Forgiveness is defined as ceasing to feel resentment for wrong doings and offenses; pardon, involving restoration of broken relationships.  Forgiveness is a human act toward one’s neighbor, friend, colleague, or any other person in which you harmed or damaged a relationship.  Forgiveness restores a good relationship with God, others, or the self after sin or alienation.  When we forgive, we receive freedom; Freedom to live lives of peace, joy, love for God, self and humankind.

 How can we forgive when we have been wronged by another?  Don’t we judge others more harshly than we judge ourselves?  Don’t we want everything we have earned...every penny, every gesture, total respect?  We examine our lack of forgiveness to discover that our attitude toward others is usually what fosters this behavior.  Does this reveal that we may be self-righteous?  We cannot have freedom until we forgive others, ourselves and ask others to forgive us when we have wronged them.

 There is a question of ethical behavior as well.  Examples of clergy violations, insider trading, racism, elderly abuse, spousal abuse, child abuse, economic abuse and many other methods of abuse raises ethics as an extremely important issue.  Are we living in a world of dark and self-serving violations?  It is imperative that we are brought face to face with our power over others before we can live in freedom.  Forgiveness is more than ethical behavior to meet the standards that are necessary for us to change and direct our lives in an acceptable, healthy manner.  For this to occur, we must have a change of heart, mind and soul.  We must desire to live differently; to forgive and generate personal change to gain freedom.  Eradication of condemnation of others will help us master our inner weaknesses that will help implement the desire to live upstanding, and fruitful lives.  Do you want to achieve freedom?  Forgive others, ask for forgiveness and change from old harmful behavior and strive to love as God loves us!  Sincere love and concern for the well being of others will generate change from our destructive behavior and give us every opportunity to live in freedom!  Freedom is available when we forgive and are forgiven! 

Are you tempted in your weakest traits of your life or in what you thought were your strongest traits?  Often we neglect to cover ourselves in a manner that will build a shield against the evils of this world.  Often we leave our strongest traits open because we think...”I’ve got this” because I am strongest in a particular area.  We work to cover and strengthen our weaker traits.  Well, believe it or not, the area in which we feel more secure is where evil tries to break us down; to damage our self esteem; to decrease our confidence and generate fear and doubt.  Please don’t fall for the tricks of evil beings and actions.

Faith in God is our source to shield us from evil.  The Word of God (Ephesians 6: 10 - 18) advises us to put on the whole armor of God, daily, to protect us against the wiles of the enemy.  Temptation is real and can turn our lives tops-turvy if we aren’t mindful of the evil desires that are available to us.  If we let down our guard and accept the charm, persuasion and attractiveness of the temptation take place in our mind, heart and soul, then we are on our way to discourse in our lives.  Our futures may be derailed.  Friends, if it is too good to be true; too easy to achieve, had to answer immediately without time to process a decision, may I suggest that you run as fast as possible in the other direction.  Pray constantly for wisdom and discernment.  Walk and live in faith.  The Word of God states that “We Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Us!” (Philippians 4:13)

 Resist Temptation, trust God, be strong and let’s keep our eyes, ears, and minds tuned in to the truths of God’s Word. 

There are many people living in FEAR each day!  Is it Fear of the unknown; of job loss; of not being able to keep up the pace of friends;  or not being able to have the same material things or social life of your peers; not being sought after by someone you are attracted to; driving on freeways; driving after dark; and over eating, to name a few?  Is it you?  Are you living in fear or doubt about many facets of your life? 

 An acronym for fear is:  False Evidence Appearing Real.

 Sometimes we create fear in our minds when we are preoccupied with the challenges of others through social media, the news, hear say, witnessing a cruel act upon someone, etc.  Whatever the means for acquiring a fearful mindset, it can stop us in our tracks and prevent us from being productive, healthy, moving forward with daily living and blaming others for our failed choices.

 Often, we blame satan for our fear or doubt.  That is exactly what satan wants us to do so we can be controlled by this evil force.  Yes, satan can be responsible for some bad things that happen to good people, however it could be our life choices as well.  Satan allows and causes terrible things to happen in our lives so our lives will not follow the plan that God has for us...a plan for good and not evil....a plan of hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).  Please stop operating and living in fear!  We are children of God, so start living like it!  Pray, seek wisdom from the scriptures and meditate on God’s Word, then take the most important step...take action...start today...just do it!

 The fear of abuse can only be removed by the power of God.  There is great potential for those who believe in the one true God.  Let’s unlock our past abuse, past disappointments, past dreams, past history, so God can wipe our slates clean.  Pray for wisdom and discernment and shake the old crud and move forward.  God will anoint each believer with God’s power to bring forth new life from deep inside.  Let go!  Let God do a new thing in our lives.  Let go and please trust God!  The plan of hope for our futures is available to all!

Dreaming is a privilege that each of us can experience.  As we dream of a bright tomorrow we imagine ourselves in positive roles; positive actions to keep fire, excitement and love present in our lives; new insight and wisdom to change from being mundane to one of creativity.  Dream of a life of continuous love, joy and peace. 

My friends, dreaming is the beginning of new opportunities, new milestones in our lives.  Dreaming can take us out of our comfort zones, cross country or even around the world; Dreaming can afford us new opportunities as we believe in ourselves and seek the information needed to help us achieve our dreams. 

 As we dream, write them down and pray about the ones that take root in our hearts and souls.  Think about all the possibilities and create a path.  Take one step at a time.  Let’s bring our dreams to fruition by establishing a plan to become the person in our dreams through hard work, amazing expectations, strength and courage.  Don’t let the noises of life, naysayers, confusion, jealousy of others, or narrow minded thinkers get in the way of accomplishing what you know God is directing you to do.  Get focused on your dream; Stay focused on your dream; work around obstacles and know that wherever there is a will, there is a way!  Your dream can be achieved!  Believe in yourself!, Trust yourself!,  Prepare yourself, however lean on God for strength, endurance, and the course to take.  Do everything in sincerity and truth.

 The sky is the limit!  Set your soul on fire!  Give life to your thoughts and dreams!Be patient, however continuously strive to be who you’ve dreamed about being!  Begin shaping the new you today!  You Can Do It!!

Has the bottom fallen out of your life before?  In the last couple of years?;  In the last few months?; In the last few weeks?; Yesterday?  Are you still in the pit of despair?  Are you, extremely, anxious about the outcome of your situation? Did you know that you are not in that PIT alone?  Do you know that God knows you are there?; That you are hurting; that you are feeling alone?  I hear you asking, well why doesn’t God do something about my situation?  God will do something about it in God’s timing, not ours.  Challenges build character.....Challenges make us cry out to God, who is the author and finisher of our faith....challenges increase our faith when we hold on......challenges strengthen us to be a blessing to others....challenges grow us up in the Lord......Challenges mold us into who God wants us to be, when we have faith and depend on God!

Thornton Wilder is quoted in the book A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, stating, “Hope is a projection of the imagination; so is despair.  Despair all too readily embraces the ills it foresees; Hope is an energy and arouses the mind to explore every possibility to combat them.........”

The book also states:  In response to hope, the imagination is aroused to picture every possible issue, to try every door, to fit together even the most heterogeneous pieces in the puzzle.  After the solution has been discovered, it is difficult to recall the steps taken - so many of them are.....Just Below the Level of Consciousness.

Keep believing because HOPE will sustain you!!  Keep trusting and HOPE will give you new energy.  Keep trying and HOPE will reveal the light at the end of your tunnel.  Keep faith in our Creator and God will see us through any challenge!  Your solution may not look like you imagined nor come when you planned it, but I assure you that God will work it out well and in time!  Never, never give up!  Keep you eyes focused on God!

Are you stuck in a rut as 2019 begins?  Why?....  Your team didn’t win the Super Bowl?  You did not receive an end of the year bonus in 2018?  Can’t shake that holiday weight? Created too much debt in 2018?  Lonely, sad, or depressed?  Well, whatever your rut is, it is time to snap out of it!  Snapping out of it:

• May require medical attention, so make your appointment today.

• May require counseling or joining a support group.....do it!

• May require you to take some classes, get a degree, or learn, learn, learn on your job...going above and beyond

• May mean it is time to accept the fact that ‘it is what it is and you can’t do anything about it!’  Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things that I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.

• May require change:  (1) in ideals, (2) negative friends, (3) diet, (4) activities, (5) faith or lack of it, (6) an action plan, (7) dreaming with a positive insight, (8) a lot of prayer which changes things!  Just Do It!

• May require you to establish a moratorium on spending!

• May require you to accept who you are and then strive to be better!

• May require you to love yourself, so you can open your heart to others.

• May require you to take responsibility for your failures, learn from them and rise above them!

• May require you to believe in yourself, trust God and make it a great life, beginning where you are.

• May require you to love and accept others as Christ loves and accepts us unconditionally. 

Getting out of a rut requires us to determine where we are in life, have a burning desire to change and begin by taking small steps, then graduate to medium steps and then take larger steps out of the rut into the new life, the new you.  Remember......All things are possible with God.

Good morning Lord!  It’s me.  Checking in with you to see what you have for me to do today!  I know it is going to be exciting, challenging, fulfilling, and a blessing to someone.  I am looking forward to this day.  This is the day that you have made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!

Every day is a new day with new opportunities and new blessings!  Let’s rise each morning with a fresh perception on life.  Each of us have 24 hours, the same 24 hours.  When we wake up in the morning do we establish a plan for the day or do we say, “whatever will be will be?”  We can make or break our 24 hours!  Our mindset will set the tone for the day.  Life is fragile so keep it positive.

When we activate our faith, each day will be productive.  Will we face challenges?  Yep! Often!  Life is fragile, however, with faith in God, even if we are confronted with challenges, we will be directed through them and in some instances, we will be carried through them.  The day will be a win win day either way because we trust God through it all.   What matters is how we respond to the challenges and rejoices that occur in a given day.  We can either operate in fear or in faith.  It is best when we believe and understand that, ‘All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to God’s purpose.’  Make everyday count! God can make it a blessing!  Let’s not waste a minute, an hour or an entire day.  Life is fragile and is for living!  Are you living in faith or are you dying, so called ‘happy?’  Don’t live a life of regrets.  Make each day a great day!!!!  Yesterday is gone, never to be repeated; today is upon us to be lived, so make tomorrow even better!

A New Year affords us the opportunity to make a fresh beginning!  Putting the past discomforts, frustrations, missed opportunities, broken relationships, financial woes and fears behind us and stepping out in faith gives us a fresh beginning! 

A fresh beginning requires a renaissance in our thinking and adjusting our attitudes to a positive ‘Can Do’ attitude. Once we have accepted this endeavor, we should take a fresh step into our New Beginning!  Sometimes it is necessary to brainwash ourselves to help us get moving in the new fresh direction.  Look ahead into the future with excitement!  Dream of the joys and achievements you desire to accomplish in 2019.  Establish a plan of action and step out in faith!

We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!

 Philippians 4:13 

Want 2019 to be outstanding?  It depends on each of us!  We will get the most out of it if we put sincere effort into it.  Part of our sincere effort must include God.  Let’s submit our new fresh beginning action plan to God.  Inquire if this plan is within God’s will and if it is prioritized in the best order.  Pray, be still, wait patiently and listen intently for God’s still quiet voice to direct our steps.  Receiving our response encourages us to make the advised changes, if any, then roll up our sleeves, put on our work boots and step out in faith!  2019 will be what we make it!  Blessings for a phenomenal fresh beginning!

Today is a new day with new opportunities and new blessings!!

Today I began work on Hazel Jackson Ministries. The site will be a place to learn more about me, my services, and to get weekly inspiration. I hope you enjoy!