God is STILL Good! by Julianne Pearson

Lately, I’ve been spiritually annoyed by the phrase “God is Good,” which seems to be frequently spoken only when things go the way the individual desired for them to go.  I often wonder within myself, would God STILL be Good to them if things turned out differently or totally contrary to what they expected or even opposite to what they believed and prayed.

      In November of 2010, my sister-friend spoke a Word that over the past year has caused my faith to rise.  She said, “God is still Who He says He Is regardless of the circumstances that take place in your life” (my paraphrase).  In my obedient pursuit of Purpose, it’s been through the recent disappointments I’ve experienced that I’ve learned or come to understand that regardless of the circumstantial induced indecent proposals of the enemy, God is STILL Good!  Because God is One with His Word, and His Word is my Final Authority – void of opinions and absent of circumstances – I refuse to fall for the trick of the enemy (John 1:1).  What “T.O.T.E.” bag am I speaking of?  It’s the diabolical trick of using disappointing circumstances of life on earth to destroy my faith (belief) in the Character (Nature) of God.

      The Word says, God Is…

·        Our Lover, even when we aren’t lovable and don’t feel loved.  (1 John 4:7b; Ephesians 1:6)

·        Our Provider, even when we temporarily experience lack in any area of our lives.  (Genesis 22:14a; Psalm 23:1; 1 Corinthians 9:8)

·        Our Healer, even when our loved ones battle with sickness and disease and disappointingly transition from this life to the next.  (Exodus 15:26; Psalm 103:3; Psalms 107:20)

·        Our Defender, even when it seems we are being taken advantage of.  (Proverbs 22:23 NLT; Hebrews 10:35)

·        Our Father, even when our earthly fathers don’t acknowledge the importance of their presence – physically and spiritually – in our lives.  (Psalm 68:5; Luke 11:13; Galatians 4:6)

·        Good, even when certain circumstances of life on earth aren’t beneficial, pleasant, favorable, happy or right at all.  (Psalm 34:8; Psalm 100:5; Psalm 118:1)

      Therefore, our faith is a matter of choice.  It’s our decision!  Choose to tenaciously believe God is Who He says He Is regardless of how malevolent the enemy’s tactics and schemes are to get you to bow (worship him), to surrender (cave in), and give up (forfeit)!

      My friend, I am hopeful the next time you have to victoriously walk through the insidious circumstances of life on earth or live through the unexpected – all the while denying discouragement access to your soul (mind, emotions, and will), that your faith will arise, and your mouth will boldly declare…God is STILL Good!

© 2011 Julianne Pearson

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Romancing the Soul by Julianne Pearson

When you hear the word romance, what images come to mind?  Does candle light dinners?  Does a box of chocolate candy along with long stemmed red roses?  Even possibly, a hot bubble bath followed by a steamy sexual rendezvous?

Unfortunately, all of these portrayed images of romance have been heavily influenced by the spirit of the current worldly culture at large.  Various commercials, advertisements, television shows, and movies have bombarded our minds to accept their carnal definitions of romance without even a second thought.  However, today I would like to challenge you to go deeper in your understanding and raise your commitment level of practical application, as we discover together how valuable divine romance can be for the sustainability of any relationship.  By the time you finish reading this blog, you will realize that true romance makes a life-changing and lasting impact, far beyond the short shelf-life of any physical encounter.  Why?  Simply because romancing the soul is rooted and anchored in Love not lust.  Let me explain.

It is important to understand that someone in the relationship equation must have an accurate understanding of Love in order for romance to be present.  In order to fully embrace the revelation of romancing the soul, let’s begin by refreshing our understanding of what a soul consist of and how romance relates to each part.

Our soul is comprised of three parts:  our mind (the way we think), emotions (how we feel), and our will (our behavior based upon our thinking patterns and feelings).  To romance one’s mind is to be acutely aware of their intricate design by seeking to understand them before seeking to be understood by them.  To romance one’s emotions is to be aware of their places of pain and choose to minister healing instead of adding more hurt to the injury.  Therefore, the recipient’s will (behavior) reciprocates romance when the aforementioned Love acts are exhibited towards them.  In essence, you reap what you’ve sown.  The measure in which you give will be the measure given back to you. 

Therefore to successfully romance the soul of someone we claim to love, we must make a personal effort to learn and lovingly display the attributes of romance.  Are you ready?  Let’s go deep…

R = Relate

Romancing the soul begins with having the capacity to relate.  This means what’s important to those we claim to love becomes very important to us.  This eradicates mere lip service!  While we apply the principle of relating, our lifestyle becomes our mouthpiece. 

O = Opportunity

Everyday we must look, listen, and fill the voids in others’ life experiences.  With clarity of vision, we are endowed with the spiritual capacity to see where deficiencies lie.  Not to criticize or expose, of course.  However, opportunities arrive to give us the privilege of being an agent of healing while they endure their personal process to wholeness.

M = Meekness

I believe meekness is the fruit of power where one is graced to govern their own soul, dealing wisely with the ignorant and erring.  This is where pride must die so that we can become other-centered and have the ability to see the flickers of light in the midst of darkness.  Meekness also gives us the divine empowerment to choose gracefully which hills to die on!  This invokes a couple of questions, “Although I am right, will I really win?  Is it worth what it’s ultimately going to cost me?”  Most often, it’s not!

A = Acute Awareness

Being acutely aware increases one’s level of spiritual discernment in regards to perceiving an opportunity – the time and season.  Therefore, this is the divine wisdom to know what to do, when to do it, and how to properly function in the opportunity.  There may appear to be an opportunity to do something; however, it may not be the best time.  Consequently, due to being discernment deficient, one may lose the positive, lasting impact they desire.

N = Noteworthy

Since everyone is “wired” differently, romance has numerous definitions.  In essence, the receiver is the one that determines the definition of romance for them, not the giver.  Therefore, when we are the giver, being acutely aware (sensitive to the slightest details) enables us to create noteworthy moments more frequently.

C = Care

Most have heard the quote, “People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care!”  As our desire to romance the soul of those we claim to love increases, it is imperative that we choose to handle them with care through constant communication, acute awareness, revelation, and from eternal perspectives.  The ministry of reconciliation should always be the motivating force behind our decisions and choices.

E = Entrust

In my opinion, “entrust” is the icing on the cake of romance.  As we stand grounded in Love and exhibit the attributes of romance, we become qualified to be a “safe place” for someone else’s heart.  In choosing not to exploit their areas of weakness, we become a place of refuge, a haven if you will.  As a h.a.v.e.n., we are a place of healing that is acutely aware of the importance of operating from voluntary self-sacrificing and eternal perspectives which enables us to network by capitalizing on each others’ strengths while minimizing the exposure of individual weaknesses.  In essence, we become a place where they can experience the Unconditional Love and Peace of the Lord! 

You may be wondering why I repeatedly stressed “claim to love” throughout the blog.  The reason is without the corresponding actions of Love, our claims are empty confessions void of application.  I am hopeful this ministry of practicality equips you with the romantic tools necessary to make a significant, long-lasting impact on those whom you have the privilege to re-present Love and build your life with. 

Can you believe…I’m so excited for you!  For I believe romancing the soul has a long-lasting impact with returns that will richly bless you and your descendants for years to come!

© 2011 Julianne Pearson

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Drop that Class! by Julianne Pearson

While attending college and graduate school, there were individuals that began a class with me that didn’t complete the course of study.  After a few weeks of instruction, they would withdraw or drop the class for various reasons.  Some would state that the subject matter was too difficult; others reported that they were not fond of the instructors’ teaching style.  Additionally, there were those who realized they were not in a posture to take that particular class in light of all the other things that were currently transpiring in their lives. 

      Although throughout my educational matriculation I can only recall dropping one class, there has been other type of classes I had to drop.  Due to ignorance throughout my journey to the Truth of Me, I signed up for certain classes believing I would benefit greatly from the information gleaned.  Oh, how wrong I was!  After discovering through life experiences all that would be required of me, I realized it was no longer beneficial to my learning experience and potential growth for me to regularly gather with other students of  those particular courses of study.  So you know what I did?  I started dropping the classes one by one!  I declared a cease and desist on various subjects in my life.  I was done!  It was over!  Finished!  Kaput!

      By now I’m sure you have realized I am no longer speaking of the traditional classroom experiences.  I’m speaking about those “life experiences” that have left a bitter after taste in my mouth.  You know…those life experiences that make you literally sick to your stomach at the thought of even taking the class again; the classes that make you righteously indignant as you watch others willfully take the same class that brought you so much misery, and you would not desire the painful consequences even on your worst enemy. 

      Although I have dropped classes such as Whining 101, Spiritual Punk 101, and Spirit of Comparison 211, allow me to shed some light on the class I sat in for an unnecessary length of time – False Responsibility 101.

      Yes, you read it correctly – False Responsibility 101!  It was just a few short weeks ago that I finally dropped that class.  For absolutely too long, I chose to live my remixed version of Erykah Badu’s 2000 release entitled, “Bag Lady”.  All God has ever required of me is to rise and acknowledge the Truth that has been revealed to me without the obligation of taking ownership for the revealed Truth that someone else chooses to ignore.  I came to the realization that their denial and consequences are not my responsibility. Therefore, the results of continually taking False Responsibility 101 become an unnecessary weight God never intended for any of us to carry.  Whatever Truth God reveals to us means He is fully confident that we have the ability to respond according to His Purpose, Principles, and Plans. 

      Therefore, I encourage you to begin saying “No” to that class even when professional, master manipulating students try to get you to enroll.  Be confident and say…

·        No!  I did not give you a failing grade.  You chose not to pay attention in class, or do your homework in excellence, and neglected to study for the pop quizzes and scheduled tests.  In all actuality, you earned that grade.

·        No!  I am not the reason why you are on punishment this weekend.  Every decision you make has consequences – good or bad.  Therefore, the consequences of your unwise choices are the reason why your plans have been altered.

·        No!  I did not make you mad.  Managing your own emotions is your responsibility, not mine.  Therefore, stop hitting me!

·        No!  I did not force you to cheat on me.  It was your choice to renege on the commitment you made to God and me before all of our family and friends.

 

·        No!  I am not the reason why you have chosen to remain unfulfilled in a life of discontentment.  Apparently, your misery factor has not outweighed your fear factor.  Therefore, you have chosen to remain in the pain you know without venturing out into the possible and probable joy of the unknown.

      Remember our choices are ultimately reflections of our decisions.  As we experience the consequences of our decisions, we must ask ourselves…what is our dime in this quarter?  Meaning, what unwise choices did we make that resulted in the unfavorable consequences.  Once we accept our dime (portion) in the quarter (situation), we must leave the rest alone!  And if you’re one of the professional, master manipulators, refrain from inappropriately placing blame and take responsibility.  Admit (be honest and acknowledge), confront (actively address), and deal (diligently apply the Word of God) with those character flaws that keep you from living up to your fullest potential.  Please understand I am fully aware there are various factors that influence our decisions (mental assent).  However, never should we negate the personal power of choice by submitting our wills to those destructive influences. 

      Even if False Responsibility 101 is not the non-beneficial class you’re enrolled in, what classes are you signing up for that continue to hinder your ability to live effectively with joy and peace?  Truly, it’s the daily courses of study we take that determine how well we live.  Therefore, choose wisely!  Or like me, just DROP THE CLASS, and pick another one that will assist you in producing more favorable results!

© 2011 Julianne Pearson

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