AZA Means Strength

Has there ever been a time in your life where everything felt routine? Going to work, church, taking care of your family, paying bills, it just seems like everything is on autopilot. You know you need a break in routine, but you just don’t know how to do it. I have been feeling like this lately, especially in ministry. I just want to tell everyone, my pastor, church friends, my family, that I need a break from all of them. I just want to take some Sundays off and get way and find some time to reflect. The problem is, when I get back from reflecting, the routine begins again. So I begin to ask myself, what does this mean? What do I need to do differently to break this routine. Something came to me so clearly, I need to take a break from everything else and allow time with God. I have felt like this before, and the one thing that I remember doing to get out of this rut was getting closer to God. Getting rid of the distractions and just allowing God to speak to me an

We all have experienced hurt or will be hurt by someone we love, whether it be our parents, close friends, boyfriend/girlfriend, spouse sibling. Someone will hurt us. The true test comes after the pain. How do you move on? How can you still love someone who has hurt you to your core?  I used to talk with others about my problems, but I realized early on that most of those people either talked about my problems to someone else or they just needed some entertainment in their boring lives. Now, I pray. I know, how cliche huh? But prayer is the one thing that brings me peace. It's the only thing that can calm my heart and help me to forgive.  Life is too short to relive old hurts. When I find myself going down that path of reminiscing on the past, I remember Hebrews 10: 35-36, "Do not lose the courage you had in the past, which has a great reward. You must hold on, so you can do what God wants and receive what he has promised.  In repairing a relationship, it'

For those who really know me, you know that I am a very private person. I do not share personal things about myself. If I share anything on Facebook it will, pictures of my family, things about my children's silly behavior, etc., but nothing really personal. This time I am doing things a little different. I have found that it's best to give people their roses while they are still alive. I want my family to know who they are to me. I do not want to have to express this at a funeral or I pass away and never have the opportunity to tell them any of these things. I want to talk with my family and express myself to them in this open letter. I know many of you reading this will wonder why would I put anything concerning the family on the internet? I know you will ask, why didn't you just tell us this over the phone? I am doing it this way because I want to express myself to you in a way that you all have never seen me before. First off, I want to say that I love you all. In one

If there are poor among you, in one of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be selfish or greedy toward them. But give freely to them, and freely lend them whatever they need. ~Deuteronomy 15: 7-8 Serving others is one of the best ways a Christian can walk like Christ. The book of Ephesians 2:10 states “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” God knew before we were born that we were created to serve. Our very purpose is to serve in one capacity or another. What area you are to serve in is a question you need to ask God. Maybe you already know, but you are just scared to take that leap of faith. Our word also tells us that God has not given us the spirit of fear…your service to others may spark your true calling. Maybe you are assisting with the Children’s Ministry, although you are only there to assist, you find that your true passion is in teaching or tr

I wanted to share my published article on www.logospost.com. I hope you enjoy! The Heart of Worship When you think of worship, what is the first thing that comes to mind? I used to think that worship was just listening to a Christian song and feeling good inside afterwards. As a mature Christian, I understand that worship is much deeper than that. The Merriam-Webster dictionary describes worship as [the act of showing respect and love for a god especially by praying with other people who believe in the same god: the act of worshipping God or a god]. According to John 4: 23-24; “The time is coming when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, and that time is here today. You see, the Father too is actively seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” True worship is surrendering everything to God. Well what does that mean? I’m glad you asked! Surrendering everything means giving God your

I hope you had an awesome day and start to your week!

mo·ti·va·tion ˌmōdəˈvāSH(ə)n/ noun the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way. "escape can be a strong motivation for travel" synonyms: motive , motivating force,  incentive ,  stimulus , stimulation,  inspiration , inducement ,  incitement ,  spur ,  reason ;  informal carrot "his motivation was financial" the general desire or willingness of someone to do something. "keep staff up to date and maintain interest and motivation" synonyms: enthusiasm ,  drive ,  ambition ,  initiative ,  determination ,  enterprise ; informal get-up-and-go "keep up the staff's motivation" What is your  Remember the following and you will go far... "You are confined by the walls you build yourself"

You made my whole being; you informed me in my mother's body. I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well. ~Psalms 139: 13-14 Two sparrows cost only a penny, but not even one of them can die without your Father's knowing it. God even knows how many hairs are on your head. So don't be afraid. You are worth much more than many sparrows. ~Matthew 10: 29-31 You are God's children whom he loves, so try to be like him. Live a life of love just like Christ loved us and gave himself for us as a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God. ~Ephesians 5: 1-2

People are always concerned about what others think, what others are doing. If the next person is doing better than them. They want to know if their cars are better, job is better, if the next person makes more money, marriage is better, children are better, etc. Why? Why do these things matter? Why do people try so hard to be accepted? You want to know the answer...It's because of the Spirit of Rejection. What is the Spirit of Rejection....you ask? Well let me tell you. Rejection is something that steals life. It keeps people from moving forward. Rejection says, "I'm not good enough, so why do I even try". It can also say, "I just want to be accepted, so I will do whatever to fit it." Rejection will break you down and make you feel worthless. Rejection will cause you to walk out of your purpose. Rejection is a Liar! Why give into rejection? Because when someone has been told something for so long, they believe it. It becomes apart of their DNA. It m

I have gone through so much from the last time I wrote a post! I opened and closed a boutique, I have a second child who is now 1, who was diagnosed with double hearing loss, I attend a new church (been there since 2013) and I am quitting my job so that my husband and I can start our business together. In the midst of all of these transitions, my faith has definitely been tested. But I can honestly say that through each transition, I have grown so much. I know more about myself and I have learned to appreciate my experiences (the good and the bad). I know that with the next chapter I write, I will have endured and grown so much and it's with my faith that I know I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength to get through! I know that someone reading this right now maybe wondering, why you are going through your trials. Or maybe you're wondering when will you to catch a break? I am here to tell you that it is your faith during the tough times that will make you s