Have a Blessed & Happy New Year!!!!
“Live like there’s no tomorrow. Love like you’re on borrowed time. Always remember: It’s good to be alive.” ~ Jason Gray
Tag Archives: Inspirational
I Still Believe
So my family and I watched this raw and poignant documentary (see movie trailer above) about gospel singer and songwriter, Russ Taff. Such a moving and candid story about six GRAMMY® awards and nine Gospel Music Association Dove Awards talented singer, hailed by Billboard Magazine as “the single most electrifying voice in Christian music.” YET, when one would consider him at the top of the world, he struggled deeply with depression, emotional pain, and despair in many ways.
NEWS FLASH: No one is perfect except the Lord God Almighty! I have NOT arrived, and neither have you! As Christians, we ALL have a cross to bear, working out our salvation with fear and trembling, fighting the good fight of faith. You may be at the top of your game, but I bet you have a struggle, a needling if you will, in your decaying flesh you wish you could overcome – yesterday! Well, don’t stop praying and believing. We work out our salvation by going to the very source of our salvation—the Word of God—wherein we renew our hearts and minds … daily.
In viewing this movie, I appreciated Russ Taff’s honesty and he never tried to gloss it over. He spoke about his religious, strict upbringing (talk about legalism), his own personal shame, and debilitation guilt in struggling with an addiction he tried to bury and hide. He loathed himself. So, if we struggle with our earthly parents, will it not be difficult to see our Heavenly Father as loving and forgiving of our own flaws? And if we loathe ourselves, then how can we comprehend and accept God’s perfect love for us?
When you look at yourself in the mirror, what do you see? Some of us are gonna have to open our eyes by faith here!
At the end of this movie, I took away a lot of golden nuggets.
But one interesting term (I had just never heard before): Covert Incest – it is also known as emotional incest, a type of abuse in which a parent looks to their child for the emotional support that would be normally provided by another adult. Wow! I know now what I wished I had known regarding my own childhood so long ago. Such a revelation for me!
I highly recommend this inspirational film – do not miss it!
Thank you, Russ, for your candid testimony about your life as a Christian. And thank you for coming to Texas and visiting our church, The Freedom Center, in 2012. I also thank you and your precious wife, Tori, for not giving up on God and on each other. I love you guys!
The best comment was from Tori herself, “Russ is a grateful recovering alcoholic, saved by grace!”
My all-time favorite song by Russ Taff:
© M.A. Pérez, 2018, All Rights Reserved
Filed under #istillbelieve, Russ Taff
Overwhelmed
When I think about the Lord and all He’s done for me, I am overwhelmed by His mercy, goodness, love and grace!
I love basking in His presence!
June 23, 2018 · 8:24 AM
We bleed. We laugh. We cry.
Thinking about how far this writing journey has taken me since publishing my memoir two years ago, still brings a thrill to my heart! And I am humbled. I am forever grateful and cherish the entire process.
I am not unique. Everyone has a story. God can take your life of peril and turn it into a life of promise. If you have a pulse, then you have a purpose. You don’t have to be ashamed of your pain or remain alone. If others don’t know your pain, they can’t possibly understand your praise.
Do you have a voice? Use it. Do you have a platform? Own it. You are uniquely and beautifully you! God don’t make no junk! Be a light to someone. Bring hope to the hopeless and encouragement to the destitute. Even if someone’s life is perfect, it doesn’t mean they have it all together. We are humans. We all bleed. We all laugh. We all cry, and we long for compassion.
We. Need. One. Another.
Some lovely women from Hope Lutheran Church recently invited me to speak and share my story at their ladies guild group. They welcomed me with open arms and I felt right at home! They were warm, friendly, and attentive. They blessed me!
Filed under Running in Heels, Speaking Event
Stay the Course
Help!
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
I don’t understand …
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
I don’t think I can anymore …
“All things are possible to them that believe.”
What’s the point?
“I will make a way when there seems to be no way.”
I can’t!
“You can do all things through Christ.”
I’m tired!
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
I feel so alone!
“I will never leave you or forsake you.”
I am weak!
“Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might”
I am so scared!
“Fear not, for I am with you.”
I feel so inadequate …
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Useless!
“Those who know their God shall be strong and do great exploits.”
Too much pain!
“I heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds.”
Darkness!
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness.”
My situation is hopeless!
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.”
I can’t see my way out!
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Why?
“And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
It’s too hard!
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable.”
No one cares …
“But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Or listens …
“It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.”
I am invisible.
“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act.”
It hurts too much!
“I will wipe away all tears from their eyes. There will be no more death, no more grief or crying or pain. The old things have disappeared.”
I feel like I’m dying!
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
I. Can’t. Go. On.
“My grace is all you need, for My power is greatest when you are weak.”
What is the meaning of life?
“Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Doesn’t anyone care?
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”
My plans, hopes, desires, and dreams have failed!
“My ways are higher than your ways.”
I don’t know …
“Come unto Me and I will show you things you know not of.”
I want to finish well …
“Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”
Filed under Blessed Hope, encouragement, Faith, God, Hope, Prayer
In the Stillness …
How many times have you encountered a situation head-on, full force, and with vengeance? It either caught you by surprise or you anticipated and dreaded the inevitable. Either way, bound and determined, knowing you had no choice but to tackle that thing, you plodded through.
But then the busyness of life got in the way. You’re tired, wearied up to your eyeballs – just one more thing will send you over the top! Ever been there? Yeah, me too. More than I care to admit. What gets you to the next day? The next project? The next idea?
Is it gumption? Aspirations? A positive outlook? Prayer? Encouragement from friends and family?
And have you ever felt like you have nothing left to give to anyone else, let alone tackle one more thing? It boils down to you running on empty. Do you need a refill, a power surge, fuel, or zing? When you’ve given yourself to others and you feel spent, it’s time to step back and be refreshed. Take a sabbatical.
There are times when I need time for myself. I may need to soak in a warm tub, get a Swedish massage, sit by the ocean, or relax in one of those infrared saunas. Yeah, buddy!
You know, as a Christian, being still and quiet before the Lord isn’t always easy for me. My thoughts run in circles with daily tasks that need to be done. But I find that when I go before Him and stay awhile, I come out feeling refreshed, refueled, and re-fired.
What are some of your ways to re-group and face another day or challenge?
Filed under Inspiration, Personal, Resiliency
Thy Will Be Done
I know you hear me
I know you see me, Lord …
I’m so confused
I know I heard you loud and clear
So, I followed through
Somehow I ended up here
I don’t wanna think
I may never understand
That my broken heart is a part of your plan
When I try to pray
All I’ve got is hurt and these four words
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
I know you’re good
But this don’t feel good right now
And I know you think
Of things I could never think about
It’s hard to count it all joy
Distracted by the noise
Just trying to make sense
Of all your promises
Sometimes I gotta stop
Remember that you’re God
And I am not
So
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Like a child on my knees all that comes to me is
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will
I know you see me
I know you hear me, Lord
Your plans are for me
Goodness you have in store
I know you hear me
I know you see me, Lord
Your plans are for me
Good news you have in store
So, thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Like a child on my knees all that comes to me is
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
I know you see me
I know you hear me, Lord
Isaiah 65:24 “And it shall come to pass, that before they call,
I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.”
September 15, 2016 · 9:05 PM
Does Size Matter?
Something doesn’t sit right with me, and here it is. I have heard numerous times how one has to dream “big” in order to achieve something, become something, or change something. You know the old adage: Dream big or go home. I’ve come across some other sayings such as: If your dreams don’t scare you they aren’t big enough. Say what? Listen, I’ve got plenty of dreams, okay? Your dreams may not be my dreams, and I can guarantee that my dreams are not your dreams! But a dream is a dream is a dream. I just don’t buy the line, hook, and sinker that screams your dream doesn’t count or isn’t as important if it isn’t “big”! No sir! No ma’am!
Think what you will, but you can’t look down on my dream and say that yours is more important than mine. Or that my dream doesn’t count because it isn’t as”big.” Who are you to downplay my dream? Have you walked in my shoes?
When I wrote, “Running in Heels: A Memoir of Grit and Grace” I not only mention some of the heartaches I endured as a child and young adult, but I also mention the good times, the happy times, and the contented times. And you know what? Some looked down on those cheerful events that I wrote about because they seemed insignificant to them. Is that fair? Hey, I’m tickled pink you had a much “happier” life than me, nonetheless, those were my good times and they meant everything to this girl. And I will tell you this: I am a dream come true.
We all have goals, and we all dream dreams. Don’t try to be like anyone else. Be yourself and follow your heart. Pursue your dreams and don’t ever quit. Timing is everything and sometimes it takes baby steps. But don’t allow anyone to downplay your dreams! Ever. No matter the size.
© M.A. Pérez, 2016, All Rights Reserved
June 23, 2016 · 7:06 PM
Invitation to TONIGHT’S Facebook Chat w/Paulette Harper & WNL Virtual Book Tours
Dear family, friends and fellow bloggers:
We will be discussing Running in Heels: A Memoir of Grit and Grace with WriteNowLiterary Book Tours hosted by Paulette Harper. This is a new endeavor for me. If you are a Facebook user, I welcome you to join us tonight @ 7:00 p.m. CST, 5:00 p.m. PT, 8:00 p.m. EST Click the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/367434043358166/
From the Heart,
Mary A. ~
PS. Please stay connected with Running in Heels book tour by catching the latest on my new News & Event page.
Filed under Book Tour, Facebook Chat
Reflections From the Heart 