SELF IMPROVEMENT EMPOWERMENT: SELF CONFINEMENT

SELF CONFINEMENT

As we live, love and learn we understand more about ourselves as well as others. We each grasp an understanding about our place within this world as we are able to tap into our purpose. It is interesting to me that everything that happens rather it is good or bad, I now realize has happened for my GOOD! Oddly, I personally didn’t learn this lesson fully until I was forced into situations where I had to lift up my head to acknowledge God’s permanent presence. The word of God states in Psalms 3:3 that the Lord is a shield and lifter of my head. Through my own experiences, I can truly bear witness to this scripture.

There are times in life where it will seem as if you are in isolation from all human connections and everything that is tangible. If you were in prison this separation is known as solitary confinement. However, you do not have to be in a physical prison compound to experience solitary confinement, as many of you face mental confinements on a daily basis that separates you from reality.

Did you know that you can be held captive by your own thoughts that plague you? Do you ever feel fearful to the point that it causes dread? Do you feel unworthy, incapable or foster other self reducing thoughts?  If so, your prison and place of bondage is then your own physical temple. It is time to get the anecdote to free yourself from your solitary confinement.

The mind is the first place that Satan will attempt to attack us so that we will lose sight of where God is delivering us. If Satan gets our mind we will lose value for our own being and feel as though we are alone when it is the complete opposite of our own actuality. It is important for us to realize that we must seek God daily for his guidance to help carry us through the day and realize that we may be lonely at times, but we are never alone. Psalms 23:4 clearly declares that I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Stand on this scripture when you feel as though you cannot make it beyond your circumstance and when you feel as though everyone has abandoned you. Realize that it is all in your mind.

Satan wants you to believe that you are all alone, but you are never alone. He wants you to believe that no one understands how you feel, but that is also not true.  The truth is that God is always with you. In addition to God being with you, many believers know how you feel and understand what you are experiencing mentally and emotionally. It is important to recognize that none of us has arrived; we are all in the process of becoming, so it is imperative that you free yourself from your self induced solitary confinement, so that you can have the life God promised to you.

As you meditate on Jesus today, gain strength in knowing that God is always faithful and he will never forsake you. It is truly up to you to escape the solitary confinement trap of Satan. Never let him get your mind, if he gets your mind he will have your being. Surrender to God today!

Yours in the journey,

 

INSPIRATIONAL EMPOWERMENT: STARVATION

Webster’s Dictionary defines starvation as the result of a severe or total lack of nutrients needed for the maintenance of life. If you don’t eat, you will slowly die. If you don’t feed a newborn baby, it will not maintain the proper sustenance needed to gain strength to exist.

Let’s apply this same concept to people who are in our lives, but do not benefit us or continue to bring us sorrow based upon their actions or inaction. If this is a situation you are facing, it may be time for you to starve that person of your time, love, affection, finances, companionship or whatever it is about you that keeps them coming back for more.

When it is time for people to die in your life, there is no need to go crazy and be belligerent to make this happen. Simply, starve them of that one thing which you have given to them and they will eventually fade away. I know you are saying to yourself that it is easier said than done. You are right, but it is a principle that will work if you work at using it. Trust me I’ve tried it and it works.

Truthfully speaking this is not the easiest thing to do when you have an interest or connection with someone, but if you truly want to live a life that is connected to your potential, it is essential. Stop feeding into all of the negativity in your life and the people that only want to make withdrawals from your greatest investment, which is you. It is now time for you to feed your spirit with the things that you deserve. Do you know what you are worth?

Today I want you to take an appraisal of yourself. Take out a sheet of paper and create two columns. The left column should be titled I deserve and the second column should be titled I don’t deserve. Do the work and create your list. Once your list is completed keep it handy so that you will be readily reminded of what you should be inviting into your life and the things that you should be escorting out of your life.

As you are doing the work, it should be your goal to get what you deserve and not settle for less. It is time for you to feed your life with all the things that are RIGHT and in the spirit of Beyonce to the LEFT with all the things that should be STARVED! Go for it!
With Love,

 

FRIDAY PEP TALK: CHANGE THE SCENE!! (VIDEO)

WATCH NOW AND GET LIFTED! IT IS TIME THAT YOU CHANGE THE SCENE IN YOUR LIFE. BE INSPIRED AND VISIT WWW.IAMJRMCDONALD.COM FOR MORE INSPIRATION. COMMENT, SHARE OR LIKE THIS VIDEO!!

Dimepiece Summer 2013 Look Book "Woman Hood"

Ashley Jones an Laura Marie lauched the brand in 2007 and it has been worn by celebs and is extremely sought after. The new collection launched May 28, 2013

 

SELF IMPROVEMENT INSPIRATION: HANDLE TODAY!

HANDLE TODAY

Scripture- ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. -Matt. 6:34

Most of you have more than enough to handle in one day. Some of you are in school, taking care of your kids, career focused, volunteering in the community, active participants at your church and this does not even include the roles that you play to different individuals in your circle. This is a lot to balance in one day. Heck, I am exhausted just thinking about it.  How do you balance today and worry about tomorrow?

The truth of the matter is that today is all you are capable of handling at once. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, so it is important for you to use your 1,440 minutes today wisely. Today’s joys and lows are meant to be handled in this moment only. You need to seize and capture the day as best as you can, because who knows what the next day shall bring. God will give you grace for today, but he will not give you grace for tomorrow until tomorrow arrives.
Often times we waste precious time worrying about things that may or may not happen. When you think about what may happen, this allows fear and worry to creep into the atmosphere. Sometimes the things you fear and worry about will manifest in your life today because of the intentional focus that you give it.

Today you should NOT allow yourself to dread tomorrow. Look at the positive side and know that you serve a God who is more than capable of bearing all of your burdens and cares. When you think about it, is he not the best God? He holds tomorrow in his hands and that is something to PRAISE him for RIGHT NOW. If you don’t remember anything else that I have said, remember that it is not wise of you to waste today’s grace by worrying about what tomorrow may bring. Handle Today and Leave Tomorrow in God’s Hands!!

Yours in Ministry,

WATCH: CHANGE THE WORLD VLOG

CHANGE THE WORLD- J.R. McDonald

Tap into the best you right now!

INSPIRATION: CHANGE THE WORLD pt. 2

The opinions of others do not define who you are or where you are going in life. You do not have to compromise who you truly are for who others want you to be. The truth is that who you are is exactly who the world is waiting on you to be.  Could you imagine if Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfrey, Martin Luther King Jr. , President Obama, Abraham Lincoln or other iconic visionary leaders decided to be someone else instead of who they were called to be? If these visionary leaders decided to be someone else, we would not be in the positions we are right now individually and as a society.

The true essence of who you are meant to be is in your existence. If God did not have a purpose for you here on earth, you would not be here. Since you are here living and breathing you have a mandate from the creator to be who he designed you to be. Why choose to fit the standard, when you were born to set the standard.

There is a KING or QUEEN within you, but you may never reign if you don’t begin to walk in your truth. As flawed as you are, you can still be used for God’s will. Truthfully, you have experienced everything that you have in life, so that you can make an imprint on the world that will change someone’s LIFE. Everything that you have been through has been according to where your journey will lead you.

Think of it this way. If you had not have gone through the identity issues, the alcoholism, the cheating, the lying, the fornication, the drugs, the loss of a loved one and other issues that we face as humans, how would you know that God can deliver you? If you had not gone through issues, you would not be able to relate to others that are facing life’s trials and tribulations? Your story is not always for your benefit, some of it is for the example that you will be to some young boy, young girl, woman or man that needs hope and you may be their only living example of Christ. You need to let your light shine and allow yourself to be used for your given purpose.

The greatest principle to remember is that in order to change the world, you must first understand that you have to make changes and accept your own world. This will provide freedom, joy and the liberation needed to make an impression on society that promotes change. The truth and power is in you and it is time for you to tap in to it. We need you to be you today and go out and change your world today by being who you truly are. In the words of popular artist Rihanna “Shine bright like a diamond!”

CHANGE THE WORLD VLOG!! WATCH NOW!

Your fellow Change Agent,

INSPIRATION: God Turned It pt.1

GOD TURNED IT!

PART 1

Victory Scripture: ¹¹ You turned my wailing into dancing;

    you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

¹² that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.

    Lord my God, I will praise you forever. (Psalms 30: 11-12)

My confession to you, is that I sometimes battle with operating in the will of God. I have experienced God and know that he will deliver the things I pray for. However, there are times that what I desire to do in my humanity is not what God has planned for the will of my life. For me to live in purpose, my pastor has challenged me to start being specific with God and ask him to send people my way that need me to speak into their lives. I accepted the challenge and agreed with other disciples that I would do this.  Nonetheless, I found myself not doing it all the time because it didn't fit into my agenda of things for the given moment or day. I know that if I ask God to allow time , he will do just that, but sometimes I don’t feel like I have time to be on his mission.

This past Sunday I confessed the battle I have been having, of operating in my own will and not the calling that God has specifically placed over my life. After confessing my battle, I immediately became whole in knowing that I will never be the same again. My confession allows God to put me on the potter’s wheel and turn me in his will and purpose for my life.

This is my confession, but I know that there are many of you who have also been fighting the WHEEL and WILL of GOD . He truly wants to put you on the potter’s wheel so that he can sculpt, mold and shape you for greatness. However, you must first submit to his will and his way. You have tried your agenda long enough and God wants you to know that you must give him access to do exceedingly and abundantly above all that you ask or think, according to the power that works in you (Eph 3:20). The power working in you is Jesus and he wants to turn new things in your life that you have yet to experience or think on.

Look back over your life and count the many times that God has turned it around for you. For some of you there was a time where you were a victim and he turned you into a victor.  For another person he turned your tragedy into a triumph. For someone else he turned your setback into a comeback. Don’t you understand that God can turn your test into a testimony?

God is more than capable of taking what you consider to be your biggest battle and turn it into your biggest blessing. Jeremiah even recognized the power of God when he prayed “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you (Jer. 32:17).” It is time that you realize what God is capable of doing in your life. Submit yourself into the Potter’s Hands and allow him to have his will with your life. Will you allow God to mold and turn you for his purpose?

Peace and Blessings,

Kim Kardashian Divorce Finalized!

The two year divorce drama between Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries is finally over. The end result is that

They must each pay their own attorneys fees

Kris does not get a dime

Kris have to drop his request for an annulment based on fraud

This is kim's second divorce!

Tia Mowry-Hardrict and Cory Hardrict Renew Vows! PICS

After 13 years together In a beautiful ceremony on the beach in Malibu, Cali Tia And Cory Renewed their vows.

INSPIRATION: GIVE YOUR FLOWERS

When flowers are able to blossom, it is a sight to be seen. There are many times when we find ourselves in the midst of flowers. Flowers can be used as a centerpiece on the dinner table, a statement of gratitude to a significant other or even an offering of sympathy of a lost loved one.

I have noticed that too often than not, we give flowers on special occasions or sadly when an individual has died. I want to challenge everyone to give your flowers today to those who deserve it in this present moment. Do not wait for a special day or the moment when an individual cannot enjoy their flowers because they are no longer able to smell them here on earth. Start being a blessing by showing those you care about that you appreciate them. Get into the habit of appreciating others daily and you will notice the changes it makes within your relationships.

Adorn your home, office and loved ones with the flowers of life. There is something special about blessing the living with the life of flowers. The smell that exudes from these living organisms cannot be duplicated and the feeling when received is 100% genuine. Right now, create your list of all those special people who deserve to receive their flowers in the present moment and make sure you don’t forget yourself, because you are most deserving as well.

With Love,

INSPIRATION: READ AND APPLY IT TO YOUR LIFE!

Scripture: ²⁰ A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. – Proverbs 18: 20-21

I’m never going to find a woman to love me, all these men out here are dogs, women are nothing but gold diggers, no one cares about me, I hate the way I look and I never have any money. I know you have heard people say one or more of the aforementioned. If you have not heard anyone saying it, it may be that you are the one saying these negative things out of your mouth. I’ve come to tell you to STOP IT and watch what you speak out of your mouth.

As our focal scripture states clearly, you will be satisfied by the positive things that come out of your mouth. You will never be complete or made whole if you continue to speak negatively. This is a contradiction and it has no place in the equation of a believer in FAITH. It is imperative that you realize that DEATH and LIFE are in the power of your tongue. You cannot move out of the rut you are in if you keep speaking negatively, you will never find the man or woman meant for you if you keep speaking contradictory words and you will never prosper if you claim to always be broke.

Today, I challenge you to only speak about your life as it relates to where you are going regardless of where you are in the present moment. If you don’t have the finances that you desire, instead of saying I am broke speak that you are only in between blessings because you are always blessed. If you are single and desire to have a mate in your life, speak that God is preparing me for the partner that I will have in my near future that is tailor made for me. If you are not where you desire to be career wise, speak that I am thankful for my current job and I know that God is molding me for purpose and I will never have to feel like I am working ever again in life. Speak over your life, speak over your children’s life, speak over your family’s life with words of faith and positivity. Your destiny lies in your tongue. What words will you release today that shall move you from good to great and directly into your purpose? Share with me and others by commenting on this blog. Remember you have the power and it is up to you to take control over your life by speaking life to all areas that or not as you wish. Go for it!

Peace and Love,

INSPIRATION: READ, COMMENT AND SHARE!

Happy SPRING BREAK party people. I don’t know about everyone else, but I am glad that the sun is out to play a little longer these days. The spring and summer season truly allows the world to come to full vibrancy. Since it is getting dark later in the evenings, take advantage of the longer days to be outside.

This is a great opportunity for you to pick up a new hobby and challenge yourself with a new goal. Local gyms are now featuring great deals on outside aerobics and fitness training. This is also a great time to go cycling, yoga training, running in the park, pottery, brisk walking or even working on that project that is due, but changing your setting to an area that is more scenic.

Whatever you choose to do in this new season, do something that will make you proud. Go out and do something that you have been talking about doing for years. Challenge yourself to conquer one of your fears or even knock an item off of your bucket list. However, make sure that if you do it, it will be something that you will even be impressed by if you were to share it with someone else.

I am excited for you today, because I know that you are finally deciding to remove fear from the equation and finally do something spectacular. I know that it will be that thing that will make you say, did I really do that? I am rooting for you today, but most importantly the YOU inside yourself is rooting for you. Make yourself proud by impressing your own self today!

Marching Forward,

MOTIVATION: MUST READ AND SHARE!

Beautiful people I hope that this word reaches you in the best of health and mental state to receive this elementary insight from me to you. Simply put, Do YOU Boo! I have heard people say this so much recently that I thought it was divinely meant for me to share this with you, as I have lately embraced it in my own life at full throttle.

There comes a time in life when you are too concerned with what others think and desire, that it becomes domineering. It is also quite possible that you may become lost in the sauce  because of this. Is this your story? Are you that person that people always want to tell you how to talk, how to dress, who to date, when to date, who to associate with and even what to think? Yes, I hear you. All of this sounds outlandish that someone allows themselves to be used by the puppet master as such. This happens often and you may be guilty of being led by the masses in your own life. If you are not guilty of being the puppet, then you might be the puppet master trying to control everything. (I’ll say OUCH to that from my past. I’m a complex simplicity. Stay or Go, it is up to you. Knowing your issue tolerance level and limits is key my friends.)

However, today I challenge you to pull back the strings on your own life and allow yourself to be used on purpose for God’s purpose. This simply means that there is something within you that needs to be exposed, but it cannot happen if you continue to allow someone else to control you completely. It is time for you to launch into the deep my little upside down cakes and apple turnovers.  :)  There is someone somewhere ready to receive what you have to offer. That someone is YOU!
In the words of Ieshia played by Regina King from one of my favorite movies Poetic Justice “This world is just one big place for us to go out and f**k up in it.” Although, vulgar in obscenity do not miss the lesson here which is live and let live. Move forward from your past by releasing anything and anyone that will not allow you to be you.

Yes, you will make mistakes in life, but your life is a process. How else will some of you hardheads learn? Some of you need some on the job training and that is what life provides each of us. We learn from our experiences and we grow from them daily. Today, I challenge you to lose the chains and cut the strings from your life, so that you can truly do you! Go out and create moments. Live, love, laugh, cry, try, experience, but most importantly Do YOU Boo! Someone is in need of an intervention and I think it is the man in the mirror. You don’t have to take my advice, but I am sure you will thank yourself for it later if you heed my suggestions. Love you much! Live and Do YOU Boo!

I’m doing me,

INSPIRATION: CAN YOU STAND THE RAIN?

Victory Scripture: ²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

The popular group New Edition from the 1980’s has a song entitled “Can you stand the rain”? The song begins with Johnny Gill singing “On a perfect day I know that I can count on you.  When that's not possible tell me can you weather the storm?” Then Ralph Tresvant takes lead by singing the following lyrics ”Cause I need somebody who will stand by me through the good times and bad times she will always, always be right there.” Finally, the group sings the chorus “Sunny days everybody loves them, tell me baby can you stand the rain? In life, we all know for sure that we will always be faced with storms. Can you stand the rain?” If you haven’t heard this song, I suggest you do yourself a service and journey over to YouTube and listen to this great R&B song of endurance. So, I ask you today CAN YOU STAND THE RAIN?

There are going to be sunny days in all of our lives which are desired by all of us. However, we must realize that we will face storms in our lives from time to time. It is important for us to not lose our faith during the rainy days. The storms of life are to be equated to trials, tribulations, hardships and struggles that we will all go through. Sunny days are the opportunities for us to enjoy the fruits of our labor and live life to its fullest potential. 

It is necessary for each of us to realize that we are not exempt from the rain. It is going to rain within our lives and there is no escaping it. Recently I was dealing with a site transition at my job that I was not too happy about and also a compromise in love that was taking a toll on my entire being. So, when I say we are not exempt from life’s trial, I mean it and write to you in total transparency with regards.

However, I was in study last week and my mentor spoke great words via Romans 8:28. This victory scripture truly allowed me to take back what was stolen from me during the rain in my life. It allowed me to realize that all things both good and bad work together for my good. It is so crazy how familiar scripture passages come to life during our time of need. I read this scripture multiple times daily when I am experiencing a rainy day or even a sunny day as we should know that what we are experiencing in life is all according to our called purpose.

We each need to know that our haters, blockers, enemies and life storms will try and knock us off our journey towards destiny, but in time we all can rise above it. Notice that Isaiah 54:17 states that: No weapon formed against you shall prosper. It does not say that the weapons won’t form in our life, but that they simply will not prosper! I encourage you to endure your rainy days by allowing the victory scripture Romans 8:28 to be a lamp for your feet to guide you on your path. Allow this scripture to empower you to know that everything will work out for your good. It does not matter the state you are in now, because it is all a part of your journey to where God is leading you and it will be for your good. Affirm today that you are always GOOD. Even when it seems bad it is for your GOOD. Even when it emotionally hurts you inside it is for your GOOD!

I asked you earlier, Can you stand the rain? I now know that the answer to that question is a definite YES! From this day forth you will no longer be drowned by the rain from the storms in your life, but you will start swimming toward what God has called for you to learn through this new experience. You can stand the rain, because you know that regardless of the situation you are victorious and no situation will hold you back from the calling that is upon you to stand and believe that you are GOOD no matter what comes your way. Yes, you can stand the rain!

Yours in truth,