Book Corner: 'More Than' Discussion

Welcome to our first book discussion. Thank you for joining. 

I'd like to talk a bit about the book we'll be reading over the next few weeks, along with the author. Shall we?

At this time, Vonae Deyshawn's main website is down. Therefore, I'll direct everyone to her Twitter page. To visit, simply click here. Perhaps even give her a follow. 

Small tid bits about Vonae:

Shes's a Mom, Dreamer, Speaker,#Author of More Than, Discipleship for @cfimpact & lover of pretty sparkly things. She finds joy in helping others discover hope and purpose.

Remember, More Than is FREE right now on Amazon. Grab your copy and join in. 

I'll be reading Chapters 1

Chapter One

In this chapter, Vonae talks about self-labels. We all give them to each other and even ourselves. I remember doing a post about this on my "Mommy" blog. Labels are all around us and until we sit and reflect on our own labels, does it occur that perhaps this world relies on them a bit too much. 

We're asked to write down a list of the labels we've had in our lives, given to us by others or ourselves, and then think about the lessons that have come with each. 

Here are my thoughts about labels: 

Everything in this life has one kind of label. If you're talking about food, it's a label identifying all the ingredients. If one is talking about a person.Unfortunately, we are labeled by a variety of things, such as the way we look, dress, and act. Humans are constantly putting labels on each other. We tend to wear labels just as food in the store does. 

What is your label?

I've had a lot of labels throughout my life. Many were hurtful. I've been UGLY, POOR, UNWORTHY, and a DISAPPOINTMENT.

These labels were given to me when I was young and in my school days. Of course, I didn't know this then, but they do NOT define me. God defines me. He defines you.

The Lord has shown me that I am none of the above. 

I am not UGLY....I am BEAUTIFUL, FLAWLESS.

Song of Solomon 4:7 says:
"You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you."

I am not POOR. I am RICH.

Matthew 5:3 says:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

I am not UNWORTHY. I am WORTHY.

John 3:16 says:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

I am not a DISAPPOINTMENT. I am FORGIVEN.

Romans 5:8 says:
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

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Words hurt when used against another. This is why we must always be careful of what we say. It's important that we recognize how we use our words towards others. Not only do our words affect those who we are directing them at, but they also have an effect on us in Christ. 

What are the labels I would believe now?

REDEEMED, LOVED, PURSUED, CHOSEN, FORGIVEN

I am a Woman of God

Redeemed by Jesus Christ

Love, Pursued, and Chosen

Equipped with Words of Life

Clothed in Strength and Dignity

Commissioned Here and Now

Gifted by the Spirit

Forgiven and Unbound.

~Blessed is she who Believed.~

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Today, I ask you what labels have you had given to you? What labels would you give yourself? You are not anything other than what Christ has labeled you as. He is the ONLY one who matters.