Who Are You vs Who You Are Not

Have you ever had to introduce yourself in a workshop or classroom setting? Ok, so you know how it is, everyone gets up when it's their turn to speak and they say their name and tell everyone in the class something or a few things to describe who they are. Something like this, "Hi my name is Sandra. I am a mother. I am a nurse. I have 3 children and I love dogs." Well, I don't do it like that-anymore. I use to until I experienced an AHA moment about 2 years ago-while introducing myself.

I got up to tell the classroom who I was and instead of doing the 'norm' I did something a little different. I got to sit there and listen to about 17 people introduce themselves and then I went last. But I sat there in aw as everyone followed the exact same pattern. Everyone shared their occupation. How many children or pets they had. If they were married or divorced and hobbies. I got up and said something like this:

"Hello everyone. I am so excited to be here with you all. Well, Elizabeth is the name my father gave me. He named me after Mary's cousin-in the bible. He never explained why, but I get it now and personally think it's a beautiful name. I am kind. I am a giver. I am compassionate. I am welcoming. I can be very silly. I am passionate about empowering women and youth. I am courageous. I am a go getter. I love LOVE and I am loyal....." I probably said a few more things. But it went a little something like that. Let me tell you, the look on everyone's face was priceless. They were waiting for more but at the same time they were totally intrigued. I then said, "oohhh and God has given me the awesome privilege of giving birth to two rock star boys whom I personally feel are the coolest kids in the world"

One woman spoke out and asked, " ummm can we do this all over again?" And the entire class laughed.

Please get this clear, you are not your occupation. You are not your marital status. You are not how many kids you have or don't have. You are not broken. You are not a victim. You are NOT the titles you wear or have been given. You are not your name.

The next time you are asked to introduce yourself to a classroom or group setting, tell them who YOU ARE!

I have created a small list here for you to read and pick out a few words that resonate with you. You may also add to this list. Print it out, circle or highlight the words that best describe YOU.

Which of these traits do you possess and value:

• Kind
• Dependable
• Great Listener
• Energetic
• A child of God
• A woman of God
• A believer
• A woman / man of faith
• Funny
• Open
• Self-aware
• World changer
• Compassionate
• A giver
• A problem solver
• Grateful
• Humble
• Happy
• Warm
• Trustworthy
• Responsible
• Sympathetic
• Lifelong Learner
• Sociable
• Strong
• Courageous
• Committed
• Loyal
• Empathic
• Confident
• Self Assured
• Romantic
• Optimistic

These are just a few. Go ahead and add your own.

P.S
Tell yourself:

I Found God When I Lost My Religion

I struggled for many years not knowing the difference between religion and God. I mean, I knew what I felt during worship and while praying. I knew God was real and present and spoke to me often. But then I was confused by all the 'rules' the church folk often spoke of. Like how women aren't suppose to wear pants and it's not right to wear jewelry and our hair / head must be covered while in worship. I mean I can go and on. That was the part that really confused me. I knew deep down inside that all of this had absolutely nothing to do with God.

God is simple.

The world has God trapped up in a box and this is why the 'church' (the people) are suffering and confused. I was one of them- so I know.

It took some time but God was awesome enough, as He's always been, to send a man into my life to teach me about the true living God. My pastor ( Boby Somers ). He did so by opening up my heart to the Kingdom message:
Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and ALL these things will be added unto you -Matthew 6:33

The message that transformed my life in every aspect. All these years, the church spoke about serving God in order to get to Heaven...to paradise. And I swore they spoke more about getting there- then they did about experiencing God here on earth-while still alive. But what I needed at the time, while broken, confused, hurt, angry, in debt, depressed and ready to give up on God, was something more. I needed to discover what my purpose was and why I was here. I needed to heal. I needed to know what to do with all my pain. I needed to forgive. I needed joy, love and peace. I wanted a discipline to pattern my life by. What I was getting for so many years was NOT that at all. I was identifying myself with a denomination- NOT God. How could I represent God if I am identifying with something (religion) that has nothing to do with Him or who He is or even what He created. Identifying with God liberated me to live in the order He requires me to live in. In total freedom where I can function from a place of purpose.

Religion promised me something that 'it' could never give me.

God promised me LIFE and He gave it to me; free from pain, confusion, drama, pain, depression and unforgiveness.

Through my pastor's teachings and the word of God (the bible), I was able to completely transform my mindset. Through the kingdom message, I received peace of mind. I began to understand who I was because I knew Who's I was. I am a King, therefore I am suppose to live like a king.

I received healing in areas of my life- I had no idea needed healing. I discovered my purpose through my pain and wanted nothing more then to spread His love and light in the world. Each and every day was and has been beautiful.

Kingdom living is LIFE. The Kingdom of God is not a place. It is within us. Each of us. When we live the way we ought to live, the same pattern that Jesus lived His life, all things will be added unto us.

I welcome you to watch this short video clip describing 'Kingdom Living Now' Please watch and listen with an open heart. Shut out the negative thoughts and noise. Be still... because I promise you-this has nothing to do with religion.

Religion is bondage and that is exactly where I was coming from. Today, I am healed and delivered. My only purpose in life is to serve Him. Because through Him, I am able to do all that I do-with a smile on my heart. Only God!

Kingdom Living Now

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The Word "Church"

For many years I had no understanding of the word "church" and as a result I barely understood why things were the way they were. Why were so many people who were born and raised in the church so lost? I mean, I saw very little difference between them and me. And believe me I was definitely lost. This was before I knew the difference between born again and baptised. hhhmmm....

I was a member in a church for years and never heard anyone speak of this word in the way it was created to be. To be honest, most of the sermons  that were being preached from the pulpit were repetitive. There wasn't ever a real BANG! I mean, I can say this now because of the teachings I now receive. None the less, I thank God for that time in my life as well because I was saved in the hands of the church (the people that God worked in my life through).

If I knew then what I know now...oh boyyyy.

The word "church" means a "called out" set of people. 

The scripture talks about you and I as the church. We are the church. Not the building. The church (God) is within you and I. We are Gods temple and Gods Spirit dwells within us.

1 Corinthians 3:17 

If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.

It's not the building that's Holy, it's you and I. It's not the building the bible describes as 'church' it's you and I. It's not the building that holds great power, it's you and I. The building has absolutely no power. It's just a building where we can stay warm or out of severe weather conditions. It's a building for us to fellowship with one-another. It's a place where we can set up special programs for our children etc.. If we were to do what Jesus did thousands of years ago; and gather outside on the streets teaching Gods Word, rest assure we'd all be arrested. 

We've got to change our mindset about the word "church". Too many of us go and feel this great power within the four walls and then leave empty. Week in and week out. Year in and year out. We get powered up by the presence of God and the Word, but then we walk out leaving the power in the 'building' and back to our old ways. 

God doesn't dwell in a building made by man's hands. He dwells in us. But we are not functioning in this power. I say WE! Not you. How can we know if we are functioning in that power? Are you living with love, strength, courage, forgiveness, faith...power? Do you have any sense of who you are and what your purpose is? If the answer is YES, then you most likely see yourself as the church and not the building. By the way, once upon a time for a very long time, I lived a powerless life. Until of course, I was introduced to TRUTH. 

Can you imagine if we started to see that building as just a place we go to fellowship and to grow? Can you imagine the breakthroughs we'd experience if we were to function in the power that was given to us- outside of the walls? God wants us to become a certain kind of person so that He can give us what we truly want. Which is purpose. A person with no purpose lives a hot and cold life. The scripture says God would rather us be cold then to be luke warm (confused, good one day and bad the other).

If I am the church, then everywhere I go, God is there. If I am the church, then everything I do, I do with purpose. If I am the church, then fear is not suppose to live in my temple (body). If I am the church, then I am not suppose to have people up in my heart. If I am the church, then I am not suppose to gossip. Period. If I am the church, then no matter what's going on in my wilderness, I am expected to hold my head high. If I am the church, then I am the light. If I am the church, then sickness is NOT welcome in my body. If I am the church, then I am the salt of the world. If I am the church, then I will worship in the building, in my workplace, in my car, grocery store and anywhere I go. My worship can simply be, "Lord, I worship you. I give you all the praises and honour" in everything I do. If I am the church, then there is no problem that stands above me, I stand above my problems. If I am the church, then the church will glow through me. If I am the church, then the answers I need to fulfil my destiny dwells within me.

1 Corinthians 3:9 

For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.

I AM the CHURCH. I am a called out woman!