"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and they are safe (~ Proverbs 18:10.)"  

What a comforting promise in the time of trouble. And did you notice the medical banner waving at the top of the fortress? We know that symbolizes hospital, sickness, pain, injury, etc. In other words it's an S.O.S. for emergency help ... right away. So many times in every day lie the enemy tries to keep us out of the presence of  the Lord by creating any possible duress and disquietude of spirit. He thinks that if he can just turn up the heat , that we will fold and not stand.  Guess what? Sometimes we don't even need to stand, we just need to know where to run! When you don't know what to do, you DO know where to run. #Shondo!

Fred Hammond really knocked the ball out of the park with this old school vibe. I was just thinking on how much it has been raining ALL DAY LONG and this song came to my spirit. The children of God have to constantly press on this walk that definately is "not sunshine every day." 

Truth be told, there are inescapable days when it not only rains, but pours and a mighty bitter cup at that. The Good News is that we have a Saviour whose name is Jesus, the name above all names who is able to help in times of conflict, chaos, confusion and calamity. At the preordained sound of the timer, He lovingly leads us to a safe place of refuge that allows us to be renewed, rejuvinated, replenished and recalibrated for the next leg of the journey. 

Therefore, Beloved, rest along the journey if you must, but even when tempted, don't quit! Pull out your umbrellas, slip on your rain boots, button your raincoats and PRESS on through the storm! Press inspite of, press because of, press anyhow, press anyway, press regardless of, PRESS until either "IT" or  "YOU" changes. 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)