Well hello friends and fellow readers. I’m back and I’m so excited to share another nugget with you. 

I was watching a movie the other day, and in the movie, “My Life As A Doormat,” the main character, Leah, was enrolled in an anger management program. When she was asked the question as to who she needed to confront, she mentioned her father, her fiancé, and her book agent. Now one of the other characters, Cinco, led her to a mirror and said that she needed to confront another person. That other person was herself. Leah took a look at, and inside herself, and she realized that in all of her misfortune she was the biggest contributor to her unhappiness. 

Well hello friends and fellow readers. I’m back and I’m so excited to share another nugget with you. Life can seem kind of cruel sometimes with its twists and turns but know that help is just around the corner.

In 1st Peter 5:6-7 we find these words, “Humble yourself, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you.”

Have you ever been asked how are you, or have you ever asked that question? I‘m doing fine, or it’s all good might have been the response. Was it out of habit, or did you really want to know how they were doing? Maybe you were in a hurry and just rushed on by not waiting for their answer. Or, maybe, you slowed down long enough to make eye contact and hear their response. One of these responses could really have made the difference in their life. Let’s put a pin right here and think about it without distractions. This is serious, and you really need to stop and consider your answer.

I would like to share a story of how an inspiring couple chose to step out on FAITH! In the words of Lady Eleanor N. Graves here’s the story of how one couple followed their dream on purpose standing on God’s Promises.

On the morning of August 7 1977, my husband, Rev. Michael Lee Graves and I stepped out on faith into a dream. We left a large congregation of over 1,000, a new church building and many loving people to begin the Temple Church. No money, no building, no land, no people as of yet. We were established a church officially on the campus of the American Baptist College on August 8, 1977.

Well hello friends and fellow readers. I’m back and I am so excited to share another nugget with you.

Wow! That is really a mouth full. What does it mean to be real? I’d say it speaks or a person who is honest, who is genuine and sincere in their dealings with others. A copy would appear to be just as real, but it lacks some of the same qualities. An original is self-explanatory. There’s no other first, only those who are images. You’ve heard the saying, “do as I say, not as I do.” So, I’m the one who gives the instructions, but I don’t necessarily have to follow them, you do. Don’t allow yourself to become drawn into a place where you are defined only by what you are told. Step out and be unapologetically who you are. Shine as you inspire.

Many of us have a list of things that we want to accomplish throughout the day. The list may consist of grocery shopping, laundry, organizing, cleaning out that room that everything seems to be thrown into. Our lists can go on and on. Today, my list consisted of a few things, including walking and going to the store. At first, I was going to do them separately, but then I felt the Holy Spirit guiding me to walk to the store.

Well hello friends and fellow readers. Yes, I’m back with another little nugget that I hope will bless you. Sometimes I have to stop and say, “Girl what are you thinking! Why are you going in all of these directions? You can’t do it all! I know, but who’s going to do it?” Have you ever heard yourself saying that?

Now I ask you, who is taking care of you? Loving on ourselves begins with self-discipline. Self-discipline is the ability to control one’s feelings and overcome one’s weaknesses; the ability to pursue what one thinks is right despite temptation to abandon it.

Well, I have to tell you that you have to take care of you. Self-care is defined as the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health. It is also defined as the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during times of stress. This is the one that I want to focus on.

Well hello friends and fellow readers. I’m back, and I am so excited to share another nugget with you!

Have you ever thought about the importance of names? As I was returning home, I began to think about my name. Does it have any significant meaning, or did my parents just like that name? My name, of course, is Barbara and it means “stranger” or “foreign. It is the foreign form of the Greek Barbaros. A name identifies you.

Well hello friends and fellow readers. I’m back, and I am so excited to share another nugget with you. 

Maya Angelou said, “If you cannot make a change, change the way you have been thinking. You might find a new solution.” Today, I am just plain stuck! I feel as though I am in a quandary

Wow this is forty! Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky and I relocated to Los Angeles, California 15 years ago, at the age of 25. The woman I have molded into today is the result of life experiences from both cities. I am excited and nervous about what city will contribute to my womanhood in this next chapter.

Well, hello friends and fellow readers. I’m back and I’m so excited to share another nugget with you.

As Christians we are often told that we are to have joy. However, when life brings us pain and we are sad, somber, and gloomy we often find it harder to feel the joy.

Initially, one may ask the question, “What is prayer?”

True prayer is the bringing of petitions to God which have been born within us by the Holy Spirit. Prayer is the very life-force of our spiritual existence. It is fellowship, communion and intimacy with God that is real (genuine, authentic) and personal. It is the ultimate in solidifying our love relationship with Him. When we pray, there becomes no greater desire in our hearts than to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.

Well hello friends and fellow readers! Have you ever encountered a situation where you just looked on? I guess that we all have at one time or another. Have you ever had a time in your life when you felt totally detached from those around you? You felt so burdened down, and in shame kept your head down. You thought about all the wrong things that you have done in your life, and you felt that you could never rise above them. You spent a lot of time in the back room. You hung out in the shadows fearing that if anyone saw you, they would guess your secret. You’re stuck and you don’t know how to get unstuck. 

 Well, hello friends and fellow readers. Did you know that God is intentional in giving us guidance and instructions? Can I tell you that God is a God of details, and He vividly outlines each move that we make. He never gives us something to do without letting us know how to do it. Now, we may do it our way, but just  like putting that piece of furniture together without following the  instructions, something goes wrong; there will be something missing.  So, when God gives you something to do, follow His directions.

Well, hello friends and fellow readers. Let’s take an introspective look at a topic that might have you scratching your heads a bit. What in the world has a broken vessel that is of no more use than to be thrown out got to do with anything? Well, did you ever have a favorite plate or cup that somehow got cracked or broken?

Set your standards and live! If you are cool with always receiving the mediocre in relationships then you are entitled to have that choice.

Soooo… guess what I did a thing!? I SKYDIVED!!! Yes I know that is exciting and it is scary all at the same time. The cool thing about the skydiving trip that I took on Sunday, October 17th, was that I got a chance to experience it with my mother.

I love hearing and sharing stories about present day miracles. The following story truly blessed my soul; with permission I am sharing. ~ One Love Diane

My husband and I were living in a house costing about $17,000. The monthly rent was $170. We were starting a new church in the neighborhood. I was browsing through a home for sale brochure when a house nearby caught my eye. I was intrigued to see what a house costing $100,000 would look like; So, I wanted to see it. I persuaded by husband to come with me. The house had been vacated for several months so the owner let us in.

I chose my December. What does that mean, you ask? I decided to live my life on purpose despite what the news says. I decided to live out loud and surround myself with positivity. I chose to visit places I would have otherwise avoided.

I am done! I am so tired of waiting for this pandemic to end! For all these restrictions to be lifted! For the vaccines to arrive! For the sick to recover! For businesses and churches and theaters and arenas to reopen! For the hostility created by our divisions to stop! For life to start again.

She has always been my favorite aunt. As far back as I can remember at one time or another she has come to my rescue when I needed saving. She’s done for me what my own mother couldn’t and still I found myself at odds with her throughout the years.