If Unique Is What You Seek

Good morning.  Today's power scripture comes from Psalm 139:14 (ESV) – “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

Why do we try so hard to be like everyone else?  We strive to keep up with the Joneses; to wear the same labels on our clothes; drive cars that are known by numbers instead of names; walk alike; talk alike and even chew gum alike. We look at rail thin models and social misfits to try to decide how we should dress.  We listen to emaciated anorexics to decide how we should eat.  We listen to those beat down by life and holding diplomas from the school of hard knocks to tell us how to organize our lives and teach our children.

We come into this world as originals but we work so hard to be carbon copies. God made us in his image and placed within our mothers’ wombs the capacity incubate original individuals capable of thinking, learning and being the very best of what God designed within our DNA.  Don’t hurt God’s heart by denying the wonderful creation he made you to be.  So what if your ears are a bit large; your eyes too squinty; voice to scratchy or feet too wide!  So what if you don’t have legs like JLo or swagger like Denzel or President Obama; muscles like Serena Williams or a smile like Idris Elba!  We all have some physical flaws that we wish we could change, but those very things are what make us so special.  Early in her career it was suggested that vocalist Barbara Streisand correct the size and angle of her nose; but it was those very features that produced her unique sound.  Give God thanks for the special traits which you possess that stand you out in a crowd.  Do not be ashamed of your skin color, height, weight, hair texture or the lack of hair.  Be proud if you walk with a limp (make it your trademark gait) or have a slight lisp (purposefully use words with lots of c’s and s’s just to make your point).  Celebrate being you.  Celebrate being special.  Celebrate being unique.

Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a power-packed GREAT day! Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn

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Good morning. Another great weekend is upon us.  Today’s power scripture comes from Hebrews 10:25 (CEB) –Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near.”

Many of us ‘old schoolers’ remember the O’Jay’s  hit “Living For The Weekend”.  One of the lyrics states that the weekend was special because ‘that’s when I party down’.  After a long and often grueling week at work or school or both, we look forward to winding down and relaxing on the weekend.  We use the time to do menial chores, get organized, and of course reconnect with family and friends. It is a time to let your hair down and get rejuvenated so that you can hit the ground running once again on Monday morning.  I encourage you to spend some quality time in the fellowship of other believers.  Yes – go to church.  I know there are some of you who are ‘churchees’ like me.  I love going to church and will often visit more than one service at various churches on one day.  I love revivals and special days when I get to visit friends’ houses of worship. Sure, you can hear a good sermon on TV and get really fired up from some good gospels on CD or MP3, but it not the ‘stuff’ of the church format that is important; but the interaction and drawing upon the spirits of those assembled that is rewarding. 

There are some who have been hurt because of activities, interactions or relationships within a church establishment and no longer enjoy the camaraderie of going to church.  If this is your case, I especially encourage you to not let the issues of the past stop you from worshipping and praising our wonderful Lord in the company of other believers.  Sometimes when we are hurt in a situation we focus too much on ourselves and our feelings; and what we will or will not gain from being in the company of others.  You might not feel like going through the fuss of getting dressed, finding a parking space and getting a good seat; but it just might not be about you.  You may possibly need to be there for the person who ends up seating next to you.  God might be ordaining your visit for the purpose of seeding into the lives of the people you encounter before the church service even begins.  Let God use you in a special way this weekend.  Spend some time in a House of Prayer and who knows… if it’s been awhile… you might enjoy it.  If you are a regular, do something radical…change seats and meet someone new.

Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a power-packed GREAT day! Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn

Good morning.  Today's power scripture comes from Joshua 10:13 (GNT) –“The sun stood still and the moon did not move until the nation had conquered its enemies. This is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stood still in the middle of the sky and did not go down for a whole day.”

       Do you have some unfinished business that you feel you might not be able to complete because time and resources are not on your side?  Could one more hour of study possibly increase your scoring potential?  Would an additional week make the difference between a mediocre and a good product?  Can an additional month give you more time to raise the funds you need? Would another year make your business truly successful? We often try to negotiate with time, but time waits for no one…or does it?

      Joshua and his troops saw that their battle was requiring more daylight so Joshua spoke to the sun and commanded the daylight to remain as he and his troops fought on.  God wants your days to be filled with successful ventures and for your life to be a reflection of the good and grace that he provides. Remember it is never too late for God.  Things are never out of the control of God’s influence. When Joshua spoke into his destiny, God answered and responded with a resounding ‘yes’ - and the sun remained in position.  Speak power into your situation.  Speak with authority for what you need and want.  The universe is just waiting to respond and give you what you need.  Things are being held up in the heavens and just require you to speak up to manifest them into this physical world.  God has already answered the prayers that you need more time to carry out a mission or that you need the resources or people to be in place to carry out your mission.  All that is needed from you is to believe and receive.

       Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a power-packed GREAT day! Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn  

Good morning. Guess what day it is?  Today's power scripture comes from Psalm 139:14 (ESV) – “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

        Why do we try so hard to be like everyone else?  We strive to keep up with the Joneses; to wear the same labels on our clothes; drive cars that are known by numbers instead of names; walk alike; talk alike and even chew gum alike. We look at rail thin models and social misfits to try to decide how we should dress.  We listen to emaciated anorexics to decide how we should eat.  We listen to those beat down by life and holding diplomas from the school of hard knocks to tell us how to organize our lives and teach our children.

         We come into this world as originals but we work so hard to be carbon copies. God made us in his image and placed within our mothers’ wombs the capacity incubate original individuals capable of thinking, learning and being the very best of what God designed within our DNA.  Don’t hurt God’s heart by denying the wonderful creation he made you to be.  So what if your ears are a bit large; your eyes too squinty; voice to scratchy or feet too wide!  So what if you don’t have legs like JLo or swagger like Denzel or President Obama; muscles like Serena Williams or a smile like Idris Elba!  We all have some physical flaws that we wish we could change, but those very things are what make us so special.  Early in her career it was suggested that vocalist Barbara Streisand correct the size and angle of her nose; but it was those very features that produced her unique sound. 

       Give God thanks for the special traits which you possess that stand you out in a crowd.  Do not be ashamed of your skin color, height, weight, hair texture or the lack of hair.  Be proud if you walk with a limb (make it your trademark gait) or have a slight lisp (purposefully use words with lots of c’s and s’s just to make your point).  Celebrate being you.  Celebrate being special.  Celebrate being unique.

Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a power-packed GREAT day! Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn

Good morning. Happy Memorial Day.  Special commemoration and thanks to all who have family or friends who gave their lives in the service and defense of our country.  Today's power scripture comes from James 3:4 (EXB) - “Also a ship is very big, and it is pushed by strong [fierce] winds. But a very small rudder controls [guides; steers] that big ship, making it go wherever the pilot wants.”

       Do not think for a moment that your contribution is too small or insignificant to matter.  If you only have a small amount of money to give toward a large goal or if you only have a limited amount of time to spare to assist on a project; it does help.  God looks at the heart of your contribution and not the quantity.  It is the quality of your service and desire to give and participate that endears God’s heart.  When we give our best, even in small increments, God will take what we have and multiply its effect so that our little becomes much.  In today's scripture we read of the influence that a small helm or rudder has in steering a large and formidable ship.  The ship is gigantic in comparison to the small pliable piece that is used to maneuver it through the water under the control of high and often violent winds.  The stronger the push of the gale, the more obvious it is that the rudder is needed and important.

      The ship might represent some grand or great aspect of your life that requires the dynamics of strong influence in order to move from where it is now to the place of its best use; but the very forces that provide this push, could also be the same forces which could tear it apart or send it off course. Here is where your small rudder of ‘faith’ comes into play.  God’s promises concerning your mission are secure and he has provided the means (the ship) and the power (the winds) but direction is needed.  That focus or direction comes from your faith.  We only need as much faith as compared to that of a small mustard seed and we can see its influence making a great impact.  Don’t cower from asserting your faith in tackling large issues, problems or projects.  Know that God has provided all that you need and all you must do is take hold of your faith and steer.

       Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a power-packed GREAT day! Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn

What a great Thursday Morning it is!- Today's power scripture comes from Romans 13:30 - “Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;”

          We have all been sidelined from what are commonly known as ‘unanswered prayers’. There are some wishes and desires that we have sighed and wept over; petitioned and appealed for; begged and fasted for; and yet they remained for the most part - unanswered.   But what about those wishes that we might not verse or share with others yet somehow they end up being checked off of our ‘to do’ list.  There is such as overwhelming sense of joy and favor when we are the recipients of random acts of kindness.

         Well faithful reader this is my charge to you today. Open yourself up to the leadership of the Holy Spirit as he directs you to be the shining star in assisting someone else today.  Your act of consideration and kindness will not fall upon blind eyes or deaf ears. While those you are helping may never know it was you who came in at the midnight hour, there is a rush within our souls when we learn that our random act of love has made someone happy, even if for just one day. When you help someone unexpectedly, especially if it is in an area of need,  that is an unasked answer.  NO question was asked. No favor was sought. But the giver knew the receiver’s need and fulfilled it.    

     Unasked Answers may be the solution for someone’s problem today.  They may not know how to ask for help or might feel embarrassed that they even need assistance.  Sometimes it is pride, but it could be that they might be a bit overwhelmed by the issue and are too embarrassed now to ask.  Find a need and fill it.  Who knows on your way out to do something kind for someone; another person could be targeting you for their expression of love.  Watch out there now!!

              Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a power-packed GREAT day! Be blessed!  Dr. JoAnn