Write Something....a Love Letter to God!

Thank you God,  I love you

You've  covered me, 

when I needed protection.

You made me smile, 

when things were going wrong around me.

You sent the sweetness of your Spirit to lift me up,

when I was down.

You stirred a worship in my heart.

You never let us be apart.

Your love is so astounding to me.

You never leave or forsake me.

You wrap me in your everlasting arms.

You allow me to laugh 

and rarely to frown.

You send me Angels to pick me up.

Their smile, their joy, their talk, it pulled me out.

Your light, it brightens every crevice.

There is no shadow when you are around.

You overwhelm me with your love.

It swells my heart with emotion.

You created me to write something

And this something is for you.

Thank you God........I love you!

Friends - Not a tick box exercise!

What makes a great friend, a real one? The ones that know stuff about you....real stuff and they stay friends regardless. They are solid, dependable, honest, supportive not perfect...but real!

Let me introduce you to some of mine;


The Time Lord
A wonderful man of great truth and personal power. He is an effective listener. A truth advisor. He operates outside of time, inside time, behind time and ahead of time. He is innovative and dynamic. In my deepest pain, he stood like a silent commander awaiting a request to help, to support. When called he came promptly. When not, he respected my space. When he was moved, he created what was needed to display his feelings, his unspoken words, his heart.

'There's no time like the present' and he is a 'present'. Words cannot readily encapsulate who he is, his whole person. He is one of those friends who puts a smile on your face, even when he is not around. A friend to love as a brother no more or less. A gentleman. A real man.

'To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven'
(Eccelesiates 3:1 Bible)

In short: He is a musical beat, set at Maximum level.


Angel
Seen and unseen. The kind of friend who is always there but not everyone sees them. She encouraged, supported, counselled, helped...is she really real? Only she can tell us!
She brings messages of good news from near and far..and I don't mean gossip. She too always responds when called upon. She's not pushy. She can easily be hard like flint, yet soft as a flurry of feathers scented with Lavender all within a short space of time. She is the friend you call for coffee and a serious chat. She will sit with you while you unpick a dilemma. She supports whatever the outcome will be. She's a friend 'under construction' but has been a great friend regardless.

'The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.'(Psalm 34:7 Bible)

In short: She is an Angel who is still 'finding herself'. When she does, she will be dynamite!


The Bodyguard
Words fail me with this friend at the moment. Well, not literally of course. God put us together. Wow, Wow, Wow! What a power house she is. She is a sister, a tower of strength, a bodyguard. She is discreet, accomplished, funny, soft, highly trained, she is my safety net. I don't lean but sometimes i leap, and she's got my back. She can make herself available around the clock. She has family and is family.

'By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.' (John 13:35 Bible)

In short: She's tough with a soft centre. Need I say more...I don't think so.


Fashionista Evangelista
She loves Fashion. She loves souls. Her desire is that everyone is saved. She loves challenging boundaries whether in Fashion or as a believer.

She's cool, she's blond, she's not 'a bombshell', she's the bomb...1..2...3 Bang! A friend with a difference. She has Style, She has faith, She has conviction!

'And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.' (Luke 18:27)

In short: A sister who's an A-lister. She walks the red carpet and wants everyone to at least have the experience.


Ella Ganz
The prayer Diva. She prays with the style of the French. She is always fresh and new. She gives good counsel and equally a good listener. She is softly spoken with a direct approach when necessary. She has flair. She loves everything french. She will cover you in prayer at the 'drop of a hat'..a top hat (smile).

She cares. She will cry with you, then laugh with you, then she will sing to you. She can be still with you. She can write a poem in the silence of your thoughts. She is elegant, she loves colour, she loves luxury, she loves God.

She 'prays without ceasing' (1 Thessalonians 5:17 Bible)

In short: If you are in a mess...she will help you clean it up.


I thank God for making these beautiful people called Friends....my friends.
They along with my family have helped to make me who I am today. They love me, they challenge me, they support me, they frustrate me, they cry with me, they laugh with me, they have stood with me through the worst and best of times.

Q. Have you taken the time to give your friends a tribute?
Why not write a tribute to your 'real' friends or tell them face to face. They will love it and you will feel the love too.

'A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.' (Proverbs 17:17 Bible)

In short: My friends will be given this blog to keep, because I love them all. They are special people.


I describe...........you decide.

The Power of Silence

In this busy world...can you be silent?
Switching everything off and taking time away from everyone.


Here are ten ways to boost the power of silence;

!. Hear more................Listen

2. See more.................Look

3. Think again..............Reflect

4. Unpack the mind..........Clarity

5. Be still.................Quiet

6. Get ready................Anticipation

7. Sleep better.............Rest

8. Breathe deeply...........Peace

9. Review Relationships.....Simplify

10.Prepare to restart.......Refresh


The Power of Silence is to meet the YOU in YOU!


I describe................ .You decide

Love......It's unconditional!

Can we really give 'Unconditional Love'?
Do we know how to receive it?
Do we really understand it?

Some of us think we love unconditionally but..... do we?

Many times, what we think is unconditional love has conditions attached;

We love if..

• Our spouse is faithful
• Our partner has a job
• Our partner has money,  a house or a car
• Our children behave
• Our children get great exam results
• A person loves us back
• They are kind or protect us
• They promise not to lie to us
• They are good looking
• They are clean looking
• They are the same race, gender, age or religion as us
• They will be our friend
• They will call us back!

But unconditional love (also known as Agape Love) is.....

• Even if you never marry me...It may hurt but I'll understand eventually
• Even when you've been unfaithful.....Let's talk
• Even when you're unemployed or broke.....We can work it out
• Even when the children misbehave.... Everyone makes mistakes, what have they learnt?
• Even when you fail your exams....try again or try something different
• Even if no one loves me back... I will be loving
• Even if no one is kind or protective...I will be kind
• Even if you tell lies....Stop & be honest even if it's uncomfortable, you can do it!
• Even if you look dirty or are dirty.....Would you like help to get cleaned up?
• Even if you are of another race, gender, age or religion...Difference is a beautiful thing
• Even if you are my enemy......It won't stop be loving
• Even if you never call me back..

I love you!

THINK..on this!

Think....True
Think....Honest
Think....Just
Think....Pure
Think....Lovely
Think....Good Report
Think....Virtuous
Think....Praiseworthy


I was lying in my bed one morning, my mind was racing around as usual. It was normal for me to be constantly thinking. Yes, I know we all think but some of us are 'busy thinkers' - lots of activity..lots! Not necessarily 'smarter' but definitely faster! STOP!


BREATHE.....


I soon realised I was doing it again. I was arguing, debating with others in my mind abut a non-existent (had not happened yet!) situation.
'Think things through', that was an understatement in my head. I would think it through over & over again, sometimes with various permutations, sometimes with one. I had created a whole movie in my head. I had 'gone all the way down the road', 'ain't no stopping me now' kind of movement. 'Worst of all', the feelings that went along with that movie or permutation, came along with it, I felt them!
The reason i quote 'worst of all' is because they were not positive thoughts. I was in defence mode protecting my idea, opinion, point of view, my right!!

That morning, I was battling as usual and the thought came to me (as it had before) to 'stop, calm down', bringing my mind softly to peace. That's when the Bible scripture came up 'Think on these things (this can be found in Phillipians chapter 4:verse 8).

I looked at my thoughts and felt that they were not pure and lovely. They may have been true and honest but in whose world? only mine. Remember: Nothing had happened yet, only what I imagined could happen.

Wisdom: Of course, it is good to 'think things through'. It would be silly not to but we need to consider what filters we are using to do that. How do you think?

I feel i am a positive person but am I? I am a leader, I experience challenges most days at work, home and socially. I am not afraid to give my opinion and naturally there will be some people who have a different opinion.

I feel I am an 'open' person always trying to understand others and accepting others where they are. This too is a challenge. It challenges my own values, beliefs, thoughts and feelings.

Looking in the mirror, sometimes I can see myself clearly, sometimes I become aware of a part of myself and sometimes I cannot see myself at all. It becomes a new day of learning, awareness and accepting.

Accepting myself is easy when it is a nice trait or characteristic, for example, generousity, kindness, patience, empowerment BUT, when it is not so nice like anger, intolerance, impatience or judgement then accepting seems harder to swallow. Now, when I refer to 'accepting', I don't mean embracing, I mean acknowledging. I can then begin to adjust my thoughts, feelings and behaviour around those things. Sounds easy...'Yeah, easier said than done'.

What I began to understand, as many meditators do, was if I think on 'true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good, virtuous and praiseworthy things, my mind became calmer, less stressed. I learnt that I could have the same thoughts but rework the 'movie', creating the positive from the negative.

As in older photography processing - a photo was taken on a roll of film called 'a negative'. Once processed, it developed from a negative to a beautiful picture.

We can do this with our thoughts. Processing any negatives to beautiful pictures - true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good, virtuous and praiseworthy thoughts. It will bring us peace.

To obtain continuous peace of mind, the process is to be received, seen, heard, learnt, spoken, tried, lived....Do it! simply 'Think on these things'.




I describe.................YOU decide.

LEAP!....where there's a will.

Fear feels uncomfortable.
Fear make us stop, freeze, go slowly, turn back, doubt.
Fear breeds more fear.
Fear creates limiting beliefs
'I can't do that'
'They don't like me'
'I am set in my ways"
'I'm sorry I can't help you'
'Why me?.....please ask someone else'
'I've never done it before'
'I'm not experienced enough'
'Help me, I can't do it alone'
'What are you looking at?'
'It's no point speaking out'
'I don't feel like going there'
'It's too late - I'm too late'
'They won't employ someone like me'
'I'm not going to dance first'
'You talk to her' or 'You tell him'
'I keep the light on at night'
'I'm not wearing that'
'I don't know why I haven't started yet'
'I'm too young' or 'I'm too old'
'I'm a Man' or 'I'm a woman'
I'm black' or 'I'm white' or 'I'm.....'
'It's hard'
'I'm not interested'
I don't know...leave me alone'

Fear breeds more fear!

Fear is staying in the shadows
Fear is not reaching our potentials
Fear is controlling
Fear is frightening
Fear is numbing
Fear is silent

Fear is like a dead end street
Our potential....a faith leap!

Fear is not believing we can
Fear is not believing 'I am'
Fear is not using our will
Fear is demotivating and still

Fear breeds more fear!

BUT, where there's a will, there's a way!
Do you believe that?

'I will do this'
'I will do that'
'I will go here'
'I will go there'
'I will go everywhere'
'I want to go'

Really, Do we believe that?

'I will get that job'
'i will buy that house'
'i will, I will, I will'
Where there's a will, there's a way!

Fear breeds more fear
BUT, where there's a will, there's a way!
Really, Do we believe that?

'I will believe it'
'I do believe it....so, what's the next step?'

Proving it!

So, LEAP! 
One step at a time.




I describe....you decide

What do you see?

Blind from birth? Are you blind? well, if you are reading this blog of course you're not (I hear you say or should I say think?) but could you be and not realise it? Hmm

Extract 1/3: 'And as Jesus passed by He saw a man which was blind from his birth' - King James Bible John Chapter 9 verse 1.

What do you see? Do you see yourself? Can you see those around you? Can they see you? Being blind from birth is a long time, it feels final. There may be areas in our lives that we just can't see, until an experience 'opens' up our eyes...you know...those 'Aha' moments.

The more we interact with different people - different to us in gender, age, race, ability, disability, beliefs, sexuality, language and location, then we really begin to see ourselves and  those we come into contact with. What do you see?

Extract 2/3: 'And His disciples asked Him saying 'Master who did sin, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?'- verse 2

Who sinned? In the world of Christianity, this is a big question to ask. There are many 'churchgoers' or 'bible readers who would have an answer to that question. 'Yep, it was the man, he did something wrong' or 'Oh! it's from birth, so it must be his mother' or It's his father because it all comes from the male lineage' or finally maybe 'They weren't married, so God has punished them'.  How often do we decide we know what's wrong by what we see?Who sinned? Who did something wrong? Have you? What do you see?

Extract 3/3: 'Jesus answered, neither hath this man sinned nor his parents; but that the works of God should be made manifest in him' - verse 3

Neither....Nor! So Jesus (Leader of the Free World) said no-one sinned! No one did anything to cause this man to be born blind. No-one! Many non believers would agree with that statement. It would seem silly to think that someone did wrong...wouldn't it? But some would. Think about a time when something went wrong...were you able to identify who had done wrong? What if no one did anything wrong but something still went wrong..is that possible? This may all seem simple and straightforward but how many of us do exactly that...blame and make decisions based on what we see? Is it based on what you think or what you know? Has anyone ever accused you incorrectly? How does it feel? Do you still feel emotional about it even if it is in the past? Have you let go? Can you let go? What can you see?


Made manifest. When I read this part of the extract, I had always believed that because Jesus had healed the blind man, that this was the  resulting 'works of God' being 'made manifest'. In this case it was (most probably) but what about everyone else who has these challenges in life, visible or non-visible? 

One day while watching TV, I saw a young man who had no arms, talking about his life and the challenges he faced on a daily basis. After his talk, the young man moved to another stool and began to sing a song he had written. He also began playing the guitar with his feet. I cried while watching this and the 'blind man' extract came alive to me in a 'new way'. Here was a beautiful example of the 'works of God' being made manifest in that young man. He triumphed over his physical, mental and emotional challenges. It showed me and all the viewers who were able-bodied, what can be achieved if we only believe.

He was made to be an 'overcomer'. He was born to be a musician. He was born to be a singer-songwriter. He is married and he has released an album of songs. This young man may not have achieved all this if he was not physically challenged. What do you see?

What are you doing with  your challenges? 
Are you overcoming or have you been overcome by them? 
What have you been born to do? 
Are you succeeding?
Are you inspiring?
Are you living? 
Are you being?
Do you believe?

You can read the full extract for yourself in John - Chapter 9 verses 1 to 7. I used the Kings James version of the Bible but you can find a version that suits you best...there's loads out there.

Have an insightful week.



I describe............You decide!