Moving Forward

Hello Dear Ones,

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

It has been quite some time since I talked to you.  As the title of this post would indicate I am going through a move literally.  This week has been a packing week for me as I prepare to leave my first home.  God is allowing me to go through a time of moving forward with Him spiritually while at the same time going through an actual move.

Today I donated my living room furniture to the Salvation Army and last night I met one of my neighbors for the first and last time in the same minute.  Both moves have been a stretch for me to say the least.  But I know God is a provider and He is a keeper.

God has a plan for my life that I cannot fathom!  But sometimes He would tell me what it is.  You've seen those gifts were when you open one box there is another box inside and another.  Well that is how I feel.  One box is opened and I think this is it!!!  Then I see another box.  Anyway...  He reveals all things in time.  Amen.

As we come to the end of the year I would like to say Thank You for reading this blog.  Chaquita and I pray that it has been a blessing to each of you.  May God bless you in the New Year.

Much Love,
Jamison

Prayer Requests

Greetings! I hope that each of you had a wonderful Christmas shared with family, friends and various loved ones. As we prepare to close out another year, let us be reminded of God's goodness, grace and mercy. Brothers and Sisters, I'm not sure of the type of year you might have had but glory be to God that we are still yet standing! We are still alive and well! We are still on the battlefield for our Lord Savior Jesus Christ!

I'm reaching out to you all and asking if there be any prayer requets or anything you're believing God for, in the new year, please feel free to contact me. Matthew 18:19 says "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven". So, let's make it happen!!!!!!!!

It's my prayer that God will continue to cover each and every one of you throughout this year. Love you all dearly!




God Bless,



Chaquita

Pulling Me Through

Merry Christmas, Everybody!!!

"Pulling Me Through" is one of many God's blessed songs that has been my motivation this week. I encourage you, if you haven't already heard, to listen to this song on Youtube. Todd Delaney is the artist. Some of the lyrics are, "when I stumbled and I cried; when I felt like I wanted to die; when my friends turned and they walked away; You were right there; right here to stay. It was you, Lord it was you, pulling me through"...this is so true. Brothers and Sisters, we may not always understand why certain situations occur in our lives but know that it is working out for your good.

Heavenly Father, I come this day thanking you for another day. Father, for give us of our sins. Forgive us of any thoughts, actions that were not from you. Help us to walk this Christian journey with a made up mind to serve you each and everyday. Lord, strengthen each of us to overcome any obstacles in our lives. Oh God, we're not certain what this day will bring us but we are trusting and believing that all is well on today. Our families are well. Our marriages are well. Our spiritual families are well. Our friends are well. Father, we are so mindful to not allow anything or anyone to steal our joy on today. It's in you we live. It's in you we have strength. It's in you that we are able to mounted up on wings like an eagle. It's in you that we trust. Lord, bring peace to the minds, hearts and spirits. Whatever seems to be a burden upon your people, break yokes now in the name of Jesus. Depression, Disappointments, Fear, Worry, Stress, Loneliness, Pain, Sickness, you have to flee the children of God and go back to the pits of Hell. You have NO authority in this place. We are God's children. WE ARE A PECULIAR GENERATION! WE ARE OVERCOMERS!. WE ARE VICTORIOUS! WE ARE BLESSED AND HIGHLY FAVORED! SO WE ALL DECLARE AND DECREE THAT THIS DAY THAT NOTHING WILL SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD!

IN JESUS SWEET NAME, WE PRAY AND GIVE THANKS, AMEN!!!




Be Blessed,



Chaquita

Know Your Worth

Happy Holidays, Everyone! I hope and pray each of you are having a wonderful week. Now, let us forget about what happened on yesterday and let's go to the Lord in prayer...

Heavenly Father, we come this day with a gift of thanksgiving. Father, we thank you for blessing us to be amongst the land of the living. We thank you for your constant covering over each and every one of us and our families. Lord, we are ever so mindful to give your name all the glory, honor and praise that is due you. Lord, it is you whom we seek daily. It is you who we want to praise and glorify all the days of our lives. Father, it is you who sits high and looks low on all the people in this world. Fill us with a fiery desire to continue to spread your word unto your people. Fill us with your precious spirit to discern others who are hurting, who are depressed and who are ready to give up. Give us a servant's heart to love as you love so we may be able to discern between the right and wrong. Lord, help us to be patient in every areas of our lives. Help us to not judge. Help us to show kindness to all men. Lord, help us! As we continue to go through this week, remind us that we are a peculiar generation and that we are the head and not the tail. So, we come against any condemnation, guilt or shame for there is NO condemnation in those who love Christ Jesus. Father, we thank you for caring for us and showing us your love, daily. Lord, send your healing and deliverance to those that are faced with medical disparities in the name of Jesus. Lord, we thank you for breaking yokes of bondages whereas your children will experience a sense of peace, joy and freedom. We thank you Jesus for what you are about to do and praising you because it's already done. In your darling son Jesus name, Amen!



Be Blessed,


Chaquita:)

Thank You

Heavenly Father, we come with a grateful heart this morning. We thank you for waking us up this day. We thank you for protecting us and shielding us from all hurt, harm and danger on last night. We are so thankful to not have awaken to a morning of terror but a day of peace. Lord, we will enter into your gates with thanksgiving and into your courts with praise. So Lord, we say Hallelujah! You are great, great, great!!! Father, may you travel with each of my brothers and sisters on today. Lord, dwell in our homes, our jobs, our schools. Please continue to be the buckler like we know you can be for all those who cry out, Abba! Lord, we just want you to know how much we love you and need you in our daily lives.

Now Father, we ask for forgiveness of our sins. May you continue to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and let our eyes be open to see life as you see it. Father, bless each and every person reading this prayer. Father, let us exemplify you on today, in all our ways. Lord, we honor you and we bless your holy name. In Jesus name, thank God and Amen!



Love,


Chaquita

Your Ways

Hello Friends,

"When a man's ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." Proverbs 16:7

Are our ways pleasing to the LORD?

Take this moment to think about the things you do, think or say that He would not be pleased with.  Just today alone I can think of things that He would not have been pleased with that I did, said or thought.

God loves us so much that He gives us new mercy EVERY MORNING!  Praise God!  He sees our efforts to do better.  But are we really making an effort to improve our ways or are we (me) going through the motions?

So as the weekend quickly approaches take time to examine your ways, ask God for forgiveness and then put forth real effort to improve them.  I will be doing this task with you friends.

Much Love,
Jamison

Something for the Soul

Good Morning! Hoping each of you had a wonderful and joyous time with your loved ones over the holiday. Thanksgiving goes above and beyond the delicious food and gatherings; it's more so about giving the Lord thanks for all He has done. He continues to bestow his grace and mercy upon his people and we should thank Him for it. He continues to watch over us just like a mother bird and we should thank Him for it. Oh, how my soul loves the One who sits high and looks low. I love my sweet savior, Jesus!

Heavenly Father who art in heaven, walk with us today. We do not know what lies ahead but Father we put our trust in you knowing that you will continue to lead us and guide us all the day long. Father, you have our lives in our hands and we are reminded that all things work together for the good for those who love God. Lord, please provide direction and wisdom as we encounter various situations in our lives. Lord, we may not know how the situations are going to work out but we trust you. Lord, we don't know when the wait will end but we trust you. Father, you said, let the weak now say I am strong. We are strong in the name of the Lord! Father, continue to cover us with your blood. Shield and protect us from dangers seen and unseen. Give us a heart to love like you love. Help us to seek you, daily, without any selfish gains or motives. Let us be like a child, coming with a sincere heart and present our concerns unto you. Help us to be mindful in all our ways. Help us, Lord...Help us, Lord...Help us. Renew our minds and clean our hearts so we may continue to be the light in a dying world; in our churches; in our families; on our jobs. Father, send your angels to comfort the families who have lost loved ones; to the single parent; to the one going through a divorce; to the service men and women; to the one with marital problems; to the sick and lost; to the depressed...send your angels, in the name of Jesus!

Let us continue to be reminded that your word said you would never leave us or forsake us. Lord, we love you today and we thank you for all that you have done and what you continue to do for us. In Jesus name, we pray, Amen!

So my brothers and sisters, may you continue to trust in the One who made the heavens and earth. Believe that God knows your heart and concerns before you even come to Him in prayer. I pray each of you will have a blessed week and until we meet again, Be Encouraged!




Love,


Chaquita

Lift Him Up!!!

Psalm 34: 3 reads "O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together"


Heavenly Father, we come this morning to say Thank You! Thank you for waking us up this morning and blessing us with your warm presence. God, we are ever so grateful of the time you spent in creating and designing each and every one of us and it's with our daily praise and worship, we say thank you! Father, may you continue to shine your light upon my brothers and sisters. Bless them on this day with good health and strength. Encourage their hearts this morning. Bring peace to the minds, now, in Jesus name. Lord, we just say thank you for doing it and we bless your name that it is already done. In Jesus' name, Amen!

Brothers and Sisters, Thanksgiving is vastly approaching us. Please be mindful of those who might have lost loved ones or just may not have a place to go. Let our hearts and minds be open to those who are less fortunate for we do not know a person's situation. So on this week, ask God for his direction and how you can be a blessing to someone that is in need.

In closing, let us remember Matthew 25:45 "And he will answer, 'I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.' (NLT)....be blessed!








Love,




Chaquita

Pour In Pour Out

Hello All,

This post is something that I have been wanting to share with you for a while but just hadn't taken the time to  sit and type it.  So I am taking just a few minutes to get this out to you.

Have you had those days when you feel just tapped out.  You need someone to pour into you from the pitchers of love, compassion, friendship, hope and on and on.  Sure you have.  You may be feeling that way right now.  I did the other week and a friend poured into me such kindness through her words that, for a moment, I was speechless.

God knows what you need poured into you to revive you and encourage you along life's journey.  When you pray pouring your thankfulness, hurts and sins to God, He then pours into you blessings, healing and forgiveness.  Wow!  What a mighty God we serve.

The really wonderful thing is that He does not run out of the love, healing, blessings and forgiveness that He pours into you.  He doesn't get tired of you coming to Him to be refilled!

Just remember  in order to be poured into you have to pour out.  So pour out love, blessings, and forgiveness on others as God it pours out on you.

Much Love,

Jamison

PS.  I kept having to do things so this post literally took most of the day instead of a few minutes.  Too Funny!

Believe In Me

Good Morning!

Last week,  I have been asking God to bless me with a word that I can share with each of you. On this morning, God placed in my spirit "Believe In Me". I'm very glad about it! Brothers and Sisters, we will all experience our time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance but whatever season you find yourself in, REJOICE anyhow!!!

Father God, I come this morning asking for your forgiveness of our sins. Lord, forgive us of any sins that were committed by omission or commission and rinse us with your love, grace and mercy. Father, we are ever so grateful for sending your son Jesus to die for us. Remind us all, Lord, how we should continue to be the light in the midst of darkness. Lord, help us not to settle or conform to this world in any shape, form or fashion. Help us to believe that we are children of God and we have the power to trample over serpents. Father God, whatever my brothers and sisters are going through today, help them to Believe In You! Lord, I bind the spirit of fear; I bind the spirit of worry and send it back to the pits of hell. Lord, I thank you for their joy. I thank you for their peace and I thank you Lord for ALREADY working it out. Saints, if you're concerned about how your bills are going to get paid, Believe In Him! If you're seeking a financial breakthrough, Believe In Him! If you are depressed or distressed, Believe In Him!!! He can WORK IT OUT for you! Now Lord, continue to bless, direct and guide us throughout this week. May each of them experience your glory in every area of their lives. Bless their families and communities. Thank you Lord! In Jesus' name, Amen.

I pray each of you will find solace in just meditating on Him and in his Word. Continue to lift up your heads, my brothers and sisters and don't let the devil steal your joy. I love you all and may God bless you, one by one.




Love,



Chaquita

Hands of Protection

Good Afternoon!

As I was going about my daily routine at work, I reflected on God's protection. Most of us do not realize how God's hands shield us from danger each and everyday. It's amazing how wonderful we can venture off to our various destinations and know that someone is covering us wherever we may go. The scripture II Corinthians 12:9 "And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness."

Grace enables you to endure hardship like a good soldier. No matter what hurdles  you face, no matter how many times you fail, GRACE allows you to stand! God's incredible grace is there to lift you up, revive the lost, heal the broken hearted, and to strengthen your weak will. It never spoils and it has no expiration date. HALLELUJAH!!!

Whatever you're facing on today, it is God's grace and His Hands of Protection that will guide you through. If I may, I would love to leave you with this prayer:

Father God, we come before you today to say Thank You for blessing us to make it through another day. Father, we love that you are ever so mindful of our thoughts and desires. Lord, I lift up each and every brother and sister that may be facing obstacles on today and call down your help to come and rescue your people. Lord, we thank you for your help. Lord, we bind each and every demonic spirit and satanic attacks that try to come against your people. Lord, you said, when the enemy comes in like a flood, you will lift up a standard. So we say Thank You! Thank you that your blood is covering us. Lord, we thank you for covering our minds! We thank you for covering our families, our friends, our household, our children and our communities. Lord we're glad that we serve a God that needs no appointments. God, we love you so much...we love you Father...we love you. Be blessed my sisters and brothers. In Jesus' name, Amen!


Love,


Chaquita:)

A Touch on Tuesday

Hello Everyone,

It is with great joy that I present to you "A Touch on Tuesday" and introduce Chaquita!  Chaquita is now apart of the Salty And Bright team and is a dear friend of mine.  Most importantly she is saved making us sisters in Christ Jesus.

Chaquita will be posting prayers, encouraging words and wisdom from the word of God on Tuesdays.  Also if you have any prayer request you can place them in the comments section and the Salty And Bright team will pray over them.  Please be mindful that others will be reading your prayer request so please use wisdom when writing them.  Now it is time for you to meet Chaquita!!!!

Hello to all of my brothers and sisters in Christ! God Bless You on today! It is with great pleasure that I  have this opportunity to seek God in prayer on your behalf.

I am a faithful believer that God will open doors that no man can shut. My main focus in life is helping, encouraging and witnessing to others who may feel distressed, depressed and about ready to give up, and help them realize how AWESOME and FAITHFUL our God can and will be, if we allow Him to be. I look forward to your prayers and praise reports. Trust God!!!

May you be blessed and highly favored in the Lord!

Love,

Chaquita

Happy New Years Day

Good Morning All,

I just want to give you a quick word of encouragement between meetings and phone calls.

Do you know that you can have a New Years Day any day of the year?

Okay, so you maybe thinking I am off my rocker but this thought hit me this morning.

Whenever we make a point to strive to do better, workout, read more, cook more or clean more.  When we make that decision to me its like New Years Day all over again!!! We are making a fresh start with a clean slate!  

What is so amazing is that God does this for us everyday!  His mercies are new EVERY morning.  I don't about you but I tend to regularly stay up till midnight because I know I need new mercy after the previous day.  Amen.  (Anyone ever been there?)  

So Happy New Years Day!  May God pour out His blessings on you.

Much Love,

Jamison

God Loves You

Good Morning to you all!

I wanted to send you all a quick post to just say hello and to remind you of how much God loves you!

He knows your past, He sees you in the present and He has plans for your future.
He loves more then you could imagine.
He loves more then you love yourself.
He loves you as you are right now at this very moment!
He loves you so much that He sent His only son Jesus Christ and anyone who believes in him shall not parish but have ever lasting life. Read John 3:16.
HE LOVES YOU!!!!

The question for you is do you love Him too?

Much Love,
Jamison

October Is Here!

Hello Everyone!

October is here and I am almost beside myself with excitement for what God is about to pour out to you through this blog!

However, I must contain myself until we have our ducks lined up in a row.

Please pray for Salty and Bright that this blog will continue to encourage women to live their lives fully devoted to Christ and for those who do not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior to welcome Him into their hearts.

Much Love,
Jamison

Renewing

Hello Everyone,

Special thanks to those of you who have been following this blog.  Some of you have been following since May 2009!  WOW!  I am sooooooooo very sorry for neglecting you all over this last few months.  I allowed myself to be absorbed in my own world and that is not what we are to do. 

Things are well and getting better everyday.  Romans 8:28 is still true! 

    "And we know that all things work together
      for good to them that love God, to them who
     are the called according to His purpose". Romans 8:28 KJV

The Salty and Bright blog will be undergoing some updates beginning October 1st including at least one new contributing writer!  Hopefully the additions will inspire you, encourage you and help your salt be "Salty" and your light "Bright" for Jesus Christ and God's glory.

Much Love,
Jamison ("the Renewed" praise God)

Giving God the Glory

Hello Friends! 

So much has been going on the last couple of months I don't know were to begin.  What I can tell you is that I give God the glory for it all.  The good, the bad and the ugly, I give Him the glory.

Last night at church I caught some of testimony service.  Hearing about the things our brothers and sisters in Christ are going through all we can do is say, to God be the glory. 

We have to remember Proverbs 4:25...
"Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you." (NIV)

There are so many ways the Devil comes at us, trying to throw us off track.  Trying to make us lose the race we are running in.  We have to be like race horses with the blinders on .  Focusing on the end result which is pressing towards the mark for the high calling which is in Christ Jesus!  Hallelujah!! 

You maybe thinking, "Jamison that is easier said then done."  But we serve a mighty God who sees when we are about to get off track or are already off track and He reaches down and pulls us up and gets us back in line.  Through daily prayer and devotional time we equip ourselves to staying on track and fight the Devil when he throws his fiery arrows at us.  Please remember that, "No weapon formed against you shall prosper..." Isaiah 54:17 (Had to preach to myself for a moment there.)

Be blessed my friends! Give God the Glory!

Much Love,
Jamison

Thank God for Friends

Hello Friends,

It has been a while and a LOT has taken place since I last posted.  All I can say is to God be the glory for the things He has done.

Yesterday was a humdinger of a day.  All I can say is I thank God for having a great friend.

Take a moment to pray for those special friends God has placed in your life. 

Thanks for the laugh Chaquita and I will put on my shoes!  LOL! (Inside joke guys sorry.)

Much Love,
Jamison

Lunch Time Post: Having Quality Quiet Time

Hello Dear Friends,

This morning I listened to a sermon by the late pastor, Dr. Adrian Rogers with Love Worth Finding Ministries and Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, TN. Today's message was on, "How To Have A Meaningful Quiet Time." I would like to suggest that if you all can, take the time to listen to his message at http://www.oneplace.com/.  If you are a note taker make sure you have plenty of paper.

If you don't have time to listen to Dr. Rogers' message, below are the questions that he gave that we should ask ourselves when reading a passage of scripture so that we can absorb the Word into our heart and really think about what God is saying to us.

I wrote these 5 questions on the inside cover of my Bible so I can always refer to them during my quiet time.

Devotional Questions
1. Is there a command to obey?
2. Is there a promise to claim?
3. Is there a sin to avoid?
4. Is there a lesson to learn?
5. Is there a new truth to carry with me?

Dear friends all I can say is WOW! When I had my quiet time this morning I read the passages while thinking about the questions above and it was like reading God's Word with a really bright light! The passages I read, which I have read many times before, seemed brand new! I wrote new notes on almost every verse!  My quiet time routine is now upgraded. I am so excited!!!

Maybe you are having a hard time getting the most out of God's Word in your quiet time. Maybe you focus on just reading a certain number of verses or chapters in a day. I encourage you to begin asking these questions as you read your Bible. I think you will be amazed at how God's Word will unfold before you.

Be Blessed and Much Love,
Jamison

The Serenity Prayer for Dogs

Hello Bright Lights,

I am on my lunch break and I wanted to share with you all the cutest prayer that that was sent to me this morning.

"God grant me the serenity to accept the owners I cannot train; courage to train the owners I can; and the wisdom to know the difference."

I wonder if Gizmo the Wonder Dog would pray that prayer if he could?

Got to run for a lunch meeting. Be Blessed!

Much Love,
Jamison

Step Back

Hello Dear Friends,

It has been sometime since I have posted. So much has taken place over the last couple of months. But the most important thing that has taken place in my life happened just a moment ago when this thought came to me, "Step Back".

When God speaks He doesn't have to say a much to say a lot, if you know what I mean. Sometimes we have to step back from everything we are doing in order to see what God wants us to see. His big picture! He has us here for a purpose that He preordained but we (including me) become overwhelmed with all the responsibilities we put on ourselves and the responsibilities other put on us at school, work and I must say even church.

For those people pleasers like myself (sometimes) it can be hard for us to say "NO". But here is the deal. When we step back and ask God to help us see things the way He sees them then we can have a better understanding of what our purpose is for the task at hand.

I hope you will take the time to step back not just today but this week and ask God to show you what He sees so that we can see the big picture and not just our small (but seemingly big) part.

Much Love,
Jamison

Time For Change

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I hope that each of you had a wonderful time over the Christmas and New Years holidays. God was certainly good to our family.

As you very well know, the start of a new year encourages us to make changes in our lives. We make resolutions to lose weight, read more, pray more and just to be better people. But the real change and improvement has to start from within.

What is in our hearts that is not Christ like? What in our thoughts is not Christ like? What is it about our actions that is not Christ like?

It is time for a change! A change for the better to be more like our Savior in our words and deeds. According to Galatians 2:20 Christ lives in us but is He seen by others in us through our speech and actions.

In 2011 strive to be on the outside more like the Jesus who is on the inside.

Much Love,
Jamison