REALITY CHECK ~ KYE POOLE

FINDING ME... MORE is Women of Destiny's Youth/Young Adult OUTREACH and soon to be our newly formed Non-profit Organization. It always does my heart good to see positive YOUNG ADULTS doing positive things. Well, today I get the unique pleasure of introducing a "spoken word" (rap/poetry) work from KYE POOLE, my nephew.

Kye is a High School Senior and a celebrated football player (in the line of many great football players in his family). I say this only because of the intimate TRUTH that he shares here. At "Finding ME... More", we teach about: self-esteem, self-acceptance, self-awareness, peer-pressure, bullying, etc.; but, more often than not we don't view the "popular crowd" as those who have issues. Now I know that thiS is far from truth. Thank you, Kye... for enlightening me and for choosing to bless me and others by courageously sharing your heart.

*As for those of you reading this who knows him personally, make sure you have him spit this rhyme for you... HE IS AWESOME AND IT IS POWERFUL!!!




~KYE POOLE


Tell me where we at in this world
Everybody hollering 'bout they blessed like there ain't a curse in the world
But I'm callin out all the bluffs
You say you blessed but did you pray today ?
The truth is you only say you blessed when things are going your way
I'm blessed on my worst day
Cause I'm still here living
Wanted to kill myself a while back,
Honestly,
But The Lord wouldn't let me make the killing
He rearranged how I was living
Preached the benefits of life
Brought me to my Knees
I swear I can't thank him enough at night
So when I wake,
I thank him again for the opportunity
Because instead of following the crowds
I only let him influence me
It's you and me
Whoever's receiving this message
I'm reaching out to you my friend
I hope you catch at least one lesson
That before you go out and you dressing
You thank the lord for the clothes on your back
You putting a hat on your dome
I'm tryna make your mind snap back
Cause brothers out here killing and stealing and living a life full of sins.
Girls walking 'round with barely any clothes on their skin
And everybody pretends
The wrong's instilled so we say nothing
I pray to God I opened up your mind to what the worlds becoming.



~KYE POOLE
HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR

A Brand NEW Way of Viewing CHANGE!

I'd like to begin this writing with a question… How do you gauge change in your life?

I have come to a new realization and that is, I HAD the tendency to say “I HATE CHANGE”; however, it is not true. I love change… what I don’t like is uncertainty that “sometimes” accompany change. We change daily; we change our clothes, our minds, our make-up and if you’re anything like me… our hair, quite often. We change destinations, jobs, geographic locations and even relationships (especially in these times) frequent enough to put a big dent in my previous theory of NOT LIKING CHANGE.

So, the real question is how do we view change in our lives? I have come out of my comfort zone a little to include the scenic route to several different locations (because I was tired of the monotony of my day), I’ve opened myself up to the idea of new friendships (letting people into my life a little more easily) and I have even been a little more open to travel because as much as I’d like to see the world, I haven’t been much of an explorer. Why, I couldn’t even tell you the “Hot Spots” in my city or the surrounding cities. I can view this as I am super boring or as I work entirely too much and I opt for the latter.

Today’s thought comes a result of one of those “new view of change” decisions… I chose to allow a new friendship to develop recently and I knew going into it that it would be a “temporary “ friendship; I have never had a friendship on a time-table before and couldn’t possibly know how much or quickly it would affect my life or my thought process. Needless to say, if anything affects your thought process it is change and it can be for the better or worse. So back to this friendship; temporary, by definition means, only lasting for a limited amount of time. However, in a matter of 12 days, I have smiled, relaxed, laughed, hid my face (scary movies are NOT my thing) and ENJOYED every minute shared with this person who will be leaving my life, probably indefinitely, at this week’s end. I don’t like that he’s leaving but I knew he would and I allowed the friendship anyway. It has added to me as this person has challenged my thought process, opened me up to a NEW way of looking at faith and Christianity, and has granted me even more exposure to that selflessness that I am growing into daily.

“People are reflections of GOD dwelling with us, in us” is something that I discovered and wrote recently. This is very true of my new Nigerian friend… I SEE GOD IN HIM. So, even if it was for a brief moment of time, I made the correct decision to allow someone into my life and I am a better person for it. Only GOD could get the credit for bringing Tumini into my life (FUNNY… I don’t even know his last name) and only GOD can get the glory out of two human beings from different countries bonding so naturally that he can be considered my family. What is the glue that bonds us? Christ. So, through church worship services, movies, lunches, travel, conversations and much laughter, I’d venture to say… this change has been a GREAT one. How do you gauge change in your life? As for me, I know that every experience won’t be as beautiful as this one; but, if it is GOD’s plan and we yield to it, I’d venture to say that change can definitely be good for us.

I am growing every day and I love the person I am becoming and may GOD always to get the glory as I live this life abundantly in HIM. Safe travels to you, my dear new friend; oh and by the way, I have also realized that “temporary” can be viewed differently as well, for though he can’t be the friend I hang out with daily anymore, thanks to technology… he’ll remain my friend as long as SKYPE, Twitter and Facebook remains. Special thanks go out to the creator(s) of each of these sites. :)

P.S. ~ On a different note... as he stands HERE right now, I am informed that his name, Tuminipapamier Nni-Inegha Bell-Gam means ~ "the world will try; but, will not succeed". Yes INDEED; told you, this was GOD!!!

Be Blessed
~Dee

HE DWELLS WITH US, IN US.

I've recently discovered something so simple and beautiful that it has to be God!

I have realized just how blessed I truly am and how much beauty GOD has placed in my life. Now, when I usually speak of beauty, I am describing the beauty of nature: the sky, the trees, leaves rustling in the breeze, flowers, water-ways and water falls, rocks, caves and clouds, etc. Sometimes when I describe beauty I am speaking of the beautiful creatures: birds, butterflies, fish, puppies and though I'm not a fan, kittens can be rather cute too (especially when they keep their distance) and some wildlife are just plain gorgeous; but perhaps, when I say beauty... I'm thinking of my daughter who always has been the epitome of beauty and love to me.

Well, the thing that I've recently recognized and I truly mean it's become so evident to me that it can no longer be overlooked or denied... is that GOD has blessed me with the most beautiful people in my life. Each individual has their own uniqueness. I have recently seen in people, the beauty that GOD himself filled them with. HE IS PRESENT IN MY LIFE THROUGH THEM.

It's HIM in their faces, eyes, hearts, personalities, kindness, smiles, words and hugs. It is HE, in the complete stranger who takes her time to make sure she comforts me through her knowledge of something that has me a bit perplexed and HE'S in the new friend who has made me his project... only wanting to bring joy and peace into my life while he remains in this country. It's the beauty of GOD extended in the hearts of two more friends who upon our meeting tells me they've heard so much about me already that they have claimed me and my child as friends and they immediately present her with a gifts.

It's in the caring heart of my mom who calls me daily just to make sure I'm okay and if I don't answer fast enough, she's starts leaving frantic messages on my voicemail. It's in the gesture of my youngest sister who drives across town to pick up Tyler while I'm working because she couldn't bear the thought of Ty being home alone and trust me when I say the list can go on to include my friends and co-laborers at Women of Destiny, who go out of their way often to make sure I know that they believe in the vision and in the visionary. Those friends who invest their time, treasures, money and thoughts as well as prayers into our lives.

I had become so consumed in my personal dilemmas that I'd lost sight of the LOVE that surrounds me daily. It's love that I see when the same people "like" my post within minutes of my writing them. People I have not had the pleasure of meeting personally; yet, GOD has allowed me the honor of touching their lives through HIS anointed words that HE gives me daily as I seek Him before I rise. See, I too have come to treasure the friendships so much that I first give you CHRIST (the words that HE drops in my Spirit or that HE deposits into me). I don't come to you half-cocked and I don't come in my own strength or in my own name, I come to you in the name of HIM who sent me. HE justifies me and it is only through HIS LOVE that I am able to share with you in hopes that you too will be touched with and by the revelations that HE first gives me, revelations like this one.

Today's revelation is... "GOD is walking amongst us daily". HE does so through HIS children. We imitators of HIM, we disciples of HIS. We are HIS representatives and HIS ambassadors of LOVE. It is the revelation that every person I have come in contact with has left a wonderful, beautiful imprint in my life; some were sowers of seed, some have poured water (through love) upon the seed and others were nurturers of the seeds. Regardless of their roles, the seed has matured and I now have beautiful trees with flower blossoms and fruit all over them growing within me. The fruit of these trees are the fruit of the Spirit... such fruit as: LOVE, joy, peace, faithfulness, gentleness, kindness, long-suffering, meekness, goodness and self-control.

I have been blessed in this life to have had the opportunity to come to myself; I've denied myself and in my selflessness, I have discovered LOVE like never before. There was a time recently that I was so self-involved that all I could see was what I wanted and didn't have, the terrible circumstances of diagnoses, heartache and pain. I was overworked and in my opinion... underpaid (no one can ever put a price tag on the value I bring to the day, the job, the relationship, etc.) I saw the lack of a romantic relationship and the strain of trying to be all things to all people and not enough to and for myself. NOW, all I see how GOD has been showering me with HIS presence and with HIS LOVE through HIS elect this whole time and you know the greatest gift of it all is being able to realize it before it became too late. The connections that may have been mine early on, when I was still caught up in my own little world are still a part of my life; so, I still have the time to sow into them, thank them, LOVE them, bless them and hopefully plant seed, water or nurture those lives for as long as God will allow and as long as I still have breath.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CREATION OF ALL CREATION IS YOU and I am so happy to have had the opportunity to KNOW you. I LOVE YOU sincerely, deeply and truly... I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART AND I APPRECIATE YOUR SHARING THE GOD IN YOU WITH ME! :) Take time to look around and search the hearts, eyes, hugs, faith, gentleness and kindness of those around you. In their sweet words, time invested and their willingness to help, choose to see GOD; for truly HE IS THERE in the very people that surround us daily. HE IS INTIMATELY INVOLVED IN THE DETAILS of our lives, offering assistance in the smallest; yet, most miraculous ways. HE IS OUR MIRACLE... "And the WORD became flesh and dwelt among us"... and today HE IS still dwelling among us by dwelling INSIDE of each of us.

~Dee Poole

Expansion

We are pleased to announce the expansion of Women of Destiny, LLC to include the newly formed E. B. University and we’re inviting you to learn more about us because you may know someone who needs our services. Women of Destiny, LLC has provided a vast array of services to satisfied customers for 4 years.

Women of Destiny, LLC offers personalized consultations to those looking to improve their image or overall quality of life; individual or group coaching for persons, organizations, churches and businesses looking for strategic growth; confidence building techniques for employers and their employees; poetry recitals for companies, organizations or families to make special occasions memorable; and a blog spot for professional authors to advertise their books. Through “Finding ME… More” (youth and young adult developmental program), Women of Destiny’s OUTREACH, we offer a safe place for youth to express themselves and learn positive ways to cope while developing life skills to help them grow into healthy young adults. (Topics include: personal hygiene, dating, bullying, self-esteem, self-acceptance, health and fitness, etc.)

E.B. University distinguishes between Women of Destiny’s consulting/coaching services and our 12-month spiritual education courses. These (3) programs were created to bring transformation to individuals currently in broken states as they transition into one of wholeness. They were created for women who are looking for a new quality of life. If you have ever thought, “Is this all there is to life?”, “Why am I so unhappy or dissatisfied?”, or “What more can I do to help my children or my marriage succeed”? If you feel like you only exist; as opposed to living… this program for you. These programs are unique in that they are tailor-made for those women who have attained levels of success and are still unfulfilled. Those who own companies, sit behind desks of major/minor corporations, sit in pulpits, preach, teach, counsel and inspire others daily. You sing in choirs, drive the best and wear the best; yet, feel like none of this brings you joy… this program is for you! Our confidentiality clause should help you make the decision to invest in the program that will help you to become fully engaged in this gift of life. Ever wonder how the proverbial “girl next door” ends up behind a prison bars, married to the abusive husband, on drugs, in a prostitution ring or committing suicide? It’s because she was too afraid to step out and admit that she’s hurting inside and needs help. We are here to prevent this scenario from becoming another person’s reality. Whether married, single, divorced or widowed; in relationship or not, if you are a woman living on the edge (like I was before E.B. University) this school was created with YOU in mind. Don’t lose all you’ve worked for, fight for your life… fight for YOU.

We believe in every person becoming their absolute best, living the abundant life we were all destined for, operating fully and happily in all of our gifts, talents and skills. Let us help YOU become your best self. Visit us @ http://www.livetheprophecy.org to choose from the programs we offer; register now and begin your transformation (from brokenness or broken-heartedness) to wholeness.

Debra P. Declouet ~ Founder

This is the way; Walk In It!

New American Standard Bible (©1995) Isaiah 30:21
"Your ears will hear a word behind you, "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right or to the left".

I love the Lord. He is such an awesome God... He reigns like non other, and no one compares to Him! This is my heart confession; this is the true soul cry of my being. I cannot imagine my life being lived without Him, as a matter of fact, there is no LIFE or LIVING without HIM. I have come to the most intimate revelation of my life and that is that I have completely surrendered to Him and though I don't know and can't gauge exactly where this journey of "dangerous surrender" (Kay Warren) will lead me, I do know that I am on the correct path for my life.

I have noticed recently that on this journey there will be casualties and that has saddened me a bit. We lose people we thought would ride with us forever and have our backs through it all. When this happens we have to stop for a moment to regroup because the truth of the matter is, we may have thought they were there for the long-haul but God had a different plan that may or may not include them. We'll never know exactly who our help will ultimately come through, which means that we shouldn't judge others because our blessing or our help can come through the very person we are judging.

Many times we hear the directives, we know the plan and we grab people to come along for the ride; people who fit a certain criteria (which is exactly what the world does) thinking we need them and sometimes it is okay and God will allow it; but, there are other times when God will say "NO, this journey is YOUR journey and one you are to walk alone". It has taken me a while to truly understand that and maybe that has hindered my own progress because God had to undo all that I'd done in my own might. We must come to a place of total surrender to God's way of doing it, for it is truly HIS plan anyway. We have to repent for trying to manipulate or control the plan, say goodbye to those we tried to bring with us and continue the journey of destiny that we are on.

Secretly, I've longed for others on this path who are as committed to the vision as I and sometimes I wonder if there is anybody out there that has this burning desire within them as well. I know I can't possibly be the only one who feels this sense of urgency to set things right in this world. I have been praying for some "real" folk, no facades... just real and HONEST individuals who loves God and has a heart for others. There are far too many people who are consumed with pleasing others or finding their happiness in materialistic and meaningless pursuits... things that truly doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. It feels like I'm in a matrix and I am the only one who's been unplugged; yet, I know this is far from TRUTH. I long for connection or interaction with others who feel like I do and who can understand this process of walking out the plan of God in this earth. Others who also have a passionate desire to do so much even though you've no idea how to. We just know that we will do it for the Kingdom of God. It's a play by play pursuit... as we fulfill one directive, only then will we receive the next.

I pray for you who are in this place with me; I pray your strength and deteremination to walk (sometimes alone) with God in the journeys that seem overwhelmingly too big for one individual and yet you seem to be walking it alone anyway. I pray your encouragement when people you thought were with you til the end leaves your side without warning or a word of explanation and I pray you joy in the holy ghost who leads us into all truths. He is that small, still voice that assures us that we're right on target; yes, 'this is the way, walk in it'.

Victory in our purposes is attainable, even if we are facing our giants (Goliaths) alone. God has made us giant slayers in the spirit. Greatness on every level began with a thought, an idea and a determined and passionate individual who would not stop believing in the dream or walking out the path, even when he seemed alone. As long as God is in control, leading the way and instructing the play by plays... I am sure we will all win. Every dream, vision and purpose of God will be fulfilled in this earth and it is my prayer that every person awakens in heart to their particular prophecy and live out the very purpose that God Almighty has ordained for them.

We all have within us the ability to create GREATNESS; do not let this die within you. It was given to us to make manifest the glory of God in this earth and each of us can do so. It just takes a determined, willfull and passionate person who will not quit. Victory comes when we expect it... so, don't get sidetracked by the naysayers, the casualties or the setbacks; just listen for the small, still voice within you, the voice that is leading the way to your grandest victory. This is the voice of God that we carry within us and it will never lead us astray. Trust God through the process... this is the way to total and complete victory, walk in it!

God bless you! :)