feel that I didn’t belong, that I wasn’t good enough, that I would never be as effective in ministry as the others, and a whole host of other lies.

I would either return to my comfort zone of despaired isolation or stay the course and go through A Painful Purposeful Purging. This meant, in a nutshell facing ME! Looking myself in the mirror and deal with my damage! I had to visit some very difficult areas from my past that I had stuffed and suppressed. It hurt like nothing ever has but I could not fathom another 30 years of what I had already endured! There HAD to be more!

Like a boxer in a ring, I decided to roll up my spiritual sleeves, put on my gloves and fight for my life! My opponent, an invisible enemy was clearly trying to take me out! The battle was with no one else but myself!

Committed to being Uncomfortable

Being an introvert and not feeling comfortable around people due to deep trust issue, I had to fight my flesh that wanted to flee every circumstance and environment that would force me to grow up and address my weaknesses. I forced myself to show up consistently and stay to the end. This was so painful in the beginning for I would leave with tremendous headaches at times but felt pride that I conquered something that has had me in bondage for years. The more I showed up, the less uncomfortable I became.

Cleansing My Soul

As comfort came, I was now able to address finding out who I am in Christ.

I began to control my thoughts and renew my mind.

I had to forgive and stop blaming others for my circumstances.

I stopped looking back at my past failures and successes and began looking forward to a future with possibilities!

Most importantly, I started understanding the Spirit of Adoption to deal with my rooted issues of rejection.

My PPP has taken 4 years and is still being refined. I have scaled away layers upon layers of mental mess that has kept me crippled in the Spirt. What is now exposed are my “Gifts” that I can flow in more freely due to heavy weights being lifted. I won in Christ with a major T.K.O.!

For someone reading this, you MUST go through your own person PPP. It will NOT be easy and does not happen overnight. However if you fight hard and long enough, a life is waiting for you filled with abundance! There are also others who desperately need what God put in you!

While you still have time, life and chances, gear up for the purge and start to Gift Yourself Away.

Until next Time, Happy Sunday

Inspiration, motivational, Relationships, Testimony, Wisdom

Racism-The Great Form of Evil

Like a great deal of my fellow Americans, my heart simply aches over the recent events that have taken place in Charlottesville VA. It’s a national disgrace and I’m struggling to see a United front in and for “We The People”. Leadership has also delivered a stance a day or two late leaving me wondering if the good for us all is truly a non-biased priority.

My personal experience and view points regarding the topic of racism runs painfully deep. I was once grossly affected by the matter especially as a youth.

Like yesterday I can clearly recall walking to elementary school with my cousins and needing to run through several blocks to safety or risk getting jagged edged rocks slammed in the back of my head. I eventually mastered dodging the blows but only after being wounded on multiple occasions. This was a daily sprint and no way around the confrontation generated simply because of the color of my skin.

In middle school, a boy spat in my face and called me an ugly nigger. I tried to chase him down in flip flops but never caught up to him. I was left feeling like dirt on the ground as his warm thick saliva oozed over my eye and down my cheek. To this day, I believe spitting on another human beings is one of the worst forms of insult imaginable.

Not long after that another approached me and asked me to perform a disgraceful sexual act on him. I remember feeling so frightened for it took him repeating it several times before I understood what he was asking. He was seriously vulgar and I was just about 9 years old.

Several more instances happened thereafter which I won’t disclose but I remember developing the learned behavior of prejudice by the time I was in high school. All of my insults came from caucasian males and I grew a racist distaste over the very site of them. I put them all in the same category and couldn’t fathom any good at all. As an extended result, I didn’t socialize, befriend or seek to get to know anyone that didn’t look like me. I made the assumption that any race outside of my own automatically hates me and I them.

By the time I was approaching 20, a life changing event occurred that melted away a very deep form of racist hate that had been growing in my heart for years. I had rededicated my life to Christ after hitting some tough places and moved to a neighborhood where most residents did not match my skin complexion. I was overwhelmed by how I was embraced but still had guards up looking for hidden agendas. The acceptance just couldn’t be true as I considered my previous encounters. 

Not long after that I befriended a beautiful Korean girl who had a Jewish boyfriend with the biggest heart I’d ever met. Truly the sweetest in my life up to that point. I genuinely grew to love them both and was blessed for these friendships. 

I made a point thereafter to not classify everyone simply because of the ignorance of a few. God healed my heart of the deepest form of hate and I purposely sought out opportunities to get to know all kinds of people who were also willing to get to know me.

Today my heart is completely open and longs for diversity in my relationships. I no longer find contentment in surrounding myself with only African Americans. In fact I prefer to worship with a congregation with a healthy mix of all kinds of people. My current church fulfills that beyond description and I have sisterly/brotherly like bonds that far exceed color lines. Our bond is spiritual by the DNA we share through the sacrifice of our common father, Jesus Christ.

It’s a beautiful experience and I would have it no other way. Adding God’s revelation to my adolescent ignorance as I matured showed me the true definition of love. Had I remained stuck on my initial experiences I would have missed out on rapport with some wonderful people. That would have been my loss for certain if I had chosen to remain oblivious.

I pray for our country and won’t give up hope that we can put our racial differences aside, bond together as humans and demonstrate respect instead of hate. Globally, those with a racists agenda are truly the minority and can remain as such if the majority commit to condemn their behavior as completely unacceptable! 

This may not come to pass in my life time but at least I’m living proof that with God’s love, even a powerful stance of racial animosity can be healed and conquered in Him. I’m living proof, He’s able.

Soulful Sunday

Soulful Sunday: What’s REALLY Holding You Back?

As weeks create months and months turn into years, decades are formed and reality becomes evident. We are aging and are often faced with “THE” question directly or indirectly; Are we making the most out of the life we have left?

This thought feels irrelevant in our adolescent years when we feel invincible for it appears that there is plenty of time to think on these things later; much later…

Then one day we wake up, look in the mirror and 40, 50, 60,70 and beyond are upon us. Our stark reality is where did the time go and are we living a purposed filled life? You know, the one that God has called us to before we were ever in existence.

If you can say without hesitation that you spend your days doing the thing God put you on this earth for, I certainly commend you! However, if that’s NOT you and you are in those age categories I mentioned above, What’s Holding You Back?

The level of true purpose I am alluding to has nothing to do with that job you slave at every day to earn a living. You can confirm that this statement is true if you feel that something is missing and deep inside, you’re unfulfilled. I’m talking about your primary reason for being. You gift, your talent, that business idea, that ministry, that book, that masterpiece that only YOU can deliver and birth to the world. 

It’s that thing you have been seeing repetitively in visions or dreams. That idea that gives you chills when you ponder on it but quickly dismiss with a plethora of old and tired excuses..

That hurt

That shame

That lack of confidence 

That comparison to others

That envy of your Brother

That previous failure

That finger pointing and blaming

That lack of Faith in your Lord and Savior 

For many reading this, What’s REALLY holding you back from embracing your destiny is directly connected to a matter you have not officially dealt with in your past. If you don’t face it, you will end up like countless others; leaving this earth and taking what should have been shared with the world with you. Now that’s really selfish! RealBoldTruth!

I recently had to deal with an extremely painful area of my life that I have been suppressing for several decades. I really thought I had it under control especially as of lates. I’ve discovered who I am in Christ, learned how to look to Him and trust Him more, have been in constant fellowship to assure I don’t go back to old ways of thinking and I’ve been serving and giving faithfully in ministry. Yet this soul striping thing keeps coming up and I grew sick of it! I couldn’t put my finger on why I’m still struggling with something that should be so old but knew it was the source of what has been holding me back from all God truly has for me.

I was recently put in a setting and was given the option to become vulnerable and transparent about this thing and my flesh felt reservations. However my spirit prevailed by telling me it’s now or never!

I ultimately shared a very private battle with the most unlikely person and found out she had struggled with the very same thing! I was in complete shock for she seemed to have it all together. She gave me a name for “my thing” and it’s called “Rejection ” she shared with me some tools and specific word that I started using right away and a release I experienced almost instantly!

Initially I was so very uncomfortable being this exposed but it has been way past time to “Tell The Truth and Shame The Devil!” I want my freedom more than my security of holding on to this dead stinky thing that clearly robs me of so many possibilities!

I challenge you today to think on these things. What have you NOT faced, NOT confessed, NOT healed from, buried alive kicking and screaming that will NOT die? It’s the very thing that is stopping you from spending more energy cultivating you “Gift” than dwelling on what won’t change. 

God has so much more for you but you’ll never experience the totality of His blessings if you don’t give this thing up! Stop lying, to yourself, and listening to the voice of the enemy more than the voice of the Lord! 

Do it NOW, before YOU and IT simply become a memory.

Until Next Time, Happy Sunday!

Kish Magazine

Kish Magazine – The Uncontainable God

Hello RBT Readers! I pray this post finds you all well in mind, body and spirit. My articles have been infrequent lately due to a very demanding schedule which includes starting a new job, BUT GOD!

He remains faithful, ever present and renews my strength from day to day! I recognize this and know if it was not for His hand consistently moving in my life, I simply would not be able to sustain!

Speaking of recognizing, someone needs to be reminded today just how incredibly BIG your Heavenly Father is. He’s quite uncontainable!!

This month I wrote a very short yet powerful article for KISH Magazine on this very matter. Please do check it out. It will take you 5 minutes to read but may serve as the ministry source to get your faith moving in the right direction again.

http://kish-magazine.com/the-uncontainable-god/

If your experience today is an impasse or you are growing faint, be reminded of your position and who your Daddy is!!

KISH Magazine is an inspiration Christian Publication that is distributed all across the country quarterly. The website is consistently update with soul stirring articles, testimonies and features of new authors. RBT ministries has a column that also features new material every month. Check out and share the content at:

http://www.kish-magazine.com

Blessings and be encouraged!

Soulful Sunday

Soulful Sunday – Sin Consequence

I am an avid believer that The Heavenly Father is incredibly merciful! There is nothing that compares to His Grace and His Mercy. He’s forgiving, gracious and provides multiple opportunities for each of His children to repent from sin and return to the safety of His arms.

He is well aware that the flesh our spirits live in presents an array of challenges daily! We will all make mistakes, stumble and sometimes fall. Picking ourselves up, turning away from what tempts us and seeking His refuge is what every Believer in the sacrifice of Christ Jesus should do.

However, the enemy has deceived many into becoming content in their premeditated and perpetual acts of sin. This may be in the areas of how we treat others, sexual immorality, adultery, abuse of substances, a repetitive lying tongue, arrogance, pride and so much more. Everyone of us, including myself have been challenged in all these areas at some point in our lives. When I look back over my own life and think about some of the circumstances I put myself in when I knew better and when I didn’t, again, I am overwhelmed by The goodness and protection of The Lord.

As Christians we fool no one, especially not God, when we make a conscious decision by refusing change. We make excuses telling ourselves that we are only human, God will always forgive me, everyone struggles with something and on and on….
It’s true that God will always forgive us but it is also true that He is well aware of the condition of our hearts and how sincere we are when we repent. He also knows if we are truly finished toying with matters that please our flesh but destroys our spirits within.
 

The RealBoldTruth is that the Grace and Mercy of God runs out! How long that takes is unique for each and every one of us but He will eventually let go and turn us over to our reprobated minds.

 In my experience, He won’t do this without countless warnings first. Most of us know that what we do, especially in secret, grieves Him and is subject to destroy our lives. This can’t be more true relative to those fleshly acts we have been engaging in for years! After a time, we convince ourselves that what we do, we simply can’t stop. That’s a lie from the pit of Hell for Christ laying His life down,spilling His blood and giving up the ghost is all the power we need to put ANYTHING under our feet! God leaves the choice up to us whether we want to go from glory to glory.

If we are repetitively engaged in the same sins today as 10 years ago, we have compromised in that state, it’s become easier for us to stay there, and we are in denial, bondage or both. Deliverance is Necessary before Grace and Mercy ends for us!

There are real consequences to be paid if we refuse change. They include but are not all inclusive to losing our families, losing our health, losing our finances, and losing our lives to premature death.

We can continue to play around with this thing indefinitely, or make the choice to get all that God has for us on this side of Heaven. I don’t know about you but I want all The Lord has for me so crucifying my fleshly desires is how I shall live from this day forward.

Until next time, Happy Sunday!

Soulful Sunday

Soulful Sunday – MOVE!

Making Oppression Vanish Eternally!

I have battled with depression for more than half of my life. Over the past several years, I can confidently share that I have the condition under control. I’ve been more consistently optimistic than downcast and I absolutely give all the credit to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I finally know who I am in Him and that He has called me for such a time as this!

The state of depression, however does not go away for those who suffer. I believe this to be true for most mental health disorders. The condition(s) must be managed daily or being sucked back into that deep, dark, isolated mindset of hopelessness is inevitable. 

For some, management may be defined by being under a doctor’s care with prescription medication. I’ve been there and it wasn’t the formula that worked to fix my pretty little head! Counseling, addressing the root of my sorrow and monitoring my thoughts through the Word of God has proven more effective than anything else for me personally. It work consistently; if I work it!

I distinctly recall one day waking up angry enough to MOVE! I no longer wanted to live my life as some weak believer being an ineffective witness to the power that lies in the sacrifice of Christ. I was certainly sane enough to make the shift on my own and so desperately needing to try something different.

Certainly my existence is no error despite the circumstances of my past!
I began to ask; What if I dared to truly believe that I am of importance and have something great to contribute to this world and the lives of others!

What’s the worst that can happen if I MOVE!
Beyond the thoughts that naturally play in my mind…

Beyond the facts and events of times in my life that I could not control…

Beyond mistakes I have made and some repeatedly….

Beyond the negative critics that judge and look down on me…

Beyond those that have tried to minimize my voice and presence by stepping and looking over me…

What’s the worst that can happen if I MOVE!

Well truth be told, the worst is now that I have embraced the boldness to MOVE, I’ve faced finding myself in unfamiliar and uncomfortable territory! I’ve been stretched, challenged and forced to deal with the pain of my past that I’ve buried kicking and screaming still very much alive! I’ve had to go through the turmoil of reprogramming my own sense of logic and replace all with the mind of Christ. 

The process has been long and excruciating but has set me on a path that I had no idea was close to being mine. It’s called Destiny! I’m walking in blind child-like faith but can’t turn around for there is nothing behind me that I wish to ever return to. I must continue to MOVE!

Are you stuck in a vicious cycle of mental torture which cripples you from living a productive life and moving forward? Have you buried things that you really need to address and kill first in order to embrace the life that you so well deserve?

You do have the power to change your circumstances but you have to MOVE! It will be the fight of your life, won’t be easy and certainly won’t happen overnight! If you purpose to discover the formula that works for you and keep at it daily, I promise that you will one day look in the mirror and actually love the one staring back at you! Ask yourself if you dare to finally take back your spirit, soul, and mind, what’s the worst that can happen?

Until next time, happy Sunday!

Soulful Sunday

Soulful Sunday – The Pause Button

There is yet another viral epedemic flooding our country called “The Mannequin Challenge” Its all in the name of fun for it participants as they maintain a frozen position while someone is recording the play to some theme appropriate music. Those that I have seen on multiple social media platforms are really creative and have made me truly smile. I think this challenge is a breath of fresh air during such a time of change and uncertainty for our society.

I have been asked recently to participate in the challenge but I kindly turned down the offer. I feel I am already in one spiritually; as if the pause button to my life has been pressed and I’m stuck and going no where fast. I’ve experienced physical and soul realm fatigue after doing all that I can naturally. There are about six weeks remaining in this year and I have to make some life altering decisions in preparation for 2017. Do I remain on this path that magnifies my gift or do I return to the hustle and grind of the corporate life in order to survive. I won’t have the time to do both with consistency so one will have to be abandoned indefinitely…

Either way I’m on pause in a “mannequin” like position. Extremely frustrated because growth, results and moving forward produces drive, energy and a sense of accomplishment in me. I feel I am at my emotional best when I’m forging ahead.

This interruption of sorts contradicts what I’ve been speaking and sharing lately and I’m concerned for the outcome. God are you there? Have you heard my cries? Will you deactivate this motionless standstill in my life for I’m beginning to question my value and worth yet again. I thought I was past this part of simply existing, but here I am again.

Have you ever felt this way or are you here today with me? As believers we sometimes hit these life patches that appear like life is just standing still and we are frozen in a state that’s not our choice. If that’s you, let’s remain encouraged, someway and somehow that our Lord, our God is so completely busy in action on our behalf. He’s behind the sight of what we can see producing the fruit of our labor. He’s already said what He will do so no need for Him to repeat what was already spoken. 

Being anxious profits nothing.

Doubting is the contrary of Faith.

Forcing efforts that interrupt the work of His hands will cause further delays and confusion.

So we stand, on pause and patiently wait on the Lord.

Until next time, happy Sunday!

Inspiration

Storm Positions


Troubles are certain in this life. No one is exempt. Every human life will experience his or her share. There is no escape and the bible is clear on this certainty. 

Someone’s situation may appear better than yours at a given time but don’t be fooled! Those you look upon with a level of envy are just in a different position than you are.

There are stages indeed to the storms of life. Understanding where you are personally is critical in the fight for survival and your testimony on how you made it through. 

There are 4 Storm Positions that we all face at each distinct trial in our lives.

The Arising -is position #1. We are starting to see the system develop. Some stiff winds are blowing, our blue skies are casting over with dark clouds. But a ribbon of sunshine is still visible. We begin feeling the first few drops of precipitation. We may still be able to offer a half smile, a hallelujah, some genuine praise and calling the devil a liar as we begin to pray and seek direction. 

The Eye – We are now smack dead in the middle at this 2nd Position. The totality of this beasty gale has completely exposed itself. The break of day is far beyond our sight. It’s gravely eerie and blinding with darkness. We are now being tossed, sometimes violently by the hale, winds, rain and earth shattering lightening. We can’t see a way out and God appears Job-like silent! This is the tornado, hurricane and tsunami effect of your dellima at its peak! The enemy is busy on your psyche and your faith may become vulnerable if not shaken.

The Dawning – we are still very much in the storm at this 3rd position but a break has come. The sun is peaking through just a bit and clouds are beginning to roll away. You are beginning to see, hear and experience God in the midst. He is beginning to restore and deliver you. The question is, have you arrived at this point with gratitude or operating in offense of what you had to endure?

The Calm – Finally It’s over! Position # 4 presents a plethora of opportunities. Reminders of what we survived are still quite evident. As we clean up the debris of downed wires, broken branches, loosened shingles and shattered glass of our souls, we can reflect on the lessons and begin to heal. Some unfortunately remain stuck on the details and “whys” robbing themselves of fully embracing this position by keep looking backwards.

If you are grateful for how God bought you through, it’s my personal opinion that our most effective testimony may be somewhere between The Dawning and A little ways into The Calm. It’s Fresh, Raw, soul stirring and its totality has been experienced. Any further out may lose its effectiveness for unfortunately, another system is always on the horizon. BUT GOD!

So when you step on the other side of the clearing, seek ways to share your story and don’t wait too long. The enemy lurks continuously and tries to make us forget how God kept us. Especially if our next Storm is greater than the last.

Christ is our shelter, fortress, shield and the ultimate protector.

So weather up with the Word of God and wise counsel if you are still hurting from your experiences. Help someone else who is going through. We are not Storm Survivors for any other reason but for His Glory.

Inspiration, Soulful Sunday

Soulful Sunday – An Expectant Heart


Do you remember the feeling of Christmas morning as a child? For most, that rush, sleepless nights on the Eve and urge to do a sneak peek at the set up noises you heard beyond your bedroom door was so beyond exciting! Talk about having something to look forward to gave our innocent lives indescribable meaning!

For me and during those times, I was the oldest of three and the only girl. I developed this “Need to Know” mentality very early and would often look for the hidden spots where my gifts were stored beforehand. Due to the small bode my family lived in, hiding places were limited and I often discovered before Christmas Day what I was getting.

It’s funny now, but when I think about it deeper I actually robbed myself and my parents of the joy of expectancy simply because I couldn’t wait!

Now that I’m all grown up I find that some of those “need-to-know” characteristics still linger within me. I’ve been excessively frustrated at my progression in life at times as a result. 

However, in this phase of life what I want access to early in knowledge or tangible grasp I’m just not going to find! What I long for is in my Heavenly Father and he can conceal things better than anyone until He decides otherwise! No matter how hard I seek to expose his blessings for me prematurely, they just won’t be discovered in my timing!

Lately, In order to ease my inquisitive mind and heart, I’ve decided to go back to my early child-like mentality just a little bit. I have been rising early to spend time with God every morning and present myself with gratitude first and foremost just for blessing me to see another dawning. Then my spirit becomes thrilled and great expectancy begins to flow from my heart. 

Sometimes it’s not about anything in particular. It’s just that I finally view Him as the God he truly is! I am His child; He is my Father. He is my Superman and can do all things! He owns the entire world and made everything in it. As a result, I have an inheritance in Him and today could be the day He decides to pour out so I proactively anticipate! 


Even by the close of the day if nothing of great significance occurs, I’ve been going to bed thankful most nights and mentally review even The smallest blessings that happened that day. I don’t want to take them for granted. I fall to sleep peacefully but still child-like anxious to see what He has for me the next day!

Having a grateful expectant heart is so much better for my soul and spirit than being ungrateful that I didn’t get what I thought I deserved. It’s the trust and child-like faith that brings sweet peace and much needed rest.

I know that the Word says that as adults we must put away childish things, but I think in this matter, God marvels in our innocent dependence and acceptance that He’s sure to bless us.
Until next time- Happy Sunday!

STFWO

Soulful Sunday – Spiritual Warfare with Pastor Mary Cooper

Hi RBT readers and viewers!

As many of you probably can tell if you’ve been reading prior articles, the topic of Spiritual Warfare is near and dear to my spirit!  

http://therealliferealtalk.com/2016/06/07/i-declare-war-4-steps-in-spiritual-warfare

I’ve just discovered this year that as a Believer, clearly understanding what it is, how to identify it and how to battle is critical to winning problems, setbacks, dellimas, issues, challenges, frustrations and beyond in this life! (All that in a single breath!)

I’ve experienced many growing pains as I implement the principles but it’s all good! My flesh shall come under subjection while my spirit man takes its rightful position!

Pastor Mary Cooper is my Spiritual Mother and advisor. I am blessed to be a co-host next to her and Pastor Judy Shipley on our Church’s internet talk show – Straight Talk for Women Only. Last month, Pastor Mary went solo and taught a powerful message on Spiritual Warfare that is life changing!!!

I invite and challenge  you to review this teaching and begin to implement it’s instructions in your walk with God. I promise you will never be the same!

Blessings and Happy Sunday!

Straight Talk for Women only airs the 1st Thursday of every month at 6 pm EST. Access live and archive shows by visiting http://www.stfwo.com.

Sponsored by Victory Christian Fellowship in New Castle Delaware