When U Pray

There is a song by Shekinah Glory Ministry called “Yes.”
Here is the hook:

Now will your heart and soul say yes?
Will your spirit still say yes, yes?
If I told you what I really need,
Will your heart and soul say yes?
Now will your heart and soul say yes, yes?
Will your spirit still say yes?

If you knew the challenges you would face in advance, would your heart still say yes?
If you knew what the death of a parent truly felt like, would your soul still say yes?
If you knew the sting of friendship betrayal, would you still say yes?
If you knew you were signing up for the “strong spiritual warrior” package, would you still say yes?

Would you?

Doing the work of the Lord is not something to be taken lightly. When you take up His mantle, it requires you to be strong and of good courage. I believe He adds good courage to the command because you will face unknown terrors—some from the enemy and some from within. He reminds us to be courageous not because we must stand alone, but because He is with us.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

But truly—if you knew what would be required of you, would your heart and soul still say yes?
Following the Lord is not an easy task. Jesus knew we would face persecution and even death because of His name. He said:

“But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.”
Luke 21:12 NIV

If you knew all this, would you still say yes?

He also said:

“But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves… You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life.”
Luke 21:14, 16–19 NIV

So go ahead and say Yes.
Jesus has your back—now and forever.

Dear Heavenly Father

Your word tells us we should always pray, so on this first day of March I come to you with a prayer for help. I am acknowledging that you are my ever present help and to you I submit my will and my way. 

“I look up to the hills, but where will my help really come from? My help will come from the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth. He will not let you fall. Your Protector will not fall asleep. Israel’s Protector does not get tired. He never sleeps. The Lord is your Protector. The Lord stands by your side, shading and protecting you.”

‭“God is our protection and source of strength. He is always ready to help us in times of trouble.”

‭‭ “God loves me, and he will help me win. He will help me defeat my enemies.”

‭‭ “The Lord your God is going with you to help you fight against your enemies. He will help you win!’”

“The Lord God is our protector and glorious king. He blesses us with kindness and honor. The Lord freely gives every good thing to those who do what is right.”

‭‭‭‭ “Don’t worry—I am with you. Don’t be afraid—I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will support you with my right hand that brings victory.”

“He said to him, “I am the Lord your God. If you listen to me and do what I say is right, and if you obey all my commands and laws, then I will not give you any of the sicknesses that I gave the Egyptians. I am the Lord who heals you.”

“So what should we say about this? If God is for us, no one can stand against us. And God is with us.”

Amen

‭

I often think in terms of when I was little, or when I was kid. I’ll remember things the way they were then and try to make things that happen today make sense and it doesn’t work.

It makes me think of what Paul wrote in the Bible :

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, and I made plans like a child. When I became a man, I stopped those childish ways.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭11‬ ‭ERV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/406/1co.13.11.ERV

I have come to realize that I have to act like an adult even when someone else is acting or behaving childish. I have to act responsibly and remember what I have been taught. Example:

Someone is angry at me because I said something they did not like but instead of talking to me, they talk around me or about me but never talk to me. Of course I hear about it, that was the plan. I could pretend it doesn’t hurt and reciprocate in kind by sharing my side of the story and never talking to the other adult or I can do what’s right. I would call them ask them if we could talk about it. I would apologize for my words and/actions as necessary. I would let them know that I did not intend to hurt them even if I meant what I said. That’s being an adult. I’m not responsible for their actions, only mines.

Another example,

Someone calls with gossip or talking bad about someone you love. As a child you could listen and participate or listen to learn the tea.. but as an adult, I would ask them if the order person would be comfortable with them sharing that information? I would remind them that the other person is someone I love and I don’t want to know things they haven’t shared with me.

I believe it’s important to keep your integrity in every situation ..

“People who do what is right are on their way to life, but those who always want to do wrong are on their way to death.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11‬:‭19‬ ‭ERV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/406/pro.11.19.ERV

Do you ever feel like there’s always something happening in your life? I hear people say, “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.” Or, “If it’s not one thing, it’s another.” And here’s another one: “I’m tired of being strong—I need a break.”

We usually say these things when hard times come. And you can be sure—hard times will come. But what’s your plan when they do?

“Great blessings belong to those who don’t listen to evil advice, who don’t live like sinners, and who don’t join those who make fun of God. Instead, they love the Lord’s teachings and think about them day and night. So they grow strong, like a tree planted by a stream—a tree that produces fruit when it should and has leaves that never fall. Everything they do is successful.”
Psalms 1:1–3 ERV
https://bible.com/bible/406/psa.1.3

“Great blessings belong to those who don’t listen to evil advice…”
Hmmmm.

Could that evil advice be when someone tells you, “It’s okay to cheat this time—no one will know”?
Or when someone who is married tries to justify why it’s okay for them to make you the other person?
Or when you agree to do something you know is wrong simply because it’s popular?

There are many ways to engage in evil advice. I’ve probably given some myself. Hangs head in humility. I can’t stand here and say I’ve always given godly advice. I’m human, and sometimes I speak from my worldly upbringing. Prayerfully, I catch it most of the time and allow the Holy Spirit to check me.

Do you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you?

When we read the Word and take it into our hearts, we begin to make better choices. We start allowing that Word to guide our hearts and our actions.

“Always remember what is written in that book of law. Speak about that book and study it day and night. Then you can be sure to obey what is written there. If you do this, you will be wise and successful in everything you do.”
Joshua 1:8 ERV
https://bible.com/bible/406/jos.1.8.ERV

Study the Word. Allow the Holy Spirit to do the hard work. When trouble comes, remember how God handles problems. Remember that He is with you and will always keep you—if you let Him.

Let the Word settle so deeply in your heart that when chaos shows up, you don’t tremble. Instead, you look for God and what He is teaching you. You stop focusing on what’s happening and start asking, “Why? What do I need to learn?”

As soon as you change the narrative and accept that God has ordered your steps, you stop swaying. You become able to stand firm—planted like that tree, rooted on solid ground, grounded in the Word.

So when trouble comes…
Are you going to stand or scramble?

“My children, our love should not be only words and talk. No, our love must be real. We must show our love by the things we do.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭3:18‬ ‭ERV‬‬

I know one of the biggest “prove my love” days is quickly approaching. Many people measure how much they are loved by what happens on Hallmark holidays like Valentine’s Day.

It’s nice to be recognized — but is it vital to your existence? Does a perfect card or gift really define the love someone has for you? How many roses prove they love you? How many pounds of chocolate say you matter? How many stuffed bears say, “I choose you”? What does your significant other have to buy so others can ooh and ahh over it before you feel loved?

People often feel left out if they don’t have a sweetheart on February 14th.
But when I think about love, I think about the love God has for us — the kind of love He describes in Corinthians:

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud… Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:4, 7‬ ‭ERV‬‬

And God didn’t just talk about love — He showed it.

“Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭ERV‬‬

So on Saturday, February 14th, accept the love that God has for you. Take it into your heart and know that His love is real — steady, proven, and everlasting.

I keep asking people, “How are you?” like I can actually fix anything for them. But I ask because I’m here — willing to be a listening ear with a closed mouth. I ask because I know the loads we carry can be exhausting, and when you don’t have anyone you can trust, it makes the weight feel even heavier. I ask because everybody needs somebody, and all of us need the power of our Lord.

“An enemy might be able to defeat one person, but two people can stand back-to-back to defend each other. And three people are even stronger. They are like a rope that has three parts wrapped together—it is very hard to break.”
Ecclesiastes 4:12 ERV

Imagine if you and your friend joined together in prayer for anything on earth — and added Jesus as the third in your circle. You would not be easily broken.

“To say it another way, if two of you on earth agree on anything you pray for, my Father in heaven will do what you ask.”
Matthew 18:19 ERV

Me, you, and Jesus… we can take whatever is worrying us to our God, and He will fix it. So when I ask, “How are you doing?” I’m not being nosy. I’m trying to help. I want us to be intentional about taking our problems to our God, because He is able to do what we cannot. I’m not saying tell all your business to anyone — not even me — but by faith, there is nothing our God cannot do. He is the God of the impossible.

“You have never asked for anything in this way before. But ask in my name, and you will receive. And you will have the fullest joy possible.”
John 16:24 ERV

Shout out to all the ladies and gentlemen who truly love each other. Shout out to all the ladies and gentlemen who can be trusted with our hurts, pains, joys, and disappointments. There is nothing like a friend, and I’m thankful for mine.

I love y’all — on purpose.

“Some friends are fun to be with, but a true friend can be better than a brother.”
Proverbs 18:24 ERV

“The virgin will be pregnant and will give birth to a son. They will name him Immanuel.” (Immanuel means “God with us.”)
Matthew 1:23 ERV

I’m the kind of person who is deeply moved by music. Yes — I’m that person crying during gospel songs because my heart becomes overwhelmed. There’s a song called Emmanuel, and when the choir sings it, everyone at our church knows I’ll be on my feet, singing loudly, off key, but with my whole heart. That song touches me every single time.

This morning, on my way to church, I had to make a quick detour. As I was driving, I noticed a building that has been there forever, but for some reason today was the first time I truly saw it. Its name was Emmanuel. I sat at the light staring at that sign, and my heart filled with joy. No one was outside, nothing special was happening, yet my soul was instantly warmed.

GOD WITH US.
What an amazing truth. God with us means you can rest your heart and mind because everything is going to be okay. God is with us. He will keep us in perfect peace. He will fight our battles, win our wars, and steady our minds.

When my heart is overwhelmed, I can trust that He is with us. I can trust that whatever the current situation looks like, it is not the end. I used to keep a sign on my desk that said, “Everything is okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”

That’s what seeing the word Emmanuel means to me:
It’s not the end.
God is with us.

“This will happen when the special child is born. God will give us a son who will be responsible for leading the people. His name will be ‘Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace.’ His power will continue to grow, and there will be peace without end…”
Isaiah 9:6–7 ERV

King David had a son named Solomon. When it was Solomon’s turn to become king, he asked God for wisdom to lead His people well.

“That night God came to Solomon and said, ‘Ask me for whatever you want me to give you.’ Solomon said to God, ‘You were very kind to my father David when you allowed me to rule on his throne after him. Now, Lord God, continue to keep your promise to my father David. You made me king over so many people that they are like the dust of the earth. Now give me wisdom and knowledge so that I can lead these people in the right way. No one could rule this great nation without your help.’”
2 Chronicles 1:7–10 ERV
https://bible.com/bible/406/2ch.1.7-10.ERV

Man… God basically said, Say less.

“God said to Solomon, ‘You have the right attitude. You did not ask for long life and riches for yourself. You did not ask for the death of your enemies. You asked for wisdom and knowledge so that you can make the right decisions. So I will give you wisdom and knowledge, but I will also give you wealth, riches, and honor. No king who lived before you has ever had so much wealth and honor, and no king in the future will have as much wealth and honor.’”
2 Chronicles 1:11–12 ERV
https://bible.com/bible/406/2ch.1.11-12.ERV

God said, “You have the right attitude.”
That alone shows how much your attitude matters.

Whatever situation you find yourself in, pause and check your attitude. Things may not always look the way you hoped, but they always work out the way God intends. If you truly believe that all things work together, then you can carry an attitude of gratitude no matter where you stand — because you know God is in control.

You know that our God is able and fully capable of meeting every need. With that assurance, smile. Be joyful. Embrace each stage of your life. You are blessed.

“Enjoy serving the Lord, and he will give you whatever you ask for. Depend on the Lord. Trust in him, and he will help you. He will make it as clear as day that you are right. Everyone will see that you are being fair.”
Psalm 37:4–6 ERV
https://bible.com/bible/406/psa.37.6.ERV

“I was young, and now I am old, but I have never seen good people left with no one to help them; I have never seen their children begging for food.”
Psalm 37:25 ERV
https://bible.com/bible/406/psa.37.25.ERV

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, and I made plans like a child. When I became a man, I stopped those childish ways. It is the same with us. Now we see God as if we are looking at a reflection in a mirror. But then, in the future, we will see him right before our eyes. Now I know only a part, but at that time I will know fully, as God has known me. So these three things continue: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:11–13 ERV
https://bible.com/bible/406/1co.13.11-13.ERV

We are at the end of another year. This year has brought great joy and just enough pain or trouble to make me appreciate the good times. I know that life is real—and so is God.

2025 owes me nothing but memories. I didn’t learn anything new, but the things that are important to me were reinforced and authenticated.

My 2025 Takeaways

Keep God first.
“What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Tomorrow will have its own worries.”
Matthew 6:33–34 (ERV)

Enjoy your life.
Laugh, have fun, go out to eat, go bowling, run, hike, jog—do something besides work. If you drop dead tomorrow, the business will still run, but your family will be devastated. Make memories; it’s biblical.
“So I decided it was more important to enjoy life because the best thing people can do in this life is to eat, drink, and enjoy life. At least that will help people enjoy the hard work God gave them to do during their life on earth.”
Ecclesiastes 8:15 (ERV)

Find a church home.
Find a place that helps you understand the Word of God and how to apply it to your life. I know the world tells you that you don’t need church to worship God—and they’re not wrong—but it sure helps you learn and grow.
“We should think about each other to see how we can encourage each other to show love and do good works. We must not quit meeting together, as some are doing. No, we need to keep on encouraging each other. This becomes more and more important as you see the Day getting closer.”
Hebrews 10:24–25 (ERV)

Last thing: Don’t forget to love one another.
I challenge you to choose love. It’s so much easier than carrying around hatred and strife. Love frees you to be happy in any situation you find yourself in. Anger hurts you, not the person you’re mad at. Never forget that.
“I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other just as I loved you. All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other.”
John 13:34–35 (ERV)

“Don’t become angry quickly, because anger is foolish.”
Ecclesiastes 7:9 (ERV)

That’s it. That’s all.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

“This will happen when the special child is born. God will give us a son who will be responsible for leading the people. His name will be ‘Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace.’”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬ ‭ERV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/406/isa.9.6.ERV

I got stuck at HIS NAME WILL BE!

Hallelujah — what shall He be called?
He shall be called Wonderful Counselor. I need a counselor when I am lost, confused, disappointed, weary, or torn. I can turn to Him, and He offers me wonderful counsel. He reminds me that He is my Savior, my Friend, my way out of no way. He offers me godly wisdom if I would only ask.
“If you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it.”
‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭14‬ ‭ERV‬‬

He is called Powerful God. He has all power in His hand to heal, to forgive, and to deliver us from every situation we find ourselves in. He is all-powerful; at His name everything and everyone on earth will bow.
“God did this so that every person will bow down to honor the name of Jesus. Everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth will bow.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭ERV‬‬

He is called Father Who Lives Forever, because He is the beginning and the end — the Alpha and the Omega. He was here in the beginning, and when it’s all over, He will still be God. Because He loves forever, we can trust Him with everything.
“The Lord God says, ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega. I am the one who is, who always was, and who is coming. I am the All-Powerful.’”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ ‭ERV‬‬

He will be called Prince of Peace. This allows us to live in peace no matter what is going on around us. The peace He provides cannot be shaken by anything in this world. If we trust Him with our lives and the challenges we face, He will give us peace.
“I leave you peace. It is my own peace I give you. I give you peace in a different way than the world does. So don’t be troubled. Don’t be afraid.”
‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬ ‭ERV‬‬

What do you call Him?
I know that people worship in many ways — some believe in Christ, some don’t. There are many schools of belief, even within the body of Christ. But what do you believe? Do you know Him as your personal Savior? Have you ever basked in His presence? Felt His peace? Try Him. I promise you, you will experience great joy with Him as your guide.

His birthday is coming up! 🌲🎂

Sitting in the Caribbean sun, listening to Mary J. Blige—she is truly one of my all-time favorite singers. Her music, her melodies, and her flow speak deeply to my soul. Today I’m listening to her song In the Meantime. The lyrics say:

In the meantime, what do you do?
When there’s no one left but you
And you’re alone
How do you feel when the one you love
Doesn’t, doesn’t seem real
Do you run, or do you try to heal
The hurt inside?
But oh, but in the meantime
I have found within myself
Everything I need to get by…

While I know she is speaking of carnal love, I hear God speaking these words to me. I have no need to fear, for He is with me. In the meantime, He will continue to love me. The words and phrases of her ballad align with what the Lord has always told me:

“Don’t worry—I am with you. Don’t be afraid—I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will support you with my right hand that brings victory.”
— Isaiah 41:10 (ERV)

“Be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid of those people because the Lord your God is with you. He will not fail you or leave you.”
— Deuteronomy 31:6 (ERV)

“So we know the love that God has for us, and we trust that love. God is love. Everyone who lives in love lives in God, and God lives in them.”
— 1 John 4:16 (ERV)

It is with great joy that I rest in the love I know God has for me—and for all of mankind. In the meantime, He will continue to love me, even when I don’t get it right. In the meantime, He will continue to love me, even when I struggle to love myself. In the meantime, He will continue to love me, because He is love.

So, when you find yourself challenged with loving yourself, remember: God never has that challenge. He simply waits for us to realize the truth.

I love you, on purpose.

Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Mary J. Blige / Terri E. Robinson / Richard C. Harrison
“In the Meantime” lyrics © Wb Music Corp., Emi Blackwood Music Inc., Mary J. Blige Music, Universal MCA Music Publishing U.S., Evelle Music, Dam Rich Music

Every year I try to find a way to remain Thankful, in spite of what happens in my every day life. 

We all face some form of fear or regret, some form of betrayal or abandonment by the people we love, we all face challenge’s and opportunities but it’s not really what we face but How we handle it. 

For Me and My House, we choose to trust God! We choose to be Thankful and remember the verse that says ““We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. These are the people God chose, because that was his plan.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭ERV‬‬

Today in my thankfulness I offer you Jesus Christ. I want you to have the blessed assurance that comes from having a relationship with Christ. It’s pretty simple but the hardest thing you will ever do. Surrendering your life to Christ is worth it all. 

Pray this aloud: “Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins and surrender my life. Wash me clean. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. That he died on the cross for my sins and rose again on the third day for my Victory, I believe that in my heart and make confession with my mouth, that Jesus is my Savior and Lord.

Simple. 

Put your right arm in, take your right arm out.
Put your right arm in, and you shake it all about.
Do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around—
That’s what it’s all about!

Put your left arm in, take your left arm out.
Put your left arm in, and you shake it all about.
Do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around—
That’s what it’s all about!

Put your right foot in, take your right foot out.
Put your right foot in, and you shake it all about.
Do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around—
That’s what it’s all about!

Put your left foot in, take your left foot out.
Put your left foot in, and you shake it all about.
Do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around—
That’s what it’s all about!

Put your whole self in, take your whole self out.
Put your whole self in, and you shake it all about.
Do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around—
That’s what it’s all about!

Chorus:
Do the Hokey Pokey,
Do the Hokey Pokey,
Do the Hokey Pokey—
That’s what it’s all about!

When I think about this song, it makes me laugh—because honestly, it feels like this is how my life is going right now. You put your left arm in, then your right arm, shake it all about… and suddenly realize the Hokey Pokey is what it’s really all about! 😂😂

I quickly realized that as long as I kept putting myself in and trying to pull myself out, it wouldn’t work. I was doing the Hokey Pokey, but I didn’t twirl it all about—or something—because I tore it up. But then, like another spiritual hymnal says, I gave it over to the Lord… and He worked it out.

My best advice? Stop putting just your arms and legs in. Put your whole self in. Let God pull your whole self out. Then watch Him do the Hokey Pokey with your situation—and turn it all around.

“Then I will always trust in you and praise you more and more. I will tell people how good you are. I will tell about all the times you saved me—too many times to count. I will tell about your greatness, my Lord GOD. I will talk only about you and your goodness.”
— Psalms 71:14–16 (ERV)
Read it here

I know this might sound a little silly, but when I heard a verse of that song, it hit me—
That’s what life really is.
The Hokey Pokey.

“Lord GOD, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was a young boy. I depended on you even before I was born. I relied on you even in my mother’s womb. I have always prayed to you. You are my source of strength, so I have been an example to others.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭71‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭ERV‬‬

So, Father, I come to You today believing that You are who You said You are, and that You are able to do what You said You would do. You are able to keep us from falling. You are able to hide us under the protection of Your shadow.

Lord, we are trusting You with so much—our hearts, our minds, and our very lives. I thank You for my life. I thank You for Your loving kindness and Your mercy.

As I go about my days, allow me to love freely. Allow me to offer the grace I have received. Allow my love to penetrate the hearts of those who feel unloved. Allow me to be Your hands and feet on the earth.

If I am Your representative, let them see You—and Your healing power—in me.

I ask this prayer by faith, in the one true Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen.