Double For Your Trouble

My friends always tell me that I remember everyone and everything. I remember the random moments that we shared as kids. I remember the things that we did that were honorable and the ones that were not. Sometimes I remember things that I wish I had long sense forgot. You know the things that were once proud moments of defiant rebellion.

I used to be afraid to speak for God because of the people who might remember the time I cursed them out or treated them like they were beneath the dirt on the ground. I used to be afraid to say I love the Lord because I was afraid that someone would remember all the times I pretended like God was either dead or blind. I looked down on people for doing what was right. I repeatedly said I wanted nothing to do with being an evangelist. All of theses things happened despite the fact that I knew God was indeed alive. They happened even though I knew that He could see everything that I was and all the things that I thought I hid.

I was so afraid that all the things that I had once put before people would silence the life that I had decided to live for God. Would I have to walk around and hang my head in shame? Would some random thing that I did so long ago cause me to be completely humiliated?

"Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth." These words written in Isaiah 54:4 spoke to me. It was as if, the same God that I spent all that time hiding from had me in mind. "I will forget the shame of your youth." I will restore you to the person that I intended you to be is what He was saying to me.

These words spoke to me, but they were not just for me. Restoration is God's gift of replenishment. It is His way of showing us that nothing that we put before Him and nothing that has been taken away is greater than what He can continuously provide. God can choose to wipe a slate clean and place you back in the position that you once were. However, when He restores you, it is not just the natural position it is the spiritual as well. In that you receive a double blessing for the troubles of your past.


“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.
You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.

Isaiah 54:4

Adayinthelife :-)

If The Shoe Fits...

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness"

II Timothy 3:16

Have you ever found yourself sitting in a church service wondering what does this message have to do with me? Well, I have. I've had those moments where I was totally lost on how to apply the message. Then I have had other moments during a sermon when I had to say to myself if the shoe fits then wear it. 

Eight years ago, after sitting through a gut wrenching shoe fits message, I had an epiphany. I decided that I would attend church services on purpose. Prior to that epiphany, I attended service to feel better, to fellowship, to hear the singing, or to hear whoever was speaking. There were times that I went seeking something from God specifically, but I wouldn't say those times were on purpose. I would say those times were mission focused. I was on a mission to fix whatever was wrong on that day.

But then I had an epiphany. I decided that every single time I attended service the message was going to be just for me. I told my sister and a few friends that if I didn't hear from God every time, there would be no point of going. For many this was a radical thought. I was met with "but what if bishop is not speaking?" And "it might not go right if the praise team is out of town." 

I laughed because they were voicing thoughts that I had at one point entertained myself. However, after my epiphany everything changed. II Timothy 3:16 says that "all scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness". This scripture helped me to realize that if I attended a church where the word of God was being preached, every message was going to fit me. Every message was going to have a lesson to teach me. Every message was going to provide an avenue for immediate or future rebuke. And every message was going to train me in the righteous ways of God.

Can you imagine how that changed my experience? It was no longer about lining up God's word to fit my life. It was about seeking to line my life up to fit the word of God. At times the correction has been painful and Lord knows I don't crave being rebuked, but the shoe fits so I have to wear it. 

Adayinthelife :-)

By Invitation Only: Will Excuses Stop You From Getting In?

"Excuses are monuments of nothing that build bridges to nowhere." ~unknown

Senior year of undergrad I was invited to join a sorority. One of the first things we were told to learn was a quote about excuses. "Excuses are monuments of nothing that build bridges to nowhere" is how it began. I remembered it, but I didn't really soak it in to my psyche. Excuses were what other people gave. I on the other hand simply had reasons.

There was a reason that I could not go to set. There was a reason that I had to be out of town. There were reasons for every single solitary thing that I did not care to do. But, they were never excuses. I looked at excuses with a special kind of disdain. Plus, excuses were solely in the realm of reactionary responses. I believed that if I stated my case for why I could not do something upfront, my reason would have to be accepted.

Guess what? I was right. My reasons were accepted and I went about doing exactly what I wanted to do. And at the end of it all, I still made it in to my sorority. You would think that this was a success story right?????

I made it in to my sorority, but my reasons(also known as excuses) led me to have poor relationships with the majority of the members. I didn't appreciate the fact that membership was by invitation only. I hadn't thought about how my choosing to excuse myself from activities affected our relationships. I hadn't thought about the impact of those things just as many of us don't think about how excuses dressed up as reasons impact our relationship with Christ.

As Christians, we share an invitation only relationship with God. He invited us to join His family and reasoning yourself out of time spent with Him is electing to exclude yourselves from intimately knowing a part of Him. You may not give thought to excusing yourself from prayer, attending service, witnessing, or studying the word. But, excuses will ultimately leave you out of fellowship with God. Contrary to my sorority experience, those who lack relationship will not get in.


****Must read...Luke 14:15-23****

Adayinthelife :-)

Words of Peace

"Words of Peace"

Do Not allow Negativity to Consume You. Keep in mind that your body is a "Temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor. 6:19) which means we literally, not figuratively, house the Spirit of God. Unlike some guests that come visit you from time to time then go home, God doesn't come to visit, He's in you to stay for good. Remember, "He will never leave you nor forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31:6...) which means you have The Perfect roommate for a lifetime and it's important that we don't allow Trash (Negativity) to clutter in His presence. Your ears are the front and back door to your house so before letting any WORDS in make sure they dust their feet off so that no Trash (Negativity) enters when they do. What I mean by that is simply this, be very careful/wise when you entertain certain conversations, actions, moods, emotions, individuals, etc.. Because it's a given that "the thief only comes to STEAL, KILL, & DESTROY.." and he doesn't care who he uses to bring filth/trash into your house.. But God said, "I come so that they may have Life and have it Abundantly" (John 10:10).. meaning God comes to your house to enhance it not to tear it down. There is power in what a person's tongue will release, but for those words that are not representative of God, He has given you AUTHORITY to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you (Luke 10:19). Again I say, Do Not allow Negativity to Consume You, God wants what is best for you. So when Negativity knocks, make sure you don't answer.. ~Mr. Carr

Adayinthelife :-)

T.Carr - H.A.R.D. Ft. Alvin Ray [Music Video]

Are You The Tortoise Or The Hare?

The story of the tortoise and the hare is one that most people are familiar with. The tortoise, with its slow and deliberate movements, is challenged to a race by the quick moving hare. Midway through the race, the hare is far ahead of the tortoise and decides it is safe to take a nap. What the hare does not realize is that while he sleeps, the tortoise surpasses him and wins the race.

As many times as I have heard this story, it has never settled in with me the way that it has this week. Thinking about it has made me realize I have been both the tortoise and the hare. I have been the hare so fired up to win souls that I have rushed to share God with everyone that I see. In those moments I was quick to share a word, a scripture, a test, or a triumph to encourage someone. I found myself looking to the left and the right to see if anyone was witnessing like me. The moment it seemed like I was ahead of the game, I relaxed. I backed off of sharing God's goodness. I took a nice long Christian nap while waiting for others to match my Christian work ethic.

Then there were the times when I was totally the tortoise. I approached soul winning deliberately and with precision. I thought about how to approach someone. I asked God for the words to say and I waited for Him to tell me when and how to move. I didn't concern myself with what anyone else was doing for God. I knew that I was on my assignment working at what God had for me to accomplish. I knew that staying the course and following His direction was the only way to win the race.

But, life and the realities that we face have a way of pushing us all into the hare mentality. Something tragic happens and we find ourselves rushing to save our neighbor, the mailman, and the random stranger walking down the street. Anxiety and panic sets in for all the people that we forgot to witness to, forgot to pray with, or forgot to show some kindness.

The key is to find a way to live consistently as the tortoise. Then we would understand that while time is of the essence and we must have a sense of urgency about the things of God, it is alright to take your time and trust Him to lead and guide you. Besides, hurrying frantically to the finish line is only a factor when you have allowed yourself to sleep on the things of God.


The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

Adayinthelife :-)