More than a One Night Stand

Many of us are familiar with the Biblical story of Esther. It was a historic account of a young Jewish girl's journey to become queen. The drama begins when she hides her true identity in order to be chosen. Chosen she is! The saga sets in when Hammon plots to kill the Jewish people.  Esther is challenged by her cousin Mordecai to speak to the King on behalf of the Jewish people and ultimately reveal her heritage. It was customary to request to be summoned, for without an official invitation into the King's presence one would be killed. 

Esther knew the risk of saying something and she knew the risk of remaining silent. Either way it was potential death. Talk about being between a rock and a hard place. Esther made the decision to sacrifice herself on behalf of others and accept what consequences may come. Well, thank God for his intervention. Esther is not killed and saves the Jewish people. Whew...that was close. 

We can all applaud Esther’s story. After all it sounds like a good script for a reality T.V. show. While Esther’s story may seem glamorous and even scandalous it is not too far-fetched from many of you.  Maybe Esther’s story is not your story. You may not be like Esther at all. 

Perhaps, you don’t have a squeaky clean background. Maybe you don’t have a record of faithfulness or purity. Maybe you’ve been the harlot, the absent mom, the rejected woman, the wounded friend. Maybe your past causes you to shrink back into the shadows of yesterday and hide in the crevices of rejection

 

The Bible is full of stories after stories of women just like Esther and even women just like you and me. Women who are in desperate need of more than an experience…we need a night. We need a night that will change who we are. We need a night of hope, healing and restoration. We need an need of complete invasion of our souls. Would you agree? Being in the King’s presence if life changing. No one is the same. 

What brings you into the presence of a KING?

·       Problems?

·       Complaints?

My answer to you -  is yes, because for most of us this is the only time we come to the King. The King’s role is to provide solutions to our issues and our problems but we limit ourselves and we limit what the KING can do in our lives. So while problems and complaints may bring us into the King's presence, they will not usher us into His chambers.


The more intimate space is reserved for those women who know who they are and spend time in communion with the King in prayer and is willing to sacrifice for others. Anything outside of this is simply a one-night stand.

Intimate conversation is the tool to entering into the secret place of God. Prayer is the key that opens the King's heart.  Do you ­­­­­O’ King Seeker believe that your prayers will bring you into God's presence?  Don't you want your prayer life to bring you into the King’s chambers?  If Esther had not had intimate moments with the King, she would have been destroyed.

 Psalm 45:11 declares, “the king is enthralled by your beauty, honor him”.  If I had a man that was enthralled with my beauty, there wouldn't be much this world had to offer that would make me want to leave his presence. Yet, because of past abuse and experiences, we fail to see ourselves as beautiful and we hide from the one who loves us.  See, for many of us we believe that God will do great things for others and we will even so much as walk others into His presence, but when His gaze turns towards us we are filled with shame and we disappear from the King’s presence. 

We hide because we feel that we are not beautiful; that we are not loved and that we are not worthy of his approval. I want to take you to a place where you can accept yourself just as you are and learn to honor the King. 

   Learn more about overcoming trials visit http://www.latoyabrown.com

What brings honor to the King? Esther did three things that honored her King and changed her nation.  Esther submitted herself to God; prayed for God to turn the situation around and lastly, Esther acted on the word of God.

Esther's role as queen was to empower and encourage  her people to go deeper into the Lord’s presence and that only happens when you go deeper in your prayer lives. A prayer life is something we often talk about but how many of us really do spend time in prayer and actually see the results of our prayer life. It’s often been said:

·       Little Prayer—Little Power

·       Some prayer --Some Power

·       Much Prayer –Much Power. 

See, prayer is not about what we can get. It is about who we are becoming. Prayer is God’s instrument of fellowship that causes change.

Let me ask you, are you looking for an intimate lifetime encounter with the Lover of your soul or are you just looking for a One NIGHT Stand? 

Are you longing for more than a few short spiritual quickies to soothe your ache or are you in search of lasting love as you deserve?

 

Do you want more of the King? The only way to intimately know the King is to spend time in his presence.  You must do what you haven’t done and that is pray.

Get Your Dance On!

When was the last time you danced? A year? Two years? Never? Girlfriend you have been waiting too long! Life is like a young man at the junior high prom who is standing against the wall not knowing if he should ask you to dance. There are some things that should be left against that wall, but sister there are times when you have to take action and grab Life by the hands and dance.

I know you've been through a lot...we all have. Yet, some of us choose to make lemonade and put on our dancing shoes. If life is to be lived, then it should be lived with a smile on your face and not a care on your mind. Dancing is not easy. Hilariously it can be very awkward for many, but people do it anyway and so should you. Forget the naysayers. Refuse to relive the moments from your past. Forgive those who hurt you. It is time to celebrate your journey.

Haven't you lived in agony long enough? I dare you to grab your favorite CD, put it in the CD player and dance as if no one is watching. Sistah...get ready to experience a freedom that you've never felt. The earth will move under your feet. Trample upon the enemy's head. He deserves it. Go ahead...you have my permission to "get down and funky".

New Eyes

I remember several years ago, when I first began my weight loss journey, standing in front of my living room mirror berating myself for not being skinny enough. I was relentless. I had no mercy on myself. I told myself that I was "fat, ugly, never good enough, a waste of time, stupid, etc". In that moment of self-degradation, the Lord quietly asked me a simple question that changed not only the way I saw myself but of how God sees me.  He simply asked me, "who are you to contend with your maker?" I was dumbfounded...speechless. In my self loathing attempt to boost my motivation for weight loss, I had failed to realize that I am a reflection of Christ and all that I do either glorifies or minimizes who he is in my life.


Berating myself with degrading words was no different than me hearing those same words as a kid. Isn't it funny how those things come back to haunt us? Unknowingly we participate in the subjugation of our own self worth. Yikes! After much repenting, I had to face the truth that I didn't want to see or couldn't see that I was fearfully and wonderfully made. I am a beautiful masterpiece in God's creation and to see myself as anything less was an insinuation that God had somehow failed in making the woman I had become. Humble pie was on the menu for sure...and I ate a lot of it that day. So, I plumped my newly appreciated body on my couch and cried. To see myself as God saw me was not going to be easy but I at least wanted to try. It all had to start with truth.

See when you believe lies for such a long time you tend to lose the ability to decipher between them and the truth. The truth always dwells between memory and reality. The truth set me free that day. I was free from self-inflicted pain and torment. Truth opened my eyes to a determination to never dance with the devil again.

Fast forward years later and I still struggle with my weight but not from a place of failure or hatred but from a place of responsibility and health. I now see myself as beautiful and loved regardless of the shape my body has taken. I choose to see with new eyes and to leave the negativity in the past...right where it belongs. I choose to take hold of a new perspective and to live my life for the audience of ONE who is well pleased.

I encourage you today to reevaluate those ugly thoughts you have of yourself. Recognize their source and put those lies to rest once and for all and then pick up your pretty head my friend and choose to love yourself...kindly. God is on your side!

In His Love,
LaToya Brown, LMSW

Where There Is No Light

My friend called me one day after the Grammy's Awards to tell me that Queen Latifah had married over 15 gay couples. I sensed the outrage within the Chrsistian community within hours. Should there be an outrage? Absolutely, if you disagree with her actions or the movement by gays and lesbians.

I believe there is something that we as Christians are missing. The world is supposed to be controversial - mean-spirited - intolerant. They are not believers in Jesus Christ. They are supposed to do what sinners do...sin.

So, could the current state of our world be an indicator that the world is getting darker...more evil? I don't believe so. The world is not getting darker. We as believers are becoming dimmer.

Darkness can only exist where there is no light. So, if you are bothered by what you now see in our nation perhaps it's because you...we...failed to shine a light.

I invite you to let your light shine once again!

Visit www.latoyabrown.com to read more of LaToya's impact in her world.

God Is In The Unplanned!

Over the past few days I've thought about the plans that we make as humans and the expectations that we have for the outcome of a matter. I regularly organize events and community outreach to only find that many people don't show up for one reason or another. It is easy, at least for me, to become discouraged when things don't work out as "I planned".

 I have all my hopes and dreams packed into a little package called "me" without considering God - sometimes.  Far too often I think that every part of my life should be planned, mapped-out and understood, not realizing that God specializes in the unplanned parts of our lives as well. 


It is in the unplanned portions of our lives where God shines the brightest. If we could do it all, we wouldn't need him. He wants us to make plans, but these plans must include his purpose. So, before you jump 2014 off with a good start I encourage you to make it a God start and include him in the process.

 To see how God shines bright in LaToya's life click here

All Things New

As you all can I see I put my pen down for awhile. I was feeling as if my words had no voice and that I was wasting my time by writing encouraging post. For what seemed like a very long season, I moved from one direction to the next trying to figure my life out - trying to find my next step. I met with a wonderful young woman today who encouraged me to write again...this time about my story.

She reminded me that my story is compelling, healing and powerful. I must say that she SPARKED a passion and desire in me to not only write again but to speak more loudly. I believe that I have something that the world needs to hear. I promised myself today to never walk in the silence of my own fears but to continue to be the conqueror I've always been. My story is not of victim hood. It is a story of truly overcoming every obstacle I faced and beating all the odds. It is my story of healing through sexual abuse, teen parenting and poverty. I overcame and so can you.

I was molested at the age of nine by my step-father. I struggled for many years with homelessness, sexual assault and self-hatred. I was pregnant by the age of 12 and had my first son when I was only 13 years old. I later had a second son at 14 and my third son at 17. Many had given up on me and many counted me out. I was expected to fail, to be on welfare for the rest of my life and to be a horrible parent. I am none of those things.

 In spite of the verbal, physical, emotional and sexual abuse I suffered I attended school every day and was able to graduate with my class. I later went on to college and graduated with my Associates Degree in Liberal Arts, a Bachelors in Social Work and a Masters of Science in Social Work. I was determined to be more than what others said about me and more than what I thought.

To hear more about LaToya's story visit her page at www.latoyabrown.com

I was recently honored by Pat Smith's Treasure You -Second Chances for Overcomers event in Dallas Texas this past weekend. It was an honor and pleasure to be featured among national and local female overcomers. It was a stark reminder that I have overcome and should shout it out to the world.

To learn more about second chances visit http://dallas.culturemap.com/news/society/01-21-14-pat-smith-robin-roberts-treasure-you-celebrating-second-chances-overcomers/

To view comments about overcomers visit http://www.ohsocynthia.com/2014/01/pat-smith-honors-second-chances.html

It amazes me how God never forgets the story. God never allows us to forget how far we've come. He did that for me this weekend. He reminded me of not only His love for me but also of his acceptance and support of my dreams. I was greatly humbled and appreciative.

So, with that in mind, I've decided to write and speak again. I'm writing again because you deserve to heal and you need a friend along your journey who can help guide you to the healing place. I will be honest with you...I pull no punches. Life is what it is and I believe in transparency at all cost. Only the truth will set us free.

I want you to be free. You are worth it. You are stronger than you realize and more powerful than you ever believed. You have what it takes to make your life different. If you will decide to be better, then you will soon find that your life can be not only different but whole.

Nothing is Final Until You Give Up...

In HIs Love,
LaToya Brown, LMSW

Realizing The Power of Thank You

Saying thank you is the best give that you can give yourself and to your future. “Thank You” is two simple words that pack unlimited power to unlock every closed door where you stand. They are words that will redefine your relationships, restructure your mindset and revitalize the dry areas in your life. Saying “thank you” has benefits both spiritually and naturally. God’s says that he loves a cheerful giver: that means a person who is willing to have an attitude of gratitude that gives birth to a giving heart.

God has much to say about gratitude throughout scripture. Throughout the Old Testament there are stories after stories of the tragic end to those who complained and criticized God. Take for instance the children of Israel. God delivered them from the chains of slavery, gave them food to eat in the desert (a place that has no nourishment) and protected them day and night while on their journey and all they could say in response to God’s goodness was, “this is not enough. The children of Israel lost their lives, their present peace and their future because of a bad attitude. If we were to examine their lives, then we would be wise to refrain from using our tongue to release ingratitude.

Criticism is in opposition to giving thanks or praise. For many believers or people in general have a hard time being truly thankful. At times we can get so overwhelmed with the trials of life (bills, job, kids, family conflicts and even being generous) that we fail to see God (the good in life and we tend to focus on all that is wrong) for who he is and we rely on what we can see and how we feel to determine our praise.

If you aren’t experiencing the best that God has for you, I want you to consider your praise. We are encouraged to Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture." (Psalms. 100:2-3, New King James Version).

When was the last time you considered the works of God? When was the last time you thanked God for the good and the bad? Have you checked your tongue lately? Have you examined the words of your mouth?Gratitude opens the door for God’s immeasurable goodness. It unlocks your destiny and paves the way for you to be the woman God created you to be. IF you want to break free from the rut you’ve been in, then I challenge you to begin to praise God with all that you have. Give him all you got. Psalm 100 challenges us to enter God’s gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.

If you want to see God move in your life, you must

      Believe that God is big enough

      Remember that He has delivered you from past failures and pains

      Refuse to allow your tongue to agree with the enemy

      Refuse to criticize God in your situation

      Let the words of your mouth and the meditation of your heart be acceptable (Psalm 19:14).

      Think upon God’s goodness (Phillipians4:18) 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.

      Choose to trust God and his timing in your life.

God needs knees more than he needs hands. Let us honor God with the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts.

Your Greatest Fear

If I were to ask you to tell me about your greatest fear, what would be your story?

 What if I told you that the only way your fear will be realized is if you bring it to pass.

Our words have more power than we realize. We don’t pay much attention to how things happen in our lives, but most of our situation and circumstance is evident because we spoke it into existence.

Let’s take a look at Job for a minute: Job 1 reads that Job was blessed beyond measure. He loved the Lord so much that he feared that his children, who would party on a daily basis, would curse God in some way. So, Job had a regular custom of making burnt offerings every morning for his children.

Job definitely lived with sin consciousness. Job tossed and turned all night in fear that his children would offend God. As soon as he could, he'd arise every morning and offer sacrifices.  It was customary for the Israelites to offer burnt offerings for many reasons, including sin, but most importantly it could be conducted to cleanse from SINFULNESS.  Job didn't know if sin was committed, but he wanted to leave no sin uncovered.

 In the first chapter of Job we see that God has allowed the enemy to take everything that Job possessed. 

What is Jobs response? Job 20:1 “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away-may the name of the Lord be praised.”

Huh? I'm not sure I would've praised God at that moment. I'm just keeping it real.

Anyway, as we further read, these tragedies didn't come upon Job because he was sinful.  Job 1:8 reads: "Then the Lord said the Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job?. There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." 

This tells us that God allows situations to manifest in our lives that have nothing to do with our behavior. How many times have we blamed ourselves for the pain we've experienced? How many times have others blamed us for tragedies? Isn't it good to know that everything that happens isn't always our fault?

Initially, Job was very humble during this time. He fell to his knees and praised God..that was until he couldn't take it anymore. Job held his peace until Chapter 3. Job then begins to curse. Job 3:25 He states, “What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me.”

Did we just read that correctly? Yes, Job states that what he feared the most has happened to him. We can assume that perhaps it wasn’t jobs BEHAVIOR that brought about the turmoil but rather his BELIEF. Now we see the truth.

Job’s friend Eliphaz immediately chimed in with his observations. Job 4:1

“If someone ventures a word with you, will you be impatient?

But who can keep from speaking?

Think how you have instructed many, how you have strengthened feeble hands. Your words have supported those who stumbled; But now trouble comes to you and you are discouraged; it strikes you and you are dismayed.

Should not your piety (being religious) be your confidence; and your blameless ways your hope?”

I read this and immediately wanted to slap Eliphaz. Isn’t it just like people though to tell you what you should be doing? They question your motives and behaviors. This digs deeper into the wound. Right when you need comfort...you get a accusation. Job just couldn't get a break.

I wonder what would’ve happened to Job is his fear had been in another area of his life. The enemy knows just what area to attack us in. As we read earlier, Satan knew how Job was protected and in what areas he was protected in. He had studied Job and watched Jobs words and actions.

John 10:10 says that satan’s job is to steal, kill and destroy. Satan is attacking you in the very area that you fear because it’s your weakest point. He wants you to curse and accuse the God you serve because you can’t serve a God whom you curse. .

So, let me ask you again, what area of your life do you have the most fear?

What do you believe will happen in that area if you don’t DO SOMETHING, because after all you are the one holding it all together!

On a scale of 1-10 how strong is your fear?

What efforts have you put into making sure that fear NEVER comes to pass?

What would you be willing to do in order to never feel fear again?

Challenge: Take your fear to the Lord and release them into his care.

The "C"s of Change

Lately, I've been hearing people state the need or desire for change in their lives. While, they make these statements, I rarely see any action behind those desires. You know what I'm talking about: "I need to lose weight...yet I can't resist this big fat donut with a large cup of coffee" or better yet "I want to make more money...but I am just too afraid to make a move". The actions or lack thereof contradict what is perceived as a strong want or desire. What I'm trying to say is that most of us desire change but don't desire the work necessary to make the changes. Nothing just happens! Change just doesn't happen. If you desire to have a better this or more successful that, then we must be willing to sacrifice this or resist that.

I would argue that we need more than just change.

In the Webster's Dictionary, change means to cause to be different and transform means to change the appearance of. That is powerful! We don't need change - we need transformation. God commands us, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable (Romans 12:2). In order for you and me to know God's will we must renew our minds so that we depend on God to lead us.

Change can be superficial...inconsistent...unreliable. Change is subjective. Change is in the eye of the beholder. However, transformation is lasting because God is changing the way we look at a situation.

We don't need change in our lives - we need transformation. We need to have our lives radically turned in a new direction.  There is only one person who can do that and that is GOD.
I challenge you to see as God sees. We can tend to move too fast when things are painful, but you might just be exactly where God has placed you. While you're in the storm, don't wait on change...wait on God!

The Battle is NOT yours...

Do you remember the last time you had a fight? I mean a real good fight? Where snot flew and tears ran down your cheek? The kind of fight that still has you either celebrating or grieving over the details. How did that fight make you feel at the time? Do you consider it a loss or a win? Some of us were born fighters and if it wasn't for Jesus you'd still be snatching off wigs. Your motto would be, "Don't start none - won't be none." Then are those who have been fighting all their life. Fighting to eat, fighting to keep men off of you or just fighting to keep your sanity.

Some of you are still fighting today. Every day of your life you are fighting a battle to be noticed. Sure you keep your face pained, your nails nicely manicured and your hair done, but you are still fighting under all these pretenses. You are fighting to be the real YOU.

Only thing...you don't remember who you were or sadly you never discovered your purpose. I have a secret to tell you...even the born fighter gets tired of fighting. We are not meant to be in a battle everyday of our lives. We are to surrender to the Lord and let him fight the battle on our behalf. I don't know why we hold on so tightly to failure.

I remember seeing girls fight in middle school. The one losing the fight would get a death grip on the one who was winning and would try to hold tight enough so that the one winning couldn't swing anymore. Now, that sounds like my spiritual life sometimes...holding on so tight to mess so that it loses its power over me. Ummm that never worked in either situation. Life will shake you lose and start swinging again.

My advice is to let it all go and let all God....You  are a beautiful person worth dying for. You are so important to God. I challenge you to find a quiet place today and listen to God speak to your heart. It's time to stop fighting and start finding who you were created to be.

Consider God

Have you ever been in a storm so bad that you didn't know if you would make it out? Living in Texas affords us the opportunity to see Tornadoes first hand. These fast and furious storms destroy everything in its path. It has no mercy. To be honest, I've had many life storms with the same destruction...fast and furious.

God has promised us many things. One thing he has promised us is that in this life we will have trouble. Huh? How could that be a promise, well it's not. The second verse is the promise. Jesus goes on to say, "In this life you will have trouble..FEAR NOT for I have overcome the world (John 16:33)." So, if we are sure that trouble will come we have options in our response. Most of us however, sit back in corners with our thumbs stuck in our mouths waiting on a change to come.

Our..your response to the troubles around you can make or break you. You can choose to have peace in the midst of the trial or you can allow the trouble to rule over you. How can you have peace in the midst of the storm? It's simple really, DECIDE to have it. There is no miracle response or 5 secrets to having peace. You have to believe that whatever you are facing has already been conquered by the Lord. Choosing to rest in him is choosing to have peace and choosing to believe that He is in control.

 I challenge you to reflect on the ways God has already delivered you from many storms when you didn't see a way out. Psalm 143 declares, "I remember the days of old. I meditate on all your ways and consider what your hands have done." If we consider what God has done, we will be more inclined to trust that He will handle our current situation as well.

So, today don't sweat the small stuff or fear the big stuff....It' all GOD baby.

Prayer:
Lord, I lay all my worries down at your feet. I have tried to do this all on my own and ironically I keep getting the same results. Help me today learn to reliquish control and trust you to work on my behalf. Amen

Deadly Distractions

Have you ever noticed that when you’re caught in traffic after an accident has occurred, people tend to drive slow or rubberneck just to see what has happened on the side of the road? Don't you just hate it?

 They call it the on-looker delay. You're delayed because someone is not minding their own business.

 All too often, it’s never the fender bender that has slowed traffic, but rather its’ the one who was looking at the accident and not on their own destination that caused them to become the bigger accident.  We typically judge these people for being stupid and for not paying attention.

That’s how life is and more importantly that’s how our spiritual life is. God has set us on a path from point A to point B.  Just when we think things are smooth and we’re cruising along is when the enemy causes a fender bender to occur that turn our thoughts, mind and vision away from what God has planned and places our focus on that little incident in someone else’s life.

I call these deadly distractions because they can kill your arrival time to your own destination. Minding the business of others makes you fall into your own ditch. Before you know it, you're involved in your own accident because you weren't paying attention.

Now you’re the one sitting on the side of the road while everyone else is driving by judging your actions?  It doesn’t feel so good does it? It’s easy for us to talk about, degrade or judge the actions or accidents of those around us, but fail to realize that we ourselves are susceptible to the same issues. The second accident could prove more deadly than the first one.

My challenge to you today is to release yourself from worrying about or judging the action of others and to purpose in your heart to mind your own business. Pay attention to what you are doing and I promise you that you will get to your destination right on time.

Prayer Point:

Lord, I am so guilty of being distracted. I ask you to forgive me for losing sight of what you have for me. Help me help myself and to stay focused on you and to become kind to others. I love you and I thank you for hearing me. Amen

Your Soul Empowerment Coach

LaToya Brown, LMSW

<a href="http://www.hypersmash.com">HyperSmash</a>

Life is for the Living

Life is full of ups and downs, twists and turns, disappointments and joys. Life is FULL of just stuff. No one is immune to the challenges or benefits that life offers. Many have said that we should accept Life for what it is and just wait for things to happen. After all, "life happens and then you die" right? Wrong. I choose to disagree. Yes, we experience life events that are common to man, but I refuse to just let stuff happen to me and remain that way. While storms may come...storms will go.

I have been the victim of allowing life's fears and trials overwhelm me to the point of sheer depression and grief. Now what kind of life was I living? Life is comprised of more than just stuff. Life is an experience. I have worked in hospice care for almost two years now and if there is one thing I have learned from my patients is that LIFE is to be lived. If you live your life worrying, doubting, frustrated and despondent...you are failing to live. You are dying! You are sucking all of the life out of today and filling it with poison and dis-ease.

In all of my years experiencing life events, I have decided to never ever give up. I refuse to fail. I may fall, I may fail at times, but I will never fail at this beautiful life because life is given to me to enjoy, to embrace and to experience...many times express. What will you do? Will you choose to live or will you choose to be buried alive?

I'd choose wisely,

Empowerment Point: Close your eyes and breathe deep breaths. Take in all that you can. Smell the environment. Listen to the sounds. Thank God that you had all five senses to experience his gift.

Have a blessed Day in His Name,

LaToya Brown, LMSW
Your Soul Empowerment Coach

Be Still....

There was a time in my Christian walk when I ran to every prayer meeting, conference and shin-dig trying to get all the word that I could. I huffed...I puffed...and I huffed and I puffed to try to get all of God's blessings to flow my way. At the end of the day I was one burned out sister...just sizzling like bacon on a Sunday morning. BUT I didn't let that stop me. Nope had to get saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost. All the while I was running out, the Holy Ghost was running with me asking me slow down, listen and let him speak to me. Wait Toya...Waaaaaaaittt! If he wasn't a spirit, he would've run out of breathe chasing me.

Unfortunately it took many long hard years of failures and regrets before I turned to my jogging friend and asked his forgiveness and welcomed his wisdom. He is wisdom and if we would just listen to his direction our lives would be so much peaceful.

 Attending those events were not bad in and of themselves, but they were not, however, the source of my spiritual guidance. I had to learn to lean upon the Lord and not upon my own understanding of things. He said that he would direct my path...go figure..God knows the way (Proverbs 3:5,6). Why do we think we know it all? What is is about the dirt in us that thinks it knows more than the God that created it? That's a phenomenon that God is probably trying to figure out.

I wish that I could you that I've learned my lesson completely, yet there are times when I still run ahead  trying to make things happen on my own, cause surely I'll get it right this time.Wrong again...I'm glad God doesn't charge it to my head or my heart. He gently brings me back to himself and tells me to sit my little dirty self down and listen....ugh! So, what is today's lesson...BE STILL and know that HE is God! That simple....Have a blessed day

Your Soul Empowerment Coach
LaToya Brown, LMSW

 

Coffee and Compassion

I was at Starbucks last night and  happened upon a converation with a woman who had lost her car, her job and I'm sure some dignity went out the window too. She had walked to Starbucks to look for a job. As she was trying to explain to me the cause of her dilemma, I could only think about my own journey a few months ago. I was in the same boat...trying to excuse away the trial. Make it my fault. Perhaps I was disobedient. Maybe I just didn't listen to God enough. I went around that mountain over and over again.

See, this young lady believes that God told her to end a long time friendship with a male friend who happens to be a homosexual. After all, God doesn't want a "good" Christian having anything to do with a homosexual. She believed  the word of a "prophet" that told her to walk away from this guy because he was gay... because God couldn't bless her with a husband unless she stopped talking to this gay male friend.

 She believed that by not ending their friendship she caused all the recent trials she was now facing.   I listened intently and quietly and then of course I had to add my two sense...If there was any to add. I sensed frustration on her part and realized that the big headed enemy that told me I was the one at fault for all of my trials was the one who was badgering this young girl.

Now, does God require obedience? Yes. Do storms happen because of our lack thereof? Of course, but I would beg to differ that God would tell her to walk away from someone needing his love because of a lifestyle that he died for aswell. If this friend was a bad influence, then I would agree that she step away, however, that wasn't the case. I don' t know about you but I'm glad God didn't throw me away when I was a Louisiana Hot Sauce mess. I thank God for the friends who stayed when the going got tough and are still here with me today.

This lady had a bad case of Judgment. I hope that she walked away from our conversation with some wisdom and food for thought. Let us walk away from judgment and open our hearts to loving others as they are and allow God to be God and  trust that He can save them the same way He saved us. Can I get an AMEN....

Prayer: Lord forgive me for walking in judgment. Help me to see people as you see them and to love them as you love them. Help me to have compassion. I don't assume to know anything except love...thank you for first loving me and enabling me to love others.

Rise and Shine

Rise and Shine ladies and gentlemen...I'm not talking about your morning routine of getting out of bed and starting your day. However, I am suggesting that you rise up out of your spiritual and emotional slumbers and let your light shine. We need you. We need you to shine your personality, influence and creativity so bright the world has to put on shades...shhhuh.

Regardless of what you think of yourself right now, rise...stretch forth your hands to the one who sits in the heavens and receive all the love that is awaiting you. Now go forth and shine...be sure to brush your teeth though...we don't want any interferences...Oh How I love Mornings..

Blessings my friend...

Soul Passion

Create a Life and Career Path that is SOUL-CENTERED, HEART-HONORING, PASSION-FILLED, And ABUNDANT...

*Are you a creative & intelligent woman who wants more out of life, but has been unable to connect with yourself and others?

*Do you want a MORE CONNECTED, MORE MEANINGFUL and MORE SUCCESSFUL career, personal life, and vision for yourself?

*Do you sense it’s time to step more fully into your authentic Soul-VOICE, your true Soul-PASSION, and into your unique Soul-TALENTS and PURPOSE?

*DO you want to fully and powerfully know, accept and love yourself, and to make a positive difference in the world?


*DO you feel that somehow there is something that is still in the way? Have you not been able to fully claim your truest value, your sense of worth, your full creativity and your high level of talent and insight?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, then you've arrived at the right place. We need to talk!

A lot of your work and accomplishments come from pushing, driving, trying to make it happen - and you CAN make it happen - but it has come at a high price: exhaustion, disconnection from self, God and others, loss of inspiration and motivation. You have trouble balancing all that you want to do with a life that is successful, passionate, influential, abundant, and filled with connection, spirit and love.

I will coach you to connect to your God-given power and to access your passions so that you are able to move into the world in a SOULFUL Life and authentically successful way with much more ease, joy,freedom and trust. You will learn how to honor your body and connect with the wisdom and brilliance you hold inside. You will learn how to reclaim all parts of yourself and your relationships so that you feel fulfilled and whole. You will also learn how to manage and move through your fears and limiting beliefs around visibility, competition, failure, finances, and more.

We will create healing, inspiration & success in your life & career by:

• Strengthening your leadership abilities, relationships so that you can create a vision for yourself and career that energizes you and others

• Overcome hindering habits and belief systems so that you can have to confidence to finally and fully step forward into the life God has for you and to allow his characteristics to shine bright.

• Unleash your true unique passions, dreams and vision so that you flow through your life with effectiveness, peace, joy, and well being.

• Learn to Integrate ALL parts of yourself - values, traits, personality and assets and even the ones you forgot you owned - so that you can joyfully lead your SoulFUL Life projects to success and prominence.

I have spent the last 20 years learning how to stop being driven by adrenaline, fear of success, fear of failure, and my need to be seen at all costs. I have mastered the art of "never giving up".

I have pulled together my experiences as an educator, entrepreneur, public speaker, workshop facilitator, spiritual mentor, author, mother and coach in order to help YOU successfully envision, execute, and enjoy your soul-centered, heart-led life. Through the Totally Free Woman Success Principles we create balance and flow in all areas of your life including work, health, relationships, home and finances.
I empower women to pursue their SoulFUL Life projects such as starting businesses, hosting world changing conferences,creating healing retreats, building volunteer organizations and not-for-profits, as well as running marathons, raising families, activating creativity and planning life-changing moves and journeys. I encourage women to do nothing without prayer.

Through our work together, I invite you to embrace your power, create more compelling and fulfilling goals for yourself, become a powerful, heart-centered leader, connect to the wisdom and brilliance you hold inside and to make it a practice of remembering how sacred and important you are to God, to others and to yourself.

I am a licensed master social worker with over 8 years of experience helping women overcome life obstacles. I have experience in crisis intervention, teen pregnancy, sexual abuse, domestic violence, single parenting and many more. My SoulFUL Life Coaching is specifically designed to help you improve every area of your life using the word of God as your road map.

Your new life is awaiting...Won't you join it? Contact me for more information

God Doesn't Need 911

While working with a family yesterday, I realized a "life truth". A "life truth" is one of those things that are hidden from daily communications, but are very real in their presence. This particular family wanted me to hurry and help them figure out last minute financial issues before their relative passed away. I found it interesting that their lack of planning had somehow ventured to become my emergency. When we fail to do what we are supposed to do in the time when we are supposed to do it, we tend to believe that others will come to our rescue. We vicariously think that it's their fault if things go wrong. That couldn't be farther from the truth..as it is. The Life Truth is that we are responsible for our own affairs and that any help received should be appreciated.

We do the same thing with God.  We fail to plan for whatever reason and then blame God when he doesn't move when we want him to. God doesn't need 911 calls nor is he sitting in heaven wondering what decision will bring the best outcome. God already prepared all that you need way before you decided to refuse wisdom and walk hand-in-hand with laziness and procrastination. So, before you begin to blame God for not moving fast enough, I encourage you to sit back, plan appropriately and WAIT for his will to be realized in your lives.

Challenge: Live with God's blessings on a daily basis than to have to wait for a miracle. Miracles only happen in tragedies.

Prayer & Meditation: God you are bigger than me. I realize that in my humanness I am so frail. I realize my lack of planning is at times your emergency. That's not fair to you. So, I ask that you help me move past my procrastination and allow you to lead my life. Amen

God isn't Moving....He's LOVING!

I use to think that God would only be pleased with me if  I was doing something for him. After all, heaven must be waiting on me to cause to move before anything happens. That thinking was so far from what God wanted me to know. He didn't send Jesus to make us work for his love and grace. He sent Jesus to break us for religious tradition and to embrace his amazing grace. I wish I could tell you that I changed my thinking after this revelation, but I didn't. Breaking free from a works mentality was more difficult than I thought.

You're probably guilty too. Guilty of fasting, praying, witnessing and reading the Bible to move God. When we want something from Him we usually change up our routine to get his attention. When in reality, we already have his attention and nothing we do will move him. While those things are not bad in and of themselves. They are just not a magical potion to cause God to move on our behalf. He is not controlled by our actions. Is he honored by them? I'm almost sure of that. He loves it when his children have a heart to please him. Any parent would.  Just like any parent is proud of a behaving child, they are undoubtedly more honored when a child desires to be in their presence more than in their favor, Hallelujah...now that should make you shout!

It's not our love for God that moves him..it's his love for US that compels him to move on our behalf. Jesus came to demonstrate God's love for us. How much does he love you? He stretched out his arms to show you. Everything God will ever do for you was done at the cross. Jesus is SITTING at the right hand of the father. Yep, sitting. Jesus is sitting down because he has already done everything for you. All your sins are forgiven into eternity. All your dreams and prayers are answered in all eternity. Just believe and receive...believe and receive...believe and receive.

There are times in our lives when you must push past the struggle and know that God hasn't only called you to minister to those around you, but that God has called you unto himself. That means he wants to be with you more than he desires to have you doing so much for him that you never spend time with him. I challenge you to believe that he loves you and receive his love for you and all it's meaning.

Prayer: Lord, I've tried to do all the right things so that you would be pleased. I am guilty of trying to impress you with all my works.  Lord, help me receive the love you have for me today and to be aware of your presence around me. I lay down all my tools, tricks and trades to be loved by you..infinitely in Jesus Name..