stay high (10 year Anniversary Edition)

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)


Thoughts for 2016:  

"Fly as far as you can and enjoy your flight."

"Enjoy each day that you are given."

"I know difficult times happen, just maintain and know that God is with you always." 

"Fear not for every new opportunity that presents itself to you, is a blessing from God."

"See, God heard you all along."

"You have a purpose, remember that."

"Love unconditionally."

"Your peace is not up for compromise." 

"Courage...you have it, you just may have to dig a little deeper for it." 

"Help someone along your journey."

"Enjoy the beauty of life."

"Trust God."

"Trains...there are times when God will ask us to move or Go. This is because He is shifting us to something new. Stop Signs...there are times when God will ask us to stop or pause. This is because He is working something out for us, that is not quite ready. He wants us to learn a lesson or sometimes, we are too busy and simply need to slow down." 

"Life is an adventure." 

"Stay high."

*****Thank you all for your support for these past 10 years. It has been a pleasure to serve you all. I hope that you were inspired in some way. I was encouraged in so many ways. Thank you God, for giving me this platform to share with others. Please keep me in your prayers as I continue working with youth, writing, and sharing God with others.  I wish many blessings to you all!!! ******

love, peace, and courage,
the gyvonni project

i am grateful because....(10 year Anniversary Edition)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!!

So, what are you grateful for this day? I'm sure a lot of things bring you great joy. Praise God for all of his blessings!!  I hope you are enjoying this day with a lot of love, hope, and gratitude in your heart. There are so many things to be thankful for, right!!

Theme: Going Higher & "Everything is possible, the impossible just takes longer"~ Dan Brown

Lesson #7:

A key component of going higher with our relationship with God is having a grateful heart.    Your purpose gets clearer, your days become sweeter, your time with God is consistently enjoyable and becomes a large part of your daily activity. The higher you go, the more you are able to realize just how blessed you are. 

November 2015: Task #7

This month, let's write a list of 20 things we are grateful for. 1...2....3...4...5...,etc. 

love, peace, and courage,

the gyvonni project

songs (10 Year Anniversary Edition)

Music is a really big thing in my life. It is my way to spend time with God. I hope you all enjoy the following songs as I do!

"Worth" by Anthony Brown & Group TherAPy

"Intentional" by Travis Greene 

"1 on 1"  by Zacardi Cortez

"Yes You Can" by Marvin Sapp

Have a wonderful day and a blessed month!! 

#1 (10 Year Anniversary Edition)

Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 

The following lines are from lyrics to a song from Lecrae (Christian Rap Artist)

                                                       "Give In"

(feat. Crystal Nicole)

[Hook - Crystal Nicole:]
I'm giving it all away
No more hiding
No more stalling
I hear you calling me
And I'm coming

See me running
I give in
You win
I give in
You win 

Theme: Going Higher & "Everything is possible, the impossible just takes longer"~ Dan Brown

Lesson #6:

There comes a point in life when we have to chose if we will place God first in our life or not. As the lyrics express above, we can't hide any more, we can't stall, we have to grow to the point where we say, "God, I will put you first in my life." As the scripture says, "Seek ye first." I think a lot of times we seek other things and then God is further down on the list. When really seeking a relationship with Him is how our faith grows. It's not the blessings we receive, it's the relationship with God that is the true blessing of life. 

July/August 2015: Task #6

This month, let's simply seek God. God Bless!! 

love, peace, and courage,

the gyvonni project

fertile soil (10 Year Anniversary Edition)

Matthew 13: 1-23 (NKJV)

The Parable of the Sower

13 On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

The Purpose of Parables

10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”

11 He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:

‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand,
And seeing you will see and not perceive;
15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed,
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should[a] heal them.’[b]

16 But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; 17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

The Parable of the Sower Explained

18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

Sometimes we have to ask, where am I planted? Am I by the wayside? In stony places? Among the thorns? Or on good ground? 

Theme: Going Higher & "Everything is possible, the impossible just takes longer"~ Dan Brown

Lesson #5:

Life has so many daily lessons and sometimes we try to figure the lessons out on our own. I continue to learn that God should be my focus and questions that I have, I can ask Him.  He will answer and sometimes in ways I wouldn't expect the answer to come from. I recently had a situation where I could have tried to handle things on my own and I don't know how things would have turned out. Yet, instead a took a step back and asked God to help me with the situation. Within 5 days God took care of everything. I thought to myself, how is it that God continues to bless me? What have I done to deserve this? And I thought about the parable of the sower. I thought about, where am I planted? Daily I seek to see God, to hear God, and to understand Him. As I seek God, he keeps me in fertile soil and allows my life to have overflow and I am so grateful for His love. 

May/June 2015: Task #5

This month, let's ask God to place us in fertile soil. Ask God for eyes to see Him, ears to hear Him, and a heart and mind to understand Him. Ask God for His overflow!!! He will do it!

God Bless!

love, peace, and courage,

the gyvonni project

limitless (10 year Anniversary Edition)

Ephesians 2:20-21 

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think , according to the power that worketh in us,                                                             

Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." 

I'm not sure why we put a limit on God. Thinking that if we ask him for something that seems too big that He will not hear us. God created this entire universe and created man to be in his image. To me...that's pretty big. I don't know, maybe we should just ask Him for the "BIG things" or even think them, according to the scripture, He even blesses our thoughts..imagine just thinking of something that you want to happen in your life and then one day it happens and you think...I didn't even verbally pray about that, or I didn't write that down on mention that to any one...it's because He knows us better than anyone else.  He is just waiting for us to ask him for the "BIG things." Ask Him and witness what happens...

Theme: Going Higher & "Everything is possible, the impossible just takes longer"~ Dan Brown

Lesson #4:

I've learned that God has NO limits. Honestly I have to admit, I've tested God. Yes, tested Him. Over the years, I've asked Him for things that I knew I couldn't accomplish on my own and with time, patience, and trust in Him. He blessed me with those "BIG things" Honestly I believe that God enjoys those prayers of boldness and without limits. It gives Him a chance to be creative and show how much He loves us. 

April 2015: Task #4

This month, let's ask God for those "BIG things" with no limits. I can't wait to see how this goes!!

love, peace, and courage,

the gyvonni project

never fail (10 Year Anniversary Edition)

"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." Deuteronomy 31:6

God means so many different things to each of us. He has walked with all of us through some very happy times and also some very difficult times. The most important thing of all...HE WAS THERE!!! He CAN'T fail. He WON'T fail. He WILL NEVER FAIL. 

Theme: Going Higher & "Everything is possible, the impossible just takes longer"~ Dan Brown

Lesson #3:

I've learned over the years that in order to build a stronger relationship with God, I would have to totally trust in ALL of His promises. I've noticed my happy times felt like my cup was running over and over and my difficult times didn't seem as difficult, because I knew God was there. The valleys and mountain tops as some would say. We've come a long way JC, thank you for always being there!! :)

March 2015: Task #3

As we pray this month, let's thank God for always being there for us. 

love, peace, and courage,

the gyvonni project

be amazed (10 Year Anniversary Edition)

amaze: to surprise and sometimes confuse (someone) very much : to fill (someone) with wonder

How has God amazed you? How has His love for you, left you speechless?......Throughout your life? This week? This month?....Today? I can think of so many things that have amazed me and totally kept me in awe of His wonder....Just this week, when working with students either individually or in a group setting, I experienced the amazing pull of God's wonder...I knew that it was all God working. He allowed me to be a bridge for students to get from one point to the next. Students were able to be inspired and excel with projects given to them and they were able to talk through some difficult peer relationships....in all instances I was so proud of the students and in the very moment I knew God was uses me in a mighty way to help this young people. I share this to say, "Keep doing what you do, keep following God's path, and He will amaze you!!!"


Lesson #2: Going Higher & "Everything is possible, the impossible just takes longer"~ Dan Brown

Being amazed is not something you can plan. God does not always bless you directly, sometimes he uses you to be a blessing for someone else. The moment you realize that He used you to bless someone else and you are actually able see the result of this....your heart dances. God has the Bible and he has a life workbook for each of us for guidance. Life is a class, the Bible is our textbook, and the workbook it where all of our assignments/lessons are, the only thing about this workbook is, He only gives you each lesson page by page, chapter by chapter, so it's not completed until God says to you, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

February 2015: Task #2

Identify and reflect on how God is doing amazing things in your life....daily, weekly, monthly...

be amazed,

the gyvonni project

Happy New You!!! (10 Year Anniversary Edition)

Happy New You,

Are you excited about this year? I am!! Why? because I know God has some amazing blessings for us this year!! 

I hope you don't mind, I wanted to go down memory lane with you to share how God will give you an idea (assignment) and that assignment brings you so much knowledge and growth. 

acts of service, express!! History

2006-  Jan. 13, 2006 the first weekly email was sent to 10 people 

Theme: God got me through another week, Amen.

           

2007- A prayer and prayer list was included in the emails, the list grows to 22 people, and       emails are monthly 

2008- "monday motivation" began. The first year services were offered such as Message Magazine subscription, books from various authors, monthly emails, weekly emails, inspirational text messages. The list grows to 32 people 

2009- Readers were asked to pray for others for specific reasons. I published my first poetry cd. Preparation for mission trip to Korea (online course, application, visa, and passport)

Theme: believe.ask.wait

2010- "monday motivation" added pictures/images along with short thoughts. Sharing experiences from mission trip in Korea. People started to write me back with encouraging words. The list grows to 96 people.  A young adult edition was started

2011- first year of the PDF attachment with a Korean inspiration to it. Content was more story based. Experiences from mission trip in Spangle, WA was shared.  The list grows to 100+ people. Readers continue to reply with encouragement. My poetry cd is available online

2012- donation letters to support me attending Bible School were included in emails. Music was added to the content. 

Theme: believe.ask.wait.listen.act.grow.freedom.

2013- the blog, “trains & stop signs” began. Experiences from Bible School were shared. Completed  3 month training in Bible School and with donations, personal financial input, and 3 school scholarships, my tuition was paid in full. 

2014- spoke at my first church event since graduating from Bible School.  I was the Woman's Day speaker for an evening program. The list grows to 150+ people

Theme:  love, peace, and courage  

2015- 10 Year Anniversary and final exam from my assignment. Presenting a Youth Ministry Training on Evangelism, Spiritual Development, and Service. Blog will continue by sharing how God speaks to us in every day experiences

Theme: Go Higher

Theme: "Everything is possible, the impossible just takes longer"~ Dan Brown


Why did all of these emails start? because of two reasons. One, I remember one day asking God, “How can I share you with others? Time went by……I remember that day just like it was yesterday, I was sitting at my computer and I asked again in my heart, how can I share you with others? I heard an audible response, “Write.” Two, because I sent an email to 10 people and asked if anyone would like inspirational emails sent to them and one person responded, "yes." 

Lesson #1: Going Higher & "Everything is possible, the impossible just takes longer"~ Dan Brown

God gives you a gift and others need you to use that gift to bless them. It's now 10 years later and it all started because I asked God what he wanted me to do. He answered me and it was up to me to follow His lead.  My life has been so blessed because of these emails, because I was able to use something that I really enjoy to help others.

January 2015: Task #1

Please help me to celebrate 10 years of writing, by choosing 10 people that you will put on your prayer list and pray for them throughout this month. Why do I ask this, because I know I have only been able to achieve what I have in my life, because of God and those who prayed for me. 

be inspired and be inspiring,

the gyvonni project 

a tap on the shoulder

To every man there comes in his lifetime that special moment when he is figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered a chance to do a very special thing, unique to him and fitted to his talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds him unprepared or unqualified for that which would be his finest hour. ~Winston Churchill

God has tapped you on the shoulder and asked you to bless this world with a special thing. I don't know what it is, others don't know what it is, only you do. As the quote above mentions, this special thing is unique to YOU and fitted to YOUR talents.  Guess what? That means, no one else is this world can do this special thing but YOU. 2015 is just around the corner, let's end this year completely prepared and completely qualified for what is next in our life. 

I truly believe that 2015 will be a year of change, new levels, new insight,  new experiences and........new special things. 

love, peace, and courage

the gyvonni project 

today

What can we do that will get us to the next level? Get us to the place that we are seeking? We have to "do" today. Working towards are goals....today.

Believe in yourself today
Be thankful today
Pray today
Move toward your goals today
Leave your past in the past today
Learn from your mistakes today
Invest in yourself today
Keep pushing forward today
Only accept peace in your life today
Create balance in your life today
Give yourself a chance today
Challenge yourself today
Do what you have in your power to do "today" and watch God place opportunities in your life.

Happy dreaming and happy moving toward them!!

love, peace, & courage,
the gyvonni project

be the message

     If someone was to read your life as a story, what would the theme be about? Every day, by the way we live, we give the world a message. Today is my Spiritual 10th Birthday. I had some really good moments today and I also had some challenging ones as well. But in the end, I still have a smile on my face, because I know I'm not in this fight alone. For some reason, Jesus continues to have my back. Over and over and especially today, He showed me that He loves me so much. I'm so grateful to see this day. I don't really know what message my life shows this world, but my prayer is that my life shows others that no matter what happens in life, the good as well as the bad. There is one thing for sure as long as you keep placing one foot in front of the other, God will be right there with you, to help you, guide you, give you strength, give you wisdom, give you patience, give you courage, give you lessons, and give you peace. He will do it...trust Him. 

Habakkuk 3:17-19King James Version (KJV)

17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:

18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

19 The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

love, peace, and courage

how do i know?

Have you ever asked yourself the following questions?


How do I know God is truly with me?

How do I know that I am living out my purpose?

How...do...I......know?

Your family can not answer this question. Your co-workers can not answer this question. Your church members can not answer this question. God is the ONLY one that can answer this question for you. I won't attempt to answer it for you either, but I will ask you to do one thing. Ask God for the answer. He will answer you, believe me. I've asked these questions many times in my life. Just this morning God answered a prayer of mine that I have had for a while. The answer was so clear. God will make a path for you to walk when there was no path to begin with. That's because when He's with you....He's with you every step of the way and makes sure that all of your needs and desires are met. It is not always in the ways we thought it would happen, but in the end you think back, wow that's what God was doing all this time. He was getting me ready for where I am right now, another purposed moment in my journey. Trust Him!!!


trains&stop signs...Sometimes God tells you, "Go." and sometimes He tells you, "Stop."    Is God telling you to Go? or is He telling you to Stop? Listen......carefully.    

Until next time I wish you all love, peace, & courage,
the gyvonni project

reach...far

I know I’m always talking about dreams and going after them. It’s because, well I’m a dreamer. A  dreamer who has experienced many of my dreams coming true. I guess I never want you to give up on yours. Some dreams seem like they happen in seconds, some take many years, and others well, they may take a lifetime. We all have a tug on our heart to pursue some kind of dream…our specific purpose in this life. I know what mine is and it looks me square in the mirror every time. So today, I wanted to share with you a short list of things you can try as you pursue your dreams. Let me know how it goes!!! 

1) Believe (Believe down in your gut in your dream and in yourself)

2) Pray (Pray from A-Z everything you need to pursue your dream, God is listening) 

3) Focus (Develop a tunnel vision and focus on your dream) 

4) Complete Daily Task-(Complete one task every day that moves you closer to your dream)

5) Wait (Wait for your dream to come true)

6) Celebrate the small things ( It’s not always about the “big” goal, it’s the “small” goals that get you to the end result. Remember to celebrate those moments. Hey, you are further than you were yesterday, right!! So, yes pat yourself on the back!!!

7) DO NOT GIVE UP!!! (reach…………far)

Now, you may have to repeat steps 1-7 more than once. I know I have, many times. Ok, sit back, relax, and watch as your life unfolds….Oh and don’t forget your popcorn!!! Watch and see what God does next!!! 

love, peace, & courage

start a fire!

Sometimes in life things happen and our light grows dim…I’m asking that this month you look around in your family, your friends, co-workers, fishing buddies, book club members, the person next to you at the gym, your boss, your professor, your neighbor, that youth walking by, the person in the same aisle as you in the grocery store. Be observant this month. Ask God to help you sense the needs of those in your everyday activities and how to help them….That’s how we all can start a fire. A burning of the soul for more…. A burning for God….Go and start a fire! 

The world needs you! 

love, peace, & courage

your gift will bless someone else...

I don't know what your gift is, but I do know it will bless someone else. Maybe you have a smile that lights up a dark heart. Maybe you encourage others, just by listening to them and telling them, "Everything will be ok." Maybe you are that co-worker that always says, "Hey lets go get some lunch." Maybe you are the one that people can share things with and they know you will not tell anyone else. Maybe you are the one who can make everyone laugh, even on their worst day. Maybe when you sing you give people the chills. Maybe just being there for others. Maybe you are an example for others to keep pursuing their dreams. Maybe you are the one that tells others the truth when others won't. Maybe you are the one that has good advice. Maybe you are the one who is struggling and not afraid to share that difficult journey with others. Maybe you are the one who is always positive. Maybe you are the one who teaches others what you know. Maybe you are the one who is not judgmental. Maybe you are the one who allows people to be who they are flaws and all. Maybe you are the one who completes tasks in a timely manner. Maybe you are the one people can count on. Maybe you are helpful. Maybe you always are inviting people over to your house. Maybe you go further than saying hello and ask, "How are you today?" This list could go on and on... We all inspire someone in our life...We all have different gifts....We all have a gift to share with this world...Please be who God has asked you to be and bless us with your beautiful light.

Year of Jubilee!!

Let this be our year of Jubilee!!!

I don't know what you have asked God for, but I will say this, please keep praying and keep believing that God will keep His promises to you. Keep dreaming, keep believing, your blessings are right around the corner!!

love, peace, & courage 

Happy New You!

These are just a few thoughts that settled with my heart during this past year. I’m hoping to use them throughout 2014 for inspiration to keep pushing forward!!

“Go after what you want.” g

“Be & Live.” g

“We all have strengths and weaknesses.” g

“Never take for granted a thank you, you never know how you made someone’s day.” g

“Allow yourself to make a mistake.” g

“Life is full of detours.” g

“Sometimes you have to figure things out on your own.” g

“I am not sure I know what success is, I just give my best in everything that I do.” g

“Embrace who you really are.” g

“My story is my story. Your story is your story. Everyone has something to share with the world.” g

“Life is change.” g

“Pray and trust God with the desires of your heart.” g

 

"Trust your passions and dreams." g

“Your peace does not have a price tag.” g

“New book, New story.” g

“God is just a prayer away.” g

"Struggle brings strength." g

 

love, peace, and courage

 

 

 

Giving Thanks Day!!

What I am thankful for...

God
My family
My friends
Poetry
Being a youth mentor
Being able to smile even when life throws a curve ball
The professional opportunities I have experienced
My health
My outlook on life
My determination
My ability to give myself a break (sometimes you just need to take pause in life)
The blessing that I woke up this morning
The joy in learning new things every single day
Those moments when I learn more about myself
Embracing those seasons in my life when life goes so fast like a train and then those seasons when life goes slow and maybe a complete halt, like a stop sign. Those moments in my life are when I've grown the most and my faith is strengthened.

love, peace & courage

What have you been called to be?

Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You. Jeremiah 32: 17

                                                                          ***

"Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly." - Langston Hughes

***

Q. What is a Spiritual Gift?

A. A Spiritual Gift is a special characteristic given by the Holy Spirit to every member of the body of Christ.

Q. Why should we discover our Spiritual Gifts?

A.

·        Spiritual Gifts help in finding God's will in our life

·        Spiritual Job Description

·        Appropriate commitment to Ministry

·        Helps overcome feelings of weakness

Bible passages with the list of spiritual gifts: (Please read these as we will discuss these in more detail)

     ·        Romans 12:3-9

·        Ephesians 4:11-12

·        I Cor. 12: 1-31

·        I Peter 4: 10-11

·        I Cor. 14: 1-40

More questions that I will answer next time:

How do I discover my Spiritual Gift?

What should I do once I know my gift?

If you have any questions about Spiritual Gifts, please ask and I will do my best to answer them.

keep dreaming