Five Minute Friday: Revive Us AGAIN

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Apostolic, Christian, faith, Holiness, Jesus Christ, love, Ministry, Pentecostal, Prayer, Trusting God, Women, worship

Five Minute Friday, where a community of bloggers write on the same topic … 1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking. 2. Link back and invite others to join in, http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/. 3. Visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community…OK, are you ready? Please give us your best five minutes on: AGAIN

PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.facebook.com/Fit.to.REjoice

“Rejoice in the Lord always: and AGAIN I say, Rejoice.” ~ Philippians 4:4

Just heard an old hymn ministered on TBN …
Pastor Smokie Norful sang,
We praise Thee, O God!
For the Son of Thy love,
For Jesus Who died,
And is now gone above.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Revive us AGAIN.

Wow! Such a powerful prayer in song.
We don’t sing the old hymns like we used to.
They are the songs that express our hearts, the deep cries of our
hearts to God.
When you sing them again and again, they touch you in the same way.
The healing way, the soothing way, the compelling way.
Again and again, they minister of God’s great love and His tender care
for us … of His Amazing Grace.
Giving us a Blessed Assurance that He is there for us.
Again and again, they minister to the hidden hurts, the scary places
that He is there saying, Peace Be Still.
Again and again, in the Blessed Quietness, the billows cease to roll.
Again and again, we can come to Him, whispering, Lord, I Surrender All.
And again and again we know ‘Tis So Sweet To Trust in Jesus.
And one day we shall see Him Up In Our Heavenly Home.

In the meantime, until you come AGAIN for Your Church,
Dear Lord, please revive us AGAIN. *Q

Bless you!

http://youtu.be/z8Je_y2IGPs

Five Minute Friday: CHERISHED

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Christian

Five Minute Friday, where a community of bloggers write on the same topic … 1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking. 2. Link back and invite others to join in, http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/. 3. Visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community…OK, are you ready? Please give us your best five minutes on: CHERISHED

CHERISHED are the moments, reflections of my life from the perspective I have now, in this season of maturity when I have a healthier sense of self and just out of pure growth.  All of which came out of an encounter of yielding and surrender to God and a genuine God-moment of healing and renewal. A profoundly liberating experience with God that I will forever cherish and never forget.

CHERISHED more than anything in my life is my family. God blessed my life so richly with a husband and partner for life who loves Him and therefore loves me in the way God has purposed. CHERISHED are my children, my heritage from God, my two sons and one daughter who are the anchors that hold my life … my best things.  CHERISHED are my granddaughters, good and perfect gifts from above who have enriched our lives more than we knew could be. CHERISHED are my daughters-in-love and son-in-love, my family and extended family that fill my life with more love.

CHERISHED is my heritage in God. In a time when spiritual values are debated, compromised, abused, diminished, misinterpreted, watered down, and modernized … CHERISHED is the time etched in my heart, spirit and soul of when I first received Christ and the teaching I received of Him, the exampleship I observed of Him in my spiritual fathers, mothers, and mentors. CHERISHED is my relationship with Him. CHERISHED is my hope in Him. CHERISHED is His promise and plan for me, of hope and a future.  CHERISHED is a mature faith that has grown out of adversity, disappointment, and loss, but also through self discovery, fulfillment, God’s faithfulness, His Word, and His unconditional, unchanging love that never lets go of me. CHERISHED is my life in God.

CHERISHED are the learning moments of my life. Every one that I reflect upon and know that God loved me so much … when He created me, gave me life, saved me with the infilling of His Spirit, taught me, protected me, covered me, made a way for me, touched me, prayed for me, dreamed of me, thought of me … they are innumerable.

CHERISHED treasures for a lifetime.

Self-Doubt, The Undercover Saboteur

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Christian, destiny, dreams, Education, Fear, Goals, inner strength, Inspiration, Marriage, Ministry, Motivation, Overcoming, Personal Development, Personal Growth, Purpose, self confidence, self renewal, self respect, Women, Youth

“I’m through accepting limits ‘Cause someone says they’re so.”

~ Wicked (The Musical)

 

Self-Doubt! We all experience it in this fragile life.

 

It lurks about, waiting in the wings of our life for the moment when we are unsure or perhaps unprepared. It pounces upon us when we let the opinion of others define the opinion we have of ourselves.  When we suspect (without knowing) that we won’t be received or that our plan might fail. For so long voices have needled, in today’s urban vernacular, “stay in your lane”.  On repeat, we hear you are not the leader, the minister, the older sibling, the college graduate, the articulate one, the charismatic one, the popular one, the preferred one, the pretty one, you’re not the one.  These proclamations become aquifers saturated with self-doubt, but we are not aware.

 

What does this saboteur of self-doubt do? It amplifies our weaknesses, instead of our strengths; it blinds us to our potential, it snuffs out our creativity, it is wounding, but we are not aware.  Many writers agree this saboteur of self-doubt is a learned emotion, framed by experience. I agree.

 

I’m tired of it. Everyday I fight against it. In my home, my church, my classroom, my office, but mostly in my mind, in the brain-grooves of my existence. I’m tried of it in others too, especially those whom I value and know their struggle.  It took me nearly half my life to clasp hold to my sense of self, to realize that self-doubt only chips away at my wholeness and robs me of my joy, my belonging, my ability, my reality.

 

So to myself and to you, a reminder … the other voices, opinions, perceptions don’t matter. You are the only dictionary that defines you. Your opinion of yourself is the only one that matters.  What others think of you, whether good or bad, it is not about you, it is about them. I know it is a fight everyday, but we must fight. Every day, stand in the ring with self-doubt and give it the KO.

 

SPEAK … Eliza Kazan said, “I spoke without fear of contradiction. I simply did not suffer self-doubt.”

KNOW … “The (wo)man who has confidence in himself gain the confidence of others.” — Hasidic Saying

DO … “If you hear a voice within you say, “you cannot paint”, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.” — Vincent van Gogh

BE … “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” — Anais Nin

 

I challenge you to do something for yourself to break the grip of self-doubt, something ignited by your passion and purpose, that gives you your own achievement and success.  Do things you enjoy to feed the value system you have of yourself. Make it a priority, make yourself a priority. Don’t go to the dance if you don’t want to; don’t play the game you don’t believe in. Strengthen those emotions that give way to the faces and the voices. Stand in the essence of you with a self-assurance that cannot be denied. 

 

Inn on Conventry

2785 Euclid Heights Boulevard, Cleveland Hts OH 44106 (http://innoncoventry.com)

“Home-style cooking at it’s best! We’re a family-oriented commuity restaurant, offering high-quality, good-value meals. We have a passion for cooking. Established in 1981, we are a mom-and-mom restaurant…and our matriarch is 96 years old!  After twenty-nine years…we’re still doing what we do best.”

 Oh my goodness! The way you feel when you walk in there … just real homey and comforting with the inviting whiff of breakfast cooking! (They serve lunch and dinner too.)

Has Guy Fieri ever been to the Inn on Coventry? He definitely must!

I’m amazed every time we go there.  It is packed to the wood beams with people from all over town I imagine because the food is soooo good, the value is so great, and the service is cordial.

My husband and I, with our precious grandbaby, Astrid, in tow stopped in for our most recent dining experience this past Saturday morning.

He always gets an omelette and I, of course, the Mango Pancakes.  My daughter hipped me to the Lemon Ricotta pancakes though so I had to try one. Okay, this pancake is a creation of lucious, scrumptiousness that makes you close your eyes with the first bite.

I don’t know how the Inn makes them, but I looked up a recipe to share: Fluffy ricotta and fresh lemon zest are a perfect pair when swirled into an airy pancake. The biggest challenge with this recipe is sharing the pancakes with others. For best results, use fresh whole-milk ricotta cheese. (Source: http://www.chow.com/recipes/28985-lemon-ricotta-pancakes)

Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Home Fries, Sausage and Mango Pancake

The Inn on Coventry is a wonderful way to start your Saturday or any day … breakfast is served all day.  I wonder what the seating capacity is, because you definitely sit chair-to-chair, table-to-table, bumping arms with your neighbor. No matter though, there is no pretense here, just good home-style cooking. The Sun Press said, it’s “… comfort food, tasting like it’s straight from Mom’s kitchen.” (Acclaim, July 2007)

Eyes-closed yummy goodness!

 

Checking Out Stonetown

So last week I decided to check out Stonetown, the new restaurant venture of Soul Republic United Restaurants located at 668 Euclid Ave (the entrance is on Prospect Avenue), Cleveland, Ohio 44114. Offering Cajun & Creole-Soul Food and Late Night dining in the Gateway District.

First, I have to confess I didn’t know this group existed as such and is the owners of

https://www.facebook.com/zanzibarshakersquare?ref=ts&fref=ts#!/SoulRepublicUnitedRestaurants

Stonetown recently opened in December 2012. I decided to order carry-out for dinner.

After placing my order, asking how to get into the restaurant knowing it was at the 668 Residences, and about parking and access, I ventured over to pick up my order.

Fortunately, I was able to pull right behind a truck parked in front of the restaurant (on Prospect) without having to park in the garage adjacent to it for which Stonetown would validate my ticket for a minimal rate of $1.50. The only other parking options, as with all downtown venues, is metered or area surface lots.

Ruunning in quickly (my order was bagged and ready which was very convenient), I glanced around at the space which is nice, contemporary I would say, there is a nice stone fireplace wall which I immediately thought, oh that must be representative of the name, Stonetown.  It was early evening and the restaurant was empty.  The hours are 5 pm to Midnight.  It did look like a party was expected as seating was set up for a group. From what I could see, it is a nice space and aside from the parking issue, I plan to go back to dine in.

Now for the grub. I texted a friend for suggestions on what to order, but didn’t get a reply right away.

I ordered the Buttermilk Fried Yard Bird (Chicken) & Red Velvet Waffles (medallions) with Low Country Gritz; the Center Cut Pork Chops with side of House Rice; an adidtional side of Fried Cabbage; and the Catfish Fingers appetizer.

Give it, carry-out is not the same quality as dine-in, you naturally lose something in the process of taking it home, reheating it, etc. So all in all the food was okay, but not great, raving, to write home about. EXCEPT! the Low Country Gritz, buttery, southern goodness, thick, creamy, delicious. The Catfish Fingers were good too. My other items were okay. The Fried Cabbage which I anticipated to be, well you know, it wasn’t. It is a red cabbage version. My husband said the pork chops were okay too, the rice: just a white rice with peas and carrots, not seasoned at all.

So, Stonetown is not your typical, hole-in-the-wall, soul food restaurant (they have sweet potatoe fries, but no yams)  It’s soul fusion and I haven’t interviewed the Chef or found much information other than what the group does at Zanzibar (Shaker Square), but clearly it is to do the menu items we’ve come to know and love with a bit of an upscale fusion twist.

I hope you will check it out for yourself, I recommend dining in.

I wish SRUR much success as they endeavor to establish a presence in the culture of the Gateway.

Five Minute Friday: DIVE

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Apostolic, Christian, faith, Inspiration, Jesus Christ, Trusting God, Women

Five Minute Friday, where a community of bloggers write on the same topic … 1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking. 2. Link back and invite others to join in, http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/. 3. Visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community…OK, are you ready? Please give us your best five minutes on: DIVE

PHOTO SOURCE: Bing Images

“It’s a beautiful thing, diving into the cool crisp water and then just sort of being able to pull your body through the water and the water opening up for you.” ~ Dawn Fraser (Australian Olympic Diver)

I’m four days late and it is late in the evening. I’ve been thinking about it subconsciously the past several days and it dawned on me today, I’ve been thinking too much (which I do a lot).  So I decided I needed to just dive into it and get it done. Don’t overthink it, don’t research it, just kick it out in the five minutes allotted.

Me at Paradise Cove, a secluded beach on the west shore of O’ahu, Hawaii.

(30th Wedding Anniversary, July 2008)

As much as I love the ocean, I’m not a swimmer, so this prompt was an immediate challenge. Inspiration? Search the scriptures, search Google and Wiki.

I found these two beautiful quotes (opening and ending) that I love and thought they would be good anchors for something in between.

Diving, from a spectator point of view looks really dangerous, but I’ve read that divers approach their sport with flawless skill and know-how.  They are skilled swimmers who execute their craft with precision, grace, power and beauty.  Their form is a visual of strength and control.

These characteristics can be applied to our faith walk.  Much of what we do by faith is a dive into the hoped for and the things unseen.  God admonishes us throughout His Word … Be not fearful, but believing. Walk by faith. Relinquish doubts.

He promises to carry us, to sustain us by His power. So as we take our dives of faith, like the Olympians, we must be confident in His ability and His faithfulness.

PHOTO SOURCE: Google Images/flickr.com

“So, come first to Me. Yea, come until the stream of thy life is swallowed up in the ocean of My fulness. Then shalt thou go, and thou shalt give, and in thy giving thou shalt never know lack.”(Excerpted from “Come Away My Beloved”)

 

Five Minute Friday: OPPORTUNITY

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Career, Christian, destiny, Education, faith, future, Goals, Inspiration, Ministry, Motivation, Personal Development, Personal Growth, Purpose, self development, Teaching, Women, Youth

Five Minute Friday returns …

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking. 2. Link back and invite others to join in, http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/. 3. Visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community…OK, are you ready? Please give us your best five minutes on: OPPORTUNITY

"Nothing about my life is lucky. Nothing. A lot of grace, a lot of
blessings, a  lot of divine order, but I don't believe in luck. For me,
luck is preparation  meeting the moment of opportunity. There is no
luck without you being prepared  to handle that moment of opportunity.
Every single thing that has ever happened  in your life is preparing
you for the moment that is to come." — Oprah
http://www.oprah.com/own-master-class/Oprah-Winfreys-Master-Class-Quotes/2#ixzz2HB9NCybH

I recall repeating the prayer affirmation as directed by a minister at a women’s conference I attended a few years ago, “Lord, give me opportunity to use the gifts you have put in me.”

Don’t we all want to be used of God? Don’t we all want to be a blessing to the Kingdom?

But are we prepared or preparing for the opportunity we’re praying for? Can we carry the weight of it? Can God trust us with it?

“Talent alone won’t make you a success. Neither will being in  the right place at the right time, unless you are ready. The most important  question is: “Are your ready?””
~ Johnny Carson

So much goes into being prepared. Gifts and talents are not enough. We all have gifts and talents, but godly character and integrity are even more vital to be effectively used of God.

Occupy until I come (not in the context of the scripture) is a command to do something, work, prepare, study, train, learn, listen, hear, network, invest, save, store up.  We cannot sit idly doing nothing, expecting something.

Then there is the process. Then there is the waiting. Then there are the times when we are overlooked, not chosen, it seems the opportunity passes us by. In the waiting, we must occupy. When we think we’re ready, God knows we are not. We must trust Him, His will, His timing. We must keep preparing until God (not man) determines we are prepared for the opportunity we seek, the one(s) He has ordained for us.

“I will prepare and someday my chance (opportunity) will come.” ~
Abraham Lincoln

“I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” ~ Ecclesiastes 9:11

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. ~ Galatians 6:9-10

Where Are the Giant Slayers? ( A Clarion Call to Youth)

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Apostolic, Christian, Education, faith, future, Holiness, inner strength, Inspiration, Jesus Christ, Ministry, Motivation, Overcoming, Pentecostal, Personal Growth, Purpose, self confidence, Youth

"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of  God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their  faith." ~ Hebrews 13:7

Young people ...

You were bought with a great price. Know the value of your salvation,  your life, your heritage, your inheritance in God. Don't squander your  worth, your calling, your salvation, your eternal existence.

God hath need of you.

A younger generation needs you to be an example of holiness and  godliness in behavior, conversation, representation, and  leadership. The devil is still walking about as a roaring lion. And  unfortunately he is devouring youth leaders, your calling, your  witness, your example, your very life.

Choose God in your youth. Get serious about your salvation, your walk  with God, your place in Him.  These are indeed the last days, people,  young or old, are not enduring sound doctrine, are not holding firm to  the standards of the holy faith, but it is still what God requires. You will never lose anything by giving your life to God. You always gain greater. You must not be blinded or distracted by the failures of others, the images of the world, the reality show drama nightmares that are distortions of a quality life in God or otherwise. Don't compromise your entire future with a present moment experience, influence or poor judgment.

Where are the giant slayers of this generation?  The Josephs, Ruths, Davids, Josiahs, Marys ... Who give birth to Promise, the Timothys?  (Josiah was 8 years old when he became King in  Jerusalem 2 Chronicles 34:1-2 Josiah was eight years old when he began  to reign,  and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. And he did what was right  in the eyes of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father;  and he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.)

Giant slayers, where are you?

YOU ARE the King's Daughers, Prophets and Priests, Dreamers and Visionaries, Altar and Temple builders. World and Kingdom Leaders.

God hath need of you!