The Mindset Shift

The image is taken from https://isha.sadhguru.org/  

What are dreams? I thought about what this concept of a dream, really means. In one aspect we think of the grandeur of things, places, and a way of being in life that seems so unattainable. Society causes us to believe that all that we have imagined in our subconscious mind is outside of our reach.

    Biblically dreams had a different impact on the dreamer, and even those around them. Moreover, I do not wish to give insight into dreams in this discourse but to face a realization that is often time not taught in our daily life.

    In all of our lives, we are faced with numerous experiences where sometimes they were lessons learned, and sometimes we paid a high price to learn those lessons. Furthermore, when we reflect on our lives and the tapestry we have hewn, let there be no regrets! Why can I say this? Because you have life. Your decision has brought you to this juncture and all you can do is seek the knowledge of the one who created you. 

    You have come to a point in your life where you realize, "yes, I have made some mistakes." However, this is the hour of realization that brings us to the understanding that the way we have tried will only lead to unaccomplished dreams and an unrealistic sense of peace and joy.

    Where am going with all of this babble? Well, I am trying to bring you into the knowledge of a real place called the Kingdom of Heaven. Moreso, how our sub-par existence, depending only on human understanding has been so distorted and misconceptualized from the time we were able to understand the sound of our own voice. We regurgitate what has been infiltrated into our minds by the ones that came before us.

    We developed through the years learning what our parents taught us from a diction of what their parents and fore-parents taught them. Now, I speak for myself that I am one confused human being. However, I realized at a point in my life when Jesus found me, that life did not have to be so complicated. Yes, it will have its problems and troubles but I don't have to struggle through it all.

    If I can be completely honest with you; friend, I have had my ups and downs, valley times, and mountain-top moments. But the hardest part is not being able to preconceptualize the vision the creator had for my life, for your life. We remain stuck until that moment of revelation comes and now we must walk in truth, the truth of God's word. Someone dear once told me, "the only truth is the one that you believe." I have come to dismantle that system of belief today. It does not mean; only, because you believe something that makes it true. To know the truth according to Dr. Myles Munroe is to know the creator and to know his mind concerning his creation. He further states, "All I know is what I have learned."

    In seeking truth we find our purpose. When we find purpose we are compelled to not remain seated in a place of stuckness. I no longer chose to operate at a lower level than which I was created to operate. We are spiritual beings existing in a physical dispensation. If we are to take on the mindset that we are from a kingdom that is not of the world. One to which God has given us dominion when he expanded his Kingdom on the earth, then will we be able to operate at an elevated level. Don't quit dreaming, but as you dream live the life that God intended for you.

Thanks For reading as you continue to be enlightened. 

How do we Rejoice in Suffering?

 I am glad you have chosen to share this study with me on 'How to Rejoice in Suffering?'  

"Not only so, but rejoice in  our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance ; perseverance, character; and character, hope."Romans 5:3

We all go through some form of suffering in life. Sometimes we have individualized our 'suffering' to the point of reference of how each of us views this thing called suffering.

We must first define what suffering is, to bring a wider perspective out of something we have so commonly individualized. According to wiktionary.org, suffering is the condition of someone who suffers; a state of pain or distress. Wikipedia expands these conditions to be 

"Qualifiers, such as physical, mental, emotional, and psychological, are often used to refer to certain types of pain or suffering. In particular, mental pain (or suffering) may be used in relationship with physical pain (or suffering) for distinguishing between two wide categories of pain or suffering.

The New King James Version (NKJV) uses the term tribulation, and the New International Version (NIV) uses suffering. Other versions use other terms such as troubles and afflictions.

My hope is that as you read on, you come to the understanding of how to rejoice in suffering. The Greek word thlipsis translates suffering to mean;

1. a pressing, pressing together, pressure
2.  metaph. oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits

This suffering may be in the form of physical pressing or psychological pressing. Now let us define the meaning of the word rejoice which the writer uses. Rejoice (kauchaomai) means:-

1. to glory (whether with reason or without)
2. to glory on account of a thing
3. to glory in a thing

Now it is not deliberate that we caused to seek further understanding of what it means to "glory".

I share this with you for better understanding according to Strong's Concordance;

 

2744 kauxáomai – properly, living with "head up high," i.e. boasting from a particular vantage point by having the right base of operation to deal successfully with a matter (see WP at 2 Cor 5:12). 

[2744 (kauxáomai) likely comes from the root, auχēn ("neck"), i.e. what holds the head up high (upright); figuratively, it refers to living with God-given confidence.

 "To glory,"  speaks of your vantage point being held where you will not allow yourself to be buried low beneath your suffering to hold fast to the hope of the trust of God's word and his promises concerning you.

When we are going through sometimes it feels like we are not going to make it out of that place. It is an uncomfortable place. Our instinct of fight or flight kicks into gear you either fight with no desirable change in the outcome, or you try to run, only to feel like you are surrounded by the burden of these troubles.  

Luke 21: 19 states, "By standing firm you will gain life."  We all sometimes wish the road would be easy so that we could enjoy more joyful and peaceful days. However, understand today that your joy and your peace do not come from where you are positioned but from a posture of praise. 

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

The valley does not determine our praise and the mountain does not determine our posture. a position of unwavering faith causes us to hope and rejoice, knowing "this too shall pass."

The verses in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 talk about troubles being temporary. 

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

To rejoice is to hold one head high in the understanding that our element of faith must be tested; therefore we go through with our heads held high confident that the testing of our faith works in us the ability to persevere. To hold one's head high takes on the meaning of a spiritual posture of believing, hoping, and trusting in the author and finisher of our faith. When you reflect on your life and consider all the pains and anguish you have had to face, aren't you glad that you were tested?

We boast in God's ability to deliver and the power of his glory to work in us all things to ward the perfecting of our faith. 

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised; Hebrews 10:23

How do we rejoice, we take on a posture where we stand in solidarity with the truth of God's word, we know that under pressure you have the ability to press into his presence for the peace that passes all understanding. You may not understand the circumstance as it were but you know that a loving God is using the pressure to create in your maturity, and finally hope in the reward that is to be given. We persevere to receive an eternal crown, an everlasting fellowship in the presence of God.

 "Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.1:19 Or vindication; or salvation 20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death."

 We are told, in Hebrews 10, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for He is faithful that promised” (vs. 23). We, the faithful, are to “hold fast the profession of our faith.” This means that, since we claim to have hope in Jesus and since we say we are saved and headed to Heaven, we are to live out that hope by remaining faithful to Him.

To God be all glory, honor, and praise! Continue to press on to win the prize of eternal glory, Amen.

Faith, the Fabric of our Lives

   

     We live our lives according to patterns we've learned and prescribed by those who were influential in our lives until we come into a consciousness of God who fashions us to fulfill his purpose on earth.

     I reflect back to a time in my teenage years when the folly of my youth would influence the trials of my young life. 

    I grew up in a God-fearing home where my Grandfather was the epitome of what looked like Holy living. They were so many stories that surfaced to refute what that 'holiness' meant for those that knew him. 

    The one and only caution for my mother was that her girls never missed Sunday School. As I grew I remembered memory verses and was even able to quote a few of them in the KingJames Version. I remembered starting high school in 1998 and it was the most rebellious year of my life. Amongst the casualty of a step-parent, absentee father, and misguided desires, I never really think, did I know God? I don't really think so! I knew of him and that I had to attend church every Sunday. Even after the passing of the patriarch of my home, church-going was always encouraged, even when you were too sick to go.

    My life from 1998 to 2003 was so compartmentalized it was appalling. I had a church life, a home life, and a school life. If you were to view me in those different places respectively, the fabric of my life seemed so inconsistent. All in all the plans and the purposes of God will prevail. I never doubted there was a God; however, sometimes I questioned if he did exist because of all mess that transpired from time to time. I do believe that without the Spirit of God it is impossible to believe that God exists. 

Moreover, God will use things in nature to increase the measure of faith that he has placed inside all of us. I lived life according to my own understanding and I have done this for years. In my most recent years, I acknowledged how the consequences of our own choices can be dire if not Holy Spirit-led.

God is so gracious that his mercy looks beyond our, faults, and choices and sees our need for him. 

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death."

                                                                        Proverbs 14:12

    I have experience obstacles, hurdles, contention, disappointments, and self-defeating behaviors and choices which contended against my purpose. However, God's plan is always greater and it takes every experience you will ever go through to bring you to a realization that you are worth more to God than what your life dictates presently.

    A single-parent household, the resentment of a father, an aunt taking on the role f the patriarch, sexual and verbal abuse, suicidal thought and dissension, victims of decision, a soul that hungers for belonging more pain derived from such imbalances. Every experience is unique but what is common is that need and hunger for love and to belong, safety, and security, are chief human desires. We would never understand until we have come through that we gain knowledge of the fact that God is always at work in every aspect of our lives.

    In the twenty-seventh year, another decision of the intellect would cost me security, peace, and resources. At the same time, the God who sees working in the mess that caused me not to falter but placed me amongst His flock who would help to strengthen me and polish that which he has placed inside me to bring it into reality. Even in the mess, God established His word concerning my purpose and caused the decision I made to not take me out. 

    Thirty-six years later, I realize that I can't afford to make another decision without the leading of the Holy Spirit. I realize I don't want spurts of Glory but I desire to walk in the fullness therein.  I cannot delay the next decade of my life because of my selfish desires but to truly trust God with every step I would dare take. No, I am not perfect but I know that I don't want to waste no more of my life on what I think. 

    Through sin, we were separated from God and throughout our experiences, the measure of our God-given faith begins to take shape as it is germinated by the interventions of God. My prayer is that the fabric of your life will be interwoven with the faith to believe Christ is and that he is a rewarder of them that seek him diligently.

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."

                                                                          Hebrew 11:6 

Beckoning the Billows

Oh, system of law-

Abiding citizens have become liable to rulership of self-interest.

 Neglecting the responsibility of putting others first. 

Self-serving perpetrators reason; once their joy is complete Kingdom assignments are being fulfilled. 

Now captivated by adversarial entanglements, we find it hard to break free but have not sought freedom.

Your mind tied to a set of ideas that goes utterly against the laws of Kingdom. 

We preach power, not peace. For Matthew says you, peacemakers have the kingdom of Heaven.

Vain pursuits of the money bag no one wants to see God. 

Pride has taken fold. How the mighty has fain to proceed down a path of no return less God sends Angelic enforcements.

You wrestle with authority the same authority you try to gain. But how fleeting is time? 

I pray rescue comes before it's too late. Cinderella would not have gotten the glass shoe. Yet she not created equally, had unique feet. Nonglamorous metaphors used to paint you a picture that God is not a God of the counterfeit. 

Hopefully, you realize there is only one you.

The mighty tumble, but the humble, Exalted king of the whole earth. 

He sees the untruth tellers, the cheats, the injustices done but the hunger of the One who hungers and thirst for justice is satiated. 

How dare you call yourself light walkers wandering around in dark shadows. 

Forget, relent, return to everything that is not self-seeking, world praising. 

For your reward of the Kingdom is imperishable. 

So Romans beckons, be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, yes 12:2, says that you, may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Amen.

Faith to See with God's Eyes

   

Faith that cannot see will not experience
 manifestation.

     I walk into a dark room and I prayed I would be able to access what I needed without bumping my foot and getting hurt in the process. Then I received the revelation that is exactly how faith operates. God does not want us to hurt but to come to the level of understanding of how to use our faith sense in the darkest of times. 

 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jermiah 29:11 (NLT)

 It is in that moment of darkness, not having a map or blueprint of where you are going or how you are going to get there, that the reality of faith is experienced. This is the time the wisdom of God should become active in our lives so that we can access 'her' for guidance. The Holy Spirit knows how to get you to where you are destined. However, this aligns when you take that step of faith, moving in the darkness, the mind of God is tethered to your mind that you gain access to the darkness that manifests itself in the light. God is our eyes to gain access to supernatural things. 

    It is easy to navigate a space when you have traversed it time and time again. That is not faith! Your experiences give you confidence after you have come through the circumstances. The knowledge of going through something that you have not yet experienced; you knowing that you are going to get through requires faith. Faith that is matured. 

    You have goals but not access, you have reach but don't know the journey of getting there. All of this requires God's eyes. Faith to the level of not just your expectation but of dimensions that supersedes the natural. Like I was explaining earlier, you take a blindfold and cover your eyes. You set of goal of an object you want to reach and tangibly retrieve. You set out on the journey in that room you have traversed to create reach. You have knowledge of the layout of this room to guide you. Consider that maybe this integrated element that was interwoven inside of you that you did not place there yourself. Your potential to bump your foot and fall hit your face on a table, and receive a concussion is at one hundred percent. 

    Do you take the risk to attain reach of that which you seek to obtain? Faith is a risk. It propels you to take action but in wisdom. Blind faith is a thing. This is where you walk blindly in a space of the unknown not trusting in anything or just trusting in yourself. We don't want that type of faith. We want to propagate the type of faith that operates in the wisdom of God. Many people walk through life with their eyes wide shut which leads them to destruction. Their vision is linear. Some can only see what is in front of their noses. Faith's vision is circular. It is dependent on the wisdom of God to give lead and direction within the four cardinal points. Fear that you become fugitive to blind faith.

Growing Pains

Photo credit: Tanya ChaponovaThe DeepThoughts Painting 

     For six-years, I have walked in a place where I now believe, I may have settled. I was enthusiastic about a career path for growth, development, and continuous acceleration.  Growth and development turned into stagnation. At least that is how it felt to me. I went through a period of feeling despondent. Though I loved my profession, I sought ways to escape the environment.

    Inclining your ear to the heart of God positions you to fulfill assignments to benefit his people. Being in a career that was becoming a dead-end was not the end to my growth, but the end of an assignment.

    Under the weight of the pressure of the weight of every assignment, there is that slight chance that you can abort your purpose. Moreover, there is a God who is faithful to strengthen you and gird you up for the journey ahead.

    It is natural to become callous about the assignment. How do you stay focused? It is like a train that almost becomes derailed. Through inspection, qualification, maintenance, and training one can assess potential hazards. The sooner we realize the dangers of our decisions we can avert the consequences that lay wait.

    So I pivoted and readjusted my mindset and did what I always did, waited on the Lord.

Isaiah 40:31 states, But 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.

    In my field of work as a microbiologist, I was responsible for training new employees. I loved my work and the people. However, my assignment was quite different. It was to be a light in a place that was dark and cold.

    I struggled when I started my journey, the tears, fears, pain, anger, motivations, were all part of the journey of becoming. God knows our end from our beginning. It is learning to trust him with our insecurities that makes all the difference.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139:16

    God will always prepare you for the place he takes you. It is your willingness to be processed and allowing the strength of God to bear the weight of your burdens

    I have now come into a new land, and the opportunity is great, yet burdensome. Moreover, with all that I have observed in this new season of my life requires a sober mind. I realize that where I am now, it was never a case of development; moreso, a case of the establishment.

    Never allow the fear or trepidation of thinking that you are not worthy enough to walk before Kings. Understand that God is the one who qualifies you. I thank God for His Spirit which has revealed to me the weight of the assignment. As I am sharpened in this new place of unfamiliarity, I trust God for the strength and the capacity to be a beacon of His light in the darkest places.

Women in Business Feature Shundell Osborne- The Teacherpreneur

Deborah's Muse sat down in an interview with Shundell Osborne, a teacherpreneur. Shundell has been teaching for 31 years and owns her own school for 7 years. She professed that with all she has invested, "it is not about the income but about the outcome." She also urged parents to not compare their children.

"I press on."

Deborah’s Muse: Who is Shundell Osborne? 

Shundell: I am Shundell Patricia Osborne. I am the fourth child of my parents, born in the month of May. I'm dark and beautiful with a unique personality. I'm a teacher by profession for 31 years. I've taught in the public school for seventeen years, then migrated to the Bahamas where I taught for six years. Then I migrated back to my beautiful homeland where I taught at the New Guyana school for one year after which I followed my dream and launch my own school. Colors OF LIFE PLAYSCHOOL.

Deborah’s Muse: What service does your business provide? 

Shundell: My business provides an Educational service opened to the public. A right start for a brighter future.  Clean safe fun learning environment Where we cater to your child's five spices, social, physical, intellectual, cognitive, and educational needs. Small classroom setting and very affordable.

Deborah’s Muse: Where is your business located?

Shundell: Colours of life playschool is located in the heart of Vergenoegen at Lot 4  Markenday street.

Deborah’s Muse: How can you be contacted? 

Shundell: I can be contacted via telephone, email, or Whatsapp. My contact information is as follows landline number:260 -2082 cell phone number; 6732495 and my email address is 0sborneshundell@gmail. com. If you call,  text, or email me and don't get an immediate response I  will get back to you as soon as I am available.

Deborah’s Muse: Describe briefly your academic journey? 

Shundell: My academic journey was one with lots of hurdles, but like the saying goes the race is not for the swift but for those who endure to the end. My journey began at the Vergenoegen Nursery School then at the Philadelphia Primary school where I spent my primary years. After writing the SSEE examination I was awarded a place at the Vergenoegen Community High school. I further pursuit of my goals at the Cyril Potter College of Education where I  received my class one grade one early childhood certificate.

Deborah’s Muse: What was your motivation behind choosing teaching as a career? 

Shundell: As a child growing up, teaching was never something I wanted to do. I was aspiring to become a nurse but because I wasn't of the right age I was persuaded by my fathe to choose another career.  His advice was '"you will do good teaching at a nursery school". Being the youngest on the job I was motivated and encouraged by the H.M (Head Mistress) and teachers at the school. So hats off to the previous H.M and staff members at the Vergenoegen nursery school. (staff members of 1989-2006)

Deborah’s Muse: Were there challenges in pursuing your academic goals? 

Shundell: Yes they were challenges some greater than some but with God in the picture and a great support team behind I was able to climb those hurdles with ease

Deborah’s Muse: How did you use your career as an Educator to establish your business model? 

Shundell: As an educator, I was taught not to show favoritism among no one you treat everyone the same no matter their socio-economic status, race, cultural background, etc. My business targets the public at large.  Most of my customers I  taught them at the Vergenoegen nursery school so they are eager to have me teach their children. Another is my years of teaching in the business arena. I have a wide knowledge and experience that would attract customers. People from in and out of vergenoegen attend my school. So there is not a problem where the school is located I'm an individual attraction and a household name.

Deborah’s Muse: Some people truly possess the gift of teaching. What character traits you possess that channeled you to become successful as you ventured into the business arena? 

Shundell: As for me teaching is an art and you have to love it to do it. It's not the income for me but the outcome, making sure that a child develops holistically. Children must feel loved, a sense of security, and eagerness to go to school because of the teacher's approach towards them. We need to realize as teachers the children are our future . So if we beat and abuse them physically,  mentally, and emotionally we are destroying them. Let's encourage them and mold and fashion them in the right way. Correct them in love speak being into them and you would see what they can do.

Deborah’s Muse: What was the largest obstacle you encountered while expanding your business? 

Shundell: The biggest difficulty in getting my business off the ground was public awareness.

Deborah’s Muse: What is one fundamental principle you profess to live by as a business owner? 

Shundell: Humbleness and determination are my priced character traits.  These are what channeled me to be successful as I ventured off into the business arena. Combining these with focusing and setting my eyes on the price led me to bigger success.

Deborah’s Muse: How has the SAR CoV-2 also known as COVID 19 affected your business? 

Shundell:Because of this virus my school was severely affected. My  school was closed since 16 th  March 2020  until the 30th April  2021. During that period no teaching was done so the children was at a  great disadvantage.

Deborah’s Muse: If it was business as usual, what preventative action did you employ to protect your clients? 

Shundell: All the covid 19 guidelines and protocol would have been followed.

Deborah’s Muse: What was the biggest difficulty in getting your business off the ground? 

Shundell: Finance was the largest obstacle I encountered as I expanded my business.The demands for a larger workforce and the ability to employ someone with the appropriate intelligence and requirements.

Deborah’s Muse: What advice would you give your fellow women who are having difficulty starting that business? 

Shundell: My advice to my fellow women who are having difficulty starting that business is that in everything you do put God first. Stay focus and humble. Have positive people to guide you and follow after your dreams.