Charging Leaders!
But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see. - Deut 3:28
I dragged myself out the bed this morning. It's been a long, full week professionally and ministerially, and it's my last day at my consulting gig. Hallelujah. Because I haven't felt this sluggish in a long time, I began to seek God for His strength. I sat in His presence expecting simply to receive His strength. Nothing. So, I headed out to my consulting gig, had my yogurt, fruit and granola breakfast thinking surely breakfast will do it. Nothing. So, I said, "Okay, I will just take easy today." No classes, no writing, no ministry related tasks. I just need to rest. I then sensed the Lord spurring me on, "Karen, go forward. Today is not the day to rest, write the blog, teach the class, and rest tomorrow. So, I forged ahead. Well, the student canceled class by not showing up, and I began to search the scriptures for what to blog about. I knew it would be a scripture on strength. Deut 3:28 jumped off the screen at me. As I began to prepare the blog, I felt strengthened. The study, the wisdom, and the thing I love to do (please God) strengthened me. The same will be true for you, leader of the Most High God. I know there are days you have or will have that are much like mine today.
So, I'm writing today to charge leaders like Joshua was charged in the above scripture. The word charge in the Hebrew means: give order, command, and lay charge. The word encourage in the Hebrew means to be resolute, support, sustain, hold up, retain, and strengthen one self. The word strengthen in Hebrew means be alert, bold, brave, confirm oneself, persist in, and prove superior.
I order you today to be resolute, retain the ground you have gained in the spirit, hold up the blood stained banner yet again, strengthen yourself by doing the things that God has commanded and that bring Him joy. I command you to persist in the things He's assigned your hands, prove yourself more superior than your weakness and sluggishness, and confirm yourself by moving forward. I promise you strength will come if you accept and embrace this charge! I charge you leaders of the Most High God, move forward. You are the pioneer and trend setter for those God has assigned your hands. They (and God) are counting on you to go before them and travel down those least traveled roads. Surely, God will cause you to inherit the promise land.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Who hates you, baby?!
I don't know about you, but when you stand for righteousness and say what God says, you will not be liked. If you answered the question in this post, "No one!" You may be too comfortable in this world system. As a matter of fact, you may even be a part of it. As Christian leaders, we are to be in the world as light and salt. This is our purpose for engaging with the world to flavor it with God's love and presence and to preserve a dying world from their sins through the work of the cross of Jesus Christ. So, it's one thing to be in the world and it's another thing entirely of the world.
Some signs we are in the world, but not of it:
*Radical boldness
*Uncompromising commitment to God's word and ways
*Divine wisdom in dealing with others
*Victory over the ways of the world
*Challenge wicked works
*Unmoved and swayed by the opinions of men
*Discern "your time and season" for the works of God
This post is to encourage you. If you are not well-received and liked, you are in good company. Look at what Jesus said in John 7:6-8
1 AFTER THIS, Jesus went from place to place in Galilee, for He would not travel in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him.
2 Now the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was drawing near.
3 So His brothers said to Him, Leave here and go into Judea, so that [a]Your disciples [there] may also see the works that You do. [This is no place for You.]
4 For no one does anything in secret when he wishes to be conspicuous and secure publicity. If You [must] do these things [if You must act like this], show Yourself openly and make Yourself known to the world!
5 For [even] His brothers did not believe in or adhere to or trust in or rely on Him either.
6 Whereupon Jesus said to them, My time (opportunity) has not come yet; but any time is suitable for you and your opportunity is ready any time [is always here].
7 The world cannot [be expected to] hate you, but it does hate Me because I denounce it for its wicked works and reveal that its doings are evil.
8 Go to the Feast yourselves. I am not [yet] going up to the Festival, because My time is not ripe. [My term is not yet completed; it is not time for Me to go.]
Hold fast to your confession of faith my brother and sister, and be steadfast, unmovable and always abounding in the work of the Lord whether you are liked or hated.
I don't know about you, but when you stand for righteousness and say what God says, you will not be liked. If you answered the question in this post, "No one!" You may be too comfortable in this world system. As a matter of fact, you may even be a part of it. As Christian leaders, we are to be in the world as light and salt. This is our purpose for engaging with the world to flavor it with God's love and presence and to preserve a dying world from their sins through the work of the cross of Jesus Christ. So, it's one thing to be in the world and it's another thing entirely of the world.
Some signs we are in the world, but not of it:
*Radical boldness
*Uncompromising commitment to God's word and ways
*Divine wisdom in dealing with others
*Victory over the ways of the world
*Challenge wicked works
*Unmoved and swayed by the opinions of men
*Discern "your time and season" for the works of God
This post is to encourage you. If you are not well-received and liked, you are in good company. Look at what Jesus said in John 7:6-8
1 AFTER THIS, Jesus went from place to place in Galilee, for He would not travel in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him.
2 Now the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was drawing near.
3 So His brothers said to Him, Leave here and go into Judea, so that [a]Your disciples [there] may also see the works that You do. [This is no place for You.]
4 For no one does anything in secret when he wishes to be conspicuous and secure publicity. If You [must] do these things [if You must act like this], show Yourself openly and make Yourself known to the world!
5 For [even] His brothers did not believe in or adhere to or trust in or rely on Him either.
6 Whereupon Jesus said to them, My time (opportunity) has not come yet; but any time is suitable for you and your opportunity is ready any time [is always here].
7 The world cannot [be expected to] hate you, but it does hate Me because I denounce it for its wicked works and reveal that its doings are evil.
8 Go to the Feast yourselves. I am not [yet] going up to the Festival, because My time is not ripe. [My term is not yet completed; it is not time for Me to go.]
Hold fast to your confession of faith my brother and sister, and be steadfast, unmovable and always abounding in the work of the Lord whether you are liked or hated.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Why is holiness a secret?
I was awakened this morning to a folded up piece of paper with writing on it. It resembled the notes we pass around in school or church. I heard God say, "Why is holiness a secret?" We treat holiness like the notes we pass around. We only want certain people to see it. We only allow certain people to read us as written epistles of His likeness.
It's time to put away childish note-passing holiness! It's time to get the secret out! It's time to agree with God . . . "Be ye holy for I am holy, be ye perfect for I am perfect." And it's time to stop agreeing with the spirit of error working through carnal believers that say, "Nobody is perfect . . . except Jesus."
God says, "I didn't ask you to be holy and be perfect, I gave you the Perfect One (Jesus) and Helper (Holy Spirit) so you could be holy and perfect like Me. It's a command based on what I've already provided, and My commands are not optional. I come today saying, "Stop the note-passing holiness, and be holy 24/7, all the time for all to see . . . not a certain group that is in your inner circle." Holiness is not a secret.
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. - Matthew 5:48 KJV
I was awakened this morning to a folded up piece of paper with writing on it. It resembled the notes we pass around in school or church. I heard God say, "Why is holiness a secret?" We treat holiness like the notes we pass around. We only want certain people to see it. We only allow certain people to read us as written epistles of His likeness.
It's time to put away childish note-passing holiness! It's time to get the secret out! It's time to agree with God . . . "Be ye holy for I am holy, be ye perfect for I am perfect." And it's time to stop agreeing with the spirit of error working through carnal believers that say, "Nobody is perfect . . . except Jesus."
God says, "I didn't ask you to be holy and be perfect, I gave you the Perfect One (Jesus) and Helper (Holy Spirit) so you could be holy and perfect like Me. It's a command based on what I've already provided, and My commands are not optional. I come today saying, "Stop the note-passing holiness, and be holy 24/7, all the time for all to see . . . not a certain group that is in your inner circle." Holiness is not a secret.
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. - Matthew 5:48 KJV
Friday, April 24, 2009
What Child are You Listening To?
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children. Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not (Matthew 11:18-20).
At my consulting gig we have an after school program for the youth. The program runs from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. The children anxiously await the start of the program. Earlier in the week some children arrived as early as 2:45 p.m. I sent them home until 3:30 p.m. There is nothing in our organization for them to do from 2:45 – 3:30 p.m., and they will cut up. Yesterday, a group of kids arrived early again. I sent them home. At 3:15 p.m. when the program monitor arrived, they bolted through the door, almost running her over, screaming, yelling, pushing, and swearing. I walked over and firmly said, “The program starts at 3:30 p.m.” The continued to push, shove, and try to enter the computer lab. So, I start talking a little louder to get their attention. They start talking back; giving me their excuses, and attempting to run right pass me into the lab. Finally, one of the young boys yelled at the top of his lungs, “Be quiet an adult is talking!” Astonishingly, they listened for a minute.
God spoke volumes to me through this. We live in a generation where children listen to children, but won’t listen to adults. Likewise, this is true in Christendom. We have elders and spiritual fathers and mothers crying out. They are giving children truth, discipline, and instruction, but the children keep making excuses, screaming out for more help, and pushing their way into positions of leadership, grappling for the “stuff” they want. Many of these children are undisciplined, lack the self-control for ministry, and are biting at the bit for the program to start. They even yell at God, “Are we there yet?” “What’s taking so long?” “I thought I was ready, Lord.”
Now, let some other child in the body come along and speak to them and miraculously they listen. Let God ask you through me, “What child are you listening to?”
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children. Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not (Matthew 11:18-20).
At my consulting gig we have an after school program for the youth. The program runs from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. The children anxiously await the start of the program. Earlier in the week some children arrived as early as 2:45 p.m. I sent them home until 3:30 p.m. There is nothing in our organization for them to do from 2:45 – 3:30 p.m., and they will cut up. Yesterday, a group of kids arrived early again. I sent them home. At 3:15 p.m. when the program monitor arrived, they bolted through the door, almost running her over, screaming, yelling, pushing, and swearing. I walked over and firmly said, “The program starts at 3:30 p.m.” The continued to push, shove, and try to enter the computer lab. So, I start talking a little louder to get their attention. They start talking back; giving me their excuses, and attempting to run right pass me into the lab. Finally, one of the young boys yelled at the top of his lungs, “Be quiet an adult is talking!” Astonishingly, they listened for a minute.
God spoke volumes to me through this. We live in a generation where children listen to children, but won’t listen to adults. Likewise, this is true in Christendom. We have elders and spiritual fathers and mothers crying out. They are giving children truth, discipline, and instruction, but the children keep making excuses, screaming out for more help, and pushing their way into positions of leadership, grappling for the “stuff” they want. Many of these children are undisciplined, lack the self-control for ministry, and are biting at the bit for the program to start. They even yell at God, “Are we there yet?” “What’s taking so long?” “I thought I was ready, Lord.”
Now, let some other child in the body come along and speak to them and miraculously they listen. Let God ask you through me, “What child are you listening to?”
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Father, glorify me that You may be glorified!
God’s glory is going to cover the earth. When I speak of His glory, I’m not just referring to His miracles, signs, and wonders. Yes, that is a part of it, but so is His character. His character (wisdom, love, truth, holiness, creativity, etc.) is also His glory. What good is it to move in miraculous power and be as mean as all get out. Why do you want to be glorified? So many are seeking the glory and praying for God to release His glory, which He is going to do. However, it will not be willy, nilly, and it won’t be released to shysters, heathens, hypocrites, hirelings, and liars. Oh, no this precious liqueur is for polished, refined, vessels of gold. The only reason for God to glorify you is for Him to be glorified. If your motive is otherwise, and you can’t genuinely pray Jesus’ prayer, stop seeking the glory and praying for God to release it to you. You are praying amiss my dear brother and sister. Father glorify me that you may be glorified!
Stop seeking the glory and start being the glory. Realize you are the glory! Can you say I am glory? I mean really, truly, genuinely say it and not cringe with religiosity, hypocrisy, and blasphemous thoughts. What happens when you cry out, “Glory?” If nothing, check your cry and see if includes: “Father glorify me that you may be glorified!” This is the only cry that God is answering. The cry for Him to be glorified, not us.
John 17:4-6 KJV
4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
John 13:30-32 AMP
30 So after receiving the bit of bread, he went out immediately. And it was night.
31 When he had left, Jesus said, Now is the Son of Man glorified! [Now He has achieved His glory, His honor, His exaltation!] And God has been glorified through and in Him.
32 And if God is glorified through and in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and He will glorify Him at once and not delay.
Hebrews 5:5 KJV
So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
©2009 The Making/Karen M. Pina
God’s glory is going to cover the earth. When I speak of His glory, I’m not just referring to His miracles, signs, and wonders. Yes, that is a part of it, but so is His character. His character (wisdom, love, truth, holiness, creativity, etc.) is also His glory. What good is it to move in miraculous power and be as mean as all get out. Why do you want to be glorified? So many are seeking the glory and praying for God to release His glory, which He is going to do. However, it will not be willy, nilly, and it won’t be released to shysters, heathens, hypocrites, hirelings, and liars. Oh, no this precious liqueur is for polished, refined, vessels of gold. The only reason for God to glorify you is for Him to be glorified. If your motive is otherwise, and you can’t genuinely pray Jesus’ prayer, stop seeking the glory and praying for God to release it to you. You are praying amiss my dear brother and sister. Father glorify me that you may be glorified!
Stop seeking the glory and start being the glory. Realize you are the glory! Can you say I am glory? I mean really, truly, genuinely say it and not cringe with religiosity, hypocrisy, and blasphemous thoughts. What happens when you cry out, “Glory?” If nothing, check your cry and see if includes: “Father glorify me that you may be glorified!” This is the only cry that God is answering. The cry for Him to be glorified, not us.
John 17:4-6 KJV
4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
John 13:30-32 AMP
30 So after receiving the bit of bread, he went out immediately. And it was night.
31 When he had left, Jesus said, Now is the Son of Man glorified! [Now He has achieved His glory, His honor, His exaltation!] And God has been glorified through and in Him.
32 And if God is glorified through and in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and He will glorify Him at once and not delay.
Hebrews 5:5 KJV
So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
©2009 The Making/Karen M. Pina
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Don't Forget What I Said . . .
After prayer, I went over to my husband and gave him a light love tap on his derriere. I felt the power of Holy Spirit quicken within me, and I heard Him say, "Remember what I told you about your hands, what's in them, and what might happen when you touch someone even in casual passing/greeting. Don't forget what I said." I replied, "Yes Lord, I won't forget . . . I will remember what you said about me."
What has God told you about you, the call, and the anointing on your life? The purpose of this blog is to challenge you to not forget it. We are living in the most crucial and trying times ever. Surely, it is the time to remember and reflect on all God said to you and about you to enable you to confidently do what He's assigned your hands.
Exercise: As a part of your preparation for ministry (i.e., writing, speaking engagement, etc.), look back at your journal and pull out all that you have recorded when God spoke to you about your assignment. Reflect, recall, affirm and believe it. If you don't keep a journal, look back through His word and find specific scriptures that equate to the specific call and anointing upon your life.
This exercise will allow you to complete your ministry assignment with grace, anointing, and favor.
Psalm 119:93
I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.
Psalm 103:2
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Psalm 119:16
I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
After prayer, I went over to my husband and gave him a light love tap on his derriere. I felt the power of Holy Spirit quicken within me, and I heard Him say, "Remember what I told you about your hands, what's in them, and what might happen when you touch someone even in casual passing/greeting. Don't forget what I said." I replied, "Yes Lord, I won't forget . . . I will remember what you said about me."
What has God told you about you, the call, and the anointing on your life? The purpose of this blog is to challenge you to not forget it. We are living in the most crucial and trying times ever. Surely, it is the time to remember and reflect on all God said to you and about you to enable you to confidently do what He's assigned your hands.
Exercise: As a part of your preparation for ministry (i.e., writing, speaking engagement, etc.), look back at your journal and pull out all that you have recorded when God spoke to you about your assignment. Reflect, recall, affirm and believe it. If you don't keep a journal, look back through His word and find specific scriptures that equate to the specific call and anointing upon your life.
This exercise will allow you to complete your ministry assignment with grace, anointing, and favor.
Psalm 119:93
I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.
Psalm 103:2
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Psalm 119:16
I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Why is Jesus your friend?
How may times have we heard Christians say, "God is my friend or Jesus is my best friend."
I heard this statement this morning, and God said to me, "I'm a disciplining Father, and the reason some keep Me on the friend level is because they don't want a butt whipping/beating." You see, typically we don't let our friends spank us; do we? So this posture carries over, for many of us, into our relationship with God.
But I heard God say today, that the body of Christ does not need anymore friendship like this with Him, what we need is the willingness to be disciplined and trained by Him.
I admonish many in the body to get ready for some serious spankings. Willing or not, this is what we need to grow up in this season into the full stature of Jesus Christ that God intends for us as a body.
I prophesy today, "The body is being spanked."
John 15:14 - Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Our friendship with Jesus is contingent upon obeying whatever He commands. If you are not obeying Him, you are not His friend. You can call Him "friend" all day and night. I have people who call me friend all the time. They introduce me to others as their friend. Truth be told, they have spoken correctly I am their friend, but they are not mine. I know you can relate! Jesus defines what friendship is, not us. It takes more than just calling Him friend to be His friend, and the same holds true for me.
You may be thinking, "Wow, Karen that is cruel." This scripture comes to mind for me in terms of measuring friends. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). Take a look at who is willing to lay down their life for you, and you'll have a clearer picture of a Godly friend. Most people who say they are my friend say so merely because I have demonstrated I lay down my life for them on a consistent basis. How so? I'm available when they call. I have one lady who has been in my life for over 20 years. I asked her recently, "Have you ever called me in a time of need, and I said, oh, I'm busy with ____________(fill in the blank with my life activities). She replied, "Never!" There are many ways God has divinely enabled me to lay down my needs to meet the needs of others. This is just one small example of how I lay my life down for those I'm a friend to.
Jesus expects no less from you in terms of measuring if you really are His friend. Let me ask you a couple of questions, "Have you laid down your life activities yet?" "What about laying them down each and every time He calls upon you?"
Friends, yes I call you friends today because, I'm sending this disciplining message to you, "Why is Jesus your friend?"
You must submit to and endure [correction] for discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons. For what son is there whom his father does not [thus] train and correct and discipline?
Now if you are exempt from correction and left without discipline in which all [of God's children] share, then you are illegitimate offspring and not true sons [at all]. (Hebrews 12:7-8 AMP)
I end this post with a prayer for the body:
Lord, let your body receive the perfecting, full equipping, and ministry of your five-fold leaders until it is completely built up to ministering effectively in character and deed. I pray that Your body might develop until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ's own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him.
I pray that You grace Your body to receive the discipline you are sending its way no matter how bad it hurts. We trust you and love you enough to submit to your spankings. Grow us up, Lord. Grow us up.
How may times have we heard Christians say, "God is my friend or Jesus is my best friend."
I heard this statement this morning, and God said to me, "I'm a disciplining Father, and the reason some keep Me on the friend level is because they don't want a butt whipping/beating." You see, typically we don't let our friends spank us; do we? So this posture carries over, for many of us, into our relationship with God.
But I heard God say today, that the body of Christ does not need anymore friendship like this with Him, what we need is the willingness to be disciplined and trained by Him.
I admonish many in the body to get ready for some serious spankings. Willing or not, this is what we need to grow up in this season into the full stature of Jesus Christ that God intends for us as a body.
I prophesy today, "The body is being spanked."
John 15:14 - Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Our friendship with Jesus is contingent upon obeying whatever He commands. If you are not obeying Him, you are not His friend. You can call Him "friend" all day and night. I have people who call me friend all the time. They introduce me to others as their friend. Truth be told, they have spoken correctly I am their friend, but they are not mine. I know you can relate! Jesus defines what friendship is, not us. It takes more than just calling Him friend to be His friend, and the same holds true for me.
You may be thinking, "Wow, Karen that is cruel." This scripture comes to mind for me in terms of measuring friends. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). Take a look at who is willing to lay down their life for you, and you'll have a clearer picture of a Godly friend. Most people who say they are my friend say so merely because I have demonstrated I lay down my life for them on a consistent basis. How so? I'm available when they call. I have one lady who has been in my life for over 20 years. I asked her recently, "Have you ever called me in a time of need, and I said, oh, I'm busy with ____________(fill in the blank with my life activities). She replied, "Never!" There are many ways God has divinely enabled me to lay down my needs to meet the needs of others. This is just one small example of how I lay my life down for those I'm a friend to.
Jesus expects no less from you in terms of measuring if you really are His friend. Let me ask you a couple of questions, "Have you laid down your life activities yet?" "What about laying them down each and every time He calls upon you?"
Friends, yes I call you friends today because, I'm sending this disciplining message to you, "Why is Jesus your friend?"
You must submit to and endure [correction] for discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons. For what son is there whom his father does not [thus] train and correct and discipline?
Now if you are exempt from correction and left without discipline in which all [of God's children] share, then you are illegitimate offspring and not true sons [at all]. (Hebrews 12:7-8 AMP)
I end this post with a prayer for the body:
Lord, let your body receive the perfecting, full equipping, and ministry of your five-fold leaders until it is completely built up to ministering effectively in character and deed. I pray that Your body might develop until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ's own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him.
I pray that You grace Your body to receive the discipline you are sending its way no matter how bad it hurts. We trust you and love you enough to submit to your spankings. Grow us up, Lord. Grow us up.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
You “think” it’s settled and want to move on!
I “want” to settle it and move on!
If you have ever felt this way in an argument with your spouse, this broadcast is for you.
Listen in to Apostle Stanley and Prophetess Karen candidly and transparently talk about a fresh revelationary (that's a revolution in a revelation) process that will help you break free from conflict in your marriage.
Five-fold leaders . . . this one is for you! Go here and click on the 4/18/09 episode.
I “want” to settle it and move on!
If you have ever felt this way in an argument with your spouse, this broadcast is for you.
Listen in to Apostle Stanley and Prophetess Karen candidly and transparently talk about a fresh revelationary (that's a revolution in a revelation) process that will help you break free from conflict in your marriage.
Five-fold leaders . . . this one is for you! Go here and click on the 4/18/09 episode.
Friday, April 17, 2009
It's that time again
As you may know, this week is vacation week from school for the kids. We usually use this time for cleaning, reorganizing clothes, and annual examinations. Today, we picked up new glasses for our 13-year old and took her for an annual physical. She's been accepted into the Alvin Ailey Dance Camp this summer, and we are so excited! We now have all the required paperwork for starting high school next year, camp this summer, and a 8th grade field trip to Wash. DC in one felt swoop! I love getting this kind of stuff done all at one time.
You may not be preparing for annual examinations or reorganizing clothes. At the same time, I want to encourage you to take care of everything you need to sooner rather than later. If you are like me, there are certain tasks you prefer doing more than others. These are the ones I'm speaking to right now. These are the ones I'm challenging you to go ahead and take care. I've found that pushing them aside to the last minute causes me to "get in my flesh." I usually end of rushing, getting frustrated because all the preferred time slots are filled, and it takes so much more energy to reach my goal. On the flip side of this, is time management, planning, and giving myself and others ample time to do those things I'm not so elated about. With these measurements in place, I can stay in the spirit and in a place of flow versus running around frantically accomplishing routine annual tasks.
"TO EVERYTHING there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven" (Eccl 3:1).
What time is it again for you? Get to it quickly so you can stay in the spirit . . .
Enjoy your weekend!
With grace,
Karen M. Pina
As you may know, this week is vacation week from school for the kids. We usually use this time for cleaning, reorganizing clothes, and annual examinations. Today, we picked up new glasses for our 13-year old and took her for an annual physical. She's been accepted into the Alvin Ailey Dance Camp this summer, and we are so excited! We now have all the required paperwork for starting high school next year, camp this summer, and a 8th grade field trip to Wash. DC in one felt swoop! I love getting this kind of stuff done all at one time.
You may not be preparing for annual examinations or reorganizing clothes. At the same time, I want to encourage you to take care of everything you need to sooner rather than later. If you are like me, there are certain tasks you prefer doing more than others. These are the ones I'm speaking to right now. These are the ones I'm challenging you to go ahead and take care. I've found that pushing them aside to the last minute causes me to "get in my flesh." I usually end of rushing, getting frustrated because all the preferred time slots are filled, and it takes so much more energy to reach my goal. On the flip side of this, is time management, planning, and giving myself and others ample time to do those things I'm not so elated about. With these measurements in place, I can stay in the spirit and in a place of flow versus running around frantically accomplishing routine annual tasks.
"TO EVERYTHING there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven" (Eccl 3:1).
What time is it again for you? Get to it quickly so you can stay in the spirit . . .
Enjoy your weekend!
With grace,
Karen M. Pina
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Smile, shine on me, shine on me
Ladies, guess what I did today? I had my teeth whitened.
Reason being . . . before become salvation I was a smoker. After salvation, I drank coffee and tea. Well, these years of abuse took a toll on my pearly whites. As an adult I wore braces. So now my teeth are straight, but they were not white. For those of you who know me, I've been really getting serious about my temple over the last seven years. So, here is just another one of those instances of restoring things back to the way they used to me. I have to tell you the process is not so glamorous. There is gauze everywhere, gel, hydrogen peroxide, UV glasses, saliva, and a mouth retractor. The mouth and tongue retractor keeps your lips and tongue from being burned.
While lying in the chair for the first 15 minutes, I'm praying for God's protection from any burns, sensitivity, etc. I even asked for His angelic protection. At that moment, I began to reflect on angels. I thought, wow . . . if I were to have an angelic visitation the brightness/light of the angel would whiten these teeth automatically without all the gauze everywhere, gel, hydrogen peroxide, UV glasses, saliva, etc. The angel would simply show up and say, "Karen smile." Immediate whitening!!!
Seriously, once I settled down to swallowing my own saliva and my lips being stretched, it wasn't that bad. There was no burning and no sensitivity to the light during the process.
Overall, I'm pleased with the results and my teeth are 26% whiter (6-8 shades) whiter than they were before the process.
Xtreme joy,
Karen M. Pina
GOD's Coach
P.S. - no pictures . . . don't really care to remember the before!
Ladies, guess what I did today? I had my teeth whitened.
Reason being . . . before become salvation I was a smoker. After salvation, I drank coffee and tea. Well, these years of abuse took a toll on my pearly whites. As an adult I wore braces. So now my teeth are straight, but they were not white. For those of you who know me, I've been really getting serious about my temple over the last seven years. So, here is just another one of those instances of restoring things back to the way they used to me. I have to tell you the process is not so glamorous. There is gauze everywhere, gel, hydrogen peroxide, UV glasses, saliva, and a mouth retractor. The mouth and tongue retractor keeps your lips and tongue from being burned.
While lying in the chair for the first 15 minutes, I'm praying for God's protection from any burns, sensitivity, etc. I even asked for His angelic protection. At that moment, I began to reflect on angels. I thought, wow . . . if I were to have an angelic visitation the brightness/light of the angel would whiten these teeth automatically without all the gauze everywhere, gel, hydrogen peroxide, UV glasses, saliva, etc. The angel would simply show up and say, "Karen smile." Immediate whitening!!!
Seriously, once I settled down to swallowing my own saliva and my lips being stretched, it wasn't that bad. There was no burning and no sensitivity to the light during the process.
Overall, I'm pleased with the results and my teeth are 26% whiter (6-8 shades) whiter than they were before the process.
Xtreme joy,
Karen M. Pina
GOD's Coach
P.S. - no pictures . . . don't really care to remember the before!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Gem News 4/2009: Turn Social Networking into Ministry
This month we plant a seed with the topic ministering through social networking. How has the seed we planted in this issue impacted your ministry? Post your testimonial here. Not a subscriber? Go here to sign up and receive a free audio bonus on career fitness.
This month we plant a seed with the topic ministering through social networking. How has the seed we planted in this issue impacted your ministry? Post your testimonial here. Not a subscriber? Go here to sign up and receive a free audio bonus on career fitness.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Woo wee . . . you got to believe!
I'm so excited. I'm on my way on vacation. I'll be offline until 4/13/09. At the same time, I just had to pop my head in and tell you to check out the new video for the Is it the job, the boss, you . . . or are you an entrepreneur? book. Enjoy! When I return, I might post it here, too.
May your Resurrection Day be filled with His glorious power!
I'm so excited. I'm on my way on vacation. I'll be offline until 4/13/09. At the same time, I just had to pop my head in and tell you to check out the new video for the Is it the job, the boss, you . . . or are you an entrepreneur? book. Enjoy! When I return, I might post it here, too.
May your Resurrection Day be filled with His glorious power!
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