I HAVE WHAT???!!!

I HAVE WHAT?!!!

I wasn't sure the black and white numbers on the page in front of me where correct. I mean... I've been very healthy all my life in spite of being overweight. In fact, just last week I was boasting to my co-workers how I needed to find “motivation” to loose weight because I felt I looked good and I'm healthy...so why loose it?... why fix it if it isn't broken? Right?! WRONG?!!!! It is broken. I was sitting there blankly staring at my lab results and vaguely hearing my doctor's words... “You have diabetes” (New Ways/Loss of Good Health Status), she said. At first I thought, “she can't possibly be referring to me... I'm healthy, aside from a mild stress-induced heart attack back in 2006... I've always been healthy and all my doctors have always told me so; 'you're the picture of good health' is what I'm used to hearing (Shock/Disbelief/Disorientation). Anyway, 'she must be wrong', was my next thought (Denial/Dismissal/Disconnect). Because I work in the health industry and surrounded by doctors all day long I took it upon myself to seek the expert opinion of three other doctors in whom I had complete trust; they would tell me the truth...that I do not have Diabetes and I'm healthy. Well... that was short lived when all three of them agreed with my doctor's Diabetes diagnosis. Now what?!!! I did what came naturally to me...cried like a baby... I was angry, fearful and stressed out about this new ENEMY I had to face (Anger/Fear/Anxiety). Needless to say that weekend was a rough one for me. I was very sad and a bit down; on top of it all I was feeling sorry for myself so I sat on the coach most of that weekend watching TV and letting my mind wonder about the adverse consequences of un-controlled Diabetes all while eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches accompanied by a nice glass of milk (Sadness/Depression/Passiveness). I searched the web and read everything I could about Diabetes, but nothing could get me out my funk especially since, as a Health Coach to many diabetic patients, I already knew what I had to do in order to change my now Diabetic status. So...let the games begin; my next step was to try and reason within myself why my food choices where more than adequate and how I was exercising enough (Jockeying/Bargaining/Scrambling). Yes... you already know, I came up short on that one too so, of course, there was nothing left to do but accept the fact that my lifestyle needed much adjusting if I was going to reverse this diagnosis and live a healthy life. Then and only then, was I able to see clearly that I needed to make much better food choices and greatly increase the amount of exercise I submit my body to in order to see a significant change (Hope/Acceptance/Commitment). Walking all day at work alone was not going to do the trick, not this time. So without another thought I signed up at the gym, cleaned out my pantry and went to the store armed and dangerous. I was on a mission to win my battle against Type 2 Diabetes and I was determined to do so. Since then I've been consistently going to the gym 3 to 4 times a week for a one hour workout and swimming on days when I don't go to the gym. My eating habits have changed and I now read nutrition labels as I'm shopping for food more consistently than before, making sure to include healthier foods in my daily diet. The results you ask? Well... I can humbly, yet proudly say that I've lost 12 pounds and my little daily triumphant moments are the fuel that keeps my engine moving forward in my personal fight against Diabetes.

The roller coaster of emotions I experienced during this transitional time in my life is called by psychologist the “Change/Acceptance Cycle” and is one we all experience at different times in our lives. I'm sure you have or at some point will experience these stages also. But fear not, like with so many things in life, healthy living is a journey and not a destination. Enjoy the journey and find non-food related ways to celebrate your success while not allowing your failures to keep you down. Do I always eat properly now? I'd be lying if I said yes. Like everyone else, I have good days, better days, bad days and down right absolutely wrong days. The difference is I've learned to make my good and better days outnumber my bad and down right absolutely wrong days. So join me in this journey of ours as we win the fight against Type 2 Diabetes. Celebrate every success! Enjoy the journey!

I DARE YOU!

I recently read (for the 2nd time) this book titled Women Risktakers by Dr. Patricia D. Bailey. I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Dr. Bailey back in 2002 as she was the keynote speaker at a women's event my then church sponsored. I was mesmerized by her passion for the Lord and his calling on her life so that day I purchased several copies of her book and have shared them over the years with women whose lives I wanted to impact positively. Since then, technology has made it easier to do so and I wanted to share an excerpt of her book in order to entice you to purchase it and allow God's inspired word at the hand of Dr. Bailey, now Bailey-Jones since her nuptials to Dr. D. Boyd Jones, to inspire and motivate you to take risk. God's promises have been proven over the centuries in the lives of women - and are just as certain today!


"My emphasis in this book is on the importance of giving more attention to the finality of God's Word rather than to the opinions of men. The women whose lives are examined each took the common risk that changed their world of simply taking God at His undeviating Word. There really isn't a risk when we dare trust God because He always causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus. With man some things are impossible, but with God all things are possible!
Our victories don't come without obstacles, but God gives us the faith to overcome all of them. Our successes don't come without temptations, but God gives us the way of escape from each one. God watches every single motion of our lives with detailed observation. Nothing is hidden from His sight. He watches over our lives to bring us to the completion of the work that He has begun in us....

Women Risktakers challenges women to change their world by studying the lives of great women of the Bible -such as Rahab, Esther, Hagar, Hannah, Abigail, Debra and many other -and showing that the common denominator for accomplishing something great is simply the willingness to be a risktaker for God....Are you ready to accomplish great things? Are you ready to be a Woman Risktaker?"

For more information regarding Dr. Bailey-Jones and her ministries log on to http://mtmintl.org/mtmhome.html

So.... I began by daring you...to do what? you might ask!...
I DARE YOU TO REALLY TRUST GOD IN EVERY AREA OF YOUR LIFE!

I have had to learn to do this all over again and though the journey has not been without its obstacles, challenges and surprises, it has, however, been a rewarding journey. In learning to trust HIM again the rewards have been unmeasurable!

So again I say... I DARE YOU! go ahead...TRUST HIM!

HE WALKS WITH ME!

I Come To The Garden Alone

Text: C. Austin Miles, 1913 (Jn. 20:11-18)
Music: C. Austin Miles, 1913; adapt. by Charles H. Webb, 1987


I come to the garden alone
while the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
and the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing,

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
and the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

I'd stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe,
His voice to me is calling.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

Just felt like sharing this beautiful song I learned as a child, it has been ringing in my heart all week and in these perilous economic times I know it will comfort you too to know that HE WALKS WITH YOU!

His word clearly says: Isaiah40:31 declares.."they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint".

So...fueled by God's Word... Knowing that Faith is action based on belief and sustained by confidence (Hebrews 11:1-3) let's put ACTION to our FAITH because FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD (James 2:17) with confidence in knowing that WE can do ALL things through Christ which strengtheneth us (Philippians 4:13) secure in God's Word in Philippians 4:19 "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus"

Knowing that HE WALKS WITH ME and He talks with me and He tells me I am his own. It is comforting to know WHOSE I am... I am a child of the King REGARDLESS of what is going on around me... I AM A CHILD OF THE KING!

Unemployment Dating...YES or NO?

This is s message I received in Spanish, I translated it to English so I could share it with you today. Great read for both men and women, especially in light of the current financial circumstances so many are facing in the midst of our economic climate. Just because there are financial obstacles and struggles does not mean we should put love on hold in order to "salvage" or "ease the pain" of a man's ego. Yes... a real man strives to be the provider in his home. Yes... a real woman wants her man to be that provider. But it is also high time most men realize that today's living conditions call more for a team effort; one in which finances, money and who is bring it home should not be as important as how we love one another. I am sick and tired of hearing men say "I'm not in a relationship now, or seeking one because I feel I do not bring much to the table in terms of finances right now". To me that's just a lame excuse for the player still trying to get his cake and eat it too. Just my humble opinion and by no means am I trying to make you feel the way I do. Forever-love is creative and works as a team, that's why there are TWO people in a relationship, duh!. OK... I've said enough...read the message below and leave your comments. How do you weigh in on the subject? as a woman... would you date an unemployed man right now? Why? why not? MEN.... how do you feel about this? IS there something I'm missing? Please enlighten me...



WOMEN OF GREAT WORTH: WHAT’S ESSENTIAL TO THE HEART IS INVISIBLE TO THE EYES

During a brief conversation a man asked a woman: What type of man do you seek to find? She stopped to think quietly for a moment, looked him straight in the eyes and asked. Do you really want to know? To which he answered YES!

She went ahead with her response: Being a modern day woman I am in the position to ask a man for that which I cannot do for myself. I pay all my bills; I take care of my home without the help of a man. I am in the position to ask him. What do you bring to the table, what will you add to my life?

He looked at her and clearly thought she was talking about money! Realizing what he was thinking, she quickly replied: I’m not referring to money or financial support. I need something more. He crossed his arms, deeply looked into her eyes and asked to further explain. She continued: I need a man who will strive for perfection in all areas of life. She said: I seek a man who strives to better himself, someone with whom I can have an intelligent conversation and who motivates me to be better each day. I don’t need a simple-minded or immature man. I need a man I can admire and admires me for who I am. I am looking for a man who will strive for spiritual perfection because I need someone with whom I can share my faith in God; a man who loves me but loves God above all else. I don’t need a man to strive for financial perfection because I’m not looking for gold. I’m not a gold digger. I’m looking for a man who will strive to work with me, side by side, shoulder to shoulder for the benefit of our home. Not another burden waiting for me to take care of things. I need a man with some common sense to understand me when I’m going through simple female life issues yet strong enough to provide me with the emotional support I need to stand and endure those times…A man who will not let me fall. I’m looking for a man I can respect; a man who complements my life. In order for me to support him I must have respect for him and he must have respect for me as well. I cannot be submissive to a jerk. I’m looking for man in whom I can trust, a man who respects me as his partner and best friend. Not an unfaithful man, with a soul so poor that he will disrespect me and himself by giving himself to anyone in a moment of unbridled pleasure. I seek a man who can be a worthy example to our children and not someone they will be ashamed of. I strive to be attentive to him, to his every need but he needs to earn that. God created man and woman under equal conditions to support one another. I cannot support a useless man that won’t even help himself. I seek a man with some sense and a good heart because he will get to know my heart, my feelings just by looking into my eyes. I seek tenderness.

When she was finished she looked into his eyes; he looked a bit confused and with questions on his mind. He replied: You’re asking too much. She replied: I’m worth it.

DRESSED FOR BATTLE...

God's word in Ephesians 6:10 calls us to be strong in the Lord and is the power of his might. It then proceeds to provide us the instructions on how to do so. The following confession is solely based on God's Word and I found it on a tape from a message by Charles Stanley from In Touch Ministries. I thought it crucial to share it with you. Read it daily and see God's Word actively working in your life. If you'd like more visit www.intouch.org

Dressed for Battle by Charles F. Stanley
Based on Ephesians 6:11 - 18

Father today, in Jesus’ name, I put on the Girdle of Truth; I put on this apron of truth. I thank you today Lord I know who I am in Christ; I’m a child of God, I’m a saint, I’m indwell-ed with the Holy Spirit. Christ Jesus lives within me, the power of the Holy Spirit lives within me. The power that’s greater than all the power in the World is living within me. I am God’s child, on God’s journey living by God’s Spirit and God’s power in His time. I want to begin my day affirming the truth of who I am, who God is, who is within me and who has control of my life today.

Father I want to thank you in Jesus’ name as I put on the Breastplate of Righteousness to protect my emotions, my heart...what I feel. Lord, today with my breastplate of righteousness protect me from responding to circumstances and people emotionally; let me respond with my spirit, not just out of my emotions. Lord Jesus, I want to thank you while I’m still in my bed. I put on the Sandals of the Gospel of Peace. Lord Jesus I thank you today that wherever I go I am available to be used by you to make peace with God and with other men, to bring them to making peace with God, with You. Secondly, Father I want to thank you that wherever I go today my life will be an expression of your peace. Where there is conflict…You within me wherever I go today, You, will create peace. I’m going to be a vehicle; I’m going to be a tool; I’m going to be an instrument of peace wherever I go today because I’ve shot my feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace. I am a peace maker.

Father, in Jesus’ name, I want to thank you that I take up the Shield of Faith. I thank you that I’m taking my Shield of Faith. I want to thank you that as I place my trust in You today, you are sufficient to protect me from everything so that nothing, nothing can touch me. Nothing can touch me; no kind of barrage of satanic arrows can touch me because I’m hiding behind the Shield of Faith; that is, I have placed my trust in YOU to protect me, not in myself. So today I’m walking in faith, my feet are shot with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace. My emotions are being protected by the Breastplate of Righteousness. I am walking in the truth.

Lord, I place on my head the Helmet of Salvation; that is Lord; I want you to protect my mind today. I want you to protect my thinking. I reaffirm what you’ve said in your word today: that I have the mind of Christ. There are some things Lord that don’t fit your mind and I want to thank you that I don’t have to think on things Satan sends my way. I can think the truth today. I can think pure thoughts; I can think right thoughts. I can think the truth in every situation because I have the Helmet of Salvation to protect my thinking today and I want to respond to any and every circumstance out of the truth; out of my mind thinking the truth, not out of my emotions just reacting to situations and circumstances. I put on the Helmet of Salvation.

Last of all Lord, I take up the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. That is my only offensive piece of equipment. It is both defensive and offensive. It is defensive in this light: that when Satan attacks me I have the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, to deflate and ward off his arrows. Father I thank you today that I have the Sword of the Spirit as a defensive weapon, that means I have the entire Word of God to rely upon, so that when Satan sends one to me all I have to do is deflect it with the truth of God’s Word. Father today in Jesus’ name I take up the Sword of the Spirit to do two things; fight off and resist Satan’s attacks and secondly, I use it Father, in Jesus’ name, as my message to share the truth with those who are lost, those who are hurting, those who are wandering, those who have back-slid, those who are floundering in their lives. I use your message today to bring them into a right relationship with you. For this I thank you in Jesus’ name.

Just a reminder...

I wrote this a while ago and upon review I thought it wise to share it again...

NO ONE IS IMMUNE...

Posted May 2, 2009 by DivaTica

Pain and problems are part of life, but so are purpose and promise. When we hurt, we often lose sight of the fact that others around us also hurt or have gone through a similar situation becasue we are so focused on our own pain.

It's not about what you go through, but how you go through it. How does trouble impact you?

Every person I know is expereincing or has experienced some type of pain, trouble or difficulty in life. Yes...there are sunny days, but there are also rainny and yes, even stormy days...all are a part of the seasons of life.

However, you can never conquer what you don't comfront and you cannot comfront what you don't identify. Don't waist your trials, be honest and transparent about them so you may learn from them and in so doing move on and move up.



The best thing you can do with your troubles is face them...give them to God and begin the healing process. Nobody develops great strength or enduring power without coming against problems and pain, and outlasting them...

So know this for a fact...You are lovable, capable, worthy, talented, gifted, intelligent and strong!

YOU are a child of GOD!

Knowing that...whatever you do, do it to the utmost of your ability. Press against your personal best. Test your own limits. When...not if...but WHEN the breakthrough comes it will result in greater confidence and force of character. When you refuse to break, bow or bend...you will grow in personal power.

Keep moving on! Keep moving up! that is the key to turning yesterday's trials into today's triumphs!

Yet another adlibed exertp from one of the many books I've read, this time the book is "Move on, Move up" by Paula White

I wanted to share this with you to remind you to give thanks not just to our Heavenly Father Yaweh, but to all those individuals along the way that support you, keep you encouraged and will not let you fall. I know that without them and their unconditional love for me I would not be who I am today.

So THANK YOU... for being there for me when I needed you the most. My hope and prayer is that I may be able to repay your love with more of the same and If life should have it that I'm not around...then I trust our Father willplace those individuals inyour life that will be there for YOU as you have been there for me.

From one DIVA to another

The true definition of diva means divine. Yes, we’ve been created to reflect the divine nature of God Himself in all we say and do…

Life is not about the destination; it is all about the journey and the transformation that occurs along the way. AS our minds are renewed, our lives are transformed as a result. What we think affects what we do. What we do attracts a response or reaction that either gets us close enough to grasp what we want or drives us further away from it…

Don’t be too hard on yourself and get hung up on past mistakes or perceived failures. As your understanding becomes more enlightened, remember all the good, bad and ugly have culminated to make you the woman you are today…

True divas don’t seek earthly recognition…theirs is a higher call – to affect nations and kingdoms to come by simply doing what the core of their soul, led by the Spirit of God, directs them to do. They seek no greater glory than accomplishing the task at hand. Pride is not a part of the diva nature because she draws all power from a Source higher and greater than herself. In that, she rests and does what she does best—fulfill her destiny by living up to her name whether the rest of the world knows it or not.”

This is an excerpt from the book I am currently reading, “Unveiling the Diva Mystique” by Michelle McKinney Hammond and I just wanted to share it with some ladies I consider to be Divas in the true meaning of the word…

LOVE ALWAYS,

DIVA TICA
Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 11:18 p.m.