A Prayer for You...

Today, I simply want to share prayer with you.  As we embark upon a new year in just a couple of days, there are many people who are excited and ready to leave all their baggage behind and start fresh; however, there are those whose hurt and pain has been so severe this year, and they feel that there is no way to simply let it go and move forward.  While many are rejoicing as the clock strikes midnight, some will be crying and yet hurting, weighed down by the pain of their past.  Here's my prayer for you:

Lord, today I pray for those who have experienced severe pain in 2010.  Maybe they've lost a loved one; lost their job or home; their marriage ended in divorce;  they received a serious diagnosis that threatens to take their life; or maybe they just can't seem to win for losing.  I send a word of healing and peace to every person reading this that may be experiencing pain caused by the situations of life.  I ask that you would give them comfort, and let them know that you feel their pain, and are able to heal every hurt.  Help them to believe that although this year has been rough, the upcoming year has the potential to be their best year yet.  Remind them of your faithfulness, and the fact that all things work together for good to them that love you and are called according to your purpose, and that you have great purpose for their lives.  Help them to realize that with each new day comes a new beginning.  I ask that you would help them to embrace their new beginning, and give them the strength to let go of the pain of their past and move forward in you.  I pray that you'd give them a testimony of your goodness, your mercy, and your great grace.  Work in their lives according to your perfect will.  In Jesus' name, amen.

God has the power to make all things new.  Trust Him to heal you hurt, renew your mind, and give you peace that surpasses all understanding.  Make steps towards moving forward so that 2011 will be a better year for you. 

Enjoy the song posted below!



Til we meet again...live, laugh, love!

Peace & Blessings,
Keisha

The Gift of Love

It's Christmas Eve!  I know a lot of you are busy with last minute shopping, cleaning, cooking, and gift-wrapping.  I love this time of year, though I haven't always been able to say that.  I come from an untraditional family, and holidays were never really a big deal.  Being raised by my grandmother, who was on a fixed income, there really wasn't much she could afford to do for me, so Christmas was often just another day to me. But, more than any gift my sweet granny could have afforded to give me, the one thing I longed for most was that feeling of family love and togetherness.

I remember 11 years ago when I met my husband, and we spent our first holiday together as a couple.  It just so happened to be Christmas.  He took me over to his parent's home, where he and all of his siblings grew up, and the house was filled with family members, loads of food, and Christmas decor.  It was filled with laughter, love, and togetherness. I remember thinking, "These people are weird. Who does this?"  And every holiday that followed was the exact same way.

I wasn't accustomed to family togetherness, and it was foreign to me to see families actually operating in traditions.  It took me a very long time to adjust to the fact that his family was so close, and made it a point to keep their tradition of family togetherness flowing; and not only on holidays, but all throughout the year.

Having my own family now, consisting of my husband Jeremy, and our sons Joseph and Jaxon, I find that I have developed a new love and meaning for family togetherness.  Whether spending holidays with my husband's family, or doing our own intimate thing with just the four of us, we have vowed to give our children holiday memories that they can cherish forever.  I don't want my sons to ever feel the way I felt as a child.  I want them to know and value the importance of family, and experience love and togetherness every single day of their lives.

As we all prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, let us all embrace the true meaning of family unity.  It's not about the gifts under the tree, but the love that should freely flow from heart to heart.

From my family to yours, I pray that this holiday season will be one filled with the love and togetherness of family.  You may not get that perfect gift, and you may not have been able to buy gifts for those special people in your life, but know that no material gift can replace the gift that Jesus teaches us to give - unconditional love.  This Christmas, give the gift of love.  It's the gift that keeps on giving.

Merry Christmas!

Til we meet again...live, laugh, love!

Peace & Blessings,
Keisha

Finding Balance...

I have been SO busy lately; it seems like I can barely even find time to breathe.  I am being pulled in many different directions, and though it can appear to be a bit much sometimes, I know that God is leading me into new territory, and further revealing His plan of purpose for my life.

Since I know that everything most of the things vying for my attention lately, have been placed in my path by God, I am confident that He has already given me the grace and wherewithal to handle it.

One thing I have really been asking for in my prayer time is balance.  I don't want to give too much here, and not enough there.  I desire to be able to effectively give all that is required of me in every area of my life. For example, I do not want to be so focused on work and ministry obligations, that my husband and children are neglected, and vice versa. 

When things are out of balance it causes chaos, confusion, and frustration.  I have definitely experienced that within the past few weeks.  But I thank God that He hears my simple prayer of "Lord, help me find balance."

Now, I can't say that I've found that perfect balance just yet, but I know that as I continue to seek God, He will definitely bring me to that place.

As women, we wear so many hats.  If you're anything like me, no matter how many hats you may, or may not, wear, you simply want to wear them all well.  And we should pray for wisdom to know what hats we simply cannot wear.

I encourage you to join me as I seek God for balance, and work towards finding that happy medium.

Til we meet again...live, laugh, love!

Peace & Blessings,
Keisha

Victory In Jesus

Hey y'all! (Can you tell I'm from the deep south?!) LOL!

I know you guys have been praying for me, because I am feeling a lot better.  I'm not quite back to feeling 100%, but I'm well on my way.  Somebody give Him praise and tell 'em "Thank ya!"


There are a few things I could worry, gripe, and complain about today.  Instead I choose to turn it all over to the Lord, trust Him, and keep a smile on my face and a praise in my heart.  Life is life, and it's filled with unpleasurable moments, but that's no reason for me to get all bent outta shape, and worry sick.  I've seen God work out too many situations for me to stop trusting Him now.  He's been faithful to me, and I vow to be faithful to Him in return. 

If there's one thing I know about God, it's that He always has my back...always.  That's one reason I love Him so much.  He's always there; always concerned; always working things out...gotta love 'em.

Today, as I spent some time in God's presence and allowed my heart to cry out to Him, He spoke to my heart and said:  Though the enemy may try to magnetize your problems and make them seem bigger than you can handle, I have supreme power; I am soveriegn, and there is nothing too great for me to handle. You have the victory.

How awesome is that?! 

Since you and I serve a supreme God, there is no need to worry about a thing.  That old raggedy devil may as well step back, because Jehovah Nissi reigns in victory, and as joint-heirs with Christ we have access to every promise written in the word of God.

Today, join me in shouting from the mountaintop that I HAVE THE VICTORY THROUGH CHRIST JESUS!! 

There's an old congregational that comes to mind:

In the name of Jesus, In the name of Jesus
We have the victory.

In the name of Jesus, In the name of Jesus
Satan, you have to flee.

Tell me who can stand before us
when we call on that great name?
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus
we have the victory!

Do I have any believers out there?

Til we meet again...live, laugh, love!

Peace & Blessings,
Keisha

He'll Replenish You

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

You guys should see me as I'm typing this.  I'm pecking on the keyboard as if I'm just learning how to type.  Why?  It all started at about 2AM, when my stomach started to act really crazy.  My head began to pound, and I broke out in cold sweats. I'll spare you all the gory details, but I'm very weak today, and even the smallest activity seems to make me feel overexerted. 

Thank God for my husband who got the boys ready and off to their perspective places this morning, because mommy just could not do it today.  Needless to say, I've been in bed all day trying to recuperate, and regain my strength.

If you will, say a little prayer for me...that I'll be back to feeling 100% very soon.  In the meantime, I'm going to rest in God, and rely on Him to renew my strength.

Are you feeling a bit weak today?  Maybe not physically, but spiritually or emotionally.  If that happens to be you, I encourage you to take some time to rest in God.  Let His word and His presence replenish you in whatever area of weakness you may be experiencing.  I know He'll do it, and when He does, you'll feel much stronger than you did before.

Til we meet again...live, laugh, love!

Peace & Blessings,
Keisha

Doesn't Matter What They Say...

I work with troubled teenagers.  I never really considered myself as someone who would enjoy working with children, especially those deemed troubled, but I absolutely love it.  It is quite fulfilling to me to have the opportunity to make even the slightest difference in a child's life, particularly those who have been counted as nothing more than a mere statistic.  Some of them have been told that they'll never amount to anything.

I can remember a time in my life when I felt that I was just a nobody, and my life had no meaning.  That is one of the worst feelings in the world.  I thank God for how He has transformed my mind, and is showing me that He has divine purpose for my life.

I pray that I can help the teenagers I work with to believe that there is great purpose for their lives, and inspire them to be the best that they can be, no matter what odds are stacked against them.  I want them to know it doesn't matter what they say, because God always has the final say.  And He is capable of taking every wrong in our lives and make it right.

Just because you've made a few wrong turns does not mean you are incapable of getting on the right path.  You have the power to rise above any statistic or stereotype that has been thrown your way.

I encourage you to trust that God has a plan of purpose for your life, and commit to doing all that you can in making strides towards becoming a better you.

Forget about the naysayers; their words hold no merit.

Til we meet again...live, laugh, love!

Peace & Blessings,
Keisha

God's Sweet Embrace

This week seems to be dragging by.  I probably feel that way because the enemy has been trying his hardest to discourage me on so many levels within the past few days.  I know that it's his job to try to distract, disturb, and ultimately, destroy me, but sometimes I wish he would just leave me alone.  I do realize, however, that as long as I live a life committed to pleasing God and walking in His purpose for my life, that old devil is going to always stay on my back.  No worries though, because I'm in this thing for the long haul, and nothing he throws my way will stop me.

Yes, I definitely get a little frustrated sometimes, but God always intervenes with His perfect peace.  You know, for every discouragement the enemy has thrown my way this week, God has sent encouragement.  I love how He always sends little subtle messages to let me know He's got my back.  I love Him so much.

On top of not feeling well today, I've been feeling some kind of way emotionally, but on my drive home from work I could feel God's presence sweetly embracing me.  In that moment, I couldn't stop the tears from falling from my eyes.  I was so deeply touched by how God knew exactly what I needed without me ever saying a word.  I love how concerned He is about every little thing that concerns me.  He's so sweet to me.

Today, I just want to tell you to not even worry your pretty little head about what the enemy is trying to do to discourage you.  Instead, just rest in God's sweet embrace.  You'll find everything you need right there in His arms.

Til we meet again...live, laugh, love!

Peace & Blessings,
Keisha

The Serenity in Silence...

I am a naturally quiet person, and I enjoy silence.  Too much noise for a long period of time, and I'm itching for some quiet time.  I try to make sure I get some quiet time in every night before going to bed.  It's that time when my husband and sons are asleep, the TVs are off, cell phone and computer is powered down, and it's just me and God...in complete silence.  Some people tell me that too much silence makes them feel weird, but for me it's one of the most relaxing and refreshing times of my day.  Without my quiet time, I feel often flustered and frustrated.

There is something about the serenity of silence that calms, soothes, and relaxes me. It's in those times that I talk to God with my heart, and I feel the sweetness of His embrace.  Ahhhh...so refreshing.  Who needs the spa?!

When my days are crazy, and my thoughts are overwhelming, I can always steal away to a quiet place, light a few candles, and relax in Christ.   Such rejuvenation.

Life can often be a bit noisy, so today I encourage you to find a quiet place and enjoy the silence.  No TV, phone, computers, music...nothing.  Just complete silence.  I bet you'll feel so refreshed afterwards.

Til we meet again...live, laugh, love!

Peace & Blessings,
Keisha

Control Your Response

Today has been quite a day!!

I was purposely insulted and disrespected (First behind my back, then directly in my face!), and so upset to point that I could have blown steam from my ears.  I was ready to go ALL the way OFF!  So, when it came time to address the issue, guess what I did?  I lost my cool and let them have it!!  I whispered a little prayer, and got my point across while maintaining my composure and wearing a smile.  By the end of the meeting, they were apologizing.

I'm typically very calm and cool, but there are times when my temperature definitely rises.  In those times, though I could become angry and allow my emotions to drive me, I try to always maintain christian character and control the way I respond to problems.  I believe there is a graceful way to handle any situation.

It's not always easy to take the high road when someone rubs you the wrong way, and initially it may seem like a good idea to go tit for tat, but when you really think about it, it's pointless.  And at the end of the day, as a  Christian, you will be seen as the one who should've known better.

There will definitely be times when you will feel angry and upset, that's not the issue.  What matters is your response to those feelings.  No matter how something or someone may anger me, or you, I believe that we possess the ability to control the way we respond in any given situation, and we are to exemplify Christ in all things, at all times.

Today's upset taught me that though I may feel like rounding up the troops and going to war, I don't have to act on impulse and end up regretting losing my cool.  Instead, I can pray about it and, and allow the Holy Spirit that dwells within me to take control and help me to choose a better response.

Til we meet again...live, laugh, love!

Peace & Blessings,
Keisha

In Love With Jesus

Today, my heart is overwhelmed with emotion.  Not because anything is wrong, but simply because I am so in love with Jesus. There are no words that could adequately convey how much I love Him.

He's so sweet to me...the lover of my soul.  Just thinking about Him makes me smile...

Falling in love with Jesus has been the absolute best thing I have ever done!

Though there are a million things I could say about why I love Him so much, today I just want to share a song with you.  It captures exactly where my heart is...Enjoy!