THE AMERICAN DREAM…Yet to be seen.

I’ve always dreamed of moving to New York, I think it’s every writer’s dream city. It’s the picture you envision when you think of the “American Dream”. It’s the “Big City” experience everyone wants to experience.

They say if you can make there, you can make it anywhere. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to take what little money I had to buy a ticket and just go to see what happens. Even willing to be homeless and work my way to the top for the complete experience, if you will.

Of course, I have yet to even simply visit but I have a feeling I’ll be getting there within the next few years. But coming from where I’m from, it’s not as simple as it may seem.

See, the “American Dream” is much harder to achieve and see with clarity from my perspective. It would be very much like The Great Gatsby. I’ve already began to reinvent myself.

It’s been a lifelong challenge to shred my circumstances and bad habits. I still have some changes to make and some habits to break but I’m well on my way. And I can’t wait until I have become the fully grown Butterfly I was born to be.

What are Obstacles?

Obstacles are those frightful things that you see when you take your eyes off your goal…

-Henry Ford

I’ve seen a few those things in my lifetime. In various stages, forms, and sizes. They can be sooooooo intimidating at first glance.

I’ll admit, it took me a little while to realize that I had even taken my eyes off my goals. It wasn’t until the obstacles had my full attention and I was completely discouraged that I had no choice but to look around for my goals again. Thankfully, my goals are huge and the Holy Spirit always helps me back on track.

Nowadays, I don’t take my eyes off the prize. Because the last time I did, I quit the race. After that, I vowed to NEVER let it happen again!

I hope you do the same! Stay focused and you’ll stay blessed!

If you want change…Be the Change!

One of my favorite quotes by Gandhi is “BE the CHANGE YOU WISH to SEE in the WORLD!” I personally, took it to heart!

I’m a dreamer! ALWAYS have been and most likely ALWAYS will be. I’m one of the crazies that STILL believe that change is possible!

The devil WILL get inside YOUR head and convince you that YOU’RE a lot of things that YOU’RE NOT! So, YOU have to BE careful with YOUR thoughts!

Like Michael Jackson sung YOU HAVE TO START WITH THE PERSON IN THE MIRROR!

There’s ALWAYS SOMETHING to be Thankful for!

I’m thankful for:

First and foremost, my creator, my FATHER GOD who is the source of all my blessings!

My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who sacrificed HIS blameless life for me, a born sinner.

My FAMILY! Especially those that make up my household, which is: My Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Uncle.

My gifts and talents.

The wisdom I’ve been blessed to receive.

The knowledge, intelligence, and truth I’ve been blessed to learn.

My vision, which I know, without a doubt in my mind, comes from above.

My voice because I’ve been told numerous times that it’s soothing.

My mind, body, spirit, and soul.

My life and the story it creates.

My REAL friends and loved ones.

ALL THE THINGS THAT MAKE MY LIFE WORTH LIVING!

Instead of counting sheep at night, I enjoy counting my blessings to sleep!

It activates a very peaceful sleep!

So, what are you thankful for?

ARE YOU Ready for War?

We are all at war, rather we realize it are not. I’m not just talking about the war in Iraq or Chiraq. Or even the “war on drug”. We are enlisted, as Christians, into a battle every day that we are alive. It always starts in our minds!

I didn’t realize this for myself until I began reading Joyce Meyer’s Battlefield of the Mind. (If you haven’t read it already, I suggest you do so.) It was a life changing read. It wasn’t until I read it that I finally and clearly understood what Peter meant when he said “Be alert and of sober mind! Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” [1 Peter 5:8].

I’ve found this scripture, like all scripture, to be VERY true. He’s always waiting for us to drop our guard so that he can come in and disrupt our lives. It is in the Book of Job that we get the chance to see how far he is willing to go, in order to turn us away from God.

We can’t allow this to happen! The amazing part is, there are many ways to prepare for these attacks. Ways that, all throughout the Bible, are proven to work. Ranging from prayer to mindfulness. The greatest of them all are the full armor of salvation.

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Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm than, with the Belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition, to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [Ephesians 6:13-17]

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Let’s start with The Helmet of Salvation! It is knowing, without a doubt, that Jesus (the Head of the Church) died for our sins and that we are saved from the consequences (which are the wrath of God and death). I like to call it the Helmet of Hope as well.

Next is The Breastplate of Righteousness! Which enables us to have a heart of goodness. It urges us to be kind and just to people, especially those we don’t know. It’s what helps us love our enemies and keeps our morals/integrity in check. It also helps us to guard our hearts.

Then, there’s The Belt of Truth! The truth about God the Father, Jesus Christ our brother, and the Holy Spirit which make up the Holy Trinity (and their functions/works). The truth about yourself (who you are created to be) and the world around you (your family, friends, country, etc.). It gives you the wisdom to stay balanced. I can’t speak for anyone else but when I read the Bible (from beginning to end), I learned so much about all three of these areas. So, I can assure that the truth shall truly set you free. [John 8:32]

There is also The Shoes of Peace! In which your steps are ordered by the Most High. Knowing that you’re walking (living) in agreement with God’s will for your life. It makes you surefooted. It allows you to be confident in yourself as well as your faith.

Which brings us to The Shield of Faith! Trusting that no matter what may be going on in your life and the world around you right now, things will get/be better. Knowing God is ALWAYS in complete control and has the final word. It gives you the strength to overcome the obstacles that the devil places in front of you. As well as, the courage to keep fighting.

Finally, there’s The Sword of the Spirit! Which is the Word of God, the Bible. I like to believe that Prayer and Scripture make up this double-edged sword.

As a soldier in the Army of the Lord, I can promise you that you’re going to need this armor for every day of your life. And that each piece is fought for and earned much like ranking in the Army. You get the Helmet of Salvation when you’re baptized but you have to work hard, on a regular basis, for the rest.

I tell you the truth, I’m still trying to put on my Shoes of Peace. I have one on but the other keeps falling off. It’s like every time I try to put it back on, the devil steps on my foot. He knows I’m covered in all other areas, so he tries to keep me worried about something. But I never give up I’m determined to put that other shoe on EVERYDAY.

So, again I ask, are you ready for war? Do you have on your Armor of Salvation?