Lies destroy lives

Poetry Corner

Good afternoon.  Happy Thankful Thursday to you all!  I pray your week is going well.

Leviticus 19:11(NIV)

¹¹ Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.

Psalm 101:7 (NIV)

⁷ No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.

Proverbs 12:22 (NIV)

²² The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.

 

Lies destroy lives

by: Nicole L. Ellis

Nothing good comes out of lips laced with deceit

Even when the mind tries to convince one that it’s innocent

Truth suffers and bleeds from defeat

People’s feelings become a casualty of war

The words that come from your mouth hold no meaning

Wounds are reopened based on the lies spoken before

Bad habits are formed and relationships are broken

Your actions dictate who you are

What you do speaks louder than the words spoken

Lies hold you captive and keep you bound

You’re a prisoner in your own web

You can’t go up you will only hit the ground

Jesus doesn’t even have room for liars

Why should people allow you to take up time and space

Only the truth can take you higher

Lies destroy lives

More importantly your own

Unfortunately the mess is never realized

Until the deceit is full-grown

Lies destroy lives

And separates you from the Most High

Repent and be forgiven

It’s time to give the truth a try!

 

Nothing good comes from lying.  It’s important to follow the example of Christ and if and when you do lie that you repent and strive to refrain from lying.  The scripture tells us that God doesn’t like liars and a person who lies will not dwell in His presence.  Make a conscious effort to be an honest person.  It’s not worth lying because it destroys lives, more importantly it can destroy your own!

Have a blessed day!

 

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Clean up on aisle 5

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning!  Happy Wednesday to you all!

TFTD: Clean up on aisle 5

Colossians 1:19-22 (NIV)

¹⁹ For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of^[a] your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—

Have you ever been in a grocery store when there was a spill and you hear over the intercom, “Clean up on aisle 5”?  When a spill takes place in the store, someone is notified and the person(s) responsible for that section immediately comes and cleans up the mess.  Not only do they mop or wipe up the spill, but they put cautionary signs on the floor to notify the other shoppers that the floor is wet.  And most of the time the person who committed the spill is not held responsible; they smile, apologize, and continue shopping.

In my sleep last night, all I kept hearing was “Clean up on aisle 5.”  I woke up early and asked God what does this mean?  I came downstairs and laid down again and I kept hearing “Clean up on aisle 5.”  God began showing it that it wasn’t the phrase I was supposed to focus on in the natural, but what it represented in the spiritual.  While we go through this journey called life we will encounter times when we will make a mess.  We will cause several spills and simply smile, apologize, and wait for someone to show up and clean our mess.  However, God knew before we were created that we would make a mess of things and that is why He had to send His Son Jesus Christ to save us and to reconcile us back to God.

When we do things our own way and it fails the world keeps records of our wrongs and looks to point the finger.  The world wants to hold someone responsible.  The world loves accusing people, but God is not like the world.  When you make a mess of your life or other situations, there is a call made over the spiritual intercom that notifies Jesus Christ.  He immediately comes to clean up the mess and He even places cautionary signs out for other people and even for yourself.  He wants to notify you that some tough times lie ahead.  He wants to notify others that the road gets rough up ahead so use caution or go another way.  Jesus loves us so much that He doesn’t want us to continue making the same mistakes.  And like Colossians 1:21-22 says, we were once alienated from God because of our messy behaviors, but because of Christ’s death we are without blemish and free from accusation.  You see, Jesus is not waiting to point the finger at you for making a mess, He is waiting for you to come to Him so He can wipe your slate clean.  He wants to send you on your way, striving not to make the same mess again.

The next time you think about “Clean up on aisle 5”, think about how many times Jesus comes in and cleans up your mess.  Allow Jesus to clean up your life, and this time learn from your mistakes and work towards not making the same error again. 

Have a blessed day! 

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Use your key!

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning!  Happy Friday!  Happy Memorial Day weekend!  I pray you all have safe traveling mercy if you are going out-of-town and I pray you enjoy your 4 day or 3 day weekend!

TFTD: Use your key!

Matthew 16:19 (NIV)

¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be^[a] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be^[b] loosed in heaven.”

Matthew 16:19 (MSG)

¹⁹ “And that’s not all. You will have complete and free access to God’s kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven.”

Yesterday, I wrote about how Greater is Coming and how we have access to the kingdom of God as believers.  On today, I want to encourage you to USE YOUR KEY!  What’s the purpose of having access to the kingdom if we have the keys and never use them?  There are a lot of believers walking around with the keys to the kingdom of God in their hands, in their pocket, in the purse, in their briefcase or hanging on a lanyard and never use it.  What are you waiting for?

Imagine standing outside of a mansion that had 100 rooms and you had one key that could access every room in the house.  Now you have the key in your hand and all you have to do is place the key into the door and turn the lock to gain full access to the property.  But instead of doing that you begin asking for a locksmith to come help you, you ask your neighbor if they have the spare key, or you ask your friends if they could get you in with their key.  You do everything except the obvious, which is to USE YOUR KEY!!!

God has blessed you with gifts and talents that will help unlock your destiny, but you have yet to use them.  You have been sitting on your gifts or suppressing your gifts in an effort to lay low.  You are prohibiting your access to the kingdom and you are stifling the growth of the ministry you were called to serve in or lead.  It’s time to use your key.  When you walk in obedience to God’s calling over your life then every door will begin to open for you.  There will be no barriers between you and the kingdom of God when you USE YOUR KEY!!!  I love how the Message Translation of Matthew 16:19 reads.  (Please go back to the top and read it at this moment.)  God has given us FREE ACCESS, there are no barriers, He is waiting to release a Yes into your future and at times a No.  How awesome is God?!  He is so awesome that He has given you the key and all you have to do is USE IT!

USE YOUR KEY!!!  Stop sitting on the gifts that God has placed within you.  It’s time to use your Key to access the kingdom of God.  Your breakthrough rest on your obedience.  USE YOUR KEY!

Have a blessed and safe Memorial weekend! 

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Greater is Coming!

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning!  Happy Thankful Thursday to you all!  I’m so excited about what God is doing in my life and in the lives of others.  He is a promise keeping God!!!  Be sure to give God thanks for being alive!

TFTD: Greater is Coming!

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NKJV)

²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

To those who follow my Facebook page, you will see a daily reminder that “Greater is coming!”  This is not a cliché, catch phrase, slogan, fad, or resolution, this is a PROMISE given to me from GOD.  God has promised me that Greater is Coming!  So every day, I decree, declare, and believe that Greater is Coming!  I serve a Great God and should EXPECT Great Things!  What has God promised you lately?  Are you standing on His promises?

Allow me a moment to break down this “GREATER that is COMING”.  The moment you accept Christ as your Lord and personal savior (Romans 10:9) you are now a member of a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).  You are a child of God, you are a descendant of the King of King and Lord of Lords.  God reminded me that by accepting His Son as my Savior that I now have ACCESS to the Kingdom of God and all that rest within it.  Access is the ability or the RIGHT to approach.  So I now, you now, have the RIGHT to approach the KINGDOM of GOD and all that rest within it.  (Oh, that makes me happy!)  Stay with me because I’m sure you’ll be blessed.  The Word tells me in Romans 8:9-11 that Christ dwells within us as believers and the same power that raised Jesus from the dead also rest within us.  So what does that mean?  I’m glad you asked.  It means that as believers you have the Right to Approach the Kingdom and gain the same power and authority that lives within Christ and receive access to the GREATER!!!  Hallelujah!!!

There is power in knowing who you are in Christ and knowing the power you really possess through Christ.  Since God is a Great God and I am His child and I have access, which is the key to enter into the kingdom of God, and possess the SAME power that raised Jesus from the dead and conquer death, hell, and the grave, then I have the power to speak over dead situations, conquer hell on earth, and defeat the grave of poverty, low-self esteem, obesity, complacency, jealousy, bitterness, anger, and the list goes on.  Oh, GREATER IS COMING!  God promised me that I will be the lender and not the borrower-Greater is Coming.  He promised me that I will be the head and not the tail-Greater is Coming!  He promised me that He will give me exceedingly and abundantly above all that I ever hoped for or asked for-Greater is Coming!  You better know that you serve a GREAT God who wants you to walk into His Greatness!!!

I’m so excited this morning because I have the key that gives me access to GREATNESS!!! GREATER IS COMING!  Are you ready???  If not you better get ready!!!  Please note that your greater will look different from mine, but be confident that Greater is Coming!

God bless!  Use your key to ACCESS the GREATER!!!

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Don’t pick the scab!

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good afternoon!  Happy Tuesday to you all!  I pray your day is going well.

TFTD: Don’t pick the scab!

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Earlier this month, I was at an event playing a game when I got scratched.  (Yes, we play rough…lol)  My hand was bleeding and I immediately cleaned it with an alcohol wipe and placed a band-aid on it.  A couple of days later I removed the band-aid and placed some Neosporin on it.  Over time a scab formed.  A few days ago, I noticed the scab was lifting.  I decided to help the process along by removing the scab.  Needless to say, I reopened the wound in a small area and the healing process had to start over again.

How many times have you encountered a hurtful situation that created an open wound that needed mending.  Maybe your heart was broken, your self-esteem was damaged, your mind was manipulated, your emotions toyed with and the list goes on.  You were so hurt that you thought you would never make it another day, but then you realized only Christ, prayer, and time would heal the wound.  Much like my example above, you initially took all the proper precautions, you went to God and had Him clean the wound and bandage it up and a few days, months, or even years later you removed the bandage and noticed that a scab had formed.  But instead of trusting God to fully mend the broken places you began picking the spiritual scab.  As a result of picking the scab prematurely, you inadvertently reopened the wound!

How many times have you thought you were over something and thought you were healed until you started picking the scab reopening the wound making it susceptible to infection?  We reopen the wounds of past hurts by interacting with the person who has hurt us before God released us too.  Or maybe we are in denial that the pain really exist.  Or perhaps we think we’ve got it all under control and we want to prove to the world that we are stronger than they thought so we jump into something new just to uncover that we never were healed in the first place!  DON’T PICK THE SCAB!!! 

God’s grace is sufficient.  When you are wounded allow God to mend the broken pieces.  Don’t rush the healing process.  When you rush the healing process you don’t allow God to adequately repair what was broken.  When you pick the scab you start the clock over on the healing process and you subject the wound to deeper infection.  You could subject yourself to deeper emotional turmoil, heartache, and distress.  If you trust God enough to go to Him first, then trust Him enough to heal you ENTIRELY!

Don’t pick the scab!  I was reminded this week not to pick the scab in the physical and God led me to the spiritual connection.  Let Him do what He does best.  And yes, there will be a scar, but that scar will serve as a reminder of what happened and you will be more cautious the next time.  Don’t pick the scab and don’t forget the experience. 

Have a blessed day! 

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Stay Connected

 

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning!  Happy Monday to you all!  I’m back, rested, and excited about what God is going to do through this blog!

TFTD: Stay Connected

John 15:1-8 (NIV)

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes^[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. ³ You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴ Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Yesterday, I had an awesome worship experience at church.  It was a time to relish in who God is and to bask in His presence.  It’s a beautiful thing to be in the presence of God and even more remarkable when you can recognize that He has shown up.  An important part of worship is being connected to Christ.  At times Christians go through the motions of church and think they were in worship.  I am here to tell you that you can’t experience the fullness of God if you are not connected to the VINE!!!

As believers, it’s important to stay connected to the source of our help, hope, love, strength, well-being, etc.   And as non-believers, it’s important to stop living in the illusion that you are connected when you are really not connected.  Yes, God reigns on the just and the unjust and there will be times when you will experience His goodness over your life, but if you have not accepted Him as your Lord and Savior, then the truth of the matter is you are not connected.

When you are not connected to the Vine, the scripture tells us that you do not bear fruit and the Father cuts you off because you are not bearing fruit.  See, God can’t have you tainting the kingdom.  When one grape is rotten on the vine, if it is not plucked it will cause the other grapes to rot.  There are believers who have rotted and God is going to cut you off because you are not connected to Him. You are connected to self, to titles, to leadership, etc. and you are not bearing fruit and it’s evident in the ministries you serve in or lead.  God is looking for people who are connected and you know you are connected by the fruit you are bearing.  If you are struggling more than you are bearing fruit, then I would say you need to check the source you are connected to.  We are all connected to something/someone, the question is are you connected to JESUS CHRIST?

When you are truly connected, not only will you bear fruit, but you will be pruned in order to bear MORE fruit!  In the seasons you are pressed and stretched are the very seasons when God is pruning you.  He is getting you ready to produce more fruit.  I know it may hurt at times, but hang in there because you are connected and God will not cut you off.  He will be the source of your strength and the evidence will manifest in a mighty way.  You won’t just occasionally show the evidence of a blessed life, you will always show the evidence and that will begin overflowing onto the lives of others.

Are you connected?  It’s time to get connected and stay connected.  You can’t do anything without Christ.  The scripture tells us, “apart from Christ we can do NOTHING!”  I encourage you to check to see if you are connected.

Have a blessed day!

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Be Right Back

Sunshine’s Reflections

 

I’m taking a much-needed break and the blogging will resume next week! 

Thank you for your support and God bless!

 

~Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis

Happy Mother’s Day

Poetry Corner

Today is Mother’s Day and I have the honor and privilege of walking in Commencement at Hampton University and receiving my Master of Business Administration degree.  God is so phenomenal that He equipped me with everything I needed to excel in grad school.  I will be graduating Magna Cum Laude.  God is a WONDER!!!  I am so excited about what God is doing in my life.  This has been a long journey and this is a special Mother’s Day present to myself from the Lord.  I could not have done any of it without Him.  I’m a living witness that you can be a wife, mother, author, poet, ministry leader, daughter, sister, friend, runner, and so much more and still obtain your degree.  With God, you are pretty much a big deal.  Keep Him first and watch Him blow your mind.  Lord, I thank you for my life!

 I want to wish every mother or mother figure a Happy Mother’s Day and dedicate this poem to all of you! 

You are amazing

By: Nicole L. Ellis

Dear mother,

You carried a human being inside of your womb

By nurturing and caring

In nine months your love came full bloom

Your life was no longer your own

And that was okay

Seeing your precious child took your breath away

You are amazing

Constantly pouring your heart into others

Although you wore many hats you were best known as a mother

If placed on a big screen the entire world would see

How much love you offered to everyone and the cost was absolutely free

You are amazing

Although sometimes you can be happy or sad, frustrated or mad

You go through life as if nothing is really that bad

The weight of the world is carried on your shoulders

You grow with grace and make others look forward to growing older

You’re the backbone to the household and enjoy helping those in need

Generosity is your middle name and you don’t believe in greed

You are amazing

God knew what He was doing when He had you in mind

The woman you would become would stand the test of time

Your investment into the lives of your children would last forever

Being a mother is a great endeavor

If no one has ever told you this before

You are amazing

Absolutely Amazing!

Happy Mother’s Day!

God bless you all on this Mother’s Day!

 

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

My Confidence Comes From God

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning!  I pray your week is going well.

TFTD: My Confidence Comes From God

2 Corinthians 3:4-5 (NIV)

⁴ Such confidence we have through Christ before God. ⁵ Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.

 

Confidence is defined as having full trust, belief in the powers, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person or a thing.  As the years have gone by, I have grown more confident in my abilities to carry out the tasks that have been assigned to me.  However, my confidence is not in my ability alone, rather through what I am able to do with the Spirit of God dwelling within me.  I’ve learned that alone, I am average and ordinary, but with God and truly recognizing His power, I am UNSTOPPABLE!!!  When you think about it, you are some kind of super when God adds His Super to your natural.

It’s important to know where your confidence comes from.  It’s even more important to share that with others.  The full trust we have comes from God and we are only competent human beings because of Him.  Let’s not make the mistake of becoming “big-headed”.  I caution you not to be so consumed with your gifts and talents that you begin thinking you are responsible for your success.  There are a lot of people, even believers, who are conceited and arrogant.  They have made the mistake of trusting in their ability.  Don’t make that mistake.  Know that your confidence comes from God!

I love looking at my gifts and talents like this;

“God has temporarily lent me His gifts and talents so that I can carry out His work to His people for His glory.” 

When your focus is shifted from a selfish point of view to a “God-like” point of view then you will go far.  Our life on this earth is temporary and God saw fit to bless each and every one of us with at least one spiritual gift.  Some of us have more than one, but guess what they all came from God.  Don’t get jealous or envious of the person with multiple gifts.  Instead, give God thanks for the gift(s) He has given you and learn how to make the best of them.  We were given these things not to boast or brag, but to carry out God’s work.  So our confidence shouldn’t be in ourselves, but in who lives within us and enables us to do what we do so well.  Finally, everything we do should be for God’s glory, not for us to get credit.  So don’t mistake cockiness for God given confidence.  Remember your confidence comes from God.  It’s because of Him you are able to do what you do today.

Remain humble and let others know why you are so confident.  Remind people daily, that you are only who you are because of God!

God bless. 

 

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Teacher’s Appreciation Week

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good afternoon.  Happy Monday to you all!

TFTD: Teacher’s Appreciation Week

This week is Teacher’s Appreciation week!  I have to say that teachers have a tough job.  They are with a room full of children from all different backgrounds for five days a week.  They have a great responsibility to educate our children.  There are some teachers who go beyond the call of duty and really pour into our children.  This week I encourage you to show appreciation to your teachers and your children’s teachers.

To: All of the Great Teachers

You are appreciated

As parents we forget to say thank you

As students it rarely crosses our thoughts

We can become so consumed with projects and assignments

That we appear ungrateful to a fault

But you are appreciated

You leave your homes early and stay up late with our children on your mind

You offer extra credit and tutoring to make sure the kids turn out fine

You labor over the curriculum

So our kids don’t turn out dumb

You are amazing

We value you more than words can express

If we had a million dollars we would pay you our very best

I don’t know how you do it and give beyond measure

I’m glad you chose to be a teacher and you do it with so much pleasure

You are so awesome and we just wanted to say

We appreciate you and pray you have a blessed day!

God bless our good teachers!!!

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.