“If” has been a perennial favorite at weddings (for example, as a first-dance song) ever since it was released. If” is a song written by American …
Bread “If”
Bread “If”
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Author Spotlight – Meet Erika Ruiz
Erika lives in the city of Silver Lake CA. A former teacher and daycare provider, she began to write books two years ago after noticing she kept sending parents to the library to pick up a book of a subject on what they were facing at home.
She realized she should just write her own books and explain it herself.
Now, 7 books have been birthed on real life challenges that children face.
You can find them on Amazon, kindle, Lulu, ingrams sparks, Barns and Nobles and her website Little Cositas Explore Here
Check out her You Tube channel for more information on her books and Strong Family Publishing.
Links to Amazon to purchase books👇🏻:
Women’s Group – NW Houston TX
If you live in NW Houston Texas area – join us Thursday’s 11 am – 1 pm! Contact us via email for more details.
Connect Deeper
Do you ever feel like you have that someone in your life … a parent … a sibling… a partner … a friend; that you seem to always be feeing like you are hustling for their approvals or acceptance or accolades or affections?
When we are craving deeper heart Connections and all we are getting is superficial surface fluff…it gets hard to not want to either hustle for affection or retreat with resentments.
Recently I watched two tables while out at a dinner meeting and it made me want to cry. One person was stuck with their face in the phone and the other one looked lost and deeply sad.
I too have been in others presence and watched as they engaged with others on their mobile while I sat silent feeling dished and excluded.
I too have been guilty and put my phone above my family and friends at times.
I try to practice time off my phone now. It’s a choice. I turn my phone off at a certain time and people know if I don’t respond I am on off time. They also know if they have a true emergency I can be reached by a special land line.
Trust me – there is not a call or text so important that it can’t wait till the morning.
I really struggled with this because I get calls, messages and texts from people I know and strangers contacting me for Ministry and Prayer needs. I have learned not to answer everything like a 911 call.
I will send an auto reply or explain I am not available at the current moment and will get back to them soon. Sometimes God does have me drop everything immediately for them.
We must learn to hear God and let Him direct and guide us and not let the ding of our devices control us.
We should not have to hustle for the attention or affections of others.
If you are with people that are tied to the telephone – may you have the boldness to ask them – Can we connect without distractions today? And I pray they hear you. But if they don’t want to do that, I pray God brings you the people that think you are pretty dang special and worthy to put their phones away for.
Don’t make people hustle for your attention. Put that phone away and start to connect deeper.
~ XXOO Michelle
We All Need Honesty
This weeks #SongSunday is by Stars Go Dim. The song is You Are Loved.
Check out the video and pay attention to the lyrics.
~ XXOO Michelle Bollom
The Invisibles
I see them wherever I go
Watching
Waiting to be seen
Hungry
Hurting
Lean
Zero!
They are not invisible to their King
Every isle I’m on
Every light unknown
Longing to be paid attention to
Like a dog they wait!
Human beings overlooked
Against the wall
Wallpaper
Anonymous
Paralyzed
Disfigured
The mess we’ve made
Their voice stripped away
Vocal cords cut
From dismay
The silent screams silenced
You know, the walking dead
Your neighbors that you don’t like
Your family you disregard
The molested hidden inside the present
Yes, you get it
Some of us… lived it
These beautiful ones
Their brokenness poured all over His feet
He received their offering
Made it a story for us all to see
Mary. Mother. Mankind.
Visible only to Jesus Christ
His followers forgiving
themselves for blindness.
~Krystal Lynne
The Invisibles
How Fleeting My Life Is
Show me, LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. (Psalm 39:4-5 NIV)
Do you ever get busy or take for granted how precious the very breath of life is?
I still get consumed in the awe of life. Yet, at times, I find myself living as if I have forgotten that I am not guaranteed tomorrow. Being present, in each moment, can be difficult . . . even with the greatest intention.
Deadlines, chores, kids, running to this and that, daydreaming about the next chapter in my life, you name it, I forget that my time is as quick as the next breath I take in.
I get busy and complacent and there are many things I don’t do that I should. Even so, God, here with his merciful heart, reminding me just how fast my life has been. He has a way of showing me how important it is to stop, look around, observe, and take it in.
Lord, you are the author and the maker of life. You have given it through your mouth and also by your son. Forgive me when I am not mindful of the greatest gift and gently pull me closer to where it was designed. I am thankful for every day and every breath that is yours. In your precious Holy name, Amen.
~ Baring His Beauty,
Tiffany Thomas
Sharing Your Faith
I was in Los Angeles last week looking at colleges with my daughter and some friends. California has an amazing climate surrounded by beautiful beaches and little mountains. It is always fun to meet new people in new places that you visit.
On our last day I finally got some alone time with God by the pool. It’s a bonus when you get to have a meeting with God by the pool and it’s 70 degrees in June. No sweat, all glory!!
I sat down and did my regular soak. BTW, this in no way involved getting wet. It involves just being still with open ears. You can start by listening to some worship music, mediating on a scripture verse and writing down any inspirational thoughts that home to mind.
I was asking God the best way that I can make a difference in someone’s life especially the ones you just meet and you only have such a short time to make any kind of impact.
I asked and He answered. I wrote down my thoughts as they streamed through my mind as fast as I could.
Here is a sneak peak into what He said to me written in first person as a personal letter to me.
Now, I don’t typically share all my soak notes with just anyone. They can get kind of personal.
By sharing, I hope it helps you to know that you too can hear from God and He delights in chit chatting with you.
My question:
How do I affect people that are lost and don’t know you, God?
The more time you spend with me the more we become one Spirit. I will spill over to others through you. It’s not an attempt for you. It’s not even an action you make. It’s a dwelling that just is.
I am that I am and you are because I am.
You become what you are. You’re time spent with me fills you with love, joy, peace, goodness, kindness, patience and self-control.
Peace becomes your step.
Joy becomes your song.
Love becomes your stance.
My delight is in you and your delight in me becomes you.
It’s not a performance for you.
It’s a passion in you.
This spills over into a desire to delight in others and they SEE Me not you.
This is how you affect others.
It’s the simple acts of kindness that turns the hearts of man to me.
It could be your one act of kindness that helps turn the page to a new chapter for someone to discover their own Author and Creator.
Here we are at a Starbucks in Hollywood Blvd and Highland Park with two new friends who were an honor to pray with and discuss about how amazing our God is to us all. The paradoxical thing about that night: You think you are affecting them in a positive way, but it turns out they end up blessing you in more ways than one. God meets us right where we are even if it’s smack dab in the middle of great disobedience, rebellion or disbelief. We as believers have the ability to meet others where they are and remind them they are created for so much more than they could ever imagine.
Hebrews 13:2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.
Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;
Soak On,
Kelley Allison
*for more explanation on how you too can learn how to be still and know God on a deeper level check out
http://www.bowlofsplendor.com
Go to The Soaking 101 page
Restoration Stories – Joann Carpenter
I have walked with some of the shadiest characters–drug cartels and drunken fools–and put those closest to me in danger to witness my own twisted downfall.
I’ve suffered near death experiences through abuse from the hand of man and my own choices- I am only alive because of the Father.
After hitting my knees crying out to the Father “Help me I can’t do this anymore,” HE, after allowing me to walk 24-years in rebellion, addiction and tragedy, stopped time and reached inside of me and pulled 24 years of victim mentality, addiction (smoking cigarettes and pot, drinking, occasional cocaine, and sexual desires) right out of me. YHSVH began at an accelerated rate restoring all that the enemy has taken and multiplied His goodness.
After the Angel of The Lord came to me in 2011 revealing who I was as a prophet and oracle, He began to train and equip me for the revealing of this position, laying a foundation for what was to come. I have been anointed and equipped with the honor to serve the King of kings, Lord of lords, opening the blind eyes, deaf ears and command the lame to walk into the deeper, hidden mysteries of heaven, revealing our true identity. It is here, His original blueprints over our lives and all of creation manifest on earth as it is in heaven.
I am a sister, mother, daughter, wife, YHSVH (Jesus) friend, minister, Kingdom Dweller, Son(position) of G-d, Author of a New upcoming book “NAVIGATING THE ASHES-Discovering Your Blueprints”, owner of Arising Sons of God and public speaker. I operate from the Government of Heaven as an administrator/legislator—All for the advancement of the Kingdom of Heaven, as it is all about Him and His Glory to be revealed. All of Him, none of me.
Some Scriptures I really love:
He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.” Matthew 13:52 NIV
For in Him we live and move and exist [that is, in Him we actually have our being], as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children Acts 17:28 AMP
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 KJV
If you would like to sow into what YHVH is doing reaping what you sow, then I encourage you to visit my webpage mentioned below.
To contact me, donate-trade via “Paypal” or read “Joann’s Blog’s” see website:
*If you prefer to write a check, make checks payable to:
Joann Carpenter
P.O. Box 1791
Mt. Vernon, WA 98273
Earnestly
ear·nest·ly
ˈərnəstlē/
adverb
with sincere and intense conviction; seriously.
Love is serious business-seriously!
~ XXOO Michelle Bollom
Restored People Community 