Welcome

Embracing Me is an opportunity for us to connect with ourselves...learning to embrace the God within. The post that I share with you are very real. The experiences of my life (whether good, bad or indifferent) sought to develop me into a Woman who honors the God that dwells inside of me.

For over 10 years I fought against sharing my life's experiences with the world but I also neglected to fully share my gifts. You may ask why I denied myself to live and the answer is fear! After relinquishing the fear of my own thoughts as well as the thoughts of others I have decided to do and be all that God has ordained. He chose me to share my testimonies through songs, poetry, short stories and encouraging words.

I invite you to travel with me as I journey into yet another fearful place, seeking to please the Father while providing healing, restoration and inspiration as chosen. It is my hope that these words will improve your daily living.

My charge to you: Think Well. Do Well. Speak Well. Be Well. Live Well.


"For as the rain and snow come down from the heavens, and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." - Isaiah 55:10-11

Monday, October 29, 2012

911...It's an emergency

 
I have been holding on to this post since September 11, 2012 and even before then but today, I sit reminiscing about 9-11-01...not merely the destruction, death and fragmented nations...I see it as a 911 call in the Spirit REALM! It remains our reminder as believers that we are called to a higher standard...called to impact the atmosphere and stop running scared from the enemy but to strategically and purposefully go at the enemy offensively utilizing every tool and weapon we have been given by God. We need to come together as ONE collective voice...as ONE collective body of believers!

SOUNDING THE ALARM FOR WARRIORS TO RISE:
 
 
I stand in agreement with you that we are strategically waging a war to take back our families, our communities, our churches, our children, our minds, our land, our finances, our territory, our nation! We are blessed, girded with the full armor of God. I pray you enjoyed a powerfully, passionate day filled with God's purpose as you answer the 911 call of the weak, wounded and weary, knowing that with God all things are possible.  


PRAYER:
Lord God, El Roi (God who sees me and cares for me), maker of heavens and the earth, hear the prayers of your child.  I stand submitted and committed to Your will.  I ask that You O'Lord stand against the enemy of my soul, contending with those things that seek to destroy me.  Lord I pray for constant reminders that You alone are Sovereign.  Help me to trust You.  Provide the necessary armor for me to be fully equipped to stand against the fiery darts of the evil one.  Help me to remain unafraid as You fight and win every battle, making me continuously a victorious and mighty conqueror.  Lord, I bless You and honor You for the gift of life. Walk with me and guide my every footstep.  Be my strength, in the name of Jesus I pray, Amen

 

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Total Adoration...

Allowing the Spirit of God to move...

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
SCRIPTURES:
 
Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth.
~ Psalm 96:9 NIV
 
 
Give to the LORD the glory he deserves!
Bring your offering and come into his presence.
Worship the LORD in all his holy splendor.
~ 1 Chronicles 16:29
 
 
PRAYER:
 
O Lord, my God, You alone are worthy of praise.
Receive our worship full and free.
May the intent of our hearts be pure as we come into Your Holy presence. 
Change us in this moment as we honor Your name and You alone!
 In Christ name Amen




My Letter To My Daddy (Poem)

Daddy,
 
You left me before I was six. My heart was torn but my mind fixed. Fixed on memories I gained. At times these same memories drive me insane but I cherish every moment...remembering your special touch.  How I wish that you were here for I miss you very much.  I smile, laugh and cry at the same time, often considering what could be.  Then reminded by God Himself, there's no need for misery. 
 
Though you will never walk me down the aisle on my wedding day, I'm honored to say you are my dad always and forever.  Time nor distance, life nor death will change that fact. So humbled with tears and now an open mind, I make a pact with self to live knowing I'm still your special girl and with that thought I can face the world.
 
Daddy, my heart and love can not be measured across time nor space.  Now I stand confident in a peaceful place.  I allow God to securely wrap His loving arms around me.  Reminded of the scripture that says, "When mother and father forsake me"...
 
See, God is the Father of all.  He's stood mighty and tall loving me even more than I could ever imagine. Giving me even more than my mind can receive and I am open to allow Him to do all I need to mend my heart from my early years of losing you.
 
No, I may not be able to have you physically present but I am grateful to have ever had you.  To know that I carry a mighty force embedded in my DNA...that DNA reminds me of my two great Father's
 
1. The Father of ALL life, God and how He majestically orchestrates life in and through every creation
 
AND
 
2. YOU, my biological Dad, Edward L. Whitaker, for without you having been, there could be no me.
 
Dad, with tears but without fears, disappointment and doubt, I recognize you will always be present so I thank God for allowing me to remember today, which would have been your fifty-eighth (58) birthday. I know I am still Daddy's little girl and I am grateful to the Lord God, strong and mighty for Him being my ultimate Father but it does not mean that I don't miss you, love you, weep for you, yearn for you because I do. 
 
People always say that there is nothing like a Mother's love and though this is true, I would like to SCREAM to the world that there is nothing like a Daddy's love, one that is real, true, pure, authentic...
 
You were my superhero...my superman...
 
I try to hold on to what I remember...your scent, your voice, your smile, your hugs but Daddy, today, I am remembering one of the last things I said to you and your reply.  I asked if you were going to die and you responded by telling me no and to go back downstairs with my Mom.  I told you I loved you and you replied with the same love.  I can still see you sitting in your bedroom window with the blood stained rag in your hand from your nose bleed.
 
I shake my head wondering what possessed me to ask if you were going to die.  For so many years I was angry with you for dying and I was upset with myself, believing that I was somehow responsible for your death. For ten almost eleven years I was furious with you but I'm not mad anymore Daddy. I searched everywhere looking for you.  I went from boy to man, from girl to woman.  I needed your embrace, your guidance, your protection, your support, your provision...I needed all that you could give but you were nowhere to be found.
 
Once pregnant with your oldest grand daughter I told myself that I had to forgive you so that I could share you with her through my memories...and although things were never perfect, Daddy, I loved you perfectly then and I love you perfectly now!
 
Loving and missing you deeply today,
 
Your Little Girl,
Stacie
 
 

Friday, October 12, 2012

Word for today: VICTORY


One word for today:

VICTORY

1 Samuel 17:26, 32, 45-47 & 50-51 NIV

David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
 
This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.  David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword.

DAVID’S VICTORY:

David spoke to the giant (his problem) telling it of his intentions, what he would do to dismantle, tear down, kill and bring it to destruction the giant (his issues).  He was fearless because he knew whose strength he was going in (the strength of the Lord strong and mighty).  David was fully equipped and knew what tools were necessary for him to win.  Even before entering the fight David believed in a favorable outcome knowing he would and could win and thus he did precisely what he spoke.  He did not waver but remained steadfast.

As long as we understand whose strength we walk in and what power is at work within us, as long as we are fearless, knowing the fear of the Lord is our strength, as long as we know we are equipped with the proper tools, we, much like David can, will and shall win.  We must speak the outcomes we desire and watch victory prevail.

MAKE THIS DECLARATION TODAY:

I AM VICTORIOUS!
I HAVE THE VICTORY!
I AM MORE THAN A CONQUEROR!!!



PRAYER
Lord, give us the strategic gear, plan and words to defeat our enemies knowing that we are not going in our own power but it is Your strength that helps us win.  Remind us with every step we take today that we are victorious, in Jesus name I pray, Amen

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Two sides of self...

During our daily prayer calls we discuss being naked and transparent so that we can get to a place of total freedom being TRULY delivered from strongholds, wrong thinking, false sense of self, generational curses, soul ties and the like. 

Everyday I rise open to whatever God wants to do in my life and even when I don't want to be honest I have to be. Searching the two sides of self fairs as essential.

When I do not desire to talk about my dirty places or the pain I am in I still have to do it.  Why? Because I want complete and total freedom.  I seek deliverance for myself and my family just as I seek the same for each of you and your families. In order to acquire that freedom I must be willing to see and know myself totally...even the dark places.

Everyday the mirror reflects opposing sides of the two sides of self.  It seems I am up one day and down the next.  I feel like a champion one day and less than a conqueror the next. 

I smile through pain and my tears are my prayers.  I am not a quitter but I quit at least five times a day.  I lay down to rest and my sleep is broken.  I wonder who really cares...thinking, all I do is care for others but whose care is authentic for me?  Then I begin wondering if I should stop caring...asking myself if anyone will even notice.  I feel like such a small piece in this hugely baked pie called life.  I ask myself what's worth living for and if what I do matters. 

I look at my family and wonder when things will change.  I look at the wars, rapes, abuses, over filled jails, prostitution, broken families, drug addicts, thugs, pimps, down low men, scheming gold digging females, churches, leadership, government and I wonder "will things ever change"?

I strive to be kind even when others are not so kind to me.  I get angry but work diligently to think good thoughts for it is NOT my desire to act as others do, viciously tearing one another down.  Although, I must admit, I am just as much capable of destructive behaviors and violence as the next person.

However, just because I yearn to do right does not mean my thoughts always reflect what I desire in my heart...but still everyday I choose! Choosing is also exploring two sides of self.  My heart speaks and seeks life, love and peace but my mind says kill...it says "its okay to take revenge" although I know the word specifically tells me that vengeance belongs to God.

Sometimes I want to take matters into my own hands...I want to take my life into my own hands but then I have those scriptures that have been placed in my Spiritual treasure chest to remind me to:

Trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not to my own understanding ~ Proverbs 3:5

And still other scriptures that tell me that I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me ~ Philippians 4:13

Why then do I feel like I am being conquered and overcome by the world? Why can't I just quit? I have to will myself to choose to die to the one side of self that is destructive and negative.

Then I hear whispers in my Spirit  telling me to remember:
Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; remembering that He shall bring forth those things that He has spoken to me regarding my life. ~ Psalm 37:5

I remind myself to:
Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! ~ Psalm 27:14

I tell myself:
The joy of the Lord is my strength ~ Nehemiah 8:10

In essence, I tell myself, both sides of self, each day to stand down in the flesh and stand up in the Spirit...letting the Spirit of God rise in me that His glory may be revealed.  I have to know who I am, where I came from, what's in me and what's in my family bloodline so I can understand where I am going, how I have come to be as I am and what God desires to remove as well as build.

So, I stand encouraging you to ask the tough questions hidden within the deepest places of your hearts.  Look at both sides of yourself...the good and the not so good.  Look at what is at peace and where you feel tormented.  Do not be afraid to look at the Man/Woman in the mirror and get naked so God can begin to unearth all that is within...molding you into His desired thought of who He created you to be.  Do not grow weary or fear the pain of the pruning process but instead, trust in the Lord!
 
 

SPEAK THESE SCRIPTURES OUT LOUD OVER YOUR LIFE:
“Every word of God is pure:
he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”
~ Proverbs 30:5


“The LORD is my rock, and my fortress,
and my deliverer; my God, my strength,
in whom I will trust; my buckler,
and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”
~ Psalm 18:2
 
The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; 
and he knoweth them that trust in him.”
~ Nahum 1:7
 

“As for God, his way is perfect;
the word of the LORD is tried:
he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.”
~ 2 Samuel 22:31

 
 "In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust;
I will not fear what flesh can do unto me"
~ Psalm 56:3 , 4
 
 
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, 
whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee.”
~ Isaiah 26:3

For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach,
because we trust in the living God,
who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.”
~ 1 Timothy 4:10

PRAYER:
Holy and Loving God, thank You for Your grace and mercy.  Lord, I pray for every eye that reads this post that you will prick their hearts to be open to coming clean about the dark places within.  Lord I pray that we as individuals, families, communities and nations would come to a place of openness, being ready to acknowledge our issues, faults, flaws, problems and frustrations so that You God may not only reveal Your glory but help us to see the error of our ways. 

We know that You have redeemed our ancestors and Lord we seek for You to redeem us as Your beloved, chosen people.  Lord I pray that we stop running and hiding like Jonah did.  I pray that we will sit still long enough for you not only to heal and restore at the surface but at the core of who we are.  I pray Lord God that as the freedom You desire for us is availed to us that we would turn and share with others that they too may come to the place of total liberation in their minds, bodies and spirits. 

I plead the blood of Jesus over every eye asking you to protect ear gates, eye gates,  mouth gates and sexual gates from this moment forward. I ask Lord that You gird each person and their families with the full armor; helmet of salvation, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, sword of the spirit which is Your word God, gird their waist with Your truth and shod their feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

I rebuke nagging and tormenting spirits that remind us of the old us.  I pray that those spirits are freed and released from their assignment and can by no means further impact the eyes of the one who reads this post or their household, in the name of Jesus.  I pray Lord that You send those spirits to the place where You see fit and that they not return. 

I pray that you fortify our hearts individually and collectively and that we become a people of greater conviction and commitment for Your word as well as a people of deep compassion.  I release the two sides of self of each person reading this post into Your hands Lord for You to have Your way doing what You see fit.  Break us to build us, In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen