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Sunday’s Thought: Dust It Off And Get To Work

Published on July 23, 2017July 19, 2017 by Roshonda BLeave a comment

What have you put off recently or maybe last year that you promised yourself that you would re-visit. Was it a great Idea, A book, The Promise to finish school and further your career, Did you tell yourself that you were going to do that demo, but life picked you up and carried you away? How about that savings account, last year you said that you would have such and such amount saved by this time this year, but your account is still showing the same amount it did last year and that amount is only to keep it active and open.

Has your GREAT ideas been collecting dust?

Yesterday, I was going through my flash drive and came across something that I started but did not finish, I started a book in 2013 and never revisited it until just yesterday, and THIS IS THE YEAR 2017!! Something that I told myself that I would work on consistently for a year fell flat about a month in and I had not picked it back up until 4yrs later.

What have you put off on the back burner and either forgot all about it or told yourself that you were going to achieve it or complete it and got half way in only to GIVE UP! on the goal you so eagerly wanted to complete. “Why continue putting off tomorrow what you can do NOW!!” Listen, life is short; too short for us not to complete the task that was put before us. I challenge you today to dust off that computer and get to writing that book, Dust off that treadmill and run again, Buy the tickets for that long awaited trip, Pick up the phone and call that person that you keep putting off calling, Lose that unwanted weight, follow your dreams on becoming whatever you want to be. Push yourself to the limit and make it happen..

No more should ‘a, could ‘a, would ‘a’s, I wonders, I wish I had of or where would I be right now, If I had only STARTED!. No worries because we all have places that we need to revisit, especially if they will push us forward to success.

Revisit that place of stagnation, the place of “leftovers” and commit yourself to not only achieving but eating up and digesting the golden nuggets you left behind, It’s something good there, it’s just waiting on you to finish it up. I promise you’ll be glad you did. So while I dust off this book and continue to write until I finish it. What do you plan to do?

SIMPLE TIPS FOR GETTING BACK ON TRACK WITH YOUR PROJECTS

Set a Timer for yourself. We have these smart phones that can do almost everything under the sun for us, why not schedule a time (with a buzz) sort of like an alarm for yourself to work on your goal or project daily or monthly.
Sticky Notes. Okay, so they’re not small and yellow for nothing and their name fits them correctly “sticky” – meaning you can write down your goal or project and stick them all over the house, especially in the places where you visit the most or frequently. (ex. The Bathroom)
Accountability. Hey, if you have friends; put them to work! You’ve heard the saying “Teamwork makes the Dream-work” and if they’re really good friends they’ll help you remember your goals and push you toward completing your project.
Reminisce. Think about where you would be, the goals you would crush, the lives that would be changed only if you START & COMPLETE! Do you really want to go another month, year or years still stuck with the same mindset of “I wonder?”

We’re the Only Ones that Keep “US” back, You can follow the first 3 tips all you want but if you don’t pursue and take charge of what you want out of life, then it’s not those things fault; but yours.

Roshonda N. Blackmon – Creator of JustsumInspiration, Author, Speaker & Encourager

Let’s Live Well, Laugh Loud & Love Hard!

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Let Me Tell Ya Bout “That Old Church Choir”

Published on July 2, 2017July 3, 2017 by Roshonda B1 Comment

A friend of mine was telling me this last week about a couple of songs that she’d heard that were completely Awesome, so Awesome she wanted to share them with me. One was called “Hard Love ft. Andra Day” by a christian band called NEEDTOBREATHE it was a very cool and inspiring song and I really liked it. I came to find out that this same song was also featured on the soundtrack to the movie “The Shack” in which you’ll hear singer/songwriter and contemporary christian music artist Lauren Daigle‘s voice. But the one that really stood out to me was a song called “Old Church Choir” by Zach Williams.

I have always been a fan of traditional church choirs in which are not present anymore in churches today, the choir has been re-placed by background music and a couple of dancers. Don’t get me wrong, I have attended and been apart of churches whom have taken on that modern aspect and it’s cool, However; it’s nothing to be compared to the original church choir, whom actually song songs of joy, peace and restoration. There’s no feeling like that in the world.

So, to pay homage to those old church choirs, I wanted to let you listen to this positive and encouraging song “Old Church Choir” yourself. I pray it uplifts you today just as those old church choirs used to uplift us all back in the day. It has a certain twang to it that I think you’ll enjoy. Because I’m a BIG, HUGE word person, I also put the lyrics below. No matter what this week holds, determine to let nothing – I mean nothing steal your JOY!!

Andra Day‘s Info can be found here

Old Church Choir Lyrics:

Oh cause there ain’t nothing there ain’t nothing gonna steal my joy

I got an Old Church Choir singing in my soul
I got a sweet salvation and it’s beautiful
I’ve got a heart overflowing cause I’ve been restored
there ain’t nothing gonna steal my joy
no there ain’t nothing gonna steel my joy

Clap your hands and stomp your feet
till you find that gospel beat
cause it’s all you’ll ever need
clap your hands and stomp your feet
till you find that gospel beat
cause it’s all you’ll ever need

I’ve got an old church choir, singing in my soul
I got a sweet salvation, and it’s beautiful

Songwriters: ZACH WILLIAMS, ETHAN HULSE, COLBY WEDGEWORTH
© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
For non-commercial use only.
Data From: LyricFind

Roshonda N. Blackmon – Creator of JustsumInspiration, Author, Speaker & Encourager

Let’s Live Well, Laugh Loud & Love Hard!

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Sunday’s Thought: Let Me Introduce You to My Friend “TIME”

Published on June 25, 2017June 26, 2017 by Roshonda BLeave a comment

When I was 20 years old; my mom told me that my aunt Sally and my uncle Edward and his family were coming to visit us. It was during the summer of 1999 and I had just gotten a job working at a local nursing home in town. I was ecstatic that my aunt was coming, but I knew I had to work and didn’t really foresee a way to get off of work. I was a little afraid to ask for the day off due to a couple of girls getting “let-go” the week prior. The boss was really watching and monitoring everyone’s time and I didn’t want to be on the next one on the chopping block.

My aunt was really special to me. When my mother got pregnant with me when she was 16, it was my aunt that convinced my uncle Edward to allow her to have me. It was my aunt that kept me until I was two years old; allowing my mother to finish school and receive her High School Diploma. It was my aunt that worked scrubbing floors and washing windows to make ends meat for myself and her. I loved her so much, she had a son but he was grown and out of the house, she never had anymore children until she kept me, in which she treated like her prized possession. Mama would tell me that she would see my aunt on Sunday mornings, walking in 5 inch heels, carrying me on her left hip with her purse, bible and other items on her right. She said my hair was twisted up in knots (my aunt didn’t have girls, so she didn’t know how to do hair) but she did the best she could. She would walk 3 miles every Sunday from her house to church and back home again. So when I heard that she was coming, it broke my heart that I wouldn’t get the opportunity to see her. “Tell her, I love her and I’ll see her next time” I told my mom as I hurried out the house and went to work.

Work was long and got crazier and I never got the oppotunity to go and visit aunt Sally, but was looking forward to seeing her the summer of 2000. But that day never came; my mom received a call telling her that my aunt had been in the hospital for 2 weeks and we needed to come right away. We traveled over an hour to get to Little Rock, Arkansas. Once we got there, my mom was exhausted and re-assured us that we would go in the morning to visit aunt Sally. However; I was looking to hitch a ride from anyone that day who was going that way. The next morning as we were getting ready for church, I just happened to look out the window and seen my aunt’s son, it looked as if he was being consoled by his wife. As he came into the house, my heart dropped. He told us that my aunt had passed away in the wee hours of the morning. My moms scream is something that I had never forgotten…..I was inconsolable.

Why couldn’t we go the day before? Why didn’t I take off work that summer before? It was then that I realized that as time ticks away each day, we have to make the most of every opportunity. We fuss, curse and abuse time but we don’t stop to think about the gifts that it gives or provides to us daily. If we fail to take advantage of it, then it’s not time’s fault. It’s ours…

Yesterday, I seen two co-workers that I hadn’t seen in a long time. As we hugged and embraced one another, one asked about my children. Her face was shocked when I told her my daughter was going to the 8th grade and my son the 5th. I asked her about her girls and she told me that they were doing well and that they now were 26yrs old now. OMGosh!!! Really?? I remember her talking of them getting ready for prom, I remember when they graduated high school and starting their first year of college….now they are four years from being 30. The other co-worker shared that her daughter was a senior in college this year, it seems like it was just yesterday when she was leaving work to go to her high school and watch her play basketball. Where does the time go?

Time shows us everyday that it keeps on moving – whether we want it to or not, it’s the only thing that never stands still. Time is the most underappreciated word in the dictionary, a word that’s always there with us but we seem to never realize it’s true worth until it’s too late. I don’t know how you’ve been spending your time lately, but I’m here to tell you to enjoy the small moments and cherish everything around you. Take a little longer to hold a hand, a little longer to view a smile, take time to do the things you’ve always wanted to do, a moment to visit someone, take time to spend with your best friend or a parent because time shouldn’t be wasted and the best-est gift you can give to anyone.

Sunday’s Thought: You can always change your life but You can’t change Time. Use it Wisely…

Roshonda N. Blackmon – Creator of JustsumInspiration, Author, Speaker & Encourager

Let’s Live Well, Laugh Loud & Love Hard!

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C’Mon, You Just Gotta ASK!

Published on June 3, 2017June 2, 2017 by Roshonda B2 Comments

Thursday afternoon, after work I went into the local market Wal-Mart to pick up a couple of items and as I always do – thinking I’m just going to go in for one thing and run out…(Intermission Break #ThatNeverHappens 😞😣, Okay…so back to the story) I began to see everything under the sun that I needed and/or wanted.

As my arms were filling up with items, I realized that I should have gotten a basket, so here I was running from aisle to aisle looking for an abandoned basket to place my items in but there was no basket in sight. Suddenly as I approached a self-check out line, I noticed a big basket (empty) just sitting there. I wanted to grab it but then I noticed there was a man there whom was just completing his transaction, he was about to go. I immediately backed away to continue my search to find a basket. It suddenly hit me, Why are you searching for a basket; when you seen one, all you had to do was ask? I was like, Yes…why didn’t I ask him, why did I just walk away?

I said all of that to say, in life we don’t monopolize on situations that are right in front of us. We procrastinate, take our time, beat around the bush and talk ourselves out of our blessings. Then we wonder why, things happen for other people and seem to pass us by. It’s not that things pass us by….it’s just that those other people know how to ASK & THEY RECOGNIZE OPPORTUNITY! I went back, hand full of groceries and asked the man “Are you done with this basket? He said yes, you can take it. As I said Thank you to him, he in turn said “No, Thank You, you helped me out.”

So, I have to ask you a question. “What is Today your Day to Do” Is it your day to say Yes! Is it your day to Take a Leap of Faith in moving towards your dream? Because when you don’t use the time or take advantage of the resources that’s in your path in that moment, you’re not only hurting yourself, but you very well could be hurting someone else in the process.

Today is That Day! So Make It Happen 😉😉

You Got This!

Roshonda N. Blackmon

Creator of Justsuminspiration, Author, Speaker, Motivator & Encourager

Do you know where you’re Headed?

Published on August 30, 2016August 30, 2016 by Roshonda B6 Comments

Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

Savior, Savior,
Hear my humble cry,
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

You know a couple of years ago, I read this story called “The Divine Revelation of Hell” by Mary K. Baxter – the story was supposed to be based on true events in which Mrs. Baxter stated that God took her spirit to hell for 30 days, each night she encountered a different scenario and/or leg of Hell, she stated that God told her he wanted her to warn the world that Hell is not only real but a place in which he doesn’t wants anyone to go.

She began to talk about the different people that were down there; from fornicators, adulterers, whore-mongers, liars, cheaters, individuals whom refused to forgive and many, many more – There were countless people down there that had many opportunities and chances to get it right on earth, but failed at doing so – she said when Jesus would walk by them; they would scream and call out his name, only to be passed by as if they were never heard; YOU SEE? They had every opportunity to forgive, to do the right thing and make the right choices and now they’re in a place where forgiveness doesn’t matter, praying doesn’t matter, wishing and hoping doesn’t matter – nothing matters anymore once you pass through earth on the other side.

If life paused today, what do you think God would say about your life thus far. Would he be pleased? Would he be disappointed? Are you really living Life the way God wants you to now?

As a believer, I believe HELL is real and I also believe that there are many people down there already that wish they had another chance and/or opportunity to do things over again; but it’s too late because they can’t, they will never have the privilege of walking on this side again, If they could; they would be willing to trade places with you right now. At this very moment; you have the ability to shout out, call on the name of Jesus, pray, preach and cry until your eyes won’t bear any more tears while you’re here on earth and God will hear you, come to your aide and help you – Why? because of Grace and Mercy, in simpler terms because you’re ALIVE! But, Hell is the one place where no matter what you say or do, how much you cry and shout or pray, God won’t deliver you from because every attempt to get his attention there, would be in vain.

Where are you headed? What opportunities to serve Christ now are you dismissing, avoiding or not paying attention too.

Is God calling you to pray and you’re not
Is he calling you to fast and you’re not.
Is he calling you to come out from among the people that mean you no good and keeping you attached to worldly goods and you’re not.

What is God calling you from or asking you to do that you’re not listening too or taking for granted; The song above says “Savior, Do not Pass me By” – there’s a lot of people in HELL today, singing that very song and it’s a shame because that’s exactly what God has done to them; passed them by because they once had a chance and BLEW IT!

But today, you are in a better position than they are, you can cry out to God and he will hear you, you can ask for forgiveness and be forgiven, you can be delivered now from every sickness and addiction, you can pray and be heard; you can fast and it mean something, you can sing and change people’s lives now. No matter what you do in this mortal body today – You can be SET FREE! on this side, whatever your struggle is: GOD IS ABLE TO DELIVER YOU FROM IT ALL NOW!

Serve God today, as the preacher says – while the blood is running warm in your veins, while you have the ability to choose. Is God knocking on the door of your heart today? If so, Let him in; Psalms 95:8 says, The day that you hear my voice, harden not your heart. Because if you should end up on the other side, His voice you will hear no more. You have an opportunity now, use it to your advantage because there are countless others whom wish they did.