Morning Motivation: God Will Help You

I've been M.I.A. from the blog scene for a few days, but this morning, I decided to blog hop. After visiting several of my favorite sites, I suddenly got this revelation that if I was in need of motivation to go about my day-to-day activities, then my readers were needing there daily motivation, fashion and entertainment news updates. So, I'm back...why not motivate myself while motivating others.

Over the past few weeks, I have noticed an influx of people saying that they have been experiencing marital issues. After experiencing my own marital issues, I acknowledge that there is some form of attack on marriages, but I rebuke that attack in Jesus' name!
If you are deepen with anguish battling various abuses, issues, or any other problem, your solution is found in Isaiah 41:10, "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."

My motivation to you today is simply this: God will help you. He knows where you are, and he knows what you need. God will help you.

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Posted in: Morning Motivation,Relationships

The ABCs of Marriage

While doing some perusal of several sites, I stumbled across this and thought it was very interesting.  God is funny...I had no intentions of blogging and here I am posting this so that someone may benefit.

Accept one another as he or she is

Be sensitive to each other's needs

Compliment each other regularly

Don't go to bed angry or with an argument unsettled

Express your love and appreciation for each other daily

Forgive one another totally and unconditionally

Give 100% of yourself to the marriage relationship

Honor one another

Identify areas of conflict and work on root causes

Judge not

Keep courting

Listen to one another

Measure up to your God-assigned role in the marriage

Never drag up past mistakes

Open your heart to one another in honesty and understanding

Pray together

Quit nagging

Renew your commitment to God and to each other

Speak the truth in love

Treat each other as friends and lovers

Undergird one another in child-rearing, work and responsibilities

View your marriage as a covenant before God

Worship together and become involved in a local Bible believing church

X-ray your heart with the prayer, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me,

and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Yield yourselves daily to the will of God

Zero in on common goals and interests and enjoy each other for life
-Author Unknown

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Posted in: Relationships

Morning Motivation: Lean Not To Your Own Understanding

From the time we were old enough to start making decisions, many of us were taught to make wise decisions using reasoning. We were told to think for ourselves and think before taking action. This way of decision making is good, but as Christians we should allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in our decision making.

Proverbs 3: 5 tells us, " Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." This verse does not tell us that our own understanding isn't correct, but it warns us not to lean on it. Verse 6 goes on to say, " In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

Recently, I have been going through some personal marital issues and made a drastic life decision that affects both me and my daughter's life. The decision I made was wrong for two reasons: 1.) I didn't trust the Lord to work the situation out on His time, but used my own selfish understanding to work it out for what I thought was good at the time. I didn't pray about the situation nor did I want to pray about the situation, I just wanted the storm to be over right then. 2.) My decision does not acknowledge Him.

From this situation, I learned that in all my ways, even my thinking and decision making, I am to acknowledge Him and take notice of Him. I know I need to develop a way of life where I constantly seek God's will in every action and decision I make.

Today, I encourage you to take all of the steps outlined in Proverbs 3:5-6 before making any decisions. If God does not give you direction contrary to your current understating after you've gone through the steps, then proceed with making a decision. If the Holy Spirit leads you in a different direction, wait!

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Posted in: Morning Motivation

Question of the Day: Should students be offered prayer?

According to WSBTV,  a high school in Georgia gave their Advanced Placement tests off campus at a local church due to space and crowding issues.  As the students were arriving to take their exams, a few of the church volunteers offered to pray with the students.  The students accepted the offer and the volunteers prayed. 

One of the parents was livid with these volunteers and expressed her concerns to the news reporter by saying, "You're violating these children's rights.  I will have to say I was livid because it was a school function, I was not prepared for something like that to happen."

The pastor of the church responded by saying, "We never thought that would be an issue. We thought being able to help anybody particularly on a testing would be helpful to them.

One of the students who didn't have a problem with the prayer but took issue with the parent’s complaint said, "We kind of find it ridiculous because this church is letting us use their facility."

School officials said they weren't aware that this was happening and realizes that a lot of the students have different religious background.  They also said they would contact the church and ask that the prayer not be offered due to the fact that it was an official school activity.

What are your thoughts?  Do you think the volunteers should have offered prayer to the students?

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Posted in: Lakeshia's Corner,Question of the Day

Jill Scott Covers Ebony Magazine

With a new album, "Light of the Sun," getting ready to be released on June 27th, Jill Scott is Ebony's June cover girl.  She also made the 2001 Hottest Artist list. 

Not only is her album being released this summer, but she will also perform at the Essence Music Festival in July.  She is planning to tour with Anthony Hamilton late in the Fall.

 Spotted@BrownSista

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Posted in: Celebrity News,Jill Scott

Question of the Day: What is your most embarassing mommy moment?

In honor of Mother's Day, I would love for you to share your most embarassing mommy moment. Here's mine:

Laila (the princess) was about 3 years old and wearing big girl panties and Demetrius (the hubster) and I were in the mall shopping. Laila begins to tug on Demetrius' pants leg saying she had to use the potty. Since I was in line paying for our items, he told her to wait until I was done. The cashier was taking longer than expected and obviously Laila couldn't wait any longer. All of a sudden, everyone in the vicinity heard a loud squishy sound and low and behold loose bowels began to run down Laila's leg. Demetrius quickly picked Laila up (holding her out in front of him) and rushed to the restroom. I covered my faced in shame and left my items that I was trying to purchase on the counter and joined them in the restroom.

I'm sure you are either laughing out loud (literally) or shaking your head in disgust, but either way it's your turn to share.

Photo: GraphicsbyDesign

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Posted in: Holidays,Lakeshia's Corner

This Week is National Teacher's Appreciation Week

Happy Teacher's Appreciation Week to all of my fellow educators!  Today, I honor the men and women who lend their passion and skills to educating our children.

Parents and/or Guardians, take time out today or tomorrow to show your appreciation for your child's teacher.  Click here for teacher appreciation ideas.

Teachers Rock!

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Posted in: Holidays,Lakeshia's Corner

Morning Motivation: Get Out of Your Own Way

All of us have visualized our dreams. Some of us have even written a plan or have a vision board. For those of you who have not done that, do just that. Take a moment to visualize what it is you want out of life. What do you want for yourself and your family? How do you plan to get there?

Now, think about the thing or things that are holding you back from where we want to be. If we are completely honest with ourselves, you will admit that our largest obstacle is often the person that we see in the mirror daily.

There are several ways that we get in our own way. The most obvious is not believing in our own abilities thus allowing fear, doubt, negative self-talk and procrastination dictate our future.

I challenge you today to stay clear of yourself by not allowing fear, doubt, or negative self-talk sabotage your dreams. Get out of your own way!

Photo:  Essence

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What Do You Love Most About Him?

A lot of women will disagree with me when I say; there are some really good men out there. Good men come in all different shapes, sizes, and color. NO, they are not all cheaters, lazy or on the down low.
If you are one of the naysayers, who does not believe good men exist, I am here to tell you that a good man will come into your life when you least expect it and knock you off your feet. You may have to wait a little longer, but he will come.

To all of the women who are happy in their marriages and relationships and have found that good man, what do you love most about him?

I will go first. The thing I love most about my husband is no matter what we have been through or go through, he loves me unconditionally and always have my back. I know that sounds cliché, but it is true. Without putting myself out there, I have not been the easiest person to live with and my husband has been by my side since 2000. I thank God daily for him!

Your turn…

Photo:  DetoxYourLife.com

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Posted in: Relationships

Question of the Day: What's the Soundtrack of Your Life?

“One thing about music when it hits, you feel no pain.” - Author Unknown

Next to prayer, music is the best form of therapy.  It's been proven somewhere that music calms the brain.  No matter what I'm going through, music helps me get through.

From jazz, pop, and country to the blues, hip hop, and gospel, I've been a fan of different genres of music all of my life.  Whether it is just the melody of a song or the lyrics describing exactly what I’m going through at the moment, music has has gotten me through breakups and tough times in relationships and it has helped me celebrate some of my most accomplished moments in life. 

Over the years, I have created and re-created the soundtrack of my life.  It consists of songs that reminds me of my childhood to times when I had nothing else but music.  Some of those songs are "Ieshia" by Another Bad Creation, "Shawty Swing My Way" by K.P. & Envy, "Tear Da Club Up" by Project Pat, "When It Hurt So Bad" by Lauryn Hill  and "Runaway Love" by Kanye West.

Do you have a soundtrack to your life?  What's your soundtrack?  Why did you pick those songs?

Photo:  Google Images

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Posted in: Lakeshia's Corner,Question of the Day

Megan Good Lands Another TV Role

Actress Megan Good is having one awesome year.  She has three movies, "Jumping the Broom," "Video Girl," & "35 and Ticking," coming in the next few months and a role on BET's The Game and now a recurring role on the Showtime's melancholic comedy, "Californication."

Good has signed on for the 5th season and will be seen in eight episodes as Kali, a sexy singer. Production on begins later this month with new episodes airing in September.

In the above photo, Megan Good attends the Ronald McDonald House on April 27, 2011 in New York City.

Source:  Monsters & Critics/Photo:  Johnny Nunez/WireImage

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Posted in: Celebrity News,Megan Good

Morning Motivation: Guest Blogger "The Student" Drops By

Good morning all! Today on Kreative Talk we have a guest blogger, Jocelyn (aka The Student) who has stopped by to give us some Morning Motivation. Enjoy!

Good morning all! It is my pleasure to have the opportunity to offer you some Morning Motivation. I'd like to thank Lakeisha for asking me to share with you all today. I hope you will find these words useful and inspiring. May they bless your life.

I want to start with a Scripture reading:

James 1:2-4 says, "2...whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. 3 For when your faith is tested, you endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything."

Next, I want to share with you a passage I've been reading in a book entitled, "How to Find God: Living Water for Those Who Thirst."

One of the keys to growing and being able to effectively continue in the Christian life is enduring. A key aspect of endurance is patience. The word used for "endurance" in verse 3 is the Greek word hupomone, which means, "a patient enduring."

This cheerful, enduring patience, which helps us continue in our Christian walk, actually comes--and develops--in times of testing and hardship. During these trials or "storms of life," our spiritual roots grow deeper, thus strengthening our faith. If we had our way, most of us would probably try to avoid these difficult times in our lives. Yet God promises that he will never give us more than we can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13).

These times of trial and testing will make us either better or bitter. It really is up to us and the outlook we choose to take. If we can learn to walk in our relationship with God on the basis of faith as opposed to mere feeling, we will grow stronger and, as this passage says, "be strong in character and ready for anything."

Now that we understand why God gives us trials, its time for us to stop asking Him why. We now know, He wants to strengthen our faith. By our faith we should know that God has a plan for each and every one of us and work for us to do while we're here on Earth. We need to adjust our way of thinking so that instead of questioning God we are simply doing as the Scripture says, "...be (ing) strong in character and ready for anything."

Try to see your trials as an opportunity to grow in your faith. Whatever your situation, know that God will bring you through it, it is only temporary and He will never put more on us than we can bear. It is the testing of our faith that makes us stronger in the end. Count all of your trials on joy (James 1:2). I know trials are not easy, they aren't supposed to be, but the fact that God, as busy as He is, is interested in us enough to ensure that we are growing in our faith, lets me know that He cares.

You can also use your trials as an opportunity to say yes to the Lord. Often times there is something bigger at work in our individual trials. Sometimes we have to go through trials not only for our own faith, but so that someone else may be blessed by the way in which we handle our trials. This is your opportunity to say yes, simply by saying, "Lord, I don't know what is supposed to come of this situation, but I trust you, so use me." Often times, before God can use us, he has to toughen us up. Remember that as Christians, we need to be keep in mind that we are representing the Kingdom of God. Be reminded that every trial gives us an opportunity to demonstrate God's love and favor. So when you find your self becoming bitter about a situation in your life remember that we are to be content in our situation. We have to remember that God is in control and it is not our will but His will that we should keep in mind. Other points to remember:

1. Remember Whose You Are. You are a child of God. He loves you so much, that he paid for your life with the blood that was shed by His son Jesus Christ.

2. Remember What God Has Promised You. God has promised you the priceless gift of eternal life.

3. Remember Who Will See You Through. God will protect you. He promised never to leave you, nor forsake you.

4. Remember Why God Lets You Go Through Trials. God wants to test the genuineness of your faith so that you can grow strong. He has taken a personal interest in your faith and wants you to be strong in Christ.

Jocelyn is a Christian marriage blogger who is passionate about informing her readers about Scripture related to marriage and its application to married life. Be sure to check out her blog, Science of Marriage. Also check her out on Twitter @sci_of_marriage. You can also drop her a line at jocelyn (at) scienceofmarriageblog (dot) com.

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Posted in: Guest Blogger,Morning Motivation