What are we doing with our lives?

Our belief systems are evident in our lifestyles. It has been an incredible week or two of self-discovery and thankfulness. I've heard the saying before concerning our purpose being hidden in what makes us sing and what makes us cry. Our Pastor this morning spoke about naturalism vs Biblical theism and challenged us with our authenticity. It was an incredible service that concluded a week of ups and downs.



This roller coaster of a life we often live is exhausting. I've had to stop on several occasions and get off the roller coaster, step back and look at what was in the valleys and what were the mountain top experiences. I crave stability! I am not guaranteed that; however, I am assured of faithfulness of my God so that I am not alone on this ride.



Unfortunately we seem to learn best in the valleys when we realize we just can't do it all or we are so hurt we can even see straight. It is when I get to the end of myself, flat on my back, looking up that I see once again who is in control. We have been set free to fly solo and yet forget that in order to fly we need the wind; those currents that cause us to build our strength as we counter them to reach our goals. My belief in intelligent design ensures that I understand that I have a role to play.



What am I doing with this life I've been given? What do I think about most; myself or serving others? Ouch!



I've had a person remind me of my shortcomings and while that hurt; it was my choice as to whether or not I chose to be offended. (Thanks Joyce Meyer for your messages this week!) I've had an acquaintance randomly give me money; I graciously received this gift with thankfulness. I've heard of that happening to others and it is quite overwhelming to just accept a free gift that is undeserved. Yet....that is what God has done for me; the free gift of salvation.



I accepted it, I believe it, but do I live it? I think the churches are full of great believers but are we great followers? Do we allow fear or faith to be the basis of our decisions?



It is time we Christians stood up for our beliefs so that others can see that we are channels of love to a hurting world. We are here for a purpose! Our lives need to be reflective of our choice to live for God. This life is a gift and what we do with it is our gift back to our creator!

Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.

We are given the gift of imagination. Each new day is a gift as well. I am thankful for new mercy and a chance to start over each day. I love overcoming stories and inspirational movies. They just resonate with that spirit of possibility that lies within each of us. I think about movies like "Pay it forward" and the many times I've been called a purist. Why can't we truly live the way we all would like to?

I wrote that paragraph back in February and here it is April 25, 2010 and I am reflecting on the past several months and the roller-coaster ride I embarked upon. Dreams are the inspiration and goals the perspiration! My tendency is to lean towards sweat equity. I am not down playing hard work but pure hard work is not enough. I've entered the "Kathy zone" of working too many hours; thinking that it is necessary to achieve my goals.

The goals became simple with starting a new business; food, shelter....What do you do when you run out of money pursuing what you believe is the right thing to do? God's favour is incredible; he opens doors and closes other. This journey has been about submission for me. I know God is my source, my strength, my all in all and YET....I work like it depends on me. How foolish! I found myself approaching Easter; exhausted and concerned about feeding my family.

I reached out to His Word, listening to Charles Stanely's messages over and over again, Joyce Meyer daily. Over the Easter weekend I was reminded that I was depending on my efforts again and had lost my peace because I didn't understand why things weren't coming together as I expected. Taking a step back, resting (big key) and by getting on my knees (Fighting Your Battles On Your Knees by Charles Stanley)

While I was focusing on ME :-( and how things were working in my life, I was reminded thanks to Joyce Meyer, that we need to get ourselves of our minds and ask God who we can serve today. I looked around and found several close people in my life dealing with cancer.

It is difficult to go through financial stress but putting things into perspective; we hadn't missed a meal, we still have a roof over our heads and our health. God as always is faithful to provide, we've had to adjust to a changes in lifestyle while He develops the character necessary to handle what He has in store for us.

I have found my peace at the foot of the cross and surrendering what I'm not meant to carry once again. I am trusting more, working less and doing everything with prayer and petition as I serve the ones around me that are struggling with health challenges! Thank you Lord for your mercy, grace and faithfulness!

It's no wonder one of my favourite Bible verses is; Isaiah 41:29-31 "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Trust and obey for there is no other way....

Make today count - it may be your last and what will you be remembered for?

Embracing Uncertainty

As my earlier posts have indicated I've been involved with computers for as long as I can remember. In fact I was studying Computer Programming while they invented and released the Personal Computer. Yes, there were computers before PCs! Since leaving my full time job in December I seem to have been challenged technology wise.

At 1:30 am this past Wednesday I had to stop, and look around. I had 4 open PCs in my living room, my main desktop not booting and my laptop in the shop because it wasn't booting. Sometimes you just have to stop and evaluate. I am of the opinion that in life we need to utilize our strengths and hire out our weaknesses.

I do understand what I was doing.....but was it the best use of my time! Time is the equalizer in life. We all have gifts and strengths but what we do with our time determines our destinies. I also believe that God is not the author of frustration and I was nearing that point! I sent my wonderful friend home that was helping me and decided it took more faith to go to sleep and know that Thursday was a new day then to stay up and try to fix things.

Trusting God's timing and leading is one of the most difficult parts of my journey. I am a doer! I tend to charge ahead; with a little nudge I'm off and running. As time is flying by, I am much more aware that I have to make the most of every day. Especially now that I'm self-employed!

I trudged through Thursday (an online meeting without a mic-thank God for chat windows!) I made a list of what I could/should do and who I should enlist to reach my goals this week. Taking the time to step back and prioritize my goals every day is helping me become more efficient.

A can of condensed air saved my main desktop and thanks to Andrew it is now hardwired and much faster. My incredible friend Sabrina (willing to loose sleep to help me) saved the day with the four other computers and assisted me with getting the hard drives all backed up and know I'm ready to move forward with three - one for each teenager. A brand new printer installed; thanks Sharon and although the shop called on Friday and the laptop won't be ready until Monday I see progress.

It's easy to get discouraged, to question yourself but you have to know that you know that you are on the right track; sometimes it is a leap of faith. Faith is "the substance of things unseen" so taking my eyes off what is in front of me and getting my eyes onto my goals and dreams give me perspective. I heard a stat this week that 85% of life is affected by association. It made me step back and think about who I am spending time with.

Having mentors and the incredible people I've been blessed to work with in my life is a continual source of encouragement. Having a local church (Calvary Pentecostal Church) with solid teaching that each week either inspires or challenges me to make mid-course corrections. Subscribing to an ongoing personal and professional development program that allows me to choose to put in a CD by a successful business owner that has persevered. I receive tweets from business leaders that are landing in Peter Island and sharing the photos to inspire our dreams!

Choosing to spend quiet time with God is by far the most important part of my life. My beliefs are based on the fact that He is a loving God that wants the personal relationship with us that His son died to make possible. He is available 24/7, he has a plan...and it is the best one! Choosing to spend this afternoon refocusing on that relationship confirmed as always that I'm on the right track! He speaks, but I'm not always listening. So today I did! My kids went to visit their grandfather and I shut off the electronics and opened the Bible; did a spiritual inventory and in my prayer time was reminded of Andy Stanley's book Visioneering. In this book Andy talks about Nehemiah's story about fulfilling his purpose.

This is how God works in my life....since quitting work in December, all sorts of opportunities have come my way. When I give God the time; he gives me signposts along the way to confirm my path. It really is a simple child like existence when we know who is in control. So...I finish up my prayer time feeling confident I'm on the right track, I sit down in front of my computer to check on my many social communities and login to YouTube to listen to my favorite tunes and guess what the top suggested video for my today was......you got it Andy Stanley with a message on One Prayer. The message was on what I had just read and once again confirms how much God cares about the intimate details of our lives and if we are willing to give Him the time and devotion; He'll lead!

Wishing each and everyone of you a fantastic week and if you are struggling with any of the above items; here is a great message for you on Margins by LifeChurchTV. Keep going and growing! I may not know what tomorrow holds but I know who is in control and that is all I need to know.

What Mistakes are You Making?

My favourite email devotional is The Vine. I have been receiving this for many, many years and find the messages very timely. Enjoy yesterday's message and feel free to subscribe yourself. You'll be blessed.

What Mistakes Are You Making? (3)

The Word for Today with Bob Gass

Tuesday, 5th January 2010

A sign in a high-pressure sales office brings a smile: 'Do you like to travel? Do you want to meet new friends? Do you want to free up your future? All this can be yours if you make one more mistake.' Fear of making mistakes keeps us from reaching our highest potential, from seeking honest counsel and feedback, and from speaking out lest we become criticised or abandoned.

To be successful you must give the people around you permission to push back. When you don't get input it can be disastrous. In It's Your Ship, Michael Abrashoff writes: 'The moment I heard about it [the tragic sinking of a Japanese fishing boat off Honolulu by the submarine USS Greenville], I was reminded that, as is often the case with accidents, someone senses possible danger but doesn't actually speak up. As the Greenville investigation unfolded, I read in a New York Times article that the submarine's crew 'respected the Commanding Officer too much to question his judgement.' If that's respect, then I want none of it. You need to have people that can tap you on your shoulder and say, 'Is this the best way?' or 'Slow down,' or 'Think about this,' or 'Is what we are doing worth killing or injuring somebody?'

History records countless incidents in which ship captains or organisation managers permitted a climate of intimidation to pervade the workplace, silencing subordinates whose warnings could have prevented disaster. Even when the reluctance to speak up stems from admiration for the Commanding Officer's skill and experience, a climate to question decisions must be created in order to foster double-checking.'

There are related posts at http://www.thevine.co.nz

The Power of One

Have you noticed that whenever God has a work to be done on earth, he so often chooses an individual to get his work started and achieved? Think of Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, Mary, Peter, Paul, etc. The good news is that God, today, still chooses and uses individuals to accomplish his work on earth.

Furthermore, throughout history, one person has had made an incredible impact with his or her life. As the anonymous poet said:

One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal.
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam can light a room.
One candle can wipe out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey,
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what's true.
One life can make the difference,
You see, it's up to you and me.

To get God's work done on earth "if it's going to be, it will be up to YOU and ME!"

As Edward Everett Hale so eloquently said, "I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do."

Let's never forget how very important you and I are to God in our world.

Again, most of God's work on earth has been started by one person. Will you be the one God is looking for today to do his work in your world?

And as Dale Carnegie said, "Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no help at all."

This post is from People Power Update 04-2009 please click on the link to read the entire article.

New Years.....endings and beginnings

This past Christmas wraps up a whole year of realization! It was last December when I felt that there was no better time to be building my business. I was on a great reward trip with my daughter; while my sister was having Cancer surgery and listening to the biggest leaders in the network marketing industry share their vision.

There are moments that make you stand still and reassess your priorities. After that trip the kids and I went to Thunder Bay to visit my eldest daughter and her husband for Christmas. It was a time to put down the electronics and enjoy my family. Coming out of a difficult season of my life and realizing we had not only survived but grown in many ways. I felt blessed but also a little lost. What was my motivation now....surviving the many changes divorce brought was accomplished.

It's taken a whole year to put my plan into action; removing myself from a full-time job where I really enjoyed the work, the team and the clients to be able to focus on my true passion; Leadership Development. Their is a God given vision inside each of us and I know I'll never be fully content unless I do what I've been called to do. With much anguish I began the journey of letting go of the stability of a regular pay cheque to do what I love the most.

I fear far too many people die with their dreams still inside them. I refuse that path and have chosen the path less traveled. I am thankful that my children not only understand but are encouraging me to pursue my passion; even if it means KD for supper! I am one blessed Mom and business owner that is very excited to be starting 2010 on the right path for me! I wish each of you the courage to become all you are meant to be. Here is a great poem that says it well.

Dies slowly by Pablo Neruda

Dies slowly he who transforms himself in slave of habit,
repeating every day the same itineraries,
who does not change brand,
does not risk to wear a new color and doesn't talk to whom doesn't know.

Dies slowly he who makes of television his guru.
Dies slowly he who avoids a passion,
who prefers black to white
and the dots on the "i" to a whirlpool of emotions,
just those ones that recover the gleam from the eyes,
smiles from the yawns,
hearts from the stumbling and feelings.

Dies slowly he who does not overthrow the table when is unhappy at work,
who does not risk the certain for the uncertain
to go toward that dream that is keeping him awake.
Who does not allow, at least one time in life, to flee from sensate advises.
Dies slowly he who does not travel, does not read,
does not listen to music, who does not find grace in himself.

Dies slowly he who destroys his self love,
who does not accept somebody's help.
Dies slowly he who passes his days complaining of
his bad luck or the incessant rain.
Dies slowly he who abandons a project before starting it,
who does not ask over a subject that does not know
or who does not answer when being asked about something he knows.

Dies slowly he who does not share his emotions, joys and sadness,
who does not trust, who does not even try.
Dies slowly he who does not relive his memories
and continues getting emotional as if living them at that moment.
Dies slowly he who does not intent excelling,
who does not learn from the stones of the road of life,
who does not love and let somebody love.

Let's avoid death in soft quotes,
remembering always that to be alive demands an effort much bigger
that the simple fact of breathing.