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A South Carolina Girl with a Heart for Alabama

So you ask what is a girl from South Carolina doing designing a shirt for Alabama? Well it is quit simple 2 of the most important men in my life are from Alabama. Yep you guessed.....my dads!

There is nothing like a daughters love for her father and because GOD sent 2 amazing men into my life (one at 7 and one at 18) to help my mother raise me I will always pay homage to them. I am forever Blessed because of the love they have poured into me. So the Alabama Blessed shirt makes sense right?

No worries a Blessed Tee for South Carolina will soon follow.

I pray you guys love the shirt as much as I do!

Shop for the Tee here 

Many Blessings

A'Keta Julinate'

31 Days of Declarations

Last month changed my life and I am pretty sure when GOD told me to do 31 Days of Declarations for the entire month of August that HE knew that I would be different after this journey. 

I was intentenial about spending time with GOD on a daily basis studying HIS word, speaking it over my life and then sharing it with people that follow me on Persicope. Some days no one logged on and that was okay because GOD had already told me even if no one shows up keep waking up and doing it. That is when I knew that it was for me first before it was for anyone else. 

Isn't it amazing how GOD works thing out on your behalf. There were a lot of things that I was going through personally during this journey and when GOD would give me the declaration to share it was something I need to speak over my situation. Most days I was literally fighting for my life and sanity and GOD would show up with an on time word for me to fight the enemy with! Gosh I LOVE HIM! 

So today is a new month and GOD has given me a new assignment as HE continues to strength me but I wanted to share the Declarations for those that might have missed them last month. I worked for the military for 6yrs and during that time I learned how to prepare for battle so use these words to combat the thoughts that have you thinking you aren't enough or to come against the words of the naysayers. All you have to do is...

Speak and believe the words that you declare over your life, pray and ask GOD to give you strength during this journey, worship and praise GOD for all HE is going to do in your life (this is where the breakthrough is going to take place) and finally share the word with others! 

I pray this blesses you as much as it blessed me. Please let me know how it goes.

ENJOY 31 DAYS of Declarations.

I DECLARE I can not be defeated, discouraged, depressed or disappointed. {Philippians 4:13-14}

I EXPECT the best days of my life spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and financially in JESUS name. {Romans 5:13}

I DECLARE I have the wisdom of GOD today. I will think the right thoughts, say the right words and make the right decisions in every situation. {1 Corinthians 2:16}

I DECLARE GOD is on my side today and therefore I cannot be defeated. {Psalm 91}

I DECLARE I live by Faith not by sight or my feelings and my Faith is rooted in the word of GOD.{2 Timothy 1:7}

I DECLARE I am fearfully and wonderfully made by GOD. I am HIS workmanship, HIS masterpiece. Therefore I will praise HIM at all times and I will not walk in insecurity. {Psalm 139:13-14 and Ephesians 2:10}

I DECLARE GOD has plans to prosper me and to give me a a good future and a hope. {Jeremiah 29:11}

I DECLARE GOD richly supplies all my needs. {Philippians 4:19}

I REFUSE to allow sickness to dominate my body. {Isaiah 54:4 and Matthew 8:16-17}

I DECLARE each of my family members is wonderfully blessed and radically loves JESUS! {Acts 16:30-31}

I DECLARE I am a carrier of the Light and bring Light to dark places. {Matthew 5:15}

I DECLARE I am a minister of reconciliation a peacemaker. {Matthew 5:9 and 2 Corinthians 5:18}

I DECLARE I am a winner! A Victor! More than a conqueror! An overcomer! I am a "nevergive-upper". I am a survivor of trials that refine me as a gold tried in the fire. {Romans 8:37-38}

I DECLARE my prayers are powerful and effective. {James 5:15-16}

I DECLARE my house is built on CHRIST and will stand when the storms hit. My children are blessed and protected and as for me and my household we will serve the LORD. {Proverbs 10:25}

I DECLARE I AM Blessed! {Deuteronomy 28:1-14}

I DECLARE the Spirit of truth lives in me and HE will guide me into all that is truth. HE will show me things to come as I allow HIM to speak into my life. {John 16:13-14}

I DECLARE if it is GOD's will that (name that person) be saved and comes to a knowledge of truth.{1 Timothy 2:4-6}

I DECLARE VICTORY over (name your situation). {1 John 5:4}

I DECLARE that GOD has great plan for my life. HE is directing my steps. {Jeremiah 29:11}

I DECLARE I am a new creature in CHRIST forgiven and free of shame and condemnation, washed by HIS powerful blood. {Romans 8:1-2}

I DECLARE that GOD will open up doors for me to have Godly relationships. {Philippians 2:3}

I DECLARE that GOD has given me a peace of mind! {Colossians 3:15}

I DECLARE I am blessed to be a blessing. I will sow and reap generously on every occasion, will live to give cheerfully and will learn to steward well GOD's blessings in my life. {2 Corinthians 9:6-8}

I DECLARE I can do all things today through CHRIST as HE gives me strength. HIS Strength is made perfect in my weaknesses and whatever I face today HE will give me the strength to match and to overcome it. {Philippians 4:13}

I DECLARE I am the head. I have insight I have wisdom. I have ideas. I have authority. {Deuteronomy 28:13, 8:18; James 1:5-8, Luke 10:19}

I DECLARE I have childlike Faith. {Luke 18:17}

I DECLARE my life is full of JOY! {James 1:2}

I DECLARE that GOD answers prayers. { Jeremiah 33:3}

I DECLARE GOD loves me(you). { John 15:13-16}

I DECLARE the favor of the LORD is upon me. {Isaiah 61 and Luke 4:17-21}

Sowing Good Seeds!

Some of you know my story of how GOD planted a seed of love for Kenya in my heart in 2013 and although I knew after a family trip to Capetown in 2011 that I would go back to Africa to do mission I often asked GOD why Kenya and what am I suppose to do there.  In September 2013 GOD connected me to Real4Christ Ministries and gave me the vision to provide clean drinking water to the villages in Kenya by designing a HISBlessedOne Supports Africa Tshirt and selling it on my Christian Apparel website. GOD instructed me to donate all the proceeds I made off the tshirt and to personally match all the sales dollar for dollar.  

I love that Real4Christ is planting so many Godly seeds and building relationships not only for the children that attend MBEAWAU or Maasai Corner but for the people that visit the clinics, pump water at the different wells Real4Christ has provided, or attends the church services.  Galatians 6:7, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap" so I am rejoicing because I know the harvest season is coming! 

Please lift Chris and Lisa Moore (founders of Real4Christ) up in prayer as they continue to grow the mission GOD has given them. When I asked Chris how does he handle everything he looked at me and he said it is ALL GOD....and I couldn't agree with him more. Take a few minutes to visit the Real4Christ website (http://www.real4christ.com/) to see how you can sow a seed into this great mission.

Asanta Sana (Thank you very much)

A'Keta Julinate'

Beauty for Your Ashes

Last November as I was praying for the new design to launch for HISBlessedOne GOD gave me Beauty for your Ashes. As I meditated over the scripture Isaiah 61:3 GOD began to show me the new design and immediately I fell in love with the concept. Little did I know that in the Spirit GOD was giving me a word to hold onto during the dark season I was getting ready to walk into.

I have blogged before about me loosing my job back in December/January and how hard it was for me to return back to the states after 6 years but what most of you don't know is that I was going through one of the darkest moments of my life. I found comfort in my bed and my shower echoed with all my loud screams as the water washed away my tears....I was in a mourning season. 

I was not only mourning the death of my life overseas and my job but I was mourning the death of a relationship from someone that I had known for years but recently began to date romantically. The two of us often discussed marriage and having a family together but on the inside I knew that he wasn't GOD's best for me. I kept telling myself that he was a good guy and I may not get this opportunity again so I ignored the voice of the Holy Spirit until I couldn't ignore it any more. As difficult as it was I made the desicion that on judgement day I wanted to hear GOD say "Well Done" more than wanted to hear "I Do" so I walked away. 

After waking up and going to sleep in tears day in and day out for weeks GOD reminded me about the new design HE gave me back in November.....beauty for your ashes. It was Isaiah 61:3 that began to get me out the bed in the mornings with a different mindset. Once I truly believed that my joy season was around the corner I began to worship GOD differently. When the tears and the depression spirit tried to come on me I would get up and praise GOD in the spirit and command the enemy to flee from me. I had become very sensitive to the tricks of the enemy and no longer wanted to play his games.

During this time of self realization and standing on the word of GOD I began to see this new journey of being in the states as a good thing so when I received an offer to return back overseas (my comfort place) I turned it down. Some may have thought I was crazy but I felt at peace about chasing GOD and my purpose. I have surrendered my entire life over to HIM and some times HE has to take you through somethings to get you to the point that your throw your hands up and submit to HIM.  I am so thankful that HE loves and wants the very best for me.

To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory. {Isaiah 61:3}

I would love to hear your Beauty Story!

GOD Will Prepare a Place for You!

In this season of uncertainty and trying to find my way since returning back to the states I have found comfort in GOD's daily whisper that HE has a prepared a place for me.  Some days when GOD's whispers are faint and I am having a rough day I am reminded of a recent visit to my parent's house for the weekend and my mom telling me that she stayed up most of the night cleaning and getting my old room together as she prepared for my arrival. Isn't that just like a parent wanting everything to perfect for their kids? Although, I feel like I am ready for GOD to reveal the plans HE has for my life I imagine GOD being just like my mom HE is cleansing, shaping and molding me as he prepares me for the next season. 

When I arrived at my parents house that Friday night I felt so special knowing that they where excited to spend time with me and how I felt spoiled (don't judge me...lol). I have NO doubt that when GOD is finished with me in this season I will feel the same way knowing that HE loved me enough to prepare a place for me!

In John 14:3 JESUS tells the disciples "When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am."

Jeremiah 29:11 " For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD. "They are plans for good and no for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

Is anyone else in this season of waiting for GOD to reveal HIS plans for your life? If so how do you find peace in this season?

Many Blessings

A'Keta Julinate'

A HISBlessedOne Valentine

This morning when I opened my eyes I started smiling because I felt the love of my family and literally felt GOD's blessing over my life! As I went into to my quiet time with GOD I was led to the passage Titus 3:4-6  When GOD our Savior revealed HIS kindness and love, HE saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of HIS mercy. HE washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. HE generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 

I am excited that I know the love of GOD not just during Valentine season but that I walk in HIS love every day! Have you experienced GOD's love in your life? I would love to hear from you!

In honor of Valentine's Day I would love to gift you a few Wallpapers! Download them below.                                                                           

Opening My Heart to the Holy Spirit

A week ago today I got on a plane and left the Middle East and the life I have known for the last 6 years. I was so busy packing and shipping my items home days before I left that I had very little time to sit and feel sad about my departure or scared about the next journey but when I got on the plane and got settled life seemed to sit still for a while and I suddenly missed everything about my life in the Middle East to include the people I have grown to love over the years.

When I landed back in the United States I was thankful for a safe journey but walking through the airport in Atlanta didn't excite me like my previous trips to the states and when I walked into my house it didn't seem to greet me with the same sense of peacefulness as it had so many times before. I am sure what use to excite me or bring me peace didn't now because I was mess and so unsure about things. I confessed to my cousin (who picked me up from the airport) that I was confident I heard the Holy Spirit tell me that I was going keep my job and stay in Kuwait until July and when that didn't happen I was confused. I have discerned the Holy Spirit's voice most of my life so for me now to be confused about what I had heard made me sad and to be honest down right sick. 

I spent the weekend with family and friends not really wanting to deal with reality and kinda numb to my feelings.  I no longer trusted the voices that where in my head or the voice of the Holy Spirit. I logged off social media and decided not to spend alot of time with my family or friends because I didn't like how I was feeling. I pushed myself into prayer and quiet time with GOD looking for a place where I had found comfort so many times before.

Throughout the week my emotions were all over the place and all I wanted to do was cry (if you  know me you know I am like the biggest cry baby). Dealing with my emotions and the jet lag left me worn out and in the bed by 6pm most nights. On Friday morning after sleeping for 12hrs I looked in the mirror and told myself I had to GET MY LIFE! I started my day expecting things to me different and I knew I needed to sit still before GOD for that to happen.

After my prayer time that morning I sat in the presence of GOD and then I picked up the book "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho (I started the book the week before I left Kuwait but didn't finish it). As I started reading the book a peacefulness came over me and the Holy Spirit began to speak to me through every word. I was too on a journey to finding my Personal Legend and I knew that I had to trust that the Holy Spirit would guide me! 

Finishing the book left me more in love with GOD than I was before. HE pushed passed the wall that I had up to show HIMSELF true to me when HE didn't have to. HE spoke to me in a way that I could receive HIM! That is LOVE and I am forever thankful!

I am still not sure why GOD brought me back to the United States but as I become more disciplined in my prayer life and study time I know HE will reveal it to me in HIS timing.

Thank you to everyone that poured into my spirit or prayed for me. I ask that you continue to keep me lifted up!

Many Blessings

A'Keta Julinate'

2 Chronicles 16:9 The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to HIM.

Write the Vision and then RUN with Purpose!

Write the Vision

I am always so excited around this time of the year! Of course I am excited about the Holidays but I am also excited about preparing my Vision Board for the New Year!

In 2008 while sitting in my apartment in Atlanta I was listening to Joel Osteen preach a sermon on writing down your visions and goals. The scripture from the sermon was Habakkuk 2:2-4. At that point of my life I was going through a rough time so I grabbed my journal, cried out to GOD and wrote down my desires. I stayed focused on that scripture and faithful to GOD’s will for my life. Two months later I was on a plane headed to the Middle East (one of my desires) where my life has forever been changed.

In 2010 I read about Vision Boards and as I looked more into it GOD took me back to the scripture Habakkuk 2:2-4 and I have been creating a Vision Board every since. In December 2012 I hosted my first Vision Board Social with about 15 of my girlfriends and the event surpassed my expectations. We cried, laughed and rejoiced over what GOD was going to do in the New Year!

This year I wanted to take you on this awesome journey with me!  So pull out your magazines, scissors, glue and poster boards and lets get started because the New Year is fast approaching!

Just in case you are not familiar with how to do a Vision Board there are several different type of Vision Boards you can choice from.

Check them out….

The “I Know Exactly What I Want” Vision Board

Do this vision board if you are clear about your desires or if there is a specific thing you want to manifest in your life (like a new home or starting a business). Since your desires are clear search through magazines for pictures that portray your vision exactly.

The “Opening and Allowing” Vision Board

Do this vision board if you are not exactly sure what you want.  You can create this vision board by going through each magazines tearing out images that speak to you. I normally do this type of Vision Board because I learn a few things about myself and my passion. Most times when you find your passion you really find your purpose.

The “Theme” Vision Board

Do this vision board if you are working with one particular area of your life. Choose pictures that are in alignment with your theme.

You can also take these same ideas and keep an on gong vision journal instead of creating an actual board. For the individuals that like to use computers for everything Pintrest is great for creating a virtual Vision Board.  

Something things to remember.....

Before starting on your board spend some time seeking GOD for the vision that HE has for your life. We should always want to be in the perfect will of GOD! Romans 12:2

As you are doing your vision board it might change as you are making it and you may have a picture on your board that you may think represents one thing but it may manifest in another way. Last year my board was a mixture of knowing what I wanted and being open. On my board I placed several pictures about traveling to Kenya to do mission work with women and children. In August it looked like I wasn’t going to make it on my mission trip so I started praying and asking GOD others way I could do mission for Kenya. That is when HE gave me the idea to design a HISBlessedOne Supports Africa Tshirt and donate all the proceeds to provide the villages of Kenya with clean drinking water.  Imagine if I became so focused on what my board said that I didn’t listen to the Holy Spirit. 

Stay open, pray and ask GOD for discernment.

In Habakkuk 2:3 the word reminds us that the desires you put on your vision board may not come when you want it...but it will come at an appointed time. Verse 4 goes on to say....stay faithful!

I am sure the New Year will bring plenty of blessings, smiles, growth, friends and of course a closer relationship with CHRIST! I pray as you do your Vision Board that the Holy Spirit will reign down on you and guide you.

Let me know how it goes!

Blessings

A'Keta Julinate'

Habakkuk 2:2-4 

Trusting GOD When All Hell Breaks Loose

Last Monday when my boss called me into his office I knew that the conversation was not going to be good. My Spirit had been a little uneasy for about a week so I knew GOD was preparing me for something. As I walked in my boss' office he looked at me with a sad look on his face and said he had some bad news to tell me. As I sat down and prepared myself for the news he told me that my extension request had been denied and that I had to leave Kuwait by 17 January 2015 instead of 8 July 2015.

As tears rolled down my face I tried to gather my thoughts and make sense of what I heard. What do you mean my extension had been denied I work hard and give 100% to my job? As my boss explained my extension denial did not come from him but from my higher headquarters because someone forgot to process my paperwork and no one realized it until I came off the books on 15 December.

I sat in silence for at least 5 minutes just staring at the wall. I eventually got up and thanked my boss for informing me and walked out doing my best to hold it together. As soon as I got to my car I let it all out.....crying and screaming WHY.....why now. The first person I called was my mother and as I explained the situation to her in between the cries and sniffles she of course told me to calm down and then she asked me why was I crying ......do you not trust GOD? She suggested that I go home and turn on my favorite gospel song and just worship GOD and thank HIM in advance for what HE was going to do.

I want to be all the way transparent and say at that moment I didn't know what I trusted. All I knew was I was going to be without a job. I was mad, hurt, angry, confused and the last thing I wanted to do was go into worship. I eventually turned on Pandora and Shekinah Glory 'Yes' came on as I pushed myself into worship even though in the flesh that is the last thing I wanted to do but my Spirit knew that was the best thing I could do.  I cried some more and prayed in the Spirit and when I was done GOD reminded me of Proverbs 3:5-6 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to HIM, and HE will make your paths straight.'

That night came with more cries and during my 2 am prayer I prayed for favor with my current job or that GOD would open doors as I look for a new job. Over the course of the week GOD reminded me why HE calls me HISBlessedOne and I am forever thankful for that because it brought me comfort. 

I ask that when you go before GOD in prayer that you will say a pray for me that I will be obedient to whatever the will of GOD has for my life as I go into 2015! 

Thank you 

A'Keta Julinate'