Life's Journey, Woman to Woman

Keeping The "Cookie Jar" Closed! (Think Like A Man)

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 18:00:00 +0000

Keeping the "Cookie Jar CLOSED"

Think Like a MAN!

Last night I saw the movie for the first time. I was sort of hesitant to watch it just because I assumed that it would not be any good or give false advice to women on how to interact with the men that they date. Fortunately, I was WRONG. I loved the movie and was moved to reflect and consider my current courtship. The movie was funny, inspiring, and real. The thing that STUCK out the most was.
"In order to get respect, you have to REQUIRE it." Whatever you want a man to do in your life, then you have to live a life that requires that. You have to think and act like a woman who wants TRUE LOVE and not just sex. Men are looking for wives, someone who will require him to be more than mediocre or just treat her any kind of way. Those are the type of women that they fall in-love with. Those are the women that they will wait for. Those are the women who get commitment.
Now, sometimes there are women who require such things and don't get it from a man. That's when she has to be smart enough to require herself to leave the relationship. Either he's going to be man enough to keep you or dumb enough to let you go. If you truly are a great woman, it's only a matter of time that a great man will come your way to love you the way that you deserve. This leads me to myself. If you've read my devotional workbook (can purchase at this site), then you know my journey of waiting for the right man to respect and treat me the way that I know that I deserve. It makes no sense for me to court a man that doesn't want me, didn't want to wait for me, or we just didn't match. It had been quite a few years since I courted. Since 2007 I had dated one guy (never became official) and met a few others that were interests, but we only made it to the "we're just talking phase"!
I was waiting for someone who treated me from the beginning with great intentions. Someone who was able to accept me for my theological differences and more. I was always up front with people about my intentions, thoughts, and more. I also expressed my desire to keep my "CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE" in its jar until someone paid for it. I knew I was worth it and it's what God wanted for me. I had learned why God said to respect yourself way beforehand. I knew that he wasn't saying to never have sexual intimacy with a man. He was simply saying that He wanted to give me my husband who would fully commit himself to Him and to me, for the rest of my life. God thought that if He was willing to lay down His life for me, then the man for me should be able to see that same price and be willing to WAIT for ME.
Well, it very well may be coming to that time in my life. The guy that I am currently dating had set the sexual boundaries at a HIGH STANDARD. His theme is what Job states in Job 31:1, "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl". He told me before we began courting that he believes the MAN should be the leader in the relationship and lead the relationship in the way that it should go, even sexually.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I always "preach" to the women to make standards and don't expect men to do it when you have the power to do so. However, when he said that men should lead in that way, it made sense to me as well. If men were the leaders as they were meant to be, then women wouldn't have to take the bait for leading the relationship sexually in the way that it should go. His point was clear. A deep sense of RESPECT for him was developed in my mind. If he wasn't the one, either-way, I knew this would be a courting experience that I could be elevated, uplifted, respected, and presented before God in a way that a KING should present his QUEEN.

The thing is, that's not the only thing that I am realizing. It's more than him willing to wait for me or presenting me to God in a pure way. This is going to affect us if we get married. It's going to POSITIVELY affect us for the rest of our life in so many ways. With his position, it's easy for him to come in contact with women and get "cookies". Any preacher knows that this is true. Single women in the church flock to single preachers like it's no one's business.

The fact that I know how he's treating me and his standards right now, would make it hard for me to believe that he'd be unfaithful to me when we are married, no matter which woman has her eyes on him.
If we get married, I can hold my head up and be blessed knowing that God has shined his light on our marriage because we did things the way that He desired. I believe that God would richly bless our marriage because of His standards and leading out our relationship.
I have a deep sense of respect for him that leads me to believe that if he has these standards, then he can lead my home in wisdom. It opens up the door to have me submit to him. Yes, I said the "S" word, submission.
Keeping the cookie jar closed makes me see him for him and opens the door for me to fall in-love with who he is. It opens the door to have him fall in-love with who I am. When we fall in-love, it's not going to be blind love, but REAL LOVE!
God is able to speak to us through our waiting phase, letting us see our differences that can cause problems, areas where there needs to be compromise, and areas where there is a strong bond.
Lastly, it makes me feel like a WOMAN. A woman worthy of the best. A queen. Wherever this goes, I'll always be left with the notion that I am worth the WAIT.
Purchase the book at
www.lifes-journey.org/bookstore
or AMAZON!

This is My TESTIMONY...

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 21:10:00 +0000

This is My TESTIMONY:
Last week there was an opportunity for several ladies to be inspired by the new book, Life's Journey:Woman to Woman. Get this, the book was being given away for free as a gift from the heart of the author that knew if any woman were to read it, she would transition into a place of true love, forgiveness, and passionate purpose. So, these ladies were asked to be willing to share their testimony with the group in order to be considered for the entry. Quite a few ladies entered and ONE entry was chosen. However, another entry was so inspirational that 2 entries were chosen. Below you can read the SHORT TESTIMONIES of these 2 women who are on a search for SOMETHING BETTER, may a NEW DESTINY be on their horizon.

2nd Winner's TESTIMONY: (Learning to be worth the wait)

"There was a time in my life that I thought if I am burning with fleshly desires that I had to get married to quench these burning desires. Yet, God finally brought to my mind that marriage is not about fulfilling your fleshly lusts but a covenant between beings that lines up with His Word. Moreover, I have learned to wait for God's best and not settle for someone to be with and say I am married to fulfill my selfish gratifications. Even once, an ex-boyfriend asked me to marry him when we were 24 years old and dated when we were 17 years old in our senior year of high school. He honestly told me he wanted to marry to satisfy his "two-means income" instead of trying to survive on one income only. He was a business manager at small fast food restaurants, but his eyes were seeing if we mix our incomes together, we could be prosperous or better off than solo income. I was not looking to marry for convenience but for love, where a man will love me sacrificially and lay down his life for like Jesus did for us! Therefore, even at 38 years old (will be on May 2nd), I am not anxious to get married but married to God's will. A man cannot replace your time with God and have to stop looking for replacements to see GOD but seek God on my own!

My hopes is that this book will not only help me to redefine my purpose to line-up with God's but also to revisit godly insight on relationships. We need these reminders, biblical sound doctrine that will impact us to live out God's Word, and pursue the life journey God foresees for us."

1st Winner's TESTIMONY: (getting over abuse/pushing forward)

"For the first twelve years of my life I was raised in a abusive home. One would think school was a escape for the things I were encountering at home but it was just the worst. I was tormented by several bullies from First grade till fifth grade. They would hit me, spit in my face, force me to touch them inappropriately, kick me and chase my two siblings and I home everyday.

Finally, during fifth grade a girl challenged me to fight her. I was scared to death and begged GOD to help me because this girl was going to kill me; I thought. She threatened me real good before I left school on the last day and said if I didn't show up she would come to my house and beat me up. Well i couldn't get attacked in front of my home cause I would have got beat again. What ended up happening is I experienced a family situation involving a shoot out with my father which caused him to go to jail. When he became incarcerated, my mother and siblings were forced to leave the neighborhood and commute elsewhere. I thought things would get better for her after all she's been through but it was just the opposite.

From the ages of 12 to 14 I was assaulted by a cousin. When my family moved I thought I would be safe but was WRONG again as I became victim to my mothers husband from 14-16. When i thought things couldn't get any worst my mother abandoned my siblings and I, commuting to another state with her now husband. To keep us from being a warden of the state my grandmother took temporary custody of us until my father's release which would have been two years later. AGAIN, I thought I was safe from harm but was wrong, wrong, wrong. Under the care of my grandmother I was assaulted by another cousin from 16-18. The moment I became an adult I rented my own home and maintained it for 7 years.

During those years I dated my first love and was heart broken as he too left and created a family with someone else; neglecting our children. Sadly, I became vulnerable and came across a man that wanted nothing but to destroy me and all that I've worked for. For three and a half years we've done nothing but fight and argue. It was emotionally, mentally and psychologically damaging. One night I came close to death as he attempted to smash 35ib weights in my face. All I remember is fighting him till I passed out due to my asthma. When I awoke he was on top of me and from that point my son was conceived.

After our child I thought things may have gotten better but it never did. I had to have a Cesarean to bring him in this world and I did so alone. His excuse was "I was making you stronger. To be with me you have to be strong." If that wasn't enough he sabotaged my career by trying to fight me in front of thousands of people at an event through my job. Because of his behavior, my position was taken, a $5 decrease, hours changed, suspended for three weeks and now mistreated at work. Things became so hard for my boss to look at me that after three weeks of being back on the job she fired me saying I forged documents.

My life has been nothing but hell after hell and than I met HIM. A true king; loving, respectful, patient, understanding, committed, dedicated, reliable, working and more. Being used as GOD's vessel he truly was an angel. Because of all I've been through I became extremely depressed. I wouldn't eat, drink or bathe. Couldn't smile; though I had children or force myself to do anything. Nothing excited me any more and I was loosing myself as my hair began to fall out and instead of loosing weight I gained.

My man became so stressed out of everything that was on his plate that he tried to find what he was missing elsewhere, only to find his heart was truly with me. The day that he told me of his intentions I could do nothing but cry. Everyone managed to find a reason to want to leave me. In the end I prayed and asked for GOD to HELP ME; cause I needed serious help.

And today I am everything that i wasn't and more. I love my life and my family and send praises to the most high often. Every morning I awake and ask him to use me as his vessel so I can help another whose been in my shoes; man, woman or child. It's the least i can do for his saving me."

Got Tunnel Vision?

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 02:15:00 +0000

Got Tunnel Vision?

"You've got a job to do, and because you've got a job to do, you've got to focus on that, so you don't have time for personal considerations." - Dick Cheney

Hump day has come and gone this week. It's now going into Thursday and the weekend is almost here. That means that most of us have been on a work/school/business/task grind. This means that we have been working hard since Monday accomplishing our goals, meeting deadlines, and completing tasks. We've been working so hard that we need a break, "the weekend". Reflecting on this concept makes me realize that staying focused not just during week days is important. It's not just a weekly comittment, but an everyday committment. To accomplish each goal for our lives and to live purposely we have to be focused Sunday-Saturday.
Yes, we need a break and "play time", however, even then there needs to be a focus on something. The weekend may call for a focus on our faith, family, friends, and life enjoyment. The weekday may call for focus on our career or academic goals. There needs to be a focus through it all. To get through life and actually "live" we have to place FOCUS on those necessary things, whether it be our career, friends, romance, love, God, or etc. FOCUS must be in place and in action within our life, otherwise we'll lose sight of our PURPOSE!
So I say as a reminder this week, remain focused on the tasks ahead of you and remain focused on living life to it's full potential.
-Author & Spiritual Life Motivator of Life's Journey:Woman to Woman
Purchase the Book on:
www.lifes-journey.org/bookstore.htm
Listen to our Talk Show every 2nd or 3rd Sunday of each month @
www.blogtalkradio.com/lifejourney

When it all FAILS!

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 02:25:00 +0000

When it ALL FAILS!

Look at our economy, it SCREAMS the word FAILURE!!! The lives of so many women and men are screaming, "I have failed and I don't know how to get back up again." Failure is written across thier foreheads. Finding thier purpose is no where in sight. Thier finances, relationships, friendships, and life just doesn't seem to be working out for any benefit. Getting out of debt, hardship, and bad relationships seems too far fetched, but that's what I've come to debate.

Are we subject to failure?

Were we made to fail?

Is failure our purpose?

The answer to each question is NO! We were created to prevail, but not on our own merits. That's where our failure to get out of failure lies. We are trying to get ourselves out of our hardships, bad relationships, financial debt, and a bad life choices. The truth is that we are not strong enough to do that. We need a higher power. When all else is failing, there is one power that we can count on and that is His power. He can miraculously get us out of our bad situations as long as we make the choice to put our faith and hope in Him. As we place our hope in Him, guidance will be given to us on how to dust your feet off and move forward.

When all else fails we must keep faith and hope alive. Believe that your faith will change all circumstances.

ROMANS 8:28

-Author & Spiritual Life Motivator of Life's Journey:Woman to Woman

Purchase the book on:

www.lifes-journey.org/bookstore.htm

Listen to our Talk Show every 2nd or 3rd Sunday of each month @ www.blogtalkradio.com/lifejourney

Hot New Authors on AAMBC

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 02:35:00 +0000

Check out the latest Radioshow with AAMBC where the host Ms. Black discusses with them thier new novels, stories, and titles.

CLICK HERE:

www.blogtalkradio.com/aambc/2012/03/07/get-to-know-steven-morgan-shannon-smith-stepanneth-adams

All My SINGLE LADIES!

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 05:20:00 +0000

All My Single Ladies!

A note for my single friends

1. Matthew22:29-30 ESV

But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.

God, through Jesus, tells us that marriage is a temporary state. I’m not discounting marriage in any way, but it can seem at times like an ultimate goal, but it isn’t. It’s a gift from God, when it is right in His timing. I know how unfair it seems at times waiting on God for what we think we ought to have. However, not all gifts are equal, if we keep asking for that pen-and-pencil set, maybe we will get it, but we might never know that God was going to get us a ’67 Mustang (or Corvette, or Charger, or bike, or Lamborghini if that’s what you’re into, etc.)

2. 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 ESV

I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

We have to remember that we are all called to different places in life, and not everything we will be called to do can be done when we are married. Not to say that you’d be single forever, but while God has led you to a time of singleness, we should use it for Him. Being single is a difficult time, especially with the pressure that society puts on young people to hurry up and build their “American dream,” peer pressure to fall in love, get married, buy a house, have kids, and so forth. However, the age of the Cleavers is gone and half of all marriages end in divorce. The whole business of marriage is an industry (millions? Billions? No wonder they want us to think we need a wedding to be happy). People enter into marriage without respect or reverence for the sacred bonds of matrimony, without thoughts oftheir promising God faithfulness.

3. 1 Corinthians 7:26-28 ESV

I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that.

Yall know that saying, "more money,more problems?" Well it’s true and it’s also true for being married. If God has not called you to be married, even if you were and aren’t anymore, God knows how difficult the road of marriage is. Perhaps He has something bigger planned for you. Maybe He is using you to be an example to others, to people, younger ones, nephews, cousins and young men of your church. Maybe, He is building you up to strengthen you for mission work or until the husband that He has for you is ready. I pray that your time of singleness is the time you choose to walk closely with Him.

4. Song of Solomon 3:5 ESV

I adjure you, O daughters ofJerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up orawaken love until it pleases.

This verse is repeated 3 times in the book of Song of Solomon. (2:7, 3:5, 8:4) Three times they’re asking the young women of Jerusalem to promise not to awaken love. Only God can form a bud into a bloom.

5. Song of Solomon 8:6-7

Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong asdeath, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, thevery flame of the LORD. 7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floodsdrown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would beutterly despised.

*Jealousy is as fierce as the grave.

6. Isaiah 41:10 ESV

"Fear not, for I am with you; benot dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I willuphold you with my righteous right hand."

Pull Closer to our Heavenly father more than ever before, call on Him when you feel lonely. Don’t let the desire for marriage overshadow the good things that God has put into your life for right now. Pray for His will to be done in your life.

By,

Misty Farley- memeber of Life's Journey:Woman to Woman

Lessons of Whitney Houston's Life!

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:05:00 +0000

Lesson's of Whitney Houston!

Her LIFE

.......coming soon

To be BOLD!

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:05:00 +0000

BOLD

The word “BOLD” has so many interpretations. So many meanings; loud, rambunctious, out of the box, abnormal, and more. The word boldness sometimes carries a negative connotation as well. To be bold, to some people, means to be very confrontational. Who wants someone up in their face? I know that I dont!!!

"Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold." 2 Corinthians 3:12

"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

I’ve never considered myself to be a bold individual. I'm simple, relaxed, and a bit goofy at times, but bold? Nah, not me. However, that is who God has called us to be! BOLD, but thats not really my personality I say to, God. I can barely reach folks’ faces. How can I be up in someone else's face and loudly so? I mean, I can get loud, but its kinda rare! Asking God this question, He lead me to the book of Daniel and I read about the 3 Hebrew boys (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego).

I also read about Daniel in the lions’ den. These are some BOLD folks! In both instances, these individuals disregarded the rules of the king and the consequences, which of course, could have led to thier death. Their actions were very quiet and very subtle. Matter of fact, Daniel was upstairs in his house when his bold actions were discovered. There was nothing they did that was out of character, they were simply worshiping God and being themselves. Thankfully, their boldness was not in vain, God was with them, they stood their ground, and He rewarded their faithfulness.

What's cool and amazing about God is that He knows our personalities and capabilities. He will definitely call us out of our comfort zones, but He will not ask us to do something that we are not equipped to do! So, whether you are the loudest person on the block or the quietest person in class, you too can be BOLD. There is boldness in simply being yourself. In this world where conformity is often times accepted and desired, being who you are is frowned upon. However, be BOLD by being yourself! That is all God requires of you.

I challenge you to always be BOLD.

Team Leader of Life's Journey:Woman to Woman

Peace and Blessings

The encouragement your HEART needs.

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:40:00 +0000

"The encouragement your HEART needs"

By, Author of Life's Journey: Woman to Woman

As some of us may know, the month of Februrary has a lot to do with your heart. Whether it is about preventing Heart Disease or being loved on Valentine's Day, this month deals a lot about the HEART! Our heart is seen as the beat of our drum. It is that special organ that pumps the necessities of life throughout our body. It supplies our tissues with nutrients, oxygen, and vital substances. Our heart is our sustainer. Without it, we perish. No one can live without a heart, either-way, something has to be put in place to do its job and nothing does its job better than itself. Our heart is vital. The bible says,

Proverbs 4:23, "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life."

Your heart is so vital that there are verses dedicated to telling you to cherish it; to take care of it and to recognize its function in your life. So what should we do? We should take heed. This month guard your heart physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Take out the time to learn the way that your heart functions. How can you prevent it from becoming disease ridden? What are common practices to prevent cardiac complications? Understand that the leading cause of death for all races and genders is, CARDIAC DISEASE! There are simple tips to help prevent this. Take advantage of the various health events in your area this month and learn how to physically take care of your heart, but what about spiritually and emotionally. The bible says, "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil."

So, put on this armor and remain steadfast in your spiritual growth. Life isn't easy all the time (I should know) and your heart can become stressed at times. However, we have to keep faith and grow in trust in our supernatural "heart walk" with God. We have to visualize our life with Faith and NOT physical sight. I can attest that when I view my life with my human eyes, it seems hopeless. On the flip side, every time I see my life in the super natural realm, my life looks AWESOME! We must guard our hearts spiritually, which also leads to emotional heart health. When we are physically and spiritually taking care of our precious hearts, we experience emotional well-being.

Things such as, depression, cycles of abuse, cycles of bad relationships, and emotional despair are less likely to destroy our hearts. Why? This is because we would have recognized through the physical and spiritual implications, the impact of our heart health and how that shapes our life. Having physical and spiritual knowledge on our hearts allows us to want to protect it in any way possible. Cycles of emotional instability will not be tolerated with good hearts. A desire to keep that heart healthy, means a desire to be healthy overall. Remember, your heart is the center of your life, out of it flows the issues and sustenance of your life. Use this month to reflect on how you will protect your heart from any form of danger.

Points to Ponder:

How does your heart physically function?
What are ways to keep your heart healthy?
Consider the Bible, how does it tell us to treat our hearts?

- Spiritual Life Motivator & Author of Life's Journey: Woman to Woman

Purchase the book on:

www.lifes-journey.org/bookstore.htm

Listen to our Talk Show every 2nd or 3rd Sunday of each month @ www.blogtalkradio.com/lifejourney

Get Over Yourself

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:30:00 +0000

Get Over Yourself

By, Team Leader of Life's Journey: Woman to Woman

God will use whomever He wants and whatever He wants to fulfill His glory! Your actions do not exempt you from being used and being blessed by Him!

“Now the city shall be doomed by the LORD to destruction, it and all who are in it. Only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.” Joshua 6:17

Rahab was an harlot, a lady of the night, lady of the street…whatever term you want to give her. Can you imagine the heat she took for being a lady of the evening? Im sure (because people were just as judgmental then as they are now) she was talked about, disrespected, chastised, and the list goes on. However, she was used by God to hide the messengers/spies which was imperative in the destroying of Jericho.

Her willingness to be used by God, also resulted in her being blessed by God! She and her family were the only ones saved before Jericho was destroyed.

The harlot was saved! What?! There were probably some folks in the city who lived right all their life…but the sinner was saved!

That is definitely a rejoicing moment…

We get so wrapped up in our mistakes and poor choices that we believe God cant use us, He wants nothing to do with us…and we couldnt be more WRONG!

God forgives AND forgets! Our mistakes do not negate the fact that we are still vessels for Him. We have been commissioned to work for Him. ALL things work together for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Whether or not you accept the calling is up to you.

He knows the mistakes and decisions you made…nothing you could do could ever stop Him from loving you, using you, and blessing you.

In His arms is the safest place to be.

Peace and Blessings

Tanya Sanford, Team Leader

Closing the past is a key to unlocking your future!

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 07:35:00 +0000

"It's one of the most difficult things to do, to go back to your past and reveal all of your vulnerabilities to yourself that are still there. Then to finally say, it's DONE! I close it and get over it! The thing is this, when you do that, you can finally move on and open the DOOR of the future that awaits you. Without closing the past, there is no way that the future can be opened! OPEN that future!" - Author of Life's Journey:Woman to Woman

Why me? - I must stay in my lane!

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0000

"Why me? - Stay in your lane"

By, Author of Life's Journey:Woman to Woman

As some of you may know, I recently authored my first book, Life's Journey: Woman to Woman (probably the only one...lol) and am in the healthcare profession as an R.N., soon to be Women's Health NP Provider. The thing that I have come to grips with over the last year is the concept of accepting my God-given purpose and who I am. God has pushed me into my Purpose. I remember over the past 4 years all the transitions that took place. I've moved from state to state, met different people, dealth with different things, and went to different schools. I remember the days that I never thought that my purpose would ever come to pass (being content as a woman). I remember the pre-med days when I was unsure of which career route that I was going to take. I remember people giving me a vision for my life and having to believe that I had to prove that the vision I had was the best for me.

I remember trying to get into nursing school (Accelerated BSN) and how funny that it was easier to get into Graduate School later on, than the undergrad program (still weird), but I eventually realized why that was so. Stick with me here, there's a reason that I am mentioning these things, trust me. You see, God had His plan for me (Jeremiah 29:11) and when I began walking into that specific plan, not my own or that of anyone else's, DOORS OPENED. God had the road set for me. As I began walking into that plan, things began coming together and still are in the process. I am NOT telling you that it's been easy. I am saying that life has been more fulfilling. I am at ease at what I have done in life and what I am doing. I find FULLFILMENT in my life's purposes. I am NOT walking in someone else's shoes or trying to be like someone else, I am ME and I should stay in my lane. What about you? Are you trying to fulfill someone else's shoes? Are you happy being you? Are you trying to do things that are not your purpose?

So many times, especially with technology, we try to be something and do something that is NOT our purpose given to us by God. We try hard for fame, money, acknowledgement, and publicity. We use technology and etc to try to fulfill purposes that are not in our lane. Let me break it down for you. The more I venture out into the world of ministry and business, I realize that just about everyone is trying to do similar things as each other. Eveyone has a fan page, twitter, FB group, official site, book, youtube, career, and etc. Everyone is doing businesses, coaching other people, and are becoming self-employed. It almost feels as though, if you don't offer or do the same things, you aren't on the road to success and prosperity in your purpose. You almost feel that you have to do the same thing or do better than the individual in order to get others to see what you personally offer.

HERE'S THE TRICK TO THE GAME!!! DON'T SUBCCUMB TO THAT!

I learned that lesson last year. I grasped the fact that, what I offer is not to be like every other company/ministry/person. I am NOT a life coach/pastor/entertainer/etc., but a healthcare provider, who loves Women's Health and Issues. It's my passion to assist women to recover from physical illnesses affecting them and emotional toils of life. It's a passion of mine to love my Creator and to introduce Him to other women. I am not a Life Coach, but I have advice based upon the Bible and what God has given me to say. Trying to be like another person, company, or business will defeat my purpose of telling women to walk into their own. I have to just be me and live the life given to me.

Everyone is not meant to have their own business. Some women are meant to be stay at home mothers, where what they do has a HUGE impact on their household and community. Some women are meant to be teachers, doctors, pastors, nurses, lawyers, authors, wives, mothers, news reporters, singers, etc., or a mixture. We need to STOP telling women that they are meant to be like what we are or to do what the majority is doing. Otherwise, you will miss your destiny! Why become an author, when your destiny is a lawyer? Why become a teacher, when your destiny is to be a home-maker? WALK INTO YOUR DESTINY! NOT someone else's. The problem is that we are looking to the destiny of others to find our own. We are wanting someone else's purpose, not our own given to us by God. Why do what everyone else is doing? Your own purpose is the greatest one ever.

Too many of us are missing out on our destiny because we are trying to do what everyone else is doing. We are trying too hard to prove our worth and voice. Too many of us are starting things that were never meant to be our purpose. We say that God gave us this purpose, but it's not true. We gave it to ourselves. God said this to me last year, "Stay in your lane. I may lead you to ideas, but keep it in My VISION for you. Don't go off and try to be like so and so, or do like so and so. They may do whatever that they do, but I gave you the skill to be a healthcare provider and to minister to others through writing/dance/speaking. Stay in your lane, girl! Don't try to do what I didn't say do. Don't look at others and don't worry about who is supporting you or not. Just be you and inspire who I give you to."

So, last year I made a VOW to myself to just be ME. To walk, think, say, live, and act the way that God made me. To enjoy the life that He gave to me. To trust His vision and to realize that my purpose is different from everyone else's. To not worry about who supports me, believes in me, likes what I say or do, who sees my vision, and other such things. I'm to just live my purpose and to stay in my lane of purpose! Walking out of that lane may give me things that I don't need in life. So this year, I'm staying in my lane of

Relationships
Career
School
Work
Loving the God that made me
Loving Me
Ministry

"I can't be like someone else, when God made me an original!"

Points to Ponder:

What's your purpose?
Are you walking in your lane?
Are you trying to be like someone else?

- Spiritual Life Motivator & Author of Life's Journey: Woman to Woman

Purchase the book on:

www.amazon.com
www.lifes-journey.org
www.createspace.com/3572517
www.facebook.com/lifesjourneywomantowoman

Listen to our Talkshow every 2nd or 3rd sunday of each month @ www.blogtalkradio.com/lifes-journeywoman-to-woman

Your Story....

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:55:00 +0000

Your Story,

By, Team Leader of Life's Journey: Woman to Woman 2012

"God is writing it out, sometimes with a heavy pen; but when done, it’ll read like a magnificent poem. It will be perfect in all its details." - Spurgeon

What a comfort it is to know that our story is not complete. Today, does not mark the end of our life’s book. There is still more to be experienced, more to be enjoyed, and more to learn. If you are still breathing, there is more to write!

You are a magnificent poem, full of joy, victories, sorrows, mistakes, and pain. Your story is uniquely beautiful, boasting of the continuous extension of His grace! Your poem reveals your innermost works and provides a glimpse of who God is! We are all living witnesses and examples of who He is. We were created to mirror our Creator.

You are a physical manifestation of the Author’s vision…purpose…message.

So what will your poem say???

Points to Ponder:

How has your story began?
How will it end?
How will it transition?

Peace and Blessings

Tanya Sanford, Team Leader

"I'm Cutting LOOSE in 2012"

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:10:00 +0000

"I'm Cutting Loose in 2012"

By,

Life's Journey: Woman to Woman

So here I am. It's 2012 and 6:15 in the AM. Here I am contemplating on what will transpire for my life this year, but not just my life, your life as well. Looking at our economy, divorce rates, and other negative statistics, leads me to say that there needs to be a CHANGE for 2012. We have to CUT LOOSE from the PAST and enter into a better future. It is obvious to me that we have not grasped the understanding of building our foundations on appropriate principles. We are lacking something and we are holding onto things that obviously are NOT working. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am one to go against the grain. I constantly re-evaluate and question things. This has lead me to constantly re-invent what is not working in my life and TRANSFORM me into NEW and GREATER things. I never settle for just anything and neither should any of us. This New Year, we need to reinvent ourselves. We need to be "purposeful livers." No longer should we live our lives without PURPOSE! We were created for more. God has created us with PURPOSE in His mind. He is a Purposeful God and we are to be PURPOSEFUL creations. Ultimately, to reflect His Purpose and Beauty.

So then, why is it that as this New Year has rolled around, we are still stuck in the DUMPS of LIFE? I have the ANSWER. We haven't CUT LOOSE. In order to live a purposeful life, the 1st thing that you have to do is CUT LOOSE in 2012. Cut LOOSE of your Financial baggage. Cut LOOSE of your Relationship baggage. Cut LOOSE of your Fears. Cut LOOSE of Negativity. Cut LOOSE of Sin. Cut LOOSE of everything that is a Hindrance in your life. Until you cut Loose there is nothing that can be obtained in greatness.

Take a look at this passage: Philippians 3:13

New Living Translation (©2007)

"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,"

Here we see a powerful and motivated man of the Bible, Paul. Paul had some very negative things that he was attached to in his life. He was known to kill Christians and be involved in other things. He wasn't the man that He should have been, but when he had a spiritual revelation, guess what he did? That's right! He cut himself LOOSE from his PAST! I can picture in his mind that he was thinking, "In order for me to do my God-given PURPOSE, I have to cut myself loose from the man that I used to be." If he constantly attached himself to the past, what others were saying about him, and the negativity surrounding him, he could never possess the power that he did. That's what we need to understand. There is absoluetly NO WAY that you can have a PROSPEROUS New Year & New You without "CUTTING YOURSELF LOOSE!"

Take time to do a life review, where you reflect over the past year.
What has hindered you?
What goals do you desire to accomplish?
What do you need to CUT LOOSE?

- Spiritual Life Motivator & Author of Life's Journey: Woman to Woman

Purchase the book on www.amazon.com, www.lifes-journey.org, www.createspace.com/3572517, or www.facebook.com/lifesjourneywomantowoman
Listen to our Talkshow every 2nd or 3rd sunday of each month at www.blogtalkradio.com/lifes-journeywoman-to-woman

Speak Positivity into your LIFE!

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 03:15:00 +0000

Weekly Inspirational Quote (12/11/11):

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:4-5

In His words, there is comfort, security, joy, peace, and love. Dont you agree?! In times of uncertainty, these words can calm a disturbed spirit and give hope for tomorrow! What a mighty God we serve!

What kind of power do your words have? The saying goes that actions speak louder than words. Actions do speak volumes, but words pack a mighty punch as well. Are your words producing life or death? The tongue is a powerful tool...it can divide nations and mend hearts.

This week I challenge you to speak life...you never know who you are saving...

Peace and Blessings

Erase your shame!

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 03:10:00 +0000

"For the same reason shameful nudity entered in the lives of Adam and Eve, causing them to find fig leaves, it enters our lives too. Our shame is a result of our sins, generational sins, and the sinful things that others have done to us. These sins stamp a tattoo of shame across our hearts. In spite of our shameful circumstances, there is a solution to resolve our shame and it’s not fig leaves." - Life's Journey: Woman to Woman

I'm bringing "Beauty" back! Get your beauty on!

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 03:05:00 +0000

Enter the webaddress located on the photo below to listen to our last recorded talkshow where we discussed bringing the BEAUTY back on being a woman. So many women have lost sight of their beauty. We want to EMPOWER you into becoming a woman with CAPTIVATING ESSENCE!

No more ABUSE!

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:45:00 +0000

Are You Safe in Your Relationship?

By,

of America Inc

Relationship Abuse at a Glance

Abuse is never OK in a relationship. People can hurt their partners verbally, emotionally, sexually, or physically. If you feel you are being treated badly, you probably are. Help is available.Healthy and happy relationships help us feel better about ourselves and our place in the world. Unhealthy relationships can make us feel unhappy, unsafe, and fearful of the future.

Unfortunately many people are in hurtful, unsafe, or violent relationships. It can happen to anyone — students, doctors, teachers, celebrities, and construction workers — whether they are women or men; teens or adults; straight, gay, or bisexual.

How Do I Know if My Relationship Is Unsafe?

Everyone has a right to feel safe in a relationship. But abusive relationships are too common. Controlling or violent behavior in a relationship never fixes problems. And it tends to get worse and happen more often over time.

There are several ways that a partner can hurt you and make you feel unsafe. People can hurt their partners

verbally emotionally sexually physicallyThey can also hurt their partners by withholding money or by using it to control them.

If your partner hurts you, remember: You do not deserve to be hurt. Nothing you say or do causes your partner to hurt you. We all get angry sometimes, but when we do, we all have choices. We can choose to express ourselves in healthy ways. Or we can be irresponsible and choose to hurt someone else — which is not healthy.

WORDSIn healthy relationships, partners help each other feel good about themselves. Insults, unkind words, and humiliation are very hurtful — they are disrespectful and make us feel bad about ourselves.

Does your partner ...

constantly criticize you, call you names, or put you down in front of other people? threaten to harm you, your children, your family, pets, friends, or her/himself? blame you for everything that goes wrong? lie or break promises to you a lot? ever say, "You make me get this angry," or "I can't help being so mad with you around"? expect you to do everything she or he says? threaten your immigrant status? threaten to "out" you or reveal other personal information about you to your family, friends, or coworkers?If you've answered yes to any of these questions, you are likely being treated badly. Signs of abuse like these may mean that you're not safe in your relationship — and it may get worse.

FEELINGS AND INDEPENDENCEIn healthy relationships, partners respect each other's needs. Being jealous or trying to control someone else does not show love.

Does your partner ...

ignore or dismiss your ideas or the things you want to do? keep you from going out or get jealous when you spend time with family or friends? seem very overprotective or ask other people to watch over you? want to be a part of everything you do? call, e-mail, or text you all the time or drop in on you unexpectedly? accuse you of flirting or getting romantically involved with someone else? keep you from having money of your own or using the car?If you've answered yes to any of these questions, you are likely being treated badly. Signs of abuse like these may mean that you're not safe in your relationship — and it may get worse.

SEXIn healthy relationships, partners care about and respect each other's sexual needs and limits. Forcing or hurting someone in a sexual way is physically and emotionally damaging. It's wrong and it's against the law.

Does your partner ...

force you to have sex when you're asleep, drunk, or high? get angry and threaten you when you don't want to have sex? force you to have sex without protection against pregnancy and/or STDs? hurt your genitals or any part of your body during sex? make you wear specific clothes, or strip against your will? criticize your sexual performance or use sex as a way to punish you? only care about her or his own sexual pleasure?If you've answered yes to any of these questions, you are likely being treated badly. Signs of abuse like these may mean that you're not safe in your relationship — and it may get worse.

Saying "No"

Many of us think that once we are in love, we can never say "no" to sex. We might even believe that we can never say "no" once we marry. No matter what kind of relationship you have, if you are forced to have sex, it is rape. If you are humiliated or forced to be sexual in any way, that is sexual abuse.

PHYSICAL SAFETYIn healthy relationships, partners help each other feel loved and safe. Hurting someone physically is never okay, it doesn't solve anything, and it's against the law. Violent behavior and fear make a person feel unsafe.

Does your partner ...

push, shove, punch, kick, choke, or bite you? restrain you, hold you down, or use other kinds of force during an argument? have violent mood swings? break or throw objects, or destroy your things? leave you stranded in dangerous places? refuse to help you or keep you from going to the doctor or getting medicine? have a history of physically abusing a partner in the past?If you've answered yes to any of these questions, you are likely being treated badly. Signs of abuse like these may mean that you're not safe in your relationship — and it may get worse.

How Do I Know If My Children Are Not Safe?

In order for children to know they are loved, they need to feel safe. In healthy families, partners share the responsibilities of having children — the fun ones as well as the difficult ones. They create a safe and secure home life for their families. Hurting children is never okay, and it's against the law. Children can be removed from a home where they are being abused.

Does your partner ...

make your kids feel frightened? tease your kids until they cry? easily get frustrated with your kids? punish your kids harshly? get jealous of the attention you give to your kids? completely ignore your kids? hit, punch, slap, or sexually abuse your kids?If you've answered yes to any of these questions, your children are being treated badly. Signs of abuse like these may mean that you and your children are not safe in your family — and it may get worse.

Should I End the Relationship?

In abusive relationships, abusive behavior may become increasingly dangerous. Even if your partner apologizes and promises that it won't happen again, it is likely to get worse.

Trust your instincts. If you feel you are treated badly, you probably are. If you feel unsafe, you are probably in danger. If something inside you tells you to get away from your partner, do it.

Does your partner ...refuse to take full responsibility for the abuse? refuse to get professional help? become more and more abusive? push, hit, kick, or choke you more often as time goes on? hit you harder now and leave more bruises or broken bones? make threats to kill you or her/himself if you leave the relationship? have a weapon?If you've answered yes to any of these questions, you are in danger. You need to make plans to get out of your relationship.

How Do I Leave an Unsafe Relationship?

It's not always easy to leave a relationship — even when you're getting hurt. It's okay if you feel you cannot leave right now. Remember that your safety is important, so get information and help as soon as possible — HAVE A PLAN. Abuse can get worse if your partner finds you after you leave, so be careful.

If you are thinking about leaving, be prepared.

Do you have access to money — cash and ATM and credit cards? Do you have a bag packed in case you need to leave quickly? Does the bag contain personal items, a change of clothes for you and your children, an extra set of keys, and important medicine, including emergency contraception? Do you have a trusted friend in whose home you can store the bag? Do you know where your personal identification papers are — driver's license, passport, or immigration? Do you know where other important legal, medical, banking, and ownership papers are? Do you have a safe place to go?

Who Can Help Me if I Am in an Unsafe Relationship?

If you are being abused, you may be feeling alone — like you're the only person going through this. But you're not. There are many support services available. You may need a safe place to stay, legal assistance, crisis counseling, and/or medical attention.

Whatever it is that you need, talk to someone — a friend or someone else you trust. Or contact

1-800-799-SAFE — a confidential hotline, to speak with a counselor in private, toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN — to reach your local Planned Parenthood health center for support and local referrals, toll-free 911 — call the police, if you feel you are in immediate danger or need help right away National Domestic Violence Hotline — for information and resource listings

What if Someone I Know Is in an Unsafe Relationship?

Don't try to "take control" because it could make things worse. Remember that it is very hard to end a relationship. You can't force a person to leave a relationship before they are ready. Help the person get professional advice. Seek out more information using the resources listed above.

Want to know more? Find Dr. Cullins’ answers to common sexual health questions.

Q&A with Dr. Cullins

Dreams Arise....

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 18:55:00 +0000

TODAY I CHOOSE MY DREAMS over my Fears....

True Happiness

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:15:00 +0000

Life's Journey, Woman to Woman

Keeping The "Cookie Jar" Closed! (Think Like A Man)

This is My TESTIMONY...

Got Tunnel Vision?

Got Tunnel Vision?

When it all FAILS!

Hot New Authors on AAMBC

All My SINGLE LADIES!

All My Single Ladies!

Lessons of Whitney Houston's Life!

Her LIFE

.......coming soon

To be BOLD!

BOLD

The encouragement your HEART needs.

Points to Ponder:

How does your heart physically function?

What are ways to keep your heart healthy?

Consider the Bible, how does it tell us to treat our hearts?

Get Over Yourself

Closing the past is a key to unlocking your future!

Why me? - I must stay in my lane!

"Why me? - Stay in your lane"

Your Story....

Your Story,

"I'm Cutting LOOSE in 2012"

"I'm Cutting Loose in 2012"

New Living Translation (©2007)

"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,"

Speak Positivity into your LIFE!

Erase your shame!

I'm bringing "Beauty" back! Get your beauty on!

No more ABUSE!

Dreams Arise....

True Happiness