WHAT'S YOUR PASSION?!?

Happy Blessed Wednesday Family,

The longer I live the more I understand how Very, **VERY** important it is for us to have a PASSION .....a PURPOSE for Living out our Lives!

What's Your PASSION? What gets your juices flowing? What gets you excited about Life?.......Your golf game, your family, your career, your favorite sports team, helping/caring for others, your exercise routine, your fashion style, being a Mighty Servant for Our Lord?? WHAT IS YOUR PASSION?

If you don't have something that causes you to want to GO ALL OUT and GIVE IT YOUR ALL - *I PRAY* that in 2015 you find Your PASSION, Your PURPOSE!!

In order to walk out our Life Journey, in order to be the Blessing God has birthed us to be.......it is essential that we have a yearning to fulfill that deep calling in our heart and soul.  It is important that our Lives are NOT ALL ABOUT US!  And when we get to that point, when we humble ourselves and realize that it truly is NOT ALL 'BOUT US?!? WE WILL FIND OUR PASSION........OUR PURPOSE!  We will organically walk right into what and why the Lord has Blessed us with these precious Lives. Oh Yeah!! What Peace.....What PEACE You will feel! And YOU will do **AMAZING** things.  God has a **MIGHTY PURPOSE** for YOUR LIFE!!  I Promise!

"But His purpose is born of love and resides in the heart.  It's more about being kind, having patience, being determined, never giving up, being self-controlled, joy, peace, gentleness.....the fruits of the spirit." (Jesse & Lizzy, PktFuel.com)

Family...."real talk"?? (as my friend Shellie says)....I want to let you know that it took me awhile to figure out and *Confidently* step into My PURPOSE (well, God's reason for me being here- LOL!)  And to be completely honest?!?  I'm still a "Work in Progress in HIS Hands".  Figuring out Mona's PURPOSE only came about as a result of lots of twists and turns, ups and downs, highs and lows....it only came about as a result of ME WALKING OUT THIS GOD DIRECTED, UNPREDICTABLE, SOMETIMES MESSY, AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL THING CALLED LIFE.

Whew!!!  OK!  Sooooooo, that's all the Lord's put on my mind for today's Mona Girl Blog. As I leave you until next Wednesday, here are a few things to ponder as you seek Your PASSION....Your PURPOSE.   

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God." (Psalm 42:1)

"Your heart will be where your treasure is." (Matthew 6:21)

(Thanks Shellie)

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us." (Romans 12:6)

YEAH.....#NuffSaid!!  

Continued Success and Blessings Family!!!

LAUGH OUT LOUD!!! #LOL!!!

Happy Blessed Wednesday Family.

Today's Mona Girl Blog is ALLLLL about LAUGHTER!! I was laughing so hard this weekend, I mean a *FULL BODY LAUGH* that I thought, hey - why not do a message on LAUGHTER?!?   :)

So here we go......

I know there are TONS of scientific stats about how good laughter is for your body. I checked out WebMD and their docs site all sorts of benefits of Laughter ranging from: when we stretch the muscles throughout our face/body, we send more oxygen to our tissues; it's likened to a mild workout and a great way to boost your heart rate; and that 10-15 minutes of sustained laughter can burn approx. 50 calories.  Yeah!  I don't know about you but the medical facts are just gravy for me.  I LOVE TO LAUGH just for the sheer feeling of Freedom, Peace and Pure Joy it brings to my soul. As my friends know, I tend to be a tad on the quirky side so my "Laughter Barometer" is easily ignited.  And sometimes at the most inappropriate times like in church, in client meetings......which makes NOT laughing almost impossible :)

Anywho, today's Mona Girl Blog is to encourage us ALL to add a bit more LAUGHTER into our lives. It's good for the Heart, Soul, Mind and Body!  When you laugh it's contagious.......you pay the "LOL" benefits forward.  AND another reason to throw your head back and belt out a deep belly laugh more often?? Jesus (YES Jesus!) has a sense of humor.  And if we truly are His and made in His likeness, laughter should be one of the things that we enjoy/share with our Lord. As a result of my personal relationship with My Lord, I know for a fact that He's got jokes!! And if my word is not enough to convince you, just take a look at what the Bible says about laughter.  "Then our mouth was filled with laughter And our tongue with joyful shouting;......." (Psalm 126:2).   "He will yet fill your mouth with laughter And your lips with shouting (Job 8:21) Yeah, it's a done deal, no need for further debate........LAUGHTER is Biblically Sound!!

So with that said, I am closing this Wednesday's Mona Girl Blog with a few jokes to get you started on the path to including more LAUGHTER in your life.  I'm still chuckling about a couple of these jokes so let your hair down, throw your head back and LOL!!!

Before going into surgery I thought it would be funny if I posted a note on myself telling the surgeon to be careful.  After the surgery I found another note on myself. "Anyone know where my cell phone is????"

A man died and went to The Judgement, they told him, "Before you meet with God, I should tell you - we've looked over your life, and to be honest you really didn't do anything particularly good or bad. We're not really sure what to do with you. Can you tell us anything you did that can help us make a decision?"

The newly arrived soul thought for a moment and replied. "Yeah, once I was driving along and came upon a person who was being harassed by a group of thugs. So I pulled over, got out a bat, and went up to the leader of the thugs. He was a big, muscular guy with a ring pierced through his lip. Well, I tore the ring out of his lip, and told him he and his gang better stop bothering this guy or they would have to deal with me!"

"Wow that's impressive, when did this happen?"

"About three minutes ago," came the reply.

An actor had been out of work for 15 years because he always forgot his lines.Then one day he received a phone call from a Director who wanted him for a big part in a play.  All he had to say was "Hark! I hear the cannon roar." After much worry, the actor decided to take the role. Opening night arrived, and while he waited in the wings, the actor muttered to himself; "Hark! I hear the cannon roar. Hark! I hear the cannon roar."  The time for his entrance finally came and as the actor made his appearance, he heard a loud brooooom! He turned around and said "what the heck was that?" - Robert De Nero

Larry was a photographer for the New York Times and was scheduled to meet a plane on the runway to take him up on a shoot.  "Hit it", said Larry climbing into the first plane he saw on the runway.  The pilot took off, and was soon in the air.  "OK," said Larry, "fly low over the trees over there, I want to take a few pictures."  "What do you mean?", asked the pilot.  Larry looked at the pilot and answered a little annoyed, "I need to take some pictures for the N.Y Times, so please......"  There was a long pause, before the pilot asked in a shaky voice, "you mean you're not my pilot instructor?"

LOL!!!! Continued Success and Blessings Family!!

ARE YOU SCURRRED?? #NOfear!!

Hi Family,

This Wednesday's Mona Girl Blog is ALL about that pesky, negative emotion - Fear.  I read somewhere that "FEAR" is the acronym for "False Evidence Appearing Real".  Hmmmmm "False".......that means Not True.  That means that when life's stuff causes us to fear, that when we allow fear to exist in our lives and thoughts, that when we allow fear to exist and roam free unchecked.....We are acting in a way that is NOT TRUE to our character our nature.  And if we are truly walking with the Lord, we really should not fear anyone or anything, right?? "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4). Oh Yeah!!! That Mighty Scripture was written by King David (one of my fave Men in the Bible) and let me tell you, King David had PLENTY to fear.  But as you read the Book of Psalms, you will see that even though he feared for his life on too many occasions to count, even though he had every reason to retreat and give in to fear.....King David did not let fear grip him.  The Man after God's own Heart took comfort in his intimate, one-on-one relationship with God.  He knew that God would guide and protect him through ANY kind of fears that came his way.  He walked and lived out (daily) "God's now at my side and I'm not afraid; who would dare lay a hand on me?" (Psalm 118:6, MSG).

Yeah, I know......MUCH easier said than done.  I can truly raise my hand in the class that at times when fear has reared its ugly head, I've given in.  I've cringed and retreated.  I've turned and ran (sprinted) the other way. I've desperately cried out to my Lord for immediate HELP!! I've turned to family and friends for relief.  I've panicked.  The list goes on and on for how I've dealt with fear.  But today I am here to share some Good News with you!!  The closer I continue to live/walk with My Lord, the shorter the "Fear Fuse" has over me. Instead of letting fear tick away at my heart, mind and soul like a time bomb.....because I am walking with God, I can snuff out the "Fear Fuse" before it overtakes me....before it cripples me.....before it knocks me down. How do I do this?? I face fear with God's Word. The more Scriptures I have in my arsenal to fire away when fear strikes, the easier it is each time to deal with the Untruth of "False Evidence Appearing Real." That's why memorizing Scriptures, having God's Word written down in your journal, saving Scriptures on your phone, carrying Scriptures in your wallet/purse, sharing Scriptures with friends/family, posting Scriptures around your home, etc. will help you face your fears and courageously walk out this thing called life.

I know, I know......I can hear you saying: "Mona, you have NOOOOO idea what I am dealing with.  With what's going on in my life, I have every right to be fearful, to live in fear." Yep, You are right, I don't know what you're dealing with but I do know this: because I've experienced fears that have shaken me to my absolute core, fears that have almost crushed and wounded me beyond repair, because I've looked fear head on, I can say without hesitation or reservation......BUT God!  God and His Mighty Word is how I've managed.  God and His Promises in Scripture is how I've survived.  My relationship with God is how I've been able to continue to LIVE, FUNCTION and HELP others who fear has/is trying to consume!!

Easy - NO, doable YES.  Following are some Scriptures to help you combat fear and to help you begin to stock your Scripture Arsenal. Read them, memorize them, right them down, share them, carry them with you.  You are now equipping yourself with the necessary/required tools that will enable you to stand strong and tall the next time fear rears its ugly head in your life.

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear or be afraid of them; for the Lord you God, He is the One who goes with you.  He will not leave you nor forsake you.
Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man brings a snare: but whoever puts his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
Isaiah 41:13 For I the LORD your God will hold your right hand, saying to you, Fear not; I will help you.
Mark 4:40 And he said to them, Why are you so fearful? how is it that you have no faith?
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you: not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.
Hebrews 13:6 So we may boldly say:  The Lord is my helper, I will not fear.  What can man do to me?

And two more ESSENTIALS that are a MUST for You:

1) Daily Word: www.dailyword.com (Free Daily Inspirational and Encouraging Messages that are short and to the point, couple short paragraphs at most). Each Daily Word ends with a take-away Scripture for you :)

2) Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (Daily Messages just like God is speaking directly to YOU that end with take-away Scriptures you can look up in your Bible) (Amazon.com Hard Cover: $9.11 and Kindle $7.99).

OK. So are you With ME?!?  *WE* can do this!  *WE* can face our fears, our "False Evidence Appearing Real".  *WE* no longer have to allow fear to steal our Joy and Peace.  It takes practice (lots of practice) and it requires discipline (lots of discipline) but I AM IN IF YOU ARE!! "Fear knocked at the door and I said Jesus will you get that please?" (Anonymous)

Continued Success and Blessings My Family.

JESUS LOVES YOU!!!

Hi Family,

I've dropped by this Wednesday to let you in on a TRUTH that will NEVER EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER change.....no matter what we do, no matter how we act, NO MATTER WHAT........**JESUS LOVES US!**  And HE ALWAYS will!

Whewee!  What a reassuring and comforting thought!  We do not have to earn His Love. We do not have to strive and struggle to receive His Love!  Jesus LOVES you and me because that's just who HE is!  His death on the cross over 2,000 years ago took care of ALL of our sins.....the ones we've already committed in the past and the ones we don't even know that we will commit in the future :)

The Holy Spirit put on my heart to pen this message for today's Mona Girl Blog because some of you are feeling that you've blown it when it comes to your Faith, to your Walk with the Lord.  Well, I'm here to tell YOU........YOU have not blown anything!!  JESUS LOVES YOU.....NO MATTER WHAT YOU'VE DONE!

I read several Spiritual Devotionals each morning and one of my faves is InTouch Ministries - Daily Devotion by Dr. Charles Stanley.  Last Friday's Devo was entitled "God is Our Loving Father" and it was ALLLL about how people (i,.e., family, friends, co-workers, some Christians..YES, Church Folks can be the worst sometimes when it comes to the TRUTH) feel that we must barter, plead and try hard to earn our Lord's Favor.....when in TRUTH, our Father's Love is unconditional!! It was in Biblical times and it still is today. Need more proof?!?  Check out the Prodigal Son's Story in Luke 15:11-24. What goes for the Prodigal Son goes for YOU and ME...Today.....Right Now!!

"God cares for you simply because you're you, and He expects nothing in return. When God looks at His loved ones, He doesn't focus on their past failures, faults or sins.  No matter how far we may wander from the Lord's perfect will for our lives, we are always welcome back.  The Bible teaches that God's love cannot be lost, regardless of sins or poor decisions (though we may have to live with the consequences).  Our Father's arms are always open." - Dr. Charles Stanley 

So if you've strayed, you're not feeling the presence of the Lord in your life, you need to reconnect/bond again with your Heavenly Father OR you've never had a relationship with Him........what should you do?? Well, I've got a suggestion.....and a wonderful suggestion (if I say so myself - LOL!) that is Right On Time as we step into our 2015 New Year. Please Pray with me the following **Prayer of Salvation**  And just like that, you will have taken a BIG STEP forward in your Faith.......in reconnecting/connecting with Your Heavenly Father.

Dear Jesus, 
I don't want to live without a Savior any longer.  I believe you died for me and I want to confess my sin and receive Your new life.  I choose on this day to invite You into my heart.  I thank You for your blood shed for me on the Cross at Calvary.  Now I will do my very best to live the rest of my life for You. I Pray this Prayer by Faith in Your Name. Amen.

Wellllll, how do you feel??  AWESOME right?!?  For those of you who prayed the above, I am sooo Happy and Excited for you and I would suggest checking out your local church for Sunday Service, Wednesday Bible Study, watching some online Sermons (email me if you want a couple suggestions...wincty@aol.com).  God has some AMAZING things in store for your life. Just a little reminder, Our Lord is not a magician or genie........it takes us walking out our Faith each and every day.......but because of our relationship with our Heavenly Father and because we know without a doubt that **JESUS LOVES US**.......We Can Do This Thing Called Life!!!

I think the PERFECT way to close this Wednesday's Mona Girl Blog would be to share with you one of my FAVE songs:

"Jesus Loves Me this I know.  For the Bible tells me so.  Little Ones to Him Belong. They are Weak but He is Strong.  YES, Jesus Loves Me!  YES, Jesus Loves Me! YES, Jesus Loves Me! For the Bible Tells Me So."

Oh Yeah!!!! It DOESN'T get any better than this.

Continued Success and Blessings Family!!