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Finishing the Race

Posted on by yolandaberry
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woman-girl-silhouette joggerIn dedication to all those who were affected by the Boston Marathon Bombings

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil 3:14

When you start a race, the ultimate goal is to be the first one to cross the finish line. Winning feels great. It is an indication that you’ve accomplished what you set out to do. It demonstrates strength, pride, determination and commitment. Integrity also illustrates the true character of a winner as long as honesty and playing fairly is part of the performance.

In high school, I was a sprinter on the track team. I also remember that I would exhaust all of my energy from the beginning to the end of the race because I was running the 50 to 100 mile dash. However, runners who compete in a long distance race must conserve their energy and concentrate on keeping a steady pace throughout the race. By the end, runners get a burst of adrenaline, momentum and speed.

The navigation through life is very similar to the challenges and obstacles we face in a marathon. Everyone has a dream or goal that they want to accomplish. They set out to fulfill their ambitions. Their main objective is to gain status, fame, money, material objects, a wife or husband, children, dog, house and car.  Well, you get the idea, anything related to the world’s idea of success and prosperity. Often, moving through life anxiously without enjoying the moment in time.

To achieve our goals, some lose their morals and values. They will lie or cheat. They will even ignore certain situations. Once they gain the success they’ve worked so hard for, they often grasp a tight hold on it as well as developing greed or envy. In fear of losing what they’ve gained, they forget the most simple and precious moments or to acknowledge others along the way.

We often see children rushing to grow up too fast or a couple rushing to get married. We do not take the time to enjoy each stage of life. Before we even graduate from school, we wish we were in college. By the time, we’re in college we wish we were married. By the time, we’re married, we wish we had children. Even in the most general or daily activities, it causes us to rush through life. We rush to our jobs every morning. We rush to the grocery store to complete errands. We rush to get the latest fashion or model car. Everything is a constant rush and we nearly want to hurt somebody if they get in our way.

Often times when we finally get to our destination, we have many regrets, failures, heartaches and sorrow because all to many times we’ve rushed through the natural process of life and missed out on valuable time. Often times, we could of avoided mistakes or bad decisions if we just took the time to focus on priorities and appreciate the time in that moment. “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” Eccles 7:8

Satan can often trick us into thinking that we are running out of time. However, procrastination and fear is definitely part of the enemy’s tactic to keep us from moving forward. Sometimes, even paralyzing us.

However, through God’s grace, mercy and timing, He will work all things out for our good in His own perfect timing. “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Phil 1:6

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted: A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep and a time to cast away; A time to rent; and a time to sow; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Eccles 3:1-8

Unlike the sprinter, the long distance runner realizes that each step is closer than the one before. While keeping abreast of their pace, they understand and appreciate the moment they’re given while keeping their eye of the prize. They can even accept if their competitor passes them by and know that not all is lost. They keep moving ahead with determination. Even though they are tired and out of breath, they pick up momentum. As they approach the finish line, they strive forward to victory. “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run; and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” I John 5:4

A Call To Action

Posted on by yolandaberry
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It has been five years since the nightmare on Wall Street, the downturn in the housing market, economic homicide, stock market suicide and job market genocide. We have experienced a constant series of rollercoaster events to last a lifetime: Natural disasters, global, social and political turmoil.  Now, we’re facing another panic attack in Congress over extreme budget cuts in our nation. Have you had enough?

A Heart of Prayer

When life seems to be spiraling out of control, it is only through prayer that makes a difference. Man is not in control as much as the world system believes. We serve an unlimited, omniscient, all-knowing God. “God who works all things out for our highest good”. Romans 8:28

Perhaps, God is calling us to acknowledge Him. Desire Him. Understand Him. Love Him. We simply can’t keep living less than His expectations and intentions that He created us to be. Phil 2:13

A Heart of Repentance

We can’t continue to sleep walk through life while others walk dead. “Awake thou that sleeps and arise from the dead and Christ will give you light. See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise redeeming the time because the days are evil. Therefore, be not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” Esph 5:14-17 We need a touch from God: A spiritual awakening. A revival. Only the power of God can change the direction the world is going. Repentance must be at the heart of every man.  “Every knee shall bow and confess that He is Lord.”Phil 2:10-11

A Heart of Service

We are in a new season. The year is still young. Let’s add caring to our resolution list for mankind in 2013. We need a call to action. We must also serve our neighborhoods, our communities , our world. We have all been hit with some type of devastation in our lives: A death of a loved one, an illness, a tragic accident, foreclosure, divorce, abusive relationships, addictions, job loss, bankruptcy and other horrific things. We can’t escape life, but we can heal our wounds. It takes each of us. When we give back to others, we enrich our own lives and uplift others. We cannot afford to wait for someone else to make a difference. There is power in one, but there is also power in the masses. “Many are called, but few are chosen.”

The corruption, greed, and hatred is a manifestation of the enemy magnified on the earth whose mission is to kill, steal and destroy. The Lord’s intention is to give us life more abundantly. John 10:10

A Heart to Build Future Generations

There may not be much we can personally do about the decisions made in Washington, but you can decide what you can do to make a difference in your community. Jesus said, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” When Christ lives within us, “We can do all things in Christ which strengthens us.”Phil 4:13

We can begin to rebuild a new future for the next generation which starts with one prayer at a time and one brick at a time.

Violence in America

Posted on by yolandaberry
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http://youtu.be/Qug6-jkNB1U

“Where there is no vision the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18

What is happening to America? As I watched the news unfold, I am horrified to see the world unravel in chaos within the school system as well as on every level in our society. What has gone wrong in America where school yards have become battlegrounds? Where shopping malls, churches and movie theaters have become targets of warfare?

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The sense of morals and values as well as respect for life has been lost by youth and our adults. The media has also played a  role in the social conditions where entertainment is being fed to the  population as “Trash TV,”   emphasizing murders, strong explicit sexual content and  profanity in our daily lives. It’s also reflected in music, movies  and other forms of entertainment. When someone constantly  feeds off of negativity,subconsciously it eventually affects their  psychological, spiritual, emotional and mental state. Not to mention all that they may be dealing with in their own lives. Others fester hatred in their hearts and do not have any value or regard for life. Period.

 

https://youtu.be/GMayoVeBzrY

With the high level of social and economic problems in our  country, people are losing hope for their future. It is evident in the  continued senseless death of innocent lives being lost. This is a  disgrace to our Nation and in the eyes of God.

It states in the Bible, the Lord will cut down the wicked. Although the wicked seems to reign at this present time, God is still in control and has victory in the end. Satan is defeated.

In the act of suicide, the people who are projecting violence on the innocent truly believe they’re escaping their evil deeds, but everyone will face judgement upon the earth. You cannot escape the consequences of your actions through death.

This act of violence is demonic but disguised as entertainment. The devil is a master illusionist and the master of lies. He is taking hold of minds to commit his work and to gain lost souls.

It also doesn’t help that the mentally ill, hate group or ex-con has the access to purchase and carry guns on the streets of America. We are living in a modern-day wild wild west.

With the increase of random violence, these acts are becoming desensitized. Something has to change for the better and not the worse.

Our vision has to be uplifted to a higher standard for what we accept and what is fed to us in this country. When you start accepting and compromising truth, morals, values, character and integrity, you will eventually start to experience the unravel of an individual, group, system, family, community, society and a nation.

It starts with the individual. There is power in one, but there is also power in the masses. Prayer was taken out of the school system and replaced with guns, bullying, sexual abuse and other forms of violence. This is unacceptable behavior and should not be tolerated.

This country has become much too passive which is causing additional problems. The mentality of the masses has to change for our survival. The answer is not bringing more guns to protect our children in the school system or in public places, but to eliminate the use of guns in this country.

There is a problem when we have to use guns as a control method to eradicate the problem. This country is out of control if you have to seek military measures to secure and protect our children and our nation. This is not the solution.

We are losing our children and our future. In the process, generation upon generation is lost. It’s time to take back what the devil has stolen from us. The proper vision put to action will lead us. How can one see clearly if they don’t carry a Godly vision to see effectively?

When the blind leads the blind, they fall into a ditch. We need the vision of God who is the Father of wisdom, grace, mercy, discernment and love to led the way. It’s time to raise the standard of the people because the season is here.

2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.
4 He counts the number of the stars;
He calls them all by name.
5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;
His understanding is infinite.
6 The Lord lifts up the humble;
He casts the wicked down to the ground.

Psalms 147:2-6 (KJV)