Archive for the ‘purpose’ Category

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Be Strong and Courageous

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

 

Pikes Peak 2009

 

Be strong and courageous.  In the New American Standard bible translation; this exact combination of words occurs 13 times between Deuteronomy. Joshua, 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles.

 

 

 

I have visited so many of my favorite blogs this week and I can’t tell you how many people are feeling sorry for themselves.  I know it is dark in the northern hemisphere and it is January.  But it is time for the pity parties to stop. So right now, do these 6 things and then go out into the world and shine a light into dark places.

  1. Get some direct sunlight
  2. Take a walk 
  3. Write something in your gratitude journal 
  4. Think about the needs of someone else 
  5. Decide to be strong and courageous 
  6. Read the book of Joshua -

Set your purse down, and Spartan up! That includes both men and women. 

You are a radiant child of God.  You are not some hopeless, powerless, despicable worm in the dirt.  You are a saint.  You are made in the image of the most high God, and the very breath of God fills your spirit.

You were given the authority to heal the sick, and to alleviate human suffering.  You were given free will.  You may choose to live a life of significance!  You may leave this world a better place than it was before you got here! You be strong and courageous! Find your purpose and your joy.

The Old Testament is filled with stories.  Things never turn out well for the whiners and bed wetters.  We are told over and over about the people who were strong in the LORD.  The people who stand on the promises of God.  They stand on their faith and move mountains, and free the oppressed. Dwell upon what is possible.  Make it a great day!

Posted in Prayer, purpose, service | 14 Comments »

Press On, Stay Focused, Take a Risk

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

Photo by Rudy Matthiesen
Photo by Rudy Matthiesen
Significant things are not accomplished by getting distracted.  Sometimes the road twists and turns and the path is not quite so clear.  But without a vision or hope, people perish.  And many great works have changed the world when someone was willing press on, to look fear straight in the eye and take a risk.

The key is to not do too many things at one time.  To move to a life of significance, we must focus on one thing at a time.  Big dreams, daring adventures, exciting lives are available to us as we seek a higher purpose.

Multi tasking is over rated. I don’t believe we multi task well.  There are a few involuntary actions like breathing we do while doing other things.  Some tasks require different skills, so we can walk and talk at the same time.  In reality it is a matter of quickly changing focus.  Do it a bunch of times and you don’t even remember what the most important task was. 

The problem I find in myself is, if I am not quite sure the next step on my significant task, then I distract myself so I don’t have to continue to step forward.  I look through a cookbook, or call someone. “Hi there, no, nothing new.  Just checking in to see how you are doing?” And the big important thing vaporizes at that point.

We want our lives to count for something.  We know we are capable of being a positive change for good.  We could leave this world a better place.  The clock is ticking.  We are aware of it most at the close of a year.  How can we make the coming year count?  What significant action could be part of our higher awareness, our higher calling?

I pray for guidance to contribute that thing that is my own special gift.  I pray you find yours. Let us then press on toward the goal, stay focused and enjoy lives of great significance, not by adding things to our list; but by focusing on what is important.

Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Take a risk.  Make 2010 an amazing year because you are part of this great adventure called life.

Posted in Rejoice, purpose | 4 Comments »

Weary With Sorrow

Monday, December 28th, 2009
Photo by Chrissy Oldham

Photo by Chrissy Oldham

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.  Psalm 119:28
 
 
 
Heavenly Father, winter can be a cold a dark time of year in many places in the world. Help us to find time to nurture our spirits and live in joy and light. I pray for those everywhere who suffer from depression, sadness, grief.  Lift their spirits.  I pray for those who need to know the joy of the LORD is their strength.  Strengthen each of us according to your word. The light of the world has come.  Guide us, and let us each shine the light. Thank you God.  Amen

Posted in grief, purpose, rest | No Comments »

Divine Order

Thursday, September 24th, 2009
Photo by Chrissy Oldham

Photo by Chrissy Oldham

The flower reminds me of how I must look to the casual observer; a little wind blown, not symmetrical, slightly disorganized and undisciplined.  Never the less, I show up in full bloom with the grace, passion and form that God gave me.

I enjoy the new trends in the personal development blog sites.  Many writers encourage excellence, simplicity, passion in our work and  generosity.  People are sharing lessons learned, helpful hints, and encouragement daily.  That is part of the Kingdom of God.  It is about what we do for each other.  It is often about what we are willing to give of ourselves.

There is an order to the universe.  It may not match our perception of order and achievement, but the events are not all random, and there is a  divine order.  Each experience is a step toward our future and if we choose, can build our strength.  Each lesson learned, however painful, prepares the way for how we deal with future experiences and how we might learn to love to the fullest.

Father God, thank you for the beauty of the day and of the season.  Let us discover the nature of you God, as we lend a helping hand or kind word to others.  Allow us to cross over the barriers of race, religion, occupation, and social status to find our higher purpose and compassion  in serving each other.  Bring your divine order and simplicity to our lives.  Let grace and loving kindness shine from each of us. Let us bring out the best in each other.  Let us be a blessing today. Amen

Posted in Blessing, grace, purpose, service | No Comments »

The Next Chapter

Saturday, July 25th, 2009

the-next-chapter

1 Corinthians 16:5 – 16:7 

5After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia. 6Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.

Paul was on a journey.  He didn’t dig in and stay one place during his ministry.  He moved around, I think as the spirit moved him.  He was a letter writer and his works became some of what we read in the new testament of our Bibles.  Each work is a different chapter.  Each chapter is a different place. (more…)

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Today Is A New Beginning

Monday, June 29th, 2009
After a Colorado storm

After a Colorado storm

Is your life what you thought it would be?
Do you think you have a calling?
That is a scary word.  People think if they are called they will have to sell all their stuff and go do mission work in another country.   Not all of us are up for that. 
I like to think of using my calling as working with God.  It is about using the unique and special talents and gifts that are part of who I am as a child of God.  You don’t pick your own calling.  You listen for it.  You ask God to help you find your calling.  It is something we must seek daily.
If you are at a place now, and you don’t quite know what the next step is, ask.  Ask for guidance.  If you do it every day, you won’t come to the end of your life and wonder what happened.  You will know you were guided day by day, step by step through the wonderful adventure of your life.
Gracious God, help us to find the purpose and hope of our calling.  Work with us and guide our steps.  Amen

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