An Attitude of Gratitude

Ya'll, honesty hour.

These past three months, my attitude has sucked. Although not outwardly visible, I knew it and God knew it.
You see, I have a lot of life changes going on right now. My life isn't a balance, it's a juggling act. Sometimes I drop the ball, sometimes I drop multiple balls. The greatest lesson I'm learning: pick the balls back up and keep going.

But back to my attitude. I've been trusting God for a couple of things. My prayer life has been a bombardment of requests, and it honestly feels like He's real quiet. I'd love to say I prevailed and continued the faith with the same level of enthusiasm as I started out, but I didn't. I threw pity parties, obeyed begrudgingly, fasted, cried and the list goes on.

Through out this process, the Holy Spirit through sermons, people, articles has been challenging me to walk in gratitude. Instead of using my perspective to focus on what I don't have and what I do want, why not chose to focus on what God has done and where I am.

Below is a short list of 26 things I'm grateful for. I hope as you're pondering on unanswered requests the Holy Spirit challenges you to focus on what God has done. Remember that access to God starts with thanksgiving and praise.

Psalm 100:4 King James Version (KJV)

4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

26 things I'm grateful for

1. Health - In this world of disease and death, I'm so grateful that God has allowed my body to remain in perfect health
2. Life - No man is promised tomorrow, yet here I am. Thank you Jesus
3. My parents and brother - You can't choose your family, but I'm so grateful for the ones I've been given.
4. Fiancé - He liked it so much, he put a ring on it. If ya'll only knew half the testimony
5. Education - Two degrees, wow. Nothing but God
6. Faith - I can choose to worship Jesus, openly, and unashamed
7. Friends - From my bestie to my closeties, I'm showered by real love all the time.
8 .Home - I have an apartment that I can afford, and I don't have to worry about where I lay my head
9. Car - I have four wheels, it may not be a G-Wagon, but it's gotten me everywhere and then some
10. Job - I prayed and cried for my present internship. God obliged, more and better than I expected and asked for.
11. Church - I'm connected to an amazing body of believers, they never cease to amaze me.
12. Finances - There was a time I couldn't dream of affording the things I swipe so casually to pay for.
13. Past - Even when I made the worst choices, my past is an example of the reckless love of God.
14.Culture - Naija no dey care last, I'm proud to be a part of a rich blood line. #igbokwenu
15. Future - Although tomorrow's not promised, my future is assured and God promises to work all things out for my good.
16. Gifts - I love the fact that I have talents and giftings built into my nature and that God continues to bless the works of my hand.
17. Cyber community - I get so much love from people I've never met all because of the internet - wow!
18. Travel - I've gone so many places and preached the gospel in different continents, that's nothing But God.
19. God's No - Every no has been because he desires to give me exceedingly abundantly all I could want or imagine.
20. God's blessings - From randomly finding 5 dollars, to getting the dream career. I'm grateful
21. Ministry - I'm honored God entrusts me with his flock. To think the God of the universe thinks I'm worthy of sheparding his flock.
22. Fashion sense - I know someone may laugh at this, but I love the fact that God has gifted me with a passion for fashion (el-oh-el)
23. The yearn for more - I'm grateful that I'm not content with anything less than God's best. As frustrating as it may be at times, it's a blessing to not be willing to settle.
24. The Bible - I love that there's a living breathing standard of holiness, anytime I have questions, it's there lighting up the way.
25. Favor - Walking in the favor of God is unreal and marked with undeserved blessings at unexpected times.
26. A relationship with the Holy God - This one is self explanatory. No other religion advocates for intimacy with the most High God. I'm grateful that I can talk to Jesus as friend, savior, father, protector and the list goes on.

Remember in the face of temptation. You serve a faith God, and He has blessed you exceedingly abundantly. Rest in that.

All my love,
Obioma

Celebrating my 26th birthday in style. 

Ya'll let's talk about money

#SheACTS2019 conference was amazing. 85+  women in one room, seeking God.

I hate asking for money.

I know that's a strange way to start off a blog. But that goes to show you my whole attitude towards money.
I hate needing money, but I've been in multiple situations where that was the case. I hate the idea of not being self sufficient, but yet, my whole Christianity has been a process of trusting God with my little.

Ya'll, let's talk about money.

How many of you like it? *raises both hands*
How many of you need it? *raises both hands and both legs*
How many of you willingly give it ……

My love languages are words of affirmation and acts of service. So by nature, I love telling people things that edify them, and  I also love doing things for others.
But, believe it or not, giving does not always come naturally to me.

It wasn't until I became a Christian that God started dealing with me about intentionally giving to others. I mean giving to people who can't give back to me. Giving when I feel like it, and especially when I don't feel like it. Tithing not just when I can afford it, but when I feel like I can't afford.

In this season of expansion, I believe that we will all be tested in our capacity to give. And the temptation will be to say no. Why? The life you live now, and the dreams you have require money. The enemy tempts us with the mentality that if we give to others, we won't have enough for ourselves. When in reality that's not biblical.

2nd Corinthian 9:10
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

On the surface it may seem that that verse is talking about plants, it's not. It's talking about the things that God gives us. Seed refers to the resources that God places in our lives to produce fruit. Those resources can be our time, our things and especially our money.

God know we need money, and He also knows that the love of it can kill us because that love is the root of all evil. So how does He solve this conundrum? He created a biblical principle that requires us to give in order to get more. God supplies us with more as we give of what we already have.
So hogging your finances is not how you keep them, giving it away is!

The gesture of giving requires an open hand, and so does the gesture of receiving.
I started off this blog talking about how much I hate asking for money, and can I be frank with you...I don't have to anymore.
Because I've been so intentional about blessing others with what God has given me, I reap the benefits of that in my personal life, from a well paying job to friends and family who financially support me randomly!

This blog is not a PSA to promote tithing, or giving offerings to your church (although I think both are biblical and mandated). It's a challenge for you to get outside of yourself. I'm passionate about people truly living life and life abundantly that Jesus promises us in His word. And we can never get to that point as stingy people.

Now I'm not advising you to give up all you money, but truly, think about the level at which you give.
I know I desire amazing things from my father God. In the same token, I give when He commands, so He can give freely to me.

All my love,
Obioma

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Announcements

• IF you haven't already, follow my passion project @biblesplusbrunch on Instagram. BiblesplusBrunch is an intimate gathering of intentional women. The goal is to feed your soul + body. We encourage intimate fellowship with Jesus and other women through brunch, conferences and retreats! Visit our website: biblesplusbrunch.com
• I started a new YouTube series called Bible Basics. In the series I break down hard concepts in Christianity for new and seasoned believers. Definitely worth the watch! The first video is all about faith!

2018: Thank U, Next

In the Cuban Streets - October 2018

To be honest, 2018 was an amazing year for me. I started the organization: BiblesPlusBrunch, to encourage and equip women to live intentional and purposeful lives. I traveled to 6 countries, and got engaged to the man of my prayers. I saw my friends get into grad school, start careers and organizations, get into relationships with amazing men and even get engaged!

But as amazing as 2018 was, I also learned so many though lessons, questioned the spirit of God, battled crippling doubt and unbelief, struggled financially, spiritually, emotionally and relationally and considered 50 million ways to quit it all(life included).

Yes, all of this, same year.

 And if you're human, I’m sure you can relate to the bittersweet year that was 2018.

Do I believe 2019 will be any different? Absolutely.

But not because life won’t have its ups and downs, but because each year I exist is a confirmation that God’s plan for my life is still in full effect and I can trust him to bring it to completion.

In the meantime, I took the liberty of writing the 3 biggest lessons I learned in 2018.

The absence of God’s voice does not mean the absence of God’s presence.

I struggled to hear the voice of God in 2018. I mean I really struggled. And it always felt like when I needed Him most was when He was the most silent and unwilling to speak.

I remember right before the second Biblesplusbrunch event, I was desperately searching for an internship after being fired from my pervious one (long story). My bank account was dwindling, my relationship was rocky and God was unbelievably silent.

Yet he spoke enough to tell me to host another brunch. Where was the money going to come from Lord? Who were the women who would show up? How was this whole thing supposed to even happen?

On the Wednesday night before the brunch I was still trying to put together the pieces, wondering how I would fund this event and pay rent. So what did I do during worship at church? I cried, I sobbed so desperately that I’m sure heaven was shook. I could do nothing else but weep because my God refused to hear my prayers, or so I thought.

But yet he was there. Miracles of miracles, my mother blessed me with some money, an amount I hadn’t even asked for, more than I could have imagined, but so timely.

So there was God, silent through the struggle, but never absent and always on time with the miracle.

Doubt exists to be overcome by Faith. It is the one battle you’re equipped to always win.

I don’t have a long, beautiful anecdotal story to illustrate this lesson. My entire 2018 was filled with doubt. I doubted my abilities, my discernment, my worthiness, my future. You name it, I questioned it.

And I’d love to say I’ve overcome doubt, but that would be a lie. It creeps in still, especially when I feel deficient, when God seems silent or when the task seems monumental.

The rainbow in the storm? Everytime my doubt has emerged, God’s grace has been sufficient and He' given me the measure of faith I need to overcome every obstacle. So as long as God is still God, I will always win the battle against doubt, and for that I’m grateful.

You have plans, but God’s plans are always better.

In my internship struggles, I went from I want to make XX an hour to I’ll take $8.56 Lord, just give me a job. I went from I want to work part time to I’ll work any shift except Sunday.

I was willing to settle because my plans changed as my circumstances did. But God’s plan are consistent. So when I was ready to settle, He never did.

I ended getting hired in my current position, and I honestly feel underqualified. I’m grateful for God’s faithfulness, and I’m glad my plans didn’t work out.

For some of you, 2018 was the hell year, and for others, a season of manifestation. I pray that in 2019, you remember the lessons that God taught you, you grow better, not bitter and you advance towards His plans for your life.

Remember that the fact that you’re still here means God’s not done with you yet.

 

All my love,

Obioma

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Announcements

• IF you haven't already, follow my passion project @biblesplusbrunch on Instagram. BiblesplusBrunch is an intimate gathering of intentional women. The goal is to feed your soul + body. Over brunch we discuss what God has called you to do it, and equip each other with the resources to achieve and live sold out lives for Jesus.
• Guess What??! BiblesplusBrunch is hosting it's first conference #SheACTS2019: A gathering of intentional women. Karolyne Roberts will be our special guest. There will be prophetic worship, an amazing word and anointed atmosphere. Get your ticket Here before they run out. You won't want to miss this.

 

 

Can I be a ‘real’ Christian and work a 9-5?

More and more I’ve been talking to women who are pursing God, but wonder what it means for their career and their current jobs. I talked to a dear friend of mine and she shared that she’s in a season where God is challenging her, she’s hungering for the Word, but she doesn’t know what her purpose in corporate America is. She wondered if God could really use her in the present season to reach the lives of others. She wondered if working a 9-5 meant that she wasn’t living her life completely submitted to the will of God. We talked about the fact that bills still need to be paid, and that she actually enjoyed her job. Ultimately I encouraged her that she was right where God intended her to be, and that’s what I want to encourage you with!

Let’s start with this fact: Everyone is not called to be on the pulpit. As social media pastors and the new generation of ministers rise up, it’s easy to believe that because you have an Instagram and love Jesus, that God’s will is for you to be a social media pastor as well.

Let’s address that misconception.

Matthew 28:19

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” NIV

Matthew 28:19 is called the great commission because it’s what the word of God tasks us to do. We are to make disciples of ALL nations. But notice that verse doesn’t say anything about your profession.

It doesn’t say you have to be a Pastor, Sunday School teacher,  or Professional Evangelist. It simply says ‘make disciples’ and teach them to obey everything I’ve commanded you.’

Here’s the truth saints, disciples can be made ANYWHERE, and even more….God needs people in every sphere of influence so the Gospel can spread everywhere.

God gives favor in corperate settings and in the religious world. Jesus gives favor in politics and with nonprofits. God is not limited to the four walls of the church and neither is his commandment to make disciples.

Sis, God needs you to work a 9-5 because the people at your job desperately need an example of Jesus.

Sis, God needs you in politics and law because the policies of our government desperately need restructuring.

Christians should be in every sector of the world because we are called to lead and be examples in every sector of the world. Matthew 5:16 says ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Note that the verse doesn’t say ‘before some men’. That’s a hint to you and me that the gospel is for everybody, and for every business sector.

So the moral of the story my dear friend is that you’re still getting this Christian thing right if you’re working a corporate job, you can still be a minister of the Gospel because your life is the Gospel.

Strive to be the example of righteousness where you’re at because it draws men unto your savior JESUS. And trust me, they need it.

Jesus & I love yall,

Obioma

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Announcements

• IF you haven't already, follow my passion project @biblesplusbrunch on Instagram. BiblesplusBrunch is an intimate gathering of intentional women. The goal is to feed your soul and body. Over brunch we discuss what God has called you to do it, and equip each other with the resources to achieve and live sold out lives for Jesus. There's a big announcement coming: November 23rd! Make sure you're following for the update.

• My latest IGTV video series is up. I'm talking about Goal setting , and how to make sure you accomplish your God given purpose. Watch it here! 

I'm mad at God, now what?

Yea, you read the title right.
I was mad at God. To be honest, I'm still not completely over what caused me to be upset in the first place.
Let me back up...

So I'm finishing up my first year of my masters program.
I turned 25, God literally shown down his face upon me...but wait, a life hurdle rears its ugly head.
I'm supposed to get an internship over the summer, mind you, I started looking for this internship in 2017 and was convinced I'd be working for Google (That's a long story).
Fast forward several months later, no internship, no job, and wondering what my future is supposed to look like.

In between I traveled to 4 different countries, if you count Puerto Rico(yes, I know it's a territory)
I took amazing pictures, had once in a life time encounters and was blessed to share it with people I genuinely care about.

So why are you mad at God, Obioma?
That's the appropriate question at this time.

Because I've been praying for somethings.

And you know what?

I haven't gotten them.

In the process of praying, I don't feel like I hear God.

I don't feel like I feel God and I'm frustrated about that.

Did I mention that prior to ignoring me, God gave me specific tasks that required provision that I wasn't seeing?

So, I was mad at God. The anger started small at first. I'm praying, but my prayers were one track minded and usually selfish. I'm believing and believing, because God has never failed me before. But I'm not seeing evidence of the belief this time.
As rejection letter after rejection letter poured in...the anger grew.

GOD, you love me, I feel I've been doing what I'm supposed to do...why are you not coming through for me?
So as I asked this question what seemed liked countless times, the anger ballooned. It came to the point where prayer was a chore, but I obeyed begrudgingly, not out of delight, but out of mandate. My worship was lackluster.

In the process, one thing I couldn't fix my mouth to do was deny the goodness of God, or his faithfulness.
BUT, I was hurt, hurt that He wasn't coming through, but worst...that He seemed to be ignoring me.

This is where I offer a picture perfect solution and scriptures that you can reference and be encouraged, but truly, it's not that easy.

WHEN, we go through times like this, and it's a matter of when, not IF: This is God's way of testing our faithfulness, our belief and our head knowledge of his sovereignty. 
I don't doubt that with a snap of his heavenly fingers, all my problems would be solved, but the part I'm dealing with is how faithful am I to God, and to his vision for my life.
My faith, YOUR faith will get tested, time and time again, and even though we know that our God is good, do we really believe that.

Will you keep serving God not just when He says No, but when he says 'Not right now'
Because it's not God's 'Nos' that hurt the most, it's his wait.
Because while you're waiting, you're in pain, and you're travailing, you're hanging on to the last thing He did.
If I can paint a picture: you're teetering on the edge of a cliff blindfolded. You don't know whether to jump or not because you don't know if the ground beneath you is safe, the wind is blowing and with each blow you're forced to keep your balance on the edge. The whole time, you're asking God what do I do, and it seems like all he can say is 'Not yet', but you're not sure how much longer you can keep fighting the wind.

What if I told you God never asked you to fight the wind? What if I told you His wait, really does mean WAIT, and while you're waiting, make sure you have on His full armor.

Ephesians 6:13-18

 13.Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 

When we really take the time to dissect Ephesians 6, we realized that in the waiting process, God gives us everything we need to bear the winds. To stand firm, we need the Belt of Truth (which is a reminder of all that God is, and all he can do, and has done.) We need the Breastplate of Righteousness, which encourages us to continue to do good and not grow weary in our well doing. We need the shoes of peace because when the enemy attempts to target our minds, we confidently can stand in the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Our shield of faith is the reminder that God is faithful, no matter the nasty schemes of the enemy against the reputation of our Savior. Our salvation is where it all starts, and the word of God, the bible is how we counterattack. 

The most important thing, in all this: Prayer!

Trust me, God knew I was angry with him, He just wanted me to admit it. Use these testing time to run to God and not away from him. Tell him your frustrations, the battle, the fear. And when He says wait...trust that too.

My prayer is that if you're ever mad at God, you take the time to stop, and bask in his sovereign goodness. Realize that all things have a purpose in the hand of God. And honestly, how can you stay angry at the one who gave it all for you?

All my love,

Obioma

At Westminster Palace, with my usual face. London was interesting to say the least.

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Announcements

• IF you haven't already, follow my passion project @biblesplusbrunch on Instagram. BiblesplusBrunch is an intimate opportunity to feed your soul and body. Over brunch we discuss what God has called you to do it, and equip each other with the resources to achieve and live intentionally. The next brunch date is: June 23rd: Orlando Florida. 

 Reserve your seat here!

• BiblesPlusBrunch launched an IGlive series: #CandidChats featuring myself (@simplyobioma) and my good friend: @Mayaj_soreal (instagram). We discuss different topics that affect both believers and non believers alike. The point is to start real conversations that hopefully inspire real thought and real change! TUNE in every Tuesday.

• I've been super diligent about adding new content to my YouTube channel, from inspirational videos, to vlogs check it out here! 

My latest video: How to know he's the One

What's the Pressure?

I was talking to one of my girlfriends, and the conversation was about pressure.  I spoke about this self-imposed pressure  to achieve. Although I was getting my masters. I still felt behind. I felt like there was something more I could be doing, my accomplishments paled in comparison to my desires. She felt like a disappointment because she was pursing a degree that she didn't originally plan to pursue. She felt like she'd given up on her hard science degree in favor of an 'easier' choice...even though she knew God was calling her to make the change.

Fast forward months later, and I'm scratching my head asking "What's the pressure?"
I'm genuinely at a place where I see God manifesting in the big and small areas of my life, and I'm wondering why I ever felt so much pressure.

Why was I worried that things would never happen?
Why was I scared of a future that God promised was assured.
Why was I so envious of other people and their positions in life?

I feel like many of us are constantly dealing with so much pressure, from every side. We face this constant pressing by external and internal forces. I liken the feeling to a balloon that's being blown up and at the same time, someone is squeezing it as hard as possible.

Heather Lindsey wrote a book called the Pressure Trap, and you can find the preorder on her site at Heatherllindsey.com. I don't think it's a coincidence that what's burdened my spirit, would burden hers enough to inspire a whole book.

The point is, we keep setting standards or allowing others to set standards for ourselves that God never gave us. This causes us to be unhappy with where we are. Because we're discontent, we look at others life and accomplishments and are envious. Our envy drives us to pressure our self and set more standards in our life that were meant never for us. Then the cycle continues.

Isaiah 64:8 The Voice (VOICE)

8 

Still, Eternal One, You are our Father.
    We are just clay, and You are the potter.
We are the product of Your creative action, shaped and formed into something of worth.

We break the cycle by first realizing, that we are the product of God's creativity. Sometimes the pressures in life, both self & other serve the purpose of molding us into the design God intends. So yes, pressure is not always a bad thing.

The knowledge that we are the work of God also allows us to Breathe because we know something greater than us is in control. And at the bottom of it, isn't that what pressure is all about?
Pressure boils downs to the fear of failing to meet set standards. If we realize we aren't the boss of us, then we realize that only God can help us meet those standards.

2Timothy 2:20-21 (the Voice)20 Look, in the mansions of the rich and powerful you will find everything from silver and gold serving bowls to wooden containers and clay jars; some are used for special occasions—where honor is important—others are used for more mundane tasks. 21 So tell them, if they will clean up their lives and purify themselves from dishonorable teachings that lead people astray, then they can become honorable vessels, consecrated and useful to the Master, made ready for every good work He has in store

Sometimes the point of pressure is to turn us from vessels of dishonor to vessels of honor.
Hear me out!
You can judge a man, or a woman by how they handle stress and the stresses of life.

While everyone else caves in to the pressure to be 'successful' a certain way, or the pressure to look, dress and act a certain way...will you?
Or will you purify yourself by the word, through the Holy Spirit and allow God to take away that pressure and simply provide direction?

All my love, 

Obioma

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Announcements

• IF you haven't already, follow my passion project @biblesplusbrunch on Instagram. BiblesplusBrunch is an intimate opportunity to feed your soul and body. Over brunch we discuss what God has called you to do it, and equip each other with the resources to achieve and live intentionally. Make sure you follow us for the next Brunch date!

• BiblesPlusBrunch launching a new IGlive series: #CandidChats featuring myself (@simplyobioma) and my good friend: @Mayaj_soreal (instagram). We will be discussing different topics that affect both believers and non believers alike. The point is to start real conversations that hopefully inspire real thought and real change!

• I've been super diligent about adding new content to my YouTube chanel, from inspirational videos, to vlogs check it out here!

5 Go to Tips for Shopping on the Low

I am the biggest believer in the FACT that looking expensive doesn't have to be expensive.
My bestie always says that they created 9.99 for me. And to be honest, she's right. If something is under 9.99, I about 75% more likely to buy it than not.
I'm not ashamed.
Why am I paying ridiculous prices for clothes or items that I most likely won't wear more than twice a year.
Below are my 5 go to tips for dressing fashionably and shopping wisely.

1. Shop Second hand

Yes, I know. There's such a stigma about thrift stores and second hand clothes.  I'll start by saying all thrift stores aren't created equal. But, if you have the opportunity to shop second hand, then I highly recommend it. Second hand stores typically have high quality standards and low prices. Stores like Platos Closet are intentional about catering to trendy, fashion forward consumers. Platos prices are typically more reasonable than spending $$$ on brand new clothes that may not be worth the mark up.
Goodwill is also a very dope place for rare finds, especially now that vintage is making a reappearance.
Moral of the story: Someone else's 'don't like' can be your 'feel inlove'. There's no reason you should be embarrassed, or hesitant about buying or wearing quality second hand.

2. ROSS, TJMAXX, MARSHALLS are your best friends

Betsy Johnson shoes, $9.99 @ Ross

If you're still scared to try second hand, that's okay (no judgement zone!) I recommend you hit up the next best thing: low price department stores. Stores like Ross, TJMAXX , Marshalls offer quality, name brand items at prices less than the department store. Now that I'm fully adulting, I wish I'd known about these stores in my college years. I buy all my cute home décor, journals, occasional dresses and skin care at places like ROSS. My favorite thing about low price department stores is the ability to buy name brand, new at cheaper prices.

3. Shop clearance & outlets

You're still too boujie for low price department stores?

Fine Sis, at least shop clearance first. If you're going to go to a mall, and walk into a store, head straight to the clearance section. DO not pass GO, DO NOT collect $200 . It can be work, but sifting through clearance can also be really rewarding especially when the seasons are changing and stores just want to get rid of inventory. I typically buy summer clothes during winter and winter during summer. Outlets are great for designer items at reduced prices.

Pants from Ross, shoes from Charlotte Russe outlet.

4. Price compare on AMAZON

I promise you, there's a high probability that cute blazer you want is listed on amazon for a cheaper price. When in doubt, Amazon it out! That is all.

5. Check out apps like Offerup & Poshmark

I have never personally bought things from either app, but I do have them both on my phone(I'm plotting). Offerup features general items being sold by locals. Poshmark focuses on clothes and accessories being sold nationally. I've heard awesome things about both. I had a friend sell her Louis Vuitton purse on Poshmark with success. I was shopping for a pre-owned Chanel bag the other day, and prices started at $700. Poshmark also offers authentication for big ticket name brand items for free!

I hope the tips are useful! As much as I like looking good like the next person, I also understand that being a good steward of my God given finances is necessary. Spending a ridiculous amount of money to 'look good' is not a requirement. If you have the cash, then more power to you. BUT you don't have to sacrifice style for savings.

At the end of the day, you define what you wear, it doesn't define you!

All my love,
Obioma

Brokeness - Rock your bandages

I struggle with control.

I love to be in charge of the situations in my life. I like being able to command my course. To be honest, following Jesus was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Not because I had to give up sin, but because I couldn’t steer my own ship anymore.

Prior to Christ, I always dictated how my life went.  I was able to plan and see the fruit of those plans, Then I chose salvation, and my life took a turn for the unpredictable. I had to trust an invisible God to direct me towards a path I’d never been down. I had to trust He knew where He was going, even when I couldn’t see Him.

One of the consequences of letting Christ dictate my life was allowing Him to use my brokenness. My brokenness being the areas in life I don’t always get right. The areas in life that are ugly, sad, mean, unqualified, the areas I’d rather allude to, but never share.

Sometimes I look at what God has promised me, and it overwhelms me. The truth is I’ll never qualify for the calling Christ mandated over my life.  And as much as I try, I’ll never be able to fix my brokenness the way He can.

While I love to brag about what God has done for me, I don’t think I realize how self-conscious I still am about what God is doing in me.

The beautiful thing about Jesus is that He uses our present wounds and the scars and scabs from our past regrets. Human nature tells you that you have to be good enough for the calling, but salvation tells us that the cross makes you good enough for the calling.

We hear often that God gets the glory from our testimonies, but how much do we really believe it?

How can I trust God with the areas of my life that I still haven’t addressed? How can I trust God with a testimony that I’m not sure if I’ve even triumphed?

Psalms 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted
    and bandages their wounds.

That means that not only does God heal your present hurts, he treats the wounds from your past afflictions.  He knows everything about you, the areas you’re great in and the ones where you really suck. He knows hard you’ve been trying at this Christian thing…and he also knows how close you are to giving up. He knows what no one else knows, and guess what? He not only still loves you, but wants to heal you.

I wondered why Psalms 147:3 chooses to say ’bandages’. Why that word? Why not fix, or mend?

Well, a bandage is actually the best treatment for a wound. Some people argue that exposing a cut to air spends up its healing time, science says that’s a falsehood.

It’s the bandage on a cut that provides the perfect environment of isolation to encourage new cell generation and promotes faster healing without the visible scars.

So God not only wants to fix us, but he wants to fix us in the best possible way. God’s desire isn’t to expose the parts of you that are broken, otherwise, he wouldn’t have bandaged them. His heart towards you is to use those bandages to encourage others to get their healing.

But we still worry that people will say when they see our bandages.

My advice? Rock your messed up nature, don’t just brag about what God did, show what God is doing. Wear your bandages with honor because the greatest physician is on your case. The best doctor in the world is working it out for you. You’re the poster child of what real medicine can do.

Imagine all the people who need the cure you have, but don’t know where to get it because you’re still hiding your wounds.

2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

all my love,
Obioma

So excited to be the face of one of my friend's amazing line: Virtuous woman. Honestly, Won't He Do it!

The Process and The Destination

Let’s talk about goal setting.

So you have something you want to do. What’s the normal human inclination?
If you have a persistent internal drive to achieve a goal then you are focused. You’re focused on achieving whatever your objective is and being successful. If you are like me then you’re probably a little lazier. You are focused but maybe you’re not putting in as much work. Maybe you’re overwhelmed by the destination or the journey to get to the destination.
What if I told you that God’s destination differs from yours? Can I challenge your thinking when it comes to the end goal?
What if I told you that your end goal, whether it be losing weight, starting in ministry, or getting A’s was not God’s end goal?

Work with me here, I have a point.

Your progress is not indicated by the destination, but your application in the process.

We usually set goals that are destinations or arrival points. We’ve trained ourselves to choose measurable targets so that when we accomplish our goals, there’s a clear indication. For example, if you notice that you have lost 5 pounds on a weight scale then there’s a clear indication that you met your goal to lose weight. It makes sense.
But that’s not how God thinks.
God’s end goal for us is to establish a process.

 He wants to develop self-discipline, spiritual maturity and a reverence for His temple. That’s His ultimate goal for you. You can’t measure those things on a scale.

Your progress is not indicated by the destination, but your application in the process. While you look at the end goal of losing weight as a destination, God looks at the work it took for you to get there. He wants to develop self-discipline, spiritual maturity and a reverence for His temple. That’s His ultimate goal for you. You can’t measure those things on a scale.
Yes, we need to see the tangible results of our actions, but we also need to have conversations on the process because that is how our Heavenly Father evaluates our progress.
Many have heard the story of Joseph, Jacob’s son. He was the one with the multicolor coat.
Joseph is a story about process, not destination.

Read the rest on Orlandochristianvoice.com

New Project Announcment!!

Hi Everyone. I'm so excited to announce a new collaboration with some of my sisters in Christ: Gabby and Chaun'cey.

TrillTrinityTV is live!!

In the show we'll explore relevant and controversial topics from the Christian perspective. It's about time believers joined the conversation.

Watch the first episode below, subscribe and always feel free to join the conversation.

All my love,
Obioma

What to do when you don't know what to do

I cried this morning.
I'm sure you're thinking...strange Obioma, why are you crying.

As I drove to school, I caught up on news about the victims of hurricane Marie, over 3 million people without power. Food is running out, clean water is running out, the temperatures are stifling and tropical and millions languish without A.C.
As a Floridian, it's easy to think about someone else's tropical storm and be desensitized, but this news truly broke me.

All I could think was "Oh, God" as I wept quietly while  driving.

I didn't dare ask 'Why God' because I've learned that asking God why is not a task for the faint of heart. Job tried it, and was essentially told by the creator that he was too human to understand. The Lord beautifully sums it up by inquiring of the mortal Job

"Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Job 38:4

There are some things I whole heartedly believe God doesn't owe us an answer for: Death, natural disaster, human failure to name a few.

Sometimes if we've been in church long enough, we have an understanding that sin is the reason, maybe we quote the famous scripture, Matthew 5:45

⁴⁵ That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

It's reassuring to know that bad and good things happen to everyone, whether or not they follow God.

Ultimately , even with all the church knowledge we have, its not comforting when you imagine millions of people suffering against their will. It doesn't take away the sting of the natural storms, or the storms of life.

So I didn't ask God why.

I asked Him for help.

Sometimes we get so caught up in the problem, we loose sight that we have The Solution

.

I'm a firm believer in the fact that there's no worst feeling that helplessness. Helplessness is powerlessness in it's ultimate form.

It's the feeling that takes away all hope.

It tells you that you have no hand in the situation, so why try.

Helplessness  leaves you feeling sorry for yourself

It will have you throwing a pity party of one while life's worries silently suffocate you.

Helplessness is far from fun.

But I know from whom my help comes from.

My help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and Earth psalms 121:2

Sometimes all you can do is ask God for help and wait for him to do what he does best: save. So while in my humanity I can't think of how we can immediately save 3 million people in Puerto Rico, I know that my prayers are moving of the hand of the one who can.

I do my part by lifting my voice to heaven, and donating where I can, then I trust God to do the rest.

If you're loosing hope, or afraid to ask God why, then as Him for Help.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalms 46:1

All my love,

Obioma