Comes The Dawn

After a while you learn the subtle difference

between holding a hand

and chaining a soul

 

You learn that love doesn't mean leaning

and company don't mean security

 

And you begin to learn that kisses don't mean contracts

and presents aren't promises

and you begin to accept defeats

with your head up

and your eyes open

with the grace of a woman,

not the grief of a child.

 

You learn to build all your roads on today

because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans

and future has a way of falling down in mid-flight.

 

After a while you learn that even sunshine

burns if you get too much

So you plant your own garden

and decorate your own soul

instead of waiting for someone else to bring you flowers.

 

And you learn that you really can endure.....

that you really are strong

and you really do have worth

And you learn

....

and learn

 

With every goodbye

......

YOU LEARN

 

 

 

~Author Unknown~

SUNDAYS WITH JOYCE

WORD FOR TODAY

Prayer

1. Ask and it will be given Matthew 7:7,8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
2. Ask in Jesus' name John 14:13,14 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.
3. Believe and you will receive Matthew 21;22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
4. Call on the Lord Psalms 145:18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
5. Earnest prayer James 5:17,18 Eli'-jah was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit
6. Lift up hands in prayer 1Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Unbiased Prayer

May every creature abound in well-being and peace

May every living being, weak or strong, the long and the small,

the short and the medium-sized, the mean and the great--

May every living being, seen or unseen, those dwelling far off,

those nearby, those already born, those waiting to be born--

May all attain inward peace.



Let no one deceive another, despise another in any situation

Let no one, from confusion or hatred, wish evil to anyone at all.

Just as a mother, with her own life, protect her only son from hurt,

so within yourself foster a limitless concern for every living creature.

Display a heart of boundless love for all the world

In all it's height and depth and broad extent--

Love unrestrained, without hate or second thought

Then, as you stand or walk, sit or lie, until overcome by drowsiness,

Devote your mind entirely to this.....

it is known as...living here the life divine

Pray that this will be your best year ever!

When we trust God, we trust Him to do it His way. We can't get discouraged, because it doesn't turn around when you want it to. He has another way for it to come to pass. He has another way which is higher than our way. because it doesn't happen our way, doesn't mean it won't come to pass. Let's stay open and believing for our answer, and His favor. If the only way it's going to happen is your way, you're setting yourself up for disappointment.

God can see the "big picture". When we leave our prayers in God's hands, He can answer them in His own way. God has all kinds of ways to bring our prayers to pass.

And how many times have we missed out on our miracle by only wanting it to come to pass in a certain way? Staying open to God's way is the surest way People you meet along the way are a part of His plan. Never stop believing He is in control. His ways are better than our ways. We limit God by looking at the natural. We have to let the seeds of faith take root. Know that God's got your back. Dare to put your faith out there.....

Be Without You (Tribute To My Friend)

"Be Without You"

I wanna be with you, gotta be with you, need to be with you
(Oh, oh, oh, oh)
I wanna be with you, gotta be with you, need to be with you
(Oh, oh, oh, oh)
Oooo (oh, oh, oh, oh) oooo

Chemistry was crazy from the get-go
Neither one of us knew why
We didn't build nothing overnight
Cuz a love like this takes some time
People swore it off as a phase
Said we can’t see that
Now from top to bottom
They see that we did that (yes)
It’s so true that (yes)
We’ve been through it (yes)
We got real sh** (yes)
See baby we been...

Too strong for too long (and I can’t be without you baby)
And I’ll be waiting up until you get home (cuz I can’t sleep without you baby)
Anybody who’s ever loved, ya know just what I feel
Too hard to fake it, nothing can replace it
Call the radio if you just can’t be without your baby

I got a question for ya
See I already know the answer
But still I wanna ask you
Would you lie? (no)
Make me cry? (no)
Do somethin’ behind my back and then try to cover it up?
Well, neither would I, baby
My love is only your love (yes)
I’ll be faithful (yes)
I’m for real (yes)
And with us you’ll always know the deal
We’ve been...

Too strong for too long (and I can’t be without you baby)
And I’ll be waiting up until you get home (cuz I can’t sleep without you baby)
Anybody who’s ever loved, ya know just what I feel
Too hard to fake it, nothing can replace it
Call the radio if you just can’t be without your baby

See this is real talk
I’m always stay (no matter what)
Good or bad (thick and thin)
Right or wrong (all day everyday)
Now if you’re down on love or don’t believe
This ain’t for you (no, this ain’t for you)
And if you got it deep in your heart
And deep down you know that it’s true (come on, come on, come on)
Well, let me see you put your hands up (hands up)
Fellas tell your lady she’s the one (fellas tell your lady she’s the one, oh)
Put your hands up (hands up)
Ladies let him know he's got your love
Look him right in his eyes and tell him
We’ve been...

Too strong for too long (and I can’t be without you baby)
And I’ll be waiting up until you get home (cuz I can’t sleep without you baby)
Anybody who’s ever loved, ya know just what I feel
Too hard to fake it, nothing can replace it
Call the radio if you just can’t be without your baby

Heeeeeeeeeeeey Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh

I wanna be with you, gotta be with you, need to be with you

Listening to Mary J. Blige say it causes a whole lot of pain to find out that you're ignorant. I remember this so plainly, all the way back to the first time I came online. I didn't perceive that people's presence in my life would cause 'me' to change. I know we want to change other people. I was always wanting others to be better, but I learned, through Debbie, that I am the only person I could change.

It's really uncanny how, listening to Mary J. speak, I can see many of the same things she was talking about happening in our friendship. For the past three years plus, every since we were 'placed' into each other's life, we have maintained a very close, devoted allegiance. We shared the ups, the downs, celebrated the successes, the failures, the lessons, the family issues, the laughter, the love of music, poetry, and of women. At any hour of the day, we could connect. We grew together, in mutual respect. It's safe to say if something went on between us, it was not a secret between us. Good, or bad. LOL.

I was there when through the deaths of her family members. Every time she got a promotion, I was the the first to hear about it. When she went to conferences all over the USA, I would hear about wherever she was. When she was very sick, we connected through laptop from her hospital bed almost every minute.. I was always there. I invited her to 360. I convinced her to share her poetry that she would read to me. Yeah, she claimed it was no good, but I showed her it was, by introducing her to poetry lovers all over the internet. I even entered her in a Poetry contest. (smiling) Her words speak of a woman experiencing real emotions, and being honest about what she feels. Even when no one likes to hear of pain. She described hers so eloquently. Just as she describes everything in her life. That's what draws the masses to her persona.

Over my shoulders, I can hear Mary singing, BE HAPPY. That's all she wanted since I met her. With all the pain, I was surprised to see the strong woman articulating in a field that was the source of her inner pain. But she excelled, as she does today. That's what the powers that be recognized when she was offered her ultimate promotion. But, that's all any of us want. To be happy, loved, and needed. Debbie gave me that. She made me her best friend online. We said, okay, we gonna do this, and we gonna be here for each other. Half the time, no one knew we even spoke. But, she was very diligent. She made it very hard not to be a friend to her. She earned my respect, as I earned hers. We have secrets we will take to the grave. (Remember you swore, Debbie. lol)

I am not saying goodbye. I am only stopping to say I, too, remember all that we were, are, and will be. You gets no sad ode here. lol. I went to sleep today, and in my drowsy state, a voice spoke to me, saying, "There is a friend who sticketh closer than a brother" it was on repeat. That's what she is to me. We actually argue, and fight like sisters, we make up like family, and we get along sometimes like people who love each other....and we DO, too much to let small stuff stand between our mutual well wishes.

I will be waiting here, like Mary sings....because we promised each other our friendship would always be there. I promised your mother to always be there, and I intend to keep that one. You make me a better person just by the stuff we have been through. Trust that!


Wherever you are, I will be there in spirit. If you need me, you know the deal. I'm wishing on a star that both of us will get what we want. I think we both will. (winking)

"Too strong for too long (and I can’t be without you baby)
And I’ll be waiting up until you get home (cuz I can’t sleep without you baby)
Anybody who’s ever loved, ya know just what I feel
Too hard to fake it, nothing can replace it
Call the radio if you just can’t be without your baby"

Congratulations. Wishing you the best. May the force be with you. True friendship never ends. Girl. go...do what you gotta do!!!

SUNDAYS WITH JOYCE

WORD FOR TODAY

COMPASSION
1. Be compassionate and humble 1 Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethern, be pitiful, be courteous:
2. Be compassionate to the poor Proverbs 19:17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth to the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
3. Be compassionate to the weak Psalms 41:1 As the heart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth mys oul after thee, O God.
4. Do not just pretend to love others Romans 12:9.10 let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;
5. Jesus understands your weakness Hebrews 4:15 For we have not a high priest wich cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
6. Love your neighbors as yourself Leviticus 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the Lord.





God said:

It is easy to complain. It is easy to find fault. You pounce on fault. Pounce on something favorable instead. , The need for reform in government, for example, is not a new idea. Start by reforming your thoughts. Find something you like that your government is doing. Capitalize on that. Stop listing all the errors of its ways, as if the more you find, the better you are. The more in default your government is, the more you will do well to find that in which they serve well. Emphasize the good. Know that in the arena of your thoughts, you are responsible to every government in the world. Your thoughts are the true governors. By your thoughts are you known.

Elect your thoughts. Your thoughts are the seeds from which governments grow. Enough outrage, beloveds. Plant the seeds you want to grow. What do you talk about, beloveds? What is on your mind? If negativity is on your mind, then move your mind over to greener pastures. Provide better fodder for governing boards.

You often feel that you have no say-so. It often seems that everything goes against the high intention you set. Now set high standards for your thoughts and your words. Live up to the picture you want to paint.

What victory is there for you when you point out wrongs and wrongs alone? Do you gain points? Do you get a higher score? What do you win when you point out the faults of others? Does it make you smarter?

Have compassion for those who have decisions to make. You may not support their decisions. Whether they are right or wrong, send your powerful thoughts out to the decision-makers, the better for them to make the next decision. Half the time they don't know what they are doing. Half the time you don't either. Forgive others for being the same as you.

Do not harden your heart and consider yourself virtuous. That's what, when others do it, you call them smug.

In these days, instead of pelting stones, you have been throwing words. You throw words as if they have no power. By your thoughts and your words, you lift the world, or you throw it down. I know you want to uplift the world.

In your mind, you have made enemies. Have no enemies. You are all on the same side of the fence. Better yet, tear down those fences. Have no sides to be on, and then you will not be one-sided. One-sided is the same as close-minded.

When you see that a governments is loveless, then you must give love all the more. When someone is at the bottom of the ocean, you dive deeper to rescue them. You don't just report the news. Heretofore, you may have drowned yourself in the news. You may have outrage, or you may have thrown up your hands.

Right now bless all the governments of the world. Bless all the governors and mayors of the world. Bless all those who run for office. Bless those who are elected, and bless those who are not. Bless, and bless again. Wish everyone in the world well. By your noble thoughts, you bring the world closer to Heaven. By your panning thoughts, you keep the world where it is.


What possible good can an onslaught of attack do? Have mercy. Befriend those you consider foes. Send love to them. Never mind what everyone else is doing. Keep your thoughts high and heighten the world. Attack no one. You know better than to do physical harm. Now know better than to breed harmful thoughts. Lift your heart, beloveds, and send out love, no matter who or what it is that offends you.

 

 

We have to take the limits off what God can do, in our lives.  We touch one person, and that person can touch millions.  When God anoints you, you can do more with one touch than most can do in a lifetime.  We have to stretch our faith to the next level. 

God's favor causes miracles to happen at the right times, for us and for others.......as He uses ordinary people to do "extra-ordinary" thing......

You Bring Me JOY!

What brings you JOY?

What are some killers of JOY?

Did you find JOY in something, or someone today?

Did you try to bring someone JOY today?

Yes....

It would be my pleasure to go with you....

Take me into your sensuous world
Show me how to get closer to my dreams
I want you to show my body
all the things your body has learned....
that mine has never seen

Let me show you how my senses have impatiently
yet patiently yearned...

and we will grow into whatever this feeling is

What's happening to me....
I can hardly breathe
These thoughts that I have, I just can't conceive
My PEN is very anxious today

You...
have taken.....
my breath away

I haven't felt this way in a long time
I didn't see you coming
but, I can't say I wish I had
A sweet stirring you bring....
the excitement is written intimately
cautiously....all over my  pad

Now I don't know what to do
or how to tell someone...anyone what I've found in you

I don't even know what this is I'm feeling
I'll have to wait until it's done.
But I'm too old to be turning down chances
and I can't be looking back at how far I've come

And this is just the beginning.....

When I say you can touch me there
I mean we can be all of that, and more
A heart full of possibilities
and empty arms needing to even the score

Poetry has brought you to me
Your sultry verse has made me stay
Have you ever met someone
whom you had no second thoughts  about
Until the thought of  them leaving you
was too much if they ever would walk away

It is then that you realize
they are more than just a thought

Can  you really touch me
like you say
If I allow us to explore feelings
we both know exist
You do understand
what you're asking me...
is can I come out to play

And, I think I can make that happen today

I can taste your sweetness already
your lips upon my lips
taking tiny sips
feeling your lustful drips
Just the anticipation is overtaking me
the thought of being glued so close
by sweat
to your sexxy hips

My mental has once again
taken flight
I know we could be enjoying each other
morning
noon
and every night

You don't have to pull me
into your indulgence
I willingly leap
I'm betting that I can swim
even though I know the water is deep


Oh, hell yeah, you can touch this----(winking)

SUNDAYS WITH JOYCE

WORD FOR TODAY

~Predestination~

1. Father draws people John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: And I will raise him up at the last day.
2. God has a pre-arranged plan Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
3. God set Jeremiah apart from birth Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
4. Many are called, few are chosen Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
5. Planned long before the world began 2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
6. Only God knows future Isaiah 46:9,10 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Delaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the htings that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
7. Who can stop God? Job 9:12 Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? Who will say unto him, what doest thou?

You know that important moment When either everything seems to make sense, or nothing makes sense at all Or when you know a beginning is happening Or an end, or the one moment that seems to be significant A poignant moment in your life And nothing will be the same But then nothing happens And you wonder why nothings' changed It's because there’s another sunrise Another sunset And many more in between I’m sure it’s happened all Over the place in everybody’s life ‘Big’ things happen Small things don't happen But, that don’t change anything one iota In the long run But that’s a ridiculous concept, isn’t it? Not really. Even before we were thought of, in our parents minds, God was making a place for us. He knew where we would all be today. Each one of us. We all have a purpose in this life. We are ambassadors of Christ. We have something to tell this world. Let us all take a moment to be aware of our place in life. In each others lives. We should be doing things to uplift God, our father, who made us. Doing things which will leave a mark on your circle of friends. God knows your heart, anyway. He still loves you sooo much, that it makes one humble to know that, as we make mistakes, He already knows it, and He is ready, and waiting to forgive, and restore us. When we meet circumstances, he already knew it. Whether it's a career, a life experience, or whatever........God already knows about it.