God...The Center

*Deep Breath*

Okay, several deep breaths. I've been thrown off course more so than ever for the last couple of months. Many things have happened towards the end of last year and honestly I'm not one to dwell on situations. Saying that, it also means that I am not one to always confront situations, because I rather them be left alone. But of course that's not always wise. I've allowed my world to become greater than God. Allowed it to sour my mood and control my emotions. I've also been denying and covering it up with hurt smiles and angry laughs. Nothing really genuine. I've been walking around as if everything is okay, as if all is well with me. I'm tired. Tired of it all. As soon as I completed that thought, the verse gets pushed in the forefront of my mind "Come to me and I will give you rest". No one but God. No one but Jesus. NO ONE. 

I've been walking around praying scared prayers, timidly coming to the Father. Pushing away what I know I need. For what!? Like some BIG BANG is going happen to simply change the situation 360. Not saying that it can't, because God is God and He does what He pleases. 

" Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." -Hebrew 4:16

 It's all a process, a season, a "through" that we all have to endure. The thing is with me, is that I know better. I truly do, I've been in that place where I've walked with God hand in hand and His voice is what lead me in the directions. Then what happens is I get in my own way. I get stubborn and tell God, oh I got it, I'll call you when it's that one thing that I can't push. But see, it's all wrong. God is an all inclusive God. He's the first, the last, the in-between, all over God. In being real, I don't think I do it on purpose, but I do let my environment and my situation dictate and remove me from the hands of God at times. Instead of telling my problem that my God is greater than it and that I will overcome it, I skedaddle to a little "me" corner and let it consume me.

I created the image above to remind myself that God is the center of my life. He's the giver of my heartbeat. The one that allows me to wake up every morning with His grace and mercy washing over me EVERY day. It represents that in all those categories that He has precedence. He is there all throughout, not only in the beginning, but also at the end.

At any point when one thing feels like it is weighing you down, try and inspect the position that it is in your life. Is work stressful? Is God at your job? Are you seeking Him in your right now season? Are you praying for God's Will  fro each relationship, your family, each situation? Not only are we seeking, but are we simply getting in His presence? God likes it when we are all up in His face. Jesus being at the center of my life, gives me that balance. Not saying  that some days one thing won't be heavier than the next, but you should always know that when you go back to your center or keep God at the center entering every situation there's that balance. He's that balance that keeps your tongue from ripping your fellow sister or brother into tomorrow. He's that balance that keeps you from going over the edge. Thank God there's no limit with Him. There is only freedom.

I'm grateful for the chance to be able to write this, as it has been somewhat heavy on my heart. I know I haven't been where I needed to be, so I thank God for taking me back every time. Life happens to us everyday, just remember that God is greater and is with us through life happening. So what are we choosing to let happen to us?

With Love and Blessings,
Daphne

{Church Notes} Growth

Pastor Carl Lentz; Hillsong NYC 

In the spirit of the holidays Pastor Carl has been teaching/preaching a series of "'Tis the season". In continuation of this series, Robert Ferguson preached a sermon 'Tis the season To Grow. This message couldn't have come at a better time in my life. A time where my relationship with my boyfriend has ended. A time where my relationship with Christ is being mended. A time where I have to make decisions in my life concerning me. A time where I need to just grow up. Below are my church notes from yesterdays sermon. Hope this blesses you as much it has me.

Preacher: Robert Ferguson

Sermon Title: 'Tis the Season: To Grow

If you have to be persuaded to move, maybe you are not alive
Living things move; Living things reproduce, the bear fruit
If you have to be persuaded to tell your story maybe you have forgotten that you have been forgiven

All living things grow, we are called to grow

"Tis the season to grow: God has called you to grow"

Luke 7, Mark 4:8 Seeds in good soil grow

Psalm 92:19

What growth looks like
Ephesians 4:15-17

God is the grower
-Growth is Godly
-Growth is effortless
Connected with Christ you just naturally do things like Christ
-Growth is daily
Acts 6:5
-Growth is necessary
Luke 13

3 seeds that do not bear fruit:
1. Fall on the Path-has no understanding, 
2. fall on the rocks-has no roots,
3. falls on thorns - had no focus

1. Know what you have
2. Receive what we can - psalm 92
3. Do what we must

Do you have a real, personable, current relationship with Jesus?

xoxo,

Daph

Church Notes: It's All About the Give #noitsnotitsallaboutthetake

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"Giving horrific to Jesus and taking everything good from Him" -Pastor Carl Lentz

God has been and is so good to me, that it would be selfish of me not to share His word. So for my benefit and hopefully yours, I will begin a new series on the blog called "Church Notes"; where I will share my church notes from any and all services that I attend during the week. Today's blog is from Tuesday's night EBS (Exchange Bible Study). There were two messages spoke that night and both were awesome. However, today's post will be about "It's all about the give #hashtag no it's not, it's all about the take". This message was randomly brought to us from our Pastor Carl Lentz who just finished co-officiating a wedding. I hope you receive a word from this message as I did.


First of all, I was on the fence about going, but of course we know that in this life nothing is a coincidence. So after picking up my batter from the 14th Street Sprint store, I headed up to 22nd St and 4 ave where Tuesday's night service was to be held. Honestly, my body was in service, but not my mind or my spirit. I sang the songs, I closed my eyes for prayer and I took notes from the first word. There were so many questions going on in my head: "Should I stay with my job?", "Is D the right one?", "Should I move back to Miami?". I mean my thoughts were shooting a mile a minute. Then Pastor Carl came up and was like, "we're going to take a 5 minute break, then I will preach and take some questions." Nothing in me wanted to leave, I just needed to be around God's presence and anything that would take me there I was going to stay. So 5 minutes later Pastor Carl begin the preach and God was clearly speaking through him to me. Every single question I had was answered, giving me hope and assurance that He has heard my prayers. See for yourself what Pastor meant about "it's really all about the take".

When Fear Cripples your Faith

When Fear Cripples your Faith 

Choked up in your lungs

Trying to catch your next breath

Held tight in your heart unrelenting of blood

Gazing into space because

Your pupils blacked out

Decisions, choices, worry

Creeps into your space

Like a thief in the night

Stealing your sanity

That is being held by a piece of thread

Ripped from the shirt off your back

You’re held hostage

To the unknown of the next minute

Trying to exert a simple breath from

Your chest capacity

Yet held in the known

The comfortable

The contentment

When Fear cripples your Faith

It arrest your dreams, hopes, & possibilities

It attempts to fade away the Blessed, Redeemed, and Delivered

It shades and fogs and mystifies perception

It tackles the grace of God, the unmerited favor

That God has over your life

When Fear tries to cripple your Faith

Risk the known fear for the unknown of Faith….. 

-Divine Beauty 

Your Name is Higher, Your Name is Greater {Worship}

So yesterday at church, the worship team ushered us in the presence of the Lord with  this song. The title is "Anchor" by Hillsong and it is on the Glorious Ruins (Live) Album. The lyrics are:

I have this hope 

As an anchor for my soul 

Through every storm 

I will hold to You 

With endless love 

All my fear is swept away 

In everything 

I will trust in You 

Chorus: 

There is hope in the promise of the cross 

You gave everything to save the world you love 

And this hope is an anchor to my soul 

Our God will stand 

Unshakable 

Unchanging One 

You who was and is to come 

Your promise sure 

You will not let go 

Repeat Chorus 

Coda: 

Your Name is higher 

Your Name is greater 

All my hope is in you

Your word unfailing 

Your promise unshaken 

All my hope is in you 

As we go about our day remember that our hope is in Jesus Christ. Not a job, not a friend, not a guy, not our parents, but Jesus. I know sometimes we get caught up in life and we feel like we have to take on all the stress and worries on our own, but know that God is our Anchor. He alone holds us grounded. No amount of sin, no amount of stress, no amount of worry can shake God. And as Christ as our foundation we too stand unshakable. 

Happy Monday,

Divine

Spiritual Sanity {Fasting Day 20}

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For the past 20 days I have embarked on a 40 day fast. This is my first time doing a 40 Day one on my own. I've done fast's before while I was in Texas collectively with my church, however this is my first one by myself. I am currently following the Agape Worship Center Prayer, Fasting and Devotion that I found online here. Wherever that they have specific pertaining to their church I just insert my church information along with theirs.

Take Me to the King..because He is the Same God & He is Awesome {Now Listening To}

So last night I was finally able catch up with Celebration of Gospel that aired like 2 weeks ago and I LOVE IT! Below are some of the artist that performed along with the songs that they performed. It's just refreshing about the realness of each song. Tamela Mann speaking the truth on how we can get tired sometimes, tired of doing chuch, then Tye hit's up with "If He Did it before, He can do it again, the Same God right now, is the same God back then". And finally Charles Jenkins and crew delivers and AWESOME song. These songs have been on repeat all through the day while I've been at work. Simply Amazing. God is......

Tamela Mann - Take me to the King

In my Head...

Currently, these are the thoughts in my head, things I want to do, accomplish, attain, and simply be. 2013, yes this is my year.

-Divine

Grace-Filled

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According to Merriam-Webster, Grace is:

a: unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification

b: a virtue coming from God

c: a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace

Grace...oh the unmerited favor of grace. The undeserving, given every morning blessings of grace. When I first thought of this post, I wanted to talk about being grateful in the mist of adversity, I am still going to touch on that for a moment, but then I thought about how Grace-filled I am. Every morning I wake up, God has given me a new dose of grace and mercy for the day. He hasn't subtracted because of what happened yesterday nor because of what will happen tomorrow. Like fresh breath in the morning, He is there with grace, showering me, filling my day to the brim. How can I not be thankful, grateful for what He has done.

Since Hurricane Sandy hit, it has put some strain in my work place. There has been some interesting things happening because of the stress that has been placed on us from being displaced from out normal working environment. The past couple of months I have really learned a lot about myself in the corporate world and especially the last couple of weeks. At one point I had to pause and ask God for humbleness because you don't ever want to be prideful in certain situations. When I look back now, God has graced me with His presence sometime I am not even aware, but because of who He is in my life I was able to remain calm in certain situations. Now, I am only human, so I did have moments of frustration and want to snatch someone up, but then I thought, "You know what God, thank you for allowing me this job, not so that I can snatch someone up, but that I can be a better person". It is not easy to work in a place where everyone wants to be the chief and no one wants to be an Indian; No matter how big or small the task is. 

All in all, I am grace-filled. Every morning, God favors me, He has people talking about me considering promotions and other positions  My pastor in TX would say, "Your gift will make room for you, and that you don't have show off anything". So, yes I keep being the person that God has made me to be and He will continue to open these doors for me. 

As we wake up each morning, remember that He didn't have to breathe life back into us, but He did anyway. He didn't have to allow blood to flow through our veins, but He did anyway. He didn't have to allow us to use our hands and feet without assistance, but He did anyway. Get my drift? His grace and mercy and new EVERYDAY. He didn't have to, but He wanted to and for that...I am grace-filled and grateful. We could all be in a different place...But GOD.

Love,

Divine

Open Doors {Relationships}

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With the New Year at our beck and call, well actually alive and pushing I'm having a blast so far. 2013 was received at my home church with my mom and that oh so awesome Soup Jou mou (Ask about it!) which I still don't know how to make....yet! Any who after church I spent some time with the uhm...uh..boo. We're still in the talking phase with an exclusive understanding. We know we want to go further and that this is long term situation.

 I called this post Open Doors because in relationships not only do I believe that men should be gentlemen and open doors, but that there should be open doors so that there is an acceptance of new ideas, truths, and everything else that comes with love. Now that there is a mister in the picture (aww that almost ryhmed...hehehe) and we've both expressed our love for each other, I am really praying for Open Doors, spiritually,  mentally, emotionally and all the other -ally's.I am praying that we are able to seek God's guidance  in each step we take with each other, that God will be the strength that holds us together. Even when we fall, because we will fall, that we are able to get up and walk over and through what it is that tries to block us.

I really want this brewing love between us to not only work, but to prosper, to be be an example to others. I pray, LORD I pray that the things that trouble and bother him be given to you, so that he can find rest and a peace in his spirit. Those things that are not of you and that are blocking you from entering in, may he conscientiously give them up. May your strength overcome our weakness.

[I had an entirely different thought for this post, however sometimes you can't stop the fingers from what the mind is telling it to write]

To my young Queens and Princesses pray for your Love. Ask for an understanding so that confusion nor fear enter into your relationship. Lift him up before the Father and see your words manifest before your eyes.

Love,
Divine

Ode to 2013

This is for you 2013

While 2012 was quite an adventure

I look forward to the days of 2013

to the nights filled with Worship, sweet words, and love abundantly

to 2013 where the possibilities are endless

and the opportunities never cease to exist

To challenges, to truth, to overcoming

of my down falls

to showing him Christ with love

gentleness, and a sound mind

to expressing deeply how I love him

thru action, and execution

To opening my heart, my mind, my soul

to what God has intended for me

everyday of 2013

Though I am no where near perfect

I aim to get closer to God

striving to walk side by side

in each area of my life

with Him leading the way

and me in the background following dutifully

Trusting with ALL my heart, mind, and soul 

that everything that God has for me will indeed come to fruition

In the past year I prayed for companionship, a friend, a one

one whom God had set aside for me

2013 I pray that my one will open his heart and receive

what it is God has for him, that our relationship

gets deeper and that we can stand firm

on the Rock which is Christ.

to 2013

I will laugh more

maintain stability, become financially free

live each day as if it was my last

however faithfully knowing that my tomorrow

is in the hand of the creator

2013, I pray for an understanding

of my purpose and a strong courage to follow

in HIS Perfect WILL

I pray for an explosion of creativity

and the execution, action, and foot forward

of every idea in my mind

to success in work, life and love

and to the death of over-thinking-analyzing-and creating stories

in my female mind

2013, this is to you

Positive thinking, healthy eating, love & liberation.

May everyday be a resolution to live, love and laugh. May truth flow from us freely and love overwhelm our spirits. I thank God for another day, another year, another moment to do things differently, love freely, and not over think life. He is my creator and knew me before I knew myself. 

Happy New Year fam.

Hard Love {Relationships}

Love should never be hard to do. Hard to have, be, nor hard to express. Yet, here I am in a "Hard Love" situation. We have misconstrued what love is by trying to live through the fantasies of books, TV shows and movies. And then disappointment happens, when our love doesn't end up like Disney Princess stories. The world have lied to us many times about love and how it should be, or at least what they think it should be. Clearly stated in the Greatest book known to us, is that God is Love. HE Love us so much that He gave His only SON, to die for us. Who would honestly allow man to slay their only child? What a God we serve. God's love for us is unconditional. Without conditions. Without preconceived notions. Without bias. Without limit. Without the fear of the unknown.

When I uttered the words 'I Love You' doors opened up to a world I tried to keep away from. With each word that pressed thru my lips, my heart broke off a chip that held on from fear and hurt. When I exhaled my sentiments into your ears, I thought I would have opened doors of bliss and comfort truth, but instead I opened doors of criticism and blame, hurt from your past, that is not mind to carry, but here I am trying to love you with all your faults. I am just human, the child of God, unable to carry such weight. It is not mine to have, please spare me anymore hurt, anymore blame, anymore fear of what I do not know. Christ died, so that your insecurities can be taken away. He died, so that you can be free from your past, and all of your evil ways. Don't get stuck in between what use to be and what is. Call it out and claim freedom. When I stepped into the words 'I Love You' I grabbed a hold of you, hoping that you will see the Love that only Christ can be.

Sometimes we are captured by this misconception of what Love is. Love is free from revenge. Love is your voice I hear on the other end of the line, feeling as if you are next to me even though I know you are truly thousand miles away. Love is forgiving you for hurting me immaturely. I am a vessel filled with this Love, but my love can't go through bricks of pride and ego, it can't go through cement blocks of hurt and fear, it will not go through shattered glass of your past. As much as I want to love you, hard love I cannot do. I was once emotionless to you, but from the second 'I Love You' left my lips, emotion-filled is what I became for you.

I look at the moments and think, this can't be it. Distance will never be a reason why I can't love you the way I should love you nor me.

This is for you Love. Clear to everyone, clear as day. See it how you will, but I wasn't born to be Hard Loved. I don't know why you love me, but I do know that I can't sit around waiting for you to find out. I'm all the way in, that is........until you shut me out. And right now, I'm feeling pushed out. So, baby clear as day are these words from me to you. Take them as you will. I refuse to be Hard Loved. Love should never be hard.




****Walking away is never easy when your heart is open and free, but walking away is needed when you heart is too open and needs to be free****

From: Me
To: Him

Worship: "I Surrender" - Hillsong

Because I feel like it......

Yes, because I felt like writing. Writing to ease this tension, anxiety, frantic sense that has been surrounding me this week. I've been feeling all sorts of ways that I can't explain. Like the feeling of neediness. I told a friend of mine that he's neglecting me and he called me a brat. Maybe I was being a brat, but all I wanted was to hear his voice. (Is that too much to ask?) Anyways, he ended up calling and it was a temporary high that only made me want him physically  there with me. But I digress.

I don't really get too personal on my blog when it comes to relationships and such, but then again I am trying to live a transparent lifestyle, which isn't easy of course. And today I just wanted to write. So whatever comes of this post is meant to be here. Judgement or no judgement. Since October started, I feel like more productivity should be in place for setting up my present as well as my future. Realigning my goals, plans, and seeking His guidance in it all. People this life is not easy, but when you stick it through you come out on top and you look back and smile, rejoice because you see how far you have come.

I am always attempting to be a better me, fighting against my old way, trying to lay foundation for the better things, but it's not easy. Gotta stick it through, be disciplined. My thoughts are all kind of over the place, because that's exactly how they are in my mind. Running rapid and sometimes running into each other.

JESUS!

Sometimes that all I can say, call on Him. There is a peace that falls over me, when I call on the name of Jesus. Strengthening power when He is at the forefront of my thoughts. Aligning together all the things that want to take over my mind, conquering them one by one. Jesus. The calm in the raging storm that wants to take over my body. Jesus. The comforter that caresses my soul when my body deceives me. Jesus. The truth  that holds no judgement of my hypocrisy. Jesus. The love that holds my hands, looks me in my face, and whispers in my ear. Jesus. Oh Jesus. The power within that overcomes the attacks of the enemy, that tries to entrap us every minute of every hour of every day. JESUS. The quiet release of the tension, the fear, the anxiety, the persecution, the loneliness, and the self-destruction. Jesus. The corrector of all my faults, my wrongs, my sins. Jesus. The true lover of my soul.

Many of times I have these epiphany where I have the concrete solution to the problem, but there's like cement on my legs preventing me from acting on the solution. Jesus be the help, be the motivation, be the courage.

As I slowly take deep breaths, close my eyes and surrender. I am nothing. Nothing more then just pure dust collected in form for His Glory. So may the things that I say, and do be reflections of God goodness in me. Sometimes that view is tainted because of our self infliction's BUT GOD.

So friends, do today what yesterday did not produce and what tomorrow we will not find to do.

Love always,
Daph

Breaking Chains

I am bound up by the conformity of this world, pairing me with the next curly haired girl with dark skin, plump lips and heavy hips. I am choked up by the co-dependence of independence of the guy hitting on me with his eyes, mind, and night time comprise. Chains shall be broken, that change may take place. Harm, hurt, nor failure be intentions of the everlasting Savior. For chains were broken when He spoke and uttered the words "Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3). - Daphne Eugene

Source: Google

Lately a lot have been going on, mainly in my work place. I choose to leave the name and company out due to discretion, not like many people read my blog that much any way, YET. People have been coming, people have been leaving. More responsibilities give not much communication, but heavy expectation. Not everyone can deal with change, but many time change also brings growth. With these up and coming new responsibilities that I have slowly evolved into, I fee like chains have been broken. The first link has been shattered to allow me to grow into who God wants and need me to be as part of His Grand design.

• If we look back at the first book, God broke up; separated land from water, and found it to be good. (Genesis 1:9-10)
• Farmers dig up; break up soil to plant seeds, in which turns into fruit and vegetables, producing good things.
• The common phrase coming from women who are at that stage in pregnancy "My water broke", then coming out a baby, a good thing.
• Lastly, an egg. In any way we put it, boiled, or just broken to be scrambled etc, even the coming out of a chick or any other animal.... brokenness, change, good thing (FOOD) lol. 

So with the changes that are happening all around me, chains are being loosed, barriers and being broken, and seals taken apart. In turn making room for growth and new good things to come. We shouldn't be afraid of change, we should strive to embrace it, accept it, and move freely in it. My pastor in Texas reminds us when it comes to the promises of God, that God does not give us a vision without provision. So may we break the chains of fear, worry, and doubt and move into new territory claiming it as our own!

There's a song by Israel New Breed that I love and it says, "No limits, No boundaries, I see increase, ALL around me, Break Forth...."

Lord I pray for a releasing of your strength to whomever read these words. That they may be empowered to break the chains and accept the breaking in their lives, that we may become new creatures in you. For in you brokenness is good. In Jesus name....Amen.

Be Still

“Develop my ability to discern your will and energize me to do things that are pleasing to you.”

                                                                                                                              – Jon Walker

In the short span of my morning I have read a couple of articles that for me all had a reoccurring theme of stillness and hearing God’s Voice, doing things that are pleasing to Him.

I tend to have my thoughts all over the place, sometimes when speaking and often times when writing. I just want to get it all out before it’s forgotten. So forgive me now, if along these lines there is no cohesiveness.

I read an article this morning written by Russell Simmons about meditation and clearing the mind. When the mind is clear even if it is for a mere 20 minutes, you are able to set things in order for the day. I think the art of meditation is something that everyone should get into before and after each day. Setting up your day on the right foot leads to success in every facet of that day. Then after it is all said and done, at the end of the day winding down with worship music or literally sitting still for a moment going over the day and emptying out the mind helps you to ease into a more relaxed state of sleep. I am yet to be there, in a place where I can wake up and take 20-minutes to organize my thoughts and thank the creator.  I am one who cherishes sleep. Not that I don’t Thank God for waking me up each morning and giving breath, I just do it while I’m walking to the shower, taking it, getting dressed and running out the door. I do it while I’m walking to the train station and marveling at his wonders as I pass under trees and clear blue skies. I’m just a natural multi-tasker. Anywho, for the next couple of days I am going to TRY and wake up a couple of minutes earlier than usual and try to find peace in the midst of car horns and sirens.

Psalm 46:10 says, ‘Be Still and know that I AM GOD’

Simple?  Obviously for us humans, it’s easier said than done. Being still means that you are whole heartedly placing your trust in God’s hands and definitely HIS timing. As there begins to be a shift in seasons in my life, I am trusting God to show me and tell me (really remind me) of His Will for my life. What it is that He has destined for ME.

So join me and be still for 20 minutes and allow God to wash over His Peace, His Love, His Grace, His Mercy. Him.

It is in the stillness of my universe that God speaks. When my mind is clear from worry of tomorrow, clear from doubt of what people will say, clear from fear of the unknown, and clear from debris that life brings. It is then that He Speaks. 

-Divine Beauty

Year 26: Boss Tendencies::Know Thyself

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Who are you? 

I finished typing that question above and then the line to continue typing just kept staring back at me flashing, waiting for me to answer the question. A mocking “Well? Who are YOU” resonating with each flash.

Automatically when someone ask me Who am I, I respond with a confident “I am the daughter of a King, destined for great things” of course with reference to Jeremiah 29:11. {Insert Verse here}. Every morning we wake up we are reassured simply by the air of breath we took within that second. Everyone is not privileged to have seen the day, yet because Christ loves us and He knows that he is not through with us yet, we get to see yet another day.

This segment of my blog “Year 26: Boss Tendencies” will be about my chronicles of being 26 years of age and going through life. Really pursuing the facets in life I would like to change, improve, and even get rid of; things such as my finances, health, food, crafts, relationships, and more. So I figure the first post in this series should always begin at the beginning with the foundation of knowing who you are. Being able to look back at where I’ve been I can understand who I am in the present and who I would like to be in the near future.

Boss Tendencies for me is simple: becoming a lady. Everyone woman is not a lady. But every lady is a woman. There are some things that I like to hold on to which makes my life a little easier, but then again I can get a little too comfortable. For instance make-up…..not a big fan, but when I do put it on it does make a statement. I want to be able to know different ways of applying it especially for the different seasons in life.

At 26, a shy month away from my one year anniversary of graduating with my MBA in Operations, and making a major move to NY, I am tired of what seems to me no progress. However, I have learned to accept my accomplishments and strive for new goals, because I know that once I put my mind to it, it can and will happen. So let the fun begin, and I hope that you will jump on board while we ride Year 26.

Christ-like

Hey Beauties,

"Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus live. -1John 2:6"

We all know and understand that Jesus is the sinless and perfect son of God, yet the Bible advises us to "live the same life Jesus lived". Some adjectives that describes Christ life are humble, servant, healer, preacher, teacher, loving, kind, giving, and endless amount of other words. How can we walk like Christ?

As I wake up each morning graced with breath in my body, I pray that I won't sin or cause my Father pain....honestly sometimes I don't think I try hard enough. In my opinion sin is so much easier to just fall into, however God holds us at a higher standard. He knows temptation will come, but he gives us the tools and weapons that fight off these temptations. Knowing that "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (flesh), but they are spiritual. Worship:spiritual. Prayer:Spiritual (We must pray how? In spirit and in truth). Another weapon:Praise, others include exaltation, proclamation, fasting. It's fierce out there. Dealing with other personalities, and moods, and their issues, their mistakes, their failures, their lack of sleep, we have to deal with their lack of Starbucks caffeine. But when we use our weapons of prayer, worship, praise their becomes ours in a way. The way of understanding. Christ took all of petty, ignorant, troubles and never did He give us an attitude about it.

Christ-like.....

Jesus was always talking with God. Taking time away to spend time with the Father. In that way He was clear on what His task was, His purpose on this Earth. There are sooooooo many ways that we can spend time with God, it's crazy how we waste the time we have. Because God is everywhere, He is with us always. We take God where we want Him. He's a gentleman and will not push His way into your life. We can read the Bible, and there should be NO excuse. To why we don't have a Bible. We all have or most of us have computer access via home and especially our phones. And I know there's and app for that! I'm not preaching in no form or way, honestly I'm writing as an outlet. I have a Bible and an app on my Blackberry, and honestly I don't read my Bible (either of then) as I should. I'm a work in progress. But it is available, worship....that right there needs a posts or several of em in it's self. Worship is the purest form of intimacy between us and God.

Christ-like

I know I don't always end Up doing things that Christ does, but 1 thing for sure is that I am determined to chase and try again and again to get closer to Him. Trying harder to do better every chance I get. To know better is to do better. Sometimes I look over my life and feel like a hypocrite, cuz I'll write encouraging texts, status's an tweets. Most of the time though is because I need it as much as the next person. It's not easy, but it is well worth it. I can honestly say that at a time in my life I was on one accord with the Holy Spirit...and I am trying to get back to that. Where God and I would have grand conversations, smile and laugh together....oh what I would give up for life like that again.

My prayer tonight is that the Lord would forgive me, clean me white as snow, clean hands and a pure heart, wash me over and purify 7x70 times. In Jesus Name....Amen.

Blessings
-Daphne

God, I and Life

As I sit here outside my apt enjoying the view and sound of my neighborhood from my porch, I ponder on my life. I woke up this morning and wanted to stay in bed, well I did stay in bed reading a romance novel til about 2pm. I figured I wouldn't be able to do this 4 days in a row, so I rolled over and decided to have ice cream for lunch, or whatever the first meal of the day should be. I figured I should be doing something rather than stay in bed, so I decided to come out here instead and relinquish my thoughts to you.

Three years ago I moved to Texas, wanting to move away from Florida. I wasn't running from anything or anyone, I just detested the place. I felt complacent there, so the first chance I got to move I did. Trust that Texas was not the first place that came to mind, but when God is the captain of your ship, all you can do is trust Him. After moving to Texas I had a lot of preconceived thoughts in my mind that until July of this year were all wrong. I much appreciate Texas for what it is and what it has done for my life. Texas itself is not what matured me, but the people that God allowed to show me His way is what made all the difference. I went through many stages in my life just in the span of three years and as I was leaving Texas to embark on a new journey, I told my family that I have tasted the goodness of God and I refuse to turn back. At the mature yet tender age of 25 I learned to communicate with God in ways that are parallel to the ways Abraham, Moses, and David had. I would have daily conversations with God and would have a clear understanding of the goings in my life.

Now away from my safe haven/wilderness of San Antonio, Texas, I am where my heart has always wanted to be:Brooklyn,New York. Ever since driving through on a road trip back in 2007, I have fallen in love with the city. And after that trip, I was set on living here. And finally in 2011 I am where I am suppose to be. Even after doubt that I should move and fear of not being financially set, I am here. My time spent in Texas was not in vain, though the short period of four months being in NY may seem so, but it definitely was not. Somewhat like David, after treacherous moments of sin, he would fall down at the feet of God with a continual pursuit for His love, grace and mercy. Yes even after years of being clean from my old ways of sex, alcohol and lies I found it easy to fall back,but with much resistance. See I now have the tools of worship and intimacy with God to be consumed with this world. The key to falling isn't wallowing in it, but it's in the getting back up, recognizing the how and asking for forgiveness and forgiving yourself.

So here I am, out on my porch, reviewing these last couple of months and determining that tomorrow will not be the same as yesterday. Beginning today my convictions of who I am; the daughter of a King will no longer go unnoticed. I will no longer accept the mediocrity of being someone who accepts the unacceptable either to society or myself. I will pride myself in being comfortable in who I am wherever I go. I will be continually consumed by the spirit of my Father, and I will walk in His good graces that He has set out Just for me.

So between God, I and Life is my purpose.

-Divine Beauty