It's not too late Dad.

Good evening my good people!!

So, my father has never taken an interest in my life. He lives 10 minutes away, but it feels like he is non existent. I have never stayed a night with my Dad. I don't believe we have ever eaten together.. No child support to help my mother. His birthday is in December, so I use that as an opportunity to send him a birthday card, and make the only phone call I will make to him all year, and invite him over for Christmas. He always says no. But I still put a present under the tree in case he does come. (Wouldn't want him to be without a gift) Every year he is a no show, and every year his gift is the last one under the tree... Believe it or not it doesn't hurt anymore.. God calls for me to serve, regardless if the other person reciprocates back to me or not. I have long forgiven my dad. I think he thinks its too late to have a relationship with me.. or he could simply just wish I would leave him alone...

So today, I took a leap out on faith and called him. I invited him for a dinner to Red Lobster (i hear he likes seafood) and told him that I want to celebrate him. Yes, I want to celebrate the fact that he is a father.. not the father I would have chosen.. but he is the father that God gave me.. and even though he does not love me.. I want to be able to please God, and show that I can love someone that doesn't love me... Anywoo.. he warmly said he would get back with me.. and usually he is very cold and direct.. I will pray that he comes with me.. no matter what he has a heartbeat to... I mean don't we all??

With a happy, and great love and favor of God, I say I miss you and keep up the great work! You are growing beyond belief.

Reset Button!

 

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 ESV

To this end we always pray for you,

that our God may make you worthy of his calling

 and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,

 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you,

and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

You know I'm just going to put it out there..
There are just some miserable people in this world. It seems to be their life purpose. To them its everyone's else's fault but themselves. If you keep doing what you do, you can expect to keep the same result. Over the last week I have met people that have asked me for advice on their life.. instead of offering advice.. I asked them have they ever taken the time to reevaluate their mind. You know the way they think? They seem puzzled by this, because according to them everyone else is the problem.


When I use to think this way, I asked God to fix me because I am the problem. (Even though I didn't feel I was the problem, but I kept getting the same negative situations in my life, and I was dissatified. I was bankrupt emotionally, physically, spirtually, and financially.


Interesting. We choose what we want to wear each day. We choose the kind of company we keep. We choose what to eat each day. But we can't choose the life we want???  Once we decide to change our mind, and stop negotiating for less, and reevaluate our thoughts, things will change. Everyday, I write in my journal over and over that I am worthy. I continually say this inside my head everyday... because somewhere along this journey called life.. I felt I wasn't worthy.. Satan is the accuser and he is a liar... and I am worthy. Each day that I write and tell myself I am worthy, I am actually am starting to believe it, and feel it. Forget what I have been through, and let me forward to where I am going.  Jesus still finds me worthy to even wake me up everyday.  According to Jesus I was worth dying for. All glory be to God!


People listen up! We are the only things that can reprogram itself. We can hit a reset button on the way we think at any given time in our life.

When will you decide to reset yourself for the good of you?

With a huge heart, and 10 days without smoking, I say keep up the good work because we are growing beyond belief!


God bless. Amen. Crystal

Less of me, and more of him!

Proverbs 3:7

 Don't be impressed with your wisdom.

 Instead, fear the Lord

turn your back on evil.

You know as I am getting ready to blog about wisdom.. (laughing) Guys I used to be so impressed with my own wisdom. I was impressed with anything that I had to do with that caused a great outcome. Anyone who knows the the BC (Before Crystal) I was a trip. I was walking around like I knew so much, and I got all the credit. And if I my so call good acts were not acknowledged, I would be sure to point out that I was the mastermind behind the greatness. lol This is really funny to me now, because I don't see it this way anymore. God must have been getting a kick out of my own ignorance.

Then I ran into Proverbs 3:7.

Needless to say, I felt like God was saying I am not that impressive alone. God is wisdom, and alone he is impressive. My own wisdom hasn't gotten me very far.Basically he sat my cup down, and said shut up and sit down. Talk about being humbled.

All glory must be given to God. I must not take any credit, for he alone is the credit. God begins, where I end. How about a little more less of me, and alot more of him?

Today I have the flu.. but my God says I am healthy and alive, and no matter what I must continue to deliver his word. Keep up the good work because we are growing beyond belief! God bless. Crystal Jones

LOST MONEY.

Proverbs New Living Translation

2:4 Search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasures.

All glory be to God, and all that I do glorify him only!

I really like Proverbs 2:4. Because I know that when I have misplaced some money, I search hard for it. I be trying to retrace my steps. Triple checking my pockets. Looking under the couch. I am in a frantic stage. Over money?
 But not God?

This verse means to me, that when it comes to wanting to know God's wisdom, that I must search for it like I have misplaced money. When I wanted to know God, I found that I wasn't even in a frantic stage to try to hear what he was saying.  This is a trip.
I looked harder for money, than I did for God's Wisdom.

Ever since, I read this...
I have been on a frantic rampage searching
 for God's wisdom.
I am in a constant unrelentless search for his wisdom.

What happened if we all got frantic for his wisdom?

May your hearts be full of love,
 and peace that surpasses understanding!

 Keep up the great work because we are growing beyond belief!

God bless! Crystal

NO DEAL!

I think the Devil tries to negotiate with me. I met a guy. Off top I thought he was so beautiful on the outside.. but his attitude was horrible. He was cocky to the fullest. He was rude, obnoxious, conceited, and obviously he is use to having women falling at feet. Back in the day I would have ignored this behavior in a man, and would have dealt with him anyway. The first conversation we had I already new Satan sent this dude to see if I was the person I believe I am now. Needless to say, he sent me a text later in the week and asked me what I was doing. At first I said I was working. And then something hit me, and I text him and said, You know what I lied. I am actually deleting your number out of my phone, because I know my worth. Take care. Long story short, that didn't seem to make him go away.. so on the last conversation we had, I said you know you never asked me about me. He looked confused for a second. I said I actually want to be a pastor.. and he about fell over.. and I haven't heard from him since. (lol)

I felt like I was playing a game of Deal or No Deal in this situation. I had 1,000,000 and $25.00 left on the board. The banker (Satan) offered me lets say 250,000  to buy my case. I thought about it.... and then I hit the button...NO DEAL!!! My case was holding Jesus.. and I knew it the whole time. (big smile) I am not negotiating with Satan.

Through my journey so far with Jesus, I realized I don't have to settle. God whispered in my ears.. Run Crystal Run. Don't walk. Don't jog. But run. I'm too close to my victory, and I am sprinting to the finish line!!! Satan eat my dust! (lol)

Praise the Lord for the strength, and peace that surpasses understanding. Keep up the great work because we are growning beyond belief.

God bless. Crystal.

Rough time.



1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.

 God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape,

 that you may be able to endure it.

I am trying to quit smoking. I don't smoke that much... maybe 5 cigarettes a day. I started smoking in 2006 after a traumatic incident. I always thought that I could stop whenever I wanted.. well when I just had major surgery a few months ago.. I realized that I was highly agitated, irritable, and cranky.. and I didn't know why. Obviously I can't smoke in the hospital.. but I didn't think that not smoking for two days would effect me at all...BOY WAS I WRONG.. and it wasn't until my good friend showed up.. and she could see I was really irritable.. and she asked the nurse if I could have a patch.. I was like I don't need no patch, because I didn't believe that I was feeling this way over cigarettes... sure enough I get a patch.. and I was a trillion times better..

But I was angry at myself.. because I had to realize I was addicted to cigarettes. It just wasn't smoking.. but the routine that I had for smoking.. this is one of the hardest things that I am trying to break myself from.. Its only been three days that I have quit. I bought the patches to help with withdrawal symptoms.. I feel bad for even buying the patches.. because God wants me to depend only on him.. because he can do all things.. so not only am I trying to quit, but where is my faith??? What did I get myself into? Ugh. the patch helps.. but there are times where it gets tough.. I am chewing lots of gum, and I have a stress ball.

I have a choice to what I put in my body. I am harming body, my clothes smell bad, and it hurts my kids when I smoke. And looking like a crack head because I couldn't have a cigarette is surely not cute (lol)

I am praying that I will overcome this addiction. I am placing in my mind that I can do it. This is really really really hard... All I can do is try. Plus God promises a way to escape temptation, so that I may endure it..

Until next time.. with a my loving, and merciful heart, I say keep up the goood work, because we are growing beyond belief.

God bless. Amen. Crystal

Valentine's Day Tip! The kids!

John 16:21 

When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.

 



Okay I guys I missed a few days.. but love is still in the air.. and who can forget about the kids? Children are so special. I love my children with all my heart. I didn't know what love was until I had my beautiful daughter and son. So to show that Valentine's Day is not just for adults.. here are some tips to make sure they get the Valentine's Day Aura. (smile)

1. The night before, I go to the dollar store and decorate the table. I get red gift bags and fill it with candy, coloring books, and little dollar gifts. I get a couple of Valentine's Day Balloons and put them at the table, and I drop confetti on all around to look like there is a party going on.  It is cheap, and it looks like I spent alot when I really didn't.

2. Take the kids out to dinner. I do this one sometimes to, but I get off late most days.

3. A Valentine's Day card with like five bucks in it.. or even better get some index cards and make them a coupon book. The coupon book could have one coupon for a day of doing no chores, a coupon to let  them stay up as late as they want, or a coupon that is good for a movie of their choice, or anything that would like done for them.

4. Make cupcakes, and let them decorate them with sprinkles, and icing, and candy.

5. A hug and a kiss goes a long way.  This is a given really. But an extra special hug, and kiss always does the trick.

6. Anything that you do get, try to wrap it up with red or Valentine's Day paper. All kids like to open up things that are wrapped.

With a cozy, and thoughtful, and grateful heart, I say I love the kids. Keep up the great work because we are growing beyond belief!

God bless.  Crystal

9th Daily Tip Valentine's Day

Luke 6:32

 "Do you think you deserve credit
 merely for loving those who love you?
 Even the sinners do that!

To me this is a powerful question? I know I am good at loving those who love me.. but am I really any good at loving those who don't love me??   Am I even trying to love someone who doesn't love me? It is easy for some to write someone off, because of what they are doing now, their past, their position, and for who they are. Catch the word easy in that statement. That's too easy. I don' t know about you, but I know that I am willing to see them the way God sees them. Its hard. I still cursed someone underneath my breath the other day.. but I caught myself.. this loving your enemy thing isn't happening overnight for me.. its hard..

Ain't this great? While I am trying to write this blog.. the enemy (Satan) came barging through.. and I about went off.. and I did.. one of the people that I can't stand just made me mad.. and here I am trying to blog about loving our enemies... I am seething with anger... trying to love someone in spite of their faults.. it hurts trying to love people that could give less than a damn about you.. but that's alright ... keep walking on all over me.. keep trying me.. cause when you hurt me, you hurt Jesus... and I am still going to try.



I know this blog went in a totally different direction.. but I said I would open up my life.. and literally when I was in the middle of this blog, I had to stop, and go to a place that I no longer belong to.. trying to love when someone else doesn't.

Until next time. I definitely need a pat on the back, because I just messed up.

God bless.  Crystal

Daily tips until Valentine's Day!

It is that time of the year again.. Valentine's Day.

 Love is in the air. I will give a tip away a day until

 Valentine's Day is here. I am very single right now, and I truly don't mind it most of the time. But this day just seems to suck if you are single. I have been married before, and in a relationship before and the day could still suck. But I am a romantic at heart, and this day doesn't have to suck for anyone.. regardless of our status.

So if you are single: 

I say to us, take some time to be thankful, that we are getting an opportunity to know ourselves better. This single time is just preparing us for our hearts desires. Preparation is always good. Each day we should write down one thing on a piece of paper the things that we love about ourselves. I keep in mind that I would rather have eternal and loving days with the right person, than one day with the wrong one.

In a relationship:

Try to think of the other person's feelings. I don't know one woman who doesn't like Valentine's Day. (I am sure that there are woman who don't like it) Everyday should be Valentine's Day when it comes to showing our love and appreciation. But it is just now how it is these days.  This is not just for the women, but this tip is also for the men. How about a handwritten letter (not a text, or email)  a day until Valentine's Day, sharing your memories of what brought you two together in the first place? Perhaps, place this letter on their pillow before they wake up, or on the bathroom mirror, or on the juice in the refrigerator, or maybe in their lunch bag?

Proverbs 15:17
A bowl of vegetables with someone

you love is better than steak with someone you hate.

Keep up the good work, because we are growing beyond belief!!!

God Bless. Crystal (Love Jones) lol. I'm just kidding. lol

STAND EVERY CHANCE I GET.

Revelations: 21:5

And he that sat upon the throne said,

Behold, I make all things new.

And he said unto me,

Write: for these words are true and faithful.

After my surgery in 2010, I was not in the best of moods.

 I was not in the mood to hear about how Jesus is so great, and wonderful.Because I was thinking,  if he is so wonderful then why was I left for dead, and had to suffer so much?  Just a recap, couldn't walk, no money, and thirty staples in my stomach, and left physically deformed. I went to church shortly thereafter and the choir sang a song called For Your Glory.  When I heard the words, and the melody, I could have sworn that Jesus whispered in my ear and was speaking these words directly to me. Not only that, but I then figured out.. when I couldn't walk, Jesus was doing the walking for me. In fact, Jesus not only saw my situation, he was merciful to rescue me. Rescue me, when I was so undeserving. I immediately stood up in church! I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit, and I felt so loved. A love that I never took the time to find.  From that day, I knew my whole life
 would change.. and it did.. I was made new..

For Your Glory

He saw me. He heard me. He came and rescued me.

He saw me. He heard me. He came and rescued me.

Your love has set me free.

For your glory, and your honor,

For your name Oh Lord we stand.

For your glory, and your honor.

For your name Oh Lord we stand.

God Bless. Crystal

VIDEO VIXEN




Guys.. I'm coming to you all, and asking that you pray for me. Nothing is particularly wrong. Its just that because I have changed, doesn't mean the people that know me have. I judge no one. But I am feeling so judged. I am such a new person thanks to being saved by Jesus. I realized that I didn't choose him, but he chose me.

 If I had it my way, I would be the number one video vixen of all time for rap and r&b videos. I would be modeling. I would be on the covers of magazines.  I might be shaking it everywhere, except where I am suppose to be.  I thought I would definitely be dancing as one of Usher's background dancers, or be the lead girl in one of Omarion's videos. I just knew I would be in one of Jay Z's videos. I had it all planned out. I was going to be "that" chick. I prayed all the time that I would make it into that type of industry. I thought dancing was my world. My "career" took off for a moment.. but it never really got off the ground. And I'm glad God didn't let that happen to me at that time. Notice I said at at that time?

There is nothing wrong with dancing or modeling.. but Lord only knows how far I would have taken it in the wrong direction. I still want to model and dance, because I still have dreams. I always wanted to model for B.E.T'S RIP THE RUNWAY, and if it didn't compromise my integrity and character I would RIP THE RUNWAY WITH B.E.T AT THE FIRST CHANCE I GET.  The difference now is that I don't want to gain the whole world to lose my soul. The last thing I thought I would be doing is encouraging and speaking the word of God to others. It is God's purpose, not mine. I am still a sinner. I am farrrrrrrrrr from perfect. I am just a person who understands....

With a big smile, and a happy heart, and a big pat on the back, because we are growing beyond belief!

God bless. Crystal

SOMEONE TOLD ME TO SHUT UP

It is getting late..

I can't sleep..

And of course I laid down,

 cause I want to go to sleep.

 But something has been nagging at all me all weekend.

Someone told me to shut up. They got this real mean look on their face, and said, "I mean this is in the nicest way, but shut up about always saying thank you." (and the way this person said it, you could tell they were angry) I was taken aback. I didn't say anything. But my spirit was confused. The human side of me wanted to say, "Who the hell do you think you are telling me to shut up?" "And your telling me to shut up, because I say thank you all the time?" It didn't make sense. Someone is trying to change the way I think, and what I say. All over a thank you?

First, I forgive that person. I'm going to have to. I am glad my  B.C. days didn't take over. (B.C. stands for my before Christ days lol) The Arsonist would have shut this person down.. however.. I am not who I was. The A.C. days (A.C. stands for After Christ found me)  that lives in me now gives me strength to hold my tongue. I can not take it personally, and can not be offended easily.

I am still going to say thank you. Even to that person who told me to shut up. I come in peace, and I leave in peace. No one is going take the joy that my heavenly father provides me on a daily basis. Maybe, I come from a background where all you can do is say thank you, because you don't have anything else to hold on to. Maybe I say thank you, because I am actually very thankful. I am appreciative. The Devil can't still all my joy. Satan and his bullies are always on the attack! He can't stand it. Satan can't even stand it when I say thank you. Okay then?????  I'm not going to stop saying Thank You, and whoever doesn't want to be told thank you, then maybe you shouldn't be around me. Cause Satan already know that he doesn't get to use me as a light switch that he can turn off and on, when he feels like it. The light is on!

So tonight, I like to say THANK YOU!!!

Thank you because I am free.

Thank you because you rescued me,

 when I couldn't rescue myself.

Thank you for waking me up everyday,

because that means you have something you want me to do. Thank you Lord for the smiles on my children's face.

 Thank you for the heat at night

 that keeps me and my family warm.

THANK you Lord, for saving a sinner like me.

Thank you Lord for blessing me, when I was the least worthy. Thank you Lord for getting me out of your way,

 so you could do your purpose through me.

 Thank you for all the people reading the blog.

 Thank you for the uplifting, and friends that are really friends. Shoot Lord thank you for the struggle,

cause that means you are still working on me! 

How can I not say Thank you?

Now I am going to bed,

 and it is with a thankful heart, I say goodnight.

and Thank you. (smile)

God bless. Crystal

REST

 

Matthew 11:28-29

 Then Jesus said,

 "Come to me, all of you who are

 weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you.

 Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle,

 and you will find rest for your souls.

On Sunday it is suppose to be a time for rest. Shoot on Sundays, that is when I get most of my stuff done. I go to church. I wash the clothes. I check my budget for the week. I prepare for the week ahead. I clean the bathroom. Sign off on my kid's homework.  Not just on Sunday, but I literally work everyday of the week. Now that I think about it, I might be working in my sleep. (smile) Sometimes I feel guilty for taking time out for me. Sometimes I feel like that wilted, sorry looking, dead rose.


So yesterday, I got everything done, that I would have done today. I am carving out some time today, to revive and restore my mind, spiritually, physically, and mentally! I am restoring my soul, so I can be full of energy, and rest my weary mind.  I am resting so I can meet each daily demand with a fresh outlook.  And perhaps, I can look like this living, vibrant, and full rose!

Happy Sunday to you all.

 With a day a rest of ahead,

and big pat on the back for us,

 because we are growing beyond belief!

God bless. Crystal

I am no one.

Luke 22:42

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me;

yet not my will, but yours be done.”

Guys, I have been filled with the Holy Spirit all day. My heart just hurts today. It hurts in a weird way. Someone told me today that a little boy, who is only 7 is going to die today. This boy lives in Colorado Springs. I don't know him. But I guess he has cancer, and was at school today, and he went down from there. By the time I heard about it, the word was that he will probably not make it, and the family is just waiting for his brother to come, and then it will be done. Man this hurts me. I prayed. I went directly to God, and asked him is there any way that this can pass this little boy. And I ended my prayer with God if it is your will then it shall be done. I'm choked up. I believe that I can go directly to God, and if it is in his will, he can make miracles happen. To me God has the final say.

I am blogging through the tears. My heart stays heavy . I am glad for it. When any one asks me to pray for them , or a friend, or family member, I feel so honored. I take it seriously. I fall asleep praying for all of us. I know its just not this little boy that has me crying. But I cry for you all. I cry for you all, all the time. To me we are all one day closer to dying. I cry because we are so so precious. So worthy, and beautiful we are. This world seems so cruel at times. But I believe in the promise of God. And I will not compensate my belief for one thing in this world. All I got is the belief. And I choose to believe in me, and you.  I am no one. I'm not a special angel. I am not holier than thou. I am just a person that understands.....

With the tears in my eyes,

and a spirit set on fire by the Holy Spirit,

and with a big pat on the back,

Keep Up The Good Work,

because we are growing beyond belief.

God bless. Crystal Jones. Blessed be The Lord.

Do we really watch what we say?

 

 Proverbs 12:18
Reckless words pierce like a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Our words have power.

 What we speak daily is dispersed into the earth and manifested.

 Okay let me break it down. Have you ever heard someone say, "This is headache is killing me," or "That cost me an arm and a leg," or "I can't take one more day of this," or "I'm not good at math. Saying statements like this stamp their way into our hearts, and minds, and pretty soon we start to believe it. I think of it as, our words birth life. I also think of it as, words can destroy. If words weren't so important, then why does every word have a meaning for every situation?

1. Is the headache that I have really killing me?
2. Did I actually give one of my arms, and one of my legs to pay for something?
3. So I can't take one more of day whatever is, knowing that I can and probably will.
4. I got bad grades in math. I always have an easy out, because I have the old trusty calculator.

  (Now I try to say these things instead)

(Keep in mind, I said I try.) giggle

1. My head is telling me that I need to rest.
2. I had to adjust my budget to obtain the thing I paid for.
3. Today is more challenging then I had expected it to be.
4. I know how to add, subtract, divide, and multiply. I can even carry the one! lol

 Its kinda cool. If you want, you should try it, and see just how much power you are giving with your words. The next time I say I am starving, I will ask myself am I really starving, or am I just really hungry? (smile)

With a big smile, and a happy heart,
 and a big pat on the back from me to you-

  Keep up the great work, because we are growing beyond belief!

Until next time. God bless. Crystal Jones

Part 2/ I was an Arsonist

 Luke 6:45

A good man brings good things
 out of the good stored up in his heart,

and an evil man brings
 evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.

 For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

I didn't want to believe that the negative, hurtful, or verbal assaults I unleashed onto people, portrayed what my heart really felt. I have lost friendships because I hit below the belt with my mouth. I hurt my own family members. Destroying what took years to build, I tore down in minutes. All because I was hurt. I wanted them to feel the damage they were pouring out to me. Whether I was right or not, does not mean one thing in God's eyes. When I tear down another person, I am tearing down one of his own. And when I tear down one of his own, I am making myself the judge, jury, trial, and the verdict. This is where I could not justify my actions at any cost, anymore.

(The points below, I often have to meditate on, so I don't start anymore fires.)

• Hurt people, hurt people. I don't want to carry hurt.
• Silence is sometimes the loudest thing that can be heard,and be the best unspoken words never said. 
• Let go from the start, and not the end.
• What am I reflecting? 

With an ending to an eventful week, with a wink of the eye, and a pat on the back, I say, "Keep up the good work, because we are growing beyond belief."

God bless. Crystal..

I was an Arsonist...





I use to be an Arsonist. An arsonist of words. If someone hurt me, I would be sure to lash a verbal assault that they could never recover from. I had it programmed in my mind that as soon as anyone ever tried to hurt me, or tries to belittle me, or put me in my place they would feel it. Feel it verbally. Verbally, I would douse people with gasoline, and light a match, and watch them go ablaze. I would bring up the lowest and most evil things that  I knew about that person, and shred them to pieces with my tongue. I thought I felt better after disintegrating a person to mere ashes. I felt justified. I got revenge. I knew they would never try and mess with me again. I wanted them to know that I have a voice to. I wanted them to hurt, because they hurt me.

This tongue is the strongest muscle in the body.

 Hard to believe. But it's true.

Not only that, but the bible speaks of what damage the tongue can do.

  James 3:5-6   So, also, the tongue is a small thing,

 but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself.

I'm not an arsonist anymore...
 but I light a match here and there with my tongue still.

Watching what I say is one of the hardest things I still struggle with.

Not only was I ruining my life,
 I was ruining someone else's life, and spirit.

Join me for Part two tomorrow night.

 I will tell you what kind of power my words

have had when using my tongue in negative ways.

I will also tell you how I am working on my mouth.

I will also share the part of me that

could no longer justify saying what I felt no matter the cost. 

With a bright, and giving heart, and a big pat on the back from me to you!

We are growing beyond belief!

See you tomorrow.

God bless. Amen.

Crystal Jones

Smile?

Smiling?

Today was a very long day for me. I am feeling a little bit under the weather. I am just plain out tired. I sat in front of my blog, praying that I would be able to blog about something that would encourage and uplift quickly.

After I took a minute to step away.. it popped in my head. Smile. Blog about smiling. I do not have a bible verse to back up smiling. But I have to believe that when your heart, mind, and soul is at peace we display physical actions. Part of the reason I started this blog was to let you travel with me on my journey.

I have been in some tough situations before. I recently told you all about that wicked surgery I had, that left me down for months. I could not see a reason to smile at all during this time. I was that angry.

About a month after I was home recovering, my mother had taken some pictures and left them in an envelope on the table. I feverishly searched through each picture she had taken. Pictures of the kids, trees, her, the cat... and then I get to the only picture of me. Keep in mind all the other pictures in this envelope were photographed well. But my picture was very dark, as if Mom forgot to put the flash on. It was a picture of me in the hospital, sitting up in my bed... and I was smiling. (lol) When I saw the picture I was very surprised. Because why would I be smiling at a time like this? Only a real dummy would be smiling about something that is so tragic. I don't even remember smiling at all while I was there. But there it was. A moment that captured me at my worse, memorialized me smiling. I have tried many of times to figure out, why was I smiling. I came up with this... Humanly I was at my worse. Flesh and blood I was humanly at my worse. However, The Spirit that lives in me still reflected reflected what my earthly situation couldn't.

With a stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, and a big smile, I say, "Keep up the great work, and we are growing beyond belief!

Until next time. God bless.

Crystal

If you could?

What dream would you achieve,
 if you knew you could achieve it?

When answering this question,

 remember money, time, age, or anything like that is not a factor. Answer the question as if nothing is standing in your way.

(It is really hard to leave a comment on my blog. I am working on that. So facebook me your answers. Feel free to send me a private message, if you do not wish to share it with others.)
Or reply to me on twitter https://twitter.com/#!/PurposeGranted

Or maybe, you can just take a moment a to remember what your dream was?

THANK YOU!

Thank you Lord for not seeing me the way that I do.

 Without you,
 I started to belive what they said about me was true.

Continue to start where I end.

For your love is where I long to begin.

Be upon me day and, night.

So that my broken angel wings may take flight.

Believing you is not always the popular vote.

But, I would rather spend my time with you, than in hell's smoke.

Thank you for seeing me when I couldn't.

You believed in me when I wouldn't.

Your unchanging hand is what I need.

You gave me your eyes when I couldn't see.

Once I was lost, but now I am found.

Where your word is stable, and knows not of shaky ground.

Amen!

God Bless. It is a with a rejuevanated heart, and a Kool Aid smile, that I say keep up the good work! We are growing beyond belief!

Crystal Jones

About Me/ I WAS DYING.

March 31st, 2010 late that evening..

Oh God! Oh God! Oh God! Owwwww! Ohhhh! Owwww! Ow! Ow! Please stop. I'm okay. I'm okay. Damn Morphine lid open faster! I need it now. I need the pain to stop. Gulp. Gulp. Maybe two Morphine pills will make this stop? Pain please stop. I just need to lay down on the bed, and it will just go away. Oh God! Oh God! My stomach, and lower abdomen hurts so so bad. I have never felt a pain like this. I'm okay. Oh God! I have to go to the bathroom  no no no.. this is not working.. Oh God! Something is pushing on my abdomen, and rectum.. Oh God! Breathe Crystal! Breathe Crystal! On my knees begging. God please. God what is happening to me? No, this can't be happening! NO! NO! NO! Get up off the floor Crystal! Oh God!.. Why is there a blender blade erupting inside my stomach? I'm literally being torn apart! Oh dear God!  I'm going to faint. I'm going to die. No. No. No. The Morphine is not working. Go to the toilet Crystal. Get off the toilet. If I could just lay down on the bed. Oww! That hurts too. If I could just lay on the bathroom floor. Nothings working. I'm scared. Oh God! Mom can you please take me to the hospital... something is heavy on my rectum? Oh God! Don't cry Crystal.

April 1st, 2010

 April Fool's Day (the next day)

Damn I made it? God why didn't you just take me? No. No. No. I wanted to die. What happened? The sun is streaming directly on me.. turn it off.. There's my Mom! Wait. Why is her head down, and she looks troubled? Wow there are so many wires a lot of wires, and tubes hooked to every part of me.  What happened to me? Mom please come, and hug me. "I can't," she says. Why? "Crystal there are tubes everywhere." I need a hug. I'm scared. I want to hold my Mom! What happened to me?  No hug for me. Of course no hug for me because there is nowhere to hug me, because wires, and tubes are everywhere.. WHAT HAPPENED TO ME? Why is no one answering this question?

What happened to me was, that I had my uterus taken out a few months prior, and the stitches were not completely healed. This allowed for air to come into my whole chest cavity, stomach, and abdomen. It is called a Vaginal Cuff Tear or aVaginal Dehiscence. Statiscally speaking from the medical point of view this should have never happened. I was dying. I needed emergency surgery. Coma induced state for at least three days. 25 staples lined up like a train track from the middle of my breast to about the top of my vagina. My new home for the next seven days is the hospital. Dazed, and confused most of the time I was there. I really couldn't comprehend much. Early on, I knew it would be a challenge to even move. It took at least 30 minutes to even to get up from a lying down position, and get my feet over, so I could attempt to walk.

There is an I.V. in my neck, an I.V. in both hands, a catheter in my vagina, oxygen in my nose,  two wires in my back where the pain medicine was coming from, something that look like airbags on both my legs, blood pressure cuff, and colorful wires all over my chest, and how could I forget the 25 staples in the middle of my stomach holding me together? I couldn't just escape with no memorial of what happened.  I am now deformed. Yes, deformed physically for life. My kids. No income. No job. I have now been shaken mentally, physically, financially, and spiritually... What happens now?

I feel I must tell you some things about me, so when you read my blog, you will know of the journeys I have been on. You will also get to see my state of mind, and where it is now, and eventually how I got where I am today. I will finish "About Me", in parts. It pains me to have to remember this, but I had to tell you, so you could "see" me. A lot of people ask is this what made me come to God, and the answer is no. God just took the lenses off the camera, so I could get the full picture.

With tears running down my face, and a broken heart to remember, please do not feel sorry for me, cause I am not sorry for me... a big beautiful hug from me to you, and a big pat on the back cause you are growing beyond belief..

Until next time.. God Bless.

Crystal

WHO SENT YOU?

Matthew 7:15-20

"Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep, but are really wolves that will tear you apart. You can detect them by the way they act, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit. You don't pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles. A healthy tree produces good fruit, and an unhealthy tree produces bad fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down into the fire. Yes, the way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit that is produced.

Facts about this passage:

1. This scripture is exactly from the mouth of Jesus.

2. Jesus warns us to beware of false prophets.

He didn't say perhaps there may be false prophets, but in fact false prophets exist, and to beware.

3. Webster's dictionary defines the word beware, "is to be on one's guard."

Jesus is telling you plain out to be on guard, and if you pay attention to what his message is, you can figure out who these false prophets are for yourself.

4. The second word that we should adhere to is disguised. Webster's dictionary defines the word disguised, "as to furnish with false appearance, or an assumed identity." Jesus is clearly stating that false prophets come in any shape, form, or size. They will stop at nothing to appear harmless.

5. Jesus uses something so simple as a tree

and, fruit to help us understand how to detect wolves in sheep's clothing.

6. Jesus leaves no room for excuse on how to figure out who is real and who is not.

7. In this passage, Jesus tells us to watch the way they act. Watch the way they do business.

8. You can identify a person by the kind of fruit they bear. What does their tree produce?

9. If you choose to not take head to his word, we WILL be tore apart by wolves. Jesus does not say, perhaps we may get beat up a little, but we will actually be tore apart! Ripped to pieces!

10. Jesus never mentions that you must physically

ask the person, "Who sent you?" to determine who they are.

What kind of fruit does our trees produce?

A bright smile from me to you, and a big pat on the back for being the awesome one and only you!

God bless.

Crystal

ELEVATORS

ELEVATORS

 

We all know how an elevator works. It either goes up or down. It has a maximum capacity of the people it can hold, and the weight it can sustain. The elevator doors have sensors on it to shut at a certain time.

I view life as an elevator. Life certainly goes up and down, whether it be emotionally, physically, or spiritually.

We often pack our elevators beyond maximum occupancy, or by carrying dead weight, old problems, other people's problems, the past, and anything that we are not willing to let go of to move up to the next level.

Next thing you know, we have packed so much of this stuff onto our elevators, that IT IS NOW STUCK! Yes, we are stuck, not only are we stuck, we can't move up to the next level in our lives. Oh wait! There is another problem! The elevator doors are closing (due to the timer), and the same people, or situations you were trying to leave are trying to get on your ALREADY over packed elevator.  Unbelievable! Next thing you know the cables that are holding our elevators might give way. This could be the worse possible situation, cause if the cables go, everything on that elevator goes....

I say all this to say, there have been many times that my elevator has gotten stuck on the same level, and going nowhere because I refused to leave the old problems, other people's problems, and my past. This is called dead weight. I refuse to pack  anything on my elevator that will keep me from going up. We need to realize how much our elevators can hold, and what it can't. Yes, there may be times where we will have to revisit a level, but always keep in mind, that this elevator (which represents our lives) has to go up. I definitely know for sure that when I am ready to go up, and the doors start to close, and the negative situations are still trying to get in, I must be prepared to let the elevator doors close automatically. Consciously choosing not to let another negative thing stop me from going up. If the elevator doors close when the negative situations try to make a last ditch effort to get on... I have to painfully say to myself, 'I am sorry," But where I am going you can't come right now."

We can free ourselves, and move up. We can't carry the whole world if they are not willing to carry themselves. Let our elevators be filled with the things that won't hold us down, but will lift us up. Have you ever heard someone say, "I will hold you down," (meaning that they will have our back) well my dare is to start saying, "I'm not trying to hold you down, because I want to hold you up." Hold you up meaning, helping others to see that they deserve to be held in the same light that Jesus sees us all in.

This was not easy for me to do alone. I had to give it to God first. God already knows what is going on, I just had to be strong enough to ask for help. I pray constantly for the people, or situations I left behind. And once they get on my level, they are more than welcome to come on in. Once I started seeing my life as an elevator, the quality of my life improved, and I found my purpose.

Let us examine our current elevators, and start moving up, so you can see all what beautiful things God has in store for you.

 

Philippians 3:12-14

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

With an enthusiastic, and grateful heart, and love coming from every directions in your life, and a big pat on the back to know we are doing a great job, because we are growing beyond belief!

Good night, and God bless.

Crystal

Corinthians 2:9

"No eye has seen,

 no ear has heard,

and no man has imagined

what God has prepared

for those who love him"

This is one of the first scriptures that touched me. At the time, I believed I had heard this scripture before, but I didn't take the time to challenge, or find meaning in it. It was like I had never actually heard it.  Or, actually took the time to process what it means to me. This scripture means so much to me, because I actually starting thinking of all the things that I have seen with my own eyes, and every word that had ever been spoken to me. I even conjured up everything that I could imagine, that I deemed "good" on this earth, to try and conceive a better plan than Gods.  I thought of the biggest house, best car, all the money in the world, best family, the greatest feeling of love, and all of the above. No matter how I tried to spin up the best plan, my senses keep leading to me to a better a plan than the plan I thought of before, and it never stopped. Through this scripture, and allowing myself to challenge it, I came up empty with my thoughts, but was filled with Gods.

What God did was dare me to try and think of all the things with my own eyes, my own ears, and own, and see if I could come up with the something, with my own thoughts, as brilliant as God.

But I couldn't, and it was humbling, yet encouraging. My spirit became engulfed with the Holy Spirit after I processed the fact that no matter how hard I try, or the world tries to entice me into believing that this is as good as gets, was now a lie to me. Through the word of God, we can take comfort in knowing that the plan that he has for those who love him, can't even be conceived on any level. God is just that awesome! I dare you to try, with your own eyes, and every word spoken to you, and let your mind try and conceive a better plan than Gods, and see what you come up with.

With a bubbling spirit, thankful heart, and God's loving arms wrapped around you, good night, and God bless. Amen!

Crystal

The Check is Good!

Good evening world.

Yesterday a loved one of mines was choking. Choking to the fact that my loved one couldn't speak, and couldn't breathe. At some point I started to do the Heimlich Maneuver. After about 5 tries of that, a gurgling sound came from my loved one's mouth, and was okay. Even as I write this, I still feel a little stunned, scared, and distressed.

I started this blog so you could see that we are all human. I noticed barely nobody read the blog Dark. Perhaps, if I was talking about bitches and hoes, or everyone's business, or stirring up negative controversy then maybe people would read it. That's not what I came to do. That is not what Jesus called me to do. What I came to do is to build people up.  Not tear you down. The world does a good job of tearing people down itself.  We are worthy. We are loved. I don' t know about you, but I'm cashing in on the promise.

The price of sin has already been paid for. Feel me on this. All we have to do is cash the check! The funds are in the bank! The check is good! We don't have to wait threes day to see if it clears. We don't have to have someone else cash it for us, cause our credit ain't good enough. We don't have to have enough money in the bank to cover the check before we cash it. He didn't say to wait until payday, or until your income tax refund comes through.  Jesus wouldn't even be caught mumbling the words, "Well, what had happen was,"  when it comes to our faith! It's like we have a winning Power ball ticket for billions of dollars, but we refuse to claim it! It's a BLANK CHECK to freedom. Hallelujah!  RIGHT NOW you are covered and then some. Amen to that!  Somebody stand up right now, and give our Lord the Praise! The next time satan and his bullies got us doubting what we have in The Lord, Tell em, "Its already been paid for."

What I was going to talk about, was not sin. But the Holy Spirit got me, and started typing for me.

Corinthians 15:3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me-that Christ died for our sins.

With a huge smile, and the spirit in me, I love you all.

God bless.

Crystal