Can you believe it?! It is the first day of the last month of the year already! As many of us do at the end of the year I have been in serious reflection. Thinking about the who, what, when, where, and why of my life has caused me to become very aware of the fact that I am nowhere near where I want to be. However, I find solace in recognizing that I have come a long way since 2012. 

This week (Sunday-Saturday) I will leave you with seven thoughts in regards to closing out this year and beginning the new year.

Starting with today! Thought 1: Closing time

I just want to leave you with three things to remember this week:

1) Give God control

Not quite sure of your situation but remember that God is in control if you allow him to be. Sometimes it starts to feel like a whirlwind and circus because we have grabbed the steering wheel and are guiding with blurred vision through our experiences. Release the grip and allow God to take control. Trust him with your journey and you just flow along with him. When he is guiding there is no guarantee storms

I had plans to post about something else this week but I thought let me hold off. This is only because I want to share about an event I was privileged to be a committee member and volunteer for. The first annual Royal Summer Tea that took place yesterday August 24, 2013.

My heart is called to pregnant teens and women who have experienced abortion in the past and need assistance in understanding that grace applies to them as well. One of my spiritual mothers introduced me to a ministry a couple of years ago and I have been volunteering there ever since. The organization is called His Nesting Place and they run a pregnancy center and home for unwed mothers as an alternative to abortion. They live life to save the lives of the unborn. (His Nesting Place on Facebook)

Many people feel some kind of way when hearing about pro-life ministries. I must admit that has been me at different points in my life BUT when I am able to experience first hand the lives that are saved (both child and parents) by this ministry, there is no way I can be mad at what they stand and fight for…LIFE. They have been in operation for over 30 years and have housed thousands of women and their children since opening their doors.

Yesterday the first annual summer tea was held in Rolling Hills Estates in one of the most beautiful gardens I have ever been in, in my life. God really blessed His Nesting Place with absolute favor as the owner of the home opened up her beautiful garden in order to put this fundraiser on. 

With over 120 guests in attendance His Nesting Place was able to raise funds and spread awareness about the issue of abortion in America. I feel that the testimonies that were shared by a few of the young women there were touching and resonated with the spirit of everyone in attendance. Which made me feel that I should reach out to my readership on the issue. 

Even though abortion is one of the procedures performed most on women in America it is still a super touchy subject. I just want to hit on it long enough to tell you that: 

1) There are always alternatives to abortion no matter what the situation is. 

2) God has given you the gift of free will! As you exercise it make sure that you are properly and fully educated on the decisions of abortion, parenting, and adoption both in the natural and in the spiritual. 

3) Men or women, if you have had an abortion in the past and are having difficulty dealing with it, whether it happened 2 days ago or 37 years ago, you are not the only one. God wants you to know that there is restoration for you. The guilt, anger, sadness that may be associated with it no longer has to be. Silence surrounding your abortion choice can be the loudest pain in your life. If you are ready to talk about it with someone please do! Not only can you contact me at the His Nesting Place Pregnancy Help Center or through my private practice www.YouCanTherapy.com but you can also find a network of counselors throughout the US and internationally via www.SaveOne.org. 

Freedom is yours if you want it! You have to take the first step…Repentance. That can happen strictly between you and God! Then, if you’re ready there are plenty of people, including myself, ready to help!

Love, 
 Mel

One of the greatest benefits of being a child of God is the ability to call on the name that is greater than all names (Philippians 2:9)! We have the ability to speak things into existence and when we ask anything in the name of Jesus he says he will do it (Romans 4:17; John 14:13-14)! Privilege!

I’ve talked to several people that do not believe there is power in the tongue. However, I believe the word and in Proverbs it lets us know that death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). Since Jesus is the way, truth, and life…I’m gonna go with speaking life (John 14:6).

We are four days into August and I know that many of us associate new months (days, weeks, years) as new starts. So if you haven’t already done so I want to use this week to speak life. Today I share with you (some) of the declarations that I spoke over myself and others at the beginning of this month.

My declaration:

I declare this will be a season of unordinary breakthroughs, anointing, prayer, praise, blessings, revelation, boldness, courage, love, ability, connections, studying, and steps forward in you God. I declare that every step we take demons will tremble and the Lord will be glorified!

I declare focus and discipline like never before and that our focus be kingdom and not of the world. I declare that God will get the glory with the resources that are available to us at the moment. I declare that we will be content in whatever state we are in and no longer dwell on what we don’t have. That whether we stand with people who are in agreement or alone we will follow through on whatever you have asked us to do. In Jesus name I declare we will move forward regardless!

I declare that every pregnant woman will be empowered by the people who are around them. Everyone with an abortive mindset will be changed, delivered, set free, and carry their pregnancy to term. I also pray and declare all those who are in need of resources will receive them in abundance.

I declare that every idea you have given to your people will come to pass and prove beneficial for those 

Earlier this week I spoke with a friend who after strict obedience and preparation still felt as if she ran into the glass window I talked about in last week’s blog Encourage Yourself. 

It sucks when we work hard, trust God, and move in him but things don't work out the way we planned. In these moments hearing sayings like: everything happens for a reason and find the purpose behind the pain don’t always make us feel better immediately. And that is ok! 

I think many people believe because we are Christian we are not allowed to have human emotions. Untrue! It is perfectly OK to have emotions other than joy. It is even ok to let your feelings out. How many times in Psalms do we hear David cry out and express his negative feelings about his situations to the Lord? Did Jesus not ask for God to “take this cup away from” him? I think it is awesome they were able to freely share their frustrations but I also admire their nevertheless not my will, but yours be done mentality that followed. Are you able to add the but God to your hurtful situations? Lord I hurt tremendously, but you are still able. Lord I feel defeated but your word says I am more than a conqueror. Lord I am angry with you right now but I know that your love flows beyond my current emotions and endures forever.

Have you ever had a back and forth conversation with yourself that goes around and around? It’s like spinning a bottle, a complaining moment (flesh) turns into an empowering moment (spirit) and it 

When you are finished reading today's post download a copy of my newest e-guide "Encourage Yourself: My rant turned e-guide"! The link is at the bottom of the post =)

In December I left my job with a very stable community mental health agency in Long Beach Ca. This leap of faith has caused a whirlwind of events and emotions that are molding me into a completely different person than I was 5 years ago when I began working there. As I follow my long lost dreams and attempt to find who I am and what I need at this point in my life, I am grateful that God remains unchanged and kept/keeps his promises.

A couple months back several doors opened for me that put me in great position for exposure, a new course of financial stability, and what I perceive as a joyous course for my life. Two months later I still have not walked through those doors. Matter of fact I’m pretty sure I was duped—Like the bird that thinks a door or window was open and flies *smack* into the glass. That crash stuns you for a bit