how i tried to build a mansion in one day.

Welcome viewers! Grab some tea, coffee or hot chocolate (if you’re nutty for hot chocolate like me). Enjoy the read!

Let’s see if you can relate! You have a goal and you think of one million tasks it will take to accomplish it. And right there, you begin! You run out to buy all your supplies or you pull out whatever you need. Your goal is to get it done and get it done ASAP! You’re excited and your mind is flooded with so many ideas and joy. And with all your excitement, you want to tackle one hundred million tasks in one day and accomplish your goal. You just want to see the results!

So you’re doing it. You’ve done about four goals and you’re getting it! Go on now! But then… you’re stuck on the fifth one. It’s about one in the morning and you’ve got a full morning planned and you cannot afford to be tired. But hey, you’re only on the fifth out of one hundred million tasks. And you think, once I get pass this fifth task, I’ll be done in no time. You look at the time again and it’s 2 am and your eyes are sooo darn tired. By the way, you’re still on the fifth task cause you made a huge mistake or something went wrong. The excitement starts to decrease and decrease until it’s gone. Now you’re frustrated so you get ready for bed. At this moment, you’re realizing  you won’t accomplish this goal tonight. Cause the realistic thing to do is get ready for bed. You’ve got that full morning to overcome and try to be all intentional  for (check out my blog on how I’m exercising intentional-ism), but you’re not even heading to bed in a positive mindset.

You’re upset. In one day, you had this awesome goal that came to mind and you wanted to accomplish it, all in that one day. You allowed your mind to tell you this: because you didn’t do it in one day, just let it go because it’ll never be accomplished. Or it tells you: I’m not willing to plan this out, because I want my goal, and I want it now (please stop) or you actually plan to get to it the next day, but instead you ignore it and do something else. You’re giving yourself poor negative talk which may just result in a completely failed goal.

When you fail you can either give up, or assess, plan and try it again.

The scenario above  is a bad habit I harbored in the past. I’ve tried to build mansions within one day. And it was never successful. I failed to plan and I failed to rest. I’d work myself up so much because I was so excited not realizing my decisions were not timely and I was making myself tired in all sorts of ways. I wasn’t working with a strategic plan! I was sprinting this race from the start trying to sprint it out to the end. Gasping for air and I am nowhere near the finish line. No bueno!

If you’re anything like this dirty habit, I encourage you to plan. It’s not that your idea is flat out wrong. It may just be immature with poor strategic plans and you may be burnt out from trying to build it in one day.  Being burnt out is a negative because you begin to feel all types of ways about your once exciting goal! But really I learned all I have to do is rest, don’t quit. Resting can take a day to a span of a week, just make sure you rest well so that you can come back with full strength and a strategic plan.

And if you’re nothing like that old habit, keep doing what you do and become better! Share some tips below for those of us who are still crawling out of this bad habit shell.

Plan your success and take breaks! Do something relaxing or reward yourself for the little victories you’ve gained so far. I believe you can build that mansion, maybe not in one day, but I believe you can build it with awesome planning and resting. Go no now, you can do it!

Rachel Nadine

The Mystery Blogger Award

 

So when I got a notification about this blog, I didn’t think little old I would be nominated. But shout out to this cool sister at JusTalkBlogs (and please do check out her amazing blog!) for nominating me. I have the urge to give a speech, but I won’t go there lol.

And of course thanks to Okoto Enigma for being so creative and fun! Check out her blog as well.

Rules

1. Post the award logo/image on your blog.
2.  List the rules.
3. Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
4. Mention the creator of the award and provide a link as well.
5. Tell your readers 3 things about yourself.
6. You have to nominate 10 – 20 people.
7. Notify your nominees by commenting on their blog.
8. Ask your nominees any 5 questions of your choice; with one weird or funny question (specify).
9. Share a link to your best post(s).

Three Fun Facts on Me

1. I am the youngest and only girl of four.
2. I enjoy singing along when my fiancee plays his instruments.
3. I collect journals for brain dumps/ideas, prayer entries and bullet journel/bujo because they’re pretty and full of empty space that can become almost anything!

Questions  Answered

1. If your life was a book, what would this chapter be called? “Happy, Go Lucky” cause I wasn’t always a smiler, especially not in New York. Sadly, no one has time to crack a smile. Nowadays I catch myself smiling naturally and smiling to myself lol.
2. What is your motivation/inspiration? My motivation is my fiancee! We share our goals with each other and hold each other accountable. I can’t let myself down and neither do I want to let him down. 
3. What’s the best book or movie you’ve read/seen? Recently, I’ve been hooked on War Room (save it and watch it!) because it’s a great lesson on the importance of prayer in one’s life and how much the enemy is really seeking to kill, steal and destroy. Heads up, the cries are so fake!  
4. What’s the best thing you learned from 2016? The best thing I learned about myself in 2016 was how negative my mindset was and still is. I learned that I cannot  be surprised about my sometimes crazy thoughts but rather be active in positive thinking and becoming better, hence my blog’s name! 
5. What is one song that you’re embarrassed to admit you like? Oh my lol. I am greatly into Hakuna Matata from the Lion King. I mean it means no worries (sings) for the rest of your dayssss! It’s our problem free philosophyyy, Hakuna Matata! 

I nominate…

Tribal Tots (I know you tagged me already lol)

bloggingsunsets

Absolutely Olivia

P.s. It’s Peri

My Israelite Journey

Life Gets Better

Young Wife Happy Life

The Peaceful Wife

Thoughts of Cin

JusTalkblogs

Questions for my Nominees! (if you already nominated me and I tagged you again, answer in the comments below):

1. Where do you see yourself in five years?
2. What is the best complement you can give yourself right now?
3. What is one goal you’re focused on this year?
4. Whats your go to hobby?
5. If you another pair of arms, what would they be used for? (weird)

My Favorite Post Thus Far: 

Intentional (most recent too!)

This was so fun to do!

 

Shalom,

Rachel Nadine

 

Chosen Daughter of Zion

Susie walks into Goodwill Thrift Store with a goal to find a matching living room chair for her burgundy set. Walking around the store for the 5th time, she ends up in front of the dirtiest chair on clearance for $9.50. Susie stares at the chair and smiles. “Upholstery”. She thought. She grabs it and walks to the register. As she waits in line, customers and employees walk by looking at the chair and Susie in a funk, and then back at the chair. As Susie walks to the register, the cashier mumbles under her breathe, “that chair is filthy.” Susie chuckles and says I think it’s beautiful. It has a lot of rough areas but I can put some work into it and make it brand new. “Whatever.” expresses the countenance of the cashier. The manager comes to Susie, overhearing her and says we have more of those same chairs out ready for trash tomorrow. Would you like them for free? We don’t want them. Susie agrees to see them. And when she does, she jumps for joy because it was the exact number she needed for her dining set. “I’ll pay $20 for them all. Thank you thank you thank you.”
FAST FORWARD

When Susie has family over for Sabbath service, they praise the chairs and Susie for them. “Oh, Susie, I just love coming here and sitting in such comfort.” ” Susie these are ONE of a kind, beautiful and rare.”  Those are the things they say.

Daughter of Zion of Israel, I would like to say, The Most High thinks the same for Israel. When we were chosen, it was not because our ancestors were off the chain, but it’s because we were few. (Deuteronomy 7:7). It’s nothing we did and nothing we could of ever done.

We played a whore, was rebellious but The Most High still dealt with us like a faithful Husband He is.

Daughter of Zion, you were chosen to leave your own life to walk the life that Yahweh has for you. That is in Holiness and obedience. We ought to act like it. Don’t sell yourself for short. Invest in yourself. Being set apart is far from being average. Be great and love to be great. Understand that you were bought with a price by the Most High Almighty Elohim (what!) and are being made new daily. Remember? Upholstery! That’s us!  We are not that old chair anymore. Sisters, I urge you, to walk in obedience to ALL of Yahweh’s law. Seek perfection and strive to please The Most High first in all your doings. I leave you with this:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:” Ephesians‬ ‭1:3-4‬ ‭

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6:20‬ ‭

#standout

Trust Yahweh and Let Him in.

Shalom sisters, man has it been sooo long. I desire to write so many blogs but fail at completing them. I truly am not going to make an excuse and say I don’t have time. I haven’t prioritize this blog as I should. BUT. Now that I’ve told you (especially myself) that, I will be working on more frequent posts.

I don’t celebrate my birthday but I am a year older, and prior to this time I reflected a lot about my life and where I was with myself and Yahweh. I reflected on where I am and where I want to be or more so where Yahweh wants me. And I realized something. I’ve spent 20+ years trusting myself and have gotten nowhere. Jokes on my flesh, right? I live with my parents rent-free, college graduate, Master of Social Work candidate, working a job with great pay, “self-sufficient”. This is everything that “I” did because I always wanted it. This is what I defined as success. Independent black woman, right? please. I realized I spent the majority of my life trusting myself, and yes I climbed up WORLDLY ladders. But let’s be real, my self esteem was crazy low, I did not have a prayer life where the enemy knew he couldn’t mess with me, unless someone was lifting me up in prayer, I was not in peace, did not have a sound mind, bitter, mad at soo many people and myself. I mean, what wasn’t I dealing with? And it’s all because I did not Trust the Elohim Almighty. For many women in the world, this may not hit them/you (maybe) hard, if it doesn’t maybe you need to re-evaluate yourself. Seriously, do it.

Being the driver of my life for so many years, the Most High BROKE me and humbled my derriere. I truly thought I had it together, but I didn’t even have Him! WHAT?! Have mercy!!! DANGEROUS!!! Yes ma’am He humbled me cause I couldn’t do it myself. I am not going to be prideful and say I got tired anyway, because it’s nothing I did ( tearing up). If I wanted to, I could of drove my life some more, but HE helped me realized I was not going anywhere. Oh how the heart is wicked. But when the Most High chooses you, you can run as far as you want, but you have to make your choice if you will obey or be condemn. I made my choice.

The point of sharing all of this is to say: STOP trusting yourself. You know nothing. You know some vocabulary, proper English, some math, some history. That’s cute. Good job. But do you have applied knowledge, any spiritual gifts, a relationship with the Most High? Can Yahweh call YOU a friend? Are you at peace in the midst of the storm? Have inner joy? Have a passion in pleasing Yahweh? I don’t know about you but it’s recently I realized WHERE JOY was. DUH! in Yahweh! not me! Without Yahweh, I am foolish and without. NOTHING! UNWORTHY!

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

“Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.” Psalms 40:4

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength” Isaiah 26:3-4

Set thy heart upon thy goods; and say not, I have enough for my life. Follow not thine own mind and thy strength, to walk in the ways of thy heart: And say not, Who shall controul me for my works? for the Lord will surely revenge thy pride. Ecclesiasticus 5:1-3

Purpose your heart to be set apart for the Most High and watch how He will take care of you. I love the back seat. Because I know that Yahweh has a better route for me then I EVER would’ve chosen for myself.

Be at peace sister. 🙂

 

Chastisement from the Father

I haven’t written for two weeks and there is a reason. Sis, be mindful I actually am filled with topics and ideas as I usually share on Instagram. But let’s just say my Father has been disciplining me and I’ve been listening and obeying His voice.

I praise Him for the chastisement because He told me:

“My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: for whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.”‭‭ (Proverbs‬ ‭3:11-12‬)

“And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.”‭‭ (Hebrews‬ ‭12:5-8‬)

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”‭‭ (Revelation‬ ‭3:19‬)

Because of His reproof, I know HE LOVES ME. I am grateful, cause my heart doesn’t deserve love, but because He loves me, I love Him and I must obey Him.

Okay.

I want to remind my sisters who read this blog that I am a babe in my walk. Literally, more like an infant crying for mama and her milk (The Word) in desperate need.  Which means the things I share are things I’m convicted by in my own life and what I’ve gained understanding of BUT is very little. I practice it in my walk but I still have a way to go. I’m not better. I don’t have it together. It’s the Father that’s keeping me together. For real, for real!

To end, I beg you to understand that again: I do not know a lot. If anything, I’m ridding myself of some knowledge I thought was my truth. This walk can be overwhelming because I thought I had it together… BUT Yah. Man oh man He fixed me. He is breaking me and reforming me into His own. Hallelu Yah.

This blog reflects my walk. It does not reflect my knowledge, for there’s nothing I can boast about. What I know comes from Yahweh, my Father. And this blog is a public statement to encourage other sisters to walk towards the Father on the strait and narrow way. Few will find it, few will have ears for what they hear but the path IS there.

I pray that this blog continues to point you to the Father and not my walk. I’m not important here, becoming better for the Father is what is important. As the Father works with me understand that my uploads may decline. I will share only what my spirit moves me to share. Not what I learned and have studied. There’s a difference. Shalom and blessings to you.
“My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.”(James‬ ‭3:1-2‬ ‭KJV)

The Problem with Emotions

I’d say I spent my whole life being emotionally led. If someone hurt me, I had a bad day and if someone did good to me, it was a glorious day. The problem was I allowed others to control my life and I sinned every day not trusting my Father in heaven to direct my path. I allowed man to direct my path and to turn my eyes away from The Father.

Sister, are you emotionally led? Do you allow people to hand you over your emotions? Or do you rebuke it?  Do you do the most silliest thing while you’re in your feelings?

WARNING: We were created with emotions. Their functions are to help us communicate and motivate action. However we must not let them control us because they can be (1) deceptive and (2) straight up wrong.

Should we act on every emotion?

Are emotion facts?

No. Some emotions can be sinful thoughts which lead to sinful actions. (E.g.: jealous thoughts to hateful actions)

To be emotionally-led is to lack self control. So let’s check what scripture says about self-control.
“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭25:28‬)

That doesn’t sound like a safe city or a civilized place/person. When I think of a city with no walls, I visualize a city with no government, unorganized, and disastrous. A unorganized person with no authority (from the Father) is very concerning and dangerous.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” (‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:22-24‬)

Challenge:

Spend tomorrow, this weekend, next week (however long) processing your emotions and understanding how it got there and then analyze the reason why it’s there. Then ask, is it right? Is it healthy? Does it move me to love others? And does it inspire me to enter into the kingdom?

As I do this more often I realize, I struggle with some emotions that I never knew existed within me. I’ve recognized how wicked I’ve allowed my heart to become. But I’m using this time now to become better. I encourage you to take the time to bring that emotion(s) to the Father through Jesus Christ and ask:
Father, how did (emotion) get here? Forgive me for allowing (emotion) to live here. It is not my master, You are. Help me to forgive myself and the person that allowed (emotion) to get there. I just want to have Your fruits so that I can take on Your Spirit and not my flesh. So please, help me fight this emotion until Your return. In Jesus name, amen.

Sister, checking out emotions seems tiny  especially since we are more emotional than men. You might think we are met to be this way. But remember, Christ calls us to be sound-minded. How can we be sound-minded if we’re not talking to our brother because he told us our work appears lazy? Especially if he’s telling the truth. Don’t let your emotions keep you from making it into the Kingdom.

“Deliver us from evil Lord.” (Matthew 6: 13)

Jeremiah 17:9, Mark 7:21-23