Humbly Yours by Val Crawford

Remain in HIM

ABBA FATHER – Thank YOU once again for the opportunity to share with another. Thank YOU for YOUR Word. Speak LORD! YOUR servant-daughter is listening! Let the words that flow from this pen provide edification, strengthen, and to provide peace and a hope where needed in the Matchless Name LORD JESUS!

If you remain in ME and MY Words remain in you, ask what you will and it will be granted to you …

(John 15:7)

P.R.A.Y.E.R.

P-raise  -  Glorify, Honor, Adore, Worship

R-epentance  -  sorrow, remorse, regret

A-doration  -  Esteem, Admiration, Respect, Worship

Y-ES to HIS Will!  … Enough said?

E-xultation  -  Euphoric, Ecstatic Delight

R-everence  - Amazed Astonishment, Worship

It makes sense, doesn’t it? “If you remain in ME and MY Words remain in you,” … ask for what you want … and I will give it to you. Just like that. BUT … in the words of wise, ole, Rafiki of ‘The Lion King,’ “Look haarrrder…”

Pay attention, Beloved! It’s a set-up!  Yes, it is! A wonderful set-up … but a set-up, indeed!

If you remain in HIM and HIS Words remain in you, you will soon discover that the words coming out of your mouth … wait for it! … are HIS Words! And THAT is not a bad thing at all! Because ABBA FATHER has a Plan for you! And it is a Plan to bring you a future and a Hope (that is to say, “expectations full of confidence!”); a Plan for your Good and not evil; GOD plans for you (us) to be in Good health, even as your (our) soul flourishes!

Ahh … Now I get it! ‘Remain in ME! Keep MY Words in you! I ALWAYS Honor MY WORD!

If HIS Words are in me – if I am feeding on and filling up on HIS WORD, HIS WORD is going to start coming out of me! And when HE hears “the words that are coming out of my mouth,” HE recognizes it as HIS WORD! As my words (will) shift to HIS (Words) WILL for me… as I start to regurgitate HIS WILL, in words and actions, HE Honors HIS WORD!! And the Good News is HIS WORD will not return to HIM empty! HE WILL Act on HIS PROMISES!

As we walk in (remain in) HIS Word, get ready for Advancement! Get ready for Increase! Get ready to Expand! Get ready for ELEVATION!!!

So, let us Glorify HIM with worship-full adoration; Let us be so remorseful that we turn away from anything that makes HIM sad; Let us with respectful admiration say YES to HIS WILL; and then with Euphoric Ecstatic Delight, continue in Astonished Amazement at the open-ended Blessings that HE continues to shower is in, Worship HIM with our whole hearts!

Val Crawford

Contributing Writer

Check out my new book. Pre-orders are happening! https://pearlygatespublishing.com/diesel-dittleberrys-diva

      Trinette Collier Greene

Q:  My husband makes less money than I do and although I’ve always told him that it didn’t matter, he seems to have a huge issue with it. It is starting to affect our relationship and I’m not sure of how to handle it. What shall I do?

Signed: C.M. ~ MoneyDon’tMatter

A: This is a very sensitive topic because men have always been taught to be the breadwinner of the household…no matter what. As we know, the salaries for women have increased over the past decade. Some households have not been affected by the change. The man has not felt pressured to prove to his wife that he can provide. Whereas, the majority of households have had some conversations about income and role reversals. It is usually the pressure of society that has come between the man and his family. This has created chaos in the household.

There has to be a gentle conversation between you and him. I always suggest praying first and ask God how should you begin this conversation. Let your husband know first hand that it is you, him and God when making financial decisions. He is still the man of the home and the roles have not been reversed. Create a budget and build. Let him know that he contributes much more than he thinks and it doesn’t always have to come in the form of money. I know you have reassured him many times that he is still the head of the household. Keep reaffirming that for him because it is a bit rough for men in these times. Bottom line, at the end of your day, it’s you, he and God and no one should know your financial status but you all!

Until next time, love, live and laugh!

Love,
AunT

Trinette Collier Greene is a
Certified Relationship Stylist 

and
Contributing Writer

Submit your relationship questions to AskAunT@gmail.com

Model P31 Fit by Bridget McCray

Do You Have A Plan
for Your Health?

We make plans for lots of things, don’t we? Where we want to live, how much money we’d like to make, where our children will go to school…the list goes on. Yet, for many, there is no plan for their health.

We often go through our daily lives of busyness, giving little thought to what we’re putting into these amazingly complex bodies in which we live. We have the tendency to forget that we only have one while we’re on this earth. Maybe, it’s just me.

Actually, it used to be me…until I had a health scare. Once I was faced with that very real challenge, I knew my perspective about food would definitely need to change. It was imperative that I learned how to start making better choices.

As my husband explained at the time, food is fuel for our bodies. Just as we would not put regular unleaded gas into a vehicle that requires premium unleaded, we should take care to put the best possible “fuel” into our bodies, which are worth much more than any automobile.

So…your mind is made up, and you’re ready to make some changes. Great! You may be asking yourself, “Now what?? Where in the world do I begin??”

Consider drafting a simple plan, then making it S.M.A.R.T, as we discussed last month. For example:

General goal: “I am going to eat less salt.”

S.M.A.R.T. goal: “I’m going to decrease my sodium intake by only eating fast food for lunch two days a week, instead of five, and by accurately tracking it via my favorite health app, in order to lower my elevated blood pressure by the end of this month.”

Breakdown
Specific: decrease sodium intake with only two days of fast food

Meaningful: “lower my elevated blood pressure”

Action-oriented: eating fast food for just two days; accurately tracking sodium intake using an app

Realistic: fast food lunch for two days, instead of five

Timely: “by the end of this month”

If we don’t decide to take our health seriously, who will? Truthfully, no one can do that for us; it is our responsibility. We can pray until the proverbial cows come home, but we still have our part to do. Faith without works is dead. (James 2:20)

Again, consider creating a simple plan, and make it S.M.A.R.T. Remember, we crawl before we walk, so be encouraged. You likely won’t reach your goals overnight, but consistent effort (not “perfection”) will get you there sooner than you may think!

There are family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers who love us and depend on us. Why not do all we can do to have the best quality of life possible to share with those whom we love and who love us?

If you’d like to hear more about how I was able to turn my own health around, by the grace of God, without gimmicks and with long-lasting results, I invite you to check out my book, H.E.A.L.T.H.: It’s Not Rocket Science (My Journey to a Healthier Me), for more encouragement and motivation.

Until next time, don’t forget to work your plan!

Author, H.E.A.L.T.H.: It’s Not Rocket Science (My Journey to a Healthier Me)

Available at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com in both paperback and eBook formats!

Booking Information
Please visit www.bridgetmccray.com

Bridget McCray

Contributing Writer

Mindset Matters by Cassandra Williams-Herbert

Follow Your Heart

The sense of the meaning “ follow your heart” is a big question. What I discovered when I began to listen to my heart is, I was not totally happy and many times I was doubtful. Your heart is what we have learned to use to connect with others or things that bring one satisfaction.

Let your heart and mind work together as a team. Many years ago, I walked away from something that I loved with all my heart. The more I looked at the situation, the more questions and excuses I found to stay away.

When you allow yourself to follow your heart the more comfortable you become in your spirit.

However, this situation does not come with a date; you must take that initial leap of faith to get the process going. Life is unknown, but anything that we do has unknown outcomes.

There are events in our lives that will bring clarity right to you. It may come from a stranger, TV show, song on the radio, and now premade Facebook posts or motivational messages. You only have to know your next step, and the next step can be given to you by listening to your heart and mind.

Following your heart will lead you on a road of looking at other people living the life they desire with questions. Following your heart will lead you wondering how did it happen for them. Following your heart will teach you how to take action.

The key factor is you have to trust the process. Understand the difference in your life plan verse others. Most essentially develop trust in yourself.

“Destiny comes with Directions™” your path won't look like others even though you may come across similar roads. No one can give you the exact steps for following your heart, but what I can do is share my experiences about my quest for following my heart.Most people overlook messages from their heart but I encourage you to take note. Get your mind clear. Prepare yourself for the results it produces in your life.

Cassandra Williams-Herbert

Contributing Writer

   Trinette Collier Greene

Q:  My husband doesn’t like going to the doctor and I’m really concerned about his health. His family has a history of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. I recently read that these diseases are silent killers for black men. How do I get my husband to get checked out?

Signed: C.S.W. ~ Concerned Wife

A:  I do understand your concern. Men tend to become very stubborn and will have a ‘tantrum’ when asked to go to the doctor. As a wife, I have to constantly beg my husband to go visit his doctor. It is frustrating because I know he will fuss and even cancel the appointments but I will reschedule! I’ve cried and cried for my husband to care about his health, however, I also had to ‘back’ off because nagging will definitely deter them from going. I literally had to pray and ask God to give me what to say and do. He showed me how to approach him gently and we were able to go to the doctor.

When we arrived at the doctor, he gave his physician permission to speak with me. I quickly pulled out my list of questions and it was on from there! He still doesn't take the initiative to contact his physician but he will talk to me if there's something concerning him. 

You have to step back and pray about it. Ask your Primary Care Physician how to have that conversation with your husband. Do not nag or frustrate in the process. Get as much information from his next of kin and pray. Let him know how much you love him and want him around for a long time!

Until next time, take a moment to laugh, love, live and breathe life!

Love,
AunT

Trinette Collier Greene is a
Certified Relationship Stylist 

and
Contributing Writer

Submit your relationship questions to AskAunT@gmail.com

Model P31 Moms by Bridget McCray

Detour or End of the Road?

While on the way to teach a fitness class one morning, I was driving in the lane I normally use to get to the next highway. What I didn’t realize was that, due to construction, the traffic pattern had changed from the previous week. This meant the lane in which I was driving would no longer take me to where I wanted to go.

I felt frustrated because I’d missed my exit and knew I’d have to go farther than usual to get off the highway and get to the right path. I exited as soon as I could and pulled up my destination. The voice map said to turn left, yet my instinct said to do the opposite since that was the general direction I needed to go. 

I followed my gut, knowing there had to be an easier way to get to the correct highway and traveling in the right direction, which turned out to be the case. The detour took about ten minutes, yet I still arrived safely to my destination and was even 45 minutes early.

So…why did I share all of this? Life lessons, of course! I had to choose to:

1. Own the mistake (Having to make a detour for not paying closer attention)
2. Make the necessary adjustments, based on what I knew (General direction of my destination)
3. Follow my instinct (Actually, drive in the direction I “felt in my gut”)

As parents, are we willing to do these same things regarding our children:

1. Own the mistakes we make with them? Perhaps:

• Not setting clear boundaries
• Speaking to them as though they were less than human, in the name of “establishing authority” 
• Ignoring them
• Admitting that we’re learning too, and don’t always get it right

2. Make the necessary adjustments based on what we know? Maybe: 

• Considering a change in our approach to communication to ensure they understand what we’re trying to convey
• Discontinuing the notion of “that’s just how I’ve always done it”
• Allowing them to respectfully have a voice

3. Follow our instinct? (For me, the Holy Spirit) 

• Being willing to break traditions that are useless
• Taking actions that may not make logical sense, but “something” inside says you should 

There is NO perfect parent on earth; that includes us. We ALL have room to grow, no matter the ages of our children. As long as we’re still breathing, there’s still time. What a blessing and a privilege to serve in this wonderful role, having opportunities to positively impact generations to come!

God has wonderful plans for His children for His glory. Be encouraged: A detour does not have to mean the end of the road! 

Bridget McCray

Contributing Writer

Author, H.E.A.L.T.H.: It’s Not Rocket Science (My Journey to a Healthier Me)

Available at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com in both paperback and eBook formats!

Booking Information
Please visit www.bridgetmccray.com