Put your Dreams into Action

Hello FFC readers and subscribers!

HAPPY 1 MONTH BLOG-A-VERSARY TO FFC!

Exactly one month ago from today I published my website and my first blog post making today my 1 month Blog-a-versary! I have been able to execute my dreams through motivation and determination and the unwavering support of my family and readers like you. It has been an extraordinary experience and one that I embrace daily. I stepped out on the promise of God and put a dream into action. FFC was formed purposefully and precisely with a certain goal in mind. See more about the purpose of FFC on my homepage. I have been able to look back and realize my growth in this short timespan and will welcome the learning experiences to come.

I am so excited to celebrate this seemingly small but huge milestone. I am ongoing with the grace of my heavenly Father. In honor of my 1 month blog-a-versary, I’ve highlighted some of my inspirational messages that I have written in different blogs that I have posted. What were some of your favorite statements from previous blogs or this one? Share in the comments below. Here are some of my favorites.

Having dreams is a start to envisioning what you want to do or where you want to go. Having a dream and putting action behind that dream takes another step, in fact, it may take several. There are many people that simply dream. They dream of a better life, they dream of a better job, they dream of a better future but there are no actionable measures put into place to make it happen. To have a dream is to have “a cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal.” At the point of having a dream it will only go as far as you pursue it. Lifestyle changes occur when the decision to do something different than the day before takes root in your mind and is followed by sound decision-making. “Stop looking at what you don’t have and start using what you do have. Stop living in a fantasy world and create the life you want to live by taking action.” -Sope Agbelusi Some people are limited to putting their dreams into action due to lack of resources that are needed and not available. I used to be a person to believe that since I don’t have everything I need then I can’t start but then I realized for me it was just a misconception that I allowed myself to believe. No one is going to have everything they need when they first start. It’s not about having everything initially, it’s about making it with what you have now. Because of the misconception and disbelief I believed that it ended with me. It doesn’t end with you. Reach out, research, inquire or simply speak to someone about it, you never know the resources that may fall in your lap or even just getting tips or helpful advice to help you start down your journey.

“Follow your heart. Do what you love. Because I was constantly struggling with that. If it’s in your heart, go for it.” -Maz Jobrani

The courage that it took for me to step out and own my dream was unfathomable as I knew that it would take time and dedication. When I made the decision to go for it with my blog, I had one major thing going against me and that was time. However, it wasn’t until later that I realized a pivotal moment, that my desire to write and not having enough time wouldn’t stop me. It just meant that I had to strategize and put a plan into action for when I would blog, how much time I would dedicate to it and how I would prioritize other important matters. As a writer there is not a turn on or off button; I wake up many nights in the wee hours of the morning with ideas, content, and just happy that I get to create another piece that will hopefully encourage and motivate someone to be a better them. It never once occurred to me that because I have so many other things to do that I can’t fulfill my dream. It never occurred to me because I had already made up in my mind that I would refuse to allow excuses or objections to get in my way. Instead of deferring my dreams I decided to live them. What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? I could go on and on with this one, I believe Langston Hughes knew exactly what happens to a dream deferred. They do dry up and not only that, once they dry up, it can cause you to doubt the very idea that God placed in your heart but what is meant for you will still prosper regardless of the delay.

It would become much easier to just sit down and turn on Netflix. Let’s be honest, I really enjoy my Netflix shows but when you begin to work in your skill, television no longer steals the show. Dreams will give you the desire but action will get you the results. What are you going to do to awaken yourself and act on that ambition? If one month ago I didn’t decide to act on my ambition, I wouldn’t be here writing to each and everyone of you. To that end, in light of my 1 month blog-a-versary, I would like to sincerely thank each of you for following and subscribing to my blog. Thank you for taking the time to read past the first paragraph or sentence 🙂 Thank you for engaging, your comments, likes, shares, the special e-mails and text that I seem to get on a daily basis just continues to encourage me and lets me know that someone is being helped by the hands of God. I look forward to continued milestone celebrations and I look forward to hearing about how you put your dream into action.

Until next time my friends……

Take a break.

Hello readers, subscribers, and friends! HAPPY SPRING BREAK! (If that applies to you or maybe soon 😊)

This week is Spring break for my family and I. Although this is our time we are also taking time for ourselves and including in the things we love to do. At the moment my husband is tuning into his latest podcasts, my eldest daughter is drawing art, my youngest daughter and son is watching Spongebob, lol and I’m writing a simple message on today, Take a Break.

It’s okay to take breaks, we all need them. From time to time we just need to breathe and enjoy the present moment. Enjoy the gift of life. To enjoy yourself doesn’t necessarily mean traveling, although you could, it is just as relaxing to take solitude in the space that you are in. Maybe it’s enjoying your new home, doing a small home project, or simply taking in the fresh air right on your front porch. Whatever it may be, let it be for you. Let it be on your own time and by your own rules. Don’t get pressured into always having to stay on a time crunch simply for the next thing. Stop. Breathe. Take a moment for you and add yourself to your calendar, fill it up and title it ” Busy Day Taking a Moment for Me”.

pink petaled flowers closeup photo
Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com

This Spring break as I do all others, I decided to spend some time with my family, enjoying our time and reflecting on past times, and just truly being thankful for each other. Don’t deny yourself quality time. We can get so in the routine of our day to day life that we forget about ourselves or planning to do things for ourselves. Do something with your family, friends, or maybe just for you.

This week, I decided to take a break from writing, which didn’t happen and I partly didn’t expect it to (you don’t really break from what you love) but it made me realize that taking time for yourself doing what you love is also doing what makes you happy.

When taking time for yourself, do something that makes you happy, not doing what other people would expect, or trying to keep up or outdo the next person or formulating the next big thing, just do what simply pleases you.

Like for example, I am pleased to say that Spa treatments make me soooo very happy and I have an appt. in e-minus……

Until next time my friends, be blessed and find you some ME time.

Welcome Spring

As we know, March is the month when Spring comes around. It’s a season that some look forward to because it means the cold months are now months ahead but others can dread this season, namely due to seasonal allergies. In the spring-time we look forward to all the things that can allow us to enjoy nice weather, like the sunshine, birds chirping and the light airy breezes that give you a reason to find an outdoor activity.

When Spring is near, plant life begins to grow again and there is such an unspeakable beauty even from the smallest bud on the tree that can lift and lighten your day. All that was once cold, dry, and dreary begins to turn bright and sunny. For some, a new season gives a fresh hope of something to look forward to. A new season. A new chance.

In the springtime, this is usually when gardening takes effect. In fact, depending on your regional climate, March is a good time to get some seed into the ground. Imagine having some garden-fresh veggies by April or May. As March can be a good time to sow seed in the ground, in retrospect, it is also a good time to sow a good seed in the life of others, anytime. Are you sowing seeds that will produce a good harvest? “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.” -Robert Louis Stevenson Sowing good seeds can be done in different ways but it is important to know that whatever you do for others let it be done “heartily and not unto men.” Whatever seed you sow whether it is a good or bad seed, you can expect that in return.

Blessing someone else is just a bigger and better blessing that will be in store for you. Don’t be “weary in well-doing” because what you give and do for others heartily will come back to you right in God’s perfect timing. I don’t believe that we are necessarily blessed just because we do things for people. I believe that God expects us as believers in Christ to take care of others, feeding the hungry, helping the poor, and caring for the sick. I believe that giving from your heart is what pleases God and leads to your blessing. That’s a reward in itself for me and yet I am still surprised when I am blessed unexpectedly, and left unspeakably in awe. God then brings back to my remembrance the good seeds that I have sown, he reminds me that everything is already done in his will because he is sovereign. In Ecclesiastes 3:15 it says, “That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requires that which is past.” There is an order to how God works in your life and only he knows it. The order that has been which is now is exactly where you are meant to be to receive your blessing, to receive your breakthrough. God wants your NOW. He already knows what has happened and what will happen but he is calling you to NOW. He is calling you to the present place and he is preparing you to receive what he has already given you. Get ready to walk in your NOW season. Welcome it. It is time for you to be a giver NOW. It is time for you to be blessed NOW. It is time for you to conquer the enemy NOW. And because he is “I AM”, there is no one greater than God to give you what you need and what you are asking for NOW.

God will bless you because he is a giving Father and because he has an undying love for you. It is God’s desire to work supernatural blessings in your life and he is always ready. Are you ready to receive? Sow good seeds so that you may reap a great harvest that is in “good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over”. This is the promise that is in store for you. I have talked about good seeds but bad seeds can be sown as well. I will save that for another time, for now let’s focus on doing the good. Let’s welcome Spring and this new season as an opportunity to do a new thing and give more to others, cheerfully and heartily. I believe that if you give for the right reason, you will see the blessing you have been hoping and praying for. Welcome this season as an opportunity to bless yourself by blessing someone else.


“For behold, the winter is past. The flowers appear on the earth once again.” -Song of Solomon 2:11-12



The greatness of Community

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” – Coretta Scott King. On today’s post I will be talking about the importance of community. When people think of the word community they tend to think of a neighborhood or a collective group of people. Although that’s not incorrect, community can also be a way of life.

Why is community important? Community is a “feeling of fellowship with others; a sharing of common attitudes, interests, and goals.” Have you ever wondered about the changes you could make in your own neighborhood or even in areas that are deprived by not only having the same goal in mind but also the will to accomplish that goal with others?

Community is not just one person and building relationships cannot only happen with one person. There’s a saying from an African proverb that if you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together.” It takes togetherness to accomplish community goals and overcome obstacles. Connecting with others can help to develop the relationships we need to gain the resources necessary in order to conquer an objective.

Communities can exist with an internal or external purpose. Internal community serves as a purpose of supporting one another, to learn from each other, and to also feel a sense of belonging. External communities exist to carry out a complex goal . Community is a median to the experiences we have as humans. As a community there is a sense of belonging and a support system. Ever heard of the saying, “it takes a village to raise a child.” That was more than a saying, it was and still is for many a reality of the support system that is needed from those trusted around you.

The support system you have may not always be family. It could be those living a few doors down, friends, co-workers, church members, or acquaintances. Whomever you rely on that you consider part of your trusted community, what are some ways that you can share relatedness and promote potential community growth for others?

Community is God’s desire for us. He doesn’t want us to be alone or do things alone. Yes, I know some people say that being alone and doing things on my own offers peace, but does it? Does it give you peace when you are facing a situation and really need help but because you have chosen to be in a silo it’s awkward or maybe embarrassing to ask for help when you have no other choice and really need it. Don’t let it get that far. There is a difference in knowing when to embrace your peace but also knowing the importance of needing others.

In Romans 12:4-5 in the amplified it says that ” for just as in one physical body we have many parts, and these parts do not all have the same function or special use, so we, who are many, are nevertheless just one body in Christ, and individually we are parts one of another mutually dependent on each other.” Wow, that was a lot and relevant because we all have something (a resource, a talent, an encouraging word) that we can provide to help someone else or many others. We were created to depend on one another and to not consider it a burden. Consider it a blessing that God has equipped you so that you can keep on giving. Give in your community. I like to call that the domino effect. God bless you and you bless others and the blessings keep going around. That can also be called sowing and reaping. 🙂

Noticeably, community is important to me, as the Founder of Faith, Family, and Community I believe that fellowship, communication, and togetherness is a bridge for mighty changes. As a community, it can provide a sense of belongingness and is also a sign of mature faith. Everyone is in a different stage of their faith. As a believer of Christ, as a community of people, this allows us to pull the weak up, encourage the fallen, and to pray for the broken-hearted. God’s desire is for us to flourish together, “when the righteous flourish, the people rejoice.” -Proverbs 29:2.

Helen Keller once said, “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” Here are some ways that you can get started with community building.

  1. Start a conversation. In order to make anything happen, first talk about it. Create ways to converse, engage, and share.
  2. Serve on committees that focus on a specific problem.
  3. Take leadership roles when engaging in community partnership.
  4. Volunteer.
  5. Get involved in the planning process from the start with goal making to finish in executions.

As you notice, all these tips are actionable. Take action in your life and for community and if you are being affected by a problem, get involved and help drive a change.

Here are some additional national resources:

http://www.hhs.gov

http://www.grants.gov

http://www.hud.gov

Until next time my friends…..

He knows your name

In an earlier blog, “Your Own You”, I talked about the book When Women Pray and how these resilient women from the Bible never gave up. They never gave up because they were expecting something, hoping, and believing and although for some of those women it took many years to see there reward, they did because of their unwavering faith. In the end they inherited their blessing. Those women were persistent in reaching out to God and in return they were blessed.

Faith can do the impossible because it sometimes take believing the impossible to get it done. Now, what is faith? There are two definitions of faith. Faith is defined in the natural principle as “a strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.” “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 KJV defines this in the biblical tense. If you weren’t already, now that you are aware of what faith is, how do you use your faith? Is your faith being used when things are going in your favor or is your faith being used when problems have you really down?

Photo by Rachel Claire on Pexels.com

Faith can move mountains. Imagine what faith could do with unwavering belief. There are some reading this post right now that can testify to that. Although, I’m not irrational to think that faith isn’t sometimes hard, it can seem hard, especially if you are hoping for something and not seeing the physical results. However, I do realize there isn’t a need to see a play by play of how God is working out the situation, it may be a little bit worrisome but know that God was already working on your behalf before you even asked.

God is working on your behalf even when we don’t see it and even when we don’t deserve it. He’s creating ways and opening doors simply because he cares and loves you. He loves us. I was reminded by someone dear to me that we are called God’s “beloved”. Beloved means that you are “dearly loved,” and unlike people’s love, God’s love doesn’t change on a whim, it’s unconditional and consistent, it’s true and it’s pure.

If you are repeatedly going through the same situation and it feels there is no way out, ask yourself, “have I given this to God?” Invite God in so that he can not only change your situation but change your life. Not only is he there to care for you but he is also there to provide for you. He “shall supply all your needs according to his riches through Christ Jesus.” When you feel like no one cares, there is someone who cares and there is someone who knows your name. God knows your name and you are his, because he cares. You are his because you are wanted. You are his and he keeps you. “Oh to kept by Jesus.”

I would like to share with you this song that has a special way of touching my heart. It touches my heart in the most spirited of ways because I know how it feels to be loved and cared for by my Saviour. Because I know that I make mistakes, because I know that I don’t always get it right, I am content with knowing that even through my worst, God still knows my name. I hope that you can enjoy this song in the fullness of God’s love for you, because he knows exactly who you are and he knows exactly what you need. “You Know My Name by Tasha Cobbs Leonard ft. Jimi Cravity.”

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