I’d be a rich woman if I had a dollar for each time I heard this from my mom as a young girl.

Mom was right. As much as a good friend can help us make wise decisions, foolish or negative companions can bring us down and steer us away from walking wisely with God.

We often think of the wrong crowd as drug addicts or immoral people, but that is not always the case. Unfortunately, their bad influence is not always so blunt. The “wrong crowd” can be members of our families and childhood friends. They may sit on the pew next to us and attend the same bible studies. They are often people we have known for a long time and therefore it is hard to separate ourselves from them. However, because of their attitude and choices in life, they can be a huge part of the reason why we find it hard to receive God’s best in life.

There are many traits in a friend that should warn us of their bad influence. On this post, I would like to focus on one characteristic which is easily overlooked:

The Pessimist Next Door

“He spoke in the presence of his brothers and the wealthy men of Samaria and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Are they going to restore  (the wall) for themselves? Can they offer sacrifices? Can they finish in a day? Can they revive the stones from the dusty rubble even the burned ones?” Now Tobiah the Ammonite was near him and he said, “Even what they are building—if a fox should jump on it, he would break their stone wall down!” Nehemiah 4:2-3

Of all bad companions, naysayers are probably among the ones who can do the greatest harm.

Of all bad companions, naysayers are probably among the ones who can do the greatest harm.
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Nehemiah had been charged with the task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.

He knew the task was not going to be easy. He was appointed by God for the challenge and started gathering the right people, placing them in strategic positions to rebuild the wall which would guard the unprotected city.

As you read the first and second chapters of Nehemiah, the challenging task of rebuilding the wall takes form as each person is dedicated to a portion of the wall in a beautiful lesson of organized engineering design. Everything is running like a clock. Yet, when we turn to chapter 4, we find Sanballat and Tobiah the Ammonite angrily trying to discourage Nehemiah and his workmen from finishing their God-given task.

The text does not say it, but it seems as if Nehemiah knew these men pretty well. They tried everything they could to get him and his workers distracted. “The wall is weak!” “You are weak!” “It will take too long!” “Who do you think you are?” They went on and on, arguing against the Jews’ desire to carry out God’s plan.

I can look back in my life and recount situation after situation when people tried to discourage me to do what needed to be done, or to fulfill God’s direction for my life.

Had I listened to the naysayers along the way, I would not have married my husband… nor would I have moved across the continent to a foreign country. Had I listened to them, I would have stopped this ministry after the very first devotional. Had I listened to the naysayers, I would not have said yes to God on many things that did not make sense, but which I knew were His will for my life. Likewise, had Nehemiah and his workmen listened to the naysayers, they would have believed their lies, stopped the work and not carried out God’s task.

Has God given you a vision? Even if it looks impossible and some people in your life are saying you are nuts for doing it – do as Nehemiah and his workers did – Keep on working until you finish the task.

Has God given you a vision? Even if it looks impossible and some people say you are nuts for doing it – do as Nehemiah and his workers did – Keep on working until you finish the task!
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And if your well-meaning “friends” call you to come down from your wall and feast with them, remember Nehemiah’s words to Sanballat and Tobiah as he replied to their invitation to party:

“I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” Nehemiah 6:3

If you are doing what God has told you to do, whatever you do – DO NOT COME DOWN! Let the naysayers carry on. Even if your hard labor seems to bear little fruit, DO NOT COME DOWN!

Carry on where God leads you, my friend. Follow His directions, step by step. Do not lean to your own understanding, or your own perception of things. God is at work when we don’t see it.

You are doing a great work. Just carry on building that wall!

“

“Whatever you do you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there will always be someone to tell you that you are wrong.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Verses to Anchor your heart:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” Romans 8:31

“In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?” Psalm 56:4

Hello, friends! 

The post above is an excerpt from my new Bible Study Twelve Inches – Bridging the gap between what you know about God and how you feel. Registration for this free bible study is now open on our website (click here to be directed to the page). We have also opened registrations for many volunteer positions in our ministry. If you want to help women develop a deeper spiritual life through God’s Word, join us!. Check this out: JOIN OUR TEAM. 

Below you will watch a short Promo video about the heart of this book and bible study. I hope you join us!

Blessings,

Patricia

The post Beware of the Naysayers {Excerpt from Twelve Inches Bible Study} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

I smiled and uttered a prayer of thanksgiving for my mom. Once again, this loving woman had dropped everything in her life and  had flown 6,000 miles to take care of me and my family in a time of need. Regardless of distance, time or cost, I know that as long as God gives her breath, I can always count on my mom.

My mind goes back in time and I remember our relationship as I grew up. As many women of her day, mom had to work five days a week and sometimes on the weekends to help the family budget; therefore she was not very involved in our day-to-day activities. During the teenage years, as my parents’ relationship became stormy, we were all victims in the consequences of a broken marriage. Hormones and anger made my young mind shut down to any common sense. The hurt of seeing my parents growing apart blinded any attempt to understand my mother and so our relationship became distant and shaky.

As we both struggled with our individual crisis, we hurt each other deeply. As in many other mother-daughter situations that I have known, there was pain, misunderstanding and incompatibility for far too many years.

Today, however, in spite of anything in the past, I can honestly say that Mom is a best friend. I long to see her and spend time with her. I love to hear her voice when I dial her number. And even though our personalities are pretty different and we don’t always agree, our love and longing to be together grows deeper with each passing year.

Our secret?

We set each other free.

We can’t help but grow old, but we have to choose to grow wiser.

As a grown woman, I started to understand her longings, sorrows and disappointments. I often made myself put on her shoes to imagine her experiences.

When I became a Christian at 25, I realized for the first time that no one is worthy of forgiveness; however that is exactly what Christ offers to anyone who will ask. I also came to realize that true love never withholds forgiveness and that we cannot expect to be forgiven if we don’t forgive others. This former Catholic school girl knew all too well the words of the Lord’s Prayer in Luke 11: “And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.”

I know several mothers and daughters who are wasting time and missing out an abundant life with each other because of unforgiveness. I know daughters who dread the thought of being around their mother and mothers whose daughter can never measure up to their expectations. I know mothers who compete with their daughters and daughters who will never agree with their moms, even when they are absolutely right. The same occurs in different relationships where trust and dreams are shattered . Without forgiveness there is no factual restoration. Without restoration, our future is bound to defeat. Heaven shuts down. Our Faith Bridge stays broken and therefore nonfunctional.

As we stand in a position of self-righteousness, holding on to thirty year-old grudges, we fail to realize that we are the ones held in bondage. Even if the person who wronged you has a hardened heart and continually hurts you, do yourself a favor: Set them free! Ask God to help you forgive them and pray for them. Extend the same forgiveness that you so long to receive from those you hurt.

I cannot remember exactly when it started, but somewhere along life’s way, I started to choose to love my mom for whom she is. I don’t try to change her and I don’t look back anymore. I look forward to the years we have ahead of us. No matter how many we have, I am choosing, one step at a time, to fully, abundantly enjoy each one.

Regardless of who hurt you, whether it was a parent, spouse or friend, forgiving is not easy. Actually, I believe it’s quite impossible without God. But with His help, you can.

Have you tried asking Him to help you overcome?

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

This devotional is an excerpt from Patricia’s newly released book Twelve Inches – Bridging the Gap between what you know about God and how your feel.” Today we’re giving away a copy to one of our readers. Leave a comment to enter, or if you are in a hurry, simply say “I’m bridging the gap!” in the comments section. For more information on the book and to read some of the endorsements, click HERE

The post Book Give Away! And Excerpt: “Setting People FREE” appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

A Great Way to Celebrate

I had been waiting for this day for a while. And isn’t it just like God that it actually happened two days before the official release  of the paperback version of my first book Twelve Inches on retailers! I didn’t plan it that way at all. God is just that GOOD!

I have spoken at conferences with over 500 women in attendance before. I’ve spoken at live television shows. Yes, it never gets old and I always tremble. Yesterday, as I stood before the man who was used by God to impact my spiritual life forever, it wasn’t any different. My hands shook in humble excitement as I showed him the acknowledgements page in my book, where I wrote, in a few words, of my eternal gratitude.

This was not the first time I talked to my pastor, but it was undoubtedly the most special one.  You see, when my husband and I joined First Baptist Atlanta in 2000, I was a young Christian. I had been saved for only 5 years and, in all honesty, I was still a baby in Christ. It was Dr. Stanley‘s teaching that instilled in my heart the desire to know Jesus in a more intimate way. It was his deep, serene voice that helped bring conviction, peace and healing to my soul through the years. It was through his teaching that I was inspired and challenged to “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him“, which is one of his most quoted Life Principles.

And because I obeyed… because I said YES when my heart shouted “NO WAY!”, today I hold my published book Twelve Inches.

I wonder what would happen if every Christian followed that principle. Can you imagine the multitudes that would impact the world for Christ with their gifts and talents?

Obeying God is at times a scary thing, I admit. Because He does challenge us to blindly trust Him. And that’s the greatest test of our faith. But the consequences, oh! The consequences are priceless: Deeper faith… peace… and even some pretty awesome dream-come-true moments. Like having your name on the cover of a book that someone else believed enough to invest in.

Truth be told, I never imagined that I would be a writer one day.

When God told me to start this ministry, all I did was say yes, however inadequate I felt.

Then He said, “Step here” (so out of my comfort zone). And I did… and left the results in His hands.

“Talk to this person,” He whispered. And I did… and watched as He opened the doors.

“Give this up,” He commanded… and as I obeyed, He blessed me with something much better.

That still small voice spoke… and all I did was listen and put one foot after the other in the direction He showed.

True, I’ve lost my way before, caught up in the busyness of life… caught up in the doing, rather than in the being still (and knowing He is still God). But oh, am I ever grateful that the Holy Spirit is always there to call me back to the center of His Perfect will! Am I ever thankful that Grace never ceases to shout: “Come back!“, when I start to get my eyes off of His.

My heart may have said “NO WAY” a thousand times before. But I’ve learned to press on and silence it with what I know about my God. Oh! and by the way, that’s the core message of Twelve Inches: Tell your heart who your God is. Calm it down with the power of His Word. Trust and obey Him… and get ready to be amazed! 

“Obey God… and leave all the consequences to Him.”

Thank you, Holy Spirit, for these inspired words that changed my life forever.

Thank you, Pastor, for instilling in my heart the desire to be all God has designed me to be. I know it’s not about you. You’re the first one to say so. And I so get it. But I thank you for being obedient to the call through the years… Through the storms… and in spite of.

When I grow up, I want to be like you.

In His love,

Patricia

PS: Hey, would you like to learn a bit more about Twelve Inches and celebrate this day with us? Watch this 13-minute TV Interview at Atlanta Live and learn what this book is about and about my upcoming book tour with my friend and singer Sandra Onal. God bless!

The post Dr. Charles Stanley receives a copy of Twelve Inches appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (NASB)

I looked down at my pretty white outfit and could not believe this outfit  was my choice before leaving home. I knew where I was going. And yet, I chose to wear a brand new white outfit. As I looked at the junk that needed to be moved from the storage area, realization set in. My outfit would be ruined by day’s end. What was I thinking?

Of course. I wasn’t thinking.

One of the reasons many of us have a hard time keeping our faith when facing life’s circumstances is because we allow our minds and lives to become contaminated by our environment.

We go to church on Sundays and put on a white, beautiful garment, as God’s Word molds our character and attitudes. We leave refreshed and empowered to be salt and light. Our beautiful white clothes are ready to reflect godly character in the world. Then, often before Sunday is over, we allow ourselves to be tainted by the junk that the entertainment industry promotes, or waste precious time mindlessly browsing through social media walls.

The choices of what we feed our minds stain our attitude and ruin our commitment to shine. All because we choose to walk into a dumpster wearing beautiful, white garments.

In 1993, the California Milk Association Board created the beloved “Got milk?” advertisement campaign .It successfully ran until 2014 throughout the  United States in broadcast and print and at this writing is still active in California. As you flipped through the pages of just about any magazine in the United States, you were likely to find usually an adult who was an athlete or a celebrity, whose image was connected to good health or strength, wearing a milk moustache. Designed to boost milk sales and milk consumption, it was a famous and powerful advertisement used to instill in adults the desire to drink something that is usually a child’s favorite.

The smart marketers behind the campaign knew exactly what they were doing. Adults don’t generally drink much milk. Children do. Adults like substance. Something they can bite into. Like meat.

Just as our bodies need proper rest and nutritious foods in order to function properly, grow stronger and remain healthy, our minds must likewise be fed daily with wholesome choices, if we expect to have a strong faith-walk connection.

The benefits we receive from feeding our minds with God’s Word are irrefutable. But I would like to take one step back and reflect on other things we take in on a daily basis, whether we realize it or not. I’d like to propose that although we may digest relevant and impactful spiritual truth as we read our bibles, it is often neutralized by junk and empty information that is served by our environment in silver trays daily.

From TV programs to movies we watch, from the music we hear to everything Internet, we are bombarded with information that is, at best, unrealistic and unimportant. We are plugged into a world of make-believe, where our relationships look inadequate, our possessions look meager and Christianity is portrait as weak, pathetic and hypocritical.

As we plug into technology and entertainment and load our brains with its shaded views, we find ourselves too weak to make godly decisions.

And our Faith Bridge starts to crack.

What fills your mind every day? Do you find time not to miss one single episode of the latest reality show and yet, don’t have time for God every day?

Can you miss reading your Bible at any day, but cannot imagine spending an afternoon without Facebook and Twitter?

What about music and movies? Have you grown accustomed to hearing people using profanity against God and His Son?

Do you browse websites that are not fit for a child of God?

These are questions that will indeed reveal the state of your heart and mind. And will answer this question:

Am I abiding in Christ and thriving…

Or am I not abiding in Christ and my mind is starving?

CLICK HERE TO READ THE INTRODUCTION OF TWELVE INCHES AND TO PURCHASE IT FROM AMAZON

The post When Your Mind is Starving (Excerpt from Twelve Inches) appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

We are so excited to announce that Patricia’s First Book, Twelve Inches – Bridging the Gap Between what you know about God and how you feel has started pre-selling at Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, among other on-line retailers. The kindle version of the book should become available in the next few weeks and the printed version will be shipped in the beginning of July (official release date is July 7th).

Do you want to help us make this book a huge success? Click on one of the links below and read a summary of the book… then please go ahead and order your copy! This would help the book hit the Amazon’s Hot New Release list quickly. It will also help to call the attention of retail distributors and buyers. While you are at it, please share it on your social media walls, and tell your friends and family about it! We appreciate your support!

Click HERE TO ORDER THROUGH AMAZON: TWELVE INCHES (AMAZON)

Click HERE TO ORDER THROUGH BARNES & NOBLES: TWELVE INCHES (BARNES & NOBLES)

In His service,

The Soaring with Him Ministry team

The post Patricia’s Book Pre-Sales start TODAY at Amazon and Barnes & Nobles! appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.