If You Had to Live with You...Would You Throw YOU Out?

Do you live with a difficult spouse? Are you in a difficult relationship? Is your child giving you ‘grief’? How about that pesky neighbour of yours, yes, the one that’s always nosing into your ‘business’? How are you dealing with these people? Do you feel like you’d rather go for a walk instead of dealing with their bickering, fault finding and all the other annoyances? Do you feel like you want to throw them out?

We all have difficult situations that we have to deal with and overcome in our relationships with others, especially the ones we live with. But have you ever stopped to consider you? Yes, you. Step out of yourself for a bit and switch roles here. If you lived with you, how would life be? Those bad days; you know, the ones when you got off on the ‘wrong side of the bed’, the moodiness? The hormones are doing summersaults and you feel like you’re losing it; on a high one minute, and suddenly dropping to 5 below. How do you ever keep up with you?

Take some time to examine you from the eyes of another and consider this when you’re complaining about the spouse that’s controlling, negative, arrogant or rude…., the child that does not listen, or is messy…., when you’re agitated with their short comings, their faults and flaws. How about you? Are you portraying these same characteristics that you’re complaining about? Picky, critical, negative, playing the blame game …

Are you trying to change the people around you to suit your liking in order to make you feel happy, comfortable? Happiness and joy truly comes from within. Our discontent of others is really a discontent of ourselves.

If each one of us were to take stock of our lives and focus on changing ourselves, there would be less fussing and fighting. Yes, there are difficult spouses, children and situations? But why not consider changing you first. After all, it is the only power and right that you’re allotted in the earth - the power to change you from the inside, and as you begin to change and radiate on the outside, you liberate others to do the same.

Written by Alicia Isaacs

The Muscle of Faith

Your faith muscle must be exercised to build strength, endurance, sustenance, and resistance.

Strength – to carry the dream.

Endurance – to continue to the length of time it takes to get to the final birthing of the dream.

Sustenance – to uphold you and encourage you to keep moving forward in spite of the distance, the weight of the dream, the pressure, disappointments, discouragements and setbacks.

Resistance – to deflect negativity - doubts, quitting.

Your ‘Why’ is that thing that is most important to you. It is what you carry with you to give you the boost to endure, persist and develop inner strength when exercising faith.

Faith is that which you see in your mind’s eye that you desire to have and that you believe you can have and know you can attain, and know somehow a way will be made for its attainment even if you cannot physically see it at the present, but you expect its appearance.

Faith is what gives you that extra boost and rejuvenates you. It’s that rejuvenating feeling of having that desire and dream fulfilled that gives you extra joy to continue to hope and pushes you past any and all obstacles that gets in the way of its attainment.

It’s that shield that blocks all dream stealers, onslaughts of doubts because of that deep down inner knowing that the end result, that goal, that longing, will be satisfied and will come to pass.

It’s that which causes and forces things that are in the unseen to push through and break forth into the physical existence. There is that force that comes with energy and persistent determination, extreme discontent with the current situation, much in the same way as survival.

Desperation to get to that goal causes it to break, as you pursue with persistent aggression and somewhat of an obsession. It’s more than a wanting, it’s a longing of the heart, soul and being that causes or propels the body to move forward to action to bring about change and attain the desired results. It’s the putting the foot in the ground and saying, “No more, enough is enough. I shall have it.”

Its attainment brings about resolution and satisfaction – a sense of relief and accomplishment.

It’s not a passive waiting but an active aggressive motion to bring about change, and bring the change and desired end result into existence.

It goes from the place of wishing, to sinking deeper into the soil of your heart, penetrating your soul, springing forth into a longing, pressing upward into focused pursuit forming an outer shield that pushes off disappointment, negativity, and failure, and breaking out into active energy and physical attainment and achievement.

So, I ask again, “How is your faith muscle?” Examine yourself and see where you are; are you ready to step up and work out? Build those muscles and live!

Written by Alicia Isaacs

Resurrecting Your Dreams

As you know, Easter is the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many have attended services reflecting on the sacrifice that Jesus made for us as humanity, and the great works He did to express His love towards us.

But when the celebration is over and we return to our regular busy daily lives, how does this great sacrifice affect us? How does it affect our beliefs?

The purpose of Jesus’ death and resurrection was to give us a chance to live; and truly live in freedom – in joy and peace. Do you continue to live as if you have no purpose, no dream and no hope? What great example displayed, to show you that even though your dreams may have been trampled on, abused and rejected by others, does not predict the outcome or the final destiny of the manifestation of those dreams.

Even though the vision tarries – wait for it! Dare to dream and live again. You may have abandoned your dreams because of adverse circumstances; someone said it was impossible, others told you, you don’t have the money to do that, another said, you are not smart enough, and the list could go on and on… But if you dare to dream, believe, come alive and live again, taking one step at a time – nothing will be impossible for you.

Whatever you need to begin, and continue the process, will be supplied to you along the way. As long as you stay, you hope, you believe – it will come to pass.
You may need to take a detour, if necessary, because of roadblocks. But the destination point is still the same, even though the path may be different from when you originally started out.

Follow Jesus’ example to live again, and out of the ashes will spring up new life!

Written by Alicia Isaacs

Creating Miracles - The Process

It's your turn to learn from the Master... and create miracles in your life...

Jesus wanted to feed the people because they were hungry. The disciples were concerned.

How can anyone fill and satisfy these people with loaves of bread here in this desolate and uninhabited region?

The disciples looked around them – the situation seemed impossible. They looked at the crowd, calculated the cost, and gave a final analysis. In a logical natural sense, only what the eyes could see, it was an impossible situation.

Jesus, however, did not focus on the surrounding circumstance. He could have said, “You’re right, there’s way too many people here to feed, and we can’t do that. Sorry folks, that’s all for now, hope you make it back home safely. God go with you and keep you on the way.” No, Jesus asked, ”How many loaves have you?” He knew it was food they needed. So He looked at what the disciples had to match the need. “Seven,” they replied.

Jesus told the people (the multitude) to sit down on the ground. He took the bread, the 7 loaves, and gave thanks. He broke them and kept on giving them to His disciples to put before the people, which they did. Notice here, the words were kept on giving –showing ongoing, continuing.

Jesus did the same with the few small fish – He praised God and gave thanks, and asked Him to bless them (to their use). Again, these were ordered to be set before the people. They ate and were satisfied. The Bible says, they took up seven (large provision) baskets full of the broken pieces left over. He dismissed the 4,000 of them. Mark 8:1-10

Let’s closely examine the process Jesus used; 4000 people to be fed in a ‘desolate and uninhabited region’.

Jesus saw an opportunity to display the glory of God; only 7 loaves and a few small fish – enough to create a miracle.

Spiritual laws when activated, dominate the natural laws, and shifts and bends, changes and multiplies them to meet the spiritual/inner desired results; faith that rises above every situation.

Jesus said that the works He did, we shall do also and even greater works shall we do because He is going onto the Father.

We need to harness the power God has given us within, and discipline our minds, and our tongues to control and move mountains in our lives.

The physical evidence shows: large crowd, 7 loaves, and few fish. Logically/naturally that does not make sense. But Jesus knew who He was and the power that lies within Him. He changed and transformed, shifted the natural laws by applying the spiritual and supernatural laws.

1) He set 1st His intentions – to feed the people.
2) He looked for what they already had that he could use
3) He took the bread – 7 loaves
4) Gave thanks – gave is the key word. He first gave to the spiritual realm/to God – giving thanks, showing gratitude
5) He then broke the bread and kept on giving

He satisfied the requirements of both laws – the heavenly and the earthly.

The heavenly law – praise, gratitude, thanksgiving
The earthly law – giving to others, taking care of the needy (their physical, emotional, mental needs)

1) The few fish
2) He praised God and gave thanks
3) He asked God to bless them (fish) to their use – for the purpose He intended- to feed the people
4) He gave to the people

Again, He satisfied both laws – the spiritual, then the natural.

The crowds were fed, and satisfied, and the leftovers were gathered up.

There are situations in our lives that we know we need to change by stepping out and putting our faith into action, instead of walking by sight – waiting for external conditions to be favourable.

To step out by faith, however, takes a risk on our part; sometimes, not knowing the final outcome, or even, the next step until we get to that point. Following your heart and dreams is to walk by faith and not by sight. Every step you take would be by faith. You may not be able to see the whole plan, but as you step out, putting one foot at a time, the way becomes clearer, your total trust and confidence is in God, your inner senses become stronger, more keen/sharper.

Staying safe will yield its usual fruit, but leaving the safe region and stepping out in faith will yield a greater abundance, a greater harvest, producing a greater miracle. God has given you the power to create wealth. You have the creative power working in and through you. You can create exactly what you desire. You create your reality, by your belief, (your heart), your mind (your thoughts), your words (what you speak/say). Your mind/thoughts work in sync with your outer world.

In achieving what we want, we need to follow the necessary steps in its attainment – the final outcome.

1) Thought – financial, spiritual, emotional.
2) Next step – pull out/collect, all the necessary ingredients – action plans/steps. These will come as you move along.
3) Put the plan into action – even if you only have one part, the other parts will come.
4) Reap the benefit.

God uses the small things in our lives to create big things. It took a small seed to grow into a huge tall tree. It also took a tiny fertilized egg to form a baby that grows into a great man or woman.

Allow the small seeds in your life to be developed to create change and produce miracles.

Written by Alicia Isaacs

Conscious Effort...Subconscious change...

Making a conscious effort to create a subconscious change…

Do you remember when you learned to drive a car or ride a bicycle? At first, it seemed like a difficult task.

You had to learn the basic procedures, requirements and theory. Then, you needed to apply what you learned to practical application. No matter how much you knew about driving or riding, you still had to put that knowledge into practical use, and apply the feeling part of it; that’s the point where knowledge meets senses, and together, they give you the ability to maneuver the vehicle or the bicycle.

You were focused and absorbed by the learning process. You were uninterrupted and determined that you would master the task. With regular conscious repetitive practice, you pressed forward until you could drive that vehicle, even to the point of carrying on a conversation without thinking of what the next step was.

If you learned to drive a standard vehicle, you were automatically changing gears; gearing up from gear one to gear five. The process became such a natural part of you, embedded and solidified in your subconscious mind.

Even if you had not driven and rode a bike for many years, that embedded memory would still kick in; maybe a little rusty on the application at first, but with a couple of practice runs, you’d be driving or riding as an expert.

Remember when you were a kid and they asked you what you wanted to be when you grew up? You were so full of hope, and you felt you could do anything. Remember the feeling of that dream to be a firefighter, pilot, policeman, nurse or doctor? You pretended to be putting out fires with your imaginary water-filled hose; making gushing water sounds, adding effects and enhancing vivid images to liven and heighten the reality of that dream.

You made loud siren sounds, which made your parents scream at you; but you were having fun, you kept going and dreaming. You saw yourself in that position doing exactly what you wanted to do, and you just couldn’t wait to grow up.

To create long term permanent changes in our lives, we need to apply the same process to everything we undertake. That’s the power of change.

The procedure, however, doesn’t only apply to physical tasks that we are trying to accomplish, but it also refers to emotional and thought changes we need to make, bringing about the desired attitude we want to change. What type of person do you want to become? What kind of attitudes do you need to harness and portray?

1) Decision – taking the time to decide what you want.
2) Gather the necessary information and equipment needed to make that change; if required, training may be necessary.
3) Taking relevant action steps to apply the knowledge acquired and letting the senses, combined with the knowledge, become in sync.
4) Regular conscious consistent practice until the goal is reached and mastered, solidifying and imprinting this new goal in the subconscious memory.
5) You are now the expert at your desired task.

Repeating the same process over and over again, one task at a time will bring transformation and permanent change in your life, totally.

Written by Alicia Isaacs

Are You Trying to Conquer your Goliath... with Little Success?

…perhaps you’re working from the wrong mold…

David was the runt of his family. His elder brothers were a part of the Israelite army; skilled fighters, while David cared for sheep.

The Israelite army was on the battleground with the Philistine army, and David rose up early the morning, left his sheep with a keeper, to take provisions to his brothers.

Goliath, the Philistine champion, was ‘strutting his stuff’, against the Israelite army, and David was not about to let him get away with this. He may be the runt of his family, but he knew the power of God working through small, seemingly simple things.

David declared to the Israelite army, ”Let no man’s heart fail because of this Philistine; your servant will go out and fight with him.”

Saul, the king of Israel said to David, “You are only an adolescent, he has been a warrior from his youth.”

David told him that he kept his father’s sheep, and when a lion or bear came to eat the lamb he fought against the lion or the bear, and killed them. David knew that because God had given him the ability to kill these predators, which were greater in size than he, God was able to do the same for him against the Philistine champion.

When David stated his evidence to Saul, Saul immediately gave David his armor; his bronze helmet for his head and clothe him with a coat of mail. David put his sword over his armor.
(1 Samuel 17:20-54)

Get this, as David tried to go, but he could not because he was not used to the armor. He told Saul so, and then took them off.

You see, when we try to accomplish great things or set out to attain our dreams, there’s always someone trying to tell you how you should do it, and their idea is usually according to how they think and based on their experience, their abilities or inabilities, not yours. Or they say, “You can’t do that, you have no experience,” or, “You have no right to go after that dream,” or, “That’s impossible for you to achieve. Who do you think you are? Only certain people could accomplish such great things.”

David had an ace that no one knew about, and so do you. You’ve got your own training over the years, your own molding, so to speak. You’ve been trained and shaped over the years to achieve those dreams. Your training or experiences in life may seem small to others who’s not lived them. You are equipped with everything you need to accomplish your dreams. It’s all a part of your ‘make up’.

David drew out from his previous ‘seemingly’ insignificant victories in his life to prepare him for his greatest victory yet. This victory was the forerunner to becoming king of Israel.

There are great victories ahead for you. What ‘seemingly insignificant victories have you had in the past that’s prepared you for greater victories and a chance to living your dream? It is time to draw from those victories, retrace your steps, and in the same mindset, rise to the challenge.

Does the position you hold seem insignificant to others, just a ‘menial’ job, but you know that you are destined for greatness? What is your dream? Where are you in life? Who has discouraged you from living your dream; family, friends, society? Get in your ‘mold’, face your ‘Goliath’, and with the wisdom, courage and strength of God, assert your victory.

Step up and step out and declare as David said, “The Lord Who delivered me out of the paw of the lion and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.”

Written by Alicia Isaacs

Do You Have Big Feet?

Are you trying to fit your big feet into small shoes?

Have you ever observed a young child trying to put on a shoe she or he has outgrown? The child tries his best to force his foot into the shoe. The foot is propped up in the shoe unable to go in completely. Something isn’t working right.

You hear shoes banging on the floor, and cries of frustration ring out. She brings the shoes over to you, the parent, and says, “On.” You try to explain, “It’s too small,” but she doesn’t understand, and gets even more frustrated because mom or dad isn’t helping.

So you give her an interesting toy or point to a squirrel frolicking in the backyard in hopes that she’ll forget about her problem, and you use the opportunity to hide the shoe.

All is well again - out of sight, out of mind. You regain your composure. The child is unaware that the size of her feet has changed. All she knows is that the shoe belongs to her, she’s worn it before, and now, well, there is a problem - it doesn’t work anymore. Why not? The child does not yet understand that she’s grown and needs new shoes.

Now, you may ask, what’s that got to do with anything? Well, that behaviour may continue way into adulthood even though the scenario has changed.

Are you trying to remain in situations - job, career, relationships, lifestyle that just doesn’t “fit” anymore? Though they once “fit” and made you happy, you now find yourself frustrated and miserable. Newsflash! You’ve grown. What worked before that made you happy and joyful, now ‘sucks’. It’s time to move on to ‘shoes’ that fit and are comfortable.

You may be in a job situation that you really dislike. When you first started, you may have enjoyed it, you were having fun and it was the perfect ‘fit’. But you’ve acquired new skills, new mindset. Perhaps you’ve added new experiences, and over time had not realized that you, too, had grown – yes, become miserable, and can’t understand why this job you once enjoyed has become frustrating.

What about relationships – your spouse, friends, your kids. Many people go through life staying in relationships and adverse situations for many years, without making a change, even though they’re unhappy.

It’s time to look for new shoes – a bigger size. It may not be necessary to change relationships, but change the way you’ve been handling them. In some cases, it may require leaving the comfort zone of familiar territory.

Finding a new job elsewhere that you can continue to grow and expand and not be ‘squeezed’ may be necessary. In other cases, it may be transferring to another department. Obtaining a new promotion with new challenges, or maybe, starting a new business.

Whatever the case, it’s time to go shopping for some ‘new shoes’.

So mom or dad goes out and purchases a larger size pair of shoes, the child puts them on, with ease, and is happy once again. At least until she’s outgrown those ones as well.

In the process of shoe shopping, you just don’t pick up or purchase a shoe just because it was cheap or on sale. You’ve got to check to ensure it’s the right size for you. The right style for you.

Choosing to take a risk and creating a change.

How does this process work?

1) You first need to take an analysis of your reality. What situation are you currently in that you’re unhappy about?

2) Recognize where you are, and what you’re feeling in the situation. Identify the strong emotions that go with that. Many experts advise that you write these down as a visual marker of where you are. Face your situation ‘square in the face’.

· For example, if you are in a job situation, ask yourself, “Do I love what I do?” If the answer comes back, “No”, you need to reexamine yourself, and move to the next step.

· For a relationship – “Is this relationship adding joy to my life? What would I like this situation to be?” Imagine yourself in that place you want to be. Allow yourself to feel the longing, the joy.

· For example, “What job would I love to do that would replace and/or surpass the income that I currently have?” Be specific and detailed.

· For a relationship: start by identifying what you expect out of the relationship—both from yourself and the other party.

3) What can I do now to move me closer to that goal? Write down steps to take to meet those objectives. You may add to this list as the need arises. Some research may be necessary depending on what your goals are.

You may need to assess the responsibility you have in the success of the relationship you want to improve.

Every step takes you closer to your goal. It is better to take baby steps than no steps at all. You’ll feel much better and alive as you are working towards achieving what you set out to do. This is called the shopping process, and once you’ve reached your goals, you’ve got new shoes. Your joy and self confidence will soar.

Written by Alicia Isaacs

Are You Cheating the Earth?

Every person that comes to the earth is given particular talents and abilities for that time period and era that he or she enters the earth.

Each individual is equipped with talents and abilities to provide for their sustenance on the earth, and for the benefit of others, as well, leaving a heritage for their children to continue on, and a legacy from which others in society may benefit.

As in a puzzle, we all have different shapes and sizes. Every piece holds a key part. Without each piece, the puzzle is incomplete. The outer pieces form the frame which holds the entire puzzle together, and gives direction for placement of the inner pieces.

The inner pieces are also vital, which gives strength, completeness, fullness and beauty. Together they render a sense of accomplishment.

We need to be in our placement for it to all work together smoothly. When an outer piece or edge piece wants to be on the inside, it throws the entire puzzle off. The same is true for an inner piece wanting to be on the outer edge or border.

Then we have an inner piece being fitted in the wrong spot. It’s forced and is not a natural flow. Some pieces may look similar to others, some may even have the shape of another piece, but when you examine the picture, the picture tells a different story.

So much is the way of folks who have an inner ability but find themselves placed or forced in the wrong spot (job, career) – life is miserable – taking a job even though it’s not what the individual wants or loves. However, when one knows his or her inner passion – talents and abilities, and follows that path – in occupation and purpose – they experience joy, a sense of fulfillment, accomplishment and satisfaction. The world around them benefits from this inner gifting.

Talents and abilities are given for that particular era in time due to changes in society, and what is needed and necessary on the earth. Everyone has a part to play in his or her time spent on the earth – whether it’s to the environment, animals, nature, humanity – spiritual, physical, mental, emotional.

When we do not fulfill our part – use our talents and abilities for the benefit of ourselves and others, we are robbing ourselves, our families and our society of those treasures that are in us. As a result, a void is left in our lives, the lives of our families, friends and people that we come in contact with, and therefore, our world – now and in the future.

We all have different purposes. If we only have one type of fruit, we lack the nutrients from other variety of fruits and vegetables, grain products and dairy products. But having a variety of foods provides us with the necessary nutrients needed for our bodies.

We must embrace and appreciate the variety of talents, abilities and personalities in ourselves and others, and take pride in being different.

Are you using your talents to better yourself and society? Do you know what talents you possess? Do you know how to find those secret treasures in you? It’s never too late to start treasure hunting for those ‘diamonds in the rough’, and living life with passion and purpose.

Written by Alicia Isaacs