Category Archives: Inspiration

January 28, 2019

Don’t Let ‘Em In

By Christina

I could have so used seeing something like this today:

SAM I AM Bagels
Started Loved Letters

(S W I P E) 2 years ago today.
This is Pastor Christina a woman who wears her scars as accessories to show the world how beautiful transformation really is. It takes courage and a special kind of confidence to be so raw. She has inspired me in more ways I can say. Happy Monday #MotivationMonday love you to pieces Mama C 💜🐛🦋

From Lucy Torres –one of my spiritual daughters.  She is absolutely amazing, beautiful, caring, daring and exceptionally talented in so many ways.  I love her tremendously.

I remember such a great memory like this.  It’s good to share good things and moments about each other. It let’s us know that we had them! They existed and they exist.  We just keep making new ones. Some with new and some with the older connections. Either way we make them–a boat load of memories that we should cherish. That’s what I am learning.  Life is like a ROSE, we understand that the petals will eventually fall… but it never changes what existed. A beautiful flower. That’s what it is.

As I reflect on good things I have to remind myself to KEEP ON! To keep stable. To keep my peace. Don’t let in anything else contrary to that. Nothing false.  Nothing toxic. Nothing with drama. Don’t let ’em in!

There is a movie that my family loves to see called, “Four Christmases” with Vince Vaughn. He is hilarious in this film.  He stars alongside Reese Witherspoon.  There is a scene where they have to visit all the parents and they speak prior to the visits to make sure that they don’t let them in! Meaning…that they won’t allow the family visits to hinder or effect who they are or their relationship.

After a few visits they began to fuss and argue…  So Brad (Vince Vaughn) tells his girlfriend Kate (Reese Witherspoon) — “We’re Lettin’ them in!” It was a reminder of their own pep-talk and encouragement to each other to stay strong even when those around them may get crazy. It was a funny scene and such a truth to how we can let people or the situations around us affect our mood.

Either they can make us happy or they can make us sad. They can make us frustrated, they can make us angry.  The thing to do is always CHOOSE wisely and know that whenever we do encounter situations that can rive us up we must keep to the stable place within.

Don’t let the noise in. Don’t let the enemy bring you down. Don’t allow people, things, places, situations, relationships, challenges or hardships to get in the way of who you are and what you need to accomplish. It may not always be easy but it certainly is possible. Live well. Live at peace. Keep at it. Stay on the course that sustains you, that keeps you healthy and grounded. That is why I share that memory. It was right where I love, doing what I love and surrounded by women that my heart will always cherish.

With Love,

Christina

Scripture Reference:
Put on the full armor of God to protect yourselves from the devil and his evil schemes. We’re not waging war against enemies of flesh and blood alone. No, this fight is against tyrants, against authorities, against supernatural powers and demon princes that slither in the darkness of this world, and against wicked spiritual armies that lurk about in heavenly places. And this is why you need to be head-to-toe in the full armor of God: so you can resist during these evil days and be fully prepared to hold your ground.
Ephesians 6:11-13 (VOICE Translation)

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January 6, 2019

ENOUGH

By Christina

Wow! Done! Day 5… first book of the year and what a POWERFUL one at that! @thesinglewoman … Mandy Hale; Thank you for sharing YOU with us… the uncut, fully flawed, unapologetic and authentic version of who God made you to be! It’s MORE than enough! It’s a walking testimony to the lives of everyone that has ever doubted themselves, questioned, felt like never ever enough. But this powerful message is a lifeline for us and a reminder that LOVE SHOWS UP… and let’s us know that we are enough. To us… that love is God! God shows up every time we fall into that slump to remind us… let it be, I got this. I am with you always even to the end of this age!!! #iamenough ♥️

How many times have I felt inadequate? Not capable? Not enough? Last? Lonely? Sad? Confused? Disappointed? Oh my God! He knows it all. And so I loved this woman’s story! I wrote down the most profound reminders.

Page 89!!!! Even tapped it again as I found it:

”And maybe, just maybe, our enoughness, our worth, has nothing whatsoever to do with who’s beside us and everything to do with what’s inside us.”

Page 87:

”When you lose yourself, you find yourself.”    ”I think I needed to lose myself for a little while, to wander, to wonder, in order to realize I will always, always be able to find myself again in the things that I love. In the things that I’ve always loved. The heart of who we are, who we were, way back when—it never really changes.”

Page 102-103:

”Because that’s what love does. It shows up, and it means you are right where you’re at. Love kneels and comforts and speaks softly of hope even when all hope seems lost.” “Because that’s what love does. It’s sacrifices. It misses out on sleep. It puts the other person ahead of its own comfort. LOVE SHOWS UP.”

Page 105-106:

”But you know what happens to girls who allow themselves to become life rafts? They sink themselves. They get dragged into whirling, swirling cesspools of drama and chaos and dysfunction. They start to mistake mirages for the real deal. They start to question why they seem to never be enough.”

”You are not a life raft, you are not a compass, you are not bread crumbs, you are not a flashlight, you are not a Band-Aid, and you are not a stop along the way as he attempts to ‘find himself.’ You are a destination. A whole, complete person who deserves another whole, complete person. You are wonderfully, beautifully enough.”

“But find your own way. Chart your own course. And never use another human being and their feelings and emotions as your GPS. Never look to another person to rescue you.”

And that’s the point! It’s a God thing! He is everything we are ever going to need. We are enough, just as He is to us. He made us that way!

E N O U G H ♥️

2 Comments | posted in Celebration, Emerging, Encouragement, I AM, Identity, Inspiration, Love, Loved Letters, Peace, Recovery, Relationships, Restoration, Transition, Trust

January 1, 2019

2019 Agenda

By Christina

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  2019 Agenda begins.

Write daily! Every day, some how some way. Here is a start to that.

I was pondering the beginning of this new year, as we all do our new resolutions–does it ever change or make things better? I want it to be.

I want to be more intentional in so many areas that are an essential part of my life. Things that need to be a part of my life and also the things that need to be eliminated from my life that are toxic.

I spent my first day of the year waking up with the group morning prayer on Facebook live. Went back to sleep for a bit and rose up to begin the grind.

What are some of the things that are always on my list…better health (body, soul & spirit). Then the year continues and we eventually tack on the junk here and the junk there. Before you know it, we’ve just repeated the same insanity way of living because of habits.

  1. BREAK HABITS! Habits that weaken my body, soul and spirit. Meaning – food, everything I consume that will nurture this body, soul & spirit. I have to feed it the right things. Healthy meals, consistent regimen, positive thoughts, improved relationships and a deep pattern of study for the mind. Prayer, fastings OFTEN and reading of the Word with spiritual and professional growth books.
  2. DON’T QUIT! Keep doing the things that are healthy for me. Repetition and intentionality of all the above. I can’t quit, I can’t slack and I can’t take these lengthy breaks or vacations from the things that will improve and create healthy habits.
  3. REST & RELAXATION! Why can’t I rest the way I need to at this age and season of life? So be it, I will do it. I am going to sleep my adequate hours, take my lovely naps that I love when I need rest. I am going to pamper myself, dress well and organized. I am going to factor in my spa time. It is that necessary. Especially when I need to disconnect to connect. This is a vital.
  4. BE PURPOSEFUL! If it doesn’t serve the overall goal or purpose for my life then cut it out. Remove it. Skip it. Don’t do it. Don’t entertain it. Nothing negative –ABORT anything that tries to attach itself to the womb of my body, soul and spirit that would try to bring me decrease or harm. De-clutter, throw away all junk. Rid yourself. Health FIRST! That’s my resolution–that’s my agenda for 2019!
  5. BE CREATIVE! That means doing all the things I love to do, write, journal, design, organize my home, work space and everywhere I go. Spend the time to invest in my creativity, let it out and pour it out. These are the things that help me to be authentic. I have a lot to give and it is never to hold it back. Create the environment, the setting, the atmosphere, the mood and the things that reflect the love of God and the beauty of nature.

Scripture:

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
Hebrews 12:1-3 The Message Translation

May this be a glorious year where we see the impossible become possible… that chains, habits and all toxicity be broken. Anything that wearies us be detached and replaced with STRENGTH!

Let us grow like never before and fully flourish in 2019. ❤

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December 31, 2018

Twenty Eighteen Gone BYE!

By Christina

January

What a year! 2018! Another family storm set course for our direction just at the start.

I took a leap of faith…. I was tired of not growing.

You know the more I think about this the more I think the one thing I’m quitting at is to do better. I feel like I’m quitting at the potential that I know I have in me is built for more.

February

God took me on some nice retreats!!! He know I needed it because I was entering a fragile season.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll discover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhymes of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matthew 11:28-30 The Message Translation

March

The Unknown Stage… “Being in an unknown stage of life is very difficult but one thing I know to do is trust God!” God take the wheel. Drive. Lead. Guide. Propel. I am trying to provoke you with my faith, even if the mustard seed type moved a mountain. I know you can do even more. Not knowing is where I stand. All knowing is who You are. I trust You got the rest, especially what lies within.

April

I wish I could find the thing that speaks right to my mind right away.
I am looking at books, more scriptures, inspirational quotes and devotionals… click out, still the same grapple.

I mean I am a Christian but can I be honest …
Sometimes I find that I can’t find it even in the Word.
I don’t know where to go or where to turn.
I know the Word of God brings deliverance.
There is no buts in that.

Just a mind that gets cluttered and cannot even find rest in the written clear way if that makes any sense!!!

May

A delight to know.
I wont forget this Word.
Even when I don’t see it.
When adversity strikes and shakes the soul.
Jesus will bring me to a complete calmness,
Just as He did to calm the raging sea.
We all are surrounded by it at one point or another.
He will bring it to a complete calmness.
A total victory already won.

June

I guess I am going to have to walk in step with God that no matter where I find myself He is holding me so tight–through every thing and every day.  Good –bad –ugly –frustrated –chaos –busyness –overloads!!!

As long as my path is blazed by God I know I am always going to be happy.
Even in the busiest moments I must say that I know that He has a grip on my life.
I am going to keep on trusting Him on that.

July

I am more than a conqueror!
That’s everything that I am!
That’s everything that He tells me!
That’s what I got to focus on!
To believe the best about myself!
Not the negatives that people want to push on me.
Try saying some life in the “correction”
But the focus for me cannot, will not and shall not be everything that I am not!!!!
My focus will be everything that I am through Christ who strengthens me!!!

August

Today I got my first seed for “Rise Above Adversity!” My second book release. I waited all day for this book to come in yesterday from Amazon—finally to see it live! So I ordered this special copy for myself intended to keep it.

When the book arrives last night and I examine it, the book is smaller than Rebuilt. I said, “Wow, it’s beautiful but I can’t sell this for $20!!!” And my husband said “Don’t worry —yes you can. It is not about the size of the book but the content that is in it.” So I asked our administrator too (lol) and he said “It’s fine, people will buy it but if you feel like to change it then whatever.”

I am walking around with the book and when we got to a second church to preach as a guest in New Jersey, a man begged me for MY BOOK!!! I’m like, “NO! This is my copy.” He said “I am not leaving without that book I need it!” I said “Okay fine …” I hand him the book and he gave me folded money. He was super happy. I just threw it in my bag. A few minutes later I look and I am like this is a $20 bill but I come to see it is $50!!!!! The Spirit told me, “Don’t put a price on that book! It is a seed!” Glory to Jesus

September

It’s been nice, real nice to be in these days. In the sacrifice I can see God’s supernatural. I had been through such a series of downfall after downfall. In the professional area, in ministry, relationships, emotions, my health and any attempt at trying to progress.

I can see today why this occurred. It’s one thing to preach and another to live through that preaching. So many sleepless nights have passed, tears unseen and cries unheard. God kept His eyes on me the whole time.

God never sends the promise while we are strong. He sends them when we have been weakened like CRAZY! So that way when we come to see the impossible we have no doubt but to declare how He does things in unprecedented ways!

October

I had left early yesterday to arrive as a guest on the show TBN Salsa that is going across 140 countries! Wow… OK–Be anxious for NOTHING! Try that in the midst of dead stop traffic…red lights all around!!!! I cannot even express to you how much everyone in my car was on overdrive! LOL

Obviously I was late –extremely late.  So much so that they had to change the order of speakers.  I was supposed to go first and be ready to deliver.  What circumstances that were set before me.  It always seems to happen that in someway or another I end up last.  Only God.

November

Dear Christina,
I met you at the conference in Charlottesville; I started reading your book the same day that you tossed it on my lap as you were speaking at the conference on Elizabeth in the Bible. I read it in two days. I wept, I stood up, I curled up with it in my bed, I lifted my voice to the Lord, I personally understand every word and gut wrenching sentiment of your book.  I have survived the unthinkable as well, even death at my door.  I found myself in every page.  Your words Christina, ring our mercy and strength.  I thank you for your book.  Love and prayers…

December

Never in my life have I been so completely spent. Never could I have prepared enough for the steps leading up to this moment. Never could I have thought that these things would rip apart my heart and sanity at the expense of achieving happiness for others…. EVEN THEN…. it wasn’t enough. For I could never please everyone. I could anticipate that truth. I was focused on the two. I was focused on the goal. Gladly stated, I would say we successfully achieved just that.

They wed.
And it was epic.
It was the wedding of the century.
Winter Wonderland was accomplished.
The vision was carried out.
Everyone was undeniably blown away in some form or another.
So I decided.
I lived, loved and laughed in my own way.

Today I stated, as I led the morning prayer for MUI Prayer hearing as I woke yes, as congested and committed: AGAINST ALL ODDS!

I made it!
We made it!
I am not gonna quit.
Especially for what and who I love. ♥️

2018 is now gone bye. 2019 will be where the impossible becomes POSSIBLE! Happy New Year to my family, friends and community of believers both online and in the ministry. We could never have done this much in silos. The connection has been a lifeline.

With love,

Christina

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