Life is in Control until the Rapids Come

Boast not of tomorrow; for you know not what a day may bring forth Proverb 27:1

Repeatedly, people have a tendency of assuming normalcy in life simply because of daily routines which often lead to the perception that their life is in control. Regardless of how much one may attempt to go through existence thinking all is organized the days and weeks are pre-planned, at any given moment one incident can alter the most minute or rudimentary routine: car trouble, God forbid a fire, accident, severe illness or even death. An unpredictable occurrence can alter the state of your mind and often times cause your faith to waver.

In 1998 I stared death in the face when a friend and I took some Scouts Whitewater rafting down the Oconee River. A beautiful spring day, everything going as planned with nothing to fear. There were experienced guides on hand as well as we both were skilled swimmers. ‘I’ felt no danger and believed it would be a great adventure for these young men ages 12-16. For you who may not know the Oconee River was the site used during the 1996 Olympics for Whitewater rafting which is rated at a Class III and IV rapids. What that means is the water may include small to medium waves, small drops, some rocks, but no considerable danger.

There is a point down the river where our guide decided to have fun by creating a “Left over Right” where the raft flips or rolls side over side causing the craft to perform a 360. Envision the craft rolling starboard side first with all passengers staying seated under water and resurfacing again provided all do their part. Well we did not follow directions some held on others bailed out. My years of swimming and training meant nothing when the water’s under current consumed me so long where I thought life was over. The swiftness of the under current creates a vacuum affect that will keep a swimmer from breaking free. For about 60 seconds underwater (it seemed longer) I saw my life flash before me while trying to break loose. I was in sheer panic mode!

How did I regain composure, find a way to re-emerge and float down the river? I have to say it was the Spirit of the Lord that saved me. Though the water held me back, my weakness kept me from swimming nevertheless the grace and mercy of the Lord gave me an opportunity to thank Him as I lay prostrate and floated down the river. One thing my mind continuously rewinds is the beauty and splendor of the river hearing my heart beat underwater and thanking God for allowing me the opportunity to survive.

As you trek forward in life be thankful for every second of the day because we can’t see the storms which are right around the corner. Pray for yourself as well as others. Encourage one another; give thanks for the little things in life: your family, their smiles, Or a sunset that paints the evening sky with burnt orange and amber colors that give way to the sparkling star diamonds of a midnight blue sky.

Take time now to witness a sun rise against a light blue canvas splattered with floating pink cotton candy clouds and thank God for every moment of your life. By doing these this you are preparing yourself for those unexpected eruptions in life because when your life flashes before your eyes you will not have time to think of praying. Remember tomorrow is not promised.






Tigner
For more posts check http://thesoulsremedy.blogspot.com/

Praying for all the Wrong Reasons

The Holy Bible states we should pray for the desires of our hearts and for years I did just that. In spite of endless requests my efforts were like a dog chasing its tail; life was a vicious circle.

 Comedian, Steve Harvey  summed it up quite eloquently stating he too prayed for all the wrong reasons “praying and telling God the way he wanted his life to transpire.” It was not until he sought to allow God’s will be done did he begin to receive opportunities he never would have envisioned: Two book deals, nationwide radio syndication and now the host of Family Feud. Contrary to our belief that is how many of us pray, we tell the All Mighty what we want, how we want it, along with how it is to be packaged and delivered. Are mortals really that foolish? We can’t out think or create God and there is nothing new under the sun! So why do we attempt to enclose God into our minuscule scheme of existence?

After numerous years of ‘selfish’ request my prayers revolved from my vision to seeking and asking God to teach me His ways, show me His path and lead me to His truth Psalm 25:4-5. My testimony today is that I FINALLY got in line with God and He has reviled new innovation unto me. The lesson learned was by asking to be in His will and not my own made the difference of a continued journey laced with struggle and confusion to now guided lights under each footstep.

What we believe to be important to us is not important to God so once you pray seeking the will of God you will realize what priority is. From my letting go and letting God, He has bestowed a desire as well as showed me things I’ve never believed would come to pass. The shackles on my mind were unlocked freeing my confidence to receive again a willing spirit to revitalize writing. One of the biggest obstacles I had to hurdle was the years doubting myself along with being tricked by Satan I was wasting my time putting pen to paper on what the Holy Spirit disclosed. Prayer was the key to the new lease on life and desire of my heart!

I Challenge each of you who are praying but not attaining some desires of your heart to continue  praying. Don’t be discouraged, be of good cheer and make sure your request to be inline with God the Father. Ask to be in his Will, seek His guidance to lead you on the right path this will make way for a clearer vision of what and where you should be. One thing for sure is if you earnestly do as I suggested God will speak to your heart and show you the way and will give the desires of your heart. Begin the process of a new you today!


Tigner For more posts check http://thesoulsremedy.blogspot.com/

Rekindle the Fire

Photo: Tigner J.

Within each of us is a yearning to reach or obtain an objective with the intention of generating a sense of accomplishment. This sensation is the fervor that motivates individuals through out life. For a large number of people this drive is vibrant and flourishing while a multitude of others the flame has died.
I’m sure you have worked tirelessly striving to reach that goal though at every turn there seems to be stumbling blocks and closed door opportunities. As the hands of time tick an individual begins to question their ability along with questioning God. Please be reminded, when you doubt yourself and interrogate God’s work you are giving victory to Satan.


Doubting is nothing less than a lack of confidence. Regain your self-assurance and believe again! This is the first step to having certainty in you once more. While in prison Paul wrote to the people of Philippi they could do all things through Christ that strengthens them Philippians 4:13. Paul did not allow the solitary confinement of prison walls steal his belief in the power of Christ. Don’t allow your mind to become a prison that chains you to uncertainty and faithlessness.


God did not create a failure so remove the negative; rekindle that fire in your heart, dust off tarnished dreams and talents. Uncover that passion and force that once motivated you. Start believing in YOU again because God is not through with you yet.


Christ Jesus told the multitude, “if you can believe all things are possible to him who believes Mark 9:14-29


Tigner J. Rand
For more posts check http://thesoulsremedy.blogspot.com/

Benevolence from the Heart

There is a friend of mine who finds joy daily from giving and blessing others. I have seen him hand over car keys with no questions asked, bestow money to people for no apparent reason, motivational speaker for young people, as well as enhanced the skill set of athletes which has enabled them to compete at the next level. 

I have observed him create jobs, businesses and opportunities most would over look. He is continuously seeking to bless someone without expecting to get anything back. If you where initially told of the series of troubles and annoyances besetting this brother without hesitation you would not believe it possible for a man to demonstrate such a happy and giving spirit. As God as my witness, he is! My brother is immensely blessed! He gives blessings and God blesses him in return!

A few days a go I hit that preverbal wall we all collide with from time to time which can cause a person to fall into depression or pull out the party favors for a pity celebration. Thank God for encouragement and friends because my dear comrade called at the right time. “What can I bless you with today” were the words out of his mouth. “What do you need that can help you reach your goal”. An Immediate smile came because I knew his offer was sincere. “If you need something let me know I’m here” and before hanging up he stated “continue writing, your words are blessing people.” This brother demonstrates the Chinese Proverb daily: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”

Jesus told and demonstrated that by hard work we must help the weak and it is more blessed to give than to receive Acts 20:35. Do we perform random acts of blessings to friends, family, or strangers? Do we actually ask loved ones what can I bless you with today? We stand accused, talking the talk however not walking the walk. A lot reading this professes to be Christians but how many really attempt to be Christ like, follow his example and really share or impart blessings to others? Blessings are not always in the monetary form. It could be cutting a neighbors yard, typing a resume, take a loved one to the doctor, doing away with a suit, a car you don’t drive, or cooking a meal for a needy family.

As hard as it may be to believe we don’t own any possessions: house, car, clothes, gadgets, toys, and even our bodies don’t belong to us! They all belong to God the Father. It is better for us to give than it is to receive! A co-worker told me God had laid on his heart to give away a brand new suit which been worn only a few times. First reaction was being reluctant on departing with the garment even though it was not being worn. The Spirit moved allowing him to give it away. Days later he received a call from another person offering him a substantial amount of money just because God told him to. Remember God loves a cheerful giver! When a man gives from the heart, and not grudgingly God will make all grace and blessings abound toward them. 2 Cor. 9: 7-8 All blessings don’t come back the way we want them however God know what you need and will provide the source for us to receive it right on time!

Luke speaks of those who give only to individuals who love them as well as persons looking for something in return Luke 6:30-36 He continues with the correct way of blessing others; Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38

What is God asking you to do? Who can you bless today with your time, talents or treasures? Listen to your heart and take heed and remember every blessing given or received does not have to be dollar signs.

Tigner J. Rand
For more posts check http://thesoulsremedy.blogspot.com/

It Could Have Been Worse

“I was going through some changes in my life cussin and complainin every night tellin God the way he treatin me ain't right and how I don’t deserve this then a voice somewhere came to me and said you have the audacity  to fix your mouth to disrespect how soon we forget.” 


Sound like something you have said or heard before right? In part, these are lyrics from an artist who has been dubbed a “social minded singer”, Lyfe Jennings.


While listening to this song I was touched from the raw passion of the message. It also gave me a new found respect for the creative pen of this Platinum-selling R&B singer. The song’s title is It Could Have Been Worse, though it’s a secular song there’s a spiritual message for all which illustrate what people are experiencing daily. Folk face pain and frustration which desensitize them to the point of disconnection from the life line Jesus the Christ. Every so often we need a little nudge to bring us back to a humbling state. This song is that jolt.


I want you to please click the link It Could Have Been Worse listen, to the message and feel the emotion. I want to hear back from you please reply with your testimony.


“It coulda been worse, you coulda lost everything shoulda lost everything but somebody’s watching you and gave you another chance yeah!”

Tigner J

The Presence of the Lord

On occasion believers and all the time non-believers question if God is ever present. Do people see the Spirit of the Lord or a liken image of Him? Just as Jesus visited the men on the road to Emmaus, (Luke 24:13-35) I boldly say yes He still makes Himself visible at the right time and place.

Several years a go my mother suffered a stroke. During her hospitalization she encountered a living hell that no one would want to endure. There was one occasion doctors had to rush her into emergency surgery do to internal bleeding where she had lost four pints of blood. In the course of recovery I was granted visitation in ICU. Nurses stated she is in a great deal of pain and will not response. What begin as moans and groans soon became coherent words. Though she never called my name we talked all while telling me she was in pain. Out of know where she blurted out “I’m not ready to go”. Of course I told her she could not. Her response brought a chill over me that I now know and acknowledge as the Holy Spirit being present. “Tell that man at the door I’m not ready to go!” There was no one in the room although my mother insisted there is a man in a white robe and she, at this moment did not want to go with him.

The presence of the Lord was there He could be felt in the atmosphere. Though I didn’t see him in the physical form with out a doubt He was there in the spirit. There are those who would argue that I was imagining or it was my mother’s drugs which had her hallucinating. As stated my mother had lost blood, during the surgery she encountered another mild stroke and because of that doctors choose not to give any pain or hypertension medication. She was enduring unimaginable pain all while the Holy Spirit was nearby.

After that celestial visit it took years for me to fully understand that God is always present and all along it has been me locking Him out although I was asking Him to come in. Time and again we doubt that God hear our cries, know our pain or is not present when he is most needed. Is it easy to ask God into your life? Yes but the Trinity will not and cannot come in UNLESS we unlock our hearts, change our mindset, increase our faith and invite God into our live. Remember it’s a continuous effort – a work in progress; pray without ceasing, praising His name during the trials and never giving up. Satan is a liar and the truth is not in him for causing confusion in our minds.

David said in Psalm 139: 7 Where could I go from your Spirit? Or where could I flee from Your presence? Blessed assurance, God is always present he will never leave us or forsake us.

Tigner J.
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