Posted on by Simone

To Be Ourselves

Hello old friends, new followers and fellow bloggers- 

If only we knew the power of originality.  If only we knew how much we could impact the world by being the person God has created us to be.  Last night, I had a dream about a group of people willing to be who they were in church: fearless, bold, unrestrained and the results were amazing.  During my dream, I saw people giving their hearts to Christ without having to hear a preached word or an appeal for prayer.  What if I told you that being your true authentic self had the power to save souls, heal broken hearts and  to create freedom?

Think about it… God created us individually with different gifts, talents, personalities and strengths.  No one individual is the same on purpose.  For what one is proficient in and another struggles, community creates a space for teaching and perfecting.  God desires that we live out the life that He has ordained strictly for us.  If  I was created to be a square and I aspire to be a circle, I will live out my life as a square peg trying to fit into a round hole.  It’s not like the round hole is bad, neither is the community of circles evil or something- but I am aspiring to be someone that I was not created to be: a counterfeit version of myself.  This is what we do, when we aspire to dress like someone, talk like someone, work in our craft like someone- we morph into these little counterfeit selves, forfeiting our power of originality.  We are not bettering those around us because we don’t even know who we are.  God designed us to create.  We are to create beauty, love, community, friendship, justice and etc.  Counterfeits do not create, they mimic- only what is original has the power to create and pioneer.

So what’s so powerful about being our authentic God-created selves?  By walking in who God has created to be: we have the power to be solutions to problems,  to be voices of reason in the midst of wrong, and to be the impacts of change we seek for this world.  Being you is powerful, being someone else is not. If I bring this ideal to various locations such as a job, a school, or even a church: imagine what we would witness?  Comparing ourselves one to another would diminish, because we would realize that being ourselves is enough and therefore we don’t have to worry about how others complete tasks.  Insecurities like diseases would eventually eradicate because we would understand that God in his awesome power created us to be original and different, making our different styles of changing the world okay.  Self-esteem issues would cease because as we reflect on our creation we would realize how priceless, rare and special we are since no one has the same DNA as us.   Walking in our God-created selves would liberate the world.

So… yes, being you can be scary.  Yes, being you can make others uncomfortable.  But, who cares?  To be ourselves can also liberate, eradicate and elevate as we better those around us.  We have a responsibility to better the world: our way.  We can’t go around mimicking others game plans and expecting those results.  We need to go to the drawing board and seek the advice of the one who made us to create our own game plan, our own blueprint.  Think of living life as an architect, creating and building in your own signature style.  Or maybe think as a fashion designer yearning for your product to be different as it expresses who you are.  Strive to stand out for pioneers do not blend with those who were not brave enough to lead the way.

Until next time,

Simone

“Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
    Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.” Psalm 139:14 NLT

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Posted on by Simone

Empty Promises

Hello old friends, new followers and fellow bloggers- 

How are you guys doing?  My mind just took a turn down memory lane, it does that sometimes.  I used to think my memory was a curse, a realm of my mind that constantly brought up things I wished I could forget, but now I believe it is a blessing- a contributor to lessons learned and the reason wisdom takes top priority in the character wish list.

It is not until you at the end of an empty promise that you understand the importance of keeping one’s word.  A man’s word is his bond, bond can be defined as an agreement with legal force..a promise, vow , or word of honor.  I’ve been on the receiving end of empty promises so much so that for a period of time, I lacked faith in one’s words or agreements made with me.  This trust was so diminished that I expected everyone to disappoint me, and you can’t have long lasting friendships when you’re expecting disappointment.  But, hey- you get what you expect right?

A distant memory triggered today’s discussion.  Once upon a time, I was friends with a guy that I worked with.  We became close very fast and anyways, he was giving me a ride home from work when he made a definite statement “I intend on hanging out with you this summer.”  I didn’t ask for him to hang out with me outside of work.  I never pushed a deeper friendship with him, so this took me aback for a moment, but at the same time my friend circle was so small that I was excited at the thought of adventures this summer with him.  That summer came and left- we never hung out that summer.  Again I was at the end of an empty promise, I should have expected it, but I didn’t and that was what made it hurt even more.

Good intentions paved the pathway to hell.  We all intend to do things, but how many of us actually follow through.  Like, really follow through.  Talk is cheap and intentions mean nothing without action, so today I encourage you guys to watch what you say you intend to do.  If you make a promise, keep it!  A man/woman is only as good as their word, if you lack the ability to follow through- making promises isn’t for you.  Some people can’t follow through, they have big vision and big dream but lack the capability to bring those things to life, causing what they imagined to die right in their hands.

Watch what you say, because your words have duel power- the power to make someone’s life better and/or the power to make someone’s life worse.  Keep your empty promises to yourself!

Until next time,

Mo 🙂

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Posted on by Simone · 2 Comments

With Just A Few Strokes

I looked at my fingers, and I beheld their beauty.  Individually designed, with a great duty.  These digits were created to create, a prolific task.  Their assignment matching their Creator, wasn’t too much to ask. So  I admired their charm and I touched each indention.  Creation was on my mind, love was my intention.  As I stared at these little miracle workers, as I thought of all they could be.  The face of the Miracle Worker, the Creator appeared to me.  With one stroke of His finger, He created a hand.  With the collection of all His fingers, He created man. He swayed His huge digit, painting a picture in the sky  A rainbow appeared out of no where, He didn’t even have to try.  This is why I believe fingers are important, why I think they exist. So that we would touch the world around us, so we would find in creation-eternal bliss.
©Simone Holloway, 2015

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Posted on by Simone

The Revised Letter to My Ten-Year Old Self

Hello Authentic Lovers,

Maybe a month and a half ago, I published an article called “Dear Ten- Year Old Self” it was letter full of regret and angst at my current love life. It was my way of saying that I was destined to be alone, which is totally not true. It was probably the most depressing piece of literature I have ever written; it was REALLY depressing.

So today…I was in my kitchen thinking about the last few articles written and decided that my perception of love and how I’ve experienced it has darkened my views.  Love is not as bad as I have made it out to be. In fact, love is a beautiful gift that should be treasured and acquired by many.  Those who are hurting, project this image of a broken world because of their own brokenness and that is the image I was projecting- an image of brokenness.  I was so broken, to the point that I thought I could not be repaired; but God works with things that seem to be impossible, things that cannot be salvaged. He relishes in the lost causes. I thought I was a lost cause, a tragic story that had no hope in its ending- I was wrong. I was so wrong about God, about love and about myself. I saw myself as weak, vulnerable, a victim- a target just waiting for the next broken heart, but that is not who I am.  I am not weak, fragile, broken; I’ve been made whole and should live my life as such. I was not the same little girl that always felt unloved, nor did I have the same little heart that had been smashed into a million pieces- I was no longer her. The funny thing about life is that sometimes little people grow up battling the same demons, feeling the same way, going through the same motions of childhood, of adolescence.

As I’m writing to you, I feel a sense of rebirth and renewal- something that my middle name (Renee) means but I have yet to truly experience.  I sense this difference in mindset and I’ve come to understand that the same God I thought wanted to hinder love from me was the same God begging for me to receive His love.  God has loved me from the beginning of time and yet I sought after this love in people, in places, in things. I’ve searched for my prince charming, like a princess without a home; when I had a prince waiting for me to embrace the gift of His life. You know, sometimes we have to hurt- we have to experience pain to learn a lesson, to truly move forward.

Pain is not a curse but rather a gift, a signal to instruct us that we are in the wrong place- that we shouldn’t be comfortable with what we have. Pain distinguishes what is good and bad for us and therefore comes in handy.  I was seeing pain as this obsolete apparition that followed me into every stage of life, but rather pain was making me and shaping me into the strong young woman I have become.  Pain was my blessing and it’s life lessons have helped me grow.

So if I could write a new letter to myself at ten, I would say “Stay the same- be you!” Yes, there will be pain.  Yes, people will hurt you. Yes, at times you will feel alone- but remain true to yourself. Love with everything inside of you and realize that the prince you seek so badly is waiting for you with His arms outstretched, waiting to give you His life. Today, I am loved. I am strong. I am fearless. Does that mean I have everything together? No. Does that mean that I don’t have more learning to do? Oh course not! But I am not longer the victim, waiting for my demise. I am the victor, the one that overcame and chose to love in spite of.  I am no longer broken, I am whole. This is who I am and I don’t apologize for living my life as such.

If you’ve felt like me once upon a time in your life, I would love to hear about it! Feel free to share your thoughts with me. I hope that this post tonight encourages you and helps you realize that you are stronger than you think. I believe in you! I believe in your dreams and ambitions. I believe in the greatness of what you was created to be. Lastly, I believe in the power of your love. I know that your love can change the world for the better. Love is powerful, the same way it can be used to destroy is the same way it can be used to heal. Love healed me. God’s love healed me and it made into the person that I am today. I believe in your love. If you need anything- someone to talk to or just a friend,  you can reach me via email: authenticlove789@gmail.com, like my page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authenticlove789. Follow me on Twitter @framesofdust8 and finally join my Instagram family: @lawnmusic578. I can’t wait to hear from you and we’ll speak soon!

Until next time,
Mo 🙂

Posted on by Simone

The Power of His Word

Hello old friends, new followers, and fellow bloggers-

Do you know someone who seeks to fulfill their promises? How would you describe these “rare” individuals?  Would you trust your life with them? What if they said that they had this grand plan for your life and that everything was going to work for your good (Rom 8:28)? Do you know someone who actively watch over what they say? This being said, they do not say anything that they are not planning on fulfilling? 

Well friends…I know someone like this.  In fact, I have pledged my life to this individual knowing that in His hands I am extremely safe.  Who is He? Well He has many names… Some like to call Him Yahweh ( my personal favorite), or Jehovah.  Some call Him God or the man upstairs.  I call Him Abba, Love, Master, etc- and He fulfills His promises.   Today, we are going to discuss the power of being in relationship with someone who fulfills their promises- someone who has power in their words.  

Have someone ever promised to do something for you and forgot?  Or worse, intentionally chose not to come through?  I have spent years in relationship with individuals who never came through on their word.  To tell you the truth, it’s kind of annoying.  It’s like you get your hopes up and you prepare for something that doesn’t happen-leaving you completely crushed.  After while, I stopped expecting people to come through on their promises, this can be a bad thing because it produces trust issues.  Good thing, Yahweh is not like people- He makes it His goal to come through. Jeremiah 1:12 (AMP) says “Then said the Lord to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.” He is alert and actively watching.  He isn’t distracted or tired.  He isn’t lazily watching over His word, no- He is always alert. He is always watching His word. 

That means that He sees where you are now, knowing that His word is on its way to you.  He knows what is to come and if you don’t give up, you’ll see His promises come to pass in your life.  There is a guarantee in God, He can’t fail and He won’t fail you.  He is going to bring you to where you need to be to live in the life He promised, He’ll do it- I know He will.  In fact Isaiah 55:11(AMP) says “So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” His word is not going to come back to Him without producing what He has spoken.  

We are a product of His word, in the beginning of time – God created the world with a spoken word.  He said “Let there be” and there was… That is the power of His word. When God speaks a thing, no matter what it is, it produces something (change, deliverance, healing, salvation, etc.). God created through His word and He creates a new life for us with His word.  His promises are sure because His word will produce what He spoken.  John 1:1(AMP) says “In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself” He is the Word and He has the power to change our lives by speaking over our destinies! 

There is power in His word.  Be encouraged and know that what God has spoken is going to happen- it will!  Have a great day, keep your chin up and continue to believe in a God who can do the impossible.

Until next time, 

Mo 🙂 

Posted on by Simone

Free From Other’s Opinions

Hello old friends, new followers and fellow bloggers-

Today is Independence Day!!! Yay 🙂 Today is the day that America celebrates being free from Great Britain, and becoming its own nation.  I love the concept of freedom.  In fact my faith in Jesus, celebrates freedom.  John 8:36  says “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (KJV) I love this verse and I believe that people can be free from anything; addictions, old habits, old mindsets, and finally the opinions of others.  Some of us aren’t bound to substances or bad patterns such as mutilation and etc, but rather we are bound by the opinions of others concerning our lives. So, today we are going to talk about the importance of being free from the opinions of others.

Have you ever changed your mind concerning something based on an opinion? Not a fact, an opinion?  An opinion is defined as a “belief, judgment, or way of thinking about something : what someone thinks about a particular thing”, this is not necessarily based on any facts. How many times have we changed our clothes, hairstyles, and pop culture choices because someone did not like what we were into? How many times have we changed our short-term goals because someone thought what we aspired to do was too “risky” or because it “didn’t make sense”?  I believe that this holiday can be the fuel to the fire of us as individuals, coming to the place where we make decisions for our lives that are not based upon what other people think, feel, or believe.

Now, I’m not trying to knock down other people’s beliefs but I believe that what may be the solution for one person my not work for another person.  This is why I believe God allowed men to write 66 books of the Bible, there is a book/ verse for everyone.  The scripture that captures my heart and brings me hope, may not be the scripture that does the same for you- but both verses accomplish the goal of building hope.  We all live different lives, so instead of being bound to one’s opinion of how my life should play out and who I should be- why don’t I just live my life to please God and let Him worry about the rest.  Some of us have not accomplished our divine assignments and dreams because  of the opinions of others.  We have missed opportunities because we cared too much about what others thought.  One thing my mom taught me is that each and everyone of us is going to have to give an account for how we lived our lives.  We can’t go before God and said, I didn’t change the world because “Sally” didn’t like my approach to world-changing. We can’t say – I didn’t show others how to love because “Bill” hated the way I approached everyone with a hug.

Who cares what they think?         Really…who cares?  

Let us stop giving so much power to people!  Let us live our lives pleasing God and allow Him to love through us.  At the end of the day, the people we allow to run our lives do not matter- it’s all about Him and how He is exalted in our lives.  Let us be free from the opinions of others!  

Until next time,

Mo 🙂

Posted on by Simone

Speak Up!

Hello old friend, new followers and fellow bloggers-

Today I witnessed the power of words on the human heart.

 Words are filled with special powers; the power to heal and to kill, the power to build and to destroy, the power to bring things to life and to cause things to die, the power to give hope and to produce despair, and the power to breathe love and to promote hate.  

As a writer, I ❤ words!  In fact, I live to share words with you everyday about my life and experiences.  I love words, so much so, that I am intentional about how I use them.  As a writer who knows the power of words, I have to be intentional with what I say.  I cannot out of a fit of anger say something that I regret.  My words can destroy someone’s life *dramatic voice*.  Since I know this, I choose to think before I speak up.  I choose to say things etched in life rather than speak sentences filled with death.  

Proverbs 18:21 says “Life and death is in the power of our tongue and we will have the fruit thereof” (paraphrasing of course).  As a community of people, especially believers, we have to watch what we say.  Our words are like swords cutting into the hearts of individuals.  So when you speak up, think about the soul you are going to speak to and choose your words wisely. 

The enemy has a field day with us when we allow negative spoken words to trap us into depression and despair.  We have to speak up!  We have to use our words for good, we have to speak hope when there is none and life when life is nonexistent.  We have to speak against negativity and speak positive things.  Speak up! 

Let us use our words wisely!  Let us be the change we seek!  Let us speak up against injustice!  Let us be the voice for those without! SPEAK UP!!!!!

Until next time, 

Mo 🙂

Posted on by Simone

Be Careful Little Mouths What You Say

Not too long ago, I had a friend that was notorious for saying things he did not mean. Notorious for it! He would schedule things with me and wouldn’t show up. He would tell me he had my back and wouldn’t be there for me when I needed him the most. He would tell me that he cared about me but his actions proved something else. His words said one thing but his actions spoke of a different tale, a tale of dishonesty, fakeness, and plain insincerity.

It was through these experiences that I learned about the power of words.  They have power to build you up or tear you down especially when they are disingenuous. I built a wall because of his actions. A wall  that I have been  trying to tear down for the past 3 years, one I’m trying to tear down even today.\
This is how I feel. If you have nothing nice to say: SHUTUP! If you have no intentions of following through with what you say: SHUTUP! If you don’t mean the words that come out of your mouth: SHUTUP!  I rather you say nothing than destroy someone with your misleading, negative, destroying words. Proverbs 18:21 tells us that life and death is in the power of our tongue… This means that there’s power in our words. I would rather see you live life in silence than to destroy someone with what you say or do.  Sometimes our actions are the loudest things speaking in our lives.

Girls don’t play a bunch of games with guys by telling them you’re into things that you’re not. Guys don’t tell girls that you’re going to call them and then don’t, follow through with your commitments. I rather a man never tell me he’s going to call than to be expecting a phone call that I’m never going to receive.  Be honest, be real! Be careful little mouths what you say.
Mo

Posted on by Simone

The Three Most Dangerous Words

      There are three words that have the power to make or break us.  These words can make us feel extremely happy or send us into a depression that is too deep to escape from.  The three most dangerous words known to mankind are: I Love You.  These words carry so much weight yet they are said so lightly.  I remember talking with a friend and she opened up the floor of conversation to the use of the words “I love you”.  She asked me how frequently I used those three words.  I replied, nonchalantly “Not too often, just enough”.  “What does that mean? “ She pressed as we sat and enjoyed a cup of coffee. “I don’t know, I say it when someone says it to me.”  Thinking back on that confession, I realized that our society has caused us to be so immune to the power of those three simple words: I Love You. Image

       Love is an action word.  Love was shown in the most exemplar fashion when Christ, out of love, died for mankind.  Love has to be proven when spoken or it means nothing.  When someone tells an individual that they love them but are not there for them, do not call to see how they are doing, and are not concerned about their welfare- their words of love are like poison, killing the individuals from the inside out. 

        Love becomes a remedy when it’s used properly.  It has the power to heal, restore, birth purpose and change lives when shown as effectively as spoken.  Christ showed His Love.  He did not just give us a bunch of empty words meaning nothing, but instead gave up His life to prove His love.  He took three dangerous words and created three words of hope: I  Love You.