Footprints of Worship: One Step at a Time

When I walked out my back door last week I left many footprints in the snow as I walked to my car. If someone else walked out my back door and they wanted to know my location (position), then all they would have to do is follow the footprints and see where they led to. If God followed your spiritual (atmospheric/aromatic) footprints, where would he find you? Are your spiritual footprints leading you into a place of peace, love, prosperity, stability, and victory? Or are they leading you into a place of moral decline, stress, confusion, darkness, instability, and broken relationships?

Every time I seek the face (presence) of God through praise and worship there is always an aftermath (denouement) of peace. Whenever the end result is not peace, then this is an indicator that my footprints have gone astray. I have discovered throughout the years that it is never too late to re-align your foot steps. Whenever my lifestyle is synchronized with the will of God, I realize that peace is a by-product of this proper alignment. My daily desire is for my footprints (impressions) in the spirit to consistently worship (express respect) to the God who transmogrified (translated) me into his Kingdom (divine domain/territory). Are your footprints leading you into God's presence?

Crosses & Crutches: Which One Will you Choose?

Cross - an affliction that tries one's virtue, steadfastness, or patience.
Crutch - a support typically fitting under the armpit for use by the disabled in walking

As I reflect back on my life and contemplate I realize that there are a plethora (multitude) of excuses (crutches) that I could have used to justify why I ended up in certain situations. As I look at the definition of a crutch I can see that it is used by those who are disabled(i.e. spiritually, emotionally, or mentally) . I work and interact with people on a weekly basis who have become disabled(crippled) by circumstances in their life. Whether the circumstance started years ago or recently; they have become sedated (tranquilized) by their condition. The crutch(past experience) has become easier for them to lean on rather than walking under their own strength. Some crutches can include molestation, rape, disease, poverty, sexual addiction, alcoholism, or abuse.

As I am sitting here, I came across a scripture in Luke 9:23 where Jesus states " If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." How many of us are leaning on crutches(past circumstances) and how many of us are taking up crosses(instruments of strengthening & perfecting)? It is impossible to become healed while nurturing (nourishing) a disabled mindset which started with an experience from your past. Crutches are made out of past experiences which seek to keep us disabled and paralyzed. Is your destiny larger than your crutch? There comes a point in our lives when we have to stop leaning on the crutch and start carrying our cross, just as Jesus carried his cross. I want to dedicate this blog to a deacon at my church who began speaking to me about this topic and it was the inspiration for this writing.

Destiny on Pause: Seeking to Marry A Fantasy

Fantasy: An unrealistic or improbable supposition (belief). Apparition, fabrication, hallucination, figment, or illusion.

Over the years I have spoken to many single men in regards to marriage. I have consistently heard them refer to “outer beauty” as one of their main priorities in regards to choosing a spouse. I have often wondered “what if God used externals (i.e. subjective beauty) to decide whether or not he would make a covenant with someone?” What if God decided that he would only make a covenant with people who weighed a certain amount, who had a certain length of hair, a certain eye color, or a certain skin complexion? We would consider this to be ungodly and unrighteous.

Hypocrisy is a 2-way street. Should those who are seeking to be married God’s way use externals as a measuring stick (deciding factor), in regards to deciding who they will or will not marry? Many people’s destinies are on pause (delay) because they desire a fantasy. If God does not use externals as a requirement for divine covenant when it comes to us, then should we here on Earth allow externals to be a deciding factor in regards to us being married? How many destinies are on delay, because of those who refuse to relinquish their false paradigm of beauty?