This episode provides biblical Intelligence. In this episode I used the biblical story of Mephibosheth, who became crippled because his nurse dropped him, to explain that God still have use for us and favor for us even though we were dropped. Our impairment and inability does not limit God. Dropped in this episode means being neglected or mishandled, be it psychologically, emotionally, and/or physically. Study shows that the age at which we were dropped(neglected or mishandled) can leave us impaired. In other words, being dropped can affect out stages of developmental milestones. In Absent Fathers: Effects on Abandoned Sons, Dennis A. Balcom explains that “the fathers’ absence impairs the son’s ability to develop and sustain positive self-worth and to form lasting relationships.” As the son grows older, he would undoubtedly exhibit the well-studied effects of growing up without a father: psychological instability, depression, and difficulty managing emotions.

When we allow our strength to die in the present of God and in the doing of God then we have more clarity on who God is. Allow you strength to die in God’s presence and plan for your life.

How Can The Church Support New Believers On Their Journey: 1. Mentorship/Discipleship 2. Bible Class 3. Deliverance and Prayer Sessions 4. Opportunity to Serve 5. Providing A Safe Space

My guest shared her powerful story about her journey from a Messianic Israelite family to now being a Christian who lives for Christ. Tune in as she unpacks a journey filled with unlearning the old ways and learning THE WAY.

In this episode our guest talks about how close she was with her mother before she passed and how the death of her mother pointed her to seeking Christ. She shared that her mother taught her about God and raised her in the church. However, she never had to tapped into God for herself because mother did it for her. After her mother’s death she had to learn to talk to God and seek him for herself. Our guest breaks down her difficulties and successes of her new believer journey.

I had the opportunity to sit with a former shaman witch who is now a born-again Christian. She shared with me her challenges with leaving witchcraft and her expectations of coming into Christianity. Now she hopes to use her story to bring others to Christ.

This is the last installment of Wisdom & Poetry. Relational Intelligence is the art of respectfully putting people in their rightful place. A friend is a friend, an associate is an associate and an assignment is an assignment. Your expectations for a friend cannot be the same expectations you have for an associate or assignments. There are levels to relationship and relational intelligence is the key to identifying and establishing these levels. Relational intelligence is a great way to guard our hearts. It is crucial to be intelligent in our relationships

Tool Box for Navigating Self-Judgement: 1. Identify self-judging thoughts, voices, and behaviors 2. Put those thoughts, voices, and behaviors on trial. In other words, ask yourself if this is really true. 3. Do not accept the judgments. 2 Corinthians 10:5 “Cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” 4. Give yourself grace: view yourself holistically by taking into account your life journey. Giving yourself grace sounds like “maybe I am defensive because I grew up in an environment or household where I was constantly attacked/abused. But it's ok, I’m safe now and I am healing” 5. Choose to think on the positive. Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” 6. Journaling- And yes kings, men can journal too!! 7. Establish a safe place: friends and a community where you can be your authentic and transparent self. A place where you are not judged but loved and accepted in spite of your flaws. A place where people sit/stand/walk within while you are healing. 8. Prayer- Give it to God who knows you intricately.

Grief is a school for the soul. When we allow grief to take its natural course we are securing our healing. When we participate in our grieving process we are securing our healing. Grief is necessary for healing to happen.

Our gifts and our talents will get us in rooms and on platforms but it is our good character that keeps us there.

Do not dwell in your "what if". Focus on where you are now so you can get clarity for where you need to be. 

When We Live In Humility We Grow In Wisdom. It is Better to be a Humbled Servant than a King without good character. “Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less” Humility is a lifestyle Humility Attracts Favor Humility is the absence of Pride

You will not break! You are a bow in the Archer's hands, He knows your potential and He knows your strength. Trust that in all the pulling, stretching, and bending YOU WILL NOT BREAK.

Are You In A Boxing Ring With God? Whenever you find yourself in a boxing ring with God, stop boxing because Man vs God is a suicidal Attempt

Sleep is not the only way we experience rest. Actually, we can sleep for hours and still wake up tired. Why is that so? If the heart is not rested then we have not truly experience rest. The heart does more than pumps blood throughout the body, it also holds the issues of life.  Proverbs 4:23 states that we should "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life". When we do not process the unresolved issues in our hearts then we run the risk of being tired all the time. Give your heart the permission to rest by addressing the things, experiences, and trauma that may be weighing it down.

What aspect or experience in your life that you are viewing as useless ashes that can actually bring beauty to your garden or someone else garden? Be mindful to not disregard the by-products of the fire you have gone through and overcame. There is beauty in your ashes.

The pressures of life can cause our heads to be down but I want to remind you to look up. Look up because you will overcome. Look up because help comes from above. Look up, look to the Hill from where comes your help. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://apoeticword.com/2020/08/11/look-to-the-hill/

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://apoeticword.com/2020/09/18/man-vs-god/

I remember that time I thought I was hiding from God. Looking back at it, I am laughing at myself. The nerve of me to limit, in my mind, the gazing eyes of God. Nonetheless He "found me", I was lost but now I am found. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://apoeticword.com/2020/10/13/how-did-you-find-me/

It helps to take time to remember, to count our blessings and show gratitude. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://apoeticword.com/2021/03/23/god-i-remember/

Scripture Support: Genesis 50:20 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” This episode is also available as a blog post: http://apoeticword.com/2021/05/03/ashes-to-beauty/