Let me preface this blog today by saying, this is in no way my way of throwing shade at any individual or organization. I am simply sharing what is on my heart in hopes that it may help others that may be experiencing the same thing. I hope today's post will help shed some light on things. If you have ever experienced the following scenarios, then this article is for you.

1. There's this one coworker that you talk to everyday at work. You have become the best of buds. You have shared some good laughs about situations at work and life in general. The two of you have also talked outside of normal business hours and genuinely enjoy each other's company. Yes, you consider this person a good friend, but then everything changes when you accept another job. At first, all is well after you leave, but then little by little conversations become shorter and fewer. Now months have gone by and your calls are not returned.  
2. You attend an awesome church. You speak to everyone and share hugs, smiles, and words of encouragement with those that have made your list of MFP (Most Favorite People... I made it up...chill!). Every week you get together with this group to fellowship and discuss the sermon and life's issues. After a while, this group becomes your tribe. You do everything together.... that is until God calls you in another direction and you move to a different church. Slowly, but surely people forget to invite you to their functions and the phone calls stop as your tribe exits stage right.

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I'm sure I'm not the only one that has experienced one of these situations at some time or another. If you're like me, you were probably left asking yourself, "WHAT HAPPENED?". I thought we were friends. I know it's tempting to just stay to yourself in hopes of avoiding the disappointment and hurt that comes after losing "friends", but DON'T DO IT! Proverbs 18:24 (MSG) says, friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family. 

Some people are only meant to walk with you for a season and not a lifetime. There are some that are only there to teach you a lesson. Don't allow their exit to cause bitterness to take root in your heart and make you miss out on the divine connections just ahead. I have been fortunate enough to have a core group of friends that have outlasted some major transitions in my life. These are the people that visited my beside in the hospital without any concern of my church affiliation, occupation, marital status, etc. These are the ones that have stuck by me like family and I'm grateful.
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There is a tried and true test to determine who your "Real" friends are and no it's not the test on Facebook. LOL These are the people that will stick by your side through your life struggles regardless of your church affiliation, occupation, marital status, FICA score, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, (Okay, I got a little carried away, but you get the picture!). These are the people that deserve the title of FRIEND. Don't be so quick to give that title to those that have not proven themselves to be a friend and then maybe it won't hurt so bad when they decide to walk away.  

Psalm 138:3 In the day when I cried out, You answered me,
And made me bold with strength in my soul.

Hello precious jewels! I know it's been awhile since I last posted a blog. There have been so many transitions that have taken place in my life. Unfortunately, I had to put some projects  on the back burner and blogging was one of those things. I had to jump on today just to share a quick word with everyone about what's taking place around the world today.

Today is National Prayer Day. People around the world are coming together to stand in agreement with other believers for a move of God. In this week alone, I have heard of many that are dealing with sickness, financial issues, relationship issues, depression, and other spiritual attacks. Many have grown weary in the wait and are on the verge of giving up. If you ask me, National Prayer Day could not have come at a better time.

I'm asking for you to stand in the gap today for those that are unable to pray openly due to the fear of persecution. Let's stand in agreement with those that need strength to endure until they receive an answer from heaven. I'm believing that as we seek God today on one accord, many will receive the very thing they need. Psalm 138 is proof that if we cry out to Him, He will hear us and make us bold with strength. I don't know about you, but I could sure use some strength right now! 

I would like to end today's entry with a quick prayer. 

Father, we come to you first thanking you for your love for us. Thank you for being mindful of us. Thank you for hearing us when we call on your name. We ask for forgiveness for any word spoken or action done that was contrary to your word. We pray for deliverance from our sins and that our ways will be pleasing in your sight. In the Name of Jesus, we ask for you to move on behalf of those that are seeking your face today. May your glory be revealed in every situation or circumstance. We praise your name and we thank you in advance for moving on our behalf! In Jesus Name, Amen!!

P.S. As I was writing this prayer, I received  a new client for my business!! God is so faithful!! To God Be The Glory!! 

By Crystal Harkless

This past weekend I had a chance to see a movie called Insurgent which is a part of the Divergent series. My brother the movie buff first introduced me to the series around Christmas time last year and I instantly fell in love with it! For those that have not seen or heard of the movie, let me give you a quick synopsis per IMDb (Internet Movie Database). In a world divided by factions based on virtues, Tris learns she's Divergent and won't fit in. When she discovers a plot to destroy Divergents, Tris and the mysterious Four must find out what makes Divergents dangerous before it's too late.


A majority of the characters in the movie had one dominant virtue which helped them to choose a faction to join for the rest of their lives. Once you joined the faction, you became like everyone else in that group which made you normal. What made the Divergents so different was the fact they possessed multiple virtues which made it hard for them to belong to just one group. This difference made them a threat to what was considered a perfect society. A society where everyone found their place and stayed in their place.


What happens when you don't play by the rules and stay in your place? What happens when you begin to question the effectiveness of systems that have been in place for years? What happens when you learn there is another way that will free people from the bondage they have been in for generations? I will tell you what happens....you become a threat that must be SILENCED! If you can not be silenced, you must be destroyed.


I believe I'm talking to a few people out there today that have been labeled as Divergents in the church. Where some were satisfied with just following the program, you wanted God to come in and have His way. You weren't concerned about protocols, formalities and denominations, but you wanted to worship God in spirit and in truth. You didn't want church as usual, you wanted an experience on another level with God that would leave you changed and FREE! Who am I talking to? 


Many of you have found yourself silenced. You have been removed from ministries in the name of Jesus. You have been considered dangerous due to your changed mindset. Your name has been destroyed and many kingdom doors have been closed due to your failure to "stay in your place". Many of you have wandered around in the wilderness for years now trying to figure out what you did wrong. I am here to announce that you are not the problem...You Are The Solution!


All this time you have been accepting the opinion that maybe something was wrong with you because you wouldn't conform. There wasn't anything wrong with you! You have a heart for God and the things of the Kingdom. You have a heart to serve the people of God. God has been raising up a people that have a heart for Him and positioning them for ministry. God called you for such a time as this.

The world is tired of seeing organized religion that is so focus on the programs, protocols and formalities that they have loss God's power, presence, and love. People are hungry and thirsty for the Word of God and a true demonstration of God's love and power. God is looking for those that are available, willing and humble enough to be used for His glory. While you have been in the desert wandering around, God has been preparing you to be used greatly in the ministry. It's time to shake off the past and walk into this new season.

You were once an outcast, but God has a place for you in the Kingdom that will accept you and utilize the gifts He has placed in you. No longer will you be quiet, but God will give you a platform to speak the things He has placed in your heart to uplift those in the Kingdom. No longer will you be punished for not following protocol because this place will be led by God's spirit. This is restoration time and souls are being restored. You are no longer lost, but found! Your joy and purpose is being renewed! 

I'm so happy for you! It has been a long time coming, but change is here! You are being released to walk into your purpose! It's your time and your season for breakthrough! I celebrate with you today because you survived the things that tried to destroy you! Glory To God!!

By: Crystal Harkless

At some point in time, a majority of us have experienced the joys of having a best friend. You and your friend would do everything together. There wasn't a day that would go by that you didn't talk to each other. Your bestie was that one person you could share everything with. You even shared your secrets trusting it would always stay between the two of you.

As you get older, you are faced with the realization that secrets don't always stay between friends. Secrets when placed in the wrong hands have the potential to cause major damage that can take years to repair. Not only must we be careful who we share things with, but we also must be mindful of the information we share. You do not need to share every feeling or thought that pops into your head. Once those words or feelings are shared, anything can happen and you may just have to pay for it later.

I'm reminded of a time when I shared my opinion/confession with a dear friend of mine. Later on that information came out and hurt someone which caused some hurtful events to take place. I remembered feeling betrayed by my friend because what I shared with her was shared in confidence. Had I just kept that information to myself and prayed about it, things may have worked out differently. Like I said, some things are just better left unsaid.

I'm reminded of the scripture in James 4:11-12: 
11 Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?

Yes, we will have times when someone gets under our skin and you want to vent, but I believe God is pushing us to come to Him instead of man.  God can give you  clarity about a situation  when you turn it over to Him in prayer. Prayer can show you how to deal with that situation or person in a Godly way. He may show you that person's heart and cause you to love them in spite of their behavior toward you. He may show you  how the enemy is trying to use that misunderstanding to bring about  strife.

My prayer now is Lord help me to watch my tongue. It is true once a word is spoken, you can't take it back. So now we must be quick to listen and slow to speak. We can't be so quick to act when we're upset or in the heat of the moment. Take some time to walk away, pray and BE STILL!

Now if you are like me, it probably took some bumps and bruises before you gained this wisdom. That's okay! Romans 8:1 says: There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Like little babies, as you're on this walk you may stumble and fall. God will correct you, pick you up and teach you to walk according to the Spirit. 

Determine that you will not stay down. Learn your lesson and keep moving because I guarantee you there will be more lessons to learn. The key is to not beat yourself up and know that regardless of who has turned their back on you, God Still Loves You. I can tell you this from experience. He will never leave or forsake you. Stay encouraged and know you are a jewel in the rough.
 

By: Crystal Harkless

Psalm 42:1-2 
As the deer longs for streams of water,
 so I long for you, O God.
 I thirst for God, the living God.
 When can I go and stand before him?


Thirsty is a term that men have been using to describe a woman that is labeled as being desperate. If she appears to be too interested or available, then she is viewed as being thirsty. Many women have been hurt and taken advantage of because of their eagerness to be chosen or loved by men. Even when you do finally get what you were so desperate to receive, you will find it will never be enough. God is saying, "Come To Me and let me fill your thirst. 

Before I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I ran from man to man desperately looking for love. I never found what I was looking for. It's like God was moving them out of the way every time I tried to settle down. I realize now that God had to do that in order for me to realize that what I was longing for was Him. It was this realization that lead me to give my life to Christ.

Sometimes in life we can allow our situations and day to day activities to drain us. You may not be running after a relationship, but it could be a career or money. Regardless of what you find yourself running after, if God is not your focus you will find yourself thirsty again. As I look back on my early days with the Lord, I can't help but wonder what happened? I still have a love for the Lord and His word, but my fire and zeal are no where close to where they once were.

When I first started my walk with God, I was on fire! I spent hours reading the word of God and praying. If I wasn't at home, I was at church serving. I didn't miss a service and I told everyone I met about Jesus. I loved Jesus and I didn't mind showing it. 

As we enter the spring season, I'm asking God to quench my thirst once again. I'm asking Him to fill me up until I overflow. This is a time of revival. God wants to meet your need, but He wants us to seek after Him first. In order to really get into His presence, you must let go of those distractions and situations.

There's nothing wrong with desiring money, houses and relationships, but they will never be able to satisfy that part of you that is reserved for God. It's only after we are filled with more of Him that we are able to keep and enjoy the things He gives us. This is why He tells us to seek Him first. You will always feel empty and dissatisfied as long as you put other things and people before Him.  So ask yourself what am I really longing for?

Make up your mind this year that you will chase after the things of God. That means spending more time in prayer. Commit to reading and meditating on the word each day of the week and not just on Sunday. God is longing for us to seek Him and desire Him more than anything else. Will you let Him fill you?

By: Crystal Harkless

We need have no fear of someone who loves us perfectly; his perfect love for us eliminates all dread of what he might do to us. If we are afraid, it is for fear of what he might do to us and shows that we are not fully convinced that he really loves us.  
1 John 4:18 Living Bible (TLB)

He gives the rejects his hand,
And leads them step-by-step.
Psalm 25 The Message (MSG)


Are you convinced of God's love for you or have you allowed the struggles of life to convince you otherwise? When I first started walking with the Lord, I only believed God loved me when everything was going good and he answered my prayers immediately. At least, that's what I came to believe as I listened to those I thought were strong in the Lord. If things were going wrong, then God's hand must not be on your life...right?  Wrong! 

Thank God for the saints that were willing to be transparent and share their struggles.  As I matured, I discovered that sometimes God makes you wait awhile before He answers your prayers. I learned there are some things He will allow you to go through to perfect your faith and trust in Him. I realized that He loves you even when He tells you NO. Actually, a no should be celebrated just as much as a yes.

Not only does God love those that are struggling, but He also loves those that are feeling rejected. There were times in my life when I felt like a big REJECT. I first experienced the sting of rejection in grade school. It seemed like people always found something to dislike about me. I was too skinny, too dark, a teacher's pet and the list goes on and on.

When I became an adult, it's almost like the kids that harassed me grew up and followed me. This time they found some different things to dislike about me. I was too thin, dressed too nice, thought I was too good, too ambitious. I tell you, you just can't satisfy people! LOL Once again, I found myself in the outer courts. (A little Bible humor!)

I'm so glad to know that God takes the hand of the reject and leads them step-by-step. That should put a smile on your face! He loves you even when others reject you. He loves you even though you're not perfect. Jesus can relate to those that have been rejected by man and He still says, "Come to Me". 

Everything may not be going right in your life right now, but don't be discouraged. Not only is He right there walking beside you, but HE LOVES YOU. When the struggles of life try to tell you that you can't trust Him, remind them that you will trust in the Lord because HE LOVES YOU. He's not punishing you, He's trying to help you. He will restore, support, and strengthen you after you have suffered a little while. (1 Peter 5:10 NLT)

He never said we wouldn't have troubles in this life. As a matter of fact, He said we would have trouble. But to take heart because He has overcome the world. Allow these pressures in life to build up your muscle so you can give strength to others by telling them how God brought you out.

Pursuing your purpose or passion is never an easy thing. First, you are exposing your baby (vision) to others which can be a scary thing. Let's face it, people can be brutally honest! LOL What you think is so great can be seen as below average by others. An artist or entrepreneur must strive to push ego and pride aside. 

Resisting the temptation to become offended when receiving feedback is a must! It's never easy seeing something you have labored over for hours, months or years picked apart in seconds. I totally get it, but it's best to have it done so you can make the necessary corrections. It also helps to accept that people rarely get things perfect the first time. Sometimes you may have to make several revisions or scrap the entire project. 

You must remember that timing is everything! You may have a great idea, but if it's not the right time for it to be released it will not take off. If you find yourself in this situation, learn to rest instead of trying to make things happen. You never know what God may be orchestrating behind the scenes. He could be lining up divine connections or preparing you for a new opportunity.

Here's the most important thing I'm learning in my season of trying something new....Finish What You Start! Instead of allowing your emotions to take over, remind yourself that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Remember that you  will reap a harvest in due season if you do not faint. Make up in your mind that you will not quit! Someone is waiting for you to cross that finish line!

By: Crystal Harkless

Proverbs 3:5 (NKJV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;

When you decide to take that long awaited trip to some place new, you start off excited and eager to get there. You were diligent and saved up enough money to take care of everything.  You daydream about the fun you will have when you get there. You make a list of the places you want to visit once you arrive. Finally, the day comes for you to get on the road. 

Once you're on the road, everything is fine that is until the unexpected happens. You get a flat tire! Then you have to use money to buy a new tire. To make matters worse, the only store in town does not carry your kind of tires and you have to wait a couple of days until it comes in. Now you have to spend more money on a hotel room in the middle of nowhere! 

What I have described is a perfect example of what happens when LIFE happens. No matter how much you have planned or saved money to reach your goal, life happens. It's important that we remember this because so many will allow the unexpected things in life to keep them from reaching their destination. Many are tempted to throw up their hands and give up. I will be the first to admit that an unexpected setback can put a damper in your mood and cause your motivation level to go south quick!


It's really easy to find yourself lost and totally off course if you're not careful. The challenge is staying focus on the goal when the other issues of life are all  fighting for your undivided attention. One way to keep this from happening is to write your goals down and keep them in front of you at all times. It also helps to have a mentor or coach that you can talk to when your mind becomes cluttered and the way gets confusing. It also helps to have some quiet time to avoid losing your cool.

One thing we have to remember when embarking on our journey is there is never a straight path to any destination. You will have twists and turns. There may be traffic delays and other unforeseen issues. Don't let those things keep you from reaching your destination. You have waited too long to give up now! 

Even though we may have expected delays, God knew these things would happen. One thing I have learned is God always has a way of working things out for us. Our job is to trust him and choose not to lean to our own understanding. We must trust that He will guide us with his loving hand and get us safely to our destination. Decide to relax and allow your Heavenly Father to help you reach your goals at the ordained time.

By: Crystal Harkless

I am really struggling to write this blog today, so this will be a short entry today. Last week I celebrated my 35th birthday! YAY! Since my mother's birthday is only 2 days from mine, we decided to have a combined birthday party. What should have been a weekend of celebration turned into a weekend of visiting the emergency room. 

Some of you may know my story, but for the sake of those that don't know I will share it again. Last year the doctors found a blood clot in my brain. For seven months I endured the poking and prodding of doctors and multiple doctor visits. They said there was a chance that I would be on blood thinners for the rest of my life, but thank God the blood clot dissolved in 6 months! I was so thankful and more than ready to leave that behind and start fresh in 2015.

The week before our birthday party, I started experiencing symptoms similar to what I had before they discovered the blood clot. I was having horrible muscle aches and painful electrical shocks going up my neck to my head. In addition to that, I had a burning sensation in my scalp on the same side they found the blood clot on. This was a major setback for me. Once again, I found myself in the hospital with the doctors trying to figure out what was wrong with me.

My initial response was one of defeat, but thank God I have family and friends that know the power of prayer! You see, what may seem like a setback is usually a setup for a comeback! Although things may look bad now, you never know what God has planned. He may be using the situation to position you for a major breakthrough. So, we must make up our minds to press our way through whatever may be trying to hold you down.

I'm sharing this because I believe there's someone out there that needs to hear this and be encouraged. You are not alone! God sometimes has us go through things that we may not understand at the moment. What we endure makes us stronger. Declare today that this setback is a setup for a major comeback! 

 I'll be praying for you! Don't you dare give up! 2015 is just beginning and the best is yet to come! I'll see you at the finish line! God bless!

Have you ever received a prophecy and thought surely it would happen by a certain time, but you were left shrugging your shoulders when nothing "seemed to happen"? Many times we are quick to dismiss a prophetic word given to us due to our limited understanding of how God will bring it to pass. When we receive a promise from God, we start imagining how and when God will do it not realizing that there are some things that must happen before it will come to pass. We must first understand that God's way of doing things is not like our way of doing things. Take your hands off the wheel and get in the passenger seat! 

In this season of miracles, God is asking us to take Him at his word. You never know what God is doing behind the scenes or what spiritual battle is taking place in the spiritual realm that may be delaying the manifestation of that word. If you believe that word came from the Lord then hold on to it. God will bring the revelation in time. The key is to stay prayerful and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you.

 The other thing to remember is God's timing is different from ours. You may have thought it would happen this week, but it may not happen until next month. We must accept that our knowledge is limited when it comes to how God chooses to move in our life. No matter how long it may take, do not allow your expectation to die. Keep on believing because it shall come to pass.

 In the past, how have you dealt with delays concerning God's promises for your life? What are some things you did to encourage yourself while you waited? Do you have a testimony of a time your blessing was delayed and it finally came to pass? We want to hear from you. Let's encourage each other!