Check or Checkmate ? It's Your Move.

As he flipped over the hourglass to begin, his concern for time lost its focus.
Surely, there would be plenty of time to be successful. With lightning speed he completed the first few moves on the board & then stole a glance at the timer.  The sands appeared to have stopped - but how?
Surely there had to be more time to finish the game- to live more of his dreams- make his wrongs -right.
What had happen...what had he missed...
Maybe he would just start over.Time had stood still. Or had it?It was then that he noticed the sands of time had stopped.

He shook the timepiece with the hopes that the flow would continue...success. How much time had he lost? Could he recapture that time? What was played was played...there was no starting over...
for he had taken his turn & waited too long too make the most important decision of all.

 

The opponent...time.... had placed him in ‘check’. The pieces of the game were rearranged; awaiting his next decision. As he reconsidered, rationalized, & decided he had plenty of time to make that most significant move, the last granular of sand came to rest on the small mound. The reality became clear.

He was out of time...The game was over. His waiting had been his ultimate demise.

Before you reach the end of the time given you....please- decide.
It's your move...eternity waits...don't be left behind. Check-mate !

 



John 3:16

 

 

In Dependence Upon God

 

“As we celebrate our Nation's freedom with

family, friends, food & fireworks...

may us pause to acknowledge life's many blessings.

Embrace the moment.

In order to hold on to love, we must first
empty our hands of hurtfulness.

Lay down the weapons loaded with words of self righteous criticism towards others. As these expressions lay silent upon the fields of a furrowed brow, listen for the sounds of hope on the horizon. As we empty our egos of expression against the elected, realize that they are in the center of God’s will.
This plan is far bigger than yours.

Spend less time sharpening your valid points – those words that hurt. It is when we have accepted a need to-be-right that we discover the hidden unspoken pleasure of carrying gurneys of animosity & arrogance away from a battle we wanted to win yet feared the fight.

Words wound. What is the purpose to inflict intentional harm upon another unless it is self gratifying to the one taking aim?
Life is far too precious. Appreciate.


...Give thanks to God...

for you have the right to elect & to pray for
the ones in present leadership.
You choose whether to take that opportunity
or simply elect to cast the ballot of blame upon another.

Remember to:

Pray...
for those who stand in preparation to guide the future generations.

Let go of the past...
for it is now folded in the pages of history to be learned from & for future decisions.

Don’t just pray for a better world for our children to inherit...pray for our children that our world will inherit better citizens, honorable people with Godly character. May their character & integrity take them beyond what we have experienced.
Let the words of thanksgiving
tumble from your tongue.

We are given the privilege of embracing life & all the miracles. For as 'day is done...gone the sun', night becomes a heavenly curtain upon the sky. As you gaze upon the sparkling colors of courage, confidence, & gratitude...be aware. Listen to the bombs bursting in air...these are sounds of freedom. Yet in some countries these very sounds are ones that blanket fear.

May we be more grateful& less hateful!

Let the words of Praise & Peace
be in & on your heart.

If this very moment, this very day, this very statement were to be your last, what difference would your existence made to another?
Do you know truth?
Do you have freedom in your being?

It’s your trust in
the Divine Truth
that sets you free.”

 God Bless...

 

 

Rock of Choices...

"Do you place your Soul’s faith & freedom in the false security of this world's Plymouth Rock or the eternal reassurance found in leaning your 'all' upon the Rock of Ages?

There are many who will never understand that the very Church they refuse to enter or acknowledge is within them. For to the lost this is a place that is denied in their life.

It is a blessing when a person’s willingness leads them to open their heart's door to Salvation- for then they will enter the room for eternal change. As you stand upon the Rock of Ages-Fear absolutely nothing…and God only.”

Attention Passengers of Life !

As we make our approach to the location of your divine destiny, we ask that you place your Faith in its upright position. The Pilot has turned on the sign for you to “Fasten your belt of Belief.” Our anticipated arrival to your Gate of Grace is Ephesians 3:20. The Angels of Heavenly Landings want to remind you: Your life travel plans were designed for you especially by God, the Creator of the Heavenly Salvation PrAIR Lines, as He continues to share His very best with you.

Enjoy your visit to 'Today's Opportunities' that ever popular travel location here in the City of Now. We trust that during your brief visit to this life, you will continue to ‘Soar in Spirit & Be a Blessing' in all you say & do.

As a reminder, please leave all excess emotional baggage of your past or any shadow of self-doubt & we will gladly discard it for you. Should you be unaware of how to secure your spiritual direction after your visit to Now, we would encourage you to refer to one of our most recognized travel guide's of HIS-tory, John. He has provided an easy to understand review of the resurrection of Christ on the worded map - Chapter 3: 16.

This information is found by accessing the GPS in your Bible (God's Powerful Spirit). Enjoy your day...your life & as only He can...God Bless You. Stay tuned for further life changing & exciting moments. This has been a ‘God's Only Son Paid All’ public announcement.

“Never Let Others Walk on you.”

Did you ever feel like someone's 'doormat'? Are folks comfortable wiping their feet of frustrations upon you? Do people in your life ignore their responsiblity for the issues that have become attached to the Soul of their being 'defeated'? Actually this can be a weird kind of compliment. These folks feel a sense of confidence in YOU. They want YOU to take on the dirt of their responsibilities so they can, once again, leave them without a second thought. This is a sad situation. And the dirt of these decisions is piling up in front of the door of opportunity. Let's find a path to the divine 'room for change'

This 'door mat disease' is an outward expression of one's inner personality power struggle. This ‘acting out’ is acceptable amongst those who are of like mind. Yet, when displayed before those who recognize the distorted reality of reasoning, it will appear harsh, hurried, & hateful in nature. Don't just lie there!!! Stand Up! Pray & Stand Strong!

Pray for acceptance; that you may have compassion & see the shell of their wounded heart as one that is crying in need of understanding. Some hardened hearts will not be open to change, yet will cling tightly to their need to be right in fear of having to admit their weaknesses. This is their last arrow in their hunt for survival of self esteem & control. God knows you are in the midst of this uncomfortable character-crossfire. AND He has provided you with what you need... You have the Shield of Faith & the Sword of His Word.

He has armed you with tender Words of encouragement.(James 1:12: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds./ Luke 6:28: Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you./Ephesians 6:13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand)

The next time someone attempts to wipe their feet of despair or disgust upon your back, whether with words or actions, stand straighter & more firmly in your faith. Speak gently & with confidence...'Know' that it is alright to say 'No'. Yubw8n? Clearly it is difficult to hold someone down when they are standing strong.

Pulling Weeds of Worry

“Worry is a weed which shadows the flower of faith in the Garden of Grace. The Gardener will remove whatever is hindering the growth &

the beauty of your becoming all He has planted in your heart. You must open the gate & let Him in. To grow in the Lord is to let Him uproot your old nature, remove the sinful soil & nourish your Spiritual growth with Living Water.”

Flex Your Faith

"Faith is a spiritual muscle. If you don't exercise it consistently, it will grow weaker. Just as you may talk about your intentions & aspirations to exercise your body, as you begin to exercise your beliefs, the results will be seen & felt.

You are on a spiritual walk on the tread mill of everyday life. As you belief grows stronger this will increase your heart’s desire to go the distance. Sadly,too often people exercise the muscles of their mouth more than they apply the actual example of being, living & becoming spiritually fit.

Take the challenge of character: Begin your daily routine with prayer & quiet time alone with the Lord. Let Him guide you through the steps He has for you. You will discover that you will be your best, act your best, & love the most.

Go ahead- flex your Faith!” ...Yubw8n?

R U Soulfully deFEETed?

“One of the first things on record after a baby is born is the footprint, the sole of the feet. Often even a name has not been decided yet when this one of a kind ‘mark’ is made. The feet help to identify the life from the beginning. Likewise, at the end of a life, another identification tag is often placed upon the toe of the foot.From the beginning, our feet are a foundation for the future destinations. Walk with me for a while...

From the starting line of any race, the toes of feet are aligned against the starting point. Standing on the edge of a cliff usually implies that you have your feet and toes directly at the point of no return. The feet are identified with motion,placement,and ultimately direction. Without feet one’s impaired mobility will result in a flawed stride. Even though the soles of the feet(and palms of the hand) are the toughest areas of skin on the human body, even when this area is injured, the pain is felt throughout the entire body.
Think about your body this way. The lowest area is the sole of your feet. The furtherest areas on either side are the hands. And the highest point, the top of your head.

These were some of the areas on the body of Christ that were wounded upon Calvary’s tree for our Salvation.
It is wise to respect the part of your person that literally supports all your weight when you take a stand. When you stump your toe or twist your ankle you know it will hurt. And should you cut the skin of your feet, the healing may take time. This area is under the pressure unfortunately felt by the wound; a constant reminder of error.

Let’s look at how our spiritual feet are similar to our natural feet.
When you walk in faith, you prayerfully tread upon your enemies. These enemies may be areas of weakness or people who wound your spirit.
When you walk in the natural and something is present that may harm you, you tread upon it by placing it under your feet. Or you elect to turn and walk away from the person or the temptation that is in your path for these are not necessary.
The toughest areas of your spiritual feet are also the softest part of your soul. This area not only withstands temperature but temptation and terrain as well.

We adorn our feet with extravagant and often expensive foot wear. Even though our selections may not always be the healthiest options in upholding our body as we walk, we continue to accessorize our feet with the shoes we like even though...
Remember ~ as you walk barefoot, your sole to the dirt of the earth, you are open to injury. Likewise, if you walk barefoot with your ‘soul’ to this earth, you are more likely to stumble and fall.

Secure 'the Light of the Word' to the feet of your faith and walk the path in your life that God has ordained just for you.

Prayerfully, place your best foot forward. When you walk with Christ, you will never walk alone in defeat!” Ask yourself...Yubw8n?

Successfully Failing?

“"Successfully Failing?"
"Successful" is a title worn proudly by few. Many wear it without earning it. And some wear out trying to achieve it. Failure is not a way of life but a fact of life. No one becomes a failure by their actions or attitudes but comes through a time of failing by renewing their mind and perceptions.

Attaching a title of "Failure" to another person is branding someone without a basis for our judgmental ignorance.

To be a successful failure is to understand that your options abound to improve in any and all things. To be branded a "Success" is to many a self embraced title worn undeservingly. For it is the successful person in the stage of becoming more than they are that is often unaware of the progress they have made as they arrive at their level of success.”

Take the step towards 'becoming more'...Yubw8n?

"~FAITHless DOUBT 2 BeLIEve"

Faithlessness is a narrow focus on the 'lie' which is what people see in wanting to 'BeLIEve'.

In the search for the truth, we crowd our thoughts with technology’s never ending noise. The constant attachment to communication has stripped us of our silent thoughts, dreams,& ideas. Instead we hold prisoner our moments of relaxation to a vacation, a rare undisturbed time in nature, & within the last moment prior to slumber as we drift off to a few hours of aloneness.

Do we dare listen to our inner voice as it whispers it's desire for silence?
In that shadow of stillness, who will we find?
Are we too busy doing to just Be?
It would appear that this is true & weighs heavily on how we balance our beliefs...in everything!

Faith added with more time would surely prove beneficial if only we knew how to stop. In this world everyone wants to be the leader because we have no one who is willing to be a follower.

For one to follow their heart, a love,& even their God, they must submit their way. This so called ‘following’ has become out of fashion.

Often this position is seen as demeaning in status quo, or qualified as second place in the race for success. Your view of this volley determines your own personal position in life.

Faith less doubt is the soul's song of victory. Release all doubt less it become the knife that cuts your soul and leaves you to bleed regret.

Take the opportunities to be alone with your thoughts, your dreams, yourself. These moments will strengthen you, enlighten you, and revive you.

Never be in such a hurry to lead that you miss the privilege to follow your heart~

Have FAITH ~ It is the LESSon learned ~ Yubw8n?

"Order Up!"

"May I See A Menu, Please"

Sometimes we go out to eat & then stare at the familiar menu of selections as if it is the very first time we have seen it. Then, we will ask the waiter about the ‘special of the day’& if THEY like it or not. Why do we base our selection choice often on the scale of someone else's likes & dislikes when it is our meal? Everyone’s pallet is different.It would appear that conversation accompanies cuisine in similar ways. Yet, rather than be cautious & concerned about our tone of conversation, & weight of our words, we ramble off statements with little or no consideration as to how they will look on another person’s feelings. We take liberties with the pre-determined portions of praise & curried conflict heaped upon someone else’s plate when we should be more considerate. We would be wise to taste our words before dishing them out.

When you speak, do you weigh your words opposite your thoughts before opening your mouth? Do you regurgitate your opinions & spit & splatter them upon others? Do you shove them down another person’s throat? Is it easy for all to see that you’re full of yourself & not only do you need a healthier dialog diet 'butt' you could stand a little help when it comes to how to scale down your fattened ego of expressions? Don’t worry; you are not alone in this self indulgent society of overweight sentiment.There are many who need to tighten the belt on their panting of complaints & find more compassion in their conversational cuisine. We would not be so miserable to ourselves & to others if we would just walk away from debates, disputes,& side dishes of drama. Indigestion from certain relationships could be avoided if we kept our opinions, comments & harmful whimsical rambling of words to ourselves. It’s good to know when we have had enough of even a good thing…let alone, something or someone who is unhealthy.
Today we have fast food & fast talkers that devour one another with a second helping but rarely a second thought.
Even our sentences contain words related to eating & food.

Phrases like:
You are going to have to EAT your words.
What’s the SKINNY on that?
Oh, we are just CHEWING the FAT.
You haven’t got the STOMACH for that.
I have a lot on my PLATE to do.
They have a healthy APPETITE for living.
You can DISH it out but you can’t take it.
I’ll take another SLICE of the PIE.
That’s CRUMBY.
Have your CAKE & EAT IT too.
Life’s so short, take SECONDS first.
That’s GRAVY.
He had to be SPOON fed all the way.
Your words really cut like a KNIFE.
You speak with a FORKED tongue.
He’s really MILKING the opportunity or is he just EGGING you on.
We had a celebrity ROAST for him even though he’s just small POTATOS in the industry.
It was really WATERED down.
Have you ever been BUTTERED up?
Seriously, what’s the SCOOP on that?
They are the top BANANA.
You are the APPLE of God’s eye. (That one, I like...;)

We talk about FOOD or food related slang even when we are making reference to something that has nothing to do with food. It is self consuming. We wrap our thoughts in niceness or humor, with a lot at ‘Steak’ & even though we meant ‘well’... ‘Rarely’ is this skill-et ‘well done.’

Never leave a conversation or any area of concern that may be ready to boil over, unattended. This could cause a fire that burns a relationship so badly that even the most sincere of apologies cannot extinguish it before its total demise. Season your words to taste. No more, no less. Mean what you say-say what you mean. Get out of the kitchen of comments if what is being prepared does not suit you. Why partake of something or associate with someone who is not to your liking. Be as selective in your relationships as you are in your dining. People of quality are sustenance for the soul & are to be appreciated for their own ingredients to the relationship. Our words reflect our hearts so always strive to be a Gourmet of Edification.

Menu Options:

Too Many Second Helpings:
It is easy to see & clear to hear that many people are extremely obese in physical demeanor & in how they wear their feelings upon their sleeve. Over indulgence is not at all attractive. Words can quickly become a premeditated sentence of situational suicide. Since we are what we eat, say,& profess.What happens if we open our mouth & nothing but air (or error) comes out? Then what? Yet, many are exercising their freedom of speech while not following the proper form in how they weigh words before speaking. Every day we see people in constant communication without even thinking about it. It is like breathing. Phones & fingers move quickly sometimes before the words even form in their minds or the light turns green as horns blare from irritated bystanders. This inconsideration towards others is the feverish food fight of fast forward thinking. Even though driven for better, they are mindlessly tossing the trash out the window of opportunity expecting someone else to pick up after them. This is rudeness with reasons no one will respect. We do this with our words. We say things, hurtfully & expect someone else to come along & make it all right. Wrong! Whether it be spoken from a podium, pulpit, or pillow, WHAT you say is not as important as HOW it is said, heard, & perceived. You know you have said…”yeah, but what I meant was…” This is the specialty of the house…a side-dish of dropped intention soup. A mess you will undoubtedly be cleaning up repeatedly, unless you hear your thoughts through before you pass the taste- test of talking.

The Assumption Appetizer:
This is featuring a popular dish named after many who partake: ‘Me-ism’. This selection takes only a little time to boil over,as it will spew its heated substance on the most sensitive of tough skinned hearted people, & then often leaves a scar of a memory many would like to forget. These people speak in dashes of demands. But rather than keep their words in small easy to swallow bite size morsels, they take each irresponsible action & irrational decision to irritate as many people as they can in one sitting. This is grammar gluttony.Let's dismiss them from the table, shall we.

Too Hot To Handle:
In a heated & haughty (hot) debate, discerning disagreements, or a deliberation of dialog, keep your words short, sweet, & smooth. These very words that dissolve from your thoughts to your voice must be easily digested. For this to happen, they must be measured precisely, pronounced properly, stirred with care as to not stick or scorch,& when tasted by the listener, they need be considered - a delicacy of edible expressions.

The Lighter Fare:
Look at poetry. As a poet paints their emotions in prose,& flavorful limericks, they season them with the right amount of sugar & spice & everything nice. These morsels will be tasted by the most sensitive of poetic palates. This recipe for rhyme is an art form. Therefore, be an artist. Mix & blend the colors of your thoughts in such a manner that when another hears your words, they appreciate your good taste. They will be blessed having shared an enlightening experience that will surely linger long upon the palate of their mind.You will be making an impression that will feed their soul.

Order Up...Wait on Words!!
Be a server & a servant of The Words that nourish & matter most…the Bread of Life.
Go ahead...have a seat. We will be with you in just a moment. While you are waiting-Take a look at GOD's Menu for Living.
Yubw8n.


NOTE FROM SHARON: "This writing was inspired by that of a reading I did years ago. What I learned stayed with me over time. Our words can set us free or we can be surely HUNG BY THE TONGUE. I trust the thoughts I have expressed in this blog will bless your heart & be food for thought. Always speak with words that you yourself would be able to swallow. And remember...once they leave your mouth, there are no leftovers or true do-overs."

Success is yours. Victory and defeat are born in the mind, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7) Humans speak what they believe and think, often causing defeat. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." (Proverbs 18:21) Jesus said, "My words are spirit and life." (John 6:63) Fear will prevent you from speaking victory. This little book has helped many to rise from their defeated condition to a victorious life.

What you say...is often what you get. Place this 'read' on your menu.

Batter Up-Rounding the Bases of Life

"Batter Up-Rounding the Bases of Life"
by: Sharon E. Dawson

Do you swing at the first pitch?
Or do you wait for the best opportunity to come across your path?


In baseball, like life ~ many of the most valuable hits are made by waiting for the best. However, if you wait too long for too many, this can leave you watching the game from that eerie corner of the bench of regrets.

When looking for the opportunities in life to make a difference in another person, you must remember to stand close enough to the plate, yet not crowd it, and know how to best address the pitch or the opportunity.

Draw upon your senses to know when it is best to swing (make an effort), wait (determine if it is the best for you), and if need be, take the ‘walk’ (accept that what you have been thrown is just what it is and move on).

Many homeruns in life have been walked around the bases so there is no shame in that. Just shows you have a keen eye for decisions and you know how to reach your destination in any manner worthy of your time.

In careers, friendships, parenting, and personal growth, we stop and evaluate what the best opportunities are.

Balk at the best and you miss out.

Bunt and you need to hustle to just make the first level.

Swing without perception and you limit your chance to hit.

Look away from the obvious and you hear the strike against you.


Take the time to learn the game of life. You will round the bases with crowds cheering you on. Yet the biggest fan who will never leave you is the One who first showed you how and encouraged you to stand tall, hold on, and swing with sincerity.

You need to practice being ok with you ~ accepting your successes and your failures.
No matter the score, there is only one batter allowed at the plate at any time. And when your opportunity to make a difference is presented to you ~ make it matter.

Imagine the Coach saying to you every morning "Welcome to another opportunity at bat in the game of life. I'll be cheering you on, My Child. Run the race with diligence and determination, leaving your all on the Field of Faith!"

R U in or out of dOUbT?

“Are you: In or are you Out? You definitely are either one or the other. You are in faith or out. You are in doubt or out. You are in peace or out. One way to determine where you stand IN your faith is to look at your response to doubt. Where do you store those moments of confusion? There is usually not enough room for peace when doubt is present also. They are not compatible and create compromise and chaos in your spirit.

Often we say that we feel ‘out of sorts.’ Really exactly what is a ‘sort’ and how does one get IN to a sort because you can only get out of something what you put in to it.

We do say things like: “I sort a’ doubt it” when questioning our faith about something or someone. Maybe it is because you are compromising your desires by carrying confusion in your life instead of cradling peace in your heart?

Next time you find yourself entertaining doubt about your faith, your peace, or even your purpose for being, realize that where you stand (in or out) clearly will show you where and IN WHOM you have placed your faith.

Look at the word ‘dOUbT’. Notice that the “B” is silent. There is really no reason to “B in dou_t”, but then it would be spelled IN-correctly, LOL.

Have a blessed day...Go ahead...Be IN the moment...Yubw8n.