This Christmas. . .

*Call an out of town relative you haven’t spoken to all year and tell him or her, “I love you.”

*Bake cookies with your nieces and nephews and cherish the smiles on their cookie
battered faces.

*Laugh at “Cou’n Pete’s” jokes even though he’s been telling the same ones for the past
eleven years.

*Smile when your great aunt Sally gives you that same type of sweater she gives you every
year, fluffy shingles and all.

This Christmas enjoy time with family, friends and loved ones, and if you find yourself
“boo-less” this year with no special someone in your life, know that you are special to
someone, and His name is Jesus Christ. He loved you so much that He gave His very best to
you and shed His blood for you -- now that’s love, baby, no man can top that!

Join me in celebrating His miraculous birth today as HE IS the real reason for the season!

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:  and the government shall be upon his
shoulder:  and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The
everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
-Isaiah 9:6

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Kim Brooks, author of, How To Date and Stay Saved, and, He's Fine...But is He Saved? www.kimontheweb.com

Seasons Change – Will You? 8 Ways…

Fall is here! Fall is one of my favorite seasons because I get to enjoy the beauty of God’s creations as leaves change from bright yellows, to dark oranges and even deep reds, squirrels scurry to save food for the winter, and birds flee.

Fall is a season of change.

It’s a perfect time to re-evaluate our lives and see areas where we can
improve, or even change if necessary.

Written as affirming statements, this month’s eNewsletter focuses on 8 things in your
life that can be changed right now.

1. My attitude. I will change my attitude about life and how I define true happiness.
Happiness is not defined by my present circumstance, marital status, bank account, or
station in life, happiness is defined by simply knowing that my life and lifestyle
pleases my Master, Savior, and Creator, God. Happiness is defined by that inward witness
that comes with knowing I am at peace and at one with God, and knowing that God loves and
accepts me for who I am and that I love Him with an everlasting love because He first
loved me.

2. My outlook on life. God has prepared and laid out a great future for me. The plans
He has for me are of peace and not evil, so that I can have an expected end.
The goodness God will bring to me during this season of change is to be expected,
because I realize that every good gift comes from above. As I continue to run to Him
in prayer and praise, seeking guidance and direction from above and not because of my own
selfish ambition, He will reveal His plans, purposes, and the secret things He has for my
life as long as I continue to have faith and believe that He wants what’s best for me and
has my best interest at heart.

3. My walk. No longer shall I walk with my head down in shame feeling “less than”
because no one is claiming me as their significant other. I will change the way I walk.
I will walk with my head up and shoulders back, knowing that I am a child of the most
High God and part of a royal priesthood. I don’t have to settle for relationships with
unbelievers because whoever I walk with, we, two shall walk in agreement and harmony.
My relationships will compliment who am I and help bring out the best in me – the God in
me. If they don’t, and if they hinder me and my relationship with God, then I chose to
walk alone. Then again, with Him I’m never alone, and me and my God can walk alongside
each other, hand in hand, fulfilling His perfect will and the plan that He has for my
life.

4. My talk. I will change my words, which changes my environment and my outcome. I will
put away lying, swearing, and foolish, unfruitful conversations that only berate others.
I will no longer make negative confessions such as there are no good men out here, or
all the good ones are already taken; I will instead confess that there are plenty good
men out here and who God has for me is for me! I speak life over myself and others,
I see myself as God sees me, and I call myself wonderfully and fearfully made because He
says so. I am beautiful. I am a woman after God’s own heart. I am desirable. I am
lovely. I am all whom God says I am.

5. My mind. I will continue to allow the Word of God to transform my thinking into the
way God thinks. No longer will I allow society or others dictate how I should formulate
my opinion on certain issues. As I read and meditate God’s Word, then His will becomes
my will. I love what He loves, and I hate what He hates. I hate lying because He hates
lying. I hate a proud tongue because He hates a proud tongue. I value and treasure life
because He values and treasures life. I hate sin because He hates sin. I will change
my mind and believe that God’s perfect will in regards to my life and relationships is
the best for my life because I believe Him and His Word to be true for me.

6. My perception of myself. No longer will I perceive myself to be, “not wife material,” or not worthy of God’s love or love from someone else. I forgive myself and I
forgive others from past mistakes and pain, and I will go forward knowing that my past
does not define me nor dictate my future but that God defines me and determines my
destiny based on His Word. No longer will I be in bondage to past self perceptions or
self-esteem issues or perceived failures while growing up. I am free to forgive those
who hurt me or failed to teach me and lead by example, and I will allow the Comforter,
in the form of the Holy Ghost, to teach me how to become that virtuous woman and
eventually that virtuous bride who is a crown to her husband and will do him good and
not evil all the days of his life.

7. My relationship with God. I will grow stronger and get closer to God with each
passing day. The more I read His Word, the more I become like Him. I will begin, and
not end my day with God. I will start off by praising and thanking Him, which will
lead into prayer. In my personal prayer closet where I normally meet with Him, I will
receive and fulfill instructions from Him which I will carry out to the full.
I treasure and protect my relationship with God more than any other relationship
in my life, and will put Him first in everything.

8. My destiny. Day by day, as I seek His face and allow Him to order my steps, I
realize that with each day that I am one step closer to my destiny. I will not
participate in sin for a season which will cause my destiny to be placed on hold or
get off track, but I will continue forward in the plan that God has for my life,
remaining sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and being prayerful about
every relationship along the way. In doing this, my destiny will become His destiny,
and the ultimate plan for my life, and I have joy knowing that my path is like a
shining light, that shineth more and more, brighter and clearer unto the perfect day.

Recite This Over Yourself Today!

Scripture References:

1. 1 John 4:19
2. Jeremiah 29:11, James 1:17
3. 1 Peter 2:9, 2 Corinthians 6:14, Amos 3:3
4. Ephesians 4:22-27, Psalm 139:14
5. Romans 12:2, Proverbs 6:16-19
6. John 14:26, Proverbs 12:4, Proverbs 31:12
7. Psalm 63:1
8. Psalm 119:133, Hebrews 11:24-25, Proverbs 4:18

Kim Brooks, author of, How To Date and Stay Saved, and, He's Fine...But is He Saved? www.kimontheweb.com

Strength to Wait

As single Christians, it is so important that we not grow weary while waiting.
Some of you have been believing God for years or even decades for a mate and
you’re wondering, “Where’s my mate, Lord?” and, “What happened?” You may have
grown frustrated, blamed yourself, blamed others, or even blamed God for not
sending you your Boaz like yesterday. You may have gone from relationship,
to relationship, disappointment to disappointment, only to find yourself in the
same position -- waiting.

While you’re waiting for the manifestation, it is imperative that you
don’t give up. Don’t give up hope. The Word tells us in Romans 8:25,
“But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”
Continue to wait on the Lord and be of good courage. If God has assured
you in your private prayer time that you will be married one day -- allow
Him to order your steps while knowing and believing that you WILL be
married one day.

Don’t grow weary in well doing for in due season you shall reap. Everyone’s due
season is different, so while waiting, don’t compare yourselves to others. Just
continue to run your race with God’s grace, knowing that all the promises of God in Him
are yea, and in Him Amen (2 Cor. 1:20). The Word also reminds us, “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.”
(Isaiah 40:31) The Word, “wait” in this passage of Scripture means to expect,
to look, patiently, tarry, wait for. The word, “renew” means to exchange, instead of.
And the word, “strength” means to be firm, vigor, ability, force, might, power.
So during this season of waiting, exchange your weakness or faint heart for His
strength, might, power and ability. God is able to do exceeding, abundantly above
all you can ever ask or think (Eph. 3:20), as long as you keep the faith and remain strong
while waiting.

Know that I love you, but God loves you more!

Kim Brooks, author of, How To Date and Stay Saved, and, He's Fine...But is He Saved? www.kimontheweb.com

Saved and Lonely?

Are you saved and lonely?  How do you overcome feelings of loneliness as a single believer?

Kim Brooks, author of, How To Date and Stay Saved, and, He's Fine...But is He Saved? www.kimontheweb.com

Antwaun Stanley sings live with Larry W. Robinson

Larry W. Robinson of www.gospelsingingonthespot.com interviews Stellar-nominated gospel artist Antwaun Stanley who was a featured psalmist at my 30th birthday bash (*cough*cough*) years ago..lol j/k it was two years ago This man can saaaang!