Category Archives: Rest

May 21, 2020

BIG PLANS

By Christina

aaron-burden-2bg1jPty490-unsplashSo I got these BIG plans for the upcoming weekend and that is truly to try and NOT be online.  Seriously! I love working remote but I definitely want to spend some time away from this bright light screen for a bit.  Sitting here as early as 8 am until 7 pm most nights can take its toll and then have to jump on for other meetings and stuff for ministry.  That is just a whole lot of activity and a need for a little bit of an escape.

We work online.

We pray online.

We meet online….

Everything is online … The “god of this age” is at war here –blinding our eyes from the natural things of this life.  Not that technology is all that bad of course we need it and can reach across continents all over the globe.  But here all day online is a bit much.  I  am ready to walk away for a much needed break.

I want to go outside and walk.  I hope to read a non-electronic book.  I will plan on writing in my journal. Catching up with folks not by screen, audio will work!

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover 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 rhythms 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 MSG

Who would have know that staying at home and working at home would have been even more intense then getting up and out into the office. It is not like we are here doing nothing, but we are connecting everyday remotely even more so to keep abreast, stay in touch, strategize, continue to plan and execute an abundance of tasks.

It is a lot! I am ready to walk away for a bit! How about you??? You will not be able to catch me online this big holiday weekend… because this big plan of mine for the weekend is to STAY OFFLINE! Let’s see if that works for the most part.  That is the goal.

Before we would gear up, pack our bags and set sail for the start of the summer.  Now we are just as uncertain and wait to hear better news for a cure to this pandemic. God have mercy on us all.

The big plans now are to find a rest for a bombarded mind.  Let’s try to stay away from the mental falls and be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Enjoy the long extended weekend all.

With Love,

Christina ❤

1 Comment | posted in Holidays, Inspiration, Rest

February 26, 2020

Best Vacation Spots

By Christina

I was telling my husband that Miami Beach has got to be one of the best vacation spots ever! Water is so blue, breeze is lovely and the temperature is perfect this time of year! We had some beautiful days here.

Top spot is our trip to the UK in May 2017. We hit London, Scotland and Paris! It was amazing. Two weeks of pure bliss and an unapologetic reset for us. It was much needed for the soul. That same year in November I traveled back to Scotland for an unforgettable 8 day trip with my sisters!

But this year as I sit on Ocean Drive in South Beach Miami—Starbucks and light breeze I cannot help but be in complete awe! This is utterly fascinating. Its lovely here. Lots to do and lots to see. It is certainly relaxing and the same time as upbeat and lively for some evening festivities. We love watching the people and the international diversity. Its like a warmer New York only with sand and palm trees everywhere.

We needed a nice time away. As we just celebrated 21 years married and 28 years together during our Vow Renewal 02.21.2020 in Atlanta Georgia. We couldn’t be more grateful, thankful and blessed! We had a small ceremony, that was intimate with our beautiful family and special friends that make life worth it all. We danced, laughed, shared, ate, traveled around and got stuff done together.

Everything came out perfect… our own version of what perfect looked like. It was exquisite, extraordinary and excellent. What a place to have it… we just took the New York cold with us! It rained a lot in Atlanta more than ever and while there it even dropped to upper 20s and 30s!!! On our vow renewal day—it was sunny skies and brisk. Just enough to make it happen! Then we celebrated! We are overjoyed!

Now we head back to New York today to prepare for work and also our “what’s next” steps. We are ready and keeping all this so prayerful. May God open the necessary doors so that our next half feels just like a nearby vacation everyday. Healthy living and happiness. All things are possible. Trusting God because He said it and does all things perfect in its time. ♥️

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December 2, 2019

A Whole New World

By Christina

“Until the LORD has given your brethren rest, as He gave you, and they also have taken possession of the land which the LORD your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and enjoy it, which Moses the LORD’s servant gave you on this side of the Jordan toward the sunrise.””
‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1:15‬ ‭NKJV

You know that God wants us to enjoy things right? To enjoy life? Even to enjoy change?

Yet we fear it. Especially when it looks too good. Worry tries to rise up like we can’t obtain it. Like it can’t be ours.
But it can be because it is what He has given to us…

A land of your possession and enjoy it!

That is what is written. So much of myself struggles with the new. With the constant changes but it is the moment I can hear Him the most. “This is your new normal.” And I said OK to that. Trust is tough… it leads you to the treasure though and that could never be easy. There was work and investment involved. For when we get there, we have to enjoy it. That is why the rest comes first because it helps us to transition well.

I am going to enjoy this beautiful Christmastime… a whole new world once again. I have to be willing to step out in faith so that it drives out all the fear and complacency. It is the fear that tries to cripple me, criticize me and cancel out the dreams. The complacency that tries to assault and assassinate my hope.

I HAVE TO SHARE THIS ONE MORE TIME!

I am not going to be ruled by fear but faith. Everytime He brings me to a new place spiritually, physically and even times emotionally through a particular process –I have to trust the whole new world is in His hands! There is so much more, don’t kill it being complacent. Embrace the newness. Sieze the day. Possess the land –every single one I can tread upon. It is part of the promise.

Enjoy it.

Just enjoy it!

2 Comments | posted in Celebration, Faith, Inspiration, Rest, Transition, Trust

November 26, 2019

Can’t Take It With You

By Christina

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV

God reminds us here “lay aside every weight, everything that ensnares us, everything that could possibly hinder us.”

Flying Biscuit Jam…. sheesh. I was going through customs at ATL this morning ready for my redeye flight back to NYC and my travel bag was moved to the side. Ugh!!! When I had purchased it a few days before it was discussed that I probably would not be able to take it with me as a standby flyer. I have carry on only. It’s a risk.

How many things that we know are a risk for us that are unnecessary. For many times in life we have to make steps or leaps of faith but other times we take risks that are not the best for us no matter how much we may desire those things.

So simple right?!?

Cranberry Apple Butter… had to leave behind. Just a small jam that I totally loved in Atlanta lol.

I could have done anything in that moment when she told me I could not take it with me on the plane back home.

Could have stalled.

Could have fought.

Could have complained.

I could have even stayed because of it…

Yeah ok! We all have decisions to make in life. We need to make them well and make them fast especially when they have potential harm or hazard.

All I knew is that I wanted to get HOME!

WHERE I BELONG.

WHERE MY LIFE IS.

WHERE MY PURPOSE IS.

Delta all the way…. now with that in mind to get here first, God treated me with the gift of first class seating. I was flabbergasted. Even as I had struggled a bit with that inner worry of flying standby during the nations biggest holiday week of travel. Thanksgiving week.

We have to trust and know that if God needs us to leave things behind for a better what’s next, then gladly do it. We have frowned enough, complained enough and certainly cried enough. So if it’s not meant to be or not part of our next, we got to just keep it moving and keep going forward.

There really is a better way and a better day before us. That is why I sit here now, ready for take off and ready for God to do what He always does best. He arranges the details, arranges the flight, departure, arranges the arrival and arranges our steps.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.” Psalms 37:23 NKJV

What was meant to be a quick, purposeful and necessary getaway happened smoothly because I was able to let the things go that held me back.

What do you need to let go of?

Maybe it is fear, maybe it is doubt, maybe it is a job, maybe it is a relationship or relationships…. maybe it is an attitude or perhaps unforgiveness. We harbor on the things that are very hazardous for us. It is time to let it all go because we simply CANNOT take it with us! Just because!

So I look back and think of that simple moment and it may not be as significant but we acknowledge more important things in our life. I smiled at her, let her take it. Took my real important stuff and kept it moving to the gate.

Let’s get to the gate of His goodness and just obey the gentle nudges He sends along the way so that we follow the trail that leads us back home. Be grateful. Be thankful. God is truly in control because the moment we try to control the situation is the moment we lose control of what needs to be!

We can’t take everything with us. But what we can take is an obedient heart and soul that says, “Yes God, now lead me to first class!” Now I can go in the highest and favored way possible, when you do things the right way.

Be blessed.

And Happy Thanksgiving 🦃 week

With love,

Christina

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