Rest Comes From Relationship

As children of the Most High God, I don't think we realize how much power comes with it. I don't think we fully realize the depth of peace and protection that's in being connected by Christ. 

Being in covenant and cooperation with the Most High is where our righteousness lies. The righteous are the most cared for, protected people. This is found throughout the Bible. 

At the end of chasing lucre or whatever creature comfort we think can sustain us better than the Most High, there's nothing. Absolutely nothing. Everything is vanity and a vapor that can easily be gone just like that. At the drop of a hat. 

All that we need is in our relationship with Abba. Material things can fade away, but the Most High never fails.

Confidence is in trust. Trust is built in relationship.

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Royalty, Restoration, and Repair

a crown of thorns. photo credit: Samuel Lopes

"When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things." - 1 Corinthians 13:11

I heard someone say that the Author who wrote that verse in Corinthians "Intentionally" put away childish things. It was not by accident or by chance, but by choice.

The decision to put away childish things and "renew our minds" goes along with the intentional act of surrender. Surrendering our will to GOD's will, surrendering our thoughts to GOD's thoughts for us is where real transformation is.

After so many years of getting hurt by ego and my own will and outlook, I'm grateful to realize how essential obedience and surrender are. While they are sometimes not easy, they're necessary for our life's journey.

Surrender is required for growth. From a child to a man, from a man to a royal, obedience has it.  As I celebrated a birthday and personal new year, I realized a few things and was given the revelation that I'll move forward with:

"Surrender is a process, but surrender is what makes you royal."

Jesus was on earth as a man, but he rose as a King. Jesus had to surrender to ascend. Sometimes It wasn’t easy. We see it when Jesus has his “Mountain top” experiences that prayer, wisdom and surrender were fully required.

Satan tempted Jesus on a mountain, but truth prevailed.

Jesus prayed on a mountain:

“Father not my will but your will be done.” - Luke 22:42

The journey requires patience, process, and surrender.

Without having an elevated view, we can’t see things how GOD sees things. Intentionally aiming to see them how GOD sees them is surrender. . . It’s the stuff Kings and Queens are made of.

Dr. King literally said “I’ve been to the mountain top”. Great vision comes from a high view. . . The Most High’s view to be specific. A lot of people declare a certain age to be their “Jesus Year”, but I proclaim this year as my “Queen Year”.

• This is the year that the only validation I seek is GODs.
• This is the year that GOD’s kingdom for me will be established through me.

The greatness of Jesus' story is not that he died, but that he was revived. I’m grateful that life's journey requires daily refreshing and surrender. As long as my soul is restored I can live and I can continue to rise.

We have to submit our mind, body and soul to the Lord in order for them to be restored. “He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” - Psalm 23:3

Surrender.

“A Queen is not afraid to fail” As I continue to surrender to love, I know I never will.

I am embracing my Queen Year! Cheers to the Divine Royalty within us.

Gospel Rapper Lecrae Going Into 2021 With Two Grammy Nominations

credit: schure media group

Multi Grammy Award-winning platinum selling artist, Lecrae, has received two 2021 Grammy Award nominations this year. The first in the category of Best Christian Contemporary Music Performance/Song for “Sunday Morning,” featuring Kirk Franklin. The song is featured on his ninth studio album, Restoration, which was released his own imprint, Reach Records on August 21, 2020. Guest features also include John Legend, YK Osiris, Jozzy, Dani Leigh, Marc E. Bassy, BJ The Chicago Kid and more.

“When I set out to record Restoration, I was sharing my journey to help heal others. I wanted to show you my scars as a proof that wounded people can heal,” explains Lecrae. “This Grammy nomination is a testament of the journey! It’s an acknowledgement for anyone on the road to restoration, and encouragement for those just beginning. It’s bigger than me! This is for us all and I’m honored!”

His second nomination is in the category of Best Gospel Performance/Song category for his feature on Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins’ Allstar gospel benefit song, “Come Together,” written by Jerkins (who also produced the song), the late LaShawn “Big Shiz” Daniels, Jazz Nixon, and Lecrae. Proceeds from the song benefited two organizations: MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund and Compassion International who are providing emergency aid to those in the music community most affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Lecrae is a co-owner, founder, and President of Reach Records, a trailblazing Atlanta based independent label. He is a successful businessman, investor, philanthropist, and platinum selling artist who has sold millions of albums and won countless of awards. He released his first album in 2004 independently on Reach Records and by 2008, he was the first Christian hip-hop artist to reach #1 on Billboard’s Gospel Charts. His freestyle on BET’s Hip-Hop Cypher in 2011 solidified his name in the industry and brought mainstream attention. Lecrae’s 2012 album, Gravity, won a Grammy for Best Gospel Album marking the first time a hip-hop artist won honors in that category. By his seventh album, Anomaly, Lecrae would make history yet again with the first album at the top of both the Billboard 200 and Gospel Charts simultaneously. It debuted at No. 1 on both charts in 2014. 

The quarantine and the pandemic of 2020 hasn’t slowed Lecrae’s stride. After releasing his album in August, two months later, he dropped Restoration: The Deluxe Album, adding 6 additional new songs and a lineup of features including Rapsody, Ty Brasel and Reach Records artists Andy Mineo, Hulvey, Wande, WHATUPRG, and 1K Phew. Through his partnership with 3 Strand Films, he also released a three-part video narrative, The Road To Restoration, a teaser for his forthcoming documentary.

A New York Times best-selling author, Lecrae has authored two books! His first, Unashamed and the second book, I Am Restored: How I Lost My Religion, but Found My Faith available now everywhere. If things couldn’t get any better, he recently landed two songs on the new Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales video game, “This Is My Time” (featured on the trailer) and “Where We Come From” which can be hard on the original video game soundtrack.

“Restoration is the idea that something broken can return to its original form or even better,” explains Lecrae. “The Restoration ecosystem started with a journal. I wrote the word Restoration on the front of at the lowest point in my life. As I started my restorative process, the word on the front of my journal became the theme for the entire ecosystem: the album, book, and documentary. A big part of the restorative journey is the belief that change will come.”

Listen To Our Exclusive Interview with Lecrae on BOLD Podcast titled: Grace To Get Through

Stay tuned to BreathOfLifeDaily.com and connect with us on all platforms @BOLDJournal

news submitted by: schure media group

Bruce Lee Agrees With Jesus

Unfortunately, I've been noticing some influencers I've watched don't publicly claim Jesus. Fortunately I've been learning more about what it means to follow Jesus.

It requires sacrifice that some people aren't willing to make, but it comes with reward and peace like I've definitely never experienced.

Came across a cool video this morning of Bruce Lee agreeing with Jesus words on surrender.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

- Matthew 16:24-27

This scripture in Matthew 16 goes on. Feel free to read the whole chapter.

Connect with Breath Of Life Daily @BOLDJournal on all platforms for the latest updates.

Passion Work Hits Differently

This episode explores the power and pitfalls of  "Passion Work". "Working Hard is a thing, Working Smart is a thing, but working with passion is EVERYTHING!"

The enemy does not want you to work in passion, and realize how powerful it is. Stay focused at all costs. The reward is in it. Your reward is waiting! Have a listen at what inspired this episode . . .

If  the podcast episode does not load in the post please access the episode and additional episodes at anchor.fm/BreathOfLifeDaily

Understanding The Blood Covenant - Dr. Myles Munroe (Video)

Leave your comments in the comments section below. Follow Breath Of Life Daily @BOLDJournal on all social media networks. Let's keep the uplifting conversation going!

10 Scriptures About GOD's Love From The Bible

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. - John 4:7-8

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. - John 4:16

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you. - Isaiah 54:10

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. - John 15:13

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. -
Ephesians 4:2

We love because He first loved us. - 1 John 4:19

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. - John 15:12

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. - 1 John 4:12 


What's your favorite scripture about Love from the Bible? Share it in the comments section below and Follow Breath Of Life Daily on Social Media @BOLDJournal for more Inspirational updates!

How Self-Love Can Be Found Through Divine Purpose

...and cleaning a bathtub.

The bathroom started talking to me, (It was literally reaching for my attention) so I figured it was time to clean it. As I started cleaning the bathroom in my living space yesterday, when I went to clean the tub, I noticed there were seven neatly stacked triangles all made of light. The triangles weren't regular triangles, they were beautiful, intricate. They were perfectly projecting on the ceramic tub.

I didn't even understand where they were coming from at first, I just knew they were beautiful and unique. After trying to inspect how this design can be coming from this flat black shower curtain, I still didn't understand. I had to go a little deeper into trying to see how it could happen, only to guess that maybe it was the creases on the previously folded clear shower curtain that were being reflected out. I definitely had to look deeper.

Right at that moment I had a revelation about the way that art is perceived; So beautiful and mysterious. Well, spirit said: "so am I as a being." As human beings we are the artwork and creation of GOD, The most sovereign GOD. How urgent it was for me to look into what caused the design is the same way that we should want to look into ourselves and discover what makes us glorious. What is it that GOD used and is currently using to compose who we are?

video attached

I think the best way to discover the aspects, methods, and means of how we are put together is to intentionally seek deeper into the mind of the creator. When we look into communicating with GOD to understand the beauty of ourselves then the Lord will reveal our glory through the spirit. Self-love is found through discovering GOD's purpose. The more we become aware of who we are and why, the more there is to love. 

Be BOLD about looking inside of yourself to find purpose. We have a right to know and we're even instructed to know. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened" )...words from the very mouth of Jesus in Matthew 7:7-8.

As I continue the process of looking into GOD's will for myself I realize that no matter what history has said, destiny always speaks greatness. Knowledge is potential for great power. 

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." - King David (Psalm 139:14)

I totally agree with David on this. I feel the same way. May you also be inspired to look into what your divine purpose is saying and how highly your destiny speaks of you.

Many blessings,

- April D. Byrd

Don't Get Even, Heal

"DON'T GET EVEN. HEAL."

In the days leading up to Easter I've come across this post on social media a few times. It spoke to me deeply each time I saw it. "Don't Get Even, Heal". Four words with so much depth. As today is Easter and many celebrate the resurrection of Christ, I thought about the four words in the context of everything that Christ went through leading up to crucifixion on the cross. He didn't try to get even, and he did more than heal, He manifested so that we as believers could be whole. 

He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. - Romans 4:25

 But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. - Isaiah 53:5

Just letting that last part sink in: "By His stripes we are healed." Because Christ didn't think to get even, didn't think to fight back or get revenge, WE are healed. 

The world needs our WHOLE, HEALED selves. Being that Jesus was healed he knew and walked in his purpose. Although that may have been hard to carry out, his determination was stronger than his distractions. A life of peace and abundance is a focused life, where the focus is on GOD's will (our divine calling). I'm definitely grateful for the inspiration that Christ's story presents and the peace that I've experienced with focusing on GOD's will in my own life.

I pray that we continue to focus on our healing and wholeness that's promised to us as believers, in Jesus name. 

Happy Resurrection Celebration From BreathOfLifeDaily.com

Whose Report Will You Believe?

photo credit: Iyanla Vanzant

A long time ago there used to be a song that had a call and action response. I cannot recall all of the words, but I do remember it went something like this--whose report do you believe? We responded back 'I will believe the report of the Lord' . . . or something like that.

In a time where we are concerned about 'fake news' and the hidden agendas of others, it is hard to trust what people say and do, would you agree? 
Yet in Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) it says to: 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight". 

God knows that our minds are fragile and that the things of this world can steer us away from doing what is right.  That's why it's so important that we seek His face daily and ask for his directions for our lives in order to guard ourselves from things and people whose intentions are not for our good.

Even when things seem like they are not going according to plan, know that God is in the midst of your situation and He is working it out. Don't allow other peoples agendas and media propaganda to scare you away from the plans God has for you.  Stay the course and trust the process as in this season, the only report that you can believe is that of the Lord.

Mastering Self Control: Emotions vs Feelings

         

   

        Realizing the difference between our emotions and our feelings is a concept that is important for us to learn if we desire to master true self-control. It is necessary that we maintain constant awareness of our bodies and our environment, as those are the two main sources that ignite triggers in our brain causing our emotions to activate. Once we become aware or conscious of what is taking place in our bodies, we then create a feeling as a reaction to that emotion. For example, when some people have to  speak in front of a crowd; their palms may get sweaty, mouth may get dry, and they become nervous.  Well, these are the natural emotions that are particular to their specific nature. What that person does in response to those different emotions, makes up the way they feel. As an example, a feeling to these emotions may develop as inadequacy, causing the person to completely abandon their public speaking  event and withdraw from their audience.

       It is important for us to not automatically react to the developments of our emotions. What we should do is take note of what is happening to cause a specific emotion to arise, and acknowledge what type of feelings we possess toward our emotion. If the feeling you get from an emotion is positive take a moment to embrace the feeling. What aspects of that feeling do you enjoy the most?  What are you seeing at the present moment? What are you hearing? Is there any noticeable sent in the environment? If you really have a chance to take in the moment, think about some activities you can partake in to recreate this experience on a regular basis.
     
      If you notice the feeling that develop in response to a particular emotion is negative, find some positive affirmations you can recite to ease the tension in your body. Some examples of positive affirmations are "I believe I have the power to face anything that comes my way'', or "Even if this does not workout, I know this specific event does not determine the outcome of the next,"  or If nobody else believes in what I do, I believe in it-and that enough for me". Another way to counter the effects of negative feelings is to develop coping skills. When an emotion arises that leads us to have overwhelming feelings of negativity or anxiety, we can use coping skills to bring us back to a normative state of mind. Some examples of coping skills include singing a favorite song, writing in your journal, or even crying. Sometimes we have to give ourselves the permission to cry since some people view crying as a weakness. But truthfully, crying allows us to get over some emotions that otherwise we would hold on to.
 

      Getting a grip on controlling or feelings by understanding our emotions gives us the foundation for self-control. Understanding these principles and concepts not only allow us to identify our triggers, but allow us to control our actions that allow us to fulfill our purpose. Being able to control our feelings to particular emotions allow us to maintain control of atmosphere. We decide what is acceptable and unacceptable. We control our mind and our behaviors. With self-control comes consistency, decisiveness, and the development to dedication which are all needed to sustain a successful lifestyle.



Carla Marcelle, is a Transformation Purpose Coach and founder of she's 31 Ministries which is dedicated to the advancement of the Kingdom of God through the edification, enlightenment, education of the principles to maintain a successful lifestyle based on the foundation of God .{Join the She's31 group on Facebook}

Discovering Propitiation: Where Would We Be Without It?

         

Propitiation: A word that was stuck in the back of my mind, lodged in my subconscious for a while now, but would resurface every now and again. Since lately however, the word has been coming to the forefront of my mind more often. This word, honestly I did not exactly know what it meant, but I know I heard it in a song some where. As the word Propitiation began to stick with me more extensively, I figured it was time to put a definition to this mysterious word that was consistently on my mind, and determine why this word was becoming more compelling to me here and now in this season of my life.
        When I finally looked up the word, what was revealed to me was amazing. First, because the Christmas season was just at here, and second, because I have been spiritually growing into my true identity with Christ. Now, I know you must be wondering what is the significance of this word. OK, here it is.

"Propitiation: The turning away of wrath because of an offering" (Theopedia.com 2016)

 As this definition began to fill my thought process, I began to realize God in his perfection cannot entertain sin, he cannot allow it into his presence, nor can it be accepted in the heavenly realm. Sin in its self is the disconnection to God, the Creator. Therefore, it is important for there to be some sort of reconciliation to restore the connection to God. That reconciliation is Christ.

He [Christ] is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2 {NIV})

As I read this verse, I thought about how Christ died to save the whole world. Through his death on the cross, took the punishment that was meant for me and you, because we are sinners, so that we would not have to endure that punishment from God. In this way Christ satisfied the wrath or anger of God that was meant for us. Romans 3:25 depicts the sacrifice of Christ for our sins.

For God sent Christ Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to end all God's anger towards us. He used Christ's blood and our faith as a means of saving us from His wrath. In this way he was being entirely fair even though he did not punish those who sinned in former times. For he was looking forward to the time when Christ would take away those sins.  (Romans  3:25 {TLB})

In reading this, I think about times in weakness of emotions, where I sometimes have no filter because I simply react to a present situation, not thinking, and allowing my sinful nature (anger and vulgarity) to consume me, and totally overtake me without thought. I think about times where I allow my  desire for worldly pleasures to dictate my actions, and give into different things that please and gratify my sinful desires; and I am grateful I have an out. I can repent, and ask for forgiveness with  sincerity and know I am forgiven. Even when I fall a thousand times, I can still get back up and know because of what Christ did on the cross, his grace is sufficient and I am justified. I am able to proceed with a fresh slate to continue in my spirituality until I reach my destination in Christ.

Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1 {NIV})

The whole propitiation concept is the very reason for the existence of Christ. Think about it, Jesus Christ, God in the form of man coming to Earth to satisfy his own anger, so that we can have grace and a chance to be reconnected to God. Absolutely an amazing gesture to prove how valuable we are to God.

I give Honor and Glory to King Christ Jesus AKA God, because they are 2 in the same, for the gift of Propitiation. Who else loved you enough to endure such a great Wrath on your behalf to restore your connection to God? In your down fall, think of the Propitiation and how without it there would be no more chances for you. Think about how God saw it fit that you have the opportunity for restoration, and allow that to be your motivation for advancement in your spirituality.






Carla Marcelle, is a Spiritual Transformation Coach and founder of she's 31 Ministries which dedicated to the advancement of the Kingdom of God through the edification, enlightenment, education of the principles of God.

Loving Your Spouse is More Than Just Feelings

by: Paul Horne

Have you ever really stopped to think about it? To truly love your spouse involves more than just your feelings. It is hard to fathom because feelings are what got us to be together in the first place. And whether we realize it or not they were selfish at the time. Yeah I just said that.

I mean think about it. You got together with your husband/wife because of how they made you feel. You felt loved, cared for, important, like you were the center of the universe.

But what do you do when those feelings wear thin? Maybe for some of you out there you have never experienced this. Praise God for it! However, for the rest of us who aren’t so blessed how do we love our spouse beyond the ways we feel. There maybe days where deep down you know you love your spouse just don’t really like them at the moment. Is that unbiblical? To be completely honest I’m not sure. I know to hate someone in my heart equates to murder (Matt 5:21-22), but to dislike someone for a short period of time? I really don’t know.

On to what I do know is there is mutual act of submission which must take place in the relationship in order for it to work in God’s economy. Ephesians 5:22-33 gives us the best example of how husbands and wives should interact with one another. This is not an easy section of Scripture to surrender ourselves to for many reasons. Most of all in our society submission is misunderstood, and the way it is used in this NT letter challenges everything we know about it.

For the Husbands
I want to speak particularly to men since I am a man. We are specifically told we are to love our wives as Christ has loved the church. You may be asking what does it look like? Paul answers this question like he knew it was going to come. Paul says, Christ gave himself up for her, sanctifying her, washing her with water ,with the word(being the word of God). He also says we are to love them as we love our own bodies, because as we love our wives we love ourselves.

So you may still be wondering what do I do? Lets’ put some feet to this shall we. When you have the opportunity to do something nice for your wife even thought it may cost you your last bit of money, you were saving for yourself. You use it on her instead. You are praying for her continually. You are helping her grow in grace, by helping her understand the Word. You are putting her first in all things (outside of Christ of course). She comes before your parents, your children, or anyone else in your life.

When you have a disagreement you are the first to apologize even if you think she is the one who is wrong. You cover her with grace and mercy. Why because you are of one flesh. You would give yourself a pass in certain situations, she deserves the same. The same way you want to be taken care of she should be looked after, because she is a part of you.

It is easy in our fallen nature to forget these things or worse for us to willingly neglect these things. As Christian men we have to be intentional about the things we do with and for our wives. Just like everything else in the Christian life we cannot sit back and expect it to magically happen. It requires work, and sometimes lots of it. But it is all worth it.

“As Christian men we have to be intentional about the way we love our wives.“

CLICK TO TWEET

For the Wives
Since I have covered the men, I’d like to speak briefly to the women. These are not easy verses for a man to hear. And he is going to screw up from time to time. Please offer him the same grace you would want. While there are not many things Paul asks you to do as women in this section the two things he does ask are a pretty big deal. He asks you submit to your husband in everything, and that you respect him.

These are not easy tasks in your fallen state either. IF your husband is a Christian (which I hope he is) then he should be seeking God on how to lead your family. And as he does this, your submission to him equates obedience to God, and ultimately submission to Him.

Now respect is a hard thing to nail down. It shows itself in many different forms. It can be simple as not arguing with him about every decision he makes (which also falls under submission). Then there is not talking badly about him to others, especially those closest to you both. Being supportive in his endeavors, allowing him to have some times alone or with friends (as long as he has spent some quality time with you of course), not nagging about things. The list could go on.

Conclusion
Allow the Holy Spirit to work in your heart to help you know how to love your spouse despite your circumstances and station in life, because they can always change. You when both are busy seeking God for your lives and each other things will look differently than when all you had was feelings and emotions to guide you and those are the times you will cherish. Of course those feelings and emotions are still important but following God’s lead will make all the difference on those days you may just not like the other person. Choose to see them how God see’s them, and watch those feelings change.

Question: How do you find ways to love your spouse even when you don’t feel like it?

Read more by Paul Horne and subscribe to his blog here: http://pmhorne.com/

How I Stopped Running Away From God's Calling

by: Paul Horne

I have to admit that I can be rather obsessive about numbers. Like how many followers I have on Twitter, or how many page views did the blog have today. That is not necessarily a good thing, because when I allow those things to rule my life it becomes a god thing. I personally do not want any other gods in my life other than my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Isn’t it easy though to allow functional saviors to enter lives? I know for me it can be, I cannot speak for anyone else. One thing I do know is that it can be destructive to our lives, because they can become all consuming. Where do you run if you are not running to the Lord? My guess is you are running to your functional savior, whether that is drinking, smoking (of either sort), writing, or even family. Yes I said it family can become a functional savior in our lives that will keep us from turning to God when we need to the most. 

     It is easy to try and discount that we are not running away from God, when in reality we are. You know I can think of one story in the Bible in particular when someone should have done what God wanted to do but instead he ran away. Can you think of who I am speaking about…? Times up! I am speaking about Jonah. God had given Jonah a plan of action that he wanted him to take and Jonah thinking that he was wiser than God proceeded to run away to the land of Tarshish (his functional savior). If you don’t know the story let me give you a brief synopsis. God tells Jonah that he wants him to go to he land of Ninevah to preach to the people there and Jonah decides he doesn’t want to do that. He boards a boat head to Tarshish. Along the way a great storm arose and the men on board the ship were afraid and began throwing their cargo overboard, until Jonah said that it was his fault. Then he has the men throw him overboard and the storm calms. While in the water Jonah is swallowed by a giant fish. And lives in its belly for 3 days. After that he is spit up on the the shore and goes and does what he should have initially done.

     All of that to say when the Lord is our savior we should trust him and run to him, not away from him. He does not have plans to hurt us. While somethings may be unpleasant for us they are ultimately for our good.(Romans 8:28). So please if you feel the Lord pulling you in a particular direction do not run from him and make things harder on yourself go where he is leading it will be a blessing to you and those you are called to. I know there were times in my life I wanted to run away and not follow, it wasn’t until I got on the correct path that things started making sense. I would always run from my calling saying I couldn’t find a school to go to and earn my degree, then the Lord showed me an online school Liberty University which is where I completed my Bachelor’s in Religion and am now working on my Master’s of Divinity.

What do you need to stop running from?



Paul Horne is a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband, a father and expositor of Scripture. You can find more of Paul's writing at preachdatruth.blogspot.com

"Ceremony Before Sex" By Darian A. WIlliams

Would you rather be a leader or to follower?

Most would probably say leader, it is an obvious choice.  A leader is depicted as being strong, courageous, and assertive.  To be labeled any of these words would build confidence and faith in ones self.  Followers are sometimes depicted as a lesser adjunct.  The one who didn't have the strength, will, or power to position themselves above the norm.  True to a certain extent, but by whose definition?  As far the church is concerned; the sheep, the flock, we are, in a sense, incapable, weak, inferior, but inferior only to our leader, Jesus the Christ.  Let it be told, according to the Bible, He is the only one in whom we are inferior (Genesis 1:26).  That includes powers, principalities, things seen, made, and that will be made.  We, the church, already have a leader, someone who was and is strong, was and is capable, was and is God! We don't need anymore leaders, nor do we have to be leaders.  We just need to follow, to serve, to compliment, to represent our leader. Romans 12:1-2, tells us to not be conformed to the world, because the world is unsure of herself.  She changes with what is most common, most accepted or what feels right.  For example, nowadays sex is just sex, it's common place, it's casual.  You don't have to put on a 3 piece double breasted suit to approach it anymore, you can do that with a tank top, saggy jeans, scuffed sneaks and some dreads.  So as for the church, we don't need to follow the world 's example, we don't dim it or make light of it just because of what is going on around us. 

In my 12 years of salvation, I have seen this transformation.  The lack luster responses to the standards of God.  I have seen how casual we have become when it comes to approaching this subject.  And I was sick and tired of seeing and hearing about it.  That is why I wrote "Ceremony before Sex", my first internal composition.

 I am aiming to be an advocate for the sanctity and purity of the Body of Christ. I want to break down and build up, to encourage, to assist, to crack open the windows of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). 

Leaving the rest for you to decide if you want to take that route and open the window all the way.  If you are married, single, engaged, booed up, booed down, in between or even contemplating a relationship, this book is for you.

I ask not for your support for my sake but for the cause.  I need minds and mouths to get this accomplished.  If you read the book, tell someone about it, let them borrow it, or sow it to them and pray for change to occur.

Ceremony Before Sex, is on sale online now at amazon.com, barnsandnoble.com, and westbowpress.com. Search for it using the title, purchase it, and be open to the idea of investing in yourselves and others.

Thank you so much for your support.

Author, Darian A. Williams

I Quit

By Carla Marcelle

The infamous “I quit”, is a scary set of words when you know you have no sure fire backup plan to run to. I know all to well the negative connotation that others will begin to formulate on your behalf when they notice you have given up stability. Your stability, your 9 to 5, your 4 to 12, or in my case my 11:30 pm to 7 am, was how I provided for my family and maintained my lifestyle. That so called stability I sought, came at a heavy cost. I was always stressed out, and I didn’t have time to watch my little girl grow up. I lived an hour away from my job, and because of the time I got off in the morning it would take me almost 3 hours to get home due to rush hour traffic. It was crazy, because I would try so hard not to fall asleep behind the wheel, but I could often feel my brain shutting down on me, as my eyes would close. All these things were underlying reasons for wanting to quit my job, but the most pervasive reason was I was not satisfied.

I was not effective in the role I was playing in my work. Being in social services, I was not reaching those that needed me, and I was simply there to get a check, a check that was not sufficient enough to adequately make my ends meet. On my way to work, I would think, “Why am I going there”. At work I would think, “I hate this place”, on my way home I would have been so happy through my two hour commute if I didn’t have to focus on staying awake. 

When I got home I would sleep my day away, wake up at about 6 pm, cook dinner, go to work, come back home, and the cycle started all over again. I couldn't take it anymore. I knew this could not be the life I was destined to have. I knew whatever my purpose for being on this earth; this job did not fulfill it. I could not take care of my body the way I needed to, and I hated my life. This job, my stability, my income source, was ruining me daily. One day while at work, My supervisor called me into his office, and asked me “what is going on?” He said to me,  “My job was not being done effectively, and I may need to take some time off.” I stopped listening. Five minutes into the conversation, I began to cry, “I can’t do this anymore”. I handed him my keys, and went to my unit, packed up my belongings and proceeded to my car. On my way out, a coworker stopped me, and said you will make it, keep your head up.

As I began driving, I did not know what I was going to do, how I was going to provide for my child, or keep a roof over our head. But what I do know is that, I have purpose. I have destiny, and if I trust the creator, and not the things he created, I would make it. I knew I was victorious, and no weapon formed against me would prosper. I stepped out on a leap of faith. God's word reads:

Come to me, you who are tired and worried, and I will give you rest. Take up my work, and learn from me, for I am gentle and kind, and you will discover an abiding peace in your soul. My requirements are easy and the load you carry will be light. Matthew11:28-30, (TLB)

So as I cling to Gods word, and as I submit my self to him, that abiding peace fills my soul. I discover my true purpose, what makes me happy, the tools that are naturally imparted within me to accomplish the specific task I was put here to achieve.

Why should you spend your money for that which is not bread, or work for that which does not satisfy”. -Isaiah 55:2,

What does bread represent? Bread is your provision, your blessing, sustainability, and the bridge of cooperation between your work in the field, and the blessings bestowed to you from God.  Why should you work for that which does not satisfy? God said His requirements are easy, and your labor will be light. So in reality it only makes sense to do what your passion is. You will only have your peace doing what God has designed you to do. In completing your calling, you will be satisfied.

I have discovered great gifts I have for writing, helping people discover purpose, giving inspiration, and I have never been more satisfied. All my needs are met and I have been greatly blessed. I am able to spend time with my daughter and watch her grow. So yes, I quit my job, and gained life more abundantly, and realized I quit on Purpose. So the question is, are you satisfied?

Carla Marcelle is a Life Coach, Writer, and Contributor to BOLDJournal.