The Price of Greatness

The price of greatness is responsibility- Winston Churchill

As I continue reflecting over this year, I recognize the areas in my life where I didn't excell. There were many areas that I only did what was required of me. This happens to the best of us. Not always, do we short change our ablity to work in the spirit of excellence because we are just simply lazy. However,  in most cases that is the main reason. Sometimes, situations arise that kill our zeal and excitement for doing our best.  Today I want to encourage you to continue strong.

I was just laying in my bed thinking about a conversation my husband and I were having in regards to a situation that had arised in our lives and a few things came to mind.

As believers, we are to believe that we can do all things through Christ basically because He is working on the inside of us. This means to me that being average is not my only choice I have. I can be great at everything I put my hands to and I can also be attributed greatness by the people I come in contact with. How? Im glad you asked!  As I sat and pondered who I considered to be great, I found one common thing in each individual.  They all went over and beyond what was required of them in some area of their life.

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"Let us consider the nature of true greatness in men. The people that can catch hold of men's minds and feelings and inspire them to do things bigger than themselves are the people who remembered in history... those who stir feelings and imaginations and make men struggle towards perfection."

 -Henry Erying-

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After thorougly examining who I thought could be attributed greatness, I realized that the spirit of excellence was also at work in them. The spirit of excellence is never just concerned with the big picture or the end results. However, the spirit of excellence is detailed- oriented. The spirit of excellence is concerned about every little step that makes up the journey of the big picture. The spirit of excellence doesn't rest at just doing the job, but it effortlessly works at doing the job right and in order. More importantly, the spirit of excellence works at its best and never just at what is good. The spirit of excellence isn't just working in just one area of someone's life or an organization, but its seeps through every facet of who or what possesses it. This is because the spirit of excellence becomes a habit. It's something that is work at to be obtained. Once it is obtain, it becomes second nature to always work in it. 

Let me give you examples of greatness and the spirit of excellence! 

Harriet Tubman, was a lady who was burdened by the weight of slavery amongst African- American people. She really didn't have to help others get free from slavery, but the greatness in her called for her to think of others before herself. The spirit of excellence called for her to work the vision in such a way that 300 slaves was able to obtain freedom. 

Dr. James Naismith, was the inventor of the sport basketball in 1891. He wrote the first basketball rulebook. He also founded the University of Kansans first basketball program. Dr. Naismith is attributed with releasing an idea that has impacted men and women across our world. Today basketball is a billion dollar industry. The spirit of excellence in him gave way to not only manifesting a vision but teaching others about his vision. This has enable thousands of people to dream and obtain careers in the basket ball industry. 

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Great minds discuss idea, average minds discuss events, and small minds discuss people

-Hyman Rickover-

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Being attributed greatness, nor working in the spirit of excelles, will prevent you from making bad decisions or mistakes. These are apart of life and vital to our growth. However, being attributed greatness and the spirit of excellence will cause one to go over and above what is required to rectify any mistake or bad decisions made.  This is called being responsible. No one who has ever been atrributed greatness or the spirit of excellence, has not ever been a responsible individual, or organization. 

Today I admonsish you, to work on your legacy of greatness by always working in a spirit of excellence. Rather it be in school, ministry, family life, friendships, or careers; work to be the best and to do it with class. People never really remember what you have said or what you have done, but they alway remember how you made them feel. In your journey towards being great, set your heights towards doing things that will leave a legacy for others to follow behind in your footsteps. Set a standard for yourself and always make sure you keep your word, and esteem others higher than yourself. We will come in contact with many wonderful people in our lifetime, but the ones who go beyond themselves to impact others and make the lives of others easier are always who will be remembered. 

Merry Christmas Everyone, Make 2012 the year you set the foundation for a Great Legacy!

Rofasho

Character, Integrity, & Reputation

Today's blog is about three important words! At some point in our adult lives we should have a working understanding about. Those three words are  Character, Integrity and Reputation. The three words are very important and vital to each individual human being. However we need to know what is our responsibility on grooming and protecting the three.

Character- The combination of qualities or features that distinguishes on person, group, or thing from another

A person with character, has certain qualities that stand out to others. These qualities generally attribute to this person of being, reputable, trustworthy, responsible, loving, and law-abiding.  These attributes are things that a person has worked hard at obtaining. Therefore these things are in their control and no one else's. More than likely the person who has these attributes has been raise to respect and value character. The positive thing about having character, is that once you have obtained it can not be taken away. You can relinquish your character, but no one actually has the power to take it away.  

Integrity-  adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honest

Integrity is basically, meaning what you say and saying what you mean. A person is attributed integrity when their moral beliefs matches up with their daily activities and speech.  Again, this is in the control of the individual who wishes to obtain integrity. Much like character, integrity can not be taken away from a person unless the person relinquishes it. This is simply done by not keeping your word, speaking without intentions, doing the opposite of what you profess to believe is rights or having no moral values at all. 

Reputation-  the estimation in which a person or thing is held, especially by the community, or the public generally; repute

Reputation is important but not nearly as character and integrity. Character and integrity is worked on by the person who wishes to have it. However, reputation is the gathered image of what people think/feel about who you are. A reputation can be true or false! You can have a fantastic reputation and have no character at all. How is this possible? I am glad you ask! You could do something nice for one person and the one person tells everyone they know about what you did for them. Now everyone believes this is what you do all the time. Or you can have terrible reputation, and actually have great character. You could have made a bad decision once and the wrong person found out about; and exposed it. Ultimately, leading everyone to believe that the one bad decision is who you are and what you do all the time. 

Unfortunately, our society is reputation driven. Its so much easier and takes less time to just take the word of someone else about another person, rather than getting to know someone for ourselves. Learning some one's character is not an overnight process. The great thing about people with character, they have no problem with taking that time to find out the truth about a person. People with character will protect their character and integrity at all cost, so they do not immediately attach themselves to everyone. Again we live in a reputation driven society, so you don't see to many people with character and good reputations hanging around people with terrible reputations and no character at all. 

Although reputations is carried by others by word of mouth; character and integrity isn't. If you want character and integrity it comes with responsibility of your own actions.  As I have stated before we hear of people getting there character slandered and defamed; however, that isn't actually possible to be done. Yes people can lie on you, but a lie with out proof for a person with character and track record of doing the right thing doesn't really have chance to stand up in court. Your character and integrity can only be slandered and defamed if you yourself actually compromise it. What do I mean? I'm glad you asked. Bill Clinton for the most part had a great rapport with the United States until he compromised it with Monica Lewinsky. No one actually slandered President Clinton, he simply compromised his integrity and character for oral sex. The only thing that happen was someone exposed what he compromised to. As you can see that Bill Clinton was in control of being slandered or not, by simply taking a moment to think things through. Now his reputation is known for receiving oral sex while holding the presidential office. This doesn't take away from the fact that while holding office our economy was at its best that we have seen in a 20 year span.  However, because of one bad decision, his reputation is overshadowed by his character  and integrity as probably one of the best Presidents the United States has ever had. 

So if you are having an issue of people always "slandering" you, take look at what have you compromised and allowed someone to expose. There are times when people have nothing on you and simply just like to talk about you, however that isn't slandering, that's what I call negative admiration.  Protect your character and integrity ladies and gentlemen, by thinking about the effects of your actions before you execute them. In most cases you can prevent people from damaging your reputation by not giving them something to use against you. Remember just because you think no one knows doesn't mean that the truth will not get out. If you happen to make a mistake or a bad decision, maintain your integrity and admit that you were wrong or at fault.  Always be truthful when there is a breech in your moral beliefs and your daily activities. No matter what don't stop building character and integrity because no matter how people view you, God always knows who you really are and the condition of your heart. People will always have something to say if you make a bad decision, but remember even if they don't forgive you, God always does. Keep striving to make God pleased with you!

Be honest, Be respectful, Be caring, Be loving, Respect Authority, Mean what you say and say what you mean!

God Bless and Grow in Grace

Rofasho

2011 Reflection- Accepting the Call

At the end of every year, most people spend time reflecting on their triumphs and defeats, their accomplishments, and unsuccessfull attempts. As 2011 is swiftly coming to an end, I am following suit with the old traditions of yearly reflection.


I usually learn at least one new trade or pick up one new hobbie every year. I'm kind of one of those people who likes to be a jack of all trades. However this year as I reflect I didn't do any of that. In fact, I stepped a way from the things that I had previously picked up. In 2010, I started learning how to properly apply make-up and doing youtube tutorial videos. This year was nothing like any other year.

I didn't pick up any new hobbies, no new trades, didn't take on new adventures, or a new vacation spots.  However, I  did embark upon facilitating a University Expereience for my church home. This was a vision given to me to assist my Pastor in materializing his vision for his church to come to pass. So far it has been a success. It doesn't have full participation yet, but those who do participate are very dedicated. I am anxiously awaiting what was shown to me by God to completely materialize.

I did also take some steps to walk in to the my calling. For many of you who know me, I have said a million times, that many have always said that I would end up a "preacher's wife" and also an Evangelist. For years, I didn't really believe it or shall I say recieve it; however it didn't matter what I believed or recieved. My husband, has been actively working in his calling for ministry since April of this year. It was like one day he wasn't a preacher and the next day he was on the grind, teaching all the time. It was only a matter of time before the rest of the prophecy would  come to pass.

In the summer of 2010, I had ask God to clarify if He was calling me into ministry. I did it with the hopes of hearing nothing. I asked for God to reveal it through my husband. My husband had told me already that he knew I was being called to teach God's word. I ask for my husband to be the one to confirm it because he isn't a man that repeats the obvious. And the joke was on me. I ask God on a Saturday. That following Monday out of the blue my husband calls me while he is at work, crying. He called to tell me that God has so much in store for me and that I was great woman of God and that the ministry in me had to go forth. Of course he says "I don't know why I'm telling you this, but I had to call you"! I just cried the whole day and humbly accepted the confirmation of the call.

This year my church family embarked upon a Daniel's Fast and this is where the clarity came into play. I really began to seek God on what He was calling me to do specifically. In a previous blog, I explained that God gave me the word "Discipleship". But that still wasn't enough. In the second  quarter of the year, Prophet after Prophet began to prophesy the exact same things. Even people without titles kept pulling me to the side telling me the same thing the Prophets where telling. Over and over I heard "Ministry must go forth this year"! And its finally clear, after much running, praying and more running, that I am to teach the Word of God. Other things were prophesied about the ministry God has called me to,  that I have not yet been able to wrap my mind around nor do I see the capacity for. However if its the Word of the Lord, I will just put it on shelf and wait for God to manifest His will for me. In the third quarter of the 2011, I gave my pastor my first sermon to critique and go over. I stop running, because clearly there is no where to run to when you are running from God. I'm learning to just get into obedience and just wait for God to do what only He can. This one I  am not really all that anxious about. When the times comes, the door will open and I will walk into it. In the meantime Im just preparing myself. Furthermore I'm am a firm believer, that the greatest message I could ever preach to someone is the example that I live. Being called to the pulpit is great, but its also nullified if the life I live outside of the pulpit is contrary to being in it.

As you can see my mind has been fixed on God, ministry and the will He has for my life. Other than those three, I have just been preoccupied with making sure my family is built on solid foundation and that God is leading us. As much as I would like to say that this year I was unproductive because I didn't do what I normally did. I was indeed more productive than I have ever been. Finding out my purpose in life and what I am called to do is productivity at its best. I now know what I do and don't have time for in life. More importantly, I no longer have to blindly find my way to God's will for me. Trying everything to see what feels right.

This was by far the worst year I have every lived and the hardest. There were days that I really would have just rather been dead. Yet even with all of the oppostion, I can still say that this year wasn't a total lost. In even though it was the worst year I had ever seen, it was the most important year of my life. This was my year of transitioning me towards my tranformation.

Rofasho.

Keep Pressing

 As we grow in grace and the love of Christ, there are many challenges that will present themselves to us. One of the most important challenge is of course, conforming to the image of the Son (Romans 12:2; Romans 8:29). This is the first priority of any Christian, rather we preach, teach, or prophesy. No one is exempt from this one task.  Conforming to the image of the Son is work, but it doesn't come without its own opposition.

As we learn more about who our Lord and Savior is and His character; we are able to measure ourselves up to our example of what we as Christians should be. The process in which we go through to be come more like Him, has its greatest results in the form of test, trials and tribulations. It seems like through testing we produce an overwhelming show of the fruit of the Spirit versus just reading the Word of God alone. Change is usallly the result of a crisis. Though many will resisit it change at first, its  inevitable if you are in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). As if this isn't hard enough to do, the opposition of change; is dealing with the people you love who will not accept it.

The way we were and what we want to become are  two different things. Many times we would like to just forget the old us. Yet, there is always one person or two who will have no problem with reminding us who we were. I want to encourage you today to not give up on conforming into the image of the Son, no matter who isn't able to recognize your  progress of change.

Did you know that Mary Magdelene, the woman that basically financed Jesus's ministry was possessed with seven demons; this was the complex illness that Jesus healed her of. I'm sure that the people that knew Marry Magdelene while she was possessed never imagined her as a follower of the Messiah. Or did they think she would become a vitally important and beloved disciple to our Lord and Savior. I am confident that they would have never thought that Son of God would choose her to be the first person to see Jesus after resurrecting from the dead. To top it all off, its been suggested that Mary Magdelene may have also been a prostitute before joining the ministry of Jesus Christ.  This lady was kinda jacked up don't you think, yet her ending was so honorable!

Today, I want to assure you no matter what you have done, or who you may have been in the past; its not beyond Jesus' ability to redeem you to the Kingdom. No matter what people see, God always sees you as what your are purposed to be (Jeremiah 29:11). People will remind you of what you have done, and said; but don't let it weight you down. You have a race to run and you must get to the finish line (Philippians 3:14). You can't get there looking backwards, you must look foward. Keep perspective, get the Word concerning your life. Believe God! Whatever He said you are, you will have to press to become it.

It's my prayer that Mary Magdelene's life will encourage you. We all know that we are not worthy, but I am sure that we are all  thankful that God still finds us useful for the Kingdom.

God Bless,
Rofasho

2011 Marriage Retreat Secondary Post Review

A day or two after Wings of Love's 2011 Marriage Retreat I posted my thoughts about what was expereienced at the Marriage Retreat. Today, I want to share with you how the marriage retreat prepared me to make the right decisions for my marriage for 2011. Cedric and I attended the How to Love Your Spouse while Working it Out & Managing Finances in Unison course at the Marriage Retreat this year. We had no idea that what we had learned in those courses we would soon be tested on.

The first class was How to Love Your Spouse While Working it Out and without exposing the instructors business and my business also; there story was more like mines then I knew at the time I was in the course. I can remember my husband having an issue with an employee at work  during the session and he was talking my earb off. Until the instructors began to become seriously transparent about an event that had occured in their marriage that almost seperated them; then my husband abrubptly became queit and started listening. The class was very personal and the instructors shared stuff that they had did that most wouldn't even dare to share with their own spouses. Their story was soon to be our story.  Less than two weeks the Lord had placed it in my heart to come clean about some hurtful things I had done, which gave my husband the avenue to be honest with me about somethings he had done as well. The second class we took was Managing Finances in Unison. Shortly after the Marrige Retreat my husband was let go from his job. He was the only one bringing in the bacon. I am a stay at home mom and full time student, with a couple hustles on the side. So instantly everything that we had learned from both course was put to the test. Not to mention, my husband was preaching his first sermon less than two weeks after all of this had come to the surface.  If my walls could talk, I'm sure you would get a good cry and a laugh or two.

This year was most definitely pivotal for our marriage, family and our faith in God. This year our vows were tested like it was nobody's business. It wasn't easy to make the decisions I had to make nor for himself either. However, we couldn't help but think of how awesome God truly is to have set us up for success. Im not sure how this year would have turned out if I hadn't attended the Marriage Retreat. Maybe we would still be walking around with secrets. Nevertheless, we are were we are. I have to believe this is God-ordained. We survived the storms and all though we are still in the aftermath a bit, we can definitley see the breaking of day. I'm looking forward to next year's retreat and all the couples that will join us in embarking upon having succesful marriages the way God intended.

As always I'd like to encourage you to put God first and remain obedient in everything you do. Even when you don't understand the things you go through, trust that God holds your world in His hands. He promised that He would never put more on us than we can bear. Hang in there and what ever you do don't give up!




If you are interested in taking part in the 2012 Wings of Love Ministries Marriage Retreat, you may email info@wingsoflovemi.org or visit Wings of Love Ministries on Facebook. 
The retreat will be held at The Great Wolf Lodge in the beautiful Traverse City on April 20-22, 2012. Registration is $440/couple. Registrations includes, lodging, entrance into the water park, food, classes and class materials. Yes, all of that for only 220/person.  You do not need to be a member of Wings of Love Ministries to attend and if you are engaged you are welcomed to take part.



God Bless,

Rofasho