by Tannika Nikeya

Go To War

Recently, while reading the bible, I realized this wasn’t just my daily routine reading (which it should never become just “I read it just to say I read it”). I was reading Deuteronomy 20. This chapter details Moses teaching Israel the laws for going to war. I realized God was speaking to me. In fact, He was teaching me and revealing to me things I had not come to understand until now.

GOING TO WAR

When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. ²When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. ³He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. ⁴For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”

⁵The officers shall say to the army: “Has anyone built a new house and not yet begun to live in it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else may begin to live in it. ⁶Has anyone planted a vineyard and not begun to enjoy it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else enjoys it. ⁷Has anyone become pledged to a woman and not married her? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else marry her.” ⁸Then the officers shall add, “Is anyone afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that his fellow soldiers will not become disheartened too.” ⁹When the officers have finished speaking to the army, they shall appoint commanders over it.

¹⁰When you march up to attack a city, make its people an offer of peace. ¹¹If they accept and open their gates, all the people in it shall be subject to forced labor and shall work for you. ¹²If they refuse to make peace and they engage you in battle, lay siege to that city. ¹³When the Lord your God delivers it into your hand, put to the sword all the men in it. ¹⁴As for the women, the children, the livestock and everything else in the city, you may take these as plunder for yourselves. And you may use the plunder the Lord your God gives you from your enemies. ¹⁵This is how you are to treat all the cities that are at a distance from you and do not belong to the nations nearby.

¹⁶However, in the cities of the nations the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes. ¹⁷Completely destroy^[^a^] them—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—as the Lord your God has commanded you. ¹⁸Otherwise, they will teach you to follow all the detestable things they do in worshiping their gods, and you will sin against the Lord your God.

¹⁹When you lay siege to a city for a long time, fighting against it to capture it, do not destroy its trees by putting an ax to them, because you can eat their fruit. Do not cut them down. Are the trees people, that you should besiege them?^[^b^] ²⁰However, you may cut down trees that you know are not fruit trees and use them to build siege works until the city at war with you falls.—Deuteronomy 20

BATTLING

Plenty of times in my life, I’ve let the devil intimidate me. I start to focus on the problems, storms, and the SIZE of my God-given assignments and subsequently my weaknesses and insecurities to keep me from fulfilling the things God has for me to do and overcome. I have went to the battlefield trembling and unprepared to put up a fight. I have had battles at work, in my relationships, and with anxiety and fear. Yet, we all have battles and you probably either just came out of a fight or going in one. Real talk, this is life. No journey is all roses and beautiful green grassy fields. Sometimes, your fields become brown and your grass becomes flat because Goliath stepping all in it and messing it up. But God!

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.—Ephesians 6:12 KJV

As always, here are some Tools to encourage you along your Journey!

You have to remember that although some battles you may lose and some fights may wear you out, Jesus won the war and every believer is on the winning team. You are more than a conqueror and God has given you every weapon you will ever need to beat the devil’s behind and walk victoriously. Here is what I learned about going to war:

Don’t be afraid.

Naturally, you begin to assess your opponent’s strengths as well as your weaknesses. The devil gets you to do that—focus on the problem, focus on how he can retaliate, and what can further go wrong. He loves to intimidate.

God will neither leave you, nor forsake you.

God will fight for you.

Jesus doesn’t just have the solutions; He is the SOLUTION!

Talk with a spiritual authority and especially JESUS FIRST.

A spiritual authority/mentor such as your pastor will help you to get some clarity on the situation.

They will encourage you.

They will intercede for you and pray with you.

Get your affairs in order.

Put things in perspective.

Pray for God’s perspective so you can see it the way He does.

Assess how and when you should be “fighting”. Do you just pray and be quiet? Do you seek outside help? Is this a preparation period or a go period?

Have you forgiven others and have you mended what God has told you to mend? Are you walking in love? Are you providing for your household?

Is this really a battle or a diversionary one? The devil loves to distract us.

Are you pessimistic?

Do you have disbelief that God can move and do what He said He will do? Are you surrounded by other believers like this?

If you are pessimistic, those fears, disbelief and negativity can rub off on others.

Get with people who not only will help you to search God’s Word on the matter but believe and fight with you and vice versa.

Get with believers who remember that they already won because they are on the winning team.

When you are struggling with someone, be a peacemaker.

Don’t go looking to fight naturally.

Handle any wars period spiritually for we wrestle not against flesh and blood. Right? I know some people TAKE you there. Sometimes, I too have to catch even my thoughts because that is where the suggestions of giving someone an old fashioned butt whooping starts. Jesus, helps us!

Perhaps that person is too struggling with something and cannot see clearly. Perhaps they are not. In any event, ask God for wisdom.

God will make your enemies your footstool, but the key is to LOVE and don’t be so proud. Love them anyway no matter the outcome.

Check the sin in your life.

Take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ Jesus.

Cherish sin no more.

Ask God to reveal the root cause of any sin in your life and give you grace to repent.

Repent wholeheartedly.

Be a life-giver and a fruit-bearer.

When you are hurt and wounded, sick and frustrated, tired and fed up, you can do and say things you regret.

You can make decisions that you would later regret.

You can take every innocent thing a person does and think it was meant for harm, become easily offended, and want to retaliate as well as cut people off for good.

Don’t destroy others around you. Don’t stunt the growth of your love walk and yourself.

Finally, OBEY GOD and saturate in His Word.

His Word is synonymous to His wisdom and His will. You need all three: His Word, His Wisdom, and His Will.

God’s Word is a weapon.

Obedience is better than sacrifice. Obedience to God protects you, helps you and brings you prosperity.

JESUS used the Word against the enemy when he was tested. Jesus won! https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4

Bonus: Pray and Praise! Talk with God and praise His Holy Name! Prayer and praise too are weapons!

Now GO TO WAR!

Put your shoes on honey, our journeys await,

Tannika

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To purchase my books, Wearing Someone Else’s Shoes Ain’t Never Been Me or Setting The Captive Free, click here. Kindle versions also available!

07.09.16

by Tannika Nikeya

Black Thunder

The enemy tried to take your spirit from your family
And capture your soul

But you survived

And is fighting daily to make our family whole

You are the lightening that took the world by storm

They were afraid of your spark

And the powerful stature that God Almighty formed

They took your crown

But you are still a king

From the bloodlines of Africa your ancestors sing

Black Thunder

You are a man

Not a boy

You treat women like queens, not like toys

You show that real men pray

And real men protect their families with the Word

Of God and Blood of Jesus every day.

Black Thunder

Is like a lion

Who doesn’t have to roar

His presence is so mighty, his leadership revered

And will not be ignored

He doesn’t lead with an iron fist

His love and confidence speaks mountains

And Black Wonder responds to this

He works hard and sweat may drip

From his brow

But he teaches his son

That patience and hard work

Produce results that last longer and deserve a bow

But Black Thunder is humble

And mature;

His growth is one of his focuses and he needs you to believe in him even when he is not sure

Pray for Him and wrap your arms around His back

And he will make you feel secure

Black Thunder may have lost some friends, sons, a woman’s confidence, respect and time,

But he will speak to the mountain and take his rightful place

Keep his family on track, intact and benign.

Hear the roar of his thunder as Black Thunder keeps his family spiritually armed and sound

Black Thunder, Black Wonder presents to you your crown! –Tannika Moore

From the book, Wearing Someone Else’s Shoes Ain’t Never Been Me

05.07.16

by Tannika Nikeya

Mother’s Day: A Daughter’s Prayer

A Daughter’s Prayer

By Tannika Moore

Lord, I pray for my mother

By first thanking You for her

I acknowledge that You created her for a reason

And it wasn’t just to be my mom

So, I pray

Lord that she seeks

Out her gifts and purpose from You

For You are her creator

Lord, I pray that she realizes

That she is fearfully and wonderfully made

And that she was set apart for Your use and Your use alone

I pray Lord

That You will grant her the grace

To reject all negative and deceptive comments, beliefs, and thoughts Satan tries to inject in her mind

I pray Lord that You will bind up

Every critical spirit that tries to pollute her mind and her emotions

Lord, I pray that she will be filled with joy and peace

Peace that surpasses all understanding

I come against fear that she may have for You did not give her the spirit of fear

But that of power, love and a sound mind

I pray, Lord, that she will see herself the way You see her

And that she surrenders every area of her life to You

I pray, Lord, that she believes without a doubt

And she prays without ceasing

Give her strength, Lord, to move forward and be what You have

called her to be and do what You have called her to do

Grant her Godly wisdom, knowledge and understanding of Your Word

Help her exude holiness and virtue continually so that her girls

may imitate these attributes that You possess

Help her to trust You and depend upon Your strength

for only with You there is stability and security

Give her direction for her children

Help her to be anxious about nothing even when it comes

to her children, but to pray about everything

Lord, help her to forgive and

Love even when it becomes difficult

Build her up and encourage her

And let her learn to encourage herself when others won’t

Let her not lose sight of the visions and dreams You have placed in her heart

Let her have time to devote to You

And let her experience Your presence in her devotion time

Help her to take time also for herself as well as to reflect and laugh

Let her identity be wrapped up in You Lord

Let her know that her prayers are not in vain

Her praise has not gone unnoticed and her tears have not gone unseen.

Now Lord, I pray that Your angels encamp round about her;

protect her, guard her heart and her mind

Lord, I pray that she develops the fear of the Lord

within her heart and the joy of the Lord always

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

And thank You for my mother’s love

because of a mother’s unconditional love

I know how you feel about me

—From Setting The Captive Free poetry book

Happy Mother’s Day to every woman who has birthed a child in love and hope and who has nurtured a child through love and the Word of God!

For more information on author, Tannika Moore, and her books visit www.stcfpoetrybook.com

04.27.16

by Tannika Nikeya

Beauty For Ashes

Once charred,

Scarred,

and often tired

Smelled of smoke and fire,

Burned to ashes

In so much pain

It felt as I had taken a hundred lashes in acidic rain

I looked in the mirror

My reflection unsure

My soul unhealthy

And only the Lord had the cure

He who is pure

He who saved me

And will revive my soul

He who set out to make me whole.

My hope is in Him

Though I have to guard it from what I naturally see

My trust is in Him

Though I have to arrest those things that will make my trust fade

My identity is in Him

Though I had not realized I am fearfully and wonderfully made

I am blessed

Though distractions may ignite stress

Shame and fear I have known

I am reminded that I am weak and small

But my Lord has justified me when I was eternally wrong.

Jesus took our place on the cross to provide salvation for all.

I am one of many who accepted the call

Of the One who drew me, granted me mercy,

And picks me up when I fall.

He turned my mourning into dancing

He turned my sorrow into joy

Although I was ugly in the spirit and full of void

He made me beautiful

What He had made, He cheered it

He loves us so

That He shares His inheritance with us

And through humility became low

To lift me and you up out of the ashes

And set the record straight

He has dominion over darkness and hell

The keys lie in His hand

And His kingdom has already prevailed

It will forever stand

He is just and gives a garment of praise

He heals the sick, and binds the brokenhearted

And by Him, the dead have been raised

He gifted us with the Holy Spirit

And He blesses us with joy

So although we may not feel so pretty

And may smell like something charred

Always pray and never worry

Jesus will give us beauty for ashes

And remove our scars.

We will display His glory

We will exude His beauty

And worship He who has written new endings to every believer’s story.

–From the book, Wearing Someone Else’s Shoes Ain’t Never Been Me

–Written By Tannika Moore

04.26.16

by Tannika Nikeya

Raffle Winner Announced

Winner Announced

I am excited to tell you that we have a winner of our latest giveaway in honor of National Poetry Month! Congratulations Krista Thomas! She has received a copy of my book, Wearing Someone Else’s Shoes Ain’t Never Been Me.

Wearing Someone Else’s Shoes Ain’t Never Been Me

My latest poetry book, Wearing Someone Else’s Shoes Ain’t Never Been Me, comes at a time where I am learning to surrender my life to God as well as find and embrace my purpose. God created each and every one of us with a destiny and purpose. My “shoes” cannot fit you and yours cannot fit mine. Maybe our journeys will lead us to the same roads. Maybe we will experience the same trials and triumphs. However, God didn’t create you to be me and He didn’t create me to be you. Let us allow God to transform us and guide us into our destinies, so we can walk in our right shoes.

So, put your shoes on honey;

your journey awaits,

Tannika Moore

04.16.16

by Tannika Nikeya

National Poetry Month: Free Copy of A Must Have!

National Poetry Month

I am excited to tell you about our latest giveaway in honor of National Poetry Month! Poetry has always been my favorite genre of writing since the age of 11/12. It has allowed me to not only express myself, but learn about myself and find my voice. Poetry and poetic prose have been intimate friends and I am so blessed that God has gifted me with these two friends for myself as well as others. It has been a tool for me to encourage and uplift others, teach others, and share God’s heart with the world.

Wearing Someone Else’s Shoes Ain’t Never Been Me

Giveaway

Subscribe today so I can keep you posted (no pun intended) and encouraged. Upon subscribing, your name will be automatically entered in our raffle for a chance to win a free copy of my awesome, inspiring book, Wearing Someone Else’s Shoes Ain’t Never Been Me. Subscribe while you can, the raffle ends April 19th.

ENTER TODAY!

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No purchase is required to enter or win. Only submit one entry per person. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for STCF POETRY & MOORE to use the winner’s name, likeness, and entry for purposes of advertising without further compensation unless prohibited by law. The winner will be notified via email to the email address they entered within five (5) days following the winner selection. STCF POETRY & MOORE shall have no liability for a winner’s failure to receive notices due to winner’s spam, junk email, etc. If the selected winner cannot be contacted, is ineligible, fails to claim the prize within 15 days from the time award notification was sent, or fails to timely return a completed and executed declaration and releases as required, prize may be forfeited and an alternate winner selected. By entering the contest, you agree to receive email newsletters periodically from STCF POETRY & MOORE/Author TANNIKA MOORE. Your information will not be sold or shared with third parties. You can opt-out of receiving this communication at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the newsletter.

03.14.16

by Tannika Nikeya

Chicago Author Wants You To Use Your Imagination

March is hailed as International Women’s Month and to celebrate here at STCF Poetry & Moore, I want to reintroduce you to an awesome woman with the super power to fill blank pages with great imagery and imagination-provoking words for her readers to enjoy!

Chicago author, Saneatra Polk, invites you into her world through fantasy, suspense, relative imagery and captivating details. And if you like The Haves and the Have Nots, you will definitely like her new short fiction series, The Hartsfields!

Tannika: How was is it growing up in Chicago? What did you or kids have then you don’t see now or enough of?

Saneatra: I feel like I had an atypical childhood because I was very sheltered. I didn’t play with the kids in the neighborhood, it was like go to school and come straight home. Being in the house so much and being bored, I think that’s where my writing came from. I had to have an imagination to get out of the house.

Tannika: What issues/barriers do you think young, Black female authors have to break through?

Saneatra: The barriers I face as a new author are getting and maintaining a fan base, and that’s why I started writing the short fiction series, The Hartsfields, to develop a fan base. I don’t think it’s a race or gender issue. As a new artist, you have to find your niche. Basically, do what works best for you. If you want to stay on the self-publishing route, you have to be willing to work extra, extra hard in addition to writing.

Tannika: What’s your favorite book? What are you reading now?

Saneatra: Truthfully, I do not read at all, but I’m yearning to go to a bookstore to pick out a book. I know it’s new school, with kindle and other e-readers, but I want to get a bookshelf and fill it up with books.

Tannika: Finish this statement— I write to…

Saneatra: I write to make people think and I write to entertain, to get people to use their imagination. I purposely leave stuff out to get my readers to use their imagination and to engage them further. Currently, in the novel I am writing, the character states he is from down south. I want readers to guess, to imagine where hes’ from exactly. I want them to use their imagination.

Tannika: So, you are writing a novel?

Saneatra: Yes, I am currently writing my first novel. I am trying to get up to 80,000 words.

Tannika: How many words is it typical for a novel?

Saneatra: A novel has typically 80,000+ words.

Tannika: What are your writing techniques/habits?

Saneatra: My technique is to create a character profile first. I describe each character and then I proceed to outline the whole book.

Tannika: Who inspires you?

Saneatra: I like to hear any story about people who work hard to achieve their goals and follow their dreams. I don’t really have one specific person that inspires me.

Tannika: You self-published all of your books. How has the self-publishing platform benefited you?

Saneatra: I thought I had to find a publishing company. That was the initial thing that was holding me back. Now the only thing that would hold me back is me. The benefit is that I could publish whenever I want. I don’t have to send out manuscripts or letters.

Tannika: Basically, you can eliminate the middle man.

Saneatra: Yep!

Tannika: Finish this statement—Child, if only you knew…

Saneatra: Child, if only you knew my struggles!

Tannika: What is the mantra you live by?

Saneatra: What do I live by? I don’t think I have one. Oh well, I try! (She giggles)

Tannika: What do you want to convey to the world as an author and writer?

Saneatra: This is where I think race and gender may play a role. As an author, my message will be black women are capable of writing novels on the same level as Stephen King or Dean Kootz and that we don’t just write urban romance novels–you know, like Diary of Side Chick, Tales of a Bad ***** (I hope these aren’t real titles of books) or whatever. We are diverse and capable of pulling a sizable audience. As a writer, my goal will be to help others convey their feelings through writing. I just don’t want it to become a lost art.

Tannika: What advice would you offer aspiring authors?

Saneatra: My advice to aspiring authors is to work hard and to be persistent. Just be prepared to work; follow your passion. It may sound cliche but I repeat, work hard and stay persistent. I want to inspire artists to go after their passions. Don’t be afraid to go after those passions, those artistic fields. If you do what you love to do, everything else will follow. If you love to paint; if you love to cook; if you like to make people laugh, do it!

For more information on author, Saneatra Polk, click here!

To purchase her latest books, click here!

Happy International Women’s Month!

Put your shoes on Honey; our journey awaits,

Tannika Moore

02.19.16

by Tannika Nikeya

Changes And Challenges

Changes and Challenges will come as quick and unexpectedly

as a Chicago winter,

Embracing you like a warm touch

or piercing you like a splinter

Fear lurks

when patience and faith are absent,

And embracing life outside your comfort zone

can be taxing

Think for a second about the plans you made

some plans we create will be interrupted or halted

only to be changed or necessarily rearranged in proper fit

because change is always approaching and sometimes coming quick

You can’t control what happens to your life,

You will learn through time

that you have most control over what you do,

and how you react to

than some of the challenges that come for you

So to whom it may concern,

Hold onto your grace,

Life isn’t always comfortable

and things don’t always go your way,

Sometimes we settle for the ordinary

because the unknown can be scary

Sometimes we let fear take control

because it is comfortable and that’s all we know

Yet embracing change allows us to grow

And trusting in God through the challenges and the process

Reminds us that God is the same today, yesterday and tomorrow, and He knows best

He has the strength and authority to get you through any discomfort and any mess

Change allows us to stretch, elevate and spread our wings,

to venture toward new territories and experience new things

to leave comfort zones, same actions, same results and same old ways behind

Growth comes from challenges,

but transformation must start with the renewing of your mind

–Written by Tannika Moore & from Setting The Captive Free poetry book

As always, I love to give and here are some Tools for your Journey!

I don’t have any tools to share, but I did come across this prayer on Pinterest and thought I should share it! Take time to pray this and talk to God about your fears concerning change and the unknown. Ask Him for help to embrace new seasons, trials and all, and to trust Him through it all.

Put your shoes on honey, our journeys await,

Tannika

Question: Do you fear change? What changes and challenges are you experiencing this season?

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To purchase my books, Wearing Someone Else’s Shoes Ain’t Never Been Me or Setting The Captive Free, click here. Kindle versions also available!

Trust God and Set The Captive Free!

01.18.16

by Tannika Nikeya

Broken To Unbroken

Broken (general definition): no longer in one piece or in working order, defeated, beaten, humbled, dishonored…

Brokenness (Biblical definition): Completely yielded to and humbled before the Lord; have come to the end of self…

Unbroken (general definition): not broken, fractured, or damaged; not interrupted or disturbed; continuous, whole…

I feel a praise coming on; stay with me!
Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you. (Hosea 10:12 NIV)

Broken to Unbroken

God doesn’t like to see us heartbroken, worn out, diseased and mangled by life but when trials and tribulations come, He uses those as opportunities to shape us, teach us, and mold us.

In order to be unbroken, you have to have been broken. -Tannika Moore

I have been told I was weak; translation to me was “pathetic”. The sound of this word in reference to me made me angry and left me feeling unable to survive life. I have been told I didn’t have any common sense. I have heard I was stupid; I have been told I was too passive, and the devil helped me to believe I didn’t matter much and wasn’t valuable, and with that I learned to people-please and self-pity. I have experienced betrayal, lies told about me, backstabbing, manipulation, and more. Fear had gripped me in many ways from depression to anxiety and some of its residue is still on me. But God is my deliverer, and He will continue His work on me. I have been through storms and just came out of one. I have come to the realization that life is not void of storms. My pastor says that we are either going through one, coming out of one, or about to go into one. I have whined to God that I didn’t want to die this way (suffering with certain ailments, experiences, or other despairs at these times of whining) because I felt so hopeless. I waited anxiously for storms to end, trying my hardest to fight in my own strength, other times too scared to fight at all.

I Should Not Fear Fear

Then the Holy Spirit reminded me I can’t do anything in my own strength. I am also reminded to surrender and trust God. Just like I used to be in the habit of trying to fight off anxiety attacks, I would try to resist or avoid the storms. But after dealing with my latest storm, I have learned to not always avoid, run, or resist. God did not give us the spirit of fear, but that of power, love, and a sound mind. So, I should not fear fear.

I will face it only with God’s Word and prayer constantly, and with God’s hand in mine because I am His child. I believe Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected by my loving Father, God, so I could have life, a new spirit, and a new eternal destination. The bible says He too took my infirmities and pain with Him to the cross (Isaiah 53:4).

He Was Broken For You and Me

He was broken so I could be put back together again. Life, ~~people~~ (we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but principalities; you know the rest), the enemy may have broken me or tried to break me. But, they will never shatter me undone. They will never dismantle what God has restored and will restore from here on out. They will never defeat my God who has already overcome the world and its prince. The devil sends distractions and tries to add despair to my life’s story, but God uses that which was to break me to remake me. I was broken but now I am unbroken.

As always, I love to give and here are some Tools for your Journey!

How to be unbroken when broken:

Allow God to break your heart with what breaks His. (Allow Him to show you what matters; what moves Him; to see people and their needs as well as life from His eyes.)
With that said, pray for brokenness (humility, God’s compassion, the fear of God). And don’t do go looking for trouble (trust me issues come as well as offenses), but ask God to give you that humility, God’s compassion, the fear of God through those troubles.
With that said, don’t view the storms in your life, either caused by the enemy or our choices and disobedience, as setbacks or permanent despair. Instead, ask God to help you see the storms as chances to experience God’s strength, love, mercy, and wisdom in action when you calm down to trust Him, listen and respond.
Pray for humility. Self and pride can keep us in a broken state but God wants to show us how He can transform each of us into something spectacular no matter how much hurt, how many issues, and how much damage have become parts of our identities.
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Proverbs 13:5 KJV)
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Gal 6:9 NIV)
Read and meditate upon God’s Word consistently, daily. Read about the issues you are dealing with. God has an answer and encouragement for everything and every season!
Seek God more! Be desperate for His presence, intervention, and His Word and wisdom. GotQuestions.org says it perfectly, “There is something about reaching a breaking point that causes us to seek the Lord more sincerely.”
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor 10:12 NIV) For when we are weak, God’s strength can be revealed in us!

Put your shoes on honey, our journeys await,

Tannika

Question: What have you learned through your broken seasons and did they lead to brokenness?

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To purchase my books, Wearing Someone Else’s Shoes Ain’t Never Been Me or Setting The Captive Free, click here. Kindle versions also available!

Trust God and Set The Captive Free!

01.17.16

by Tannika Nikeya

Vision Boards and Bucket Lists

And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. (Habakkuk 2:2 KJV)

Write The Vision, Make It Plain

When you think of a new year, you think of all the things you want to do or have to do to make the year a successful one. Often times, you hear people say, “this year is going to be my best year.” I say every year will be my best year no matter what trials, set backs, or obstacles I face. Life comes with setbacks and bumps along the road; however, you can still get to the finish line and have a fulfilling year if you keep going, value the lessons learned, change your perspective on some things, live on purpose, and most importantly, let God take the wheel of your life through salvation as well as consecration and preparation. As I most likely have mentioned before, I have always been goal-oriented. I would write a list of goals down on paper often and read over them on a regular, sometimes daily, sometimes weekly, checking off goals as I accomplished them or noted them if I hadn’t.

Have you been thinking about your purpose or mission in life? Have you pulled back out that list of goals that was safely tucked away in your drawer? Have you created a bucket list or vision board yet or made your resolutions for 2016? Will this year be the year you gain ground and not lose it? Will this be the year you let go and let God?

Vision Boards and Bucket Lists

A vision board is a visual tool that exemplifies and clarifies your goals and/or missions. Literally, a vision board is any sort of board on which you display images that represent whatever you want to be, do or have in your life (http://makeavisionboard.com/what-is-a-vision-board/). A bucket list is a number of experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime (Google).

Both the vision board and bucket list give visuals and motivation to the goals that are ideas that leave imprints on your mind. I firmly believe that the more you write and see your goals, the more you are impressed to act on them and bring them to fruition. So, let your bucket list and vision inspire you to take the steps to make your dreams come alive.

I haven’t yet created a bucket list, ever, but I have created a vision board and a new one for 2016 that I will most likely fine tune later. I also wanted to give you a sample vision board and share some of the goals that are my priorities this year. I have to learn to say no, the type of no without explaining myself. I want to walk confidently in my skin, redefine my style as I grow into that confident woman. I have to do the second part of “love your neighbor as yourself”. I have to continue building my career as an author, using the writing talents combined with the spiritual gifts-Exhorter, Compassion Person, Giver-God gave me to minister to and spread God’s love to people through the words God inspires. I want to be intentional with my time and be present. I want to travel and live free of the grips of fear. I want to get to the point where Jesus can get my undivided attention and devotion. Those are my vision board goals. If you are looking to create your own visual of your goals and priorities, read the Tools for your Journey below.

As always, I love to give and here are some Tools for your Journey!

To become goal-oriented:

Prepare mentally, emotionally, spiritually, etc.
Get a journal notebook, pens, highlighters.
Think about what it is you want, have wanted to do, need to do.
Write them down freely.
Pray that God will help you to prioritize those goals, reveal the motives of each goal, and gather His Word on each goal.
Ask God to help you know which goals are the ones He approves, and to reveal the seasons and strategies as well as the grace to accomplish them. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
Get some friends or family together and have a vision board party.
Get white plain boards, magazines, scrapbook materials, markers or laptops and cellphones if you want to do virtual boards.
Place your vision boards, goal lists in places you can see them or regularly view them.
Keep reading God’s Word so His desires can shape yours. (Psalm 37:4-5)
Remember to take it one day at a time and one step at a time.
Don’t worry about not having all you need to start bringing a goal to fruition. God will supply all of your needs according to His riches and glory. He will do the work; all you have to do is be a willing, obedient vessel. (Philippians 2:13)
Seek God and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Have an accountability partner.(Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
Set deadlines once God has revealed the season to operate and be consistent towards reaching your goals.
Have a grateful and positive attitude.
Expect setbacks and opposition. But trust God and press anyway.
Don’t covet what someone else has. Remember walk in your own shoes! (Exodus 20:17)
Revisit your goals, and don’t be so focused on them that you can’t be present and enjoy life and all you have now.