Every morning, when I wake up, I say to God, "Let's do this!" Then I begin reading one of my four devotionals. Today was no different.
It used to be three devotionals. I recently found this book, What Every Christian Should Know: Essential truths for growing your faith. Now, when I began reading, the truths started with the spiritual gifts. Every blood-washed, born-again believer has a spiritual gift thrust upon them. It is every Christian's rhyme and reason. It is also their responsibility to discover and develop the gift or gifts that the Holy Spirit has given.
I have done a few studies on the subject. I have found that my most distinct gift is EXHORTATION. Now, since I believe in God, I realize that nothing just happens. There are no coincidences or happenstance. With that in mind, it stands to reason that I would go in a store that I have never been, find a book for which I wasn't even looking, purchase it, and make it a part of my morning ritual. It just happens that the book begins with the spiritual gifts and coincidentally, I get the most concise description of exhortation. Like to hear it, here it go:
The desire and ability to stimulate people in their faith
and to encourage them to love Jesus more.
I appreciate its brevity and applaud its simplicity. I am no longer confused about my purpose.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Step Brown
Friday, October 16, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
God's Promises
Life ain't no cakewalk. If anyone says that it is, well, they straight up lying to you. Life is filled with ups and downs, rain and rainbows, and peaks and valleys. The good news is you never have to go through it alone. And if you do, that is your choice.
I could spend all day writing down God's promises but I want you to read about them for yourself. I think most people are so disappointed when adversity comes that they forget what that adversity means. First of all, God will never give you more than you can handle. Secondly, that "terrible ordeal" is just a sharpening tool to make you a better person when it is all over. Lastly, the end result will be something good no matter how badly packaged it came.
I realize, today, that if you aren't going up against something, you aren't getting any better, stronger, or wiser. When today is over, you can never get it back. If you are not better today than you were yesterday, you have wasted one of the most precious gifts God gives you---time. So don't pout and whine about how life ain't fair--cause it ain't. But Public Service Announcement: nothing you can do about it. Except maybe grow and ask God to make you better than the day before.
God promises you so much and most people never take advantage of things Jesus died to give them. Now that is really not fair...
Soli Deo Gloria,
Step Brown
I could spend all day writing down God's promises but I want you to read about them for yourself. I think most people are so disappointed when adversity comes that they forget what that adversity means. First of all, God will never give you more than you can handle. Secondly, that "terrible ordeal" is just a sharpening tool to make you a better person when it is all over. Lastly, the end result will be something good no matter how badly packaged it came.
I realize, today, that if you aren't going up against something, you aren't getting any better, stronger, or wiser. When today is over, you can never get it back. If you are not better today than you were yesterday, you have wasted one of the most precious gifts God gives you---time. So don't pout and whine about how life ain't fair--cause it ain't. But Public Service Announcement: nothing you can do about it. Except maybe grow and ask God to make you better than the day before.
God promises you so much and most people never take advantage of things Jesus died to give them. Now that is really not fair...
Soli Deo Gloria,
Step Brown
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Frustrations
I would never curse God. But that doesn't mean I don't want to. Let me explain...
I have been talking about writing for several years. I have accepted the fact that writing is my gift. I love to write. I wish I could do it 24/7. BUT life prevents it. I mean, there always seems to be more important things for me to do. I never get to really sit down and just write.
School just started back. Suddenly, I have two short story ideas I would love to focus on. I have to work. I have papers to grade. I have lessons to prepare. I wonder why I didn't get these ideas during the summer when I had time to concentrate on them.
All I want to do is write. I feel I am filled with so many ideas to share with the world. I have so many ways I want to help others--through my writing and in other ways. I am so frustrated because I wonder why God gives me these dreams and then............. I am just frustrated.
I am sick of being financially inept. I know I have poor money management skills. I beg You to help me. I am tired of living paycheck-to-paycheck. I want to be free.
I am 34 years old. I have not been in a relationship in over ten years. I long to be a wife and mother. Why would God give me those desires if He does not want me to have those things? How much longer must I wait? How much can one heart take? How much loneliness and solitude can one person have?
I don't want to doubt You, Lord. I know the fact that I am not writing as a career has a reason. I know that not being a mother and wife has a purpose. I know You make no mistakes. I'm just frustrated down here. I know You know my pain and sense my frustrations. I know You have caught my tears in a vial. I am just frustrated and needed to let some of it out.
I will wait patiently on You...
Deo Volente,
Step Brown
I have been talking about writing for several years. I have accepted the fact that writing is my gift. I love to write. I wish I could do it 24/7. BUT life prevents it. I mean, there always seems to be more important things for me to do. I never get to really sit down and just write.
School just started back. Suddenly, I have two short story ideas I would love to focus on. I have to work. I have papers to grade. I have lessons to prepare. I wonder why I didn't get these ideas during the summer when I had time to concentrate on them.
All I want to do is write. I feel I am filled with so many ideas to share with the world. I have so many ways I want to help others--through my writing and in other ways. I am so frustrated because I wonder why God gives me these dreams and then............. I am just frustrated.
I am sick of being financially inept. I know I have poor money management skills. I beg You to help me. I am tired of living paycheck-to-paycheck. I want to be free.
I am 34 years old. I have not been in a relationship in over ten years. I long to be a wife and mother. Why would God give me those desires if He does not want me to have those things? How much longer must I wait? How much can one heart take? How much loneliness and solitude can one person have?
I don't want to doubt You, Lord. I know the fact that I am not writing as a career has a reason. I know that not being a mother and wife has a purpose. I know You make no mistakes. I'm just frustrated down here. I know You know my pain and sense my frustrations. I know You have caught my tears in a vial. I am just frustrated and needed to let some of it out.
I will wait patiently on You...
Deo Volente,
Step Brown
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Have You Ever...
Have you ever had a feeling that something is about to change in your life? You cannot describe the emotion or even pinpoint where it's coming from. You just know that you know that you know that you know a change is coming.
For the first time, in a long time, I am at peace with my job at Biloxi High School. I am not disgruntled about my classes or my students. I just have a "It is what it is" mentality.
Yet, there is something on the inside of me, reminding me that it is all going to be fine and I will get to where I am supposed to be. God is in charge and that is all I need to know.
So with that, I say may the Lord's will be done. Where he leads, I want to follow.
I'm just saying...
Deo Volente,
Step Brown
For the first time, in a long time, I am at peace with my job at Biloxi High School. I am not disgruntled about my classes or my students. I just have a "It is what it is" mentality.
Yet, there is something on the inside of me, reminding me that it is all going to be fine and I will get to where I am supposed to be. God is in charge and that is all I need to know.
So with that, I say may the Lord's will be done. Where he leads, I want to follow.
I'm just saying...
Deo Volente,
Step Brown
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Circle of Life
I know it's been a while but I have been trying to really enjoy my summer. But I'm back and I'm bad.
This week has definitely been a tumultuous one. From the loss of the greatest entertainer of my generation to Steve McNair's untimely demise, these events have sent me into serious introspection. They are sudden reminders that death is just around the corner and is no respecter of persons.
God makes no mistakes and His perfect will is carried out with or without our participation. On Tuesday night, I learned that an old college friend passed away. He was not much older than I am. He was a jovial and vibrant person. It seems he died in a matter of weeks although I believe his health was failing long before that. I hope he had all of his spiritual affairs in order. No one should be caught with their work undone.
Less than twelve hours later, I receive the stupendous news that one of my BFFs is preggers with her first baby. TALK about a pendulum of emotions--from sorrow and disbelief to celebration and exhilaration. God never takes without giving away. I believe that most times we are so blinded by the grief of loss that we fail to witness the beauty of a blessing.
While death is a sorrowful time, let us be mindful that it is also a celebratory time. It is a homegoing. There are no more pain and no more worries. Just constant fellowship and praise!!!
Isaiah 61:3 says, "Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." When you feel negative, simply change clothes.
I'm just saying...
Soli Deo Gloria,
Step Brown
This week has definitely been a tumultuous one. From the loss of the greatest entertainer of my generation to Steve McNair's untimely demise, these events have sent me into serious introspection. They are sudden reminders that death is just around the corner and is no respecter of persons.
God makes no mistakes and His perfect will is carried out with or without our participation. On Tuesday night, I learned that an old college friend passed away. He was not much older than I am. He was a jovial and vibrant person. It seems he died in a matter of weeks although I believe his health was failing long before that. I hope he had all of his spiritual affairs in order. No one should be caught with their work undone.
Less than twelve hours later, I receive the stupendous news that one of my BFFs is preggers with her first baby. TALK about a pendulum of emotions--from sorrow and disbelief to celebration and exhilaration. God never takes without giving away. I believe that most times we are so blinded by the grief of loss that we fail to witness the beauty of a blessing.
While death is a sorrowful time, let us be mindful that it is also a celebratory time. It is a homegoing. There are no more pain and no more worries. Just constant fellowship and praise!!!
Isaiah 61:3 says, "Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." When you feel negative, simply change clothes.
I'm just saying...
Soli Deo Gloria,
Step Brown
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