I have been on vacation in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, it has been an adventure here, with the flood waters, all the winds and tumultuous waves. Things are calmer now and we are beginning to enjoy the hot tub, pool and beach again. Believe me I am grateful that we did not get hit like towns only a few miles away did, we are blessed, safe and as I said very thankful!

I do miss New York, sometimes we have to make ourselves unwind and enjoy quiet , if only we can find quiet! Sometimes we find a quiet setting, and our minds clamor and will not allow us that peace and quiet that brings refreshing! When we hear those voices that try to take you back to your past or stress you out about your future, we have to say no to those voices and ground ourselves about where we are and embrace the peace when we have the opportunity to. This is Domestic Violence Awareness month and I speak peace to all of those victims who have heard it all, who have had monstrosities programmed into their identity , who have to search long and hard to find peace and quiet. You can also find peace and be free of that oppression someday! If you are already free from living in abuse-recognize those old thoughts that sometimes try to speak louder than our realities. Find peace in your mind, we have no real control over how other people act and live, but we do have control over what we will allow to cross into our own safety and rob us of our peace. Be thankful for all that you have been set free from today! If you are out there and still struggling to be free,  let God be your strength, your help, and focus on only what He says you are, not on what the world tells you that you are.

Today is always the start of something new. Some people get stuck in yesterday and it is hard to embrace and receive a new day. It would be great if we were able to greet each day as if yesterday had never come, and what do we really know about tomorrow? What if each day was a “today ” we would have so much freedom. Today, I’m alive , I have hope for things to be better, there is always room for better. Embrace the transition of each day. Transition presents to each of us what is unknown  , unknown things are sometimes scary . Even when we think that we know what is going to happen, we never really are sure what will happen each day. Let the transition for today begin. Hope always that this will be a better day! Let it be.

We often betray our selves and our own convictions by allowing things into our hearts that will rob us of what is best for us. The things that are healthier and will make us stronger are sometimes not always the things that “we” think we need. It’s important to keep our hearts clean of negative assumptions. Keep your mind on those things that are first gentle, kind, humble, meek and patient. Put up with each other, and choose to love people despite whether you agree with what they believe or who they are. Love unconditionally, but do always set a healthy boundary against those things that may rob you of what is best for you. No one person is in control of any other person, we however, need to make the right choices for our own ability to be in charge of our own lives.

Who gets the power in your life? Have you learned to surrender any control or power that you are not able to manipulate, – back to a higher power? Many people live very frustrated and unfulfilled lives because they try to control people, places and things that they have no control over. This battle will leave you in a constant state of defeat. The choices of who we will allow into our lives, what kinds of environments that we choose to subject ourselves to, and also to carefully choose the things that we will find life giving that will be in our lives. These things we have more control over, but unless we live in a vacuum, we have no control over all other people’s choices that you will encounter along the way as well as how places that you work may do things. Therefore we yield those weighty issues over to God. I believe that the Lord’s prayer gives us a perfect guide by which we may pace our daily hurdles.

Our Father in Heaven, help us to honor your name. Come and set up your kingdom, so that everyone on earth will obey you- as you are obeyed in Heaven. Give us our food for today. Forgive us for doing wrong, as we forgive others. Keep us from being tempted and protect us from evil. CIV In King James this beautiful prayer ends with, “For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the Glory, Forever. Amen”  Choose to give all your power to the Lord Jesus Christ. He will light your way!

Are we tired of frozen waters? Many times when we have freely released from our bellies those things that we are most passionate about, those thoughts, passions, or convictions are sometimes “slapped down” by the world, a friend , a significant other, or a family member. So the worse thing that may happen is that we choose to shut up and never voice what we believe in again. All those passions become frozen inside of us. It is OK to voice what you believe in , people may not agree, but that is fine. Each has his own passion. What makes people unique are the differences that we all share. I know that living in abuse, you are told that you do not have a right to believe in anything.  You are taught to be powerless. Come to the living waters, be empowered , be renewed and accepted just the way that you are!  Christ gives us  living water that we may never thirst again!