Yesterday Pastor Brian Pierce stated: "You've got to see it before you see it if you're ever going to see it!" Man, what a confirmation to me to narrow my focus on exactly what God has placed in my spirit. Life has a way of changing seasons on us & if we're not careful we can be like the children of Israel who couldn't appreciate the present glory because it didn't look like the former glory! Change is just ahead & we must remember that movement inspires movement. Your seed's been growing under the ground but you've gotta see it in FULL BLOSSOM/MOTION today. With that simply said, get positioned for the change that's soon to overtake you in the God sort of way. Shondo! 

 Stretch your arms wide and freely embrace this brand new day! No matter what the backdrop (yesterday) may have been, as long as there's breath, there's fresh opportunity for moving forward. No looking back allowed for DESTINY is surely ahead and not behind you. Get it together and move towards the mark. 3 Things to keep in mind as you reposition: 1) Hear the voice of God, 2) Listen to His strategic instructions, and by all means 3) Trust & obey what He says when He speaks. You're built for this so the only thing left to say is, "Onward!"

Have you ever felt like you were literally swirling and twirling in a whirlwind of change? Well I have sure have and I'm certain that I'm not the only one because change is an integral part of LIVING this life! The good news is that whirlwinds are preordained agents of change that have an attached promise that cannot be broken by our God who is constantly making all things new.

If you don't believe it just take a look at an expectant mother's sonogram at eight weeks and then again at twenty-six weeks. What can be seen is undeniable growth and development necessary for healthy life. Next, check out the lowly, underestimated caterpillar that crawls on the ground in the beginning. Now, fast forward to the end of the metamorphosis cycle and marvel at the beautiful creature that has evolved and emerged. Wow, talk about an example for change. This reminds me that I actually have a poster of a beautiful butterfly who has come into its own after a process of time. The quote by Trina Paulus says: “How does one become a butterfly?" she asked.  "You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar.”

The revelatory thing about the butterfly however that is often overlooked is that the only possible way it can become its finished product is that it first has to die. Oh my. It is impossible for me to comprehend this, to write this without recalling the precious words our Saviour, Jesus Christ spoke so long ago in John 10 that still live today: Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.  No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

A little further on John 12 reads: Most Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.  He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

No matter where we are on our chosen routes we always have the prerogative to CHANGE our minds. As a matter of fact God has been waiting on many to do just that so He can show up and show out in our lives. We must not be insistent on staying a course, remaining in a relationship or continuing to mourn what God has rejected. The moment that we are willing to relinquish our wills... will be the moment that long awaited manifestation appears. Selah.

Life Coach, Iyanla Vanzant, says: "Everything that happens to you is a reflection of what you believe about yourself. We cannot outperform our level of self-esteem. We cannot draw to ourselves more than we think we are worth.”          

Have you took a good look in the mirror lately and if so, did you like the image you saw? Was the person looking back at you someone you are happy with, proud of and even encouraged by who she ... IS BECOMING DESPITE all she may have been through? 

In class this week my Professor shared many of the common reasons or excuses students give for why they just cannot make it to and in school. He shared the details of a particular conversation that went something like this... 

Student: "You just don't understand. I'm having problems with this, and this and this. As a matter of fact, I'm really going through hell."  Professor: "GO FASTER!"

Wow! Every hellacious thing that happens to us has been given specific instructions on just how far and how long it can affect us. What we have been given are specific instructions on how to realize that no weapon formed against us can prosper, to tuck our cloaks  and "GO FASTER" by the grace of God through Jesus Christ! 

The power of the LORD came on Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel. (I Kings 18:46)

I witnessed something worderful today: WOMEN WORKING TOGETHER to make it happen for themselves and others! I listened to the empowering stories of phenominal women... MOVERS & SHAKERS, TRAILBLAZERS & FIRESTARTERS who are "just doing the dang thang" and doing it well! These women were dressed to the nines, hair fierce and stilettos that make you say, "ouch!" by just looking at them. And did I mention that the music was off the hook.  Lol! Well, I guess you know that I know I was in the right place at the right time on today. 

The male and female keynote speakers addressed diverse areas concerning entrepreneurship, transformation, understanding the wisdom in accepting the change of seasons, seizing ministry opportunities, rising above adversity, the value of collaborations and partnerships and the power of believing in God and the power that is within to be blessed to be a blessing.

Thanks Chisa Pennix-Brown, better known as "LadyBizness," for giving me the heads up and being so willing to share connections.

The Women In Bloom Extravaganz was hosted by Focused Sistas Outreach founded by Majik Thequeenthatcares Pennix. Today women from all walks of life met at Greensboro's Dynacon Event Center for 2013's Celebration. Thequeenthatcares is a woman with a vision who has heard from God and a stranger's voice she will not follow. 

Word of Wisdom: Go ahead & plan to catch Women In Bloom 2014!

As a kid, my Mom & Grandmom used to pick and shuck corn. I used to run when they brought the bushel barrels home because I did NOT want to see any worms! I never once gave thought to the planting, waiting and growth process.  All I knew was that I wanted my corn cleaned, cooked and with butter on it at the dinner table! That was my natural, kiddie perspective. 

(Mark 4:28) says: For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.  EVERYTHING'S a process. According to the Word of God... if we scatter the seed, they will sprout, grow and yield something BIG! With that being said, I'm all grown up now and ready to shuck some corn. I've got my sickle ready... what about you?

Most are pretty familiar with how cowardly the lion from the Wizard of Oz was. The lion for reasons unknown was afraid of just about everything he faced in his life, blindly thinking the Wizard had the power to give him COURAGE. Not so. What I conclude is that he was so distracted by looking OUTWARD that he neglected to look INWARD and... trust what was already built in.

 Here we have this lion that was not a turtle with a shell in which to hide but THE KING OF THE JUNGLE! He was called not only to roar the loudest, but to rule and conquer, yet he is afraid to take his rightful place. He got tired of existing off purpose; tired of being afraid so he set off on a long and tedious journey in hopes of receiving what he already possessed. Arriving in the Land of Oz he opened his mouth and asked for courage, but he asked the wrong source. How disappointed he was to discover that the power he had believed in was no power at all but a farce, a fake, a phony. Thankfully the little man, who was not a Wizard at all, shared a basic truth with the lion: "You are under the unfortunate delusion that simply because you run away from danger you have no courage. You're confusing courage with wisdom." Can I share some basic truths with you today?

(Matthew 7:7) gives us BASIC INSTRUCTION for using the courage within: "ASKKKKKK, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 

(I Cor 2: 9) gives us SPECIFICITY on having the courage to not just ask, but daring to ask BIG: But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Find your faith, trust in the right source and work your courage while it is day!