God's Girl: Flaws, Scars and All

One day it dawned on me that I didn't have to keep pretending to have it all together.  I had wasted so many years pretending like everything was OK.  I didn't want to face my truths, deal with my realities or confront my disappointments.  After all, I needed to be perfect in the sight of others.  I couldn't let people see that I was actually human and hurting.  

Unfortunately, this is where many of us find ourselves.  Too many women want to hide their flaws, and cover their scars, in an attempt to portray this emblem of balance and togetherness while unleashing a sense of freedom from outside forces and negative vibes. Our hair is done to perfection, make-up is is just right, and our fashion sense is just to die for.  The strut in our step exuberates confidence and it appears as though life is meaningful, but underneath the facade is the real deal.

The fact that you gave your all to someone and he broke your heart, or you've tried to get healed from being violated at a very age, or deal with the fact that your father decided not to be an active part of your life, or your mom thought men and drugs were more important than her relationship with you, positions you to carry the scars that only remind you of the pains of your past.  But, the truth is, none of those things broke you, they made you stronger!

You need to know that your flaws, and your scars make you who you are today.  Your imperfections give you an opportunity to embrace those who haven't found the strength to stand in their own truth. Yeah, I know sometimes you feel as though you don't have much to offer because after all you're just trying to get healed yourself, but the truth is, your healing is in the healing of someone else.  Your flaws will be freedom to someone, if you allow them to become visible.  Your scars will be a sign of healing for someone, if you allow them to become touchable. Little do we know, our total healing is wrapped up in our ability to be transparent and stand in our truth.  Our freedom depends on our willingness to help someone else become free.  

I don't know about you, but I'm excited about just being ME!  No more pretending.  No more hiding from myself and denying myself the opportunity to live a life free from bondage.  When you release your fears, release your pain, and release your disappointments to God, he will give you a fresh new perspective on life.  He'll use what hurt you to bless you.  You will begin to see how everything that you've gone through is now working together for your good.  It's hard to see it while you're in it, but when you're able to take a step back, you can see the hand of God moving and purpose of God manifesting in your life.  So, let me remind you one more time.  You are a God's Girl, with your flaws, scars and all!

Live Life Now!
#ibelieve

The Purpose Coach
Y. Presley

You are enough!

I took today off to be with my sister who is having surgery.  Right now I'm home watching television until it's time for me to start getting dressed.  Listening to guests on the TD Jakes show talk about living their dreams and doing what they love, I realized something about myself. I'm intimidated and didn't realize it until now...

I've always been self-motivated but after giving my life to Christ I became so entrenched in the power of God's Word and believing in His promises.  I believe that God wants us to live a prosperous life  and the last 20 years of my life has been about running after the promises and wanting to live the God best life.  Over the years, my passion for success became my enemy.  When I heard God speak I moved.  Many times I didn't wait to get clear instruction I just moved.  I believed, I received and I wanted to see the manifestation immediately.  I've had much success but I've experienced much failure as well.  I have people reaching out to me daily for encouragement, guidance, and counsel because they can see what I've accomplished, they can see my passion, but they can't see my pain.  What looks successful on the outside isn't always that on the inside. 

After being laid-off from my job in 2011, my life has been on a see-saw, going up and down, up and down, up and down.  I'm now in a profession that I like, but I don't love.  Deep down I know that I'm destined for greatness, but for some reason I feel stuck.  I'm just realizing that I'm allowing myself to be stuck because I'm intimidated by people who appear to be successful in what I know I'm called to do.  I've allowed that to happen because I compare myself without recognizing it and I feel like I don't measure up because I'm different.  I love speaking, training and coaching.  I know I'm called to do just that but my delivery is different, my style is different, my thought-process is different and I've looked at that as a negative instead of a positive.  I don't have to have the glamour but I love glamour.  I don't have to have the fan-fare but I love attention.  So, when I see others doing what I do but at a higher level I begin to feel like I'm not good enough.  Today, I clearly understand that I have to move forward in my fear!

I am enough! I am enough! I am enough! I have to keep telling myself that because when I think of the people who I thought would support me, push me, help me, but instead tried to block me, it frustrates me.  It took me a long time to get delivered from the anger, unforgiveness and the offense that I held on to for years. 

I want you to know that it's ok to feel what you feel just don't live there.  You can't base the effectiveness of your gift on the functioning of someone else's.  I can glean from women who do what I do, but I can't mimic those women.  I have to be me! You have to be you!  I now understand that I don't need a new me, I just need to be the real me. 

Go into 2017 with a new mindset.  Change the way you think about YOU!  Don't compare yourself to others, don't speak negatively about yourself, and don't doubt the value of what you're carrying.  Do what's in your heart to do.  Surround yourself with people who believe in you and want to see you succeed.  I just wanted you to know, You Are Enough!


The Purpose Coach
Author, Speaker, Coach

No More Excuses

Sometimes you just have to make a decision to "Go Hard" after what you want.  You don't have time to keep trying to get everyone's approval, opinion and suggestions.  When you know what's in your heart, it's hard to convince people of what you see because when God didn't give them the vision they can't see what you see. 

I have 7 days until my vision is manifested.  I had to pray myself out of the rut that I was in and encourage myself to get up and push the RE-START button of my life.  I felt myself settling for what my circumstances had created, but it wasn't what God created for me.  When you understand that you were created with a purpose, only then will you fight the feeling to give up, ignore the prodding of defeat, and silence the whisper of failure.  Whatever you've gone through, it was for your good.  It was that process that qualifies you to move pass your pain and into your purpose. 

It's about time to walk it out.  You've wanted it, prayed for it, talked about it, wrote about it, and dreamed about it.  Now, it's time to BE about it.  No More Excuses! Walk into your season of purpose.

The Purpose Coach

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COMING SOON!

BeInspired

                                                      Website: www.yolandapresley.com

Book Re-Launch - AVERAGE, The Enemy of Purpose

It's Hard But......

It's so easy to quit and give up on your dreams. Life gets tough. The things you've always dreamed about can often seem so far away. Your heart says keep fighting but your mind and body becomes tired and weak. You begin to feel exhausted at the thought of trying anything else, calling or writing anyone else or even praying about the same thing again. You then realize that people are depending on you to stay strong and keep fighting because you've become their fuel while your tank continues to decrease. Your passion begins to flutter as if you're about to give out of gas. A million questions rush through your mind as you fight the temptation to cut off the lights, close the blinds, curl up in a fetal position and cry yourself to sleep. All of a sudden, you see a glimmer of light peeking through the top corner of the blinds and begin to feel a renewed sense of hope. 

You believe but you're tired. You know it could happen but you're tired. You really want to see the manifestation of your dreams but you're tired. That feeling of being tired is just that...a feeling. Don't let your feelings steal what your faith conceived! Keep pushing because only faith can give birth to what you're carrying. 

It's hard but......

The Purpose Coach

Shakinah Presley

My daughter Shakinah singing "Say Something".  I only have the last part on this recording.

There is always a NEXT!

Trying to adjust to this new space that God has me in is a little difficult but exciting.  I'm finally stepping out into purpose, full-time.  I've been speaking, training and coaching for over 10 years.  This is my season to exercise my faith and do what I've been called to do.

When one assignment comes to an end God always has a NEXT.  When one door closes there's always a NEXT.  It's simply time for your to find your NEXT.  God is intentional about blessing His people.  Your destiny is predetermined.  You were created for success.  God is depending on you to fulfill His purpose for your life because He knows you'll give him the glory.  You were designed to be a testimony of God's faithfulness to His people. Don't settle.....find your NEXT!

Only you can stop you from living your dreams.  Don't allow situations and circumstances to control you.  Find a way to make it happen!  Keep knocking, keep listening because your NEXT is calling.


The Purpose Coach
Yolanda Presley

Be Obsessed With Improvement | TGIM

What's Going On?

I'm so disturbed today in my spirit. As I sat and listened to the news this morning I couldn't believe what I was hearing. In Orlando, Fl homeless people are arrested for sleeping on the streets. Once they are arrested they have to pay court cost etc.... Here you have homeless, jobless people who can't pay for shelter but you arrest them and expect them to pay court cost. When they can't pay they are arrested again for failure to pay. Please tell me what kind of sense that makes.  Humans are treated worse than animals.  If a dog is found on the streets someone either takes them in or they take them to a shelter. When a human is found sleeping on the streets they are thrown in jail. How can this be in America?

Unemployment has been cut-off for millions of people. Some say that the economy is strong enough now and unemployment benefits are too expensive. How can the economy stay strong without strong families? If families can't eat, no shelter for their head, no means of supporting themselves, how can that make/keep the economy strong? This will lead to more homeless people and more violent crimes, creating unsafe communities.  Many of the jobs that are open most of the unemployed do not qualify for, because of the lack of skills and education. What is going on?

The majority of the people who are homeless and/or out of work are not bad people but people who are victims of bad circumstances. I am a witness because my world starting falling apart after being laid-off  in 2011. I am an educated, self-motivated hard worker who felt worthless after losing my job. I looked for for work daily, filled out hundreds of applications and couldn't find work. I had a Master's Degree and years of experience in several areas but jobless. So, I fail to believe that everybody that's in need are sorry, lazy, good for nothing, want nothing people who are out to use the system. I've been there! What's going on?

We'll come together and send millions to other countries for relief efforts but people in our own country are hungry, homeless and helpless.  We cut-off aid to our own, but go above and beyond to send aid to others. We create laws to keep our own from getting while creating more laws to give
more to those who already have.  I really don't understand.  What's going on?

Is your Dream in Development Hell?

I'm re-reading this book entitled: Produced by Faith written by Devon Franklin.  When I tell you that it addresses every stage that you go through when you're in pursuit of purpose and living your dreams, I'm so serious.




Devon describes "Development Hell" as a place that you reach where you feel like you've stopped progressing and sometimes even feels like you're going in reverse.  He talks about the many movies that were in "Development Hell" but just one scene, one new idea, one suggestion or one change away from going into Production. 




Development Hell is a part of the process that all of us will go through or have gone through at some point in our pursuit to live our dreams. This is a very crucial stage because we can choose to give up and throw in the towel because of hopelessness, feeling like you've worked so hard, only to find yourself stuck and/or going in reverse.  I want to encourage you to stand still and wait on God. 


If you want success then you have to trust that the pause you're experiencing is simply an opportunity for God to setup everything that you need in order to hit it big at the Box Office.  This is where the enemy starts playing with your mind and whispering, "give up", "it's not worth it", "this is not for you", "why are you wasting your time"?  You have to turn a deaf ear to the enemy and feed your spirit the Word of God and the Promises of God. See, if you're going to make it through the tough times, you have to have something to stand on.  .What you believe must be stronger than what you see because what you see becomes more believable than what you believe.   




I found myself in "Development Hell" a couple of years ago.  I felt as though my life was going backwards and everything that I worked so hard to accomplish and build had fallen apart.  I didn't realize that where I was - was a part of my process and my chance to learn new things, face new challenges and see how God moves in the midst of the impossible to make it all possible!


God has added more stripes to my faith pin and more experiences to confirm my belief in the supernatural power of God.  It took a while but through His Word and prayer, I got my passion back, my persistence back, my compassion back and my FAITH back. 




Now that you know where you are and that it's all a part of your process, get-up and get back to work.  You have a purpose to fulfilled and a dream to realize.




Living in Faith,




The Purpose Coach

I Still Believe

My heart is heavy this morning because I feel that the justice system has failed my nephew, but my spirit is stronger than ever because I know that God is going to use this setback to set him up for purpose. 


That battle between your flesh and your spirit can cause you to doubt the truth even when you know the truth to be true.  When your spirit is weak and your flesh is strong, your faith waivers because you haven't built it up in the spirit.  Whatever you feed grows and whatever you starve begins to wither away.  Many of you are feeding your flesh through thoughts and conversations that are contrary to what your spirit is connected to and that's the Word of God. 


It's time to go back to that secret place, that quiet place, that peaceful place that assures you that God is in control and everything is going to be alright.  Don't surround yourself with people who will feed your flesh the garbage of bitterness, envy, anger and unforgiveness.  God works through love!


Let today be a new day and a fresh start to a new beginning.  Let God be God and his enemies be scattered.  No weapon formed against you shall prosper!  If you're going to go into battle be sure to go in with the one who has already won before the fight begins.


In the midst of it all, I STILL BELIEVE!




The Purpose Coach
"Live Life on Purpose"

Can You Really Be Sure?

As I sit and ponder the life I'm living and the life I desire to live, I can't help but dissect the word Faith. I know that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. I also understand that when faith is involved common sense is out the door. But, does the absence of common sense mean faith is present or is there a hint of desperation that seeks to find anything that may resemble purpose?

My passion for writing, helping people, encouraging and motivating others, continues to push me to seek those things desired, but even more, those things promised. God has promised me many 
blessings and many open doors. Not one day goes by that I don't question if I'll ever walk in those promises. It's not because I don't believe or have faith, but I wonder if I'm running after God's purpose or settling for crumbs. 

There was a time when I was sure about where I was going. I was determined to live life with no regrets, but the thing I feared the most has come upon me. Lately, I have found myself regretting some decisions that I have made in life. I sometimes feel like fear stops me from really stepping out in faith. My biggest fear is hearing the words "I told you so". I realize now that I've made some people's opinions more important than they should be. I keep going back to the question, "Can you really be sure"?

At the end of the day, being sure is simply having faith that what you believe is sure. I do believe that what God promised he will bing it to pass. I do believe that I will experience the manifestation of every promise God made me. This really isn't about being sure, it's about being steadfast and unmovable, on fire for God and determined to pursue purpose with everything on the inside of you.

No more dwelling on what I had or what I did. It's time to focus on where I'm going and what God has in store for me. So, what about you?  Are you sure?  Have you lost your zeal, your fire, and your passion? Time doesn't wait on anyone. You can't slow down now.  It's time to finish what you started!

So, to answer my own question, YES.........yes,  you can be sure that what God promised he will bring it to pass. It's in the Word.

Live Life Now,

The Purpose Coach

Unfamiliar Doors

When you're forced out of your comfort zone into an unfamiliar place, it's scary.  It's scary because you are looking at people and things that you have no connection to and everything you know seems irrelevant because of where you are.  At this point, you can't see purpose, you don't know why you're there, and you're feeling lost and stuck.

Finding myself in this place was a frightening experience. I couldn't understand why God allowed what I was comfortable with to be snatched away.  At first I thought I was being punished or I did something wrong.  I just couldn't understand it.  Now, I'm beginning to understand that in order to get my life to the next level, I had to be forced from stage 1 to stage 2.  I couldn't maximize my full potential at stage 1 because I had already mastered that level.  It was time to move on and my flesh didn't want to go through that process.  See when you're starting a new level in life, you have to figure out how to maneuver through the ups and downs, the road blocks, the detour signs, the potholes and even the road workers who have been assigned to distract you.  You have to die a few times before you learn where not to step, who not to trust and what not to do.  So, starting a new level can be painful but it's necessary.

Don't make a permanent decision in a temporary situation.  Just because it doesn't look like what you saw in stage 1 doesn't mean it's not part of the plan.  The doors that God will open will be unfamiliar doors.  They won't be shaped the same, won't have the same color and some may not even look like a door.  Ultimately, you're going to have to change the way you think because stage 2 will require you to think outside of the box.  This stage will require collaboration and partnerships.  You will meet people who don't look like you, sound like you or even dress like you.  Your job is to recognize when God is sending a divine connection into your life.  Nothing happens the way we think it should because our minds are so finite.  We can only think so far ahead, but God has already set the stage, organized the event and put the plan in place.  It's not your responsibility to know "how" - "why"  or "when",  you just need to be ready when the door opens. 

This is the season of unfamiliar doors.  Stop looking for what you saw yesterday, today is a NEW day.  SHIFT your mindset, SHIFT your thinking, SHIFT your relationships, and prepare to walk through UNFAMILIAR DOORS!


Live Life Now,

The Purpose Coach

Is It God's Will?

What do you do when the dream you've been trying to keep alive is the one God is trying to kill?  Yeah....it stumped me when I heard it too.  I mean, you put your all into something only to find out that it's not God's perfect will for your life.  I've learned over the years that there's a difference between God's perfect will and his permissive will.  Sometimes we operate outside of His perfect will unknowingly. We can get to a point where we really feel like what we're doing is God's will for our lives, because it appears to be working.  Everything appears to be going well and you seem to be prospering, so what's the problem?  Well, it could very well be His will... just not his perfect will. 

God gives us the right to "choose".  We make a conscious decision daily as to what we will or will not do.  Often times we do good things that help & encourage people and even show the love of God, but just because it's good doesn't mean it's God!  We can find ourselves in this position when we start depending on and trusting our flesh.  Whenever we slack on seeking the face of God and listening to divine instructions, we slip away into a deep hole of false humility that makes us feel like we're to good things so we have to be in the perfect will God.  Sadly, that's not true and it's a tough spot to find yourself.  It's great to do good things for people but don't miss out on purpose because you want to do good.  You can continue to do good in PURPOSE!

It's time to break-out of the mode of relying on our flesh & good heart and really start seeking God for divine instructions and clear directions.  I don't know about you but I'm tired of good, I want God!   When you choose God, you're choosing His absolute best for your life! 

Always choose God.


Walk in Love, Stay in Faith,


Pastor Y.P.

Purpose Time!

Well, school is out and I'm feeling that drive again.  I know when I'm in my lane because I can't stop writing, can't stop reading and I'm eager to share ideas......I'm there!

This is the perfect time to regroup, rethink, revise and redo.  Now, is the time to start checking things off that "To Do" list and see purpose begin to manifest.  If you sit around and wait for it to come to you then it will never happen.  Dreams aren't just meant to be motivational but they should propel you, push you, accelerate your desire to live the life you dream about. 

Sometimes the road gets rough, bumpy and you can even fall into a few potholes but there is always a way out.  It may take a while and that journey may seem endless and you may even get tired and hopeless during that journey, but when you finally start seeing lights, buildings and people, you know you're almost there.  I just want you to know today that you're almost there.  You've made it through the toughest times.  You've stood the test of all tests.  You've plowed through the fields filled with weeds, bugs, rotten fruit and fruit that never reached it's maximum potential.  You watched the buzzards come and eat what you worked so hard for and now you think it's over.  I have news for you, It's just beginning! 

When you show God that your faith is strong even when your flesh is weak and your hope is in the fact that he made you a promise and you know he can't lie.........he will move mountains for you.  He will make your enemy your foot-stool, he'll prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies, he'll breath new life into what you and others thought was dead.  You're right where he wants you.  Now that you're at a place where you can't fix it, you can't change it, you can't make it right, God can show up and give you what he's been trying to give you all the time. 

See, I had my own preconceived notions about how God was going to manifest what he promised me.  I had my own vision as to how his purpose would be manifested in my life.  Needless to say, it's NOT happening like I thought it would.  As a matter of fact, I never dreamed he would take me this route.  I can't even say I like the route, but I do know that ALL things work together for the good for those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose.  I do know that he said he'll bring me to my expected end.  So, it doesn't matter what it looks like or what path God decides will lead me to my Purpose Destination, I'm ALL In!

My friends, It's Purpose Time!  Go with God.  Don't be moved by how it looks or feels, if you trust that God is in control and he wishes above all things that you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers, then you can rest in his promises. 

Stay focused and keep it moving.  It's time to receive the harvest on every seed you've sown.  This means every tear you've cried, every hour you've worked, everything you've given up & everything and everyone that you've lost in the process.  It's now time to REAP!

I'm feeling Purpose all over me, what about you?


The Purpose Coach

Re-branding in Progress:
New website and New logo Coming Soon.......

Live Life Now: I'm Back.....

Wow....it's been a year since I've really blogged and I'm so excited to start sharing inspiration and motivation once again.  I took close to a year off and dealt with some personal things and really allowed God to redirect my life.  It has been an amazing journey because I've seen "Me" at my best and at my worst. 

Sometimes we have to take a step back and regroup.  We can get so caught-up into being who others want or expect us to be until we lose sight of who God has predestined us to be.  I encourage you to take some time with yourself and examine your heart.  Check the pulse of your purpose and make sure you're living, not merely existing but living. 

This is a new year with new opportunities and new doors waiting for you to walk through them.  Don't limit yourself, don't minimize your God and don't give anyone control over your destiny.  If there are people in your life who are not adding to your life then they are taking away from it.  It's time out for dragging those who refuse to rise up and live.  The load can get heavy when we have excess baggage.  This may be the time to throw some stuff over board.  Make your load lighter and decide to live in peace.  This is your time, take control!

Live Life Now!

The Purpose Coach

The Next Chapter........Doctor

Today I decided to pick-up the pen and stop making excuses, for not starting on my dissertation.  I must admit that the subject is very touchy and controversial for some, but none the less it's an important subject that needs to be addressed, in order for healing to take place.

Sexual immorality, in the church, is becoming a widespread virus that has no respecter of persons nor denominations.  It's running through churches, destroying lives and giving many a bad taste in their mouths about God.  The actions of one has the ability to cause many to reap the consequences and often wonder "why".....Why did this happen to me?

In my effort to do this paper justice, I've decided to interview the abused and the abusers.  I'm doing personal interviews, in order to present factual information about the brokenness, emotional distress and loss of self-esteem that overcome those who have been abused and those who make the conscious decision, to cross a line that was never meant to be crossed!

Many "churches" try to handle sexual and immoral issues through "silence" but it's my heart and passion to give "voice" to the victim and drown out the "silence" of cover-ups, pay-offs and deals that are made, to sweep things under the rug, never to be spoken of again.

As I do my research and I read these heart breaking testimonies, from so many who found themselves on the wrong side of the altar, it fuels my passion, to seek spiritual justice, by demanding accountability and responsibility, from those claiming to be called by God.

Although my paper will not reveal the identities of the people I interview, the words will give identity to the hurt and pain of those who walked into a church seeking HELP and found HELL.

If you or someone you know would like to participate in CHANGE by sharing your story, please send me a confidential email to: igot2survive@aol.com.  You can also call me and leave a message at: 1-800-986-3327.  All of those being interviewed will sign a "confidential" and a "liability" release form, for their protection and mine.  One will only have to give information that he or she wants to reveal. 

I solicit your prayers as God leads and directs me, in writing this paper. 


Living on Purpose,

Yolanda
www.yolandapresley.com

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