This is me Naturally

Friday, May 13, 2011

Favor of God

To favor means to give special regard to; to treat with goodwill; to show exceptional kindness to someone. Sometimes, it means to show extra kindness in comparison to the treatment of others; that is, preferential treatment. Deuteronomy 28:50 warns of judgment by a "nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young." Though it is natural for us to favor the young in times of affliction or judgment, this nation will not give such favor. Esther received royal favor above all the other virgins (Esther 2:17). It is from this use of favor that we get the word, favorite. The greatest favors are shown to the favorite.
However, favor is not always used in a comparative way toward others. It sometimes simply means that the one favored is shown kindness and treated with a generosity and goodwill far beyond what would normally be expected. This is generally the favor that we receive from the Lord. We are treated much better than we could expect. Of course, every believer is favored to some degree. Therefore, we must understand God's favor in degrees. The more we please God, the more we will be favored by Him. Also, it is important not to think of this favor in material or worldly terms. God's favor most likely will be given in spiritual blessings more than in material blessings. Here are some of the ways by which we obtain the favor of the Lord:

By praying unto the Lord (Job 33:26).
By keeping the commandments of the Lord (Proverbs 3:1-4).
By seeking and finding God's wisdom (Proverbs 8:35).
By diligently seeking good (Proverbs 11:27; 12:2
See All...).
By living righteously (Proverbs 14:9).

There are many benefits of being in the favor of the Lord. Here are some of them:

Our petitions are more likely to be granted (Esther 7:3).
God will compass us with a shield (Psalm 5:12).
We will receive life (Psalm 30:5).
Our enemies will not triumph over us (Psalm 41:11).
God will show mercy (Psalm 119:58).

We can grow in favor both with God and with man-as did the child Samuel (1 Samuel 2:26) and the child Jesus (Luke 2:52). The phrase, to find favor in the eyes of, or, in the sight of, came from the Old Testament. Every saint of God should desire and seek to have favor in the eyes of the Lord. We grow in that favor as we faithfully live for the Lord.
However, this should not be looked upon as some sort of secret formula for getting everything we want. For purposes of His own, God sometimes takes those He loves through special trials. Job is the primary example but similar instances happen in the lives of many. However, if we continually draw closer to the Lord, we will come to dwell in His favor and in His favor is life (Psalm 30:5).
Source: http://www.learnthebible.org/

I just want to thank the Lord for all the favor he has blessed me with. I thank the Lord for favor. I thank God everyday for His Favor for waking me up everyday, allowing me to back and forth in my car. The Lord's favor has gotten me out of bad situations, and the Lord's favor has open doors to new situations and better opportunities. When I am absolutely broke (which happens often since I am a VISTA) and somehow someway I manage to have money to pay all my bills. Favor has touch people heart to give me money.(I don't think y'all understand just how broke I am, I mean, "I'm wanna cry I'm so broke, broke." And I am not joking. Every time I look at my bills, and manage to get them paid, I thank GOD because That's favor!) The angels that surround me everyday and keep me out of harms way, that's favor! The Devil tries to steal your favor. Growing up, my mom would place post-it notes with the word "favor" written throughout the house. On the door, in the kitchen, TV, bathroom mirror, etc. She always told me to never let the Devil steal your favor and every time we looks at the post-it notes, it should reminds us how much favor the Lord has given us.The Lord has used favor to place positive people in my life and assisting me at my job. I am just so thankful for all the favor that he has granted me!

Monday, May 9, 2011

Inspirational Songs that Inspire ME!

I was feeling a bit inspirational tonight. Below I have a couple of songs that I consider to be inspirational and why I think that. Please read and I hope you enjoy. Have a gr8 day!!

First up, This is a beautiful song that expresses gratitude to the people who have always been there for us whenever we need them. These people are the ones who made us who and what we are today; who taught us the amazing things in the world and made us bigger than we thought we could. It’s because of them that we can be where we are today. Without them, there can’t be us today.

Who are the people who have helped make you who you are today? Who have always been there when you’re down? Who opened your eyes to the world? Who guided you every step of the way? Where are they now? Have you stopped to thank them for what they have done? Take a moment and let them know how you feel. You owe them as much.

This second song tells you you don’t have to be afraid of who you are. When you feel fearful and lost, look deep inside. The strength to do what you want, and the answers you seek for in life, have always been inside you all along.There’s always been a hero in your life all along. The hero isn’t anyone else – it’s you.

This is the theme song of 1996 movie Space Jam. I remember they played this song for 5th grade graduation. This song is about how there are no goals and dreams that we can’t achieve. If we can see it, we can do it. It all starts with first believing in our ability :).

The song is about overcoming all obstacles and never giving up in life. As long as we keep pushing, keep persisting, we’ll definitely achieve whatever we set out to achieve.

This last song has already been played on my blog before. But it is a personal favorite for me and it had to be showcased again.. It tells you to leap into your destiny. Don't give up, your blessings are around the corner. Have faith in God and in yourself.

MY FINAL QUESTION TO YOU IS WHAT SONG(S) INPIRE AND MOTIVATE YOU?

Thanks again for reading everyone. Be blessed and I hope you were inspired!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Happy Mother's Day to the Love of My Life...MY MOTHER

For all the times you've been there
from the day I was born
You've always gave me courage
to do as I perform

You call to say hello
you send me notes to say you care
And when we are together
a special moment is shared

For the many things you've done
for all the times you were there
Helps me to know deep down
how much you really care

Even though I might not say it,
I really appreciate all you do
So powerfully blessed is how I feel
for having a mother like you.
I just wanted to take the time to thank the woman that I admire and love with all my heart. My mother. She is a beautiful woman inside and out and I love that she is my biggest cheerleader and always knows what to say. I am not the kind of daughter that likes to talk to my mom on the phone all the time or even everyday, but when we do chat we do have long conversations. I just like to have my space.lol. I believe we have a understanding and no matter where I am in life, I know that if I need anything she will drop what she is doing to assist me or drive down from From Roanoke Va to help me move, or watch me graduate from college, give me money when I need it, to all the way to just talking to me when I need someone to listen to. She is funny and many say that we act a like. So in my head that means she is pretty cool!!!
I found another poem online and I thought it was very fitting too.

Mother and daughter relationships are complex because the daughter looks to her mother as a role model of what a woman is. As she grows up and sees other woman who live their lives differently, she chooses between imitating her mother or other significant influences in her life. As an adolescent she may come to look down on her mother and think that other woman are much better. Of course she is not a fully grown woman so she does not understand the challenges and choices that her mother faces. It is only when she herself becomes a woman that she can fully appreciate her mother.

Source: Mother Daughter Poems http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/family/mother-daughter-poems.

Bodies by Cee Loo Green

I heard this song yesterday for the first time when I was with one of my linesisters. I really like this song. Its really creative and different, then again its Cee Lo Green so I don't know why I was shocked. He is a very talented artist. The video is kind of weird, but I like it because its really artistic. So for that, I like it because its different. Anywho, I hope you all enjoy this song and video as much as I do.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

I LOVE CORINNE BAILEY RAE!!!

Now you are probably thinking, she loves everyone!!! Not true at all, I am a R&B and Neo Soul girl to the core. I would pick that over hip hop. I would pick Jill Scott, India Arie, and Music Soulchild over a Chris Brown, Lil Wanye, and Nicki Minaq or however you spell her name. lol. Below I have attached three of my all time favorite songs by this beautiful artist. Now granted the last song is a remake, but I love her version of this song. SN. this is on subject, but off subject(one of my favorite catch phrases.lol) but I love her hair!!! Anywho like it love it enjoy it

What does being humble mean to you???

Have you taking a slice?

Humility is not something that comes naturally to most, especially in today’s busy competitive society. Everyday, people see others taking advantage of a situation trying to get ahead or make themselves look good and it really doesn’t do anything for them. A humble person is someone who does not boast or try to impress themselves on you. They are generally quiet, meek and typically not self serving. This is a good set of attributes to be seen but is a very difficult trait to be known for since being humble involves so many behaviors in our lives and is really the opposite of the way most people are living their lives.

Question your own Humility

Do you take an opportunity to claim credit for things that you are involved in?
Do you like to be right and to prove what you know?
Maybe you think your job role is more important than the next person or that you are smarter than them?
Are you capable of handling things on your own without help from others?
Are you proud of your accomplishments or do you ever brag about things you do or can do?

If you answered YES to ANY of these questions maybe you are not as humble as you think. Now don't get me wrong, I too, have answer yes to some of these questions from time to time. I love my job and I enjoy telling people what I do. However I do not throw my job in other people's faces. I like telling other people about my job in hopes that after they hear my story they would also want to educate and spread the word to others. I am very proud of my accomplishments, but I def. do not feel that I can do anything byself, it def took a team effect.

Often we can recognize a humble person by related character traits. They are generally calm, courteous, polite, subdued and modest in their behavior and attitudes. A humble attitude is never pompous, proud or arrogant and a humble person does not attempt to belittle others or make them selves look good in comparison. Humble people are easily liked, very approachable and easy to get along with.

I found the list below on ways to be humble from this link :http://learnthis.ca/2008/03/being-humble-action-steps-to-be-more-humble/

Thank Others

Make sure you take every opportunity you have to thank others for what they do and what they help you with. People don’t accomplish anything on their own and it always takes help from others. Thank them for this help. Whether its your boss, spouse, friends, or stranger, thank others for whatever you can. Being humble in other’s eyes means you don’t claim your own accomplishments, and instead, thank others for how they helped, what they did, how they encouraged or supported you, etc. There are always things to thank others for. Find someone each day and thank them for something. That said, I want to thank each of YOU for reading and supporting this site, it wouldn’t exist without you!

Redirect Praise

Redirecting praise is useful to be more humble and modest. If you don’t accept praise outright and instead, redirect it to others who helped you, trained you or even allowed you to do something, you pass on that praise to others without taking the credit directly. Accepting praise doesn’t really make a person less humble, but down playing your significance or importance on something certainly makes you more humble. Knowing and sharing the fact that you were not the reason for some accomplishment goes a long ways in the eyes of others. This is especially important in work groups and it drastically reduces the risk of anyone thinking you take all the credit. If you deflect or redirect all praise and credit given you to others involved and truly believe the fact that you weren’t that significant, you further develop a humble attitude.

You Don’t Have to Be Right

A humble person never tries to out do someone else and make themselves look better or smarter. This includes having to be right. When you try to prove you are right, or even when you say something simple like "I know", you are showing dominance over the other person. Instead of wanting to be right, even if you know something already, simple say, "Interesting, thanks for that." A humble person knows only one thing, that they are NOT always right! If you have an idea to present or a solution to offer, don’t try to convince others that its the right solution. Say something like, "I have an suggestion, although I’m not sure its the right thing to do, since I’m often wrong, which is to [blah blah]…" Make an effort to being humble using these types of suggestions so you don’t come across to others as always having to be right.

It Wasn’t You Who Got You Here

People are constantly striving for success and they often feel very proud of themselves for getting to where they are at. Humble people are not proud and know that they didn’t get themselves here. They know that others helped them, encouraged them and assisted them to get to where they are now. If you recognize this and always see how others help you out, you can be more humble by sharing that fact and not taking credit yourself. This is similar to the first one on the list, where its important to thank others.

Don’t Be First

First is not necessarily a bad thing, however being first can come across as competitive, self promoting or demoting of others. None of those things are common for a humble person. In a group or workplace, if you don’t be first to speak, participate or get involved, you give others a chance to be first. This can be very humbling for several reasons. You may see that others have better or smarter ideas than you had in the first place, you’re not the only one capable of the task or message and that you aren’t necessarily needed as much as you would like to think you are. These are very humbling realizations so if want to learn to be more humble, next time you have a chance to be first, don’t!

Appreciate Everything

So many things around us are not our doing, we often forget to see our own insignificance since we get so focused on our own lives and accomplishments. Well to be humble, its importance to recognize and appreciate all the wonderful things around us. Appreciate the place you live, the health, wealth and happiness you experience or have opportunity for. Appreciating things adds greatly to a person’s humility and knowing that we have so much to be thankful for builds on many of the other items in this list. Look around in nature and at the beauty of life sometime and just take it in for a few moments. Think of the world and the awesome creation that God has provided you, and its impossible NOT to be humbled. Show this appreciation in your life and spirit and it will certainly help you be more humble.

Listen More Than You Speak

Similar to the item above, "Don’t Be First" it applies to listening in a more broad sense. Listening more than you speak can be very powerful and if you use this you can learn many things about others and practice humility in how you respond. It gives you time to think and provides time for others to share their own opinions. Listening more can be very respectful to others, and you can learn a lot more by listening to others than you can by speaking.

Don’t Judge Others

Last but not least, a very important aspect of being humble is to not judge others. Judgment is a dangerous thing and you can’t stay open minded, receptive to ideas, empathetic or appreciative of others if you are judging them or their ideas. Everyone is different and have different ideas and when you judge those, you are really showing that you have some overseeing significance or power to make a judgment call, which you certainly don’t if you want to be a humble person. So, to be more humble, practice leaving others to show themselves over time and to let their ideas play out without judgment. Definitely, make an effort not to express judgment and don’t talk about people behind their backs. This is just another form of judgment and shows dominance, so don’t judge others, and you will be more humble.

I hope this list is helpful and that each of you can take some of these steps to being more humble. I know that writing and researching this has been a bit humbling for myself, since I know I don’t do all of these things. I obviously have my work cut out for me

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

THE LAZY SONG BY BRUNO MARS

EVERYONE HAS THOSE DAYS WHEN YOU JUST DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING. YOU JUST WANT TO SIT IN YOUR PJ'S AND DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. WELL TODAY IS THAT DAY FOR ME. ITS RAINING OUTSIDE AND ITS NOT EVEN YOUR TYPICAL RAIN. ITS THAT NASTY RAIN, THAT RAIN THAT HAS YOU TRAPPED IN YOUR ROOM OR OFFICE RAIN. I WENT TO WORK, BUT ALL I WANNA DO IS GO HOME AND DO NOTHING. I SHOULD HAVE CALLED IN, BUT INSTEAD I AM BLOGGING.LOL. THIS SONG IS PERFECT FOR WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT. SEE I TOLD YOU THERE IS A SONG FOR ANY AND EVERYTHING IN LIFE. MAN, SOMETIMES I WISH I HAD MY OWN BACKGROUND MUSIC THAT WOULD PLAY DURING EPIC AND NOT SO EPIC TIMES IN MY LIFE. ANYWHO I LOVE THIS SONG, HOPE YOU DO TOO!!!!!

Monday, May 2, 2011

I LOVE BOBBY V

Below I have three of my favorite singles by Bobby V. Two of the three songs never made it the radio but I wish they did. I personally feel like he is an underrated artist. He is a very talented young man. I wish he would get more more shine. I hope you enjoy!!

Bonus video... I love the "words" single by Bobby V... It is so beautiful... I heard the remix with my boo/ favorite artist in the world. The KING OF R&B, R.KELLY, so I had to feature this single too. Enjoy. SN.i love r.kelly, sigh =)