AskLatisha.com » Encouragement http://www.asklatisha.com Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:17:50 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Silhouette Dancing http://www.asklatisha.com/silhouette-dancing/ http://www.asklatisha.com/silhouette-dancing/#comments Tue, 14 Jun 2011 13:03:34 +0000 Latisha http://www.asklatisha.com/?p=2715 Every now and then on this blog, i’d post a video that inspires me. Here is another one. I love to see God’s children shine.


]]> http://www.asklatisha.com/silhouette-dancing/feed/ 0 Food For Thought http://www.asklatisha.com/food-for-thought/ http://www.asklatisha.com/food-for-thought/#comments Mon, 18 Apr 2011 13:47:56 +0000 Latisha http://www.asklatisha.com/?p=2610 Napoleon Hill said, “No man, apart from the insane, takes any sort of action without a motive”.

The 9 basic Motives are:

Emotion of Love,
Emotion of Sex,
Desire for Material Gain,
Desire for Self-Preservation,
Desire for freedom of body and mind,
Desire for self-expression and recognition,
Desire for life after death,
Desire for revenge and
Emotion of Fear.

Food for thought right?

What motivates you and why?

Leave your comments below.

]]> http://www.asklatisha.com/food-for-thought/feed/ 0 It’s Spring! http://www.asklatisha.com/its-spring/ http://www.asklatisha.com/its-spring/#comments Tue, 05 Apr 2011 15:57:12 +0000 Latisha http://www.asklatisha.com/?p=2527 Well, even though it hasn’t fully started to feel like Spring where I live. I know its coming, a new beautiful awakening is coming. Change is coming to my life and beauty is coming all around. We’ll see God’s creatures flittering and running around, beautiful colors everywhere, flowers blossoming. I’m excited. So let me share a poem I wrote about Spring. I haven’t had much practice with nature poems, but I think its alright.

Thank You God For Spring

 

Dear God,

Thank you for winter

To cool and water the earth

To give animals and plants time to rest

Until spring’s rebirth

Dear God,

Thank you for Spring

Sunshine and Rain

When flowers, animals and plants

Join us again

Thank you God for spring

Cool beautiful days

After a long treacherous winter

I appreciate its beauty in so many ways

Thank you God for the bloom of new flowers

I could take in their aroma and essence for hours and hours

Thank you God for Earth’s healing powers

Thank you God for rainy days

I’d dance in the rain

And bask in sun’s rays

Thank you God for walks in the park between the trees

Thank you God for buzzing bees

Feeding on nectar, making honey

Scattering pollen, when days are sunny

God, let us remember the importance of these

What would our Earth be like without the presence of bees?

Thank you God for bright and sunny days

The bright floral colors of Spring

Thank you God for this wonderful seasonal blessing

Copyright © 2011

]]> http://www.asklatisha.com/its-spring/feed/ 0 Count Your Blessings- A Video Blessing http://www.asklatisha.com/count-your-blessings-a-video-blessing/ http://www.asklatisha.com/count-your-blessings-a-video-blessing/#comments Thu, 24 Mar 2011 20:16:05 +0000 Latisha http://www.asklatisha.com/?p=2519

]]> http://www.asklatisha.com/count-your-blessings-a-video-blessing/feed/ 0 Time Changes Perspectives http://www.asklatisha.com/time-changes-perspectives/ http://www.asklatisha.com/time-changes-perspectives/#comments Mon, 21 Feb 2011 19:25:02 +0000 Latisha http://www.asklatisha.com/?p=2506

This morning I was looking at some photos from four years ago, reminiscing. I remember four years ago when I looked at these pictures I felt ashamed of my weight. Now I look at them, I think, wow, I use to be skinny (at least skinnier) and very attractive (not that I’m not still attractive). My skin tone was much more caramel like, because I still lived in the Caribbean at that time and had more access to the sun.

I find it amazing how time changes one’s perspective on things. I remember, in the early years of my marriage, okay, probably up until a few months ago, when things got tough, I use to think that this is how it’s always going to be, but of course that was a lie of the devil. Storms don’t last forever. Like the word says:

Matthew 6:25-34 (New International Version)

 Do Not Worry

     25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

   28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

 

I’m taking that word to heart, because experience has led me to believe in its truth. Let me share a recent testimony with you. Since the beginning of 2011, my family has been broke. We have had a little money come in here or there, just enough to provide for our needs and not very much to provide for our wants. I decided this time I won’t worry, because God will provide for our needs and eventually he’ll provide some of our wants too. So I didn’t worry, with exception of feeling briefly discouraged at times. Now just recently, someone very close to us came into some money, and she filled our cupboards and refrigerator with good food, fruits, vegetables, meat, even the fun stuff, like yogurts, microwave popcorn, snacks, etc. I am thankful to God for the good people he has placed in our lives in these times of financial struggle. I pray that someday, he will put us in a position to do the same for others as well as bless the ones who really came through for us in our times of need.

My advice to you, no matter what situation your life’s in today. Take inventory of all your blessings, great friends, a home, etc, and think outside the box too, the little things you take for granted that play a vital role in your well-being and happiness, for example, clean water, bet you take that for granted. How about the park in walking distance from your house, bet you don’t go there as much as you could. Being able to take a warm shower, think about it. They are many little ways God blesses our lives everyday that we take for granted but would definitely miss if these blessings were taken away. Think about it today while you complain and worry, see if it doesn’t change your perspective on things.

Have a great day!

God Bless!

Tish

Power Word: Perspective

]]> http://www.asklatisha.com/time-changes-perspectives/feed/ 0 Discipline http://www.asklatisha.com/discipline/ http://www.asklatisha.com/discipline/#comments Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:13:44 +0000 Latisha http://www.asklatisha.com/?p=2495 Arrrrhhhh, I need to be more discipline. I have big dreams and surmountable goals. In order for me to achieve these things, I need to establish discipline in my life.

 

Everyday, every time I pray I ask God to shape me into the woman he designed me to be, the Latisha version of the Proverbs 31 woman, but I know in order for me to become her I need to have discipline.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not the most indiscipline person in the world, I know they are way more people lacking in that area than I. however I know in order for me to see my dreams come to fruition and to be as happy as I desire to be, I must be more disciplined.

I’ve got to get up before the sun rises in the morning to spend time with the Lord (bible study, prayer & meditation), get some exercise, and prepare for the day before my children wake up. That’s what the Proverbs 31 woman does; “She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants” Proverbs 31: 15 NIV.

The Proverbs 31 woman is hard-working. My work ethic is not were it should be. I’m not lazy or anything, but I get tired really quickly when doing housework. I know some phenomenal women who keep their house looking in tip-top shape, sometimes I don’t clean the dishes for two days (rarely though), again don’t misunderstand me, my house is not a pigsty, its well kept, but not squeaky nor close to squeaky clean. I know stay-at-home moms who really clean their house everyday. I try my best; at least I think I do, hmmm, do I really?

The Proverbs 31 woman, women of the olden days and most modern day stay-at-home moms do the household cooking. With the exception of breakfast and a few 15 minute meals here or there, my husband is the house Chef.  He is very good at it too. Does that make me ashamed? Not really. I hate to cook, he loves it, so I keep the kitchen clean as best I could, clean up the tornado of a mess he leaves in the kitchen, when he has finished cooking his masterpiece, he hates doing dishes. We balance each other out.

The Proverbs 31 woman manages the household. I try my best to do that but I often feel like screaming, “Aaaaaahhh, what the heck am I doing? I am winging it. It feels like an out of body experience and I am watching myself glide through the days in a daze. I want to feel more on top of things, more alive, more present in my todays.

The Proverbs 31 woman is disciplined, hard-working, nurturing, balanced and seeks after God with vigor. She is a priceless jewel. I want to be like her, but how do I do that? I guess, I’ll take it one step at a time, conquer one challenge at a time.

My mission, if I choose to accept it, and I do; is to establish a morning routine (as mentioned above); exercise regularly; go to bed earlier at night; read more, watch TV less, especially shows with a lot of hyped up drama, that glamorize lifestyles not aligned with God’s word; eat healthier; sleep better; and take mommy moments (I really need that to recharge). All and all, take better care of myself, so I’d be in better shape to take care of my kids, husband and household.

Pray for me guys, and feel free to ask me to do the same.

]]> http://www.asklatisha.com/discipline/feed/ 1 The Book and the Rose http://www.asklatisha.com/the-book-and-the-rose/ http://www.asklatisha.com/the-book-and-the-rose/#comments Mon, 14 Feb 2011 15:41:36 +0000 Latisha http://www.asklatisha.com/?p=2466 The Book and the Rose

A Short film based on the short story written by Max Lucado entitled “The People with Roses” found in the book “And the Angels were Silent” by Max Lucado.

 I watched this short film on TBN last night, and found it to be a very beautiful story that truly came together and exerted its significance at the very end.

 The People With Roses

 John Blanchard stood up from the bench, straightened his Army uniform, and studied the crowd of people making their way through Grand Central Station. He looked for the girl whose heart he knew, but whose face he didn’t, the girl with the rose. His interest in her had begun thirteen months before in a Florida library. Taking a book off the shelf he found himself intrigued, not with the words of the book, but with the notes penciled in the margin. The soft handwriting reflected a thoughtful soul and insightful mind.

In the front of the book, he discovered the previous owner’s name, Miss Hollis Maynell. With time and effort he located her address. She lived in New York City. He wrote her a letter introducing himself and inviting her to correspond. The next day he was shipped overseas for service in World War II.

During the next year and one-month the two grew to know each other through the mail. Each letter was a seed falling on a fertile heart. A Romance was budding. Blanchard requested a photograph, but she refused. She felt that if he really cared, it wouldn’t matter what she looked like.

When the day finally came for him to return from Europe, they scheduled their first meeting – 7:00 PM at the Grand Central Station in New York. “You’ll recognize me,” she wrote, “by the red rose I’ll be wearing on my lapel.” So at 7:00 he was in the station looking for a girl whose heart he loved, but whose face he’d never seen.

I’ll let Mr. Blanchard tell you what happened:

A young woman was coming toward me, her figure long and slim. Her blonde hair lay back in curls from her delicate ears; her eyes were blue as flowers. Her lips and chin had a gentle firmness, and in her pale green suit she was like springtime come alive. I started toward her, entirely forgetting to notice that she was not wearing a rose.

As I moved, a small, provocative smile curved her lips. “Going my way, sailor?” she murmured. Almost uncontrollably I made one step closer to her, and then I saw Hollis Maynell. She was standing almost directly behind the girl.

A woman well past 40, she had graying hair tucked under a worn hat. She was more than plump, her thick-ankled feet thrust into low-heeled shoes. The girl in the green suit was walking quickly away. I felt as though I was split in two, so keen was my desire to follow her, and yet so deep was my longing for the woman whose spirit had truly companioned me and upheld my own. And there she stood. Her pale, plump face was gentle and sensible, her gray eyes had a warm and kindly twinkle. I did not hesitate. My fingers gripped the small worn blue leather copy of the book that was to identify me to her.

This would not be love, but it would be something precious, something perhaps even better than love, a friendship for which I had been and must ever be grateful.

I squared my shoulders and saluted and held out the book to the woman, even though while I spoke I felt choked by the bitterness of my disappointment. “I’m Lieutenant John Blanchard, and you must be Miss Maynell. I am so glad you could meet me; may I take you to dinner?”

The woman’s face broadened into a tolerant smile. “I don’t know what this is about, son,” she answered, “but the young lady in the green suit who just went by, she begged me to wear this rose on my coat. And she said if you were to ask me out to dinner, I should go and tell you that she is waiting for you in the big restaurant across the street. She said it was some kind of test!”

My Favorite Quotes in the Film were:

“Tell me who you love and I’ll tell you who you are”

“I’m as old as everything I’ve ever done and as young as everything I still want to do”

 I highly recommend this film. I give it four stars. I don’t think the true essence of its meaning has taken root in my heart yet, but I pray God gives me the full understanding in time. Maybe as my own life experience with real love and making Godly choices evolve. If you see this film show up on your t.v listings or have the opportunity to rent it. Go for it. It’s really sweet and meaningful.

1 Corinthians 13 (New International Version, ©2010)

1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Happy Valentine’s Day

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