Transition

I know it’s been a while and I do apologize. I am realizing that in order for this thing to really work you all need to hear from me.  So today you, my readers are my accountability partners. That’s right I have given you the task to email me at: shawndrikaLcook@gmail.com if you aren’t getting a blog once a week. See we must realize that we are meant to do life alone, and sometimes strangers, people we don’t know are for us will hold us accountable. So welcome ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNERS!

With that being said let’s talk about transition! So for the past 4 months, I have been in a place of total transition. I went from working a full 8-5 in my field, to leaving there and doing ministry full time!! Yep, ministry FULL TIME!!!  Now I know you are wondering what causes me to make this move. I mean I just passed my licensure examine only a year ago, I have not been a private practice therapist at all, and now I am in ministry. To answer the question of why, is simple, obedience. But, in my obedience, the walk and the focus of my next has been hard.  I find myself feeling lost, confused, out of place, ill-prepared,  hopeless, distraught, and discourage. Any negative feelings that a human being can express… This girl expressed them and more. I know you are wondering why did you experience all these negative emotions. I mean you were being obedient right? Well, here is the thing with obedience comes sacrifice, thought 1 Samuel 15:22  states, “Obedience is better than sacrifice”.  There is a sacrifice that comes with obedience. Maybe I shouldn’t say a sacrifice, there is a surrendering that comes with it. To some that surrendering position can feel like a sacrifice. I mean give up everything you know just to be submerged into something you know nothing about.

So, here I am in the 5th month of the transition and I am stuck! Yep, stuck like a truck in the mud. I am not writing this blog from a place of overcoming this time. This time I am writing to you while the process is still going. While I am still in the place of getting to the prize or the next that GOD has called me to. I am in that,  “I have to more trust GOD moments”, rather than “I will figure something out moments”. I’m at a place where I need the manifestation whether than being on ok with waiting for the manifestation.

I know someone who is reading this is wondering why am I telling the story as it is happening? Well. it’s because you need to know the process of transitioning. When you are in a place where the transition is not by choice, but assignment there are certain things you can’t control or deal with because you truly trust Daddy to guide your every step. For instance, I can’t control the demands that my assignment has on my life. I took a $2500 pay cut, yet I have not wanted for anything for real. I have tried to apply for a second job with the conviction that I couldn’t because of the demands of this assignment.

Why tell you the now of my transition for real?!? Because you need to know that transition is worth it!!! It’s worth leaving something that you do know for something you don’t know. It’s worth moving beyond you to get to Daddy. It’s worth the process… OOOOOO!!! That’s a word PROCESS!!! The process will be the foundation of your transition. How you see your process will determine how long you will stay in your transition. If you see your process as a burden, then your transition will last longer, because you are not able to receive the benefits of the process. But, if you see the process as a purpose, that it pushes you to your next, stretches you to another level in GOD, and betters your faith and trust in Daddy. Then the transition will be short and one that you can talk about as part of your testimony. Let me say this I don’t care what kind of transition you experience good or bad, no one likes the discomfort that comes with it. No one likes being in limbo where you aren’t sure what’s going on, but you know where you are going. No one likes looking at the preview of their promise and wondering when they will get there. These are the feelings of transition.

Today, I want to encourage someone to keep pressing in their transition!!! Keep enjoying the process no matter how uncomfortable it gets. Remember this transition is not about you, but about those who are looking at you. You are the only manifestation of GOD they may see! This is about your legacy, your future, your next…DON’T FORFEIT IT!!!

Prayer: Daddy transition is not easy. It can be uncomfortable and stressful if we don’t allow You to guide us. Today we say guide us!!! Open our ears to your instructions. Open our minds to the thoughts that you have towards us. Remind us that your thoughts towards us are good and they have the outcome of your perfection. Open our eyes that we don’t see things in the natural but in the spirit. Let us see the manifestation of the prayer that the Prophet Elisha prayed for his servant in 2 Kings 6:17, where he said: “LORD open his eyes so he can see”. Daddy open our eyes so we can see. Let us see your hand of protection and provision on us. Let us see your wisdom, knowledge, and understand. Let us see that your plan is great than our process. Daddy, help us with our words. Help us speak the words that line up with your will, word, and way. Let us not get so frustrated in this transition that we forget the power of our tongue. That we speak life when we feel like death is trying to overtake us. We respond to situations and people with a soft answer. Daddy, be our Jehovah Shalom and let us experience your peace like never before. Be Jehovah Jierha so we can know that you will provide and meet our needs and wants. Daddy, we thank you that we will be the examples we need to be during this time of transition. In JESUS name AMEN!!!

The Blow of Faith

This week is my first week in my new position in full time ministry. Though my plan has not gone  quite how I wanted I can say this move has granted me peace despite the pay cut. But what really got me was a conversation that the Holy Spirit brought to me that the enemy was trying to use to blow my faith. Yes readers this blog entry has a two part meaning because that’s just how Daddy works. He works in parts and process and this little lesson is both.

 

There is something about growth that causes you to get to a place were you want  and need to express the doubts of your heart while exposing the the weaknesses of your faith and this is one of those moments. After saying YES to GOD one always wonders what that YES truly means. Does it mean the Matthew 6:33 Yes which states “I will seek first the kingdom of GOD and all his righteousness.”? Or maybe it’s the Proverbs 3:5-6 “Leaning not to your own understand, acknowledge him and he will direct your path.” Or last maybe Phil 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing but through prayer and thanksgiving make your request know.” Can I tell you it’s all of that. A Yes to Daddy is the blowing of your faith. It will have you seeking the kingdom while your bill collectors are calling you talking about law suites. It will give you peace when you do not know when and were you will get the money to pay your rent, but you know that your Daddy is covering you so you give thanks any how. It is leaning not on your own understand and asking the Holy Spirit to guide you because clearly you are not aware of where you are going. That’s what a  Blow of a Faithful YES looks like .It will cause your faith to blow in  directions beyond your strength and ask yourself “Why didn’t I do this sooner.?”

 

But in that same moment of revelation, we can find ourselves  having our faith blowing by thoughts of negativity. Thoughts that make us question is this really GOD lead or self want. GOD was I suppose to go into ministry full time? Was I suppose to be doing this, that, or the other? Yep, that great yes can make the enemy place thoughts in your head that could blow your faith. But aren’t you glad that our Daddy is stronger? Because just when the enemy feels like he has us in a place where our faith will be blown into pieces, GOD reminds us  that we have purpose, that we are destine to GREATER works, that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and He has not forgotten about us. WHAT A GREAT DADDY!!!

So today no matter what part of the process you are in…. The part where you just gave your best YES or the part where you wondering why you said YES in the first place, know that DADDY is about to blow your faith. The winds of the enemy has nothing on DADDY. It may feel that enemy’s winds are stronger, faster, heavy, and destructive, but let me give you the heads ups, it’s just smoke and mirrors, in other words do not get caught in the illusion.

 

Prayer: Daddy today I blow my faith towards you no matter the cost. I realize that the enemy has tactics that can make my YES to you feel like a doubtful move of waiving faith, but it really just a trick to get me off the promises of the YES and AMEN that you spoke into my life before I was formed in my mother’s womb. So today Daddy I repent. I repent  for allowing the illusions of Satan’s tactics to get me in a place where I doubted your guidance, provision, process, love, and grace. I repent for not seeking Your kingdom first while you take care of my needs. Thank you Daddy for another chance to get my faith blown in the direction of Your will for my life. I thank you on this day I realize that this is a process and I am willing to go all the way because you will guide my every step with your light. In Jesus Name AMEN!

Mask OFF

#HappyLOVEDay!!! I am so excited about today even in my singlehood, because to day is a day of conquering for me. Today I shared with a group of sorority sisters… Something I don’t talk about a lot and haven’t shared with a lot of people. Today I told them that Valentine’s Day a.k.a Love Day is a trigger for me. About the age of I will say 22 I was madly in love and thought everything was about to fall in place in life. I was graduating and engaged.. But on V-Day that engagment ended and my heart was crush. I got over it and then 2010 on this same day my ex husband took my hand and declared his love for me at the altar. Romantic right?? But you did see ex in front of husband…lol After our divorce V-Day was never the same for me for 5 years on this day I would contemplate suicide, feelings of worthlessness would overtake me, and I would find myself in this deep depression. I would be smiling on the outside but tore up on the inside. I shared this with my sorority sisters and some where shock… The room got silent and heavy.. (I don’t like those moments) but it was then that I realize how free and delievered I was from this pain of 5 years. I was able to share it with truth. Why am I sharing this with you? Because the the standards of society can overtake the standards of GOD if we allow it. I had allowed this to happen to me and I had to let GOD love me back to his standards of love. I felt lost and confused trying to fit in, when I was already in, but the enemy had me feeling I wasn’t. I want you to know whether you have someone or not. The standard of the world’s idealogy of love will never outlast the standards of GOD’s love. Don’t allow your singleness overtake you that you miss the moments of GOD’s love, and don’t allow your security in having a spouse make you forget your first love. Also I want you to know that if it hadn’t been for yall loving me in those 5 years I would not be able to share this. Your love unknowingly saved me. So on today make sure you love on purpose. Spread the love. I know we should do this everyday, but take advantage of this day. Where the world is open to love and the idea of love and let someone know this doesn’t have to be a one day out of the year moment, but a everyday moment. Love you  and thank you for loving me with purpose and tension.

Trusting the GOD in You

Good Morning Readers!!!

It’s been a while since I have blogged and I do apologize I hope that my time management will be better since I have now shift into a new position, which by the way is what this blog is about. So let me see if I can tell this story as short as possible so that I can get to the meat. About 6 months ago I start getting indirectly bullied by a co-worker that has been in the field for about 20 plus years. She felt the need to tell me how to do my job to others and criticize how I get my work done. It even got to the point that she was having meetings with my direct and indirect supervisor without me. I finally got feed up and meet with her and my indirect supervisor. After the meeting, I felt like maybe somethings should ease up, but unfortunately, that was not the case and because of this stress started to cause hair loss and health problems. (Sidebar: What do you do when the enemy comes after your glory? Answer will be given later) Well of course like any other person I started to pray for instructions, answers, and directions. I got it! It was time for me go and move towards something new. It was not hard to swallow it was just hard to deal with the process of applying for jobs and not hearing anything for months. But let me tell you that GOD is Jehavoha Jira.. he will provide in his perfect timing and give you the desires of your heart. So today is my last day at a job that I have worked at for 4 years. I have learned so much, gain so many relationships, and had the honor of working with one of best friends, and it still hasn’t hit me that I am leaving.   What does that have to do with Trusting the GOD in You?  All through this process, I have learned how to do one thing Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath. Because of my soft answers, speaking to the coworker that was bullying me, and being the example for those watching me, I learned how to trust the GOD in me. I learn that there are times GOD needs you to be the example even when you are going through, and even be a person of integrity even when you have the right to not be. To be in a position where show love when loving that person hurts. But the GOD in you says stand in trust me. Let me encourage someone right now. The enemy will present ways of escape that look like GOD’s but know that the illusion of his way will always get you back to where GOD told you to be in the first place. Stand still and watch GOD not only fight your battles but make your enemies your footstool. They will know who GOD is by the time you realize that victory has already been won on your behalf.

Prayer: Daddy trusting the GOD in me has been the most difficult thing to do in this season when it seems that everyone but me is getting the desires of their heart. Help me realize that your timing for me and my life is totally perfect and if I just stand then you show my enemies what victory looks like.  Daddy help me to trust your instructions, stand on your word, listen quickly and speak slowly. Help me to remain confident in this one thing that I will see the goodness of you. In Jesus Name. AMEN!

 

Your Position

Hello Readers!!!

So if you all don’t know the I have been working on her thesis and feeling like I am getting no where! But I read the Arise5 (the prophetic journal based on the Hebrew calendar.. check it out at: http://www.arise5.com)  and I am getting my strength back. But I want to encourage you like I was encourage. We are in the month of Tammuz which is one that is filled with great things and I am so excited to see them manifest. There where six things that really stuck out that we must be aware of and make part of our lives. 1. This is the season where GOD is going to show you areas in your life that you need to adjust in order to remain in his will and stay on the path that he has called you to. 2. Light. This is the season where your light will need to shine bright and this will happen by accepting and taking on the glory of GOD. This is done by being in his presence through prayer and worship. Ask GOD to take your worship to another level that His glory will be just as real to other as it is to you. 3. Delay (this one is for me) This is the month to celebrate the delays in your life, and know that they are the confirmations of GOD’s preparation for your victory and promotion. 4. Choice.In this seasoning choosing to accept the positive in negative situations is crucial. You must speak the word in faith this season when it comes to negativity. Celebrate the positive in your life. I hope she doesn’t mind but I love the fact that friend  was able to celebrate the healing of her son’s heart but not only that, when he had to be place back on oxygen for a while she stayed positive by say “it’s just for a moment”. That’s how we must response to negativity “IT’S JUST FOR A MOMENT,” and if we declare the word of the LORD it will be just for a second. 5. Vulnerable… OOOOOOO I know some of us have a hard time with this word but this is necessary in this season. We can’t be super heroes in handling those moments that seem overwhelming in our own strength, it’s time that you tap into … Say it with me Circle of Influence which brings me to my last point….6. Relationships. It’s time to look at your circle to make sure it’s still healthy, productive, functioning, and balance. I know it’s heart and hard to prune and add to our circle but in this season it is necessary. Make sure your circle doesn’t get stale and that you are open to new relationships.

 

Prayer: Daddy we thank you that we are in a season where life, light, delay, choices, vulnerability, and relationships are key essentials to how we function in this season. WE thank you that we have life in you, and you give us life more abundantly as we stay on the path that you called us to. Help us with every assignment that we encounter daily, that you may get the glory in our actions. Helps us seek your face always that your presence will become and remain real to us and your glory may be the light that the world sees in us. Daddy help us accept, rejoice, and understand your delay is not a denial only a setup for your blessings. Help us Daddy to make the right choice in this season. That we speak your word during negative situations and stand on the promise of your positive outcome. Daddy help us become vulnerable in our times of needs that we seek out help when we need it the most as well as accept the help of others. Help us Daddy to not only be givers but receivers. Some of us are quick to give and slow to receive, help us find balance in both areas. Last Daddy gives us the strength and the heart to let go of the relationships that don’t grow us, that paralyze us in hurt, disappointment, unforgiveness, and discouragement. Help us make room for new relationships and give us the wisdom in who to let in and out of our lives. Help us not to see the pruning process as a place of pain , but one of growth and healing. In Jesus Name. Amen!

What Does Your Vision Look Like?

It’s been a while since I post something and I saw this on my memories on my facebook page and thought it would be a good thing to share with my blogger especially since it was written 7 years ago.

Well Do you see it? Is your vision as clear as you think it is? Even with my glasses or contacts I couldn’t see it. I couldn’t see that my vision was off and that I been placed in a category. No one place me there but me, and now I’m having a “How in the Heck DID I GET HERE,” moment. Have you ever had one of those? I had to do a vision check and in my check I realize that there are three different visions.

Clear Vision: the ability to notice and acknowledge the facts but activate the faith.
• When you have clear vision you understand that failures are the cosigners to success.

Blurry Vision: knowing and focusing on the facts with the knowledge of what faith can do.
• Placing your failure in the position where they outweigh  your accomplishments along with the element of ignorance will cause you to have blurry vision.

Blindness: faithfully doubting
• Can’t see pass your past, because the pain is still in your present

I realize that I had blurry vision only because I couldn’t see pass my own failure and embrace the lessons that were attached to them. It’s so crazy. I would have rather stayed in a place of ignorance than embrace the knowledge. I would have rather stay in a place of comfort than to move into my place of destiny. But now I realize that my vision must improve and I must realize the greatness of the element of my vision when I set my dreams, goals, and faith into action.

My challenge to you: analyze your vision and make sure you are seeing the right thing.

Prayer: Daddy today we come to you asking you to speak to our vision. We have been in a place where our vision may not have been so clear  or it was clear but we did not act in the clarity of it. Daddy we asked that forgive us of our disobedience and  remove any thing that my hinder the clarity of our vision and remove our will from your plan. Daddy submit ourselves to your vision and we yield to what you have called us to. Give us vision clarity right now that we may move in  the things of you . In Jesus Name. Amen!

Sweet16

Well it’s that time of the year again. The time we talk about the new beginnings of a new year. The time were we sit and think about what we want to accomplish, speak into the atmosphere, and just really press towards. I am super excited about 2016! I mean it’s the year of the expectation of Daddy. I am really ready to see the promises of what Daddy’s YES and AMEN looks like aren’t you? Well with all this expectation and excitement can I talk to you about new beginnings and how to really look at 2016?

As children of Daddy we forget three things when it comes to our new beginnings in a new year. These things are: Last year’s lessons, Daddy will for us, and faith. Yep, these three things are things we forget to continue to incorporate in our new beginnings. Let’s talk about he first one “Last year’s lessons.” I don’t know about you but last year was the greatest lesson plan that I think Daddy could prepare for me. I lost my mother’s side of the family with disconnect due to the death of my grandmother, had to move out of the house I lived in for 15 years into an apartment with my mother, lost my daddy’s mother whom I was close with but never got the full closure I needed from her death, because my cousin got into an major accident on the way to funeral and I saw it all; and last I was in a major car accident in another state that left me with a totaled car. What lessons!?! Well let me tell you what I got from all of that which were great lessons for me to apply to 2016. Lesson 1. Never ever allow what you feel to predict your assignment. You are not your own, you are just a steward of the body you were given. This life you live is not about you and your glory, but about you completing the assignments that Daddy has give you the honor to carry out. Never allow how you feel to dictate how you respond to life and its situations no matter how much you feel it will bring productivity to the situation. Lesson 2. Have faith and stay faithful. Hum, I think I am about to cry about this lesson. Because it’s hard to have faith when your integrity is being drugged through the mud by family, you have so many life changes going on that you don’t know if you are coming or going, and you feel like you about to lose it, but you never do. But can I tell you if Daddy is faithful you can be faithful too. Because his track record in your life is greater than the moment of foolish and temporariness that is cause by others or yourself. Lesson 3. Always rest. I know this can be hard when you are looking for answers, solutions, and resolutions to life, but if you rest in the peace, love, and joy of GOD he will become your strength and the rest you thought you would never experience will be one that you desire more and more every day. Lesson 4. Change your vision. How you see things are not how things are actually seen. (that’s deep I know). What you see in your face doesn’t hold value to what Daddy is doing behind the scene. I am always reminded of the story where the prophet Elisha prayed that his servant’s eyes be open during a time of war. And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2Kings 6:17) It wasn’t until he prayed for the spiritual vision of his servant that he could see the true vision of victory. Always know that fight is rigged you win every time all you have to do is show up. Here is the final lesson. Lesson 5. Stand on the word of GOD. His words will not return to him without purpose. “so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)

So now you have the lessons you need to enjoy your new beginning apply them to your 2016 and watch Daddy do what he does best…manifest greatness!

Prayer: Daddy as we go into our new beginning help us to never forsake the lessons of our last year or the years before, let us always have the mentality of a student that seeks to learn more  and the characteristics of a child humble, but assured that there is nothing to big or hard for our daddy to do. Let us always remain in the place of faith, hope, and love, realizing that nothing is ever in our control only yours. Let us always speak life where death tries to rest, remaining assured that your word will not return to you void. But Daddy most importantly let us never take your grace and mercy for granted. Let us always be in the position were we realize tomorrow is never promise to us ; therefore, we will rest in today and allow you to take care of tomorrow as we complete what you have called us to and become great stewards of the the life you allow us to live, no matter what our expectations for it is.  In Jesus Name AMEN!

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