Jesus!! FML!!

Yes you read it right. I said Jesus FML!! Some of you may not even know what FML means. Well it means “f” my life. It rhymes with duck my wife. Got it? Okay now that we ‘re all on the same page I can move on to tell you how sick I am of seeing those 3 letters in social media statuses!

Social Media often gets a bad rap. My argument is that the people using these platforms should do so more responsibly. The bible says that life and death lie in the power of your tongue. Did you know words have weight and words have power? When you complain you remain. What are you choosing to release through your status to the world? I see too many people following the trend of this whole FML statement. Why are people posting or even saying this? Would you like some attention? Are you crying out for help or just trying to be cute?

Instead of revealing on our feeds today’s drama from the broken relationship or lifestyle that you keep choosing to live- give it to God! Start saying Jesus FML (FIX my life). Ask Jesus to FIX your life! Take your stresses, cares, worries, needs and anger and lay them at the foot of the cross. Take them there and leave them. Too often we “give” things to God and then pick them right back up in our own hands and act like it’s too much for God to handle. God will only give us as much as we can bear right? So stop accepting things in your life that aren’t from Him. Stop blaming God for the things the enemy or better yet- YOU are causing in your life. Start taking ownership for your choices, actions and reactions. Sometimes we need to focus more on not what we need to stop doing, but rather what we aren’t doing at all and should be!

There’s this thing called the Bible where you can get every answer for the situation you are going through. It’s even a best seller! If there’s ever a time when you can’t find the answer you can contact the author (God) directly. It’s a pretty sweet deal! Today I just encourage you to start speaking life over every situation, trial or test you may be going through. There is so much darkness in the world so use your voice to bring LIGHT! There’s nothing wrong with asking for prayer, support or shoulder to cry on. Just remember once you’ve given what you need to give to God don’t pick it back up. After you’ve prayed and asked, then it’s time for you to thank and praise God for what He’s about to do in your life! Be encouraged. Have a #LivingSweet day! #SHIFTtoLive #Live2Give #PurposedGiving

Focused. Fearless. Favored.
Jana M. Gamble
@AuthorJMG

His fragrance…

We all have come across scents that make our heads turn and perk up our eyes. This attraction may come from a memory of someone you love which causes you to think about how their fragrance stayed on you after they left your presence. Your attraction may just be from a good memory you had where that scent was present. Personally I love the laundry aisle in the stores, I could be there for hours lol- it’s just relaxing to me.

Think of a fragrance that excites you. How do you feel when you first catch a hint of that scent? How do you feel as it lingers a little longer? What thoughts come to your mind as your senses are engaged? How do you feel when those smells are finally gone?

For me I think about the times that someone I love has left their sweet smell of cologne on my clothes, on a pillow, in the car or even on their own shirt or jacket that I may have worn myself. Smelling that cologne puts a smile on my face. The fragrance causes me to feel like they are near me and to think of the memories that we have experienced together. Breathing in this scent makes me feel at peace, full of joy, makes me feel like they are here with me and that I am protected. When the fragrance finally fades away I desire to have that person and their scent back.

Isn’t it amazing how sweet and soothing our Lord Jesus Christ is. When we get in His presence we can smell the beautiful aroma of who He is, breathe in His love, and capture the hope that is in Him. Even while calling the name of Jesus, the sweetest name I know, your whole countenance can change. As we purposely stay in His presence we too give off His fragrance offering it back to God and out to the world attracting those that need to know who He is. It is great to know that God’s fragrances never fade away and we can have as much of them as we so desire.

We are in this world not of it so make sure that the scent you’re leaving behind and the taste that you leave in the mouths of others is a sweet one rooted in God. Seek His presence daily so that as you walk away the scents of God’s love, grace and peace will permeate from your very being. We are called to be Salt and Light in this world. If you didn’t know the reason that salt is added to many dishes when cooking is to bring out the other flavors that are already present- to bring life to the dish. So let’s not be salty in a negative sense but be God’s salt that brings out the good in all His children.

Be encouraged today. Stay in God’s presence because it will keep you #LivingSweet! #Live2Give

Have a Living Sweet day!

Focused. Fearless. Favored.
Jana M. Gamble

This is my #LivingSweet story 4

My #LivingSweet story continued…

Let me rewind a bit and tell you how God keeps showing out! First of all Giving is what I do. I wrote a book in 2007 called “107 Ways to Give When You Think You Have Nothing to Give”, I live a Lifestyle of a Giver & October begins Living Sweet’s Annual 10 Weeks of Giving Movement. From the time I came home God kept sending people my way dropping off $200, $400 and even $500 at a time to bless me and only God knew I didn’t have an income during this time to support my 2 children and I. Simply in awe I ended up with nearly 50 Get Well Soon cards including those from my daughter’s Girl Scout Troop as part of their Giving Back Patch! The love my church family and community showed me was a beautiful thing.

My dear friend Dr. Christy Jenkins, B.C.N.D. (Naturo Health Solutions LLC) took me under her wing and began putting me through detox treatments and other Naturopathic procedures that would aid in both my healing and preparation for surgery. I almost fell out after a treatment in her office one day but Dr. Jenkins prayed over me and asked the Holy Spirit to guide her and then I started to regain my strength.

It was very important to me that my Pastor David Blunt lay hands and pray over me before my surgery. Gratefully he was able to do so one Sunday after service. I’ll never forget Pastor said “just stay in the Throne Room…” and I held on to those words and dove deeper into his teaching. That very series he was teaching at that time helped me draw closer to God and learn His nature providing me great peace in my situation.

Another great sister in Christ Regena Richardson also was a major support system and prayer warrior during this time. The morning of my surgery she and her mother conference called me to pray over me, the surgeons and claim my healing. I’m forever grateful…

My surgery was set for October 31st but then the unexpected early season snow storm occurred leaving Dr. Bhayani’s family stranded in New York so we rescheduled for November 9th, 2012 at Barnes Jewish West Hospital. On the day of the surgery my son Jabri, daughter Dyawna, mom & dad all came to support me.

I think they skipped me I kept thinking as every time someone passed me they would say “20 more minutes.” It became a running joke as I patiently waited for my surgery. Over 4 hours after being in surgery I came out with a partial left kidney and now a cancer free woman! The cancer was contained and the tissue surrounding was not affected. Days later without no radiation, no chemotherapy, additional medications I walked out of that hospital with 4 incisions, some pain but I was cancer free!!

God is so faithful!! I’m still in awe of how He saved me!! God kept me #LivingSweet so I could continue to #Live2Give!!

Want to hear more? Follow my blog http://www.AuthorJMG.Wordpress.com to read more about my journey.

This is my #LivingSweet story 3

My #LivingSweet story continued…

Finally it was time to see Dr. Mike and of course my faithful mother drove up 2 hours to be by my side. The next hour spent in his office would change my life. Dr. Mike was excited to meet us and was very serious about providing me the best options. After reviewing my scans from both 2011 & 2012 he came back in the room and shared with my Ma and I his absolute amazement from the growth of this “mass” they called renal cell carcinoma.

Dr. Mike said it really was a miracle that this cancer was found when we did and completely crazy that there was no evidence at all of it only 12 months prior. He explained to us that he did not have the technology or training to give me the procedure that I deserve which would allow for smaller incisions and a quicker recovery time. He said that because of my willingness to donate my kidney to my best friend’s dad as a Living Organ Donor that they would do everything they could to make sure that I get the best, and his name is Dr. Sam Bhayani.

Dr. Bhayani, who teaches doctors how to do robotic surgery, agreed to do a robotic laparoscopic partial nephrectomy on me to remove only the cancer and surrounding tissue. This news gave me great peace! Then Dr. Mike went even deeper and explained how we need to use preventive measures to assure early detection for my children as they reach adulthood monitoring their kidneys with the history of masses that occurred in our family. We were told that this type of cancer may happen in Caucasian men age 50-60 years of age. Well I was born from my Mexican mother and my African-American father and this time I was only 30 years old! Absolutely crazy but again God kept me and provided for my family’s every need.

The combination of everything Aminah and I had been doing with raising awareness through our Living Sweet Internet Radio Show promoting healthy living, giving back and now an even stronger passion about kidneys, we decided to start the process of making Living Sweet a charity. At this time Aminah was still recovering from being a Living Kidney Donor for her dad and I was waiting to have the cancerous part of my kidney removed.

My surgery was set within the coming weeks for on October 31st but then the unexpected early season snow storm occurred leaving Dr. Bhayani’s family stranded in New York so we rescheduled for November 9th, 2012.

Want to hear more? Follow my blog http://www.AuthorJMG.Wordpress.com to read more about my journey.

This is my #LivingSweet story 2

My #LivingSweet story continued…

I thought what the FRENCH?!! No I’m not going to let you take my whole left kidney I was about to donate it to save someone’s life that I love I’m not gonna just let you throw it all away!!

Again I’m blown away by all of this. I knew that God had me but that it was my responsibility to seek, knock and ask. I immediately called my church, Church on the Rock (COTR) letting them know what was going on so that they could stand in the gap and believe with me both for my healing and provision. Still waiting for my insurance at this point I began trying to find a doctor. After reaching out to everyone I was referred to and being denied my physician started calling me after hours daily with new doctors to try. Finally we struck gold and Dr. Mike all the way out in Fenton, MO said that he would see me.

Almost every day that went by and we checked the mail more and more encouraging cards had been sent to me. What a blessing it was to receive prayers and support from my Pastors and church family which gave me strength every time I looked at them on my kitchen counter. I could literally feel the power of God moving through every angel He sent my way to bless my family financially and spiritually. Even though I wasn’t well I was caring for my neighbor Mercy’s daughter during the day. Each morning Mercy and 4 year old Amaliah would come over to visit and pray over me which made my day. To experience the pure innocence and power of a praying child with deep faith was truly a blessing.

While I was awaiting word on my cancer treatment we were preparing to celebrate Aminah & Al’s transplant and headed to Nashville VA for a checkup. It was certainly good to get away and to be able to share what was going on with me with our transplant team that had taken me through the beginning of the kidney transplant journey. We purposed a trip down to records to collect all of my images and previous scans that clearly showed 12 months prior I had a perfect looking and functioning left kidney vs. my current diagnosis of 3 years worth of growth of renal cell carcinoma.

Finally it was time to see Dr. Mike and of course my faithful mother drove up 2 hours to be by my side. The next hour spent in his office would change my life.

Want to hear more? Follow my blog AuthorJMG on WordPress to read more about my journey.

 

 

This is my #LivingSweet story

On September 24th, 2012 I woke up completely weak from the first 12 days of September which I was unable to keep any food down and the 12 days following leading up to this day that I was unable to eat or drink without severe pain so I didn’t. I remember going through such a crazy internal battle of frustration from the pure fact that I could not control my body and everything I ate made me throw up- only 7 years prior I had been delivered from bulimia, a sickness I dealt with on and off since I was in the 5th grade. This felt like 12 of the longest days of my life, an extremely difficult time for me.

This morning not only was I completely weak but the pains in my abdomen had become worse by the day. I recall getting my children off to the bus then closing the door behind me and I started crying some major crocodile tears. I thought to myself “I think I’m going to die. I can’t have my children coming home and finding me on the floor dead! Lord help me! What should I do?!” At that moment the Holy Spirit instructed me to go to the ER. I was physically and emotionally drained but with a quickness to obey I got a few things together and headed straight to Barnes Jewish St. Peters Hospital.

Upon arriving at the hospital and getting settled into a room the nurses started an I.V. as I waited for the doctor. The doctor said based on my symptoms I probably was having an appendicitis or gallbladder issues so we would start by doing a CT Scan with contrast. Because I hadn’t eaten in so long I was sent back very quickly with the cup of contrast I had to drink on the way. After the test I was rolled back to my room where I waited by myself for my results. Soon after the ER doctor came in and said that the scan showed that my appendix and gallbladder appeared to be normal and they weren’t certain why I was suffering from so much pain and unable to eat. Next he said but Ms. Gamble there has been an incidental finding on the CT. I said “a what? I took that word out of my vocabulary. There are no incidents or coincidences…” He said we have found a mass in your left kidney. I said “you what?! That’s not possible. 12 months ago I was going to donate my kidney to my best friend Aminah’s dad Al Atkins. I went through every test possible and was a match for him…” The doctor said yes they found a mass and they were admitting me to run further tests.

I was absolutely beside myself. 12 months ago I was going to donate my left kidney to Al. We even began creating awareness through our Internet Radio Show Living Sweet to encourage others to Donate Life. The only reason that I was denied in the end was because I have the sickle cell trait and 1/3 of the doctors in the country do not recommend a sickle cell trait individual as a Living Organ Donor. So when I called and found this out I had to break the news to Al and his family which after a few days of crying and being heartbroken over the news I was able to do. Here I was a match and Al (dad’s) only hope to live without being on dialysis 3 times a week. Thank God Aminah came forth and was an even better match donating her left kidney to her dad on July 18th, 2012. I was there before, during and after their surgery caring for Aminah’s every need. Aminah and her 5 children even lived with my 2 children and I for over a month following the surgery.

What do they mean I have a mass in my left kidney? When, where, how & why did it happen? I didn’t understand. I didn’t have any insurance. I’m a single mom of 2, going to school full-time, Speaking and Catering. After telling the guy I was talking to about my diagnosis he said it was too much for him so we were done. For a week I stayed in the hospital mostly by myself but I had a few visitors. They performed 2 Ultrasounds, an MRI, Colonoscopy, Endoscopy- you name it I had it done! Thank God my Ma came up and took care of my babies for me.

I’ll never forget the looks on the nurses faces as they tip tapped on the computer then looked at me with the fear of death on their faces and asked “how are you doing” every time they walked in the room. It wasn’t until a Urologist with no bedside matter hat on came in and quickly said “Well so you’ve heard you have renal cell carcinoma. I’d like to take your whole left kidney out because of the possibility of reoccurrences. It’s urgent but it’s not something that we need to do today. Once you are able to eat and feel better in the next 2 weeks we can do the surgery…”

I thought what the FRENCH?!! No I’m not going to let you take my whole left kidney I was about to donate it to save someone’s life that I love I’m not gonna just let you throw it all away!!

Want to hear more? Follow my blog AuthorJMG on WordPress to read more about my journey.

Letter to my lover…

Letter to my lover
Hey baby,
All I can say is baby I’m sorry
I should have told you from
the start that I am married…
I’ve been cheating on my husband and haven’t told him, but the whole time he knew my every move
He watched as a imagined myself with other men in the quiet of my mind thinking about what it might be like to be with them
He listened as I joined with gentlemen “in agreement” to my struggles- joining spiritually and believing what they said
He watched us as we acted out our new found love on his bed connecting both physically and emotionally when I was already supposedly involved with him
He watched as I bowed to the feet of earthly men that didn’t deserve it and laid my head in your lap to bring you pleasure while I received none of my own.
He’s seen it all
He’s seen it all this time and every time before
See baby you’re not the first one and I’m not certain there won’t be more that follow you…
Baby I said I’m sorry!
That’s really all I can say
Anything more will just be words and won’t take the pain in his heart away
Oh or mine & yours either
I’m so sorry why don’t you just sit down and take a breather
If it’s not complicated enough…there’s more!
Not only is he my husband but he is my maker, my father and my best friend.
Sure sounds a little crazy and like we keep it in the family, huh?
Don’t be mistaken because I’m not the one.
He is the Potter and I his clay
He is the King of Kings and I his daughter and a Queen with an inheritance
All this selfishness and unfaithfulness has got to stop
He is my Provider and he is my Rock
I can’t continue to choose these ways that block every blessing he has been waiting to bestow on me
I can’t continue to make decisions that cause him to turn his face from me
I can’t continue to blatantly fill my own voids with these activities, these idols or…you if they’re drawing me further from who he is and the me he created me to be
So baby I’m sorry
I’m sorry baby but the times we spent together and the memories we shared, is all there will ever be
I’m sorry baby but I choose to be with the one who chose to marry me.

Love Always,
Me

What did you say?!

To your children:
• You are so lazy!
• You’re gonna be just like your daddy.
• You’ll never become that…

To yourself:
• I’m too fat.
• I’m never gonna find a mate.
• I’m gonna be stuck in this job forever.
• I’m never going to be able to start my business.

To your spouse:
• You never do your part of the housework.
• You always leave your clothes all over the house.
• You don’t even love me anymore.

Errrrrrrrrt! What did you just say?! Are you speaking LIFE or death? Are your words sweet? Are you slow to speak?

First simply take a deep breath in and let it out. Now that you’ve found your mind again I need you to reflect on the words that are coming out of your mouth on not just a daily basis but taking an hourly analysis which will cause you to be very conscious of your word choices, tone & delivery.

Your words matter! Start speaking to others and praying for them all the promises of God you want to manifest in their lives. Take the time to make a list for all of the promises you can stand on for your children and your spouse/future mate. Daily we must pray for and speak life into those we love- standing in agreement with them for their purpose and desires to come to pass.

Keep Living Sweet! #Live2Give

Giving. Encouraging. Inspiring.
@AuthorJMG

Start now

It doesn’t matter where you are. You may be in a physical prison or placed yourself in your own dark lonely emotional prison of despair. Where ever you are look up. Look up to the one who created you for wisdom in the waiting. Lift your head up and your hands high to praise Him for the gifts He’s given you.

Take a good look at those hands- those blessings that give life to the dreams deeply rooted inside of you. If I were to die today you’d find several works of my hands on the shelves of my bookshelf, in bags in the basement and files on my computer. Works that were meant for giving life to millions of people all around the world. Works to touch the hearts of the broken and lonely- my works that were implanted in me by God that I was too busy to plant into the avenues I passed along by day and night.

I’m not going to let my story end this way! I’m taking authority over my choices and purposing time to make sure that I plow the field daily so that I may see my harvest while I still breathe on this earth. This IS my season. This IS my time. I will not stumble from deceitful souls. I will not block my own blessings any longer. Be prepared to watch me fly. Listen closely… I will RISE!

Giving. Encouraging. Inspiring.
#authorjmg
#LivingSweet #Live2Give

Start somewhere

The end of the day is near but that doesn’t mean that it’s too late to start those very things that have been sitting, waiting inside you. If you never start somewhere you won’t start at all. You can sit and wait another day while your dreams dry up inside you or you can start nourishing the visions deep within embracing every chance that you have to build a legacy for your family.

Live today…for tomorrow may never come.

Giving. Encouraging. Inspiring.
#authorjmg