Are You Committed?

Hello Everyone!

It has been a long time since I've posted a blog.  It has literally been three months, and I honestly must say, that is too long.  I could give you many excuses, but what good would that do?  I'm sure some of you will be understanding and then some of you may not care at all.  But the truth is--I'm not satisfied or happy about it.  I believe that when we commit ourselves to something, we should do our best to fulfill the task that we have committed ourselves to.

At this point, I'm not sure what "satisfaction" looks like when it comes to posting blogs, but three months of nothing is waaaay too long.  What if this was the only inspiration someone in the world looked to, to be encouraged or inspired?  Well in three months of nothing, wouldn't you say I let them down?  Absolutely! 

I guess a good question would be--what is committment?  Commitment is the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.  (definition courtesy of Wikipedia).  Another defintion is an obligation or promise that restricts one's freedom of action (definition courtesy of World English Dictionary).  Commitment has everything to do with dedication and being obligated to something or someone.  With that being said, we should take all of our commitments seriously.  Our marriages, families and/or relationships, our jobs and/or careers, and especially our commitment to God.  We can't check in every three months.  Something or someone is going to suffer if we do. 

Now that I think about it, it is even possible to be so committed to one thing and some of our other commitments are pushed to the back burner because we are only focusing on that one thing.  And that one thing can be something good.  For example, as an author, I can be so committed to writing books to inspire the world and fail to take care of my home and family.  The house is a mess.  The hubby and kids have to fix their own dinner.  The dog has to walk himself.  LOL- You get my point right? 

Some of you might say that family should be understanding, but the truth is, when we have more than one thing we have committed to do, we have to learn how to balance everything.  How do we do that?  I honestly believe the key is through prayer.  I truly believe that if we acknowledge the Lord in all our ways, He will direct our path--day in and day out. (Proverbs 3:6)  He will teach us how to fulfill our commitments.  He will show us better ways to do things.  He will give us wisdom in how to handle those things. 

So today, think about your commitments and take observation.  Ask yourself, "Am I truly being committed to this (whatever it is)?  If yes, Kudos to you!  If not, don't beat yourself up about it, just get in there and do better. 

**It's funny how I came in here to post something else, non-related to commitment.  Trust and believe that this message is just as much about me, as it is any of you.**

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Colossians 3:17 NIV

Stay Hopeful,

Clarissa

Only The Strong Survives

I have been extremely busy within the last month and realized that it had been a minute since I’ve last posted.   I pray this word make up for the lost time.  Be blessed....

We recently just moved, and so I decided to set up my fish tank.  It has been, I know, every bit of three years since the tank has had fish in it, so we were all pretty excited about getting it back up and running.  There’s something so serene about a fish aquarium—watching the fish swim, the water—I love it all!  Anyhoo, after the tank was cleaned and set back up, and the fish were purchased; it was only a few days later, we noticed one of the fish looked weak—then he died.   After him, another fish expired.  All the fish died except for two.  To my surprise, even the algae eater died. 

After looking closely in the tank, we noticed that all the fish had white spots on them.  So I did what only any curious person would do—I went on Google.   What I found out was— the fish had been exposed to a disease called Ich. 

Apparently, Ich is some type of parasite that is common in tropical fish (unlike our previous fish—we had cichlids.  Oh how I miss them now!)  The disease is fatal and highly contagious and can easily spread from one fish to the next.  If not treated soon enough, the result is death.

Upon the advice of a friend and calling the local Petsmart store, we purchased the recommended medicine to help rid the tank of the issue that was killing off the fish.  Out of all the fish that were in the tank, the last two held on until help arrived. 

What appealed to me the most out of this situation was the two fish that lived.  Just like the other fish, they were also affected by the disease, but they lived.  One of them was literally on their last leg (well in this case, last fin) but he would not give up.  I was blessed by this one fish persistence and tenacity to live.  When it looked like he was out for the count, he would not lie down and die.  He would not give up.  In the end, only the strong survived.

As I was typing this blog, The Spirit reminded me of a dream I had a few weeks ago where God sent a message to tell His people to learn the gift of resilience.   I must show you this:

Resilience- (definition provided by dictionary.com)  1. the power or ability to return to the original form, position, etc., after being bent, compressed, or stretched; elasticity.

2.  ability to recover readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like; buoyancy.

I see this in the world today.  Many are affected by their surroundings.  Some self-inflicted and some due to no control of their own, but nevertheless, they are affected, hurting, giving up without a fight, and worst case—dying. 

Please know that trials, tribulations, sufferings and yes, sin is rampant in the world, and we are just like the fish.  No one is exempt.  We are all in the world and will be affected by things throughout life.  Yes, some self-induced and some we won’t have any control over, but regardless the situation, God wants you to learn to stand.  To be rooted and grounded in Him.  To not fall at every crisis and every sin that so easily entangles us.  To be like a tree planted by the rivers of waters.  To not give up.  To learn to be resilient and stand against adversity.  Even when you see others falling/dying around you—be persistent and determined to live.  You might limp, crawl, or even have to be carried, but if you can just hold on, HELP IS SURELY ON THE WAY.  It takes great strength
(which has nothing to do with your muscles and everything to do with your faith and trust in the Lord) and courage to stand during tough times, but you have to give it your best shot because truly, only the strong shall survive.

Stay Hopeful,

Clarissa

I'm So Lost

On our most recent adventure, as we do so many times, we set “Sally” (the name I gave my VZ Navigator on my Verizon phone) to direct us to our desired destination. 

Being a man, my husband says, “I think I can go this way and it will be faster.” 

Me being me asks, “Why don’t you just go the way the thing is telling you to go?” 

He replies, “I got this.  Plus, that’s your phone, I don’t trust it.”

“OK,” I said in my “whatever attitude” tone. 

As we continued down the road my husband turned on, “Sally” keeps saying, “Make a U-Turn” but I’m sure you know we didn’t make any U-Turns.  After we had went so far, “Sally” finally says, “Make a left at the next road.”  Because we were out of town and didn’t know exactly where we were, my husband finally decides to listen to “Sally” only to end up back on the same road she was on trying to guide us to in the beginning.

I’m sure you might be saying that navigational systems are not always right or that they don’t always give the best directions, and I totally agree with you.  But the difference is, in this case, we were not from this place, never been to this place, and we were completely unfamiliar with the area.  Anyhoo, we had had such a great time that day, so there was no need to let this little issue ruin the day, so we looked at each other and laughed.  After the laughter subsided, I looked at him and said, “I got my new blog!”

Isn’t this just how we do God sometimes?   We ask Him for guidance a lot of times, and when he reveals to us the way or what we have to go through to get there, we try to override what He says and do it our own way.  I can see with my vivid imagination, every time we go down a wrong path, or make a wrong turn, or make a wrong decision, or make a wrong choice or date the wrong guy/girl, or say the wrong thing (you get my point, right), He is standing and waving His hands, blowing a whistle, saying, “HEEEEY, YOU’RE GOING THE WRONG WAY!”  Sometimes we can get so far off course that we still have to end up going back to Him to get us back on the right path.  But the good news is….just like Sally helped us get back on course, God is faithful to do the same. 

So today, if you are in need of direction in your life and not sure which way to go, maybe you have made some bad/wrong choices and need help getting back on track….It’s simple….ASK GOD!  And when you ask Him, trust what He says. 

Here’s what I learned from this little mishap.  Never ask God for help or guidance if we are not going to follow what He says.  I mean, what’s the purpose.  Either you trust Him or you don’t.  There’s no such thing as half trust (another blog for another day). 

Taken from the New Living Translation: Proverbs 3:5-6,  (5) Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  (6) Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Stay Hopeful,

Clarissa

I Just Want OUT

After awakening from a nights rest, an acquaintance of mine’s daughter, as she has done so many times, arose from her bed and walked to the closed bedroom door.  As she turned the knob and pulled, the door failed to respond to her guidance.  After a few attempts, she began to bang on the door and cry for help.  Responding to the desperate and frantic cries, her mom came to the rescue.  Although it took a minute to liberate her daughter from her bondage, after the use of a credit card, and a butter knife, they were finally able to pry the door open.  

As comical as this may be to some, some of you may be able to relate to this scenario in more ways than one.  Have you ever been or felt like you were stuck in a situation/sin/trial/cirmcustance and could not get out.  No matter how hard you try, you just can’t free yourself out of your situation.  Well I have, and the feeling of being stuck, in a box, trapped, imprisoned, incarcerated, helpless, confined, constricted, restricted, restrained, limited, alone(one of these words should resonate with you and/or your situation)is a very miserable and uncomfortable place.  Everything you’ve tried, have not worked.  Although you may be in a room full of people, you still feel alone in your situation.  You even drop hints of misery to your listeners but yet, they still don’t understand.  The reality of being trapped is choking the life out of you and all you want is a way out.  You’re banging on the object that’s holding you hostage and yelling, “HEEELLLLLLP!  Let me out!”

While in the situation, the time can tend to seem drawn out and long.  You might even find yourself frustrated and impatient, while waiting, but don’t panic!  Help is on the way!  Your Loving Father is getting all the necessary tools in order to help pry that door open so you can be free.  While God is diligent at work, He might need some assistance from you.  He might tell you to move some things around in your life.  He might tell you to walk away from some things and some people.  He might tell you to stop doing some things you’re doing.  He might tell you to pray more, fast more, seek Him more.  Whatever He tells you to do, just do it and follow His lead.  He knows exactly what to do because He specializes in setting the captives free. 

Scripture Reading Isaiah 42: 5-7

(5)This is what God the Lord says—the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out,who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: (6) “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, (7) to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness

Warning:  Don’t stand in the way of the door, b/c once it opens, you don’t want to hit.  Only assist where you are needed.      

Stay Hopeful,

Clarissa

Now Don't You Look Silly

On my way to the cleaners, I passed a guy on the side of the road “acting a fool” dancing and gyrating around, drawing attention to himself from the travelers that passed along.  They actually have a name for the “guys and gals” that do this, but I can’t think of it right now.   Their position or goal is to draw attention to the ones that pass by in hopes to draw business for the place of business that they work for.   In this case, it was for Little Caesar.  If you have a Liberty Tax Service in your area, you’ve probably seen them dressed up in a statue of liberty costume, standing on the side of the road as well, doing the same thing.

Anyhoo, I remember thinking to myself, ‘this guy looks really silly’.  However, he’s doing a job that he is being paid to do and no matter how embarrassing or silly it looks, he’s getting the job done.   He’s marketing, promoting, and advertising.  

So I ask myself, “Clarissa, what are you willing to do to promote yourself, your ministry, and your book?  Better yet, what are you willing to do to promote your God?”  Then I asked myself, “Are you ashamed of who you are and what you stand for?  Are you afraid of what others might say when they see you promoting your brand or your God?  Because the bottom line is, being a “lighthouse” everything that I do should somehow reflect the God that I serve, right?

So I learned a lesson from the Little Caesar guy, both in the natural and spiritual.  In order to get the business you want, you can’t be afraid or ashamed to market yourself, your brand, your business, your ministry, or whatever.   Someone is interested in knowing what you have to offer, what you have to say, or even know the God that you serve?  Somebody is going to stop by and patronage your business. 

Now, at the end of the day, the little guy will not convince everybody to come to Little Caesar but he will get somebody’s attention.  Somebody is going to stop by and patronage the business.   In the natural- Don’t be afraid or ashamed to get out there and promote yourself.   This is your dollar on the line.  Others will share the word, but no one will do it like you can, especially when you are the one that will reap the benefits from it. 

In the spiritual- Don’t be afraid to be different for the sake of Christ, for we are a peculiar (strange, odd, uncommon, unusual) people.  You will draw the attention of many when you walk right before the Lord.  And when the people approach you wanting to know why you are the way you are, be ready to give them a praise report and direct them to Christ!  "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9 KJV

Stay Hopeful,

Clarissa

The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power

This is an oldie but goodie for the season- Enjoy!

Recently, I had the opportunity to donate blood. Although I don't like needles, the thought of possibly helping someone in need makes me feel really really good. So, I try to donate as often as I can because, for all I know, I could be helping save someone's life.

After thinking about the many benefits of me donating blood, I thought about the "Ultimate Blood Donor"! His shedded blood, does so much more and last so much longer than mine could ever do. The blood redeems us, the blood cleanses us, the blood sets us free and most of all, the blood saves us. There are so many benefits in the blood of the Lamb and I want you to know that no matter what you do or have done; no matter how bad you think it is; no matter how disgusting or trifling; I mean, there is nothing you can do or have done that the blood can't clean/erase/cure! The blood really does reaches to the highest mountain and flows to the lowest valley.

When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, the devil really didn't know the impact his death would really have on the world.....FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE, JOHN 3:16....BUT the blood is so wonderful/powerful/awesome and there is nothing noone can do so bad that the blood can't redeem them from. BUT here is where I get excited! The sam power the blood had the day it was shed, is the same power it has today~ THE BLOOD WILL NEVER EVER LOSE IT'S POWER!!!

The enemy thinks that once you accept Christ as your Savior and if you mess up, that's it, but baby, know this, the blood is still just as effective today as it was yesterday. It is an ever cleansing blood! So perhaps you have fallen, perhaps you have backslidden, and perhaps you have really messed up; THE BLOOD IS STILL EFFECTIVE...confess and repent, the blood will cleanse you AGAIN! Don't let the devil keep you bound in fear...I love Psalm 51....

Lastly, because of this GREAT sacrifice, I never take communion the same. I take it with a humble heart b/c I am so grateful for the blood that was shed. When I take communion, it is totally personal to me, b/c when I think of my past, my dirt, all of my junk, I am GRATEFUL. Then when I think of the times I messed up/ fell/ flaws and how the blood is still evident in my life today, I am even more GRATEFUL...May you embrace the power of the blood of Jesus and May communion never be the same for you again. May each time you partake in a communion, it will be such an experience for you.

In closing, I sing: The blood, that Jesus shed for me. Way back on calvary. The blood that gives me strength from day to day. It will never lose it's power. It reaches to the highest mountain, and it flows to the lowest valley. (oh yeah) The blood that gives me strength, from day to day. It will never lose it's power!

Stay Hopeful,

Clarissa ♥

Grateful For Life

With sinuses and allergies lurking, breathing during the night has been a little difficult.  As I was lying in bed on last night, I recalled a few years ago when I actually woke up and couldn’t catch my breath.  Not sure of what to do, I panicked.  I ran from one room to the next trying to find help, I guess.  I kept coughing and trying to clear my throat until finally something broke free.  All I can say is this:  I have never been so glad in all my life. 

You never really know how much you take for granite until it’s almost or completely gone.    To be able to breathe is definitely a blessing.  Although I know it’s important, the value of it's importance became even more clear for me when I experienced myself not being able to do it.  Just as much as we are thankful for houses, cars, jobs and all, we should also be just as thankful for even bigger things that we sometimes take for granite such as; being able to breathe, being in our right minds, being able to feed ourselves, being able to walk and to talk, being able to see (like right now, you are able to read this blog). 

Life is truly a gift, and every day we should be so ever grateful for it.  Remember that, every good gift and every perfect gift is from above (James 1:17), so don’t forget to thank the giver of the gifts.

Stay Hopeful,

Clarissa