Day 479 ~ One Word- "Relax"

“Don’t tell God how big your Storm is.

Tell the storm how big your God is.”

I have never read such powerful words before in my life.  This is such a sincere example of faith and love of God.

I just read this quote on a {blogging} friend's blog... just moments ago as a matter of fact.  Since I met Kenya, I have always and continue to be a fan of her works.  

In am at a loss for words.  I am still trying to really process and soak in this strong quote.  One thing's for sure... I have never been taken aback by a quote as I have with the quote above.

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 478 ~ All It Takes Is Faith

I've been really busy lately with all the preparations for my BIG Reveal (17 days and counting)...  making sure my vision is translated into reality... crossing all "t"'s and dotting all my "i"'s... laying out all my plans... setting up my objectivity... and most importantly... getting my {supporting} team together.

You see I want to do this right.  I want the foundation of my idea to be solid, so that anything we build on it will be very well supported.  

I do not want to make any mistakes and more importantly I do not want anything to go wrong.  I do not want anything to rain on my parade.  But above all... I do not want to fail.

After mentioning to {another one of} my friend{s} that I "didn't want to jinx anything," she too had some enlightening words for me that went hand in hand with what Kristen had said to me just days earlier.

"What gives you uncertainty?"  "Why do you have doubt?" Alysia asked me.

"Every time I have had something good going on for me, something has come up or someone has let me down and ruined it all. ... Plus, I do not want to fail"

"If something was to happen, something came up, could we not just change direction.  Do something differently?  Redirect?" 

As I processed her question and thought about it, I almost felt like an idiot when the answer was obviously so simple...  "Yes, we could."  I finally answered.

"Okay.  So if something comes up, we figure it out and keep going.  We are going to do this.  All you need is a little faith."

She left me at a loss for words. 

After I finished my conversation with Alysia it seemed as if the cloud that had been lingering over my head, following me everywhere {for what seemed to be an eternity} just vanished.  The sun appeared brighter than I have ever seen before!!

"FAITH."

She hit the nail on the head.

Funny how one word... one five letter word can light up your world.

Alysia hit the bull's eye on center!  She could not have been more right even if she tried.  The answer could not have been more simple if I had imagined it myself!  Having been knocked down so many times in my life... well I have to be honest... faith has been hard to come by.

faith noun \ˈfāth\

1a : allegiance to duty or a person : loyalty

b (1) : fidelity to one's promises (2) : sincerity of intentions

2a (1) : belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2) : belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion

b (1) : firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2): complete trust

3 : something that is believed especially with strong conviction;especially : a system of religious beliefs

I honestly think know that faith has been "the" missing ingredient in my life for quite some time now.  I don't know if it's my controlling nature (I learned this as a survival technique when I discovered that I had no one to help me with anything) or the diminished trust I have for others.

My problem is that I have to cut the purse strings.  Meaning... I need to trust God.  I need to completely let go and let God.  Surrender.

After all, how can anything go wrong when you have God on your side?  

Surrender to God All-Powerful! You will find peace and prosperity. ~Job 22:21

With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment. 6Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow. ~Proverbs 3:5-6

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 406 ~ Free Driver Evaluations!

For some reason I am having trouble with tonight's post.

Oh... It's not that I don't have anything to say... I have plenty to say and that in itself just so happens to be my problem.

Problem is... so much has gone on the last few days that my head is spinning. 

The going ons... well... being that "it" involves "others"... well... because my feelings hit so close to home {for "others"} that I am not really at liberty to discuss them on such an open forum.  You know.. for all the world to know.  wink, wink.  

I could always say that it is happening to a "friend"... but we all would know that it is happening to me.  {Can't help but laugh at that thought!}

Anyways... One thing I have noticed about me, since my I am second 22 Day Challenge, is that I am really putting an effort forward in practicing my faith.  

Couldn't help myself!  hehehe!!

For example... today, while driving... my "driver evaluation" kicked in... meaning that in my opinion there were some drivers on the road today that need to take a driver's training course- not a refresher course, but the full blown course!  

After all, who drives 40mph in the fast lane?  I mean really!  Get in the slow lane... better yet... GET OFF THE FREEWAY (PERIOD).  

I found myself calling the "speeders" idiots in my head... I mean do they not know what "SLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT" means? ... Then funny thing... as I found my temper heating up I started saying Love thy neighbor over and over again.  

Before I knew it, Calley was repeating what I was saying but was a little more thorough with the Bible quote than I was.  "Love your neighbor as yourself." Calley said.  Boy I really have to watch what I "vent" while I am driving.

I could not help not only being proud of Calley, but myself too.  {Big smile}  Before I knew it the ugly thoughts about the other drivers on the road were not only out of my head, but out of my heart.

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

²⁹ “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. ³⁰ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ ³¹ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”  ~Mark 12:28-31

Here's to calmer days on the highways!!

I am second.

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 403 ~ I Am Second, An Afterthought

One thing is for sure... twenty-three days ago when I decided to do the I Am Second 22 Day Challenge.. I was prepared with an open mind, as well as an open heart for Christ.  I knew that if this challenge was anything like the two inspirational videos I had already seen at church... well... I was ready.

I had already been trying to get close to my faith, yet felt something was still missing... even so.. I was not going to stop seeking Him. 

Starting this challenge I really did not know what effect this would have on me, if any... listen, I knew that the experience could not be bad... at least no worse than what I was doing on my own- which was nothing.

Twenty-two days later... I have learned of some twenty-two inspiring people.  Some strong people... some very humble... and others brave.  All of them Second.

Each person's story, very much different then the next, reiterated to me the same message... one must have faith.

It all happened very quickly ... I now realize it... my faith was growing each day more and more...  

I feel a bit more at peace.  I have surrendered to Him.  I am trying not to worry about things. really releasing them to Him.  I am really trying to love my neighbor... not pass judgments... as I said I do feel a bit more peaceful...

I am NOT saying that it is all EASY!  I am here to tell you that it is NOT!  

It is In those times of trouble(s) that I have been turning more to God and praying my heart out!

wink, wink.

I would recommend it to anyone to do the 22 Day Challenge... especially if you question or are looking for a relationship with Him.

I have complete faith in God... He knows what He is doing and I am willing to listen and follow. 

I can wholeheartedly say...


I am second. 

We are Second when we put Jesus First.  Seconds are bold to lift up Jesus and tell others.  Are you ready to become a stronger Second?

I challenge YOU to take the I Am Second [22] Day Challenge... Can you spare maybe fifteen minutes in a day?

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds,³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  ~James 1:2-4 (NIV)

I AM SECOND.

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 401 ~ I Am Second Challenge Day 21 of 22

This is Day 21 of my challenge... {and} my twenty-first video... 

... Jason Castro... Believes wholeheartedly...  "There's always something bigger behind whatever you are doing."   Born to a Christian family, father having a Master's Degree in Theology, he had been raised as such.  The summer of his seventeenth birthday was the summer that he truly found his faith... and found himself second, to his King being first.
. 

Jason Castro: I am Second

For today's challenge this was my message... "Seconds have a story to share. What would you say if you were in the white chair? Write it out so it is clear in your head."

So I'm in the white chair, huh? 

Hmmm...

I could start by saying that I've had a rough life... survived an ugly divorce from my first marriage... my sons were kept from me... I've been accused of things I would never commit let alone think of  doing... I've had to start over not only once, but twice, three, four, five, six, seven and eight times in my life time.  I am not exaggerating either... 

All of this affects a person... it affected me.  It affected my demeanor... it took the shine out of my eyes... it even took the smile from my face... it took the warmth of my heart away.  It all made me bitter... unhappy... depressed... not a magnet for other people, that's for sure!

Angry.. bitter... lashing out... and alienating myself from all that was good.  Sometimes even handling situations a little harsher than merited.

My anger was a repellent... my moods dark ... my moods angry... lashing out left and right.. sometimes intentionally, yet too harsh... and others without merit... either way I have been taking out my aggressions on others .. Who in their right mind would want to be around that?!  NOT ME!

Although I knew of Jesus from my mother, her family and having gone to both a Christian school (2 years) and a Catholic school (4 years) as a child... I did not know him... I never had a relationship with him.

Today...I have been blogging for a little over a year now.  Loving every minute of it, taking writing challenges here and there... as well as my own challenge to blog every single day as a means for my children to get to know me {when they're ready to do so one day.}

In the process I have discovered myself, forgiven myself as well as others, and discovered many other things about myself... that and the desire to be closer to God.

After being introduced to a couple of  I Am Second videos at church, it prompt my curiosity to look them up on the internet.  Low and behold not only did I have a library of I Am Second videos at my fingertips... but I came across the 22 Day Challenge ...

I didn't give it a second thought... I started the challenge immediately... that was 21 days ago. 

Through blogging I began to learn and understand that I needed to let go of the past... and through this challenge I have not only released all of that, but I am [really ] forgiving myself, and have started a wonderful relationship with God.  I get it.

I really didn't expect anything out of this 22 Day challenge... however... I truly feel soooo much closer to God... and I feel less angry too!!  Seriously... I feel more at peace and less anger.  I am controlling my anger and leaving it to God more.

I understand that I am not perfect... and I also understand that God is so much bigger than what I have given Him credit for...  

This has been an eye opening, faith growing, God loving experience!!  for me.

That's what I would like to share from the white chair...

That He is first and I am second.

We are Second when we put Jesus First.  Seconds are bold to lift up Jesus and tell others.  Are you ready to become a stronger Second?

I challenge YOU to take the I Am Second [22] Day Challenge... Can you spare maybe fifteen minutes in a day?

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?  ~Matthew 6:26-27 (NIV)

I AM SECOND.

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 400 ~ I Am Second Challenge Day 20 of 22

This is Day 20 of my challenge... {and} my twentieth video... 

... Colt McCoy... lives by the following Bible verse... “For whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as if working for the Lord.” Colossians 3:23 on and off the football field.  Furthermore, he believes and understands wholeheartedly that God is number one in his life.  Whether he is trying to score a touchdown, get through his day or simply in his own living room.. he knows that he is Second, to God being First in his life
. 

Colt McCoy: I am Second

I can honestly say that I am sincerely starting to get this.  I can honestly say that I... ME... have wholeheartedly surrendered.  I have given Him full control.  After all, what do I have to loose? It's not as if I have gotten it right all on my own.

How can I say this without coming across like a lunatic? ... nor am I trying to be a Bible pusher... or a born again Christian... or anything like that for that matter.


What I can tell you is that there has always been something missing from my life.  {and} That has been my faith.  My faith in God.  My belief in Jesus Christ.  My service to Him.  As it states in the Ten Commandments...

8Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.  9Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.  On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns.  11For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.  ~Exodus 20:8-11

I have known Him all my life, BUT I have NOT KNOWN Him.  Do you get what I mean?  I knew about The Ten Commandments and all.. but you kinda ... well never mind, I'm sure you get it.  wink, wink. 


I followed them as best as I could.  But instead my desires came first [instead of God's] and my faith in Him.   


I can not tell you that I have never sinned, because I am not perfect.  Lord knows I have committed my share of little sins.in my life.. and the beauty of it all is that I have asked Him for forgiveness and He has even forgiven me for them too!  Isn't that awesome!?! 


I didn't mean to come across so strong there... but as I mentioned before...my faith has grown tremendously through this 22 Day Challenge.  {and} funny thing was that it was just a matter of letting go ... that's all.  Believing and having faith.  Believing in Him and His word.

Call it whatever you want to call it... I just call it believing in God and Jesus Christ, His son.

Because... I know He is First.... and I know  I am Second. 


On a side note... WOOT WOOT!  Day 400!  another milestone.  Keep 'em coming.  

We are Second when we put Jesus First.  Seconds are bold to lift up Jesus and tell others.  Are you ready to become a stronger Second?

I challenge YOU to take the I Am Second [22] Day Challenge... Can you spare maybe fifteen minutes in a day?

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?  ~Matthew 6:26-27 (NIV)

I AM SECOND.

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 399 ~ I Am Second Challenge Day 19 of 22

This is Day 19 of my challenge... {and} my nineteenth video... 

... Tamara Jolee... not only reaches her dreams of becoming a sports television reporter {for ABC and FOX news}, she receives her first award and has her entire life ahead of her.  Then the unthinkable happens... yet instead of freaking out, her faith in God sees her through it... for she knows that she is Second. 

Tamara Jolee: I am Second

Funny my day had a rough start today... even so, in the middle of possibly loosing it... I catch and stop myself and decide to view my I Am Second film clip.

I know I am not suppose to use God's name in vain... but OH MY G!!!  (funny, I still won't say it in that context)  

In the scheme of things, our not being able to make all our bills this month has nothing compared to what Tamara has on her plate.

Here is this woman who's doctor tells her "Tamara I don’t know how to tell you this, but you have cancer.  And not only do you have cancer, its advanced and you’ll probably only live 5-7 years, you’ll never be able to have kids most likely; and oh yea.. it’s incurable." ... what does she do?  What does she say?   ...  "What's next?"

Frankly, I have no right to complain about my situation... at least I know I am healthy and God willing still have a good chunk of life left in me.  Who am I to complain?  Who am I to feel sorry about my life?  No one! 

So ... after hearing Tamara's story I was beside myself.  While still processing what I had heard I turned up the volume on my TV to finish watching the news... you won't believe what I saw next.

Monday, west of Lake Okeechobee, Florida, seventeen year old Kaleb Langdale lost his arm in a battle with a ten to eleven foot alligator.  I found a news clip; you can check it out here. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/10/alligator-bites-off-arm-17-florida_n_1661306.html 


The fact that Kaleb lost his arm was not what was amazing news to me...  First, Kaleb was very grateful it wasn't his left arm because he uses it to steer his air boat, which he loves... and secondly... he stated that if anyone comes to visit him and they start to cry... well, he wants them to leave.  


I don't know if it is Kaleb's faith that has given him strength to be so brave... after all, he was very positive.  


Hearing these two stories today, back to back... well it has given me tremendous added strength and gratitude for all my family and I have in our lives.  


I am so grateful for my life... the good... the bad... and the ugly... for it all has made me who I am today...  Which at the risk of sounding redundant... I am grateful... and I am blessed!

Because... I know He is First.... and I am Second. 

We are Second when we put Jesus First.  Seconds are bold to lift up Jesus and tell others.  Are you ready to become a stronger Second?

I challenge YOU to take the I Am Second [22] Day Challenge... Can you spare maybe fifteen minutes in a day?

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?  ~Matthew 6:26-27 (NIV)

I AM SECOND.

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.