The Tumor is Still There (5/13/2021)

SALUTATIONS: Hey yall! I hope that all the mothers (regardless of biological relation) had a restful and enjoyable Mother's Day. Mine was nice, didn't go exactly as planned, however, I'm blessed to experience motherhood and to still have the privilege of spending time with my own mom. I've been working on a lot of different projects (details listed in the Announcements) in midst of those other things that have been a bit burdensome, affecting my ability to really focus and concentrate on this SOW. I've been trying to write it since last weekend. The crazy part is when I attempted to pray through the cloudy mind, I'd fall asleep on my knees mid-prayer, or, I'd start babbling and not even knowing what I'm praying about. Spiritual attack, of course. Why not me? I have a testimony and a journey that requires my resilience so that I can help nurture someone else's freedom through Christ. I told yall before, no more excuses, I am fighting and praying to improve my productivity and consistency with this thing, and though I may not be impacting on a large scale yet, that one person who gets something from my transparency is why I've continued with this ministry - my efforts are for the Kingdom, so if that means I only touch one life, then I've done what I'm purposed to do. But what about when you've gone through brain surgery (renewal of the mind) and the tumor (burden) is still there? It's easy for us to believe that God is able, however, it is trusting that He is willing and able to do for me. Let's get into it. As always, take time to review ALL of the Announcements, Healthy Living Tips, and other information detailed below, following the Reflections and Power in Prayer, whenever time permits. Your continued support is always appreciated. Keep spreading God's Gospel and feel free to share the Scripture of the Week with the hashtag SOW. Enjoy! **Disclaimer: Production and distribution days of the SOW are subject to change without warning*

PRAISE REPORTS: I am very grateful for motherhood, family, and friends. I'm also grateful for the inspiration to create four writing journals via Amazon and some God-centered merch; all items are available for purchase online, links will be placed in the Announcements. Father God, we thank you. We believe but mend our unbelief. Hallelujah! If you have a specific praise report, please share, because we “overcame [the adversary] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of [our] testimony” (Revelation 12:11). **NOTE: All praise reports are shared with reference to your name unless anonymity is specified**

PRAYER REQUESTS: This week let's pray for focus and alignment. Let's continue to pray for one another and thank Yahweh for the victory while refraining from confessing the problem caused by the enemy; ALWAYS pray for the desired result, NOT the unfavorable outcome (refer to the book The Tongue – A Creative Force, by Charles Capps; you can download your FREE copy here https://rb.gy/niy4go). If you or someone you know needs prayer, let me know, and your request will be added to the following SOW. **NOTE: All prayer requests are shared with reference to your name and need unless anonymity is specified**

BE ENCOURAGED: NEVER lose sight of God amidst adversity… Ponder this: "If God can turn night into day, He can turn your burden into a blessing" (quotemaster.org). I'm no theological scholar, and even if I were a pastor or an expert on God's word, I would still advise you NEVER to take someone else's word as solid truth; "Study to show thyself approved" (2 Timothy 2:15), and CHALLENGE EVERYTHING by comparing it to the Word of God. If what you see, hear, or read does NOT fall in line with the Word of God, then it is NOT true... The rest of this day isn't promised, let alone tomorrow, so why not strengthen your faith TODAY? Feed your body healthy nutrition, be cautious of what things you allow your eyes, ears, and spirit to be exposed to (e.g., media, books, TV, music, etc.) so that YOU can start anew and become a better you NOW, rather than later. If you need someone to help you get there, or you're looking for an accountability partner, you've come to the right place. Here I am.

 
FEATURED SONGS OF PRAISE: "Do it Again" by Anthony Brown & group therAPy (you can listen to it here https://rb.gy/yv3xbq) and "Do it Again/Blessed Medley" by Travis Greene (you can listen to it here https://rb.gy/zffcjn). I would also like to recommend Classical for Studying Radio on Pandora to better facilitate your meditation on the Word as you study, you can listen to that station here https://rb.gy/wtbmva.  

OPENING PRAYER: Yahweh, please let your presence set the tone for how this lesson will flow and how we will grow from it. Clear our minds and open our eyes, ears, and hearts so that we may be decreased in self and increased in you. Fill us with your presence through the Holy Spirit to see as we look, to listen as we hear, and to come into alignment with your word and your will. Help us to receive, believe, and apply your truth, that we may be transformed by your intended message from this fellowship and become better as a result of it. In the name of Yeshua, Amen!

 

KEY PASSAGE(S) – EPHESIANS 3:20: "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." 

**Unless otherwise indicated all Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible retrieved from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage**

REFLECTIONS: You're praying on your knees daily. You're attending weekly bible study. You're reading your bible every day. You're doing your best to live a life of integrity, but the tumor is still there. You were laid off at the height of the pandemic and still can't find gainful employment. There is consistent strife between you, your spouse, and your children. Your finances are in disarray. You know that God is able to do anything He wants. However, you struggle to believe that He is willing and able to do for you. 

I believe the deeper issue is our mindset; a negative mindset festers in doubt, worry, and fear. Many of us have spent so much time outside of the Lord, that our worldly influences have distorted our perception of who the Lord is in our own lives, and who He says we are in Him. Instead of seeing Him as a loving Father, we often view Him as a dictator and a disciplinarian - an unfair ruler even. Why though? Because we've allowed people with no relationship with God to distract us from our own, further impacting our personal beliefs; much like Eve in the Garden of Eden, our trust in God has been compromised by false truths, fake news, and misinformation. Instead of combating the mistruths and confusion through "prayer and petition" (read Philippians 4:6, NIV, here https://rb.gy/jb0lgr), we've tried to handle our situations the best way we know how rather than following God's instruction to "lean not unto thine own understanding" (read Proverbs 3:5 here https://rb.gy/h3tjgv).

We refuse to go to the doctor (God) to get the necessary treatment (renewal of the mind - read Romans 12:2 here https://rb.gy/aovvct), instead we're wasting valuable time on idle pursuits of ineffective treatments (selfish, temporary pleasures). Yet, we dare to question the Lord when the tumor is still there (burdens, unfavorable circumstances); a prayer submitted with selfish expectation, mistrust, and/or unbelief is futile. Have you ever heard someone speaking about their partner always accusing them of cheating, and then they say something along the lines of "I might as well go and do it since you're always accusing me of it?" Have you ever considered that your doubt in God's ability leads Him to choose to ignore prayers that are ingenuine? He might be thinking to Himself, 'They don't believe I can do it anyway, so why do it?'

Honestly, I think that no matter what we believe should be the appropriate response or timing for the Doctor to remove the tumor, it's more about trusting that He is able and realizing that it's His sovereignty (power, dominion) NOT His ability (skill, capacity) to choose to act in the BEST for our good. Whether or not God chooses to act in our circumstances is His business - ours is to BELIEVE that He can and He will work all things out for the good of those who love Him according to His will (read Romans 8:28 here https://rb.gy/ymco1d). 

What you're going through right now may not look good on the surface but trust that "the battle is not yours, but God's" (2 Chronicles 20:15). Remember that the Lord "is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works" (Psalm 145:17). You are the "apple of [His] eye" (read Psalm 17:8, NIV, here https://rb.gy/gerfpj). We are His "people" - His "beloved" (read Romans 9:25 here https://rb.gy/uwtgms). He is overflowing with compassion and affection for you and me - His "banner" over us is "love" (read Song of Solomon 2:4 here https://rb.gy/k2tbrc). Even when His methods defy human logic, He is working out the best result in your circumstances. Just because the tumor is still there and it has desensitized you from seeing or feeling the kindness in God's latest approach to your situation, doesn't mean He's unable, but that His supreme, unrestricted love is at work another way right now. As we accept and trust this truth, we'll gradually fall into the most receptive position for seeing His power at work and truly experiencing just how capable He is. #SOW

 

POWER IN PRAYER: POWER IN PRAYER: Lord we thank you for life, love, grace, health, strength, and integrity. We're grateful that despite our inability to see and feel you in our current circumstances we know that you are able and capable to do for us as you've done for others. Lord as we continue to develop our relationship with you, strengthen our walk, focus our attention, and bring us into complete alignment with you. As we seek true intimacy with you, help us to recognize your voice; reveal the ways you're working in our lives so that we may acknowledge your presence even when it isn't wrapped as pretty as we'd like. Help us to trust you as our Doctor even when the tumor is still there. Lord, we believe in your ability, but help our unbelief as you work everything out for our greater benefit. Father, provide the peace that passes all understanding so that as we grow to trust you more and more, we'll be at peace knowing that despite human logic, your process and timing are worth the wait. May we be wise in our dealings, knowledgeable in your Word, discerning in our decisions, and full of your understanding. May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts always be acceptable and pleasing in your sight. As your angels and Holy Spirit do your bidding on Earth and in Heaven, protect us and them with your recourse as you bind, loose, and cast out the demonic spirits of distraction, destruction, retaliation, revenge, and backlash. All these things we ask and thank you, in the matchless name of Yeshua, Amen!

HEALTHY LIVING TIPS: Change begins within... As a multicultural woman of color, a veteran, and mother I've had challenges with mental health; anxiety and depression are mental disorders but the stigma associated with the term places many in a position of denial. Me, I thrive on finding ways to beat the odds.

On a quest to find better ways to cope with my own struggles, I've turned to YouTube videos, articles, and various outlets that focus on mindset change and self-improvement. More recently I've stumbled across Podcasts. I cannot provide you an official definition of that, but I know you can access them from various devices. To my knowledge, they are audio recordings that focus on a particular theme, topic, or niche. 

Many individuals find validation, community, and solidarity in listening to other people’s stories and testimonies. These podcast conversations can be healing, and educational; some podcasts are very helpful in bringing attention to mental health and can help foster more compassion for the complexity of being authentically you. 

There are many mental health podcasts geared toward putting an end to the stigma that plagues discussions around mental health by replacing it with honest and compassionate dialogue, to determine better ways to support ourselves as well as others. Here are a few mental health podcasts that may help you navigate anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, and more: 

1. Mental - created by Bobby Temps to break down mental health stigma and discrimination. Listen here https://www.mentalpodcast.co.uk/.
2. Therapy for Black Girls - dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls. Listen here https://therapyforblackgirls.com/podcast/ .
3. TherapyLab - psychotherapist and Harley Therapy founder Dr. Sheri Jacobson, explores people's insights into therapy, mental health, and wellbeing. Listen here https://harleytherapy.com/therapylab.
4. Other People's Problems - what people really sound like when they talk about traumatic births, turbulent divorces, eating disorders, and tough childhoods. Listen here https://www.cbc.ca/radio/opp.
5. Living in this Queer Body - about the barriers to embodiment and how collective stories can bring queerly bodied people back to themselves. Listen here https://www.livinginthisqueerbody.com/.

Those were just a few podcasts that I read about in the article 15 Best Mental Health Podcasts to Help You Navigate Tough Times This Year on the Prevention website at https://rb.gy/f2gwlo. If you're struggling, you are NOT alone; do some research and find a podcast or two, see a therapist, talk to a friend, get a life coach - there are ample resources available to help you navigate your emotions and develop healthy coping. Get the help you need because other people's opinions about you do NOT matter, but YOUR mental health does!

As always, be mindful of the things you feed your body, both physically and figuratively. Be safe, be blessed, and prioritize your health and wellbeing!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. If you're looking for a writing journal or two, check out the Resilient-R-Thee Brand that I created through Amazon. They're compact and can easily fit in a purse, messenger bag, or backpack. They're 110 pages to write about anything that tickles your fancy. Two of my designs are for regular journaling and two are for sermon/bible study note-taking, prayers, and journaling. Get your copy(ies) here https://rb.gy/fz6azc.
2. In these uncertain times, many of us are looking for ways to walk boldly in our faith. If you're anything like me, you love a good novelty t-shirt and/or other novelty accessories. Check out the Resilient-R-Thee merch available for purchase here https://rb.gy/ojt3av. Use PROMO CODE "RRT5" at checkout for a 5% discount.
3. If you or someone you know is a victim of abuse, or in need of general support, I invite you to join my virtual support group via Zoom; we meet every 3rd Sunday at 2:30 pm PST. Just text "heal" to (323) 800-8616 to be added to our text notifications/reminders. This week we'll be discussing how to cope with traumatic memories. #thecurseisbroken
4. Please take a moment to register your Ralph's, Food 4 Less, and/or Kroger Rewards cards to enroll your member number/phone number for the Ralph's/Food 4 Less Community Contribution Program to help Fostering Mind, Body, and Soul Incorporated (aka FMBS Inc., serving communities throughout Southern Cali since 2012) raise funds to give back to the community; for every purchase you make, a small % is given as a donation to our non-profit organization - your rewards points are NOT affected by this enrollment. To enroll, you must go to their website here http://www.friendsindeedpas.org/get-involved/ralphs-community-contribution-program/ and link your rewards cards and/or telephone numbers (Alt ID) to our organization each year, and we will earn money for every purchase made under your rewards cards. Your continued support is always appreciated.
5. Update on my 1st children's book, Color Isn't Who I AM © 2019: it's one step closer to being on a bookshelf near you.
6. Fostering Mind, Body, and Soul Incorporated (FMBS Inc.) helps to facilitate making an impact in surrounding at-risk and underprivileged communities throughout Southern California. Part of our mission is to help supply the homeless as well as needy families with food and hygiene bags throughout the year and especially during the holidays and to serve as mentors and/or advocates for at-risk youth and victims of abuse. But we've been on hiatus due to a lack of support from volunteers and board members. Help me get FMBS Inc. back active in the community yall! I have tons of ideas, yet, little know-how. However, I'm willing to learn; if you have any helpful information or affordable training opportunities please share, and reach out to me regarding your interest in service and/or to arrange another form of contribution; contact me via email at fmbsinc_2012@outlook.com, or leave a voicemail and/or text at (951) 790-2127.

JOIN OUR CAUSE: Fostering Mind, Body, and Soul Incorporated (FMBS Inc.) is on a never-ending quest to locate deserving individuals to extend our services to. Therefore, we are always in need of monetary donations and/or contributions of hygiene items, sealed snacks, bottled water, seasonal items (gloves, scarves, blankets, umbrellas, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, etc.), mini bibles, reading books, and so forth; our YEAR-ROUND mission is to serve homeless and/or needy individuals and families in underprivileged communities throughout Southern California. We also need DEDICATED volunteers and members – is this your calling? Eventually, when we have met our need for volunteers and board members, we will extend our services to assist and address some of the needs of our veterans and their family members. We are successful because of YOUR continued support. Please continue to back us up through participation, and/or by encouraging others to join our cause!
 
For more information about our organization contact fmbsinc_2012@outlook.com. 

Respectfully,

Tylesha "Tye" Allen    Behavioral Interventionist | Mobile Notary | Author | Founder of FMBS Inc.   ·Mobile: (951) 790-2127   ·Address: Los Angeles, CA   ·Website: http://www.ready411.weebly.com | http://sodbytye.blogspot.com     ·Email: tyeallen99@yahoo.com    ·Change begins within; work on becoming a better You, now not later.   ·"It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." (Psalm 118:8)