Not Yet Known

Dear friends, 
Now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known.

(1 John 3:1-2)

For now we see through as glass, darkly, but then face to face shall we see: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

(1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV)

What awesome scriptures these are!  They are the scriptures that you hold onto when things around you appear to remain the same.  No matter what things look like today, this is the kind of Word that helps you to hold on till you see your promise fulfilled.

I’ve been reminded of those scriptures lately because of something that I am praying for God to change.  I need God to kick this thing up a notch!  And, it’s not as though nothing is happening in this circumstance.  It’s just kind of slow moving – or so it seems to be that way to me.  But no matter what, I continue to hold on daily for the results that I wish to see because, if nothing else, I know that my God will do what He has promised.  How do I know this?  I know this because He has done it in my past.  If you look back from where you came, I am sure you could say the same.

That’s why it is never a good idea to speak ill of what will happen before it actually does.  Although it can be difficult to do, you must learn to believe that God’s Word is always true.  It is true of what happens in your life, and it is true of you as an individual.  You are who He says you are, not who the world says that you are.  You can accomplish anything that He has told you to do.  You can be what He has told you to be.  Why?  This statement is true because of what His living Word says.

So don’t be dismayed if your finances don’t look too good right now; it’s just a glass darkly.  Don’t be dismayed when your marriage is in a rough spot right now; it’s just a glass darkly.  Don’t be dismayed when your child is not acting as he/she should; it’s just a glass darkly.  Beloved, don’t be dismayed at what you see.  Just remember that until you see what God sees, you are only looking into your future through the cloudiness of your situation.  You must believe that your future is so bright that you’ll have to wear shades.  For is not yet known to this world what you shall be.  As Pastor Andy would say, wait till they get a load of you!

First Lady LaShawn

Admonishment for Mothers

Live every day with your children as if your heavenly Father was watching.  
Because He is.

Keep your weapons of prayer and intercession sharpened. 
So, that when you go to battle for your child, all of heaven stands at attention.

While they are in your care, don’t allow the world’s obsession with premature growth and labels of failure to dominate, dictate or destroy your child’s God given purpose.  
It is your job to fight for your children until they can fight for themselves.

Be careful how you live, not as unwise but as wise.  So that your child may follow in your footsteps and find success and victory by imitating you.

Remember to instruct their ignorance, because these are things you haven’t taught them yet.  Discipline their rebellion while they’re young and impressionable so that the world doesn’t have to do it for you later.

With Love

First Lady LaShawn Thompson




To download and print a copy of this Admonishment please click the link below
http://www.wocconline.org/mediafiles/mothers-admonishment.pdf

FOR SINGLE WOMEN: What to Know Before You Meet Him (Part 2 of 3)

Tools For Your Belt  

FOR SINGLE WOMEN: What to Know Before You Meet Him (Part 2 of 3) 

TOPIC: Today's Man 

1. Most of them “ain’t got game”  We have stripped them of the chase.  Women have become the pursuers’, therefore 
leaving men to “be found”.  This is not Gods plan.  

  

2. They may not have game but they do like a chase  Try not to play too hard to get, but don’t come off as desperate either.  

  

3. They’ve been trained to be PC by us Most Men will agree with  

what we want while suppressing what they desire and say it’s  

okay because in their minds that’s the “right” thing to do.  Due to  

men’s past abuse of their role in our lives they have succumbed  

to our fight for liberation and equality.  They are very  

apprehensive about voicing what they really what in a woman.   

  

4. Most men want traditional things  
    a.  Kids (a son)‐ like God (Gen 1) men want to see themselves reproduced 
            in the earth.  

     b. To be able to take care of their woman   

     c.  A wife who’s willing to cook and to be taken care of  

Next and last installment of Tools for Your Belt: First Date Tips

FOR SINGLE WOMEN (Part 1 of 3)

Tools For Your Belt  

FOR SINGLE WOMEN: What to Know Before You Meet Him (Part 1 of 3) 

1. Be found serving

Take the example of Ruth, who was found by Boaz on the threshing floor.  She was working to serve another.  

  

2. Make your list but check it twice 

Consult your heavenly and earthly father about your list.  Be sure that your list for a mate is  realistic.  

  

3. Care about your appearance inside and out 

When you leave your house have the mind‐set that you never know who you’re going to see.  Somewhere outside your door, you may meet your husband that day. On the other hand, while looks are important, they’re not everything.  You must balance good looks with great inner qualities. There’s got to me more to you.  Men, will date the finest woman, but unless she’s a quality woman inside, most likely they won’t take her home to meet mama.  

  

4. Become financially and educationally balanced 

Know what you really should do for a career before marriage, therefore you're not changing gears in midst of your marriage. Take this time to get your finances in order.  Learn to live by a budget, and pay bills on time.  

  

5. Learn to make a house/apartment a home - Get domesticated.  

   1.  Keep it neat and make it warm and inviting.  

  2. Learn the joys of cooking – cooking is a ministry  

       a. It brings the family together‐ opens communication in families.  

      b. It keeps the family healthier‐ (the average restaurant has 60% more calories in their                                 meals).  That percentage is higher for fast foods.   

     c. It saves money‐ Americans are now spending about 40% of their food budget on      outside meals 

We hope this information has been helpful to you. Stay tuned for part 2!

Doing the Work

We are living in a time when women have more opportunities and more education than they ever have.  But, I am amazed when I sit down with these beautiful and intelligent women and the one thing I keep hearing over and over is “I don’t know” and “No one ever taught me that.”

Women of God, it is time to put away all the excuses for why we are not doing what we should.  If you have the Word of God, then you are being taught, and you do know.  Ladies, it is time to put on your big-girl panties and do the work.  Life is not easy, and the challenges will come, but I want to encourage you today to do the work.

Stop saying you can’t, because you can lose that weight!  You simply have to do the work.  You can be a good wife, even to a bad husband.  Read the story of Abigail.  As a matter of fat, if you are committed to being a good wife, your husband will change, or God will release you from that situation.

You can be a good mother!  You can be a good single mother.  Don’t look at what the world is doing and saying.  Simply, do the work.  You can be a great employee, even in a bad work environment.  Do your work unto God and not unto man.  Let your light shine so that your Father in heaven is pleased with you, and He will bless you.  But you have to do the work!

You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!  Start on your journey.  I promise you that your reward will be greater than the challenge.

Just Do It!

Your First Lady

Feel the Burn!

With all that we know about healthy eating and exercise, how many of us can say that we do either regularly.  No, I don’t mean once a week.  What I do mean by regularly is that 3-4 times per week, you get some form of cardiovascular exercise.  Well, at the ripe old age of forty-something, I have finally gotten to a place where I exercise regularly.  It is increasingly becoming a lifestyle change for me.  Before you know it, I may become a female Billy Blanks.  Umm, maybe that’s going a little too far.

Even with all the time that I have spent trying to keep my body healthy, I still go through periods when I’m not as diligent as I should be.  Lately, because of traveling and families coming to visit, I have been thrown off my normal routine.  And let me tell you; it has been rough getting back into it.  It’s like I have never worked out before.  The other day, I was doing one of my many exercise videos, and just when I wanted to just STOP, I heard Brother Billy say, “You’ve got to feel the burn.”  When I heard that, I knew that I had to keep going because I’ve learned what takes place when you push past the burn.  When you push past the burn, you increase your level of endurance and strength.  And that’s what I want, more endurance and strength.

In order to gain more endurance and strength, you must continue to push past the burn.  You see, the burn indicates that your muscles and lungs are getting ready to go to the next level of strength.  When your body starts to produce lactic acid, you feel a burning sensation in your arms and legs, and your chest starts to hurt.  And this is the point when most people stop and say to themselves, “OK, that’s enough.”  These are the people who don’t get the results that they could get if they would only push past the pain and go to the next level.  As it is in the natural, so it is in the spiritual.  You cannot and will not reach your spiritual potential by quitting when you have just reached a place that will help you to grow.  Yes, I know it is painful.  But beloved, that is the only way to gain the strength and endurance that you need to reach your spiritual potential.

Just think about it this way.  There isn’t one great person in history that arrived where he/she is by doing only enough to get by.  If you are going to be great at whatever you are doing, you must give it everything you have.  My mother had a saying, and I think that it bears repeating here: “Honey, you’ve got to pay the cost to be the boss.”

May Your Strength Be Renewed!

Your First Lady

Lets Get Organized - By Spruce Design Solutions

The beauty of being organized is it allows you to keep the balls in the air and off the floor. There is no one step rule or quick fix to achieving your organizational goals but with a little thought, some discipline and process, I believe that you can conquer the challenge of organization.  If you're up for the challenge, lets discuss some basic rules for getting and staying organized. 


For starters... 

• Take a moment to write down your thoughts on your state of organization.
• Think about where you can use some help and storage items that can make your life easier.
• Process the importance of getting organized for you and even your family. 

After completing that task you will have a sense of purpose.  A road map if you will for getting organized and staying organized.

Now, lets talk about the how. Again, organization does not happen over night, that's where discipline comes in. Don't attempt to do everything all at once; this will only cause frustration and delay your goals. 

• Start with one space and give yourself a timeline to complete the project. 
• Visit your space, and begin by determining what is a necessity and what can be stored, recycled, donated or tossed. 
• Create piles accordingly. Once you've established where everything lives, it will be easier to return it to it's rightful place. 

The second step is determining whether the space is equipped with the appropriate storage for your items. If not, there are several stores dedicated to storage solutions like Bed Bath and Beyond and The Container Store just to name a few. The sales associates are very knowledgable and can help you locate items that will best suit your needs. Remember to go armed with measurements and your list. Slowly work through your space one section at a time and more importantly, be realistic. The leopard skirt that you wore back in high school that you hope one day will come back in style is an example of not being realistic. The truth is....brace yourself....it's never coming back and if it does, and it may....you probably shouldn't be wearing it. 

In summary take notes and reflect on why you need to get organized, create a place for everything in the space, practice returning items to the appropriate place and be realistic about your habits and what are necessities. I guarantee that following these steps will help you to achieve complete organization. 

For more information and tips visit us at www.sprucedesignsolutons.com