Blog Moving

Hey there! My blog is now on my site and I am disabling this one in a couple of weeks!  If you follow this blog, please go to my site and sign up to get notifications for my new blog located at www.dagnebarton.com/blog

Thanks so much and Be Encouraged! 

Text me if you have any questions! 618.593.3311
Dagne

Lessons from the Dry Cleaning

Yesterday when I was dropping off my dry cleaning at Apple Cleaners the lady asked me did I get my email stating that I had clothes there that I had not picked up from January. I told her that yes I did see the email but because I picked up a large order in March I just assumed it was in error. I really had not missed any clothes. She said well when you picked up in March this order was here then. There are 10 pieces in the back for you. She went to get them and brought them out front and hung them up. There were some jackets, a couple of dresses, a vest, two tops, and a pair of slacks. In combination there were at least 20 outfits hanging there!  I do recall recently looking for a denim jacket. But when I didn’t find it I just assumed it was something I had given away when I purged all of my clothes earlier this year. Anyone who knows me knows that I do not like to wear jackets and bulky layers nor do I like closed-toe shoes. No matter the weather I must be free. Lol I digress. I stay hot. But Anyway back to my point. 

God has things for us that are in his word that we leave untouched all the time. Daily there are brand new mercies that we don’t even access by simply having a conversation with him in prayer. By simply acknowledging him in all of our ways so he can direct our. We could start off each morning with a fresh set of mercy. But we try to roll on with the existing mercy that we already know and I already used up to its fullest the day before. 

Likewise God is trying to do new things in each of us. He has gifts untapped in each of us. He wants us to do some new things but we keep putting old wine in the new skins or just stirring and repeating the things we are familiar with when he is giving us new ideas and new anointing for right now. It’s easier to just do what we know. 

Finally we are leaving parts of the whole armor meant to protect us. He sent us an email that the breastplate of righteousness was right here...the shield of faith was right here... the sword of the spirit was right there but we just kept it moving day in and day out with only the helmet of salvation instead of the whole armor. All of it was there all along. It belongs to us.  He sent an email to remind us we left it and we ignored it thinking we knew everything and had everything. So when you show up to drop off more things for him to clean up, he reminds gently again...I got new stuff you are not even picking up. Whew!

So what are you leaving behind?  What are you continuing to do the same way when there are new things God has already dropped in your spirit?  The good news is it’s still there. He never left us. We just need to pick it up and put it on. I’m wearing two pieces today now that I know. What about you?  Be blessed today!  

Lamentations 3: 22 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Isaiah 43:19. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. 

Ephesians 6: 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 

Don’t Dim That Little Shine Either

When I was growing up at Mt Olive MBC in Clarksville, one of the songs we used to sing was THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE. We proclaimed that all in my home. All in my car.  All at my job we were gonna do what...let it shine.  Yes even that little light.

I have a question this morning. How r u rationing ur little light right now? R u waiting until u can do something a little bigger? R u waiting u til ur better at it? R u waiting until u have a bigger following? Or r u giving God something now with that light, that SHINE that is uniquely u?

Don’t expect God to use you as a lighthouse if he can't expect to use you as a candle where you are! Find something to light up this week. Even ur little light can change the look of a room. Use it. Once God gets the glory he can take that little light and change more than u think!  A little boy’s lunch was the catering menu for a multitude in Jesus‘ hands.

Matthew 5: 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Don’t.  Dim.  Your.  S. H. I. N. E. The Special Happening Inside Nobody Else!

Be blessed today sisters and brothers!
That’s what I heard today.

https://www.dagnebarton.com/blog

From Vision to Reality

Yesterday I felt like some greens.  So I had to do several things to enjoy this bowl. 

. #1 I had to go to the store to find some. U can’t just roll up anywhere and get some good ones.  I had to buy the other stuff of course turkey tails. Garlic. Onions. Peppers. Etc. It was a long day so by the time I got home with them it was 730pm. So then I had to pick the stems off 8 mixed bags of mustard turnip kale and collards.   From there I moved to the kitchen counter to roll up and chop up the greens. I then transferred to the sink filled with water on once side and a strainer on the other side.  I rinsed and filled both sinks 6 times to get all the greens nice and clean.  By this time the turkey tails, peppers onions garlic and seasoning had been boiling for almost an hour and had a nice little pot liquor started. So I began to place the washed greens in the pot layering seasoning in between each mixed green layer. I put the top on and let it cook. I boiled some water for hot water cornbread and another pot to boil some eggs. By 1130pm I was eating this delicious bowl. They are so good and fresh and yummy. Here is the moral to this story. When I was envisioning this bowl in my mind I really wanted it. In my mind I tried to think of ways I could have some without doing anything. Like just ordering from door dash some place who sells greens. There was no such place.  Like call Mrs Kat to see if she had some in the freezer.  Like call my uncle Nate to see if he had some in his freezer to fed ex me (too much).  There was no way to take my vision to the reality of this bowl EXCEPT A PLAN AND EXECUTION OF THAT PLAN. So I wrote the vision down (grocery list) and I hopped in the car and did step one of my plan (see #1 above)  I continue to execute one step after the other until I got to this completed goal of an actual bowl of mixed greens. 

What is on your vision board that you made this year that you want to take from vision to reality. What is on your vision board from last year that you still haven’t taken to a point of reality? If you want to execute a couple of your envisioned goals, let me help you! Coming soon PLANning Workshop presented by Val U Added Consulting. I will have group sessions and one on one sessions available.  When u see it the register and let’s get it done together!  PLANning (Purposed Living Action Now) starts in April!  

Keep up the Maintenance

Yesterday I was at Newbold for my first maintenance appointment for 5000 miles on the Rav. When hubby bought the car he got the full maintenance package so that we will just go to the dealer every 5000 and all basic maintenance is handled by the manufacturer. When we come to the dealer they will have any custom part needed; they will know how to take it apart and build it again if necessary; when the regular maintenance is done on a Toyota u don’t have any worry about having a good car for life (it’s expected end). 

While sitting there the Lord dropped in my spirit that we are the same way. If we just keep up our regular maintenance by keeping our tires rotated and topping off our levels of his spirit by reading his word (the manual) and monitor the wear and tear by staying connected with our regular (every Sunday and Wednesday) maintenance rotating and balancing our tires (staying connected to like parts) we will be able to stay in our lane and not drift off the road.  Then when we break down we can go back to the dealer because he knows the end from the beginning; he knows every hair on our head; he knows the plans he has for us for our expected end.  Even if u have picked up some junk yard parts along the way he can work that together for ur good because the engine (heart soul mind) are still in tact and connected to our dealer (God). Let that encourage you!  Feeling like u need a tune up? Just pull into your dealer (church, ministry, house of faith) or your own shade tree maintenance at your house and let the hood up (raise ur hands in praise) 

Be Blessed and be a blessing.

School Clothes? Church Clothes? Whole Armor

Growing up being raised primarily by my great-grandmother so affectionately named Muhdear she had rules about clothing. You would have various sets of clothing based on the timing and need for that clothing. There were your school clothes that were reserved for school and school only. There were your church clothes that were reserved for church and church only. There were your playclothes that were over worn school clothes that had now been deemed appropriate playclothes. Playclothes were rarely bought to be playclothes they were downgraded school clothes that now could be played in. Cut off high water jeans and other creative alterations for prolonged use! 

As an adult I have subconsciously carried this thinking over.  I come home and head straight to my room to take off my work/church (or wherever I have come from that day) clothes and put on loungewear (today’s vernacular for your mommas house dress...just much cuter).  I never really thought about it until today!  I cringe when my husband comes home from church and takes out the trash or starts a load of laundry without changing clothes!  I know I have said more than once since we got married, “why do u still have ur church clothes on” with my bare feet hopped up on the couch in my cute lounge clothes!   

  When it comes to the full armor of God however it calls for “all the clothes no matter the occasion”.  Ephesians 6:13-17 says this.  13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

See what this is saying?  Here’s what I see. Can’t just have faith, we need that salvation and sword. Can’t just have the righteousness but we need that belt of truth the righteousness is based on! Whew. See as a child when I outgrew that shirt for school I just made it a play shirt.  When u outgrow ur measure of faith because of you’re digging into his truth more and more you need more items of clothing or ARMOR to contend with the enemy.  You need the whole armor. You need to keep ur church clothes on even when u get home and u r chilling. Lol no but seriously we must put on the whole armor.  All of it. It’s only when we are completely suited and booted that we can fight this good fight of faith. With everything coming at you, at me, at us let us do as verse 19 says ...with this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Be blessed today!  

Dagne 

Journaling Workshop Notes

Journaling Workshop MY Notes:

1.    Get a Journal

a.    Not deep – you just need paper with space

b.    Lines or no lines

c.     Leading thought or not

d.    Scripture starts or not

e.    Recommend blank pages as your second journal so you can FLOW

2.    FLOW

a.    Free your mind

b.    Let go and listen

c.     Open heart and mind

d.    Write it down

3.    Don’t over-promise your writing timetable

a.    Daily - May be too aggressive to start

b.    Morning – can you wake up 15 min earlier

c.     Before bed – 15 min before regular bed time

d.    Weekends – or whatever is less hectic

                                                             i.      If you know you have busy weekday mornings but the weekends are fluid – that may be a good time.

e.    Sunday – after church to reflect the word or prep your mind for the week

f.      Set your plan and let Siri or Alexa or Google help you.

                                                             i.      Hey google – remind me to write on Monday Wednesday and Friday at 10pm

4.    Write in blocks of time – not space

a.    In other words – you may not fill up a page today or you may write 6 pages.

b.    When you are in a flow and you give yourself an amount of time then you will likely stick to your plan. 

c.     If you give yourself an amount of space on a page you don’t have a page you may get discouraged and stop.

5.    Old School or New School

a.    Pen and paper; Smart phone memo pad app?; Journaling apps?

b.    Whichever helps you flow better

c.     Writing tends to be more therapeutic but it may be typing it is better for you.

d.    Actual journals – what I love is you can look back and see where you have come. 

e.    However when you actually type it – it may be ready for a blog or a book with some editing! 

f.      You may not necessarily go back to your notes/journal on your phone as readily as seeing the journal. 

g.     But it’s up to you – totally personal

6.    Journaling thought starters

a.    Write out 4-5 self questions and put them in front of your journal or someplace visible and then pick a question – answer it from that day’s perspective.  Different days should yield different answers to those questions.  Such as:

                                                             i.      What am I grateful for today and why?

                                                           ii.      What did I accomplish in the last 48 hours that was meaningful to someone else?

                                                        iii.      What would I do this month (totally passion driven) if time and money were not factors?

                                                        iv.      On a scale of 1-10 where is my self esteem and why and what does God’s word say to bring that number up?

b.    Use an existing book that has writing or self-reflection elements (like a devotional or Phenomenal Woman Gurl That’s U!?! 8-)

7.    Remove excuses from not journaling by articulating them and thinking through them:

a.    Time; People; Fear; Prior failure; Other?

b.    Your journal is about your SHINE

c.     Your lane – stay in your lane!

In God’s Track Record...not Man

Good morning peeps!

Hebrews 13:6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

On Mondays I assess the previous week in preparation for the coming week and last week was not good. In my self assessment and fruit inspection I believe I did not do all I could have done.  There were several days when it took me a while to get out of my head and keep going. Didn’t work out or walk on those days.  Just barely mustered up energy to get to New Life to (my place of blessing).  You must know the enemy will try to shake u and stop ur momentum and I was on a momentous run of better self care. Sooo it is a new week and a new day and I have a word in my heart I am standing on. When u have done all u can do to stand...U STAND SOME MORE!
Got my gym bag in my car for workout later
Got my journaling and prayers done.
Got my meals prepped last night and in my fridge ready to go!
Got my tasks lined up and ready to be taken out one by one.
Feeling good!  Looking cute!
Got my confidence in check. And oh by the way my confidence is not in my track record but in MY GODs track record. Not in Trumps track record...but my Gods track record. Not in any man’s track record BUT MY GOD!

Make it a great day and stand still and know God is still on the throne!
#thenemyhatestohearupraying
#getyourstrengthback

Renewal. Get Some

Renewed. 

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV): but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. 

This is a great word to me. It’s saying to me when I wait on God to put his strength behind what I am doing for his glory the MY STRENGTH is made new. It is only then that I begin to soar like an eagle because HIS WIND is carrying my wing span.  It is only then that my daily running in my purpose does not make me weary.  It is only then my walking in his call does not make me faint. Wait on his strength. It’s then the muscle memory kicks in and our strength is made perfect.  

Get some renewed strength. Get your renewal today. It’s not an arm day or a leg day. It’s a faith day. Let him refresh you. He is waiting with it just for you my friend. Be blessed and be a blessing. 

KNOWing

Psalm 139:14-16 The Message (MSG) 13-16 Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;  you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!  Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation!  You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something.  Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared  before I’d even lived one day.

Before we were formed, the Omnipotent God knew us.  He crafted us uniquely in our mother's womb.  

I know him to be a merciful God.  I know him to be an on-time God.

He KNOWS the plans he has for us - plans to prosper us and give us a hope and a future. 

I know him to be a comforter and a keeper.  I

He knows every hair on our heads.  

 know him to be a healer and provider.  

He knows the end from the beginning. 

I know him to be a friend to the friendless; father to the fatherless. 

He knows what is best for us. 

I know him to be a waymaker, miracle worker, promise keeper and light the darkness.  

Because HE KNOWS ME....I will STAND STILL and KNOW he is GOD!

That's what I heard - be blessed today and REST in the KNOWING!

Winner Traits: Straining and Forgetting

13Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:13-14

This past weekend I was blessed to celebrate my 30^th Anniversary of pledging Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. with my Sands at the Kentucky Derby.  I don’t know what I ever thought the derby was but I never imaged it was literally one race.  That’s right, 20 horses – 20 of the elite thoroughbreds have all been preparing to run this one race.  Weather conditions were such that other than the first 3-5 horses out of the gate, the jockey and the horse literally was running blind because of the mud being tossed n their eyes.  Justify was the horse that prevailed the winner!  It was an exciting time and made me think about our own race we are running day by day.

When we accepted Christ and began this journey with him, it was like a newborn in a stable, not yet walking and depending on mother for nourishment and guidance.  We didn’t venture out as newborns, we had to wait to get our legs strong enough to even stand up for the first time. 

As we continue in this race, we are winning some and losing some little qualifier races along the way.  Sometimes we get it right and other times we don’t.  However, we must FORGET those losses that are behind us and focus on the WINS that are in front of us.  Even though there are injuries that take us out of the running, there is always a balm in Gilead that allows us to get right back in it when the time is right.  By his stripes we are healed!

As in this year’s derby the weather conditions are not always conducive to the plans God has for us in the race, but he has sent a jockey (Holy Spirit) to ride with us.  He is whispering in our ear all along the race letting us know – you are more than a conqueror, you are the head and not the tail, you can do this, I will never leave you nor forsake you, go my child go – keep running!  Along the race you may have mud in your face from seemingly being behind, but God is with you and all you need to do is keep PRESSING TOWARD THE GOAL!  Here is the most important part – don’t look back!  Forget those things which are behind.  When you look back or dwell in the past, you can derail your forward movement.  At the speed those horse were going, if they had taken their eyes off the track, they could have literally crashed and not only killed their progress but the progress of those around them running close by. 

Keep STRAINING for the prize that is ahead!  The Father is in heaven with the son (our personal intercessor) cheering you on!  You got this!  This is your race, and you are nothing but a winner in Christ Jesus! 

That’s what I heard today – be blessed and be a blessing!

Why My Heads Not Bowed

Love it!  SO TRUE!!!

On Feb 9, 2018 9:22 AM, "Dagne Barton" <dbarton@nlicic.org> wrote:

Hello Peeps!  

In the last stanza of the Phenomenal Woman poem, Maya says you “understand just why my head is not bowed.” For me this is highlighting the fact that there is no need to hang my head when I am just carrying out what the Lord said about me/you. Let me remind you that you are wonderfully and fearfully made – that was said about you before you were even born! Walk it out...head not bowed. 

Look at Luke 1:37 - For no word from God will ever fail.”

In this scripture the angel of the Lord was telling Mary that she was going to conceive Jesus. His last statement to her was... for nothing is impossible with God. He told her a number of what seemed to be impossibilities and then he told her the clincher sentence. He told her who God was! It is outside of the nature of God to fail. What I love is Mary's response. The very next verse says...Luke 1:38- “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”

She didn't need to go consult her girls... she did not need to go see if Joseph was okay... she just received the word of the Lord. Her head was not bowed even though she was about to be the talk of the town! In her response, she identified herself. She said, “I am the Lord’s servant.” The King James Version says, “let it be unto me as you have said”. In other words, everything that you said about me that the Lord said about me...let THAT be unto me.

So fast-forward 2000 years later to your situation and my situation. Whatever the Lord is saying about you...that's what's up! It’s not about those lies that the haters are saying about you. Everything that the Lord our God has purposed, let it be unto you. Everything that he has promised...let it be unto you. Everything that he has destined for your life, hold your head up and let it be unto you. It's about you

Phenomenal Woman...Gurl That’s U!

knowing who you are, articulating it in a proper response, and then walking in the grace that he has afforded us.

REPEAT AFTER ME: I am the Lord’s servant...may it be unto me as he has said!!!! Then they will understand just exactly why your head is not bowed!

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

That’s an excerpt from my book that is finally released!  Now available at www.dagnebarton.com!  God is awesome and I am grateful!  Thanks for ur encouragement along this journey!  ♥️♥️♥️♥️

So This Just Happened....

After a year long effort...and many stops and starts....my FIRST Book is published!

Get Phenomenal Woman...Gurl That's U! Today!

Thanks to all of those who supported me and encouraged me!  Thanks to a few Phenomenal Women that I called on to send me a few lines/thoughts that I added to encourage others! 

Don’t Dim Your Shine

Don’t Dim Your Shine! (Excerpt from Phenomenal Woman Gurl That’s U!)

When I was a little girl, one of the songs that we grew up on at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church during  all of my childhood, was “this little light of mine”. You know it well, this little light of mine, im gonna let it shine. When I sang it I didn't understand what kind of light they were talking about, but it was a cute song and we liked it. 

As I continued to mature and even today I know exactly what they were talking about. I'm reminded of a story about a time when my shine or my light attracted my first hater - or as we called them back in the day, a bully. In the third grade, for a period of about two months, I had a bully. She shall remain nameless because why would I give her credit at this point. She saw my shine. Every day for almost 2 months she terrorized me. I would have to bring her my milk money. She would threaten to beat me up, and just be generally mean whenever she could. It really bothered me. It really perplexed me. All I had were friends and people who loved me. Why this girl hated me was a mystery. One day my teacher, Mrs. Cecelia Irvin, asked me to pass out some papers, as she often did. As I jumped up to comply with her request as one of her favorites I noticed that my bully - lets just call her Bailey for the purposes of my story - was looking at me sideways as usual. In that moment I got an idea.  I asked Mrs Irvin if Bailey could help me. She agreed and Bailey jumped up beaming with joy to help pass out the papers. At the end of our task, I said “Wow! Bailey was a lot faster than me, wasn’t she Mrs. Irvin?” Mrs. Irving agreed and said, “great job Bailey.” And we sat down. Bailey turned around and smiled at me for the first time in two months. You see, my shine in that classroom was getting to Bailey. I was the little administrator always helping my beloved teacher Mrs Irvin. The only way Bailey knew how to deal with her lack of shine was to terrorize me. Bailey and I never became good friends or anything, but that was the last day she took my milk money. That day when I shared my shine with her, Mrs. Irvin started calling on her to help her out sometimes as well; and just like that, it was over. Side note, my uncle started giving me extra milk money so I had enough for both me and Bailey. He just thought I was helping out a friend. As a third grader,  I didn't know anything about my shine but Bailey did; its what she coveted. Mrs Irvin did; its what she bragged about to other students. But I really didn’t. 

That light, that shine, that “IT” factor - follows you all the days of your life. Your SHINE is that Special Happening Inside Nobody Else!  That shine on the inside is the thing that will draw people to you the rest of your life. That “IT” factor that you don't understand when it happens especially on the days when you weren't even trying to look good and someone walks up to you and says “you look so pretty today”, and you look bewildered! “Why today, really today? I didn't even take a selfie today before I left the house. I didn't even try that hard today. But okay!” It's those days when you were caught showing your shine. People may walk up to you and comment on some physical aspect about you because that's what drew them to you, but in all actuality that person noticed something that was intangible about you. That person noticed something that was unreachable. That person was drawn to your SHINE. There is something to be said about a woman who understands her worth and her purpose. There is something to be said about a phenomenal woman who understands her shine. 

In this book, I will use the backdrop of the poem by Maya Angelou, “Phenomenal Woman” to explore topics that every woman can see themselves either struggling or thriving with. I will attempt to encourage you with each line. In fact, I was struggling with the first line of this poem as a basis. “Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.” In my gathering of notes and doodling of ideas, I didn't want to start the book talking about looks, but then I had the “aha moment” about my SHINE and your SHINE.  It occured to me that this first line is not about physical appearance. In life, it’s rarely about the outward appearance.  It really has to do with our shine. On the days I try little harder with my Mary Kay application of my makeup; or my selection of garb for the day; or when my curls are popping just right on my head, that's all well and good, but its extra. Regardless of how well I dress up the outside, it’s the inside that’s going to either shine or diminish everything that I did on the outside. I didn't always understand it, but I get it now. 

As women, I believe the sooner we understand the inside...the sooner we understand the wonderfully and fearfully...the sooner we get what the “IT” factor is all about..the better. Anything great about you, anything great about me, was pre-planned by God. Before anyone knew who Dagne was; before anyone knew who you were - God had already laid out a plan and a purpose for your life. He put the shine on the inside from day one. He put the wonderfully and fearfully on the inside from day one. The moment that his impartation of the shine and your acceptance and embrace of the shine met that's when “phenomenal” took place. My goal in this book is to help you get to your phenomenal. But it starts with embracing your shine. Your shine is your shine. My shine is my shine. The moment we embrace our shine, accept the wonderfully and fearfully, and stop coveting someone else’s shine, that's the day phenomenal takes place. There is more, however, once you recognize it in you, then honor it in another sister! 

I asked several other Phenomenal Women to give me a snippet of their SHINE to encourage others. Each one later told me writing those couple of paragraphs from reflecting on a line in the poem was theraputic for them. I thank God for them since it’s no way I could effectively encourage all women with this concept without reach beyond my own narrow thoughts. Thank you to my sisters (detailed in the appendix with their bio briefs) for reaching inside your SHINE connecting with my SHINE and together illuminating some much needed light in some areas of darkness and discouragement.  It is my prayer you find many truths to combat any lie that may be tearing you down to build you up! Find your shine my sister, while reading this book!  Don’t linger in those areas of disappointment. You have too much Special Happening In Nobody Else!  Phenomenal woman, gUrl that's U!  

Bring Out the God-Colors

Matthew 5:14-16, MSG
“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors
in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as
public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to
hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve
put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be
generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open
up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

I love the way the Message bible puts this scripture.  Keep open house - be generous with your lives.  As servants of Christ, we are most fruitful when we are light in every area.  All too often we are only light around other light.  Sundays is like a laser show with all the light pinging off of one another at churches all over the world.  Today is Monday, is there light where you are right now, or are you it?  Do we always see ourselves as this "bringing out the God-colors" where we go?  I must admit I don't.  Sometimes, I even shrink from "trying to shine" because I really don't want to bothered.  Shame on me...
When I read this scripture today, it brought up three different instances to mind.  One where I know that's why I was in a certain place to have a conversation with someone completely unsolicited and unplanned that lead to them coming back to Christ.  Another where I was the one in the dark place and needed a friend who encouraged me back into a lit room.  Finally, my mind went to a time, recently, where I was not willing to step out of my comfort zone and say something that I know might have made a difference with someone.  I know his grace is sufficient, but I don't always want to be pulling on that, especially in these areas where I know better.
This week let us be intentional about this SONshine on the inside of us.  Let us share his love in a tangible way.  Let us move from the thing that is comfortable into the thing that stretches us.  Let us KEEP OPEN HOUSE with our lives this week.  Love on someone for no reason.  Call someone just because.  Actively listen in the conversations you are having and listen for the broken pieces so you can help mend them.  By doing so we will as the word says "prompt people to open up with God", starting with us!  This is what I heard today...be blessed and be a blessing always....

Stay in Your Lane & Focus on the Road

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. 1 Corinthians 7:17, ESV

Recently I was driving out of town going to visit relatives.  During the drive I was reminded of the fact that I drive so much differently than I used to when I was taking road trips in college.  In my earlier years of driving I would get so nervous when passing an 18-wheeler because I thought it was going to come into my lane and run me off the road.  The main reason I believed that was whenever I was about to pass one, I would never have my eyes on the road in front of me, I would always have my eyes on the 18-wheeler.  Because of that perspective while driving, it always FELT LIKE the truck was IN MY LANE when that was never the case.  Now I drive with my eyes on the road in front of me, stay in my lane and pass with caution TRUSTING THE FACT THAT the other car will do the same, but not focus on that driver at all.

You see the problem with my driving skills in the example above is that I HAVE LEARNED that when I changed MY THINKING and what I was focused on when driving, I became much more relaxed and a better driver!  Likewise in life, when we keep our mind on what is TRUE (God's word concerning us); what is PURE (thoughts that build and don't tear down); what is HONORABLE (things minding our own business and not that of another); what is worthy of PRAISE (anything opposite of a complaint!) THEN we will change our thinking patterns.  It is then we will become better DRIVERS so that we can know that the other person is NOT COMING OVER TO RUN YOU OFF THE ROAD, because you are focused on the life the Lord has assigned to YOU.  He is the AUTHOR and FINISHER of THAT PLAN.  Focus on that excellence and we will be safer, better and more confident drivers.  I will remain CONFIDENT IN THIS I will see the goodness of the Lord!

That's what I heard!  Be blessed today!!!

Love. Love. Love.

God commands us to "love thy neighbor" in several different ways and occasions in the word.  That is the command.  The ASSUMPTION is you love yourself.  

I think that is the problem that keeps us from loving the neighbor, the family, the friends, is lack of love of self.  Love God...Love yourself...Love others!!

That. Is.  All

And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34)

Do not take revenge on others or continue to hate them, but love your neighbors as you love yourself. I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19:18)

Above everything, love one another earnestly, because love covers over many sins. (1 Peter 4:8)

Kingdom Labor Day

Happy Labor Day to the Kingdom Laborers

1 Timothy 4:10 For to this end we labor and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe. 

In this scripture Paul is encouraging Timothy and other ministers of the gospel. This whole section of scripture (vs 1-10) is telling them to stick with the basics of spiritual disciplines.  He lets them know from his own perspective this is not an easy life. But to continue to LABOR AND STRIVE in the hopes that all men be saved. In such an endeavor OUR HOPE is in the living God. He is the one who we r laboring for and that's who gets the glory. 

Likewise on this Labor Day I want to encourage all the kingdom laborers. Those in fullTime ministry at a church.  Those in full time ministry in their homes and community.  Those in full time ministry at their jobs in the marketplace. Those in full time ministry of reconciliation wherever they go. 

None of us are part time. This is a full time waking hours position. As we LABOR AND STRIVE each day to make the true and living God shine in and through our lives his rest is our labor unions. As full time kingdom laborers our bonus and raise comes in the form of rest with him being a burden bearer for the heavy laden of kingdom work. This job is better than "your good government job" because it has benefits of FAVOR. As a kingdom laborer when I need to call in sick the true and living God is there to heal me from all my diseases. At the "company picnic" when we hear the annual report no matter what kind of year we had the Lord is working things together for our good. When we have our board meetings with a kingdom agenda he is there in the midst of us. 

So to all of u who r taking the day off remember that WE HAVE A HOPE in God and HE is giving us rest. 

That's what I heard today!  Be blessed. Be a blessing. Happy Labor Day!  

Just Play Ur Hand

U have heard that favor ain't fair. Well I say it's fair for those who Love the Lord our God. This scripture reminds me of that in Psalms 90:17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!

So picture this game with me. It's Spades night and U have ur snacks and the card table and the other team already talking smack. U see it?  This scripture is like playing spades with Jesus as ur partner!  Lets picture this hand. U have no spades!  U have a couple of possibles at best. U know u cant do anything but go board and u still may get set with this hand. But then Jesus speaks up (interceding on ur behalf) and says we r going 10for2!  U r like what???? Jesus what u mean??? Do u know what I have in my hand!?!?  Jesus is like "just play ur hand. We got this." 

So u r making moves. U r trusting him and when the opponents start to play that Ace of heart that just beat out that queen u had, ur one possible dream in ur hand BAM Jesus is cutting that mess up with a spade. Now that's ur book. Ur dream again!  Finally here is the good news. U r down to ur last cards and u don't know how u r going to make it. U trust Jesus and he shows u he also has BOTH JOKERS in his hand. They can't do anything to u without him being the one who is playing it!  Whew!  I could shout right here!  U thought u were set...u thought u would renig but u just played ur hand and THE MASTER OF THE SEAS heard ur despairing cry!  The Lord established the work of ur hands by playing his in concert with urs. (Just like his word says according to the power at work in us...according to the cards in ur hand all along) With Jesus as your partner u r beating the odds all the while. 

That's what I heard!  Hope u r encouraged by it!  I'm back. Be blessed today. Smooches!! Mrs Barton.  

WayMaker Miracle Worker...That's Who U R

Scripture A psalm of praise. Of David. I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. (Psa 145:1-3 NIV)

Praise:  In every situation I am facing U R still God. U can make a way out of no way. U can turn the situation around to actually find something for my good. All things are working together. The fruit of my womb is blessed. My seed is blessed. Ur word will come to pass concerning them. I will move out of ur way God and let you be God. I will praise u in it and through it and on the other side of it!!

Prayer: LORD, help me lift my voice to You today--and every day--to acknowledge You and thank You for all You have done for me. You are good and Your mercy is forever! As I meditate on who You are, what You have done, what You have made, and the awesome, unfathomable power You possess, I realize I can not even comprehend all that You are. You are truly wonderful and I thank You for loving us and caring for us. In Jesus' name, Amen.