You Don't Need It!

Happy Saturday,

This morning I came to my favorite place and ordered my usual bacon, egg white, and cheese sandwich with a café latte. I sat down at my favorite seat and started to unpack my gear. As I was unpacking, I noticed my earbuds were not in my bag. I looked through the bag, at least three times. I almost started to freak out, because I have a ritual before I write. Before I write, I usually always listen to worship music; just to get my spirit in the right place. But I didn’t have my earbuds, and I kept thinking what I am going to do? I can’t write, without listening to my tunes (which is crazy talk).

In that moment, the Holy Spirit reminded me, that regardless if I have music or not, He was still going to be present in my writing. He reminded me that He is always present when I am doing the Lord’s will. He reminded me again…that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Queens,

I didn’t need my self-reliance ritual to write and you don’t either. You don’t need you for the interview, you just need the Holy Spirit. You don’t need you for creating a new plan at work, you just need the Holy Spirit. You don’t need to always have a plan for tomorrow, you just need the Holy Spirit. Parents you don’t need another parenting book or advice, you just need the Holy Spirit. You don’t always have to know the right words, because like our Father told Moses “Now go. I will help you speak. I will teach you what to say.” Exodus 4:12 (NIV).

So my thoughts, the next time you’re looking for your earbuds (self-reliance), rest in knowing all you need is the Holy Spirit.

Have a Healthy Weekend!

He Sees You!

Good morning Victorious Peeps,

I am sitting at my favorite place on the planet; that’s right Panera. I was supposed to be editing my book, but decided to work on something else. During this time, I listened to the song “You know my name.”  I don’t know what it is, but I love knowing, even if no one else knows me, the Lord does. He knows what I am capable of doing, even when I think I might fail.

Have you ever been asked to do something, which you’ve never done before? Have you ever been encouraged to try something, that has nothing to do with your prior career (or hobby) experience? Has someone came to you for creative ideas (even though, you think you don’t have a creative bone in your body). Has someone ever trusted you with something important, and they have only known you a hot second?

How do you respond? Do you decline the offer or are you honored that someone sees the greatness in you?

Remember the Lord knows your name and He knows all your capabilities and your future victories (and valleys). This morning, I was watching a video and the person quoted Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

The Lord says “HE KNOWS THE PLANS HE HAS FOR YOU,” which means HE SEES YOU! He sees all the possibilities and paths, that will help you grow, stretch, and bring all gifts to light.  

Therefore, the next time someone SEES YOU and ask for help; don’t let your fear or lack of understanding of your inner power, sway you from tackling their ask. The Jesus in you is always greater than the fear in you.  

Have a Healthy Weekend!

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Stop Making Me Wait!

Happy Saturday,

Stop Making Me Wait! 

About 10 years ago (2008), the Lord started speaking to me in a way, that I couldn’t understand. Things, I hadn’t noticed in years, were now more visible (unhidden) to me. He would point out women to me in the store, or at restaurants. He would point out, that a cashier was hurting, and to pray for her. He would remind me, to pray for the lady with the child in the grocery store, which was throwing a tantrum. He even made me more sensitive, to the things I watch on TV; to the point that I felt like, why in the world am I so saddened (affected) by the lives of total strangers? And then, He dared to tell me, women were my passion. Huh?

Now, I don’t know about you, but most of the time, when God tells me to do something, it is NEVER anything I want to do.  So, during this process, I remember saying out loud to God, NO!

No God, I don’t want to get involved, with whatever you’re showing me. Like for real Lord, I am good with going to church, paying my tithes, and participating in the young adult group. All that other stuff was for people in ministry (and if we are truthful, many Jesus followers believe this).

At that time, I was good. I was reading my Bible and loved learning about Jesus. Why was He, trying to get me involved with anything else? Now fast forward a few years later (2011-2012). I don’t know what happened, but my attitude of rejection (refusal), turned into affection (love), and a passion to help women, see themselves as God sees them.

Why am I sharing this? Because I need you to move past your fear, so the folks in need of what you have, can be blessed. During my refusal period, I shared with a few folks, what God was showing me because I honestly didn’t understand.  A pastor told me “Lee, if God is telling you to do it, then do it. He could get someone else, but He called you!” Just a few years ago, when I was having doubts about my books. Another person said, “Lee, God gave you the passion to write, because someone is waiting on the story you have to tell.” 

Listen Queens,

I have decided, not to pester you about Vision statements this year; instead I am going to say STOP MAKING ME WAIT! Sadly, too many of us, think it is the Pastor, the Bishop, the First Lady, or Worship leader’s job, to be the Church. WE ARE ALL THE CHURCH! While you continue to be ok, with just doing the bare minimum; someone is waiting to receive, what God asked you to do 5 years ago.

If you have a true passion for something, which YOU KNOW, YOU SHOULD BE DOING. DO IT!

I don’t care how many others have done it, I don’t care about the challenges you’ve drummed up in your head, I don’t care how hard you think it will be.  While you continue, to let fear be the Boss of your life, someone is waiting on what God gifted you to do.

Just imagine, where would we be, if Jesus had decided to wait and not died on the cross!

STOP MAKING THEM WAIT! 

2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV) “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

There’s more coming….as well as EXPECTED!!

Happy Saturday,

I hope everyone had a decent week and will be able to enjoy the beautiful weather (at least in Central Ohio).  Over the last few weeks, my thoughts have been all over the place. Regarding work, relationships, and future writings. There was a thought I felt the Holy Spirit revealed to me for kicking off my websites 2020 series; therefore, I thought I would share it with you.

The statement was “There’s more coming….as well as EXPECTED!!

Now, I don’t know about you, but this statement is saying a lot (in a good way).  The reason the Lord said “there is more coming” is because He reminded me of promises. Promises He has been making to me, over the last few years. One of those promises, was He said there would be surprises in my life. The interesting thing is God said this about 4-5 years ago and SURPRISES (unexpected) continue to happen in my life. In addition to the surprises, I’ve also realized the Lord has expected a little more from me.

Queens,

I want you to know that I believe “There is more coming” for you. I believe the Lord is good and loves His children. I believe our God wants to give good gifts to His children. I believe He wants you to overcome any obstacle you face, and He desires for you to have peace. But I also believe in the midst of His goodness/faithfulness to give; He also EXPECTS more from us as well. When I say more, I don’t mean in the physical. I don’t mean more nights at church or for your ministry. I don’t mean more hours spent at work. I don’t mean more conversations with folks, you don’t really want to talk to. I don’t mean making more commitments with family and friends.

I mean, more of you to know Him, so that you are changed inwardly. More of you to decrease so He can increase in you. Ephesians 3:20 (MSG) says, “God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!” He can do “FAR MORE” than your request in the physical (finances, health, relationships, home, work); however, just imagine what He could do for you (inwardly), if you were willing be MORE SUBMISSIVE to Him. Yes, giving up control (surrendering) is a scary thing but “There’s more coming as well as EXPECTED!!”

It is okay to surrender to the Lord. He is the safest fortress, rock, and confidant I know.

Have a Healthy Weekend!

What Should I Call You?

Happy Friday!  

I hope you had a nice week or at least attempted to (we can’t control everything). Anyhoo, last night a friend and I, tried a new dance class. And I must say, it was total awesome sauce. Though, it was a little different than our normal instructors, it still provided a fun environment. My favorite thing the ladies did at the end of class, was have us say affirmations. They started every affirmation with calling us Queens! I love that word and it happens to be a title for one of my web pages. They had us call ourselves beautiful and strong. We also spoke it to the other people in the class!! If you’re interested in their group, they are called “Divine Impact Fitness.” Now onto the message.

How many of you actually speak good things about yourself, to yourself? Well, I do! I didn’t always say nice things to Lee, but Jesus told me years back, that I was a Queen and shouldn’t act any less than that; therefore, I have decided to like everything about me (issues and all). My 2nd book has a section which talks about women speaking good things about themselves; it says “How many of us speak the scriptures of God’s goodness and love, yet are subjecting ourselves to the darkness daily? We cannot claim to have self-worth (love), when we constantly allow people (and ourselves) to penetrate our minds, in such a way that we no longer love ourselves appropriately.

Please be encouraged, not offended by my next point. I love me (in a healthy way) and I refuse to call myself anything but good things. I am not fat, ugly, or stupid and neither are you. If you believe negative things about you, then that is what you will become. I also want to remind you, that it is disrespectful to the Lord, when you disrespect His handywork, by calling yourself negative names. Jesus calls you friend, loved, redeemed, fearless, protected, free, and a conqueror. Anything less, is not Kingdom mentality!

 Have a Healthy Weekend and Be Kind to yourself!

 Proverbs 139:14 (NIV) “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well..”

Don’t Stop – Just Modify

Happy Tuesday!!,

Before I jump into the message, I wanted to quote a song I heard this morning. “You’ve been Better than Good to me!”  Yes, the Lord has (and is) better than GOOD TO US!  I know this is just a social media post, but as the preachers say, “Give God the Praise” because “He is Better Than Good to Us! The song is called “Lord You are Good,” sung by Todd Galberth.  Check out the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mztyl7oIlRY

This morning, my alarm clock went off at 5am to get up for boxing, but I said to myself, not today; I turned the alarm off and reset it for 6:30am. I drifted off into a sweet sleep of FOUR MINUTES, before I jumped out of bed and said NO! I am going to boxing. The morning before I was at boxing, then did hip-hop class in the evening; therefore, my knee was hurting from yesterday’s workouts, but that didn’t stop Lee, I just modified my technique. 

Sometimes we think because we’re tired, or something is painful, then we should quit. Or perhaps, something was not as successful as we hoped or things are taking longer than planned, so we quit. Maybe, you even think many years have passed by, that you missed your mark and God has moved on, so you quit.

Do you remember the story of David and Goliath? This young man fought a GIANT! Do you also remember they provided him armor and a helmet to fight? But, David was unable to use these tools, so he modified and chose to use his sling and five stones. If we fast forward to the end, then you know David defeated Goliath. He did this with God and modifying his technique. Perhaps, the story might have went differently, if David would have fought in armor, he’d never trained in before. 

 My Sisters,

Some of you, are wearing armor that doesn’t fit you, nor was it ever meant for you to put on. But don’t quit, modify your technique and fight. The Lord never guides you somewhere without the proper tools (strategy) to finish. Usually the issue is, we think we need to add more of our (and others) “stuff” to God’s plan.

I encourage you, to talk to God and ask Him to lead you through your current situation. Ask him, if you’re wearing inadequate armor (co-dependency of unhealthy things or people, unwise counsel, repeated attempts of dead-end actions, inability to change, inability to move by Faith). You need to remove this faulty armor, as it is holding you back from the next step in life. 

But DON’T QUIT, JUST MODIFY YOUR APPROACH, by putting on the right armor which is the “Full Armor of God.”  Ephesians 6:13-20

Read the entire 1 Samuel 17

How do you Follow?

Good morning,

This past weekend I was on a flight to visit a friend and during the flight, I was reading a book geared to helping Christians become more spiritually healthy.  As I was reading, one of the sentences made me pose a question to myself, silently (I didn’t want the passenger next to me, hearing me have a conversation with myself).  Anyhoo..the question I asked myself was do I follow God out of compliance or out of love? Do I do certain things because I want to be obedient or do I do them because I love God (trust him) and know that it is the right thing to do.  I am still pondering this question, as I think about some of my past and recent actions. How do you respond when God asks you do something or just when the day(s) require unwanted requests from you? Do you willingly commit to the task (out of love) or out of compliance.  Do you act with an “unselfish loyal and benevolent behavior” or out of a need to “comply with a demand or recommendation.”  Did you notice the difference between the two?

 If not, let me help you

 Have you ever noticed, how sometimes children will do what you ask willingly (minus the attitude) because they love you, the way you love them? Then there is their alter ego, that is just being obedient to your request with a ton of attitude-rude. I don’t know about you, but it frustrates me, when I ask my child to do something and either they sort of complete the task, or the task is completed with comments under their breath and rolled eyes. I wonder how God feels, when we treat Him this way?

Perhaps many of us will not be honest, but sometimes we are just like children; we grumble and roll our eyes when asked to do something, we do it at our own pace (God told us to do it 6 months ago), or we do some of the job with the nerve, to consider a half-done job is better than nothing. A reminder for all of us, you may have been obedient but obedience without love is still a disposition of irreverence (disrespect).  Being obedient when you feel like it (and not when God said move) is irreverence.  Being obedient with complaints or with an attitude that the Lord owes you a “Thank you” is irreverence.  Being obedient, to boast about being obedient instead of because you love God, isn’t true love for God but a form of worshipping yourself.

 So I ask again, do you follow God merely out of obedience as if you are a robot? Or do you follow Him because your heart desires to please, trust, and follow Him (even when it doesn’t make sense, or might take too long, or even when it benefits everyone else but you)?  Obedience is great but LOVE IS GREATER!                                                                                                                                                                      

Luke 22:41-44 (NLT) He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.

Source for definitions: Love: Merriam-Webster.com and Obedience Merriam-Webster.com

Thankful for Friendliness

Happy Wednesday!!

I hope your week is off to a great start and you had a nice July 4th with family and friends. My daughter and I went to breakfast, played video games, and then became to lazy to go see the fireworks. It was still an enjoyable long weekend; however, very difficult to come into work on Monday. Did you have the same challenge?

Speaking of work…. the other day I was sending meeting invitations to complete a few deliverables. One of my colleagues, declined the invitation because her daughter has an upcoming doctor’s appt. I responded to her email, by sharing how my daughter injured her knee at Tae Kwon Do a few weeks ago. I also told her, it has been a slow recovery, as she isn’t all the way healed yet. She responded with more detail about her daughter’s injury; in addition, she said “parents hate to see their children, miss being involved in the things they love.” I totally agree.

I share this story to ask you a question. How friendly are you at work, at church, at restaurants, at the airport, or the grocery store? How much information are you willing to share with total strangers? Let me back up for a moment. I just started working with my colleague a few weeks ago, and we have never met, since she resides is in a different state. Nonetheless, I can always sense her “friendliness” every time we have a meeting.

Let’s get back to my question…yes, I know it can be scary to share personal information with people you don’t know. Honestly, it can be difficult to share information with people you’ve known for 20 years. But just think about this for a moment. If you believe Jesus lives in us, and shows his self through us; then perhaps you are missing an opportunity to chat with Jesus, when you choose to be closed off to strangers. 

Now, I am not saying everyone you meet is representing Jesus. Though, I wonder how many of us have missed a little Jesus-Joy-Time because we didn’t want to be polite and have a brief conversation. We didn’t want to let someone know something personal (even though we felt a tug to share). We refuse to do small talk with co-workers or cashiers at the grocery store.

Let me remind you that everyone is not out to get you, nor are their questions always an act of nosiness. Some folks (though strangers) may genuinely care, and want to know a little more about you. You probably don’t believe this, but many of us, have no idea how many people are praying for us (even though we didn’t ask them to). How many people saw you were sad and said a prayer when they walked by you? People who have been “arranged” by God to bump into you, because He knew you needed a stranger-friend.

If you haven’t realized by now, God loves you so much, that He purposely sends people to assist you (even when you don’t think their help is needed).  God loves you so much, that you’re on someone’s prayer list, even though you haven’t shared your challenges. 

All I am saying, that it is okay to be friendly. It is okay to share a little personal information sometimes with people which you’ve only known for 2hrs. You know why? You never know when you’re having a talk with Jesus or people get to experience Jesus by talking to you. I would hate for us, to keep missing out on Jesus-Joy-Time because we’re too private.

Jesus isn’t private. He is EVERYWHERE! HE LIVES! HE LIVES IN US!

Matthew 5:14-16 (The Message) “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”

Behaviors outside of Church

Good morning and Happy Wednesday,

So, the other day, I was in the drive-thru line to get a peppermint mocha (decaf).  I get decaf because I think the Lord gave me caffeinated blood cells, so when I drink caffeinated drinks, I tend to bounce off the walls. But anyhoo… I am in this line, excited to get my coffee, when I notice the car in front of me, ends up getting their coffee through a different method. You are probably wondering what method? Well, I couldn’t see what happened, but I think the cashier tripped while trying to hand out the coffee; the next thing I saw, was a large iced coffee flying onto the outside counter and into this woman’s car. I instantly covered my mouth, as if covering my mouth, would send us all back in time to redo the entire situation.

All I could think was, I would have been very upset if that was me…. But what I love about the beauty in humans, is the lady in the car was laughing. She didn’t get angry; she didn’t say disrespectful words to the cashier. She actually was asking the cashier, if she was okay. Of course, the cashier apologized numerous times, as she wiped the coffee off the drive-thru counter. 

The point of today’s message is simple. How do you behave outside the church walls? Would you have been rude (abrupt, blunt, uncivil) to the cashier? Called her names? Wanted to speak to the manager and complained (or even shouted) how awful she was? Or would you remember that God shows grace towards you, and have a change of heart, to show grace towards her?

Honestly, I am not sure I would have been nice, like the lady in front of me; though, I am very glad the Lord reminded me to extend (spread, share, cover) the same grace that I have received to everyone, every day, even on my bad days, even with spilled coffee, even with botched food orders, and even when I am right and the other person is wrong (or so I would like to believe).   

God shows His grace to us on a 24/7 basis (not just occasionally). Why? Because the Lord is the God of grace at all times.  

So, I ask you…. how is your behavior outside of Church? How is your behavior when your children aren't watching? How is your behavior when someone cuts in front of you?

Is your first response to allow the Holy Spirit to respond or your flesh?

Have a Happy July 4th!

Read the entire I Corinthians Chapter 15.

I Corinthians 15:9-10 (The Message)  “I don’t deserve to be included in that inner circle, as you well know, having spent all those early years trying my best to stamp God’s church right out of existence. But because God was so gracious, so very generous, here I am. And I’m not about to let his grace go to waste.”

His Record is Sufficient

Good morning Children of the Most High,  

I hope your week is off to a good start, and if you reside in Central Ohio; perhaps you’re enjoying our wonderful spring weather in the summertime.  I made this comment because for some of us, it has been raining almost every day. It has been raining as if it is still Spring, but hopefully summer will arrive in July since June is pretty much over. 

Today’s message is a reminder to keep your focus on Jesus.  I know some of you have been praying about something very specific. You may have even been praying about this particular thing(s) for a long time.  And since, we tend to look at life through our human eyes, and not with our spiritual eyes, our perception of our circumstances can appear hopeless.  

But I want to remind you of two things.   

1. Stop worrying if tomorrow is the day that God will answer your prayer, by giving you the very thing, you have been praying about. I know personally from failed attempts (doubting prayers), that praying for something and then worrying about when God will answer, brings more anxiety; than if you would just pray, trust He heard you, and then walk out each day in assurance that He will respond. The hard part is the 2nd reminder and something most of us know, but struggle to accept.   

2. Yes, you prayed, but He may not answer the way you want. You have asked, and asked, and asked and still you have not received your expected result. At some point, you begin thinking to yourself, “the Lord healed, showed out, eliminated barriers, and blessed me beyond measure in so many other areas of my life,” so why has the Lord not answered this request?  

Let me tell you, I can relate to your feeling of what appears to be “unanswered prayers,” but nonetheless, does this change who He has been to you all these years? Does His answer for this one particular thing, reduce the value of all the other ways He has answered your prayers?  Does His godly-timing (slow moving to us), really impact the end result or do you recognize His timing is always sufficient (even though it feels light-years too long)?    

The Lord’s love for His children is deeper than we will ever know. And, this doesn’t mean, His method for loving us is easy for us to comprehend; but it does mean, we all have enough history with Him, to know what He is able to do for us in the future. 

Have a Healthy week!

This week’s worship Song:  MercyMe “Even If”  

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Today’s Message: Call To Action

Good morning,  

For many weeks, I have been praying for the launch message, but before I start let me give you some background. For about 5+ years, I have been sending messages to a group called “Team Victorious.”  This is a virtual coed group with folks from various cities. Honestly, when I sent the first text, I only planned to send one inspirational message to a few folks; well…we know how God works, and so here I am years later, still sending them. This group is more than a group text. We support each other by sharing stories of our struggles and accomplishments, prayer requests, and sending praises to the Lord.

Fast forward to last year. The Lord laid on my heart to take those messages to a larger audience, and create a website named after my book “Deliberately Me!”

Why?

The purpose is to inspire women (and men) to live out the way God intended. To be more than the ordinary being, you believe you are. We live in a world that in one way or another, is constantly trying to beat all the goodness out of you, so you don’t ever move beyond this current moment in life. Many continue to fall victim, to believing everything that someone says about them, or just the continued nonprogressive cycle of living like the generations before them.   

You were not born into this world to just exist and struggle, but you were birthed into this world, to give life into everything and everywhere you go. To my Queens and Kings, you are so beautiful, yet you lack the belief that you are, and so your behaviors, attitudes, and presence doesn’t represent the way God sees you; instead you allow yourself to act the way the world sees you.  And I am here to tell you that the Lord loves you, PERIOD!  AND HE is expecting more from us, than our current activities which isn’t benefiting the kingdom and if you’re honest, it isn’t benefiting you either. 

He has blessed you with gifts far beyond what you could ever imagine. But it is now up to you, to begin believing that you are more than a conqueror. It is up to you, to believe that regardless of what everyone else is doing around you, that YOU WILL CHOOSE to THRIVE the way God intended. You will choose to change your mindset, and stop entertaining the adversary’s games, which continue to keep you distracted. The Lord says, you have been distracted long enough!!  It is time to start believing in yourself and more importantly, believing in Him, Jesus.

I invite you to visit the DM site ( https://deliberatelymeseries.com/ ) for weekly messages from the Lord. I can’t always guarantee, what the weekly theme will be, but I can guarantee, that it is always a message about the Lord’s love for His children. 

Have a Healthy Monday!

Psalm 139:14 (NIV)  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.