Sister Table Talk

In an unexpected corporate announcement, Party City declared the closure of its stores, leaving countless employees to face the shocking news that today would be their last day. The sudden upheaval is a stark reminder of how quickly life can shift, turning the familiar into the uncertain. But, when the rug feels pulled from under our feet, we must keep our eyes on the prize. The term keep your eye on the prize originates from the Civil Rights Movement, a rallying cry to stay focused on the ultimate goal despite challenges. Today, it resonates as a call to action for those grappling with Party City’s closure and the countless others who have experienced sudden life disruptions. Let’s explore how we can remain steadfast and turn these setbacks into opportunities for growth and transformation. Reframe the Narrative A job loss can feel devastating especially when done abruptly, but it can also be a moment to pause and reassess. Ask yourself the following: What skills have I gained in ...

“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. "Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20) Mountains are awe-inspiring symbols of strength, grandeur, and permanence. When we experience personal challenges that seem immovable, it can be hard to believe they can come down. Whether these mountains are fear, doubt, financial struggles, broken relationships, or health issues, overcoming mountains can seem unbearable. But, Jesus teaches in the Gospel of Matthew that our faith as small as a mustard seed has the power to dismantle mountains. The Transformative Power of Faith Faith is more than a belief; it is a confident assurance in things unseen. It is an active trust in the ability of the work of God in our lives, no matter how dire the circumstances may be, and our faith speaks life into situations where there seems to be no hope, allowing us to visualize our victories before t...

Becoming the best version of yourself doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a journey of small, intentional steps. Whether starting over after a setback or striving to reach your next goal, remember that progress, not perfection, is the key. Here are three steps to guide your journey: Reflect and Reset: Take time to assess where you are and where you want to be. Growth begins with clarity, so write down your goals and identify what’s holding you back. Invest in Yourself: Education and training open doors. Whether you’re learning a new skill, refining your craft, or diving into professional development, every step forward builds your confidence and capacity. Explore SOFEIOnline for courses designed to help you unlock your potential. Surround Yourself with Positivity: Your environment matters. Build a network of positive, empowering individuals who uplift and inspire you. Connect with communities that share your mission and values.

In life, individuals will face challenges like disappointment, defeat, fear, and feelings of victimization that can lead to a sense of paralysis or an inability to progress. John 5:8-16 offers a powerful message of hope and transformation with insights that can assist individuals navigate through difficult moments. In this passage, the reader will learn about an invalid man of thirty-eight years who would lie by the pool of Bethesda, hoping someone would help him enter the water to get healed. The invalid man was disappointed when he observed others jump in the pool before him to receive the healing he desperately needed and desired; however, something remarkable happened when Jesus entered his life. Jesus saw him lying at the pool and learned the invalid man had his condition for a long time, and He asked him, "Do you want to get well?" The man replied, explaining why he couldn't get healed, and Jesus told him, "Get up, pick up your bed, and walk!" Imm...

When our immediate needs become overwhelming during our most challenging circumstances (e.g., debt, a grim diagnosis, or a sense of hopelessness), we can turn to God. Second Kings, Chapter 4 offers a profound lesson in faith, resourcefulness, and divine provision. It tells us the story of a poor widow at the end of her rope who did not know what to do or where to turn during her pain and poverty; however, when she turned to the Lord, she experienced a miraculous intervention. The widow is the wife of one of the sons of the prophets (i.e., men training under Prophet Elisha to be prophets and preachers in Israel). Her husband - a lover, friend, provider, and protector, had been taken away from her in death, and she is devastated because her husband is dead and she cannot pay her bills. The widow is over her head in debt and can lose her sons to creditors to work as slaves to liquidate her debt, according to Jewish Law (Leviticus 25:39). Despite her problems, the widow held f...

A woman commented about how filthy a white car was when sitting in traffic and looking through her passenger side window. To further validate her observation, she rolled down her window and discovered that her passenger window was dirty, not the white car. This experience is an example of our minds.  Our minds can be as clean or dirty as the car windows, depending on the season, environment, or the number of times the car or windows get cleansed. Proverbs 23:7a states, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." How we think and feel about ourselves is reflected in our behavior and how we view the world and others. If we want to improve our perceptions and views of the world and others, we must transform the way we think. To start your journey of spiritual, emotional, and mental transformation, separate yourself from negative people and environments - even family members. Watch what you feed your mind and determine its impact. Remember, GIGO (i.e., garbage in, ga...

In times of disappointment like defeat, fear, illness, or joblessness, we may feel stuck and unable to move forward. However, the message from John 5:3-9 offers hope and guidance during challenging times. This passage talks about an impotent man of thirty-eight years who lay by the pool of Bethesda every day waiting to be placed in the pool to receive the same healing he watched others receive. Jesus saw the impotent man lying near the pool and asked, "Do you want to get well?" The helpless man replied, "When the water is troubled, I have no man to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth in before me." Then Jesus said, "Get up, pick up your mat and walk!" Immediately, he picked up his mat and walked. This passage is a powerful analogy when we feel trapped in a cycle of disappointment or circumstances that seem hard to conquer or rise above. Just as Jesus offered healing and a new beginning to the impotent man, we can also fin...

Oprah Winfrey is known for her wisdom and insights on personal development and motivation, and the following are our interpretations of her inspiring ways to get motivated to achieve your dreams: Define Your Goals: Being specific about what you want to achieve and why gives you direction and purpose. Visualize Success: Imagine yourself achieving your dreams and goals to help you create powerful images in your mind to stay focused and motivated. Believe in Yourself: Trusting and believing in your abilities to achieve your dreams and goals will empower you to overcome obstacles and stay encouraged. Take Action: Break your goals into smaller, manageable steps and take consistent action to keep you moving toward your goals. Stay Positive: Maintain a positive mindset by focusing on solutions, not problems, and stay surrounded by positive influences. Learn from Failures: Treat your mistakes as lessons learned and move on because setbacks are not the end but stepping stones ...

In a world that equates liberty with the absence of restraint and freedom, true liberty transcends physical or societal freedoms and finds its fullest expression in the presence of the Spirit of God that abides within. God's divine presence frees us from external constraints and liberates our hearts, minds, and souls - enabling us to live in true liberty. The Nature of True Liberty True liberty is the freedom to live in alignment with our highest selves and divine purpose because this form of liberty is rooted in spiritual freedom, which begins with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit of God abides within us, we are no longer slaves to sin, fear, or worldly temptations. We can pursue a life of righteousness, peace, and joy. The Transformative Power of the Holy Spirit The presence of the Holy Spirit transforms us from within, renewing our minds and changing our hearts. This transformation allows us to see the world through the eyes of love, compassion, and truth. ...

What we do in the dark shall come to light is a condensed, interpretative verse of Luke 12:2-3 . This verse explains how our deep, dark secrets or sins can rise to the surface despite our efforts to bury or keep them hidden. This blog post discusses the allegations, denial, and confessed abuse of Sean P. Diddy Combs against Cassandra 'Cassie' Ventura. In November 2023, Ms. Ventura settled a lawsuit against Mr. Combs for his alleged sex trafficking and sexual assault during their relationship; however, Mr. Combs vehemently denied the allegations, and his attorneys called the lawsuits and accusations as money grabs, baseless, or sickening . Surveillance footage obtained by CNN on May 17, 2023 , shows Mr. Combs's actions corroborating with Ms. Ventura's originally filed complaint - Mr. Combs chasing Ms. Ventura down the hallway of the InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles, forcibly grabbing her by the back of her sweater, throwing her to the ground, and ...

Proverbs 18:21 states, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." This verse speaks volumes about the profound impact our words can have on shaping the lives of others and the world around us. As bearers of God's image and word, we should wield our tongues for empowerment, connection, and positive change to inspire individuals to flourish and thrive. Let us always choose words that speak life and blessings, recognizing the transformative potential we contain in the power of our tongues.

Love is a powerful force that can infiltrate light in the darkness and melt the hardness of a cold heart. It is a force that is supposed to represent God's love on Earth through relationships. However, when people do not understand the purpose of love, they abuse it! They ask people to do things to prove their loyalty and love that is contrary to God's purpose and His love. On the other hand, when Jesus died on the Cross, He did so to express His unconditional love for humankind. He knew the shedding of His blood on the Cross would be the final time blood would have to be shed for our redemption from sin. Jesus did not shrink or go into hiding. On His journey, He would step away for restoration to continue his ministry and mission. But Jesus never went into hiding because He was clear about who He was, who He was serving, and why He was serving. Today, many women are in relationships where they have chosen to shrink instead of allowing their love to illuminate b...

Proverbs 31 is a well-known chapter in the Bible written by King Lemuel where he shares advice from his mother - a God-fearing, hard-working, generosity-driven woman when he was king. Proverbs 31:30 (KJV) states, “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord shall be praised.” Deep within, we know this verse is true. No matter how charming or beautiful a woman is, we know beauty is temporal, charm is finite, and the aging process will run its course. King Lemuel does not mention the physical appearance of his mother; he focuses on her character - described as a woman who fears the Lord. If you know a woman who loves and respects God, honors and cares for people, invests wisely, and lives intentionally, take a moment to thank God for her life. As she aims to be more like God, strive to be more like her.

A student wanted to call his mother to tell her he was not having a good day. A teacher asked him why wasn't he having a good day, and he replied, "because nobody likes me." The teacher asked his permission to ask the class if they liked him, and he said, "no." This student has been operating from the belief that all the students at the school do not like him and that he does not fit in. The sad thing is he cannot provide solid proof to validate his feelings or assumptions. There are a large number of people living according to the fallacy of their feelings! Feelings are tricky! They seldom can be solidified without facts. However, people would rather live in captivity by holding onto their feelings instead of seeking divine truth that can release them from the lies intertwined in their feelings. We were created in the image of God to serve Him and to live a victorious, abundant life! But if we do not realize why God created us, we will shortchange ou...

Realists seem to shun (i.e., people who tend to view or accept things as they are) people who live by faith. On the surface, realists and people who govern their lives by faith are different. But at their core, they are quite the same because they consciously and unconsciously live by faith. When realists work, they expect payment after completion of their project or workweek. That is unconscious faith because payment is expected, not guaranteed. Conscious faith is an unemployed person who is confident they will secure work with God's help. Faith is not magic; it is a process of life. We are not faithless beings. The question is, where do we direct our faith and the energy we release when we exercise it? Realists may not believe in a deity like God. Their lives are inspired by what they see. People who believe in God are led by what they cannot see because their hope and assurance are in God's ability to honor His promises! Click here to view journal pages for this blog ...

When God made you, He spoke to Himself. Everything God created outside of Himself, He spoke into existence (e.g., Let there be), and it was! When God made humanity, He spoke to Himself and said, Let us make man in our image after our likeness (Genesis 1:26). The image of God is Triune (i.e., three beings in one)! He is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The image of man is Triune too (i.e., Soul, Body, and Spirit). Being made in God’s image reflects His holiness, His righteous, and His love. When God spoke to Himself to form humanity, He wanted to demonstrate His love through fellowship when He said, “It’s not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). Another part of being made in God’s image is the freedom to choose. Adam and Eve were righteous until they ate the forbidden fruit (i.e., rebel against God). Their rebellion marred the image of God within themselves and their decedents. And the scars of their decision (i.e., mentally, socially, morally, and ph...

Living within your means is well-intended advice to prevent people from acquiring debt. But could this advice prevent individuals from believing and achieving a bigger and better life? Mean among many definitions is average. Living outside your means spiritually, emotionally, and socially can lead to an extraordinary life. Here’s how: Write your big dreams and read them daily Create a vision board with images that coincide with your dreams Review, envision, and mediate daily of you achieving your dreams Surround yourself with people who have what you desire Strive for purpose and not security Live by faith and not fear

Where are you? Where do you want to go? How are you going to get there? These are the questions a technical instructor asked to help trainees learn how to change directories using DOS (i.e., Disk Operating System). Post-DOS days, the technical instructor realized these questions apply to our everyday lives, and we believe these questions can help individuals get unstuck in their careers, relationships, or finances. If you feel stuck, click here and download our guide that can help you get unstuck.

It’s amazing how salt adds flavor to food? It’s also amazing how salty foods can make you thirsty. And, water is a great beverage to quench a salty thirst. Every born again believer is the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13) and they are responsible for adding flavor to the lives of people they encounter daily. Are you a believer, what kind of flavor do you add to the lives of others? Is it wisdom, unconditional love, encouragement, salvation, peace, healing, faith or strength? Or, is it jealousy, envy, bitterness, complaints, or criticism? What flavor of salt do people you encounter thirst for the most? The flavor of the spirit or the flesh? God has given every born again believer a gift or talent to add spiritual flavor to a flavorless world. In addition to adding flavor, salt is used to preserve and heal. The Blood of Jesus Christ has preserved every believer from: 1) the power of sin; 2) eternal damnation; and 3) the power of Satan. God would like His children to use their gi...

A husband would never have to ask his wife to submit if he’s submitting his will to God. And, it’s quite challenging to surrender your will to a man who doesn’t know his mission for God, his life, and family. God called man to be the head (leader) of his family; not the boss! There is a difference. When husbands recognize and acknowledge God’s will for them to lead like Jesus led, (i.e., without coercion, but by example), their family will follow with honor and respect; without resistance.