De-Nile is not just a river in Egpyt, but also a state of mind....

Psalm 85:10-13-Love and Truth meet in the street, Right Living and Whole Living embrace and kiss!
Truth sprouts green from the ground, Right Living pours down from the skies!
Oh yes! GOD gives Goodness and Beauty; our land responds with Bounty and Blessing.
Right Living strides out before him, and clears a path for his passage. (MSG)

I read this verse, Psalm 85:10, in my morning devotion but when I went to read the different bible version on the computer, I had to include the others. It also made me think of the leader in each of us that frighten us, and the things we do, by commission and/or omission, to not own it…Yeah, where did that come from…Well, first of all love and truth are not going to meet if we living in the land of denial. Therefore, there is no quest for right and whole living, when we fail to own who we are. See, we are all leaders in some respect in this life whether it is at work, at home, at church, in our organizations or groups, etc. And the verses above cannot really be lived out in our daily life, until we understand who we are. Why we choose the people in our inner circle, the people in your life matter, recognizing generational dysfunction that creates much of the discord in life, learning to appreciate the blessing bestowed upon us, and knowing when to let go. I suggest we begin by grasping these two quotes ‘Until a person takes responsibility for where he is there is no basis for moving on because he has not faced or understood why he is there' by Andy Andrews in the book ‘the traveler’s gift’ and 'You cannot build a solid, substantial house with decayed planks, no matter what kind of veneer is put over their rottenness' James Cash Penney. Too many times we do not see ourselves clearly because it hurts, adversion to conflict (think about it), we do not want to hear the fallout of owning truth; silence is acceptance of what is by default and lays seeds for future dissension (yeah, it does, think about it)… Know you are not responsible for how others response to us, we only accountable for our actions, responds because nothing is ever what it seems – be free because it is not what you are called, but what you answer to…Nevertheless, we cannot build a substantial character and foundation for a future of progress without solid and well built foundation, figuratively or literally. We have to be honest with ourself, about ourself, and about those who are in your life. This does not mean you do not love or did not appreciate all that was, is done for you, but it does not change what must be done to live the best you; your truth, for your best life, in your time. Living truthfully, dispensing needed mercy, granting grace, moving forward with a forgiveness, and allowing right to resonate in our souls helps us to walk closer to our Father without letting go…think about it…Below, I have included a list of books that has made me re-examine ‘me’. It might look like an eclectic grouping of books; it is not. If you decide to read them, all I ask is you have an open mind and a desire for expansion of your perspective…it really is the lens, not the landscapes that needs to change first, in order for us to change…



Suggested Reading List:

Who’s Holding Your Ladder by Dr. Samuel Chand

Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybel

Leadership Secrets of Attila The Hun by Wess Roberts Ph.d

Who Moved My Cheese by Dr. Spencer Johnson

Who You Are When No One's Looking: Choosing Consistency, Resisting Compromise by Bill Hybels, La Vonne Neff (Editor)

The Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman

The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stovall

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick M. Lencioni

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

First Things First by Stephen Covey

The Last Lecturer by Randy Pausch

Tuesday with Morrie by Mitch Albom

How you doing?!

You know we are leaving 2009 and rapidly approaching 2010. For those who believe the holiday season is magical, loving, and reflective, think about something. This time, Christmas season, is also about restoration, forgiving, and fulfillment of a promise. Well, the number 10 Signifies allness or completeness in a physical way, as to things on earth. Ten implies that nothing is wanting; the number and order are perfect, and the whole cycle is complete. We can start anew, and receive our blessing but we have to endure to the end and stayed faithful to the word of God. We have to trust without reservations, do not let the external façade deflect our focus, it is just a mirage to detract and delay you because denial is not just a river in Egypt but also the state of mind many, if not all of us live reside in, in some area of our life….What do I mean? Look at this?...Take the order of things, if you remember correctly the following - there are 10 key clauses of the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9-12), and there are only 10-commandments (Ex. 20:1-17). Nothing was left out of either of these two things; they are complete as is. Now let us look at the completeness of a physical way - Daniel 1:14-15 - He agreed with them in this matter and tested them for 10 days. At the end of 10 days they looked better and healthier than all the young men who were eating the king's food. (HCSB)…Rev 2:10 - Don't be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will have tribulation for 10 days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life (HCSB)…Are we there yet or what am I trying to say? What I am trying to say is whatever you have been holding onto, dwelling on, stuck on, or wanting to do, this is the time to let it go and not let ‘it’, whatever it is, keep you prisoner any longer…Why? Luke 2:10 - But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid." (NIV)…God does want what is best for you, but He desires you to understand the growth process, the evolution of change, or the maturation in The Way is not easy. Lead by example. Remember? He planted his seed in an unmarried child in a time where this was not so acceptable, and resulted in some severe actions levied upon her. Then had the betroth Joseph to go ahead and married her’ the gossip ensued!...I do not need to further how the story ended, we all know, and reap benefits from it…Now, what are we afraid of? Gossip? Others opinion of you and what you are doing? Sacrifices that must be made? Losing Control? Challenges you must face? Why have your focus on these things, and not the Father? If you do, then is what manifest in you. You are given an immutable certification written in blood that guarantees you joy unspeakable, the promise of an abundant life, and no weapons form against shall prosper. Now raise your head, feel the void being filled in your life with love, and walk straight to your perfect destiny…