{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

Pausing Time

Source

Based on the title of this post, can we really pause time? Of course the answer is no. No matter what we may think or try to do, time will continue to run out, pass us by, and simply tick and tock. Seconds creating minutes, into hours, into days, weeks, months, and years. At a point in our life we will look back and let's hope that what we see is our goals being completed vs the same problem we've had years ago still in the forefront.

Sometimes I like to press pause. Not so much on time, but on my life. Pausing, yielding because sometimes we can be living too fast for our own good.

Imagine if there weren't any stop signs, or traffic lights to tell us when to go, slow down and stop? What if there weren't any speed bumps, or even pot holes in the road. I sometimes see these things as good pauses in life. Does anyone ever realize how fast they are going until they crash? I rather heed the signs to slow down and take a moment and reevaluate what's going on around me, in me, in front of me. There is nothing wrong with stepping away for a while, to fine tune the craft and gift that God has given us. Just like a car needs to be refueled with gas, or its oil change, and what about the tires? They get burnt out too.

So here I am, taking a pause. Considering that this is the first day of the last month of 2012; which 2012 has been a BLESSED year indeed for me, I do not want 2013 to be the same. I've learned a lot about myself and the friendships, family-ships, relationships that I am in. So, I'm pausing. Pausing from the planning, pausing from the over-thinking, pausing and simply loving. Loving God, Loving myself, Loving those around me, embracing them and being in them.

Step back and pause for a moment. Refresh yourself, so that you can only be the best you. However long you choose to pause for, just don't forget to press play.

-Daphne

Confessions {Relationships}

I can be self-fish and not consider the feelings of others. (WHEW, wipes forehead).

For those of you that know me, I've never really been in a serious relationship. Sure I've used the title boyfriend, and have dated and such, however nothing serious enough that I would consider a true relationship. So now, that I may be embarking on one, I'm learning a lot about myself and having to be clear about what I say.

When it comes to my feelings and emotions, I am not the most vocal person, however baby (that's what I'm calling him) is very open and vocal and kind of expects the same from me. I am not saying that I can't get there, I'm just saying that it will take time. The last time I expressed my feelings to the opposite sex, it was not received the way I wanted it to be received  Then I just crawled back into my shell and built up walls around my heart. You know, the heart is a very sensitive matter and should not be given to just anyone. Ever gave your heart to someone and they never received it? Hurts right? Yea buddy, sure does. It was just left there exposed and out in the open. But I digress.

So now here I am, letting go emotion by emotion, small pieces of myself, hoping just the same that the words he spoke to me weeks ago about his love for me, will carry through with me as I ponder on our relationship.  Hoping that they will only continue to be true and brought forth in deed, what was said.

So yes, sometimes he may say something that he thinks is funny, but that doesn't mean I will find it funny. At least not all the time. Yes I know I can be real short with people, when they don't understand what I saying, and yes I am known to be real sensitive and moody, and yes I would cut you off if I didn't get my way, BUT, I have grown. I am still growing and trying to understand being in a relationship. I haven't had to consider someone else's feelings for like over 4 years, so I'm comfortable doing for myself, and he's gung hoe about doing for me. A girl gotta get use to that.

I am understanding that it will not always go my way nor on my timing. And honestly I am praying that God is in the mist of our growing relationship. I know it won't be easy, but I do know that with Him in between us, in our thoughts, daily spoken word and in our relationship, it will be well worth it. I'm not perfect nor do I ever claim to be, I know my ish stank, so bear with me as I journey along as we give and take of each other.

.....the beginning phases

If you guys out there have any advice, feel free to comment below.

Stepping Back

I'm an over-analyzer.

I think things over waaaayyy too much and sometimes I create scenario's in my head of other's responses.

I like things when I want them.

I am fast to respond to inquiries.

I give only what I have, promising you nothing.

I know my worth and value, yet sometimes settle for the right now in this life, just to get that temporary high. I settle for the now, when I know there is so much more out there. Yet, I think to myself, before better was better he had to be good first. Right? No one was ever born GREAT! Work was put in, either by the instructions of our parents or the influences of our environment, but not just straight out the placenta. And yes I understand that we are all on different area's on this path we call life. Some are further then other's while some are in a stand still. All in all, however it is a choice of where we are and how far along we are in this path.

Me personally, I'm just not okay with mediocrity (PERIOD).

So why do I take on incomplete man-boys? I'm trying to learn to stick to my guns and demand theses things such as God-fearing, ambitious, family-oriented, fun loving, etc etc etc, but......

I keep going back to the one that's showing me attention even though  some of the attention is not wanted or necessary. We're so stuck on the "I want's" of this life that we forget to seek and stay steadfast to the Father's Will for our lives. I know I know. It's not easy, but OH is it worth it. Through this time there is a lot of learning happening and especially for me a lot of self evaluating and self-loving.

So as I step back for a little bit don't be upset if a phone call goes unanswered or a text message gets ignored. Daphne needs some "Me" time.

Always with Love,

       Divine

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

Welcome October

Source

Wow! 2012 has definitely flown by. So much has happened, so much growth, progression, good, bad, some ugly. But you know what, we survived. I'm still working on posting consistently, no but's about it.

As I reflect on this first day of the month about the last nine months and about the next 3 months I'm smiling because this had been a good year for me. I'll keep it at that because there is nothing I can do to change it. So for today, I'll enjoy the now, hope for the best for the future and continue to carry on.

In this month, I do however want to focus on my health. I've been more conscience of my eating habits, tho I haven't fully been committed, but I have been consistent. So I'm going to continue to juice, eat grains, more water, more veggies, and drink tea.

On another note, I really want to get back to knitting and crocheting. I learned it last year before I moved to NY and did some work last winter. So now I'm trying to get back and fast because guess what everyone is getting for Christmas! Yep you guessed it! Scarves! (well hopefully).

Even tho it's just the first of the month, I'm already thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas! I love the holidays! Hopefully I'll be able to cook some inspiring dishes catered to these next months.

Well October, welcome to 2012. I wish you well and loads of Blessings.

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.