#JOANSTRUTH

  In a world where image seems to be everything, we are bombarded by the perfect lives that are being lived by simple human beings. These images are positioned in front of the images that God has purposed for each of us. We listen to the noise instead of the whisper that we are great beyond measure and called by the Creator who shaped us.  A perfect example can be seen in the story of Moses. We all are familiar with this great man who was torn between two backgrounds but his purpose would have been initiated when he struck down those Egyptian soldiers in anger in order to avenge a Hebrew. Then and only then, did his isolation led him to have a direct encounter with God!  One perspective: He has an anger issue. Another perspective: The passion of this man, God said "I can use him!" Let us now reflect. We see ourselves as simple human beings, without thinking, these little so-called nuances I have can be the very reason God uses me for something great. Whether, in my home, ...

  I know we are going through a tough time, being swamped with different emotions and work, but remember to always pray and push through. We will get through this. II Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name,  shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face,  and turn from their wicked ways;  then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin,  and will heal their land. #joanstruth #beencouraged #peace #pray

  What if you woke up with only the things you thanked God for? I saw that post today and I realized that this question or statements similar to this, are normally overlooked. We as human beings like to be where we are appreciated and celebrated but not where we are just tolerated. We get frustrated when we give things our all and sometimes even going the extra mile for persons who did not ask for our help but needed it! So, we get upset and decide to lessen what we do to teach them a lesson.  So back to the question.... What if you woke up with only the things you thanked God for?  meaning, what if your life is a clear representation of the value you place on people and things? We may have eyes, ears, mouth, legs, hands, a heart or essentials like air or water. Now when it is taken away, we beg God for the miracles we read about in the Bible. People have disabilities due to accidents, birth defects, chronic illnesses and now COVID. All of these things affect what is thou...

Today as we begin yet another journey towards a closer walk with God, we are walking away from what we want for what we need, as we serve a God who takes us into the wilderness not to starve us but to strengthen us. He is the supplier of all our needs and He wants us to be able to command the adversary, with all confidence, to flee from us as Jesus did.  In Matthew 4, the adversary used temptations of different kinds such as: using your own human knowledge and power rather than waiting on God because what we see as success may not be what God ordained for us. He used promotion after denying God, even though the adversary knew that Jesus would sit at the right hand of God and he also wanted Jesus to test God.  So as you go through this Lent season, let it not be the same ol' same ol'.  It is not only abstaining from certain foods but also certain behaviours, thoughts and even people who keep us in a spiritually dry place. L eave E very N egative T hing behind as we gro...

The Bible reminds us in Matthew 7 :... "Ask and it will be given to you;  seek and you will find;  knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives;  the one who seeks finds;  and the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7: 7-8 But are we really ready and capable of receiving what we ask for? Do we know what we want to do with what we ask for? Are we going to use the request to become better or is the request for our own selfish gain. While sitting today and reflecting on my life, I realized that most of the things that I have asked God for have been granted to me. The rest; I am waiting on His answer. Asking for patience does not mean you will supernaturally wake up with great calmness, it means God will place people and situations in your life that test your patience. Maybe a difficult child, spouse, a relative who has special needs, or a nagging neighbour. You ask for resources but you don't ...

I was heading to San Diego and the plane was caught in a little bit of turbulence. This was not the first time that I experienced turbulence but like every unique situation that is repeated or a book that is read more than once or even a movie that is watched a third time; there is always something that strikes you unexpectedly. It was always there but we never noticed it before. As the plane pierced through the turbulence for a few seconds, the pilot announced  "due to the turbulence,  we are going to go up a little bit higher  but we are advising all passengers to be seated at this time  and fasten your seat belts until the seat belt sign is turned off".  This struck me like a tonne of bricks because as humans we tend to run to and through the turbulence. We ostracize people avoiding conversations and situations but just like this pilot who spotted the trouble ahead, he decided to take us a little bit higher.  The person on the outsi...

We could come up with long lists as to why another person is wrong and it's always our desire to prove just how wrong you are.  Did you know that God knows who we are? Did you know that He knew us even before we were born? Our personalities, environment and daily routines make us different which creates room for groups to be formed. However, when we disagree with people's actions and how they view life, we immediately want to force them to see our point of view. Especially, if we think they are hurting themselves and those around them with their mindset. We may know that our point of view is better for them to grow into the men and women they could become and it becomes very frustrating when they resist. Resisting becomes resentment and resentment turns into a relationships lost. When you have expressed concern, stop trying to force your ideals on the other person. Knock on God's door and let Him know His help is needed. We are God's vessels for His work but somehow...

Why talk about shame? ...because it affects everyone. Even me! It doesn't matter what social level or income level you are at. It doesn't matter what your gender is or even where you come from. What binds people together when talking about shame is that it is based on FEAR .  So, what's your fear? Is it the fear of: Success Failure Being Vulnerable Being exposed Losing people you love, fans, etc. Not being liked Not being right Being uncomfortable...... It is amazing hearing stories about why persons are so afraid of things that other persons see as minor, but the truth is, Wisdom comes from the lessons that we learn from various experiences. This comes with time and exposure; being willing to step out and being willing to leave your comfort zone. I had a big problem with that for a while and it almost paralyzed me because I was so afraid of failing or making a mistake. I did not like the feeling of being vulnerable so it would take me a while to at...

I woke up this morning very tired, quickly focusing on the various things that I had to cover and the week is almost finished. Yes, I prayed, I dived into the word but my mind drifted. Just thinking about the different things on my list made me more exhausted but I had to do them all; no room for excuses. I wanted to take a break and just isolate myself but leading involves dealing with adversity and challenges. Then I started to think about God; what if He was like us? What if He was afraid of challenges? We would not stand a chance here on earth! So often we wake up and are consumed as leaders, not only leaders of organisations, businesses, clubs, groups, families and the list goes on. The daily tasks take a toll on us and it leaves us exhausted; but God is saying, you have these tasks for a reason and you are a fit candidate for this journey. He gives His toughest battles to His strongest soldiers but He wants to be with us on the battlefield. When we are exhausted, He is so fi...

Be faithful with the little things in life and you will automatically open the doors to your biggest dreams. It is the #LawOfAttraction #JoansTruth

Do not make assumptions or draw conclusions on the behaviours and decisions made by the persons around you because these things DO NOT define who they are. They may shock you, whether negatively or positively! So keep your eyes in the mirror and not on other people. #BeBlessed #LiveYourLife #JoansTruth 

It is a challenge to look in the mirror and analyze how we treat people and how we treat ourselves because we know that w hatever we give, it will always come back to us in one way or another. It is a truth we know but always seem to do the wrong things expecting positive results. But it is true!  LOVE EQUALS LOVE!   Whether it is taking a day (or hour) off to prevent an overload or illness. Or it is a favour for a friend coming back to us in the form of a caring gesture from a co-worker when we needed it, or when we give someone money (especially when we are compelled to hang on to it) and it comes back as a gift from a relative, etc. We often argue about the things persons are not doing for us and we then choose to return that negative energy in the same way which eventually affects everyone around us, but stop! You can change your energy, ONLY if you want to. Let us choose to operate in love! God is love and we were made in His image. Sow love and you WILL reap love i...

Always live life with the following equation in mind: Love (God+Family+Art) - Unforgiveness = Blessings + Peace of Mind = NEVER ENDING HAPPINESS #NEVERENDINGHAPPINESS #JOANSTRUTH

Your past is called your 'past' for a reason, so forgive and move forward #JoansTruth